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.

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Macintosh Specific

Miscellaneous Software  	GENERAL INTEREST:

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About Baker Enterprises
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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.

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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).

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Business & Productivity Software
Business & Productivity Software News:

Library Master Bibliographic Database Mgr V2.0

PRONTO Registration Software

Intuit Intros 1st CDROM Personal Finance Swr

FONE v6.2d Tames Telecom Costs

FONE800 v2.12 Manages 800# Telephone Calls

HEAT V2.1 Beta Testers Cite Speed/Productivity

Loan Chief Financial Swr Generates Loan Tables

Dr. Form Version 3.0 Forms Generation Software

Contractor's Dream Version 6.0

GENESYS HealthCare Human Resource Mgmt System

GENESYS Benefit Payment System V5.0

Aldus Additions Developers Grants

Delivery Route Light

Fortis Selects FOUNDATION Client/Server Tools

Aldus PhotoStyler 2.0 for Windows

Virtus WalkThrough for Windows Gets MVP Award

Virtus Inks Deal with ASHD for VR Software

Automation Master Real Time Simulation Swr

Aris Ent. MediaClips Library to MPEG


Professional/Engineering Software
Professional/Engineering Software News:

MathWorks Statistics Toolbox for MatLab

MathWorks Partner Series of MatLab Toolboxes

STAT!-Ref Medical Ref with Merck Manual

PYRAMID Chromatography Manager for Windows

Major 1994 Environmental Softwrae Expansion

2 New Drug Info Databases on SilverPlatter

WINtelligent VISION Intros OCR Feature

Intelligent Technologies Now on SilverPlatter

WINtelligent LINX Added Comm Support

WINtelligent QUALITY Real-Time SPC Program

WINtelligent VIEW Operator Interface Swr

WINtelligent TREND Shop Floor Function Keys

WINtelligent RECIPE Manages Process Data

ICOM & MDT Form Alliance

ICOM Intros WINtelligent DCS PLC-5 Support Swr

DSPLib Hand-Optimized C-Callable DSP Routines

Ansoft & Cadence Sign Joint Mrkting Agreement

Intergraph Renames Low-End Road Design Product

Dianachart Insta-Call Voice Telephone Interface

Int'l Software Systems Releases CADPIPE 3.0


Personal & Educational Software
Personal & Educational Software News:

ClaimsPlus Tracks Health Insurance Claims

SuperToons Multimedia CD-ROM Shipping

QuickTax V1.04 Planner/Estimator Updated

HortMan Horticultural Manager

Learning2 School Software Donation Program

Magic Quest Discovery Learning Series

Micro Wine Companion for Windows

Southern Living Cookbook Multimedia Edition

Betty Crocker's New Choices Cookbook

Shareware Electronic Tax Filing Swr 1040/1099

Ugly Duckling Interactive Fairy Tale

Kidware Educational Windows Software V2.10

Library of the Future, 3rd Edition

Aris Ent. Toyota Tsusho Dist & Dev Agreement

Diet Expert & Expert Quiz Show for Windows


Games & Entertainment Software
Games & Entertainment Software News:

ICOM's Dracula Unleashed on CD-ROM

Classics Fun Pack for Windows

Four New Titles From Epic MegaGames

MULTICOM Dandy Dinosaurs: A Max the Dragon CD

Froggman Software Arcade 3-D Action Games

Pebble Beach Golf Links Championship Course

Fatty Bear's Fun Pack from Humongous Ent.

SSI Fantasy Empires

Alone in the Dark for CD-ROM

Alive Software Fall 1993 Shareware Games

Eye of the Beholder Trilogy

Tony La Russa Baseball II CD

Math Ace Arcade Style Educational Math Game

Nintendo Fun Centers for Hospitals

X, the Game of Unknown Love - Educ Math Game

EA*KIDS Nat'l Parenting Center Seal of Approval

James Pond 3 - Operation Starfi5h (Genesis)

Mutant League Hockey & 4 Way Play Adapter

Aris Multimedia - Video Cube: Space (CDROM)

WW2 Air Force Commander


System Software & Utilities
System Software & Utilities News:

NSSI LanSafe II Network Power Mgmt Swr

Cheyenne Supports Novell NetWare Connect

ORPHEUS V1.65 Hypertext Authoring & Elec Pub.

STRO-WARE ClipSQL V3 for SQL Server/Sybase

ARCserve Processor Independent NetWare Support

InocuLAN V2.5 Improved Network Virus Protection

Cheyenne Distributed Storage Mgmt Prod Strategy

ARCserve 5.0 for Netware, Windows Edition

FAXserve Extends Auto Fax to Smaller Networks

ARCserve NLM DBagent Online Databaes Backup

ARCserve/Open for SCO UNIX V1.1

TSX-32 Multi-User for 5250 & 3270 Remote Access

HLPDK Sound & Vision Edition (V10.0)

TalkWorks Windows Voice Annotation Swr

Dynamind Developer Pro Neural Network Tools

GammaTech Power Pack for OS/2 V1.0

GammaTech File Secure for OS/2 File Encryption

TEALEAFS V2.1c Unique/Customizable Screen Saver

Ibex FactsLine Adds New Document Mgmt Features

Wilson WindowWare Windows 3.1 Shareware

Competitive Upgrade on Acme Fonts

Elfring Soft Fonts Shareware Products

Integrity Master Visus Protection Software

PowerBatch Plus Upgrade is Ready

Golden CommPass 2.1 OS/2 Comm Package for CIS

BW-Server PC-Based NSF Server Software

Beame & Whiteside Intros New Server Swr

XoftWare/32 for Windows Version 3.0

BCM Menu System v2.0

Hewlett Packard Acquires PC Dashboard Trademark

HIPPARCHUS GIS Enabling Software Technology

Instant Index Text Search Engine Cheaper/Faster

Jeopardy Detector Disk Caching Test Utility

WinZip 5.0 With Built-In Zipping

COBOL spII Version 3.0 Available

Meta-Mouse & Digitized Voice Toolkit

SYBASE Announces New Gain Momentum Dev Pgm

AGE Logic Ships PC X Server Swr for Windows NT

Cheyenne Swr Appoints Merisel Authorized Dist.

Rupp Tech FastLynx for Wizard


Macintosh Specific Software
Macintosh Specific Software News:

Apple Unveils System 7 Pro Operating System

Expert Astronomer Wins Tech/Learning Swr Award

ASTERIX et son fils: Learn French

Expert Swr Mac Design Series Gets Straight A's

Apple PhotoFlash Adds Photos to Documents

Apple Chinese Language Kit

Research Assistant V3.0.2 Text Gathering Tool

English-Language Talmud on CDROM for Mac

Free Copies of Micro Frontier Color It Program

Aldus FreeHand 4.0 for Macintosh

BidWorks For Residential Construction Projects

Coming Apart at the Seams, Baseball Book

Micro Kitchen Companion New Available for Mac

Virtual Tarot CD-ROM, Multimedia For Your Mind

Free Contact Ease Demo Disk

The Graph Club! with Fizz & Martina

EA*Kids Expands to Support Apple Macintosh

Xplorations CD-ROM of 100 Digital Art Images


Miscellaneous Software
Miscellaneous Software News:

QBALL LITE, Small Arms Exterior Ballistics

Another Company Offers ALMANAC 1994

Rupp Tech Time & Expense Mgmt for Sharp Wizard

3 New SilverPlatter Databases on CD-ROM


System Hardware
System Hardware News:

Fujitsu 325Point Penbased Computers to Truckers

NEC Intros Next Generation Image Series

Texas Utilities Selects Fujitsu PoqetPad Plus

APF4000 Flat Panel Integrated System

Micro Express Color Notebook with PCMCIA


Expansion Hardware
Expansion Hardware News:

AIRLAN/PCMCIA Supports Roaming Notebook Users

DATEL Dual High-Speed A/D Boards

Editlink 2200 Series Videotape Edit Ctlr Cards

ReelMagic MPEG Video & Sound Playback Board

PCMCDI - Complete PCMCIA interface System

Sound in Computing, Technology Overview

SoundMan Wave, High-End Wave Table Sound Board

Spectrum Signal Digital I/O Board

SupraCOMcard 144 PCMCIA 14.4Kbps Faxmodem

Proxim Supports IEEE 802.11 MAC Layer Std

MosesSPOOL Network-Upgradable Printer Sharing

MosesDOCK Single-User Lan Shipping

Trident Licenses Panacea's Turbo DLD Swr

Moses Computers & M-USA COMDEX Give-Away


Peripheral Hardware
Peripheral Hardware News:

Sigma Designs Adds Encyclopedia to Reelmagic

Modular/1LP Touch Frame for Flat Panel Displays

Clip-On Touch Frame for Nanao 17" Monitors

Fujitsu Canada Standardizes on 21MB Floptical

TruScan 500 & 800 E-size Document Scanners

Logitech Announces ScanMan PowerPage

CrystalEyes Used in Hubble Repair Support

StereoGraphics Intros CrystalEyes PC

CrystalEyes VR Supported by Virtual Design Env

CrystalEyes CAD For AutoCAD Stereo 3D Images

ProClean Floptical Drive Cleaning Kit

JVC Supports Authoring of Photo CD Portfolio

Kodak Print from Slides Machine

Photo Labs/Service Bureaus to Product Photo CDs

Kodak Automated Photo CD Imaging Workstation

Talk AnyTime V.32terbo & Swr Enhancements

Multi-Tech V.Fast MultiModemII Goes to Beta

V.32terbo Performance to X.25 Modems

Multi-Tech Mid-Priced Data/Fax Modem

Wireless Connection for HP OmniBook 425

US Robotics Supports Rockwell V.Fast Modulation

U.S. Robotics Announces Fax Servers

V.34 High-Speed Modem Standard in Fast Lane

P-TOUCH PC Debuts Custom Labeling From Computer

Ergonomic Interface Kybd Sys at Technology 2003

ComputerEyes/LPT Parallel Port Frame Grabber

CrystalEyes Dual Projection System for 3D Proj

MultiModemZDX Low Priced Quality Data/Fax Modem


Macintosh Specific Hardware
Macintosh Specific Hardware News:

Apple Accelerates Marketshare Strategy

Logitech Intros TrackMan Design for Macintosh

Macintosh TV Combines TV & Stereo CD

Apple USA Announces Rebates for Holiday Season

Supra Ships Voice Upgrade for SupraFAXModems


Miscellaneous Hardware
Miscellaneous Hardware News:

InstantSwitch Low Cost Printer Sharing Solution

NCD Reduces High-End Color X Terminal Prices

PCPI & Adobe Dev Agree. Dev PostScript Ctlr

Weitek Licenses Media Vision Captain Crunch

MiLAN Fiber-Twist Duplexor 150 Media Converter

Weitek Extends POWER 9000 Graphics Accelerators

Weitek Licenses SuperMac Cinepak

NSSI Distribution Agreement with Dell

Ensoniq Adds Digital Audio Recording to ASR-10

Ensoniq Upgrades TS-10 Performance Synthesizer

Ensoniq Intros TS-12 Performance Synthesizer

NSSI Expands UPS Product Line

PC Interface for SIMCHECK Memory Tester

MultiMux Priority Statistical Multiplexers

On-Demand Remote Node/Remote Control Gateway

Multi-Tech Async Statistical Multiplexers

New VCR Plus+ With Callset

Entry-Level Color X Terminals from NCD


Books & Publications
Books & Publications:

Learning Pearl from O'Reilly & Associates

PC Graphics & Video Mag & CCI Join Forces

New WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows Video Training

Sendmail Explained

Programmin perl

SSC Winter 1994 UNIX, C, MS-DOS Pub's Catalog

C++ Memory Management Techniques

Electronic Traveller, Exploring Alt Online Sys

Turbocharge Your Mac!

The Gray Book, 2nd Ed. Designing in B&W

Advertising From the Desktop

Quattro Pro 5 Made Easy

Quicken 3 for Windows Made Easy

Quicken 7 Made Easy

SYBASE Magazine for Client/Server Solutions

Concise Guide to MS-DOS Batch Files

Running Word 6 for Windows, Second Edition

Microsoft Word 6 for Windows Step by Step

Migrating to Fortran 90

MS-DOS 6.2 Upgrade For Dummies, Special Ed.

Microsoft Press Computer Dictionary 2nd Ed.

Runnings Windows NT

Distributing Apps Across DCE & Windows NT

Oak Ridge High Tech Joke Book

November Cyber Magazine Available

Komputer Reports Free Subscription Offered


Miscellaneous News
Miscellaneous News:

Sculley Leaving Apple

Mobile Forum Declared A Success

Boulder Count R&D/Manufacturers Directory Avail

Virus Bulletin Reports on Latest Viruses

SilverPlatter Announces Internet Connection

Mobile Forum'93 & 94 Speakers

First Apple Newton Development Conference

Apple & TI Endorse High-Speed Serial Bus Std

Interactive Multimedia Assoc Convergence Forum

Artisoft Signs CompUSA Volume Purchase Agreemnt

Baker's NewsBits (11/18/93)

US Software Publishers Well Positioned in Japan

Software License Terms Competitive Issue

Silicon Northwest Press Reception, Nov 16th

SPA & Boscov's Settle Software Suit

Mobile Forum'93-94 Successful Registration

Kodak Photo CD Dics in Smaller Size

Artisoft Joins NOMDA/LANDA

O'Reilly & Associates & Species Survival Comm.

New Electronic Service in Santa Rosa Area

Tele-Tech Call Pricing Data Available On-Line

Anderson Soft-Teach Entering Multimedia Market

IMA Convergence Forum White Paper

Intergraph Third Quarter Report


QBALL LITE, Small Arms Exterior Ballistics
Author Announces New FREEWARE Product: QBALL LITE Small Arms Exterior Ballistics

You think that you might be interested in computerized ballistics, but you  don't want to spend a lot of money to find out?  Sure, there are commercial  products for many dollars -- and there's Shareware which requires registration  payments.  Even with Shareware trial versions, there are the costs of getting  the software from a vendor, or connect-time charges using an electronic  bulletin board system (BBS), or a service such as CompuServe or GEnie.

How about FREEWARE?

Ben Hartley, author of QBALL, a full-featured Shareware small arms  exterior ballistics program, has released QBALL LITE, a smaller program which  will give you the "flavor" of computerized ballistics.

QBALL LITE will produce tables at fixed range increments and fixed maximum  ranges of velocities and energies, trajectory data, wind deflection for a  fixed 10-MPH crosswind, and times of flight.  Limited "Zeroed at" data is also  computed.  Tables are displayed on screen, and may be output as hardcopy if  you have a printer.  A short User's Manual is also part of the QBALL LITE  package.

Will QBALL LITE do everything that QBALL will do?  No.  While it is fully  functional in its own right, QBALL LITE will not display trajectory graphics,  nor save data to disk, nor allow a user-configured display, nor calculate  point blank ranges, nor do many -- if not most -- of the other things which  QBALL will do.

So why get QBALL LITE?

"Shareware is shared software," Hartley said, "Here, I'm dealing with, if  you will, 'Ideaware,' that is, a program that shares an idea, and which will  do something useful, but which avoids the size, complication, and 'learning  curve' of a more fully developed product."

"QBALL LITE is designed to give one the idea of computerized ballistics.   It's got lots of limitations, but the idea is to whet the appetite, so to  speak.  Some of the people who try QBALL LITE will go on to obtain QBALL.  And  some of those folks will register QBALL -- which is the whole idea,"  he said.

While Mr. Hartley retains the copyright to QBALL LITE, there is no charge  for its use; registration fees are neither requested nor desired.  The only  cost is downloading: QBALL LITE takes about 7 minutes to transfer at 2400 bps.   (QBALL's Shareware Edition, in contrast, takes almost 30 minutes.)  Since  QBALL LITE is the copyright property the author, you may not sell it to  anyone, of course.  You're encouraged to pass it along to others, as long as  you don't modify or omit any of the files.

QBALL LITE has no time limitation on its use license.  If you obtain and  use QBALL LITE, you're licensed to do so forever.  (QBALL's Shareware Edition  has a 60-day trial-use license, after which time, you are expected to  register.)

There is absolutely minimal support available: if you obtain an incomplete  QBALL LITE package, you may contact the author for a complete set of program  and documentation files on disk.  QBALL LITE, with this sole exception, will  not be available from the author.  QBALL LITE will be available on BBS and  similar services, and perhaps from vendors on a "catch-as-catch-can" basis.

QBALL LITE is available on CompuServe, in Library 14 of the Outdoors Forum  (Filename "QBALIT.ZIP"); on GEnie, in the IBM Roundtable Library (Filename:  "QBALLITE.ZIP"); and on America Online, in the Home/hobby Library (Filename:  "QBALLITE.ZIP").  You may wish to use the appropriate service's file search  functions; the keyword to use is "ballistics."

Questions of a general nature about either QBALL LITE, or its "big  brother," QBALL, may be addressed to Ben Hartley at the following e-mail  addresses: CompuServe: 70033,2612; GEnie: B.Hartley1; or AOL: BHartley.  You  may also request a QBALL brochure from Benjamin W. Hartley, Forest Park  Estates #103, Jaffrey, NH 03452 (USA).


Learning Pearl from O'Reilly & Associates
Learning perl

By Randal L. Schwartz, Foreword by Larry Wall

274 pages, ISBN: 1-56592-042-2, $24.95 (US)

Learning Perl, written by a leading Perl instructor, provides a systematic, step-by-step, tutorial approach to learning the language. There are numerous short code examples punctuating a relaxed, informal, and precise tour of all the main features of the language. In addition, each chapter contains exercise problems, together with their solutions. Anyone who works through the book will be capable of programming with a broad and productive range of Perl features. For a comprehensive and detailed guide to programming with perl, read O'Reilly's companion book Programming perl.

Table of Contents

 1: Introduction                     2: Scalar Data

 3: Arrays and List Data             4: Control Structures

 5: Associative Arrays               6: Basic I/O

 7: Regular Expressions              8: Functions

 9: Miscellaneous Control Structures 10: Filehandles and File Tests

11: Formats                         12: Directory Access

13: File and Directory Manipulation 14: Process Management

15: Other Data Transformation       16: System Database Access

17: User Database Manipulation      18: Converting Other Languages to

                                        Perl

Appendix A: Exercise Answers

Appendix B: Networking Basics

Appendix C: Topics We Didn't Mention

Index

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

This and other O'Reilly products are available in the Americas and Japan through bookstores, or directly from the publisher. Access our gopher catalog by "telnet gopher.ora.com" (log in as "gopher"). To contact us: telephone 707-829-0515 (800-998-9938 in US & Canada); FAX 707-829-0104; email order@ora.com; or write O'Reilly & Associates, 103A Morris St., Sebastopol, CA, 95472, USA.  GSA # GS-02F-6095A.

Our international distributors are:

*  Europe (except German-speaking countries), Middle East, and

Africa through International Thomson Publishing, Berkshire House,

168-173 High Holborn, London WC1V 7AA, UK.  Telephone 44-71-497-1422;

FAX 44-71-497-1426; or email samantha.jones@itpuk.co.uk

*  German-speaking countries through International Thomson

Publishing, Konigswinterer Strasse 418, 53227 Bonn, Germany. Telephone

49-228-445171; FAX 49-228-441342; or email 100272.2422@compuserve.com

*  Asia through International Thomson Publishing, 221 Henderson Rd.,

#05-10 Henderson Building, Singapore 0315. Telephone 65-272-6496;

FAX 65-272-6498

* Australia and New Zealand through WoodsLane, Unit 8,

101 Darley Street, Mona Vale, NSW 2103, Australia.  Telephone

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O'Reilly & Associates

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707-829-0515, Fax 707-829-0104


Sculley Leaving Apple
Sculley to Leave Apple, Markkula Appointed Chairman, Graziano Joins Board

CUPERTINO, California -- October 15, 1993 -- Apple Computer, Inc. today announced that John Sculley has resigned his position as chairman of the company's board. In doing so, Sculley ends his employment at the company.

A.C. (Mike) Markkula has been elected Apple's new chairman of the board. Apple's Chief Financial Officer, Joseph A. Graziano, has been elected to the board.

"For the past ten years, John Sculley has had one of the most compelling and articulate visions of how computing technology can improve the lives of people everywhere," Markkula said. "We are lucky to have had him leading the company during this time of incredible growth and expansion."

"John Sculley took Apple from a $600 million company to an $8 billion company, managing some of the most difficult, exhilarating, and dramatic periods in the world's most exciting industry," said Michael Spindler, Apple's Chief Executive Officer. "And he did it with intelligence, vision, and a profound understanding of the incredible potential of high technology."

"I've had some wonderful years at Pepsi, an extraordinary journey at Apple, and now I am ready to head off to new challenges," Sculley said. "I'm tremendously grateful for the support of so many phenomenal Apple people. I wish everyone involved with Apple great success in the years ahead. I'll be out there cheering you all on."

Markkula, 51, was one of Apple's founders and its first Chairman of the Board, from 1977 to 1981. He has been vice chairman since 1981.

Apple Computer Inc, 20525 Mariana Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014

408-996-1010


Apple Accelerates Marketshare Strategy
Apple Accelerates Marketshare Strategy, Rolls Out Competitively Priced Macintosh Models

Streamlined Product Lines and Performance Improvements are Part of Fall Offering

CUPERTINO, California--October 21, 1993 -- Apple Computer, Inc. today announced a host of new Macintosh computer models that cost less, while delivering increased functionality and greater value to home, education and business users. Prices for new models are expected to start at $969.

"This introduction sends a clear message to the marketplace: we have smashed the price barrier long associated with Apple products", said Ian Diery, executive vice president of Apple's Personal Computer Division. "Today one of the last remaining obstacles to greater Macintosh acceptance price competitiveness - tumbles down. As proven by our year-end results there is growing momentum behind the Macintosh platform. These announcements reinforce Apple's steadfast commitment to expanding market share even further."

Along with seven new personal computers for home, education and business -including entry-level systems which make the power of the Motorola 68040 microprocessor more accessible and affordable- and two new printers, Apple announced performance improvements on two existing mid-range models and took action to streamline its product lines to simplify purchase decision making. Apple also unveiled a new pricing structure - ApplePrice - and an advertising campaign to support new products and underscore its commitment to price competitiveness.

Performa - Three New Offerings

A range of new Performa products were introduced today with prices for the line expected to start at $999. New models include:

The Performa 460 series, based on a Motorola 68030 microprocessor running at 33MHz. The Performa 470 series, based on a Motorola 68040 microprocessor running at 25MHz . The Performa 550, which is an all-in-one design featuring built-in CD-ROM, microphone, stereo sound and a Sony Trinitron color monitor, comes with a variety of CD titles.

Now celebrating its first year on the market the Performa line has been successful in attracting first time computer buyers through the retail channel. Designed to fit the needs of people working and learning at home, the Performa line features all-in-one box computing solutions including software and hardware chosen specifically with home users in mind. All Performa prices include a keyboard, color monitor, 12-17 software titles and a fax/modem. In the U.S., Performa is available at more than 5000 retail outlets nationwide.

LC - New 040-based model for Education

Today's addition of the LC 475 adds the robust performance of the Motorola 68040 microprocessor to one of the best-selling product lines in the industry. The LC line, one of the industry's most popular personal computers lines and the workhorse computer for the education market, fits the need for high-performance but very competitively-priced products. For qualified education institutions the price of the LC 475 (including keyboard and mouse) will range from $1082.

Quadra - 605, 610 and 650 join the business line

With the Quadra 605, a 25MHz LC040-based model, business customers will find choices in the Quadra line designed to meet their needs. Prices are expected to start at $969. Formerly part of the Centris line, the 610 and 650 models have been revamped for increased performance. The 610 features a 25MHz 68040 microprocessor, built-in Ethernet and an optional built-in CD ROM drive. The 650, a 33MHz 68040 based system is very expandable, having three Nubus slots and an optional CD-ROM drive. With the Quadra and Centris lines now consolidated under the Quadra brand name Apple offers business and professional customers a range of products that combine competitive pricing, high performance and advanced features and correspond to the broad needs of today's corporate and professional marketplace.

PowerBook - Active Matrix Duo 250 and 270c

Apple today became the first computer notebook vendor to introduce 16-bit color and the first to produce an active matrix notebook computer weighing less than 5lbs. Another plus for the new PowerBook Duos is a 50% increase in battery life. The PowerBook Duo 250 is a 4.2 Ib active matrix grayscale notebook with battery life of up to 6 hours. The PowerBook Duo 270c, a color active matrix notebook is capable of displaying thousands of colors and has a battery life of up to 4-hours. It weighs 4.8 Lbs.

LaserWriters - new Select 360 and Pro 810

Two new LaserWriters also hit the dual goals of aggressive pricing and customer satisfaction. The LaserWriter Select 360 is positioned to be a price leader in its class. Offering the ability to connect to both Macintosh and DOS/Windows networks, it is ideal for small workgroups. Larger workgroups will appreciate the features of the LaserWriter Pro 810 which has the advantage of connecting simultaneously to four network environments and offers up to 64 virtual printing possibilities. Both printers support PostScript Fax options for plain paper, high quality network fax capability.

The LaserWriter Select 360 is a 10 page per minute, 600 dots per inch (dpi) printer with the ability to connect to both Mac and DOS/Windows environments. The LaserWriter Pro 810 is a 20 page per minute printer capable of printing at up to 800 dpi. Compatible with Macintosh, DEC, Novell and Unix environments, it provides simultaneous printing for IPX, TCP/IP, AppleTalk and Digital LAT protocols via the built-in Ethernet interface.

Simpler Product Lines

With this introduction, Apple moves to consolidate its business and professional products by folding in the Centris line under the umbrella of one brand name - Quadra.

"We are responding to customer requests for a more simplified product line to choose from," said Diery. "With this introduction, Apple offers business and professional customers a single identifiable business brand with a range of products that combine aggressive pricing, high-performance and advanced features. Within the line are a variety of products that correspond to the broad needs of today's corporate and professional marketplace.

In addition, in the U.S., Apple plans to focus its four product lines by markets and channels of distribution: the Performa line for people working and learning at home, the LC line for education, the Quadra line for business and professional users, and the award-winning PowerBook line of notebooks to meet the needs of mobile professionals.

New Pricing

The Apple USA division of Apple Computer today announced it is eliminating the use of the term Suggested Retail Price (SRP) in product announcements, price lists and advertising. This is consistent with an industry-wide trend to replace SRPs with more representative price comparisons. Apple is replacing SRP with ApplePrice. ApplePrice is the price at which Apple intends to sell its products to customers who are purchasing as few as one unit from one of Apple's direct sales programs, such as the Apple Catalog. ApplePrice is expected to fall within the general range of prices offered by Apple's Resellers.

New Advertising Campaign

Concurrent with its product announcement, Apple kicked-off an advertising campaign driving home its commitment to price competitiveness. Under the banner of "Macintosh. It does more. It costs less. It's that simple." a series of TV, print and radio spots draw attention not alone to price but to the Macintosh's comparative advantages regarding ease of use, intelligent integration of hardware and software and ease of set-up.

Energy Star

All three new desktop products - Performa 470 series, LC 475, Quadra 605, both of the new PowerBook Duos, and the LaserWriter Select 360, qualify for the EPA's Energy Star logo.

Pricing and Availability

In the U.S. all desktop and PowerBook products are immediately available. Both printers are expected to be available early November and the Performa 550 is expected to be available mid November. For further information, customers in the United States should call the Apple Referral Center at (800) 538-9696. Pricing and availability may vary by country. Prices quoted below are ApplePrice. Apple Price will fall within the general range of street prices offered by our resellers.

M o d e l             ApplePrice

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

Performa

460 series         From $1299 to $1499

470 series         From  1599 to  1799

550                From  1949 to  2049

Quadra

605                From $ 969 to $1269

610                From  1439 to  2159

650                From  2399 to  3339

PowerBook Duo

250                From $2599 to $3099

270c               From  3099 to  3619

Apple Printers

LaserWriter Select 360    $1599

LaserWriter Pro 810       $4899

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

Apple Computer Inc, 20525 Mariana Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014

408-996-1010


Apple Unveils System 7 Pro Operating System
Apple Unveils System 7 Pro

New Version Provides Industry Leading Communication and Customization Capabilities

CUPERTINO, California--October 4, 1993 -- Apple Computer, Inc. today extended its continued leadership in software innovation as the company's AppleSoft division unveiled System 7 Pro, an advanced version of the System 7 operating system for Apple Macintosh personal computers. This ground-breaking new software provides powerful new integrated communication and customization capabilities that Apple recommends for most users of Macintosh computers in business, government and higher education. System 7 Pro incorporates three industry-leading technologies--PowerTalk, AppleScript and QuickTime--making it even easier for Macintosh users to work with others and to create custom computing solutions.

"System 7 Pro is the on-ramp to the information superhighway," said David Nagel, senior vice president and general manager of the AppleSoft division. "Whether you are an entrepreneur working at home or in an office with dozens of co-workers, System 7 Pro will streamline how people communicate today and prepare them for tomorrow. This clearly extends the differentiation between the Macintosh and other personal computers."

System 7 Pro Technologies

PowerTalk, available to customers for the first time, is personal communication software based on the Apple Open Collaboration Environment (AOCE), a technology framework for providing collaboration services to users of personal computers. PowerTalk's built-in electronic messaging capabilities make it easy for an individual to communicate and work with other individuals or groups. AppleScript, which has been available separately since its introduction in April 1993, provides System 7 Pro with a system-level scripting capability for automating routine tasks. Together, PowerTalk and AppleScript can be used to create affordable custom solutions that once were available only to organizations with mainframes or minicomputers. QuickTime is Apple's award-winning software for creating and playing dynamic data--such as sound, video and animation--on a personal computer.

PowerTalk

PowerTalk software provides system-level capabilities for electronic messaging. Regardless of whether the method of communication is electronic mail, fax, voicemail or pager, an individual can receive messages or documents in a single mail box, or send from a single mail box, using a drag-and-drop method that simplifies and streamlines correspondence. PowerTalk comes with AppleMail, a letter application that can be used to send messages and documents to any other PowerTalk user. PowerTalk also provides the facility for users to send a document directly from within any PowerTalk mail-capable application just as easily as users can print today.

Two other components of PowerTalk--catalogs and security--complement the PowerTalk messaging capabilities. PowerTalk's built-in catalogs provide an open-ended object storage capability that will initially help customers manage electronic addresses and other information, contributing to the ease of sending and of accessing information. PowerTalk's built-in security includes a Key Chain, which offers customers privacy for their desktop mail box and a single log-on method for connecting to various electronic mail and network services. PowerTalk's DigiSign software lets a user attach an electronic signature to a document so that any user can verify who approved the document and whether or not it has been altered. This digital signature capability can be used together with PowerTalk's messaging services to send documents through an approval process electronically, without each individual having to print out the document to sign and forward.

In addition to the immediate customer value of PowerTalk within System 7 Pro, third-party vendors will deliver applications and other software add-ons that build on the PowerTalk capabilities, to create applications and solutions that have not previously been available for personal computer users. Examples of such applications are access software that links PowerTalk users to other messaging services, such as voice, fax, paging, and online services; software agents that can be assigned to perform a variety of tasks for users automatically; and team-productivity applications that use AppleScript and PowerTalk to create custom team solutions, such as scheduling, calendaring, automating approval and document review and distributing information more effectively.

"We are just beginning to see the full promise of PowerTalk as applications vendors announce the powerful and innovative applications that are enabled by PowerTalk technology and creative software designers," said Gursharan Sidhu, AppleSoft's director of collaboration products and the chief architect of AOCE. "Inspiring applications are beginning to emerge that will significantly enhance the way individuals work with others."

Leverages Server-based Services

The PowerTalk software included with System 7 Pro can take advantage of a full range of server-based services, including those of existing electronic mail systems and the AOCE-based PowerShare Collaboration Servers software. Extending the capabilities of an AppleTalk network, PowerShare provides a store-and-forward server for electronic messaging and a catalog server for administration of catalogs that can be distributed across multiserver networks. PowerShare also provides privacy--authentication of network sessions and encryption of data transmitted over the network--for secure network communications, critical to many workflow systems. PowerShare also provides the ability to consolidate gateways and other shareable resources for easy administration.

System 7 Continues as the Basic Operating System

In addition to System 7 Pro, AppleSoft's current System 7 product continues to be available, providing customers with a choice based on their computing needs. "The installed base of Macintosh customers has grown and become more diversified," said David Nagel. "We plan to enhance System 7 to meet the needs of customers in the consumer and K-12 education markets."

Availability and Pricing

System 7 Pro is available immediately in the United States through software resellers and Apple authorized resellers. The suggested retail price for the single-user product, the System 7 Pro Personal Upgrade Kit, is U.S. $149, and the suggested retail price for the 10-user product, the System 7 Pro MultiPack is U.S. $999. AppleSoft is offering a U.S. $50 rebate to customers who upgrade to System 7 Pro after purchasing the System 7 single-user product between Aug. 15, 1993 and Nov. 1, 1993.

System 7 Pro is available through the Apple Volume License Program, a cost-effective way for customers in the United States to acquire software licenses, support and maintenance in volume for selected Apple products. Under the program, United States customers may also acquire volume licenses for site locations outside the United States. This volume licensing is available through authorized Apple resellers, including direct software resellers, Apple dealers and Apple Value Added Resellers (VARs). Education and local-government customers may purchase volume licenses directly from Apple.

Availability of System 7 Pro outside the United States varies by country. Localized versions are expected to be available beginning in November 1993.

The PowerShare Collaboration Servers product is expected to be available in early 1994, in the United States through software resellers and Apple authorized resellers. Outside the United States, availability will vary by country. In the United States, the suggested retail price for the PowerShare Collaboration Servers software will be U.S. $999.

System Requirements

A Macintosh computer system with a minimum of 5MB of RAM is recommended to install System 7 Pro. A Macintosh computer system with a minimum of 8MB of RAM is recommended to install the PowerShare Collaboration Servers product.

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

Apple Computer Inc, 20525 Mariana Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014

408-996-1010


ICOM's Dracula Unleashed on CD-ROM
ICOM SIMULATIONS, INC.'S DRACULA UNLEASHED ESTABLISHES A NEW LEVEL OF USER INVOLVEMENT FOR THE CD-ROM HORROR MOVIE GENRE

Interactive CD ROM Dracula Unleashed Places Unsuspecting Players Amid a Biting New Gothic Thriller to Direct the Action

ICOM announces Dracula Unleashed on CD-ROM

JUST RELEASED - CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24, 1993 -- ICOM Simulations. Inc. redefines computer entertainment with its first interactive horror movie on CD-ROM, Dracula Unleashed, a biting new role-playing adventure in which every player decision has a profound effect upon the direction of play towards the movie's eventual outcome.

Dracula Unleashed brings new levels of user involvement to the horror movie genre

"Dracula Unleashed combines horror, suspense, romance and adventure with ICOM's emblematic, cutting-edge technology," said Dennis Defensor, President of ICOM Simulations, Inc. "The extensive use of video complements the high degree of player creativity and provides a unique game experience that we know will keep players challanged."

The environment reflects ICOM's unique game experience

Dracula Unleashed uses ICOM's proprietary video compression technologies with the staff's extensive experience in role-playing game design and development to create a spellbinding mystery/Gothic thriller. ICOM's original story of horror and suspense is fraught with colorful characters from the original Dracula legend, interspersed with new characters and settings.

Dracula Unleashed includes 135 original scenes

In the game, players are transported back to Victorian England for a period of "four days." They assume a particular identity and direct the movie's progress. Dracula Unleashed incorporates 135 scenes, including multiple endings, and a total of 96 minutes of color motion video and an additional 50 minutes of interleaved audio. Players not only direct the movie, they travel through London, gathering information, objects and valuable contacts. The player's five-day mission is to identify and destroy Dracula before he destroys them.

Special attention was taken during the filming to ensure optimal playback on CD-ROM

Dracula Unleashed was written and produced specifically for the CD-ROM medium, to provide maximum color and picture quality and to exploit full potential tor user interactivity. Special care was taken in various theater disciplines from set and costume design to camera angles and shot framing to optimize the computerized video's impact.

Proprietary technologies enhance the experience

ICOM's proprietary compression software enables 96 minutes of motion video (15 frames per second) to fit onto a single CD-ROM disc. As the video compression resides in the software, DOS and Macintosh users are fully compatible and require no additional compression hardware. Similarly, ICOM's proprietary audio interleaving system synchronizes the action to the soundtrack, resulting in a more natural, true-to-life vocalization or "lip sync," despite the computer's ongoing video decompression activities.

Distribution

ICOM-published products are distributed exclusively in North America by Electronic Arts.

ICOM was recently acquired by Viacom International

ICOM Simulations, Inc. of Wheeling, IL is a leading entertainment software developer that was recently acquired by Viacom International, Inc., a diversified entertainment and communications company with headquarters in New York. ICOM will be integrated into Viacom New Media, which was created as a unit of Viacom Entertainment in 1992 to develop, produce, distribute and market interactive software.

ICOM Simulations Inc

648 S. Wheeling Rd, Wheeling, IL 60090

708-520-4440,  fax 708-459-3418


AIRLAN/PCMCIA Supports Roaming Notebook Users
NEW WIRELESS LAN ADAPTER GIVES USERS PLUG-AND-PLAY MOBILITY

Solectek's AIRLAN/PCMCIA Supports Roaming Notebook Users

SAN DIEGO, November 1, 1993 -- Solectek Corp. introduced today AIRLAN/PCMCIA, the newest member of its AIRLAN wireless Ethernet product family. Designed for use with PCMCIA equipped notebook computers, AIRLAN makes possible mobile LAN connections which allow users the freedom to move about their workplace unencumbered by power cords or network cables. As a result, users are capable of staying linked to the LAN while they roam within a building. In addition to extending cabled networks, AIRLAN is ideally suited for creating entire wireless LANs or temporary field networks.

AIRLAN operates at 2 Mbps and supports all major network operating systems including Novell NetWare, Artisoft LANtastic and Microsoft Windows for Workgroups. It uses proven spread spectrum 915 MHz radio technology to pass data through walls, ceilings and floors. No line-of-sight operation is required. Its tiny omni-directional antenna provides complete coverage up to 800 feet, and even further when used with Solectek's AIRLAN/Hub access point.

AIRLAN weighs only 5.25 ounces and is small enough to fit in a purse or pocket. Unlike LAN adapters which require cabling, installing AIRLAN is easy. Users simply plug the external adapter into any PCMCIA slot (Type II, Release 2.0), and then follow menu-driven configuration instructions. No external AC power or cabling is required. The antenna comes with a self mounting bracket for easy connection to the notebook. Within minutes, all the services of the network are available to an AIRLAN equipped notebook, no matter where it is.

Once in use, AIRLAN provides instant feedback to the user. The adapter has green LED indicators which let users know when they have a connection. While in operation, the AIRLAN adapter automatically indicates activity status, showing a green light when data is transmitted and received.

AIRLAN complies with the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard and provides seamless compatibility between wired and wireless local area networks. Once connected, its operation is completely transparent. AIRLAN is also compatible with the full range of Solectek, DEC and NCR wireless products.

AIRLAN's suggested retail price is $699. It is scheduled to ship this November and will be available from Tech Data, Ingram Micro and Merisel, and leading resellers nationwide. Solectek offers toll-free support and a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee.

Solectek Corp., a privately held company, is a leading manufacturer and marketer of wireless data communication products for notebook and desktop personal computers. Its product line includes AIRLAN/Internal, a wireless network interface card for PC/AT and Micro Channel computers, AIRLAN/Hub, a wireless access point for use with any AIRLAN adapter, and AIRLAN/Bridge which links LANs in separate buildings up to three miles apart. The company is headquartered at 6370 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, CA 92121. Telephone: (800) 437-1518.


Library Master Bibliographic Database Mgr V2.0
LIBRARY MASTER Bibliographic Database Manager Version 2.0 Released

NORTH YORK, ONTARIO--Balboa Software is shipping LIBRARY MASTER, version 2.0, a bibliographic database manager that automatically formats bibliographies in numerous styles. The new version features network compatibility, greater report flexibility, additional bibliographic styles and import formats, flexible name formatting, simplified browsing and improved documentation.

LIBRARY MASTER creates subject bibliographies, book catalogs, periodical literature indexes and authority lists, as well as standard bibliographies and annotated bibliographies. Reports can be created in many popular word processor file formats.

The program creates bibliographies in 15 pre-defined styles or easily designed personal styles. Version 2.0 adds several new styles, including ANSI, American Chemical Society, American Anthropologist, American Ethnologist, Biochemistry, Linguistic Society of America and updated versions of the popular Vancouver and Turabian styles.

New options allow greater flexibility for personalized reports. Capitalize desired fields, abbreviate names as initials, use "et al." in place of excess names and properly handle name suffixes such as "Jr." and "III".

While browsing a database, records can be displayed in a brief view, which shows several records at once in a table.

On a local area network, LIBRARY MASTER allows multiple-user databases, with record locking to enable several users to edit and search a database at once. The network version can maintain shared research databases for workgroups, online catalogs for special libraries and archives, and research bibliographies for faculty and students who are writing books or theses.

LIBRARY MASTER imports from dozens of CD-ROMs, online information services, library catalogs and databases. The new version makes it simpler to modify import settings for custom sources. Optional MARC record importing exchanges data with most library catalog programs.

The completely revised documentation features a new tutorial and expanded explanations of error messages, importing and report design.

LIBRARY MASTER runs on any IBM PC compatible computer. The network version works with Novell Netware and most NetBIOS compatible networks. The single-user version of LIBRARY MASTER 2.0 costs $249.95 ($299.95 Canadian) and the 5-user network version costs $749.95 ($899.95 Canadian). Educational discounts are available. For more information or a free demonstration program call (416) 730-8980 or write to: Balboa Software, P.O. Box 3145 Station D, North York, Ontario M2R 3G5 Canada.


NSSI LanSafe II Network Power Mgmt Swr
NSSI ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR UNIXWARE

LanSafe II Network Power Management Software Provides Additional Platform Support

SAN DIEGO, November 3, 1993 - Network Security Systems Inc. (NSSI), a recognized leader in manufacturing reliable, networked uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) and UPS power management software, today announced version 2.00 of its LanSafe II for UNIX network power management software. The new version provides support for UnixWare 1.0. Additional platforms supported include SunOS, Solaris, Ultrix, HP-UX, IBM-AIX, SCO and Interactive. LanSafe II for UNIX 2.00 is priced at $149 and is available now.

NSSI UPSs and LanSafe II software work in tandem, providing network power monitoring and orderly shutdown capabilities for heterogeneous UNIX networks. Unlike similar products that only function on a standalone workstation basis, each system running LanSafe II for UNIX can communicate to any other LanSafe II for UNIX supported platform on the network. This greatly simplifies the power management process, enabling system administrators to obtain and control the status of local and remote power conditions independent of the UNIX operating system being used. LanSafe II for UNIX is the only power management software with this level of network connectivity.

"Multi-tasking systems are particularly vulnerable should there be a loss of volatile memory due to a power interruption," said Stephen Nye, president of NSSI. "NSSI's LanSafe II software addresses this problem by providing an orderly network shutdown, safeguarding file structures and data that have not yet been written to a permanent storage medium. "

In addition to UNIX, support is available for Novell NetWare and NMS, Microsoft Windows, OS/2, Banyan, DOS, LAN Manager, LAN Server, Windows NT and 3COM. The company's products are available through many leading value-added resellers and distributors including Dell, Ingram Micro, Merisel, Tech Data and Vitek. For additional product information, contact NSSI at (800) 755-7078.

Network Security Systems Inc (NSSI)

9401 Waples St, San Diego, CA 92121

(619) 587-7950,   (800) 755-7078,   Fax: (619) 552-9162


CLASSICS FUN PACK for Windows

CAMBRIDGE, MA -- October 29, 1993 -- Ask one hundred Microsoft Windows users what their favorite application is, and most of them will answer, "Solitaire " It seems that the more time people spend using Windows for serious work, the more they end up looking for ways to have some light-hearted fun between tasks As a result, there have been countless Entertainment Packs released in the past year, each offering a handful of games for the leisure-needy computer user Most of these packs offer some older games, mixed with some newly-created ones Some of these games are easy to learn, but some of them have a relatively high learning curve for what should be a "quickie" gaming experience And when you do figure them out, you realize some of them are fun, but some are not so fun

Enter Impressions Software, with the new Classics Fun Pack for Windows! This is a collection of five games In Code Breaker, can you choose the right colors to unscramble the computer's secret code? In Peg Jump, clear the board of all your pegs but one, or switch to "Frog Solitaire" for a "leap" ahead in classic gaming! In Puzzle, try to slide the pieces of scanned pictures to their proper places! In Word Search, you hunt for hidden words in a puzzle which is unique every time you play! Finally, with our own Solitaire game, you can play any one of multiple versions of the "card game for one!" These are the games you've played for years, so you already know they'll be fun And like all the great games, they're easy to learn, but a challenge to master

In short, these games are classics

All five games feature variable board sizes and/or multiple skill levels, to provide endless variety and challenge! And unlike some Entertainment Packs, these games have top-quality scanned and hand-drawn graphics -- so they are as fun to look at as they are to play -- and full digitized sound support (for Windows 3 1)! And finally, the Classics Fun Pack retails for only $24 95, so that people can have a little "easy fun" that isn't hard on their wallet

The Classics Fun Pack will be released on November 19.

Impressions Software, Inc is a leading developer of quality strategy entertainment and educational software for the IBM PC, Amiga and Macintosh computers Impressions Software is headquartered in Cambridge, MA, with offices in Farmington, CT and London, England

Impressions Software Inc

7 Melrose Dr, Farmington, CT 06032

(203) 676-9002,  Fax: (203) 676-9454


DATEL Dual High-Speed A/D Boards
Quick PC/AT Boards Simultaneously Sample Dual A/D Channels

Ideal array processor "front ends"

Many applications need multiple analog input channels sampled at exactly the same time. Examples include phased sonar arrays, correlation from multiple receiver channels, and quadrature modem testing. DATEL offers two new PC/AT analog input boards with dual high-speed A/D converters for simultaneous sampling. Models PC-414F and PC 414G deskew phase-synchronous concurrent channels. The Mansfield, MA company also offers both WINDOWS and MS-DOS "no-programming" software with the boards.

Speedy FIFO, Variable Timing

For highest speeds, the PC 414F simultaneously samples two channels at rates up to 2MHz each with 12-bit A/D resolution. For low-noise, high-precision applications, the PC414G simultaneously converts two 1 MHz channels with 14-bit A/D resolution. With on-board A/D FIFO memory options up to 16k samples, these designs are optimized for non-stop "streaming" of millions of samples to host memory or disk. The local FIFO memory prevents data loss by moving samples in fast block bursts while A/D collection continues concurrently.

The A/D sample clock may use a programmable on-board timebase or an external clock. Triggering options include internal or external timebase plus an on-board analog comparator trigger with trip level set by an on-board 12-bit D/A converter. The D/A may also be configured as a general purpose analog output. A programmable sample counter offers automatic repeating blocks of selectable size.

Data Transfer Options

Data may be sent to either the host PC bus or to a 10MHz non-bus parallel port which connects directly to many array processors. Interrupts are supported from several sources as well as DMA or fast I/O block transfers.

Both boards feature wide full-power input bandwidths (1MHz for the PC-414F and 500kHz for the PC-414G) for FFT and DSP applications. The heart of each design is a low-noise, DATEL-fabricated hybrid A/D converter with 5 and 10 Volt input ranges.

Other typical applications include spectrometers, vibration/resonance studies, engine test cells and medical imaging. The boards may be installed in any PC/AT compatible computer, PS-30, and EISA computers. Outline dimensions are 4.5 by 13.3 inches and +5V power (3.5 Amps, max.) is supplied by the PC/AT bus.

Attractive Pricing

Both board series are offered in three FIFO sizes - 1k, 4k and 16k samples. The PC-414F1 (1k FIFO) lists at $1,995 (single quantity) and the PC-414G1 is $2,195. Executable versions of the setup and configuration software is $95 or $395 for the full source code, either in WINDOWS or MS-DOS. A FREE low level "C" and Assembly language library disk is available on request or downloadable from DATEL's bulletin board.

The products include comprehensive user's manuals with software examples. All models are available from stock to 4 weeks and DATEL offers generous quantity discounts.

DATEL, Inc., 11 Cabot Blvd, Mansfield, MA 02048

(508) 339-3000,   FAX: (508) 339-6356


Mobile Forum Declared A Success
Both the staff and attendees of the first seminar in the MOBILE FORUM '93 and '94 series declare the event a success.

Minneapolis, MN (November 1, 1993) - With over 100 attendees, the MOBILE FORUM '93 and '94 symposia series appears to be the outstanding program for which organizers are planning. "We feel that the variety of the speakers and topics, combined with the diverse backgrounds of the attendees, provided an environment from which everyone was able to benefit," said Dawn Dohrmann, Seminar Coordinator.

The seminar was full of "practical, meaningful experiences," said attendee Dave Kroger, a specialist with IBM. "It had excellent depth, and the end-user/customer perspectives were invaluable."

Chris Gellner, an IOS Director with Sears Logistics Services concurred. "The seminar expanded my knowledge on current and future mobile data user requirements, and about the current and planned solutions available."

MOBILE FORUM '93 and '94 is a partnership of Skill Dynamics, an IBM Company, and Directions in Mobile/Wireless Computing, a CCT, Inc. publication. The second seminar in the MOBILE FORUM '93 and '94 series will take place in Minneapolis, MN, on December 6-7, 1993. This seminar series is designed to bring an understanding of the impact of mobile and wireless computing and communication technology to executives and technical management.

MOBILE FORUM '93 and '94 uses a single-track approach to provide attendees with a start-to-finish program. This program enables attendees to understand current happenings and potential impact upon their organization.

The registration fee to the MOBILE FORUM '93 and '94 seminar is $595 if registered by November 12, and $695 if registered after November 12. The seminar registration fee includes two lunches, a reception, and two full days of informational programs.

For more information about seminars, or to register, call 1-800-422-8033.

Mobile Forum

111 Third Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55401

612-339-5870,  fax 612-339-5965


PC Graphics & Video Mag & CCI Join Forces
PC Graphics & Video Magazine (formerly High Color) Joins Forces with Center For Creative Imaging

Santa Ana, CA-October 28, 1993 -- PC Graphics & Video magazine (formerly High Color) and the Camden, Maine-based Center for Creative Imaging (CCI) have joined forces to promote the PC Graphics industry and training. The two companies will share information, which will allow each company to promote its services more effectively. PC Graphics & Video was recently purchased by Advanstar Communications Inc. from Imagetech Inc., which owns and operates CCI.

CCI is the world-renowned computer graphics training facility created by Eastman Kodak. Its programs include PC, Silicon Graphics and Macintosh-based courses led by many of today's best-known computer graphics professionals.

PC Graphics & Video reaches 75,000 computer graphics professionals, and is the only magazine of its kind targeted exclusively to PC-based users. The magazine will move to monthly frequency in May 1994.

"Our relationship with CCI will support the efforts to keep PC Graphics & Video on the cutting edge of computer graphics and presentations," says David Allen Shaw, group publisher for Advanstar Communications. "We look forward to developing line extensions for both companies which will increase our value to our readers and advertisers."

"We sold High Color (now PC Graphics & Video) to Advanstar so that we could focus our efforts on the continuing development of the Center for Creative Imaging," adds Peter Davidson, president of Imagetech, Inc. "But we believe strongly in the future of the magazine, and its ability to help us achieve our goals. Our agreement with Advanstar will allow us to maintain this mutually beneficial arrangement with the magazine."

Advanstar Communications, headquartered in Cleveland, OH, is a leading business information company with three business segments. Advanstar Publishing produces 58 trade and professional magazines and journals covering a wide range of industries in North America and overseas. Advanstar Marketing Services markets information products such as industry directories, research and mailing lists. Advanstar Expositions owns and manages more than 60 expositions and several conferences for business, professional and consumer audiences in North America and overseas.

Effective Nov. 1, 1993, PC Graphics & Video's editorial offices will be located at 859 Willamette St., Eugene, OR 97401, phone (503) 343-1200. Sales and marketing will be located at 201 E. Sandpointe Ave., Suite 600, Santa Ana, CA 92707, phone (714) 513-8400.


Fujitsu 325Point Penbased Computers to Truckers
FUJITSU PERSONAL SYSTEMS AND TRANSDATANET PARTNERSHIP BRINGS MOBILE PEN COMPUTING TO THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY

SANTA CLARA, Calif., October 29, 1993 -- Fujitsu Personal Systems, Inc. and Transdatanet Corporation today announced a strategic partnership to provide integrated wireless mobile systems for the trucking industry.

Under the terms of the agreement, Transdatanet will integrate Fujitsu's 325Point penbased mobile computers with its forms-based trucking application software. The mobile solution will communicate wirelessly using Motorola's cellular modems and other PCMCIA modem cards.

The Transdatanet/Fujitsu mobile systems are designed to make delivery verification, dispatch communications, messaging, and vehicle monitoring easier and more efficient by providing drivers with real-time access to dispatch information for pick-ups and deliveries communicated through Transdatanet's advanced modular software. The systems will reduce operating costs, increase driver productivity, and improve the quality of the data collected.

"Fujitsu's alliance with Transdatanet reinforces our position within the transportation industry as a leading provider of enterprise wide computing solutions," said Lou Panetta, Fujitsu's executive vice president. "Transdatanet's approach as a service bureau for the trucking industry enhances our continued efforts to help corporations decrease costs while increasing enterprise productivity."

"Providing integrated mobile systems based on Fujitsu's 325Point enables us to increase our customers' competitiveness by automating driver documentation, giving them immediate invoicing and signature capture capabilities," said Jim Fleming, executive vice president of Transdatanet. "The protocol provided by our software consumes less time and space, and decreases the amount of error typically found in bills-of-lading, driver's logs, and vehicle condition reports."

The Fujitsu 325Point running Transdatanet's application software is easy-to-use, with pen-based capabilities that can be easily operated using only one hand. It will also support custom in-vehicle "cradle" mounting so mobile devices can be safely affixed during travel and easily removed during deliveries and pick-ups.

Transdatanet Corporation, headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, specializes in transportation productivity. Transdatanet's advanced modular software is the result of an intensive research and development effort commenced in 1989. In addition to trucking, the company plans to extend its service bureau approach of automating documentation to rail, air and oceanic transportation.

Fujitsu Personal Systems, Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., is a leader in providing solutions for data collection and decision support applications through the development of super portable palmtop, pen-based and communicating computers. Its solutions are designed to meet the needs of applications where light weight, small form factor and long battery life are essential. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujitsu, Ltd. Fujitsu Personal Systems has North American offices in Santa Clara, Irvine, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Toronto and international offices in England, France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Sweden.

FUJITSU PERSONAL SYSTEMS, INC.

5200 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054

(408) 982-9500,   Fax: (408) 496-0575


New WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows Video Training
NEW VIDEO TRAINING COURSEWARE FOR WORDPERFECT 6.0 FOR WINDOWS

Los Gatos, Calif. - November 1, 1993 - Anderson Soft-Teach announced today that it will begin shipping new video-training courseware for WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows on December 31, 1993.

The training courseware contains three volumes that highlight the essential features of WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows. Topics covered in Volume I include creating and editing a document, working with margins and tabs, and formatting and proofing a document. Volume 2 provides instruction on using headers and footers, creating and modifying tables, working with multiple columns, merging documents, and managing files. In Volume 3 the student will learn how to use and create graphics, define and apply styles, and automate work with macros. More detailed course outlines can be obtained directly from Anderson Soft-Teach.

Each training volume contains an instructional videotape (closed captioned for the hearing impaired), a step-by-step student workbook and practice disk for hands-on learning, a self-test to measure learning retention, and a classroom guide. The classroom guide outlines how instructors can incorporate courseware into their classroom training programs. These step-by-step instructions assist instructors' efforts to provide smooth and effective classes.

Student workbooks include additional exercises at the end of each lesson to reinforce skill development. Unique "In Practice" and "Extra for Experts" segments help users apply the training to real business situations.

The complete three-volume course will sell for $995. Anderson Soft-Teach also offers an upgrade program for courseware previously purchased. When upgrading courseware purchased within the last six months, a 50 percent discount is offered; a 25 percent discount is given on courseware purchased within 7-12 months and a 10 percent discount is provided to upgrade courseware 1 year or older.

Anderson Soft-Teach, currently celebrating its 10th anniversary, produces the industry's largest library of video courseware for personal computer software. Current topics include: Windows, Word for Windows, Excel for Windows, PowerPoint, MS-DOS, WordPerfect, WordPerfect for Windows, Lotus 1-2-3, Lotus 1-2-3 For Windows, dBASE IV and others.

Anderson Soft-Teach

983 University Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030

Sales: (800) 338-4336, Corporate: (408) 399-0100

Fax:   (408) 399-0500


MathWorks Statistics Toolbox for MatLab
THE MATHWORKS INTRODUCES STATISTICS TOOLBOX FOR MATLAB

Combines Innovative GUI Tools with Technical Computing Environment for Data Analysis

NATICK, Mass., October 18, 1993--The MathWorks, Inc. today announced the availability of the MATLAB Statistics Toolbox, a suite of statistical techniques for use by engineers and scientists for modeling and data analysis.

The Statistics Toolbox combines high-level interactive graphic tools and statistical functions with MATLAB's robust mathematical computation and scientific visualization environment. Key supported statistical functionality includes data analysis, probability modeling, and Monte Carlo simulation.

Interactive 'GUI (Graphical User Interface) Tools' for analyzing results are a distinctive feature of the Statistics Toolbox. Instead of using graphics to simply display data as static tables and plots, the MATLAB GUI Tools enable users to interactively change settings and parameter values by clicking and dragging the mouse while simultaneously viewing the changing digital display of the function values at any point.

The Statistics Toolbox includes MATLAB functions for descriptive, inferential, and graphical statistics and linear models, including:

- GUI-based interactive analysis tools

- Poisson, normal, binomial, and 11 other probability

  distributions

- Random number generators for Monte Carlo simulation

- Box plots, quantile-quantile plots, and normal probability

  plots

- Descriptive statistics to summarize a data sample

- Regression, analysis of variance, and polynomial prediction

- Interactive contour plotting

The Statistics Toolbox is open and extensible, enabling users to view and modify algorithms implemented in the toolbox. Users can interactively apply the techniques in the Toolbox or develop new ones in MATLAB's easy-to-use programming environment.

With MATLAB's language and open architecture, Statistics Toolbox users can rapidly prototype large analytical systems using statistics functions. Using the Toolbox, technical professionals can simulate and quantify the performance of random components in systems and processes, find the best of several alternatives, determine whether a change has occurred and predict the result of a change in a system. These applications are relevant in a number of areas, but are particularly useful in the semiconductor, discrete manufacturing, telecommunications, automotive, food processing, and pharmaceutical industries.

MATLAB is the most powerful technical computing environment on the market today. It provides numeric computation software, advanced graphics, a high-level programming language, and application-specific toolboxes that allow users to analyze and visualize data, analyze and optimize engineering systems designs and algorithms, and create mathematical models. Specific functionality includes object-oriented graphics, sparse matrix support, sound output, graphical user interface controls and hundreds of other math and graphics operations.

Pricing for the Statistics Toolbox begins at $295 for single-user microcomputer licenses. Quantity and educational discounts are available.

The Toolbox, which requires MATLAB 4.0, will ship on all MATLAB 4.0 platforms, including: 386/486 PCs running MS-Windows, Macintosh, Sun SPARC, Hewlett-Packard Series 700, IBM RS/6000, Silicon Graphics, and DEC Ultrix and Alpha/AXP Systems.

The MathWorks Inc., based in Natick, Mass., develops, markets and supports high-performance software for interactive numeric computation, visualization, and dynamic system simulation. The MathWorks' products are relied upon by more than 150,000 users at the world's leading commercial and government research laboratories and organizations, and educational institutions.

The MathWorks, Inc, 24 Prime Park Way, Natick, MA 01760

508-653-1415,  fax 508-653-2997


MathWorks Partner Series of MatLab Toolboxes
NEW MATHWORKS PARTNER SERIES DELIVERS USER AND THIRD PARTY DEVELOPED MATLAB TOOLBOXES WORLDWIDE

First Partner Series Toolboxes Authored by Industry Experts to Ship This Fall

NATICK, Mass., October 19, 1993 - The MathWorks, Inc. today announced the launch of its MathWorks Partner Series, a new software publishing program designed to broadly distribute users and third-party developed toolboxes for vertical applications based on its MATLAB software. The first three Partner Series Toolboxes utilizing MATLAB's powerful technical computing environment will ship this fall.

"MATLAB is an ideal environment for prototyping and implementing powerful and flexible tools, ranging from individual algorithms to complete technical applications," said Jim Tung. vice president of business development for The MathWorks. "It's computational and visualization capabilities, coupled with a high-level mathematical programming language, lets researchers and technical experts implement and communicate their technical ideas as practical tools. Now we are adding a means to disseminate those tools and knowledge base to technical professionals around the world, in such diverse application areas as engineering, applied physics, computer science and chemistry."

Each year MATLAB users create hundreds of new applications, often as result of their own research work. Some are distributed by the users themselves via electronic mail, networks or conferences. Until now, MATLAB users have had no formal mechanism to share the tools they developed. The Partner Series provides that mechanism by bringing The MathWorks marketing, distribution, and technical support resources to this ad hoc process.

The first three products typify the Partner Series, since they are practical tools that implement theories at the cutting edge of scientific and engineering research, written by users doing that research. They are:

* The Hi-Spec Toolbox, for higher-order spectral analysis in areas such as digital signal processing (DSP), fluid dynamics and telecommunications research.

* The Model Predictive Control Toolbox, for designing model-based control systems for industrial processes in fields such as chemical engineering and process control.

* The Frequency Domain System Identification Toolbox, for frequency-based modeling of physical systems in such diverse technical fields as acoustics and speech research, seismic research and oceanography, and econometrics.

The toolboxes are implemented as MATLAB scripts (M-files) and delivered as source code. This provides users with direct access to the underlying algorithms, making the underlying mathematical principles easier to learn and understand. In addition, the user can modify the tools to address any specific needs.

The Partner Series Toolboxes will ship on all MATLAB 4.0 platforms, including: 386/486 PCs running MS-Windows, Macintosh, Sun SPARC, Hewlett-Packard Series 700, IBM RS/6000, Silicon Graphics, and DEC Ultrix and Alpha/AXP Systems. Additional Toolboxes will be announced throughout the year. Contact The MathWorks for the most up-to-date product availability and pricing information.

MATLAB is the most powerful technical computing environment on the market today. It provides numeric and symbolic computation, a high-level programming language, graphics and application-specific toolboxes that allow users to analyze and visualize data, analyze and optimize engineering systems designs and algorithms, and create mathematical models. Specific functionality includes object-oriented graphics, sparse matrix support, sound output, graphical user interface controls and hundreds of other math and graphics operations.

The MathWorks Inc., based in Natick, Mass., develops, markets and supports high performance software for interactive numeric computation, visualization, and dynamic system simulation. The MathWorks' products are relied upon by more than 150,000 users at the world's leading commercial and government research laboratories and organizations, and educational institutions.

The MathWorks, Inc, 24 Prime Park Way, Natick, MA 01760

508-653-1415,  fax 508-653-2997


InstantSwitch Low Cost Printer Sharing Solution
Low-Cost Printer-Sharing Solution From Extended Systems

BOISE, ID, October 22, 1993 -- Extended Systems today announced two new printersharing solutions targeted at low-cost, high-quality laser and inkjet printers. Extended Systems' InstantSwitch products are cost-effective printer-sharing solutions which allow multiple users in small office and business environments to share high-quality printers effectively and reliably. InstantSwitch is a simple, easy-to-use solution which comes complete with all the cables and adapters needed for users to install their InstantSwitch and be printing in minutes.

Complete Printer-Sharing Solutions

InstantSwitch comes in two models, ESI-1600A a serial-input version and ESI-1601A a parallel-input version, enabling users to connect to either the serial or parallel port of their PCs. Both models come complete with all the PC adapters and cables needed to connect three computers to any parallel printer. This allows users to easily install InstantSwitch in minutes.

Long-Line, High-Performance Parallel Connections

The parallel model, ESI-1601A, offers long-line parallel connections, so users can connect to a printer up to 50 feet away (35 feet further than standard parallel connections). This unique capability offers the user valuable flexibility to place the printer where it is needed rather than being bound by parallel cable restrictions. InstantSwitch uses standard RJ45 telephone-type cabling which allows the users to run cables over long distances and avoid the use of bulky, hard-to-handle cables.

Transparent Functionally

InstantSwitch is totally transparent to each user because it is an autoswitching printer-sharing solution. This eliminates the need to use a manual-switching device which requires user interaction. InstantSwitch does not require any software, so users simply print as if they were directly connected to the printer. InstantSwitch works with all software applications and is a simple and easy way to share your printer.

The Right Price

For as low as $66 per PC, three users can conveniently access any parallel printer. InstantSwitch helps everyone in the office to be more productive. The InstantSwitch products are available immediately with U.S. List Price of $199 for the serial version, ESI-1600A, and $399 for the long-line parallel version, ESI-1601A.

Reliability

InstantSwitch eliminates the need to use a manual-switching device which may cause damage to your printer. Many printer manufacturers warn against the use of manual-switching devices which may cause electrical surges and damage the printer. InstantSwitch is safe and reliable for all printers.

Extended Systems has been providing connectivity solutions for printers since 1984. All products are supported by a standard two-year, cross-ship warranty. A third year is available free of charge when the customer simply completes and returns the product registration card. Free technical support is also provided. Extended Systems products are available from its national direct sales organization, major computer dealers and international distributors worldwide.

For more information about Extended Systems products, customers can call 800-235-7576 or 406-587-7575.

Extended Systems

5777 N. Meeker Ave, Boise, ID 83704

800-235-7576,  406-587-7575,  fax 208-377-1906


STAT!-Ref Medical Ref with Merck Manual
Jackson, Wyoming, October 29, 1993 -- Teton Data Systems and The Merck Publishing Group proudly announce the addition of The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy - 16E to the STAT!-Ref Medical Reference Library on CD-ROM. The Merck Manual, which first appeared in 1899 as a slender 262-page text, was designed to meet the needs of Primary Care physicians. In its 16th Edition, The Merck Manual is now the most widely used medical book in the world. Using Teton Data Systems' powerful search software provides access to the 2700 pages of full text and tables in a quick and easy to use electronic format.

John Eastman, of Teton Data Systems said "Clearly The Merck Manual is a renowned diagnosis and treatment text which lends considerable visibility to our STAT!-Ref product. The 16th Edition is an impressive revision and has already established a considerable following with our market."

According to Robert Berkow, M. D., Editor-in-Chief of The Merck Manual, "The addition of the 16th Edition of The Merck Manual to the STAT!-Ref product offers the healthcare community a powerful information resource. The ability to search content from The Merck Manual is significantly improved with compact disc technology, providing access to the information not feasible with the printed title and establishing a new standard of 'information at your fingertips"'.

Teton Data Systems currently publishes STAT!-Ref Primary Care, STAT!-Ref Cardiology and STAT!-Ref Oncology Medical Libraries on compact disc for the Macintosh and PC running Windows. STAT!-Ref contains over 30 titles from l 8 of the most respected medical publishers in the world along with a Clinical MEDLINE subset for each specialty from over 20 leading journals.

Teton Data Systems

211 East Broadway, PO Box 3082, Jackson, WY 83001

800-755-STAT,  307-733-5494,  fax 307-739-1229


Editlink 2200 Series Videotape Edit Ctlr Cards
FutureVideo Launches New Editlink 2200 Series PC-Based Videotape Edit Controller Cards

ALISO VIEJO, CALIFORNIA, USA, 15th October 1993--FutureVideo brings affordable videotape editing to PC owners via its new EditLink 2200 series edit controllers. Developed as 8-bit PC bus plug-in cards, the devices are capable of precisely controlling 2 VTRs on IBM PC/386/486 (or compatible) personal computers.

EditLink 2200 series controllers are capable of performing professional-grade Assemble, A/V Insert, Video Insert, and Audio Insert edits. Designed to support low-end industrial and consumer-grade VCRs/Camcorders, EditLink 2200 cards are compatible with over 100 models from Panasonic, Sony, JVC, Canon, Ricoh, Yashica, Nikon, and others-irrespective of tape format. Special Order versions are also available which support selected RS-232C and Sony VISCA (Sony V-Box not required) VTR protocols.

All three edit controller models--including the entry-level EditLink 2200 ($695)--are fitted with a GPI trigger and are compatible with both Sony's Industrial 8mm Time Code (typically +/-1 frame accuracy) and Sony's consumer Hi8 RC Time Code (typically 2-3 frame accuracy).

EditLink 2200/TC ($1195) also reads longitudinal SMPTE Time Code (EBU in PAL systems) from both Source and Record VTRs, resulting in accuracy of typically +/-1 frame with selected VTRs. The top-of-the-range 2200/TCG model ($1395) reads and writes SMPTE/EBU Time Code.

EditLink 2200 series controller cards require application software to form a complete system. FutureVideo's EDL-2000/FX Edit List Manager software is able to create 999 event edit decision lists (EDLs)--plus control the EditLink 2200's VTR transport and editing functions. Third Party software, including Matrox's Personal Producer, may also be used with EditLink 2200/TC.

According to Stephen Godfrey, FutureVideo's Vice President, "PC users have been left to wonder how they might control their VCRs and camcorders through their computer system. Our new EditLink 2200 series controllers and Edit ListManager series software make this possible for the first time. " Mr Godfrey continued, "Commercial third party software developers will likewise appreciate the ease of adding VTR control to their multi-media software via an EditLink 2200. We welcome them to join our Registered Developer Program. "

FutureVideo has been a pioneer in the world of desktop video editing and computer/VTR control technology, since 1986.

FutureVideo Products. Inc

28 Argonaut, Suite 150, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

714-770-4416,   Fax 714-770-4667


Sigma Designs Adds Encyclopedia to Reelmagic
Sigma Designs Adds Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia To Its ReelMagic CD-ROM Upgrade Kit

New version of Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia features full-screen, full-motion video sequences

Fremont, Calif., October 27, 1993 -- Sigma Designs, Inc. (NASDAQ--SIGM), a leading manufacturer of PC and Macintosh displays and multimedia products, today announced that they will include the newest version of Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia, the first electronic encyclopedia to feature full-screen, full-motion picture quality video, in the ReelMagic CD-ROM Upgrade Kit.

ReelMagic CD-ROM Upgrade Kit, which carries a list price of $849, will include the ReelMagic board, a double-speed, MPC Level 2 CD-ROM drive, a pair of deluxe speakers, and will feature ReelMagic-compatible versions of Activision's Return to Zork game, and Aris Entertainment's Video Cube: Space, MPC Wizard and World View, as well as Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia Version 2.01. The kit will begin shipping in mid-November 1993.

"We are extremely pleased to break new ground in the quality of CD-ROM based video," said Elliott Dahan, Compton's NewMedia executive director/business development. "Sigma Designs' ReelMagic board is an excellent example of the innovation and quick response to ever-improving standards that are characteristic multimedia and the high-technology industry."

Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia Version 2.01 will feature more than 25 MPEG video sequences running at a smooth, cinema quality 30 frames per second. The videos range from extensive footage on World War II to NASA sequences of the space shuttle complete with 44.1 kHz CD-quality audio.

An MPEG version of The Sporting News Pro Football Guide so from Compton's NewMedia, will soon be released and support the ReelMagic standard.

"Software developers are now ready to move on the next step in video quality. Until now, video sequences on PCs have only been able to run at a maximum of 15 frames per second, often resulting in pixelated images that did not completely synchronize the video and sound," said Frank Leonardi, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Sigma Designs. "We are extremely pleased to debut ReelMagic with the history-making Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia, the first-ever to integrate video into an encyclopedia, and now the first to offer full-screen, full-motion video."

Sigma Designs' ReelMagic stand-alone board, bundled with Activision's Return to Zork, has a suggested list price of $449 and has just begun shipping. All ReelMagic controllers carry a five-year parts and labor warranty and CD-ROM drives are covered by a one-year manufacturer's warranty.

Sigma Designs, headquartered in Fremont, CA, is a leading manufacturer of high-resolution color, grayscale and monochrome display systems, as well as multimedia and video display controllers. Products are available for both PC and Macintosh compatible computers and are designed for end-user productivity and comfort. All Sigma products are sold worldwide through a network of dealers and distributors. For sales and developer information, call 800-845-8086 or 510-770-0100.

Sigma Designs Inc

47900 Bayside Parkway, Fremont, CA 94538

510-770-0100,  fax 510-770-2640


ReelMagic MPEG Video & Sound Playback Board
Sigma Designs Announces First Full-Screen, Full-Motion Software Titles for its ReelMagic Controller

Entertainment, Educational and Business Titles Come to Life with the ReelMagic MPEG Video and Sound Playback Board

Fremont, Calif, October 27, 1993 -- Sigma Designs, Inc. (NASDAQ--SIGM), a leading manufacturer of PC and Macintosh displays and multimedia products, today announced the availability of software titles for its ReelMagic MPEG video and sound playback controller. Shipping immediately, the ReelMagic board provides full-screen, full-motion, full-color video that rivals laser disc quality on a desktop with CD-quality stereo sound. The first ReelMagic-compatible tides are expected to be on retail shelves in November from major entertainment and educational software developers such as Activision, Aris Entertainment, Compton's NewMedia, ReadySoft, and Video Toys, a division of Access Softek.

"We are very excited that concurrent with the release of our ReelMagic card a variety of next generation software titles will be available," said Frank Leonardi, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Sigma Designs. "We recognize that a breakthrough hardware product such as ReelMagic can only be successful if there is substantial software content. Our goal is to deliver an incredible multimedia playback controller, but also to work closely with developers to ensure continuing software support for ReelMagic."

The following new, MPEG tides will bring new levels of intensity and realism to computing:

Return to Zork from Infocom. a division of Activision

The latest game title in the classic Zork series of adventure games, Return to Zork features state-of-the-art production, a cast of Hollywood characters, and spectacular sound and video effects that go far beyond an ordinary computer game. An epic adventure underground, Return to Zork is an interactive triumph of danger, intrigue and mystery.

Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia Version 2.01-from Compton's NewMedia

The first interactive encyclopedia to make use of ReelMagic's high-resolution, full-motion, fullscreen MPEG video, the Encyclopedia features numerous MPEG video sequences allowing users to see informational and historical clips in smooth detail never before available on a PC based encyclopedia

The Sporting News Multimedia Pro Football Guide from Compton's New Media

Another ReelMagic-compatible tide from Compton's NewMedia, The Sporting News Multimedia Pro Football Guide provides visual and audio game highlights, game statistics, fascinating facts and trivia, profiles of teams, players, coaches and Hall of Frame inductees, plus extensive full-screen video of the 1992 season. The tide also includes historical information about professional football.

Video Cube: Space from Aris Entertainment

A best-selling Aris game title is now ReelMagic-compatible. Video Cube: Space is a radically new, non-violent CD-ROM game that pits user against the Video Cube to unscramble images and solve the puzzle. Video Cube lets the user master multiple levels to unlock the ultimate secret of the Video Cube and blast-off to a whole new dimension of fun.

World View from Aris Entertainment

World View provides an amazing collection of 100 stunning photographic images, 25 movies of blastoffs, and 100 original audio clips, chronicling the history of space travel. With ReelMagic, the images sounds and motion video come to life for explorers and adventurers of all ages.

MPC Wizard from Aris Entertainment

An extraordinary utility program, MPC Wizard optimizes a Windows multimedia system. MPC Wizard corrects any multimedia system incompatibilities and offers one of the most comprehensive collections of Windows video and sound drivers. In addition, The Best of Media Clips is included with MPC Wizard offering over 120 popular award-winning clips, that combined with ReelMagic, provide realistic full-motion video and stereo sound.

Animal Kingdom from Aris Entertainment

Animal Kingdom takes you on a safari from the great plains to the Savanahs and the Sahara to the coldest tundra. One hundred dynamic animal images, 100 new age audio clips and 25 videos of animals in action, put on an educational and entertaining spectacle of the world's wildlife.

Dragon's Lair from ReadySoft

True to the laser disc quality of the original arcade game, the new ReelMagic-compatible version of Dragon's Lair continues to set the standard for graphics excellence. With the animation talents of Don Bluth studios responsible for its production, Dragon's Lair combines the quality of a feature-length animated movie with the intrigue of fantasy game playing. Dragon's Lair is an adventure where you become a valiant knight on a quest to rescue a fair princess from the clutches of an evil dragon. You control the actions of a daring adventurer fighting your way through a mysterious castle filled with treacherous monsters and obstacles.

Matinee from Video Toys a division of Access Softek

The first full-motion screen saver released for Windows 3.1, Matinee unleashes a new level of realism to the software entertainment industry. Users can create customized mini-movies by selecting from 250 full-color and black-and-white video clips. There are clips to satisfy every taste, mood, image, or craving -- contemplative chimps to blood-hungry vampires, launching a NASA rocket to the deadly grin of a killer shark -- anything to remind the user of an upcoming deadline.

SoundTrack from Video Toys a division of Access Softek

Taking advantage of ReelMagic's stereo sound capabilities, SoundTrack for Windows allows the user to create customized video soundtracks for the latest in multimedia fun. With SoundTrack users can make their lawyer bleat like a goat or narrate their own moon landing -- achieving professional results without being a professional sound engineer. SoundTrack allows the user to record dialog, music, and sound effects while overdubbing video as it plays on the computer screen.

The MPEG Standard

ReelMagic is based on the MPEG (Motion Pictures Experts Group) standard, which allows up to 72 minutes of full-motion video and sound to be pressed on one CD-ROM. An industry standard technique for compression and decompression, MPEG can achieve tremendous compression ratios, often as high as 200 to 1, which allows high-quality video and sound to be played directly from a single-speed CD-ROM. Furthermore, MPEG has received broad backing from a number of major companies including 3DO, C-Cube, Philips, JVC, Goldstar, Commodore, and Samsung, thus establishing it as an industry standard.

The ReelMagic Development Standard

Because of the breakthrough represented by ReelMagic, developers have embraced this new standard for entertainment and multimedia development. Many more titles are under development by such leading companies as Interplay, Psygnosis, RainMaker Software, Sierra On-Line, Trilobyte, and Virgin Games.

To ensure that a broad selection of software titles will be available for ReelMagic, Sigma Designs created a high-level Applications Programming Interface (API) for DOS, and set of development tools that were provided to developers early in the ReelMagic product design cycle. Also, since ReelMagic supports important Windows standards such as MCI and OLE 2.0, it is easy for developers to incorporate ReelMagic capabilities into their own products and for users to add ReelMagic features to virtually any application that supports OLE.

Sigma Designs, headquartered in Fremont, CA, is a leading manufacturer of high-resolution color, grayscale and monochrome display systems, as well as multimedia and video display controllers. Products are available for both PC and Macintosh compatible computers and are designed for end-user productivity and comfort. All Sigma products are sold worldwide through a network of dealers and distributors. For sales and developer information, call 800-845-8086 or 510-770-0100.

Sigma Designs Inc

47900 Bayside Parkway, Fremont, CA 94538

510-770-0100,  fax 510-770-2640


Cheyenne Supports Novell NetWare Connect
CHEYENNE ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR NOVELL'S NETWARE CONNECT

ROSLYN HEIGHTS, September 8, 1993 --- Continuing its corporate strategy of complementing and adding value to Novell's communications plans, Cheyenne Communications, Inc., a subsidiary of Cheyenne Software, Inc. (AMEX:CYE) today announced its support for NetWare Connect. NetWare Connect is Novell's remote access platform that supports mobile and corporate users for both inbound and outbound communications. NetWare Connect is a NetWare Loadable Module (NLM) that allows network managers to consolidate their core communications resources on a single integrated platform for secure, cost-effective sharing and centralized management of those resources. Cheyenne's FAXserve, as an NLM, takes an automated approach to network facsimile services and will be integrated with NetWare Connect, allowing users to remotely access inbound and outbound fax services.

FAXserve centrally monitors, queues, schedules, and processes fax transmissions from a NetWare server. It eliminates the need for a dedicated fax server, a dedicated workstation, or proprietary hardware. Sending a fax is as simple as printing a document from a workstation. It works with most DOS, Windows, or E-Mail applications, or can use any CAS application to create and send documents. FAXserve provides multiple board support and includes auto rescheduling, transmit/receive logs, and accounting audit trails tied to the network.

In making the announcement, David Weingard, Director of Marketing, Cheyenne Communications, stated "The introduction of NetWare Connect provides another example of a superior server-based communications product. Today's sophisticated user is continually seeking better methods of harnessing the power of file-server hardware and network operating systems. Building a NetWare-based communications server, with products such as Cheyenne's FAXserve, Novell's NetWare Connect and NetWare Global MHS, is extremely attractive from both a technological and financial point of view."

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


Boulder Count R&D/Manufacturers Directory Avail
INFORMATION NOW AVAILABLE ON MORE THAN 930 BOULDER COUNTY COMPANIES IN 1994 BOULDER COUNTY R&D/MANUFACTURERS DIRECTORY

Boulder, Colo. -- The fifth annual Boulder County R&D/Manufacturers Directory is now available from The Boulder County Business Report. With detailed information on more than 930 Boulder County R&D and manufacturing companies, the 1994 R&D/Manufacturers Directory provides an exceptional resource for businesses and individuals seeking information on Boulder County business.

The newly updated directory lists each company's name, address, phone/FAX numbers, owner/manager/CEO, other key contacts (purchasing, marketing etc...), product description, SIC code and revenue range if available.

Companies also are indexed by exporters, importers, city and number of employees. High-tech companies are indexed under categories such as computers and peripherals, biotechnology, microelectronics, software

The feature editorial in this year's Directory is, "Technology Transfer--A Guide to Federal Labs," providing detailed information on how companies can take advantage of federal resources in developing, manufacturing and marketing technology-based products.

The Boulder County R&D Manufacturers Directory is a one-of-a-kind source for businesses looking to locate suppliers or business contacts in the Boulder County manufacturing community. "With key information on 930 companies, The Directory is a resource no business in Boulder County should be without," said Editor Jerry Lewis. "The Directory is also valuable to those looking for work in Boulder County"

The 1994 Boulder County R&D Manufacturers Directory also features a Business Services Directory with more than 100 companies advertising specific services to area businesses.

The 1994 Boulder County R&D/Manufacturers Directory sells for $24 plus $4 for tax and sipping. The Directory is also available on disk in WordPerfect for $100 (plus tax), or in dBase III+ for $175 (plus tax). To order a copy of The Directory, send check or money-order to The Boulder County Business Report, 4885 Riverbend Rd., Suite D, Boulder, CO 80301 or buy a copy at the Business Report office and save shipping charges.

For more information on the 1994 Boulder County R&D/Manufacturers Directory or The Boulder County Business Report, call 440-4950.


PRONTO Registration Software
New from ACEware!

The Powerful, Affordable PRONTO Line of Registration Software

$895

Finally! A Registration Software Solution for operations with real needs, but limited resources. You get all the fundamentals in an easy to install easy-to-use, and affordable package.

Install the program in 5 minutes, customize it to your tastes in 15 minutes, and begin to register students or conference participants in just one hour. After you have used the program for a week, you'll ask yourself how you ever got along without it!

The program comes with everything you need to get started, including a user's manual, 90 days of free user support, and a money back satisfaction guarantee.

The PRONTO features:

- Unlimited number of courses and registrations.

- Receipts/invoices/confirmations

- Built-in mailing list system

- Over 35 built-in reports -- income, rosters, mailing labels,

  enrollments, course lists, transcripts & daily income audit

- Automatically track promotional efforts

- Prevents duplicate name entry

- Customize your system in minutes - no programming or

  complicated directions.

- Uses industry standard dBASE data files

- Automatic data backup system

- Specification: IBM PC or compatible, 640K RAM,

  1 floppy drive and a hard drive, MS-DOS 3.3 or higher

- Support: 3 months of toll free telephone support

- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If you are not satisfied for

  any reason, ACEware Systems Software will give you a full

  refund, and you may keep your data files to use however you

  wish!

ACEware Systems

1828 Erickson, Manhattan, KS 66502-2212

800-925-2493,  913-537-2937,  fax 913-537-6811


PCMCDI - Complete PCMCIA interface System
Complete PCMCIA Interface System

November 1, 1993 -- Greer, SC . . . Computer Dynamics announces the introduction of the PCMCDI, a complete PCMCIA interface system which opens the rapidly expanding world of credit card memory and I/O to the PC bus user. The PCMCIA expansion standard is finding many applications in portable computers, consumer electronics, medical instrumentation, and industry. The PCMCDI consists of a half-size PC bus interface module, a one or two-slot drive, and cable. As a distinct unit, the drive can be separated from the PC bus backplane electronics by up to 18", which may have advantages in certain OEM applications. The system provides complete Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) v2.0/ JEIDA v4.1 memory and l/O card support.

The 6.5" x 3.5" interface module, suitable for use in any ISA bus passive backplane, gives the PC bus access to the PCMCIA card. It also provides BIOS support for "AUTOBOOT" memory cards, which allow you to boot DOS from a credit card. The onboard scratch pad RAM, required for "AUTOBOOT," is also used to free system memory from BIOS support.

The drive provides one or two PCMCIA-compatible sockets (Types I, II or III) and a "Busy" indicator to show when cards are in use. Type I PCMCIA cards currently provide up to eight megabytes of battery-backed SRAM, One Time Programmable (OTP) ROM, and Flash ROM. Type ll cards provide network interface, FAX MODEM, and other communications functions. Type III cards provide winchester disk storage. Since it is mechanically the same as a 3.5 inch floppy drive, the PCMCDI drive can be mounted wherever similar size floppies would be placed.

As for other features, the PCMCDI's power and card control signals operate as "quiet card bus" to reduce active power consumption when the cards are not in use. Cards can be inserted or removed without cycling system power or re-booting the system. DMA support is PC/AT compatible in byte mode. Interrupt steering logic allows I/O card interrupts to be routed to PC interrupts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, or 14. PCMCIA card memory windows can appear anywhere in the processor's 16M address space, and may range in size from 16k to 16M. This is required for execute-in-place where programs are executed from card memory rather than being loaded into system RAM.

The complete PCMCDI is $290 in OEM quantities for the two-drive system. Availability is stock to 30 days. SRAM, Flash ROM, Ethernet, Token Ring and FAX/MODEM cards are also offered. For more information, contact the Sales Department, Computer Dynamics, 107 S. Main Street, Greer, SC 29650. Phone 803-877-8700 or FAX 803879-2030.


ORPHEUS V1.65 Hypertext Authoring & Elec Pub.
Announcing: ORPHEUS v1.65

Orpheus is a powerful 2 part system for hypertext authoring and electronic publishing. The authoring program makes hypertext writing amazingly easy. Link text, graphics, forms, scripts, other books, other programs, in an advanced writer friendly environment. The reading program is a commercial-quality interface for end-users -- at a fraction of the cost of commercial systems. Comes with clear tutorials, detailed context-sensitive help, a host of built in tools to help you create outstanding electronic documents.

What's New:

Link to forms to get user input (prints to disk or paper), create an index, store graphics and forms in library files for protection and simpler distribution. Expanded online help.

Requirements:

IBM-compatible computer, DOS 3.1 or later, any monitor. Authoring program requires a hard disk and 480K RAM. Reading program requires 256K RAM, any disk.

Shareware Registration:   $79.00

International:

The Orpheus Reader will be available in French and Dutch by November 1, 1993... in German, Danish, and Portuguese by year's end. If you are a publisher interested in supporting Orpheus in another language, or are interested in providing registration and support services outside of North America, I am interested in working with you.

Hyperion Softword

535 Dunvernay, Sherbrooke, QC Canada J1L 1Y8

819-566-6296


STRO-WARE ClipSQL V3 for SQL Server/Sybase
STRO-WARE LAUNCHES CLIPSQL, Version 3 for SQL SERVER/SYBASE

(LOS ANGELES, Calif) -- STRO-WARE Inc, the distributor of Aladdin Publishing's range of Clipper add-on products, has just released the latest version of ClipSQL for SQL Server/Sybase.

ClipsQL Version 3 now offers cursor control and includes an RDD interface. In addition, it is compatible with Sybase 1.1 and 4.2, supports Clipper 5.01 and 5.2, and is still compatible with previous versions of ClipSQL.

ClipSQL for SQL Server/Sybase is part of Aladdin Publishing's range of Clipper interfaces which allow software developers to write applications in CA-Clipper version's 5.x that will access SQL database engines.

Clipper programmers who want to migrate their applications into a Client/Server environment are able to access the powerful SQL engines like SQL Server with their existing Clipper programming skills without having to learn another programming language.

"ClipSQL offers Clipper programmers the best of both worlds by providing the link between the flexibility of CA-Clipper and the power and speed of SQL engines." Neil Stromin, president, Stro-Ware, said.

ClipSQL for SQL Server/Sybase is the first Client/Server interface for SQL Server to use RDD technology. To ensure the best performance and flexibility, three separate approaches are used in the interface:

API Approach -- Various functions in the library allow the programmer to issue and manipulate the results of SQL statements. SELECT statements can be manipulated simultaneously, and scrolling forward and backward through result sets is possible. There is also the facility to use PREPARE statements and parameterised statements.

Embedded SQL Approach -- This approach can be wed with the API approach so the programmer can use SQL statements as part of the Clipper syntax. This makes the syntax conform as close as possible to the ANSI standards for embedding SQL commands in the host languages (e.g, C, COBOL, ADA).

RDD Approach -- This uses work areas in the interface enabling rows and columns to be easily accessed in a way familiar to the programmer. Using Clipper's powerful Database Manipulation Language (DML), this interface allows a SQL table to be used as if it were a DBF, providing easy conversions for those programmers unfamiliar with SQL.

"In essence a whole new market for Clipper programmers is opening up," Keith Levenstein, chairman, Aladdin Publishing, said. "There are many thousands of competent Clipper programmers who can use their programming skills to develop sophisticated programs in the Client/Server environment, and with the SQL engines providing the record handling, a level of data integrity is ensured that was not previously possible with the underlying DBF database structure."

ClipSQL for SQL Server/Sybase also includes: a DBF to SQL translator and SQL table to DBF translator; Interactive SQL; a Query by Example utility; and a database utility for SQL to manipulate SQL databases and tables, all written in CA-Clipper.

ClipSQL Version 3 for SQL Server/Sybase lists for $495.00, and is available to existing ClipSQL registered users as an upgrade for $249.00. All applications developed with ClipSQL are 100% royalty free.

Aladdin Software's range of Clipper add-ons include ClipSQL for Informix, Oracle, and Gupta, UnClip, a decompiler for CA-Clipper Summer '87; RDD kit, a set of six replaceable database drivers, and DynMan, a Dynamic Link library.

Stro-ware Inc. is the exclusive distributor of Aladdin products for North and South America. All inquiries should be directed to STRO-WARE, 12000 W. Pico Blvd., Suite 203, Los Angeles, CA 90064 Tel (800) 278-STRO, Fax (310) 575-8992, CIS 71553, 175


SENDMAIL EXPLAINED

O'Reilly Publishes Comprehensive Guide to Complex Internet Email Program

November 1, 1993 -- SEBASTOPOL, CA -- O'Reilly & Associates, Inc. announces the publication of sendmail ($32.95 US), the most comprehensive book ever written about the program that acts like a traffic cop in routing and delivering electronic mail on UNIX-based networks Authored by Bryan Costales, with sendmail creator Eric Allman and IDA sendmail authority Neil Rickert, it is a thorough presentation of this program whose complexity is both its blessing and its curse.

First developed in the early 1980s by then-student Eric Allman, sendmail was a solution to difficulties in transferring electronic messages between dissimilar networks. His program modified messages to conform to conventions required by the networks, rather than reject them. While some of the remarkable growth of electronic mail on the Internet can be attributed to this simple principle, as needs for a wider range of services has arisen, so too has sendmail's complexity. In fact, Allman states that the publishing of the book itself prodded new development as it made him want to make small and large files in the program: "It would be fair to say that the book and sendmail version 8 fed on each other--each has improved the presence of the other."

In sendmail, readers will learn:

* Everything needed to know about the syntax of the sendmail.cf file, including such topics as delivery agent selections, rules and rule sets, macros, class macros, and database macros, options, and headers.

* How to create sendmail address rewriting rules.

* How to have sendmail insert additional custom message headers.

* How to integrate sendmail and DNS.

* How to use aliases and :include: files for mailing lists.

* How to improve the security of sendmail configuration.

* How to set up multiple queues, including offsite backup queues for disaster protection of mail handling when a site is down for an extended time.

* How to control and interpret sendmail debugging output.

* Whether vendor-supplied sendmail, the new Version 8 Berkeley send nail, or IDA sendmail (a version from Europe that uses a more readable configuration file) is best for a site. It also covers the standard versions available on most systems, such as those found on Sun and DEC/Ultrix workstations.

Sendmail includes a tutorial designed to teach sendmail from the ground up (a reference section so complete that even Eric Allman uses it) as well as practical administrative advice.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Bryan Costales is System Manager at the International Computer Science Institute in Berkeley, California He has been writing articles and books about computer software for over ten years. His most notable books are C from A to Z (Prentice Hall) and Unix Communications (Howard Sams).

Eric Allman is the Lead Programmer on the Mammoth Project at the University of California at Berkeley. This is his second incarnation at Berkeley; previously, he was the Chief Programmer on the INGRES database management project. In addition to his assigned tasks, he got involved with the early UNIX effort at Berkeley. Over the years, he wrote a number of utilities that appeared with various releases of BSD, including the -me macros, tset, trek, syslog, vacation, and of course sendmail. Eric spent the years between the two Berkeley incarnations at Britton Lee (later Sharebase) doing database user and application interfaces, and at the International Computer Science Institute, contributing to the Ring Array Processor project for neural-net-based speech recognition.

Neil Rickert earned his Ph.D. at Yale in Mathematics. He is currently a professor of computer science at Northern Illinois University. He likes to keep contact with the practical side of computing, and so spends part of his time in UNIX system administration. He has been involved with the IDA sendmail project, and is largely responsible for the current version of the IDA configuration.

O'REILLY & ASSOCIATES

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 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.

# # #

sendmail

By Bryan Costales, with Eric Allman & Neil Rickert

830 pages

ISBN: 1-56592-056-2

$32.95 (US)

Toll-free order number: 800/998-9938

Other system administration books published by O'Reilly

TCP/IP Network Administration

By Craig Hunt

502 pages, ISBN: 0-937175-82-X, $29.95 (US)

DNS and BIND

By Cricket Liu & Paul Albitz

418 pages, ISBN: 1-56592-010-4, $29.95 (US)

System Performance Tuning

By Mike Loukides

336 pages, ISBN: 0-937175-60-9, $24.95 (US)

Essential System Administration

By AEleen Frisch

466 pages, ISBN: 0-937175-80-3, $29.95 (US)

O'Reilly & Associates Inc

103 Morris St, Ste A, Sebastopol, CA 95472

800-998-9938,  707-829-0515,  fax 707-829-0104


Programmin perl
O'REILLY PUBLISHES PERL TUTORIAL

Llama Book to Join the Camel Book

November 1, 1993 -- SEBASTOPOL, CA--In 1991, O'Reilly & Associates published Larry Wall's and Randal Schwartz's Programming perl, the definitive guide to the hottest UNIX utility to be written in years. So popular has the book become that it is now known within the programming community simply as "the Camel Book" after the dromedary on its cover. O'Reilly has teamed up with Randal Schwartz once more to produce Learning Perl ($24.95 US), which, in Schwart's words, "covers the middle two-thirds of the perl language--enough to get your feet wet all over, but not quite enough to be doing high diving."

Learning Perl (featuring a llama on the cover) is strictly a tutorial book. It is based upon Schwartz's experiences of teaching week-long, hands-on introductory Perl courses. The book contains a series of lessons consisting of a "lecture" part and a "lab" part, represented by explanatory text and then a series of exercises. It describes the most useful features of perl, leaving out those that are highly specialized or advanced. The author's goal for readers is, "By the time you've finished reading the 200 page book, you'll be a mid-range perl programmer, with a lot of weaponry in your arsenal for dealing with systems and applications-level programs."

Perl is an acronym standing for "Practical Extraction and Report Language." Created by Larry Wall, it is a language for easily manipulating text, files, and processes. Perl provides a more concise- and readable way to do many jobs that were formerly accomplished--with difficulty--by programming in the C language or one of the shells. Even though perl is not yet a standard part of UNIX, it is freely available in source form over the Internet (and is also available on CD in both source and precompiled binaries with O'Reilly's book/disk combination UNIX Power Tools) and is highly portable to nearly any UNIX-like environment.

Learning Perl contains explanatory text and exercises on:

* ScalarData

* Control Structures

* Basic I/O

* System & User Functions

* Formats

* Directory Access

* Arrays and List Data

* Associative Arrays

* Regular Expressions

* Filehandles

* File Tests

* File & Directory Access

* File & Directory Manipulation

* Process Management

* Data Transformation

* System Database Access

* User Database Manipulation

* The Debugger

* The Command Line

* Converting other languages to Perl

* Networking Basics

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Randal L. Schwartz is an eclectic tradesman and entrepreneur, making his living through software design, technical writing and training, system administration, security consultation, and video production. He is known internationally for his prolific, humorous, and occasionally incorrect spatterings on Usenet--especially his "Just another perl hacker" signoffs in comp.lang.perl. Randal honed his many crafts through seven years of employment at Tektronix, ServioLogic, and Sequent. Since 1985, he has owned and operated Stonehenge Consulting Services in his home town of Portland, Oregon.

O'REILLY & ASSOCIATES

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 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.

Learning perl

By Randal L. Schwartz, Foreword by Larry Wall

274 pages; ISBN: 1-56592-042-2; $24.95

For a comprehensive and detailed guide to programming with perl, read O'Reilly's companion book:

Programming perl

By Larry Wall & Randal L. Schwartz

482 pages; ISBN: 0-937175-641; $29.95

O'Reilly & Associates Inc

103 Morris St, Ste A, Sebastopol, CA 95472

800-998-9938,  707-829-0515,  fax 707-829-0104


Logitech Intros TrackMan Design for Macintosh
Logitech Introduces New TrackMan Design for the Macintosh

Advanced Ergonomic Features Offer Macintosh Users Advanced Precision and Comfort for Greater Productivity

Fremont, Calif.--November 1, 1993 -- Logitech Inc., international market leader in pointing devices for personal computers, today announced the new design of its popular TrackMan stationary desktop mouse for the Macintosh. With a case design conforming more closely with the human hand, TrackMan features advanced ergonomic styling and precision control. The TrackMan package includes MouseKey version 1.2 software offering greater cursor and tracking control. TrackMan will be available in January 1994 at a suggested retail price of $139.

"With the new TrackMan design, we've further refined our thumb-operated trackball technology, giving those who spend long hours using a mouse an elegant, yet highly functional, input solution," said Deborah Davis, Logitech product manager. "Since its initial introduction to the PC platform, the new TrackMan shape has been extremely popular. We're now responding to the increasing demand from the Macintosh community for the same award-winning design."

As a stationary device, TrackMan requires less desk space than a mouse and can be used in a variety of situations, including in a keyboard drawer where a mouse is impractical. The new TrackMan has a great feel and an attractive design for design-conscious users. "Because TrackMan requires no arm or wrist movement, it maximizes both support and precision," said Logitech president Pierluigi Zappacosh. "There is a psychological component in the choice of an input device when they find the right one, the result feels obvious and natural. We believe TrackMan is elegant in this regard and demonstrates Logitech's commitment to 'humanizing' computers."

MouseKey version 1.2 software offers users the ability to assign different tasks to the buttons, such as the double click feature, for faster and easier computing in Macintosh applications. In addition, TrackMan has a default hardware resolution level of 400 dpi which allows users to move across the screen with less effort than the standard 100 dpi.

TrackMan is compatible with all Macintosh computers running System 6.X or later with an ADB port and is backed by a 60-day satisfaction guarantee and a three-year limited warranty. Logitech will be offering TrackMan at a special introductory price of $89.00 for the first 90-days beginning January 15, 1994. Registered users of the current TrackMan product can upgrade through Logitech's customer sales center.

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 publicly traded 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


Intuit Intros 1st CDROM Personal Finance Swr
INTUIT INTRODUCES FIRST CD-ROM PERSONAL FINANCE SOFTWARE

--Quicken features The Wall Street Journal Video Guide to Money and Markets and Tradeline Electronic Stock Guide to deliver a powerhouse Quicken for Windows CD-ROM Deluxe Edition -

MENLO PARK, Calif.--Nov. 3, 1993--Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ: INTU), the leading developer of personal and small business finance software, today announced Quicken for Windows CD-ROM Deluxe Edition, the first CD-ROM-based personal finance software program. It incorporates the newly introduced Quicken 3 for Windows and Quicken Companion 2 complete with on-line documentation, The Wall Street Journal Video Guide to Money and Markets, The Wall Street Journal Personal Finance Library, the Tradeline Electronic Stock Guide from IDD Information Services, and over 20 U.S. government publications on personal finance.

"Quicken for Windows CD-ROM Deluxe Edition is the most complete personal finance program on the planet," said Scott Cook, president and co-founder of Intuit. "Books on personal finance are dull and difficult to read. Our new Quicken for Windows Deluxe Edition is easy and fun to use and provides the user with interactive learning tools to instantly answer their financial questions. The new Quicken CD-ROM Deluxe Edition makes personal finance come alive on your screen."

Quicken for Windows CD-ROM Deluxe Edition capitalizes on the power of CD-ROM technology, enabling users to manage their finances and make educated financial decisions in a single, fun, easy-to-use application. The product uses full-motion video, and interactive worksheets from Vertigo Development Group featuring information from The Wall Street Journal, as well as stock databases from Tradeline to give the user more insight into the world of finance.

"CD-ROM drive shipments are skyrocketing. We estimate that by 1996, 70 percent of personal computers will have CD-ROM drives," said Tim Bajarin, industry analyst at Creative Strategies. "With Quicken for Windows CD-ROM Deluxe Edition, Intuit is well positioned to take advantage of the rapidly growing CD-ROM market. The company is once again focusing on meeting customers' needs by extending its expertise in personal finance into the CD-ROM market with the right product at the right time."

Unique Educational Tool Brings Investing Alive

The Wall Street Journal Video Guide to Money and Markets is a unique educational tool that brings sound and full-motion video to the computer screen to teach people the basics of financial markets and investment instruments. The user is transported to the various financial exchanges by Wall Street Journal experts who explain investment-related topics in plain English.

Covering everything from the basics of "What is a Market" to "Municipal Bonds" to "The Global Market," The Wall Street Journal Video Guide to Money and Markets contains six chapters, 13 key topics, and 11 segments providing a total of 25 minutes of video tours. Simply select a topic such as "New York Stock Exchange" and you see a page describing the history of the exchange, then click on a button and you're instantly transported through a historical review and onto the floor of the modern exchange -- all with sound and full-motion, full-color video.

Because the information is active, using pictures and sound instead of simply text to convey information, The Wall Street Journal Video Guide to Money and Markets helps users learn while overcoming the intimidation of complicated financial markets.

Innovative Wall Street Journal Personal Finance Library Educates and Helps You Make Decisions

The Wall Street Journal Personal Finance Library combines articles from The Wall Street Journal with interactive worksheets developed by Vertigo Development Group to enable users to learn about a topic and then apply that knowledge to their personal situation. This innovative combination of text and worksheets creates a learning tool that is immediately useful.

Eighteen articles cover interactive topics ranging from investment strategies to buying a home, college planning and retirement planning. For example, with interest rates low, users may want to refer to the recent Wall Street Journal articles on mortgage refinancing and then use the worksheet provided to compare different mortgages and determine which is the best option. Users can access other worksheets to determine whether they should rent or buy, how much mortgage they can qualify for, and whether the mortgage will be tax sheltered. Nearly 150 pages of articles, information, and worksheets are included and instantly available on-disk.

Powerful Stock Guide Helps Users Make Educated Investment Decisions

The Tradeline Electronic Stock Guide provides complete statistical information on over 6,000 publicly traded stocks, giving users information normally available only through brokerage firms and stock analysts. The one-page snapshots provide key information including 52-week price trend graphs, traded volume, P/E ratios, most recently reported EPS, beta, yield, and more. Users of the CD-ROM version of Quicken now have instant access to key technical data to help them make investment decisions.

The Tradeline guide comes complete with data on 6,000 active NYSE, American and NASDAQ listed common and preferred stocks, as well as major market indices such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Users receive data from the end of the most recent quarter when they purchase the product, and receive the next quarter's update free with registration. Users can then subscribe to a monthly or quarterly update service through IDD Information Services to keep this information fresh and up-to-date.

Complete Tips and Step-by-Step Guides to Taking Control of Your Financial Situation

Quicken for Windows CD-ROM Deluxe Edition contains nearly 1,000 pages of "how-to" tips on everything from buying life insurance and setting budgets to setting up a home office and planning for retirement. Over 20 separate publications, produced by subject experts from the U.S. government, are included.

The publications cover all aspects of your finances, including how to select financial planners, lawyers, and tax preparers; how to know what to save for retirement; how to prepare budgets and what average spending is on various household budget items. A plethora of information is available to help you with financial planning - you'll know, for example, that the average cost of having a baby was $2,307 in 1982, and that the average cost of raising a child to age 18 can exceed $100,000.

The guide also tells you what your basic rights are as a consumer -- including your rights regarding credit application and reporting, retirement benefits and pensions, billing errors, and more -- and includes names and addresses of government agencies to contact, as well as bibliographies for further information.

Quicken 3 for Windows

Quicken 3 for Windows, the latest release of the number-one selling personal finance software, gives users complete control over their finances. Quicken 3 for Windows tracks spending, and provides insightful reports and graphs, enabling users to effectively manage their finances.

Now, with the new CD-ROM version of Quicken, users have instant access to the on-line documentation of Quicken 3 for Windows, Quicken Companion, and Quicken Tips from the Experts, at their finger tips.

Quicken Companion 2

Quicken Companion estimates personal taxes, instantly updates stock and mutual fund prices on-line, and gives users useful tips and advice about Quicken. The latest version of Companion adds Quicken Home Inventory, a fast and simple way to create and manage a personal home inventory for complete organization, insurance planning, and insurance claim back-up.

Pricing and System Requirements

The expected street price for Quicken for Windows CD-ROM Deluxe Edition is $69.95. Product will be available direct from Intuit or at leading retail stores in the U.S. and Canada beginning November 15, 1993.

Upgrade policy: Current users can purchase Quicken through retail outlets and receive a $10 in-box rebate. New users receive a $5 in-box rebate. Upgrades are available directly from Intuit for $64.95, including shipping and handling. For more information call (800) 624-8742.

Quicken is distributed throughout the U.S. by Ingram Micro, Merisel, and SoftKat.

The system requirements for Quicken for Windows CD-ROM Deluxe Edition include:

--IBM PC or 100-percent compatible 386 or higher PC

--DOS 3.3 or higher

--MSCDEX 2.2 or higher

--Windows 3.1

--4MB RAM

--10MB free hard disk space

--256-color VGA or SVGA monitor

--MPC compatible CD-ROM drive, sound board & speakers

--(Optional) Hayes-compatible modem

--(Optional) Any printer supported by Windows 3.1

In addition to The Wall Street Journal Video Guide to Money and Markets and The Wall Street Journal Personal Finance Library, Dow Jones Business Information Services offers other products for private investors. Business Information Services provides business and financial news and information products to corporations and consumers through a host of methods: computer, telephone, facsimile and radio. Dow Jones, the global business information company, also publishes The Wall Street Journal and its international editions, Barron's and community newspapers.

IDD Information Services is a leading provider of investment data and software for the financial community.

Vertigo Development Group is developing a new generation of electronic books called ActiveBooks Vertigo ActiveBooks combine the knowledge found in traditional books with interactive software, to help consumers make important decisions about personal finance and investing.

Intuit develops and markets products and services that enable households and small businesses to automate commonly performed financial tasks. Quicken, the company's original product, allows users to automate their personal finances. In March 1992, the company introduced QuickBooks, its first small business accounting product. In June 1993, Intuit announced Pocket Quicken for Zoomer. To complement Quicken, QuickBooks and its other software products, Intuit offers a broad range of supplies, including checks, invoices and forms. In addition, the company has a number of services offerings, such as the Quicken VISA card with IntelliCharge working with Intuit software products to further automate financial tasks.

Intuit Inc

155 Linfield Ave, PO Box 3014

Menlo Park, CA 94026-3014

415-322-0573


ARCserve Processor Independent NetWare Support
CHEYENNE SOFTWARE ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR PROCESSOR INDEPENDENT NETWARE ON THE HP PA RISC NETWARE SERVER

ARCserve Device Support Extended

ROSLYN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK, October 27, 1993 - - - Cheyenne Software, Inc. (AMEX:CYE) announced today that ARCserve, Cheyenne's enterprise-wide, scalable data protection and management software solution, will provide backup and restore support for the Processor Independent NetWare (PIN) on the Hewlett-Packard PA-RISC NetWare Server, planned for release in early 1994.

The HP PA-RISC server is a high performance system that combines the computing power of HP's Precision Architecture Reduced Instruction Set Computing (PA-RISC) microprocessors with Novell's independent NetWare.

ARCserve is a comprehensive, reliable backup and restore software solution for NetWare. Now available in both DOS (version 4.0) and Windows Editions (version 5.0), ARCserve is suitable for single-server or large multi-server Novell NetWare 3.11 or 4.0 networks. ARCserve integrates an array of features that provides users with the highest level of automation for network data management. The company recently introduced Optional Database Agents for the ARCserve NLM that 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.

In making the announcement, Alan Kaufman, Executive Vice President of Sales for Cheyenne stated, "Cheyenne has been providing quality client/server applications to Hewlett Packard users for many years. HP's PA-RISC Server, with its industry-leading scalability and proven performance features, combined with the most powerful enterprise-wide backup solution available in the market today, ARCserve, will truly provide users with unprecedented storage capability and data management. The introduction of support for processor independent NetWare software into Cheyenne's product line, further extends Cheyenne's commitment to the NetWare architecture."

"Our customers are asking for a wide range of NLMs to be supported on our PA-RISC platform running NetWare, and we are pleased that Cheyenne will be supporting our platform with their market-leading backup solutions." said Nick Ordon, general manager of HP's NetWare Operation. "The combination of high-performance PA-RISC and the flexibility of NLMs for Novell NetWare will provide a powerful application server for customers' LAN environments."

Hewlett-Packard Company is an international manufacturer of measurement and computation products and systems recognized for excellence in quality and support. The company's products and services are used in industry, business, engineering, science, medicine and education in approximately 100 countries. HP has 94,900 employees and had revenue of $16.4 billion in its 1992 fiscal year.

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


InocuLAN V2.5 Improved Network Virus Protection
CHEYENNE SOFTWARE ANNOUNCES IMPROVED NETWORK VIRUS PROTECTION

InocuLAN Version 2.5 Released

ROSLYN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK, October 27, 1993 - - - Cheyenne Software, Inc. (AMEX:CYE) announced today the release of InocuLAN version 2.5 which incorporates new advanced features that improve InocuLAN's performance and extends its virus protection capabilities to networked Macintosh workstations. In addition, InocuLAN, which is Novell certified, now fully supports Novell's NetWare 4.0 with advanced functionality.

InocuLAN is the only anti-virus software product on the market today providing centralized virus protection and prevention for the NetWare file server as well as connected DOS and Macintosh workstations and non-networked PCs. The server-based module (VAP or NLM), which in this new version uses only 420K of memory, scans the file servers while terminate and stay resident programs (TSRs) protect networked and stand-alone PCs from known and unknown viruses. Remaining in the background, InocuLAN monitors the network and if viral behavior on a workstation is detected, it immediately notifies the user by network broadcast, MHS message, or pager. It also provides notification if a network user attempts to access the server through an unprotected workstation. Software updates are automatically distributed to workstations from the centrally located file server. InocuLAN's scalable protection grows as the network grows, with impact on network performance.

In addition to the Macintosh and NetWare 4.0 support, version 2.5 of InocuLAN includes an IMMUNE option which, as a TSR, resides in each workstation's memory and continuously scans files as they are opened or executed, for virus-like or other malicious behavior. The uses primarily extended and expanded memory with only a 6K footprint in conventional memory, enabling scanning to occur without impacting workstation resources.

In making the announcement, Andrew Boyland, Director of Computer Security Products for Cheyenne Software, "Today's networks consist of multiple tiers and each contains the same high level of susceptibility to a virus attack. The increased number of Macintosh workstations on Novell networks has prompted Cheyenne to add data protection capabilities for these users to InocuLAN. Cheyenne's unique approach to combating viruses considers all potential virus vehicles and provides preventative measures as well as protection capabilities."

Cheyenne has stratified InocuLAN's pricing structure to provide comprehensive anti-virus protection and prevention for networks of all sizes. The InocuLAN user level corresponds to the customers version of NetWare and supports the number of users specified by that version. Suggested U.S. retail pricing is as follows:

InocuLAN

Includes license for all DOS and Macintosh workstations connected to the host server.

VAP (works with NetWare 2.1x or greater)           $395.00

NLM (works with NetWare 3.11 or 4.0)

   NetWare 3.11 or 4.0-5,10 Or 20 user versions    $495.00

   NetWare 3.11 or 4.0-5,10,20,50,100,

                         or 250 user versions      $995.00

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, FAXserver, 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 Distributed Storage Mgmt Prod Strategy
CHEYENNE SOFTWARE ANNOUNCES DISTRIBUTED STORAGE MANAGEMENT PRODUCT STRATEGY

ROSLYN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK, October 27, 1993 - - - Cheyenne Software, Inc. (AMEX:CYE) announced today its distributed storage management (DSM) product strategy. Cheyenne is the first software developer to respond to the growing need for efficient and effective storage management on local area networks (LANs) with an all encompassing strategy which includes software products that address hierarchical storage management (HSM), NetWare volume support for optical jukeboxes, and application specific high capacity storage.

Cheyenne has earned a reputation for delivering quality LAN based tape backup software products and is pro-actively extending that technology to address the increasing complexities of LAN based storage. Leveraging the expertise gained from its development of ARCserve, combined with the optical disk and jukebox management software technology obtained as a result of its acquisition of Applied Programming Technology, Inc.'s (APTs), Cheyenne is well positioned to quickly respond to this emerging user requirement.

In making the announcement, Jeff Finkle, Director of Business Development, stated, "Research and customer feedback have indicated a 400% growth in storage requirements per LAN. New data types which are now being stored on local area networks, such as document and graphic images, audio, and video, are significant contributors to this rapid growth. Much of this data is rarely accessed, yet still needs to be on-line or near-line."

Cheyenne's overall HSM strategy will address this growing concern by delivering software solutions that provide the transparent, automatic migration or demigration of inactive files among primary storage (hard disk), secondary storage (optical disk) and/or tertiary storage (WORM optical or tape). This process reduces storage costs by placing these inactive files on more suitable, less expensive devices.

Cheyenne is currently in development of DSM software products that operate within the OS/2 and Novell NetWare environments, and based on present engineering schedules, anticipates delivery of these products to be in the first quarter of 1994.

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


ARCserve 5.0 for Netware, Windows Edition
ARCSERVE 5.0 FOR NETWARE - WINDOWS EDITION

The Next Generation of the Industry's Leading Data Management Software

ROSLYN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK, October 27, 1993 - - - Cheyenne Software, Inc. (AMEX:CYE) announced today that it has been successfully shipping since June 1993, 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 multiserver 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.

Note: Pricing varies between $395 and $2,395 depending on Windows or DOS edition and numbers of users supported. Contact Cheyenne Software for current pricing.

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


FAXserve Extends Auto Fax to Smaller Networks
CHEYENNE EXTENDS COST EFFICIENT AUTOMATED FACSIMILE SERVICES TO SMALLER NETWORKS

FAXserve NLM for NetWare 3.11/4.0 Five User Version Now Available

ROSLYN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK, August 25, 1993 - - - Cheyenne Communications, Inc., a subsidiary of Cheyenne Software, Inc. (AMEX:CYE) announced today an extension to its pricing structure for FAXserve, which will provide customers using a NetWare 3.1 l or 4.0 five (S) user version, cost-effective access to the industry;s first and only file server-based, automated approach to network facsimile services.

In making the announcement, David Weingard, Director of Marketing for Cheyenne Communications, stated "Using a facsimile machine to send information, as opposed to mailing it, has quickly become the preferred method of information distribution for businesses whether large or small, 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 activity. Cheyenne takes great pride in our ability to respond to the needs of all of our customers. This new version of FAXserve has been specifically developed to meet the growing demands of the smaller network user who requires the power of network facsimile services today, and as they continue to expand their business. "

FAXserve, a file server-based (NLM) application, monitors, queues, schedules, and processes fax transmissions while remaining in the background. It eliminates the need for a dedicated fax server, a dedicated workstation, or proprietary hardware. Sending a fax is as simple as printing a document from a workstation. It works with most DOS, Windows, or E-Mail applications, or can use any CAS application to create and send documents. FAXserve provides multiple board support, including international, auto rescheduling, transmit/receive logs, and accounting audit trails tied to the network.

FAXserve NLM for NetWare 3.11/4.0 Five User Version is available through Cheyenne's worldwide distribution channel. The U.S. retail price is $395.00, which includes both the NLM and the Windows and DOS front ends.

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


ARCserve NLM DBagent Online Databaes Backup
CHEYENNE NOW SHIPPING ON-LINE DATABASE BACKUP FOR ORACLE SERVER FOR NETWARE

Industry's-First Storage Product to Backup Oracle Databases On-Line

ROSLYN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK, August 25, 1993 - - - Cheyenne Software, Inc. (AMEX:CYE) announced today that the ARCserve NLM DBagent option for ORACLE Server for NetWare (Oracle's product version 1.1) is now available through Cheyenne's extensive world-wide distribution network. This optional agent further enhances ARCserve's capabilities to provide enterprises with a storage management solution that protects on-line mission-critical databases on the network.

The DBagent NLM option for ORACLE Server for NetWare, runs concurrently on the NetWare 3.x file server, ensuring automated and consistent backup and recovery of Oracle databases. Since, the DBagent takes advantage of the native on-line archive capabilities of the ORACLE Server for NetWare,

ARCserve is able to guarantee a seamless and safe, backup of Oracle's data and log files with integrity.

In making the announcement, ReiJane Huai, Vice President of Engineering for Cheyenne, stated, "Cheyenne's DBagent is the first backup and recovery product to take advantage of ORACLE Server for NetWare's native on-line capabilities. Using ARCserve on the ORACLE Server for NetWare eliminates the danger of losing data or compromising data integrity, which is vital to the customer's mission critical applications."

The ORACLE Server for NetWare enables users to run the Oracle Database Server and the NetWare 3.x file and print services concurrently on the same machine, eliminating the need for two separate servers. The ORACLE Server consists of four NLMs: Oracle Version 6.0, the Oracle RDBMS, PL/SQL, Oracle's Procedural Language Extension to SQL*DBA, Oracle's on-line database administration tool; and SQL*NetSPX, Oracle's listener for NetWare 3.x which manages incoming requests from clients and other ORACLE Servers.

"Cheyenne's DBagent enhances the integration of the ORACLE Server for NetWare in enterprise-wide environments," noted Tim Hyland, Product Line manager of ORACLE Server for NetWare at Oracle Corporation. Mr. Hyland continued, "We have worked very closely with Cheyenne to ensure that the DBagent adheres to Oracle's strict native data integrity standards. We are encouraged by the industry's support for the ORACLE Server for NetWare."

The U.S. retail price for the DBagent for ORACLE Server for NetWare is $1,295 for up to 16 users, $2,995 for up to 48 users and $4,995 for unlimited users. The DBagent for Oracle from Cheyenne, runs on Oracle's version 1.1 of ORACLE Server for NetWare. For additional information contact Cheyenne at 1-800 CHEY INC.

Oracle Corporation, headquartered in Redwood Shores, CA, is the largest supplier of LDBMS software and the third largest software and services company in the world. For additional information contact Oracle at (415) 506-7000.

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, FAXserver, 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


ARCserve/Open for SCO UNIX V1.1
CHEYENNE SOFTWARE ANNOUNCES ARCSERVE/OPEN FOR SCO UNIX V1.1

Improved Data Security Through Enhanced Mission Critical Functions

ROSLYN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK, August 16, 1993- - - Cheyenne Software, Inc. (AMEX:CYE) the industry leader of LAN backup software for Novell NetWare, announced today the availability of its newest version of ARCserve/Open for SCO UNIX (version 1.1), an automated UNIX-based backup and restore software application for microcomputers. This latest achievement incorporates enhancements to ARCserve/Open's mission critical functions to provide greater data security, increased flexibility and improved performance.

Version 1.1 of ARCserve/Open provides a sophisticated disaster recovery program. This feature provides the ability to restore the UNIX environment without reinstalling the operating system and reconfiguring system resources via the Boot Time Loadable Driver.

ARCserve/Open's compatibility with currently shipping Agent Options offered by Cheyenne for the UNIX environment (Uagents), now provides backup and restore capabilities to heterogeneous enterprises. ARCserve/Open uses TCP/IP to extend data protection services to nodes on the network running Uagents on the following systems: SCO UNIX, Univel UnixWare, SunSoft Solaris, IBM AIX, HP/UX, DEC Ultrix, and Interactive UNIX.

ARCserve/Open incorporates an advanced File Tracking System (FTS) allowing users to quickly find files for restoration without searching backup tapes. Version 1.1 increases backup speeds and the FTS search by up to 50%. ARCserve/Open now supports a greater number of available tape drives and host adapters, including all host adapters supported by SCO UNIX.

ARCserve/Open, available since September 1992, was Cheyenne's first entry into the UNIX environment. It offers automation, reliability and performance to the backup operation, which can be performed while remaining in the background or in real time. Several methods of back up and restore are available: all files, incremental based on the file access date, or incremental based on the date/time stamp. ARCserve/Open's data verification capabilities can supply confirmation of successful, complete backup jobs while its powerful queue management features allows scheduled jobs to be modified.

ARCserve/Open for SCO UNIX V1.1 is available through Cheyenne's worldwide distribution network at a U.S. retail price of $495.00.

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


Virus Bulletin Reports on Latest Viruses
LATEST VIRUS TROUBLES COMPOUNDED BY SHOCKING NEW DISCOVERY

ONE ANGRY END USER ASKS -- "WHO'S WRITING ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE -- BEAVIS & BUTTHEAD?"

ABINGDON, England---International virus watchdog publication, Virus Bulletin, is reporting the discovery of several new viruses in the wild, one of which, "Satanbug" is reported to be spreading rapidly in the United States.

The issue isn't a small one for U.S. companies. Rockwell International recently revealed that it spent more than $44,000 to recover from an infection in April. The company said the incident was one of more than 1,000 virus attacks it has dealt with since 1988.

And now tests conducted by Virus Bulletin at its offices in England show companies such as Rockwell and even individuals are not as well armed against virus attacks as first thought.

In what the publication called a "shock", it discovered in a test of six leading antivirus software products, that all but one of the manufacturers are not updating the memory-resident portion (TSRs) of their products. According to the publication: Despite the products' claims of being able to "catch all known viruses," many of the products' TSRs are allowing a large number of viruses to go undetected.

Anti-virus software usually consists of multiple components: A scanner and a TSR. The scanner typically runs each time a computer is turned on and scans memory, DOS and program files on a hard drive looking for viruses that have already infected a system. The TSR works to keep viruses from entering a system in the first place, by staying in the computer's memory watching for viruses trying to gain entrance.

Vims Bulletin editor Richard Ford speculated as to why companies would make claims for complete detection when the TSR portions of their packages did not have the capability, "This difference may have been lost along the way between the technical people and the marketing people at the companies in question," he said. "People might think twice if they knew," he noted.

According to Virus Bulletin tests, the TSR portion of McAfee Associates' Viruscan, which claims the industry's highest level of virus detection, was able to detect only 78.8% of the viruses tested against it, a significant drop from its scanner's effectiveness. A similar drop in protection was found in Central Point's Anti-Virus and Frisk Software's F-PROT. Microsoft's anti-virus component of its new MS-DOS 6 brought up the rear by catching just 58.4% of the viruses tested.

The two programs showing good marks from these tests were RG Software's Vi-Spy, with a perfect score (its scanner and TSR detected the same viruses), and Dr. Solomon's Toolkit and Guard, which missed just a few.

The disparity between the products' claims and actual performance is causing anger among users.

"We transmit and receive electronic data to and from our clients every day," said David Merrill, vice president of a Manhattan executive search firm. "If I can't rely on my TSR to keep viruses out, 1 run the risk of infecting a dozen or so clients before my scanner tells me I have a problem the next day. I'm supposed to feel good about that type of protection? Who's writing anti-virus software - Beavis & Butthead?"

"I'm disappointed in some of the software vendors," said Charlie Atterbury, coordinator of micro computer security at a FORTUNE 50 company with 35,000 PCs. "They're taking the easy way out so they can use the marketing hype that 'my TSR takes less memory than other guys.' And the real reason is they aren't doing the job. I have to wonder what they are thinking," Mr. Atterbury said.

Phil Talsky, spokesman for McAfee Associates, apparently does not share the same concerns as the users. The tsr/scanner disparity is "not a problem" as long as users always run their scanner, according to the software executive. He felt the review's revelations are a "nonevent."

Concerning the review, Ray Glath, president of RG Software, Scottsdale, AZ, (developer of Vi-Spy) said "Others have left holes in their TSRs because they can't pack as much virus detection code in their TSR as they have in their scanner without bumping up against DOS' 640K memory barrier." He said that forces some developers to make arbitrary decisions regarding which viruses to leave their customers unprotected against.

"You hear of many situations," Mr. Glath said, "where companies keep getting reinfected after they think they've cleaned up from a virus attack. But if the TSR doesn't know about the virus that the scanner keeps on picking up -- well -- it'll just keep coming back like a bad penny."

Other software vendors whose products were reviewed by Virus Bulletin were not available for comment on the test results.

Virus Bulletin has been recognized as the foremost international publication on computer virus prevention, detection, and removal since 1989. The monthly newsletter is published out of Abingdon, England and distributed around the world. Advisory Board members include representatives from IBM Corporation, Digital Equipment Corporation, Purdue University, Defence Research Agency-UK and Ziff Davis.

Virus Bulletin

7373 East Doubletree Ranch Rd, Suite 200

Scottsdale, AZ 85258

602-860-5108,  fax 602-860-5099


Four New Titles From Epic MegaGames
October, 1993 -- 1993 has been a great year for Epic fans, with five new games released already and five more on the way..... Here are for our the newest Epic games... new action, adventure and excitement with Solar Winds, Dare to Dream, Zone 66 and Ken's Labyrinth:

* Solar Winds is a game of outer-space exploration, intrigue, and battle. You play the role of a bounty hunter, Jake Stone, who will learn of an ancient alien race and uncover a dark government plot.

* Ken's Labyrinth puts you in a 3D world of virtual reality. You'll love the VGA graphics, the music and sounds, and the hilarious plot. Can you escape the Zogarian maze and rescue your dog, Sparky? Find out in this trilogy.

* Dare to Dream is an adventure game for Windows. It throws you into the dream world of Tyler Norris, where you must journey through three vivid and imaginative dreams.

* Zone 66, Epic's first 32-bit game, brings out the maximum performance from your 386 or faster PC with ultra fast 360 degree scrolling, huge action-packed missions, and an excellent cinematic introduction.

Coming Soon

Over the next six months, stay tuned for some more top-quality Epic releases! So many customers have written to us with requests for new games that we're exploring some totally new territory, including sports games and simulations -- in addition to the arcade, adventure, and puzzle games that have made Epic famous.

You can expect these upcoming games in time for Christmas:

* Epic Pinball: Finally an ultra-realistic pinball simulation for the PC! With all the sights, sounds, and thundering action of the real thing! With 256-color VGA graphics, stereo sound, and a delightful variety of pinball tables to enjoy.

* Jazz Jackrabbit: You won't believe your eyes when you see the supersonic scrolling, fast arcade graphics, and hilarious story behind the world's newest and furriest superhero.

* Xargon: Travel beyond reality in this fantasy arcade/adventure game in the style of Jill of the Jungle. Discover the secret of the dark overlord, Xargon, and escape his realm.

* One Must Fall: Epic brings you a high-action combat game in the style of Street Fighter n with all the moves, all the glory, and all the thrill and suspense. Two players can compete simultaneously, or you can fight the computer.

* Epic Baseball: This sports simulation turns PC entertainment into a whole new ball game! Manage real baseball teams, call the plays, and watch the animated teams compete. Featuring VGA graphics, full-motion video and digital sound!

As always, we offer a 30-day money back guarantee -- if you're not 100% satisfied and ecstatic about your new game, just return it within 30 days for a full refund.

Epic MegaGames

20 Courthouse Square, Suite 208

Rockville, MD 20850

800-972-7434 (Orders), 301-983-9771 (Questions)

301-299-3841 (Fax)


TSX-32 Multi-User for 5250 & 3270 Remote Access
5250 and 3270 Remote Access for up to 160 DOS/Windows Users!

TSX-32 Multi-user, multi-session operating system and the ClusterComm allow multiple DOS and Windows users remote 5250 and 3270 access to mainframe applications concurrent with DOS and Windows sessions.

Nashville, Tennessee, 1 November 1993 - S&H Computer Systems and Sangoma Technologies of Markham, Ontario, today announce the availability of a multi-user implementation of Sangoma's ClusterComm 5250 and 3270 communications solution using S&H's TSX-32, a 32-bit, DOS and Windows compatible multi-user networked operating system.

Remote mainframe access is now more convenient and economical than before. Using a standard PC with the S&H and Sangoma products, multiple users have full 5250 or 3270 access to mainframe applications. This access can be through serial connections, either local or remote dial-up, or ethernet via TCP/IP and TELNET. Up to 160 users can be supported at the same time on one PC.

In addition, the TSX-32/ClusterComm solution offers a DOS and Windows compatible general purpose, multi-user computing environment. Each user can run up to 9 single-user and multiuser DOS / Windows applications on the same PC. Recording locking is fully implemented.

Networking via TCP/IP and NFS server is fully supported.

Thus the TSX-32/ClusterComm solution also offers increased productivity as well as convenience and economy.

TSX-32 and ClusterComm are currently available for IBM PCs, PS/2s and compatible computers based on Intel '386, '486, Pentium, and compatible microprocessors.

S&H Computer Systems

S&H Computer Systems licensed its first multi-user operating system in 1976 and now has over 200,000 users in more than 25 countries. TSX-3's unique capabilities result from S&H's 15 years experience in operating system design and development.

Sangoma Technologies

Founded in 1984, Sangoma Technologies, Inc., is a supplier of OEM synchronous link level products, and also develops and markets the ClusterComm range of 5250 and 3270 products.

Pricing and availability

TSX-32 and Sangoma are licensed and supported directly by the publishers.

TSX-32 license fees range from $450 to $2500 for single-user, multi-user and LAN licenses respectively. Discounts are available to qualified resellers.

Sangoma's ClusterComm is priced at $1,900 for the 16 user board and $3,300 for the 64 user board.

S&H Computer Systems, Inc.

1027 17th Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37212 USA

Tel 615.327.3670 - FAX 615.321.5929

Sangoma Technologies

7170 Warden Ave., Unit 2, Markham, Ont, L3R 8B2, CANADA

Tel 416.474.1990 - FAX 416.474.9223


NCD Reduces High-End Color X Terminal Prices
NCD REDUCES PRICES ON HIGH-END COLOR X TERMINALS

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.,  Nov. 1, 1993 -- Network Computing Devices, Inc., the leading supplier of X Window System terminals, has reduced prices by up to 22 percent on its highest-resolution RISC-based color and gray-scale products.

Two color X terminals, the 19-inch NCD19c and the 17-inch NCD17cr, previously priced at $5,995 and $5,395 respectively, NCD are now tagged at $5,495 and $4,995. They are used primarily in computer-aided design and engineering applications, color imaging, financial analysis and high-end desktop publishing.

The gray-scale NCD19g, formerly priced at $4,495, is now $3,495. This model is targeted at medical and photographic imaging and document imaging.

New prices are effective immediately on the units, all three of which are based on the Motorola MC88100 RISC processor and offer workstation-level high resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels.

Recently-named NCD President Judy Estrin said, "The price reductions are possible because of economies of scale achieved with the MC88100 base that is common to all three products.

It has been the foundation of our most successful group of products to date."

Network Computing Devices, Inc., formed in February 1988, supplies X Window System products which provide simultaneous access to networked multi-vendor computers via workstation-style graphical user interfaces. NCD is the leading worldwide supplier of X terminals, with a broad family of color and monochrome X terminals in various screen sizes and performance levels. The company's PC-X Division makes X server software products for DOS and Microsoft Windows-based PCs, which integrate PCs into X Window System environments.

NCD is publicly traded over the counter on the NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol NCDI.

Network Computing Devices Inc

350 North Bernardo Ave, Mountain View, CA 94043

415-694-0650,  fax 415-961-7711


PCPI & Adobe Dev Agree. Dev PostScript Ctlr
PCPI and Adobe Sign Development Agreement Will develop PostScript controller for Adobe OEMs

November 2, 1993, San Diego -- Personal Computer Products, Inc. (NASDAQ symbol: PCPI), today announced that it has signed an agreement with Adobe Systems Incorporated to develop printer and related technologies for OEM customers who are Adobe licensees.

In its role as a co-developer with Adobe, PCPI will augment Adobe's product development activities for OEMs in areas such as controller hardware design, software integration, and porting Adobe's PostScript software and other Adobe technologies. PCPI also offers its own complementary technologies as part of its implementations of PostScript Level 2. These include doubleRES technology, which doubles the native resolution of laser printer engines (i.e. 300 dpi to 600 x 600 dpi), and PhotoImage, which provides high-speed grayscale printing. PhotoImage supports up to 256 levels of gray.

Adobe will work with PCPI to provide them with complete training, support, and final product quality assurance.

"We are pleased to be a development partner with Adobe," said Dr. Edward W. Savarese, president and CEO of PCPI. "Our LaserImage" controller technology, combined with Adobe's industry standard page description language will benefit OEMs who are committed to providing the best performance and value to their customers."

"Adobe and PCPI are committed to providing high quality products for OEM customers," said Steve MacDonald, senior vice president and general manager of Adobe's Systems Products Division. "The combined strength and expertise of both companies will allow our OEM's to bring more PostScript printer products to market faster while expanding the Adobe PostScript standard in the laser printer market."

PCPI has developed laser printer controllers and associated technologies since 1984. The company focuses on developing controllers that provide maximum price/performance to OEM customers. A key objective of PCPI's efforts on behalf of OEMs in the laser printer market is to achieve the shortest possible time-to-market.

"In order to get the most effective benefit from new technologies," said Savarese, "it is vital that companies be able to release products to the market as early as possible."

As a component of its policy of providing timely release of new products, PCPI's manufacturing expertise supports OEMs with a wide array of services as well as complete diagnostic and testing tools.

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.

PCPI, founded in 1982, is headquartered in San Diego, California. The company is a leading developer and licenser of laser printing technology, laser printer controllers, and related accessory products. Its LaserImage controller platform has been the basis of a wide array of laser printer controllers provided to OEMs throughout the world.

Personal Computer Products Inc

10865 Rancho Bernardo Rd, San Diego, CA 92127

619-485-8411,  fax 619-487-5809


MULTICOM Dandy Dinosaurs: A Max the Dragon CD
MULTICOM ADDS "DANDY DINOSAURS: A MAX THE DRAGON CD" TO ITS GROWING CATALOG OF CD-ROM TITLES

New Product With Full-Motion Video Sequences is The First In A Series Of Multicom Interactive CD-ROM Titles To Be Produced For Children.

October 14, 1993 -- SEATTLE, WA -- Multicom Publishing, a leading publisher of multimedia CD-ROM titles, today announced the release of "Dandy Dinosaurs: A Max the Dragon CD".

The new title from Multicom is the first in its exclusive long-term series of Better Homes and Gardens CD-ROM's designed specifically with advanced multimedia techniques to amuse, entertain and teach children with exciting stories, fun games and full-motion video "how-to" crafts projects.

Using innovative mastering technologies that allow the new title to be available on a single CD-ROM in both MPC and Macintosh versions, "Dandy Dinosaurs: A Max the Dragon CD" (59.95 SRP) is an interactive title containing an animated Max the Dragon story that is based on the popular Better Homes and Gardens children's activity series.

"Dandy Dinosaurs is a great way for children to occupy and amuse themselves using new CD-ROM technology," noted Paul Attard, COO of Multicom. "What makes our titles really stand out are not only the animated games and stories but the custom-made full-motion video sequences that show children how to complete the provided imaginative craft projects. At their computer at home, kids now can learn how to finish a project by watching, listening and doing."

Dandy Dinosaurs contains 11 different craft projects, each fully illustrated with narrated color video sequences that show other children working through and completing the projects. Extensive testing by Better Homes and Gardens assures that each game and activity will be challenging and achievable by children aged three to nine.

Dandy Dinosaurs also contains four games that teach dinosaur facts and jokes, as well as counting and observation skills. Each game also features amusing animation and narrated instructions for ease-of-use.

In addition to games and activities, Dandy Dinosaurs contains a read-along animated story, in which Max, his little sister Marci and their friends create a neighborhood-wide party. The story is fully narrated with text that is highlighted as it is being read, so children can make the connection between the words they hear and the words they see on the computer screen.

On-screen controls allow children to easily move throughout Dandy Dinosaurs with a mouse. The program runs on any MPC-compliant PC, and on any color Apple Macintosh with a 13-inch screen or larger as well as a CD-ROM drive and System 6.07 or greater.

Multicom Publishing began creating and distributing high quality multimedia CD-ROM programs in 1991 with the following titles:

- "Americans in Space" covers all American manned space missions from early rocket experiments through the Shuttle programs and Space Station Freedom.

- "National Parks of America" is a tour of all 230 National Parks, featuring over 1000 full color photographs, combined with narration, video and animation. Electronic indexing and sorting allows travel planning based upon park amenities and location.

- "Better Homes and Gardens Healthy Cooking CD Cookbook" is an interactive cookbook featuring over 400 recipes, that suggests menu items based upon nutritional value. It features full-motion video of over 80 cooking techniques, narration, music, color photographs of every recipe and illustrations of cooking utensils.

With its titles currently on the shelves in thousands of retail stores, Multicom Publishing Inc., has demonstrated the ability to earn trust and commitment from major content owners. Close involvement with multimedia technology, and early access to proprietary authoring tools and content have placed Multicom Publishing at the head of this developing industry. Multicom titles are distributed through Electronic Arts, San Mateo, CA.

MULTICOM Publishing Inc

1100 Olive Way, Suite 12509, Seattle, WA 98101

206-622-5530,  fax 206-622-4380


HLPDK Sound & Vision Edition (V10.0)
** HLPDK Sound & Vision Edition **

   Picture!   Music!    Action!

Version 10.0 is a major release and a major step forward.  It brings many enhancements and improvements and brings  HLPDK to the Multimedia world. The highlights are:

 - Microsoft Multimedia Viewer support.

 - Native Graphic support for winHelp, MM VIEWER and OS/2.

 - Native Sound support in winHelp and MM VIEWER.

 - Native Application Launch links for winHelp, MM VIEWER

   and OS/2. Just a click of a mouse can Launch another

   application !

 - Multiple file target databases support in winHelp,

   MM VIEWER and OS/2. Create links to external databases,

   and huge projects with no size limit !

 - User Defined Links. Expand the HDF language without source

   code changes ! Create extension libraries to the HLPDK

   language and compiler !

HLPDK100 - Help Development Kit - Sound & Vision Edition. A HYPERTEXT and HYPERMEDIA help database development kit  that includes 2 royality free help ENGINES, and a help  COMPILER with a built in cross reference tool, supports  creation of DOS help databases (several targets),  Windows (winHelp), OS/2 (IPF) and DESQview/X sources! Creates text and word processors documents with automatic  table of contents, glossary and index from the same  source.  Now with MS Multimedia Viewer support!

HLPDK - *Write once, help many!*

Features :

Topics, PopUps, Links, Keywords, Text Formats,  Navigational and Structural facilities, Target Code  insertion, Multiple module files, Automatic Pascal/C/C++  reference generation, Exception handling, Multiple file  target databases, Graphics, Sound, Groups, Application Launch, Automatic exports creation, User defined link  templates and more.

Targets :

Native(PX), Native(MEM), WinHelp 3.0, WinHelp 3.1,  Multimedia Viewer, THELP, QUICKHELP, TVHC, POPHELP,  DESQview/X, OS/2, Text,  Word Processors Documentation  (Via RTF).

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 skills), 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 !

You can take existing text like user manuals, technical  notes, etc., add simple help commands, compile it and you  have a complete help system !

HLPDK supports the following target formats :

 winHelp 3.0/3.1 .HPJ/.RTF

 THELP 3.0 .HL (HL 6.0 & 6.10).

 QuickHelp 1.83 .SRC (HELPMAKE).

 POPHELP .TXT (MAKEHELP)

 Native (Memory HDX & text).

 Text Documents (Table of contents, Glossary + Index).

 MS Multimedia Viewer 2.0 .MVP/.RTF

 OS/2 .IPF (IPFC)

 DESQview/X .HLP (MDVXHELP)

 TVHC 1.1 .TXT (TVHC).

 Native (Paradox 4.x & text).

 Word Processors documents (via RTF)

For a limited time, HLPDK includes a $9.95 discount,  on the JCSM Shareware CD-ROM collection.

Releated tools you might be interested in include :

IL2HDK Ralf Brown's interrupt list 2 hlpdk converter

NG2HDK Norton Guides 2 hlpdk converter

POPHDK POPHELP 2 hlpdk converter

HPCHDK HelpPC 2 hlpdk converter

NEWSDB Usenet News hypertext generator :

       The Tool that will allow you to store and

       navigate through "Other People's Wisdom".

You can download an evaluation copy from the following places :

CIS: WINSDK / WINHELP

     IBMPRO / Tools/Debuggers

     OS2DF1 / Dev. Tools.

     WUGNET / Elec. Publishing (Lib 9).

Internet:

    garbo:     /pc/programming

    simtel:    hypertext

    cica:      /pub/pc/win3/programr

    cdrom.com: os2/all/program

The files are available as

HDK100A.ZIP (Compiler, docmentation)

HDK100B.ZIP (dos engines, samples, extention libraries).

From: Ron Loewy, ISoft D&M


SilverPlatter Announces Internet Connection

October 27, 1993 -- SilverPlatter Information announced today that they have established a list on the Internet to foster communication between SilverPlatter and its users, and to provide a forum for users to communicate with each other.

The SilverPlatter Info Network, SPIN-L, is a computer conference set up to increase the number and variety of conversations between SilverPlatter and its users. Stephen Rhind-Tutt, Vice President of Corporate Marketing commented, "We want to learn more about the needs of our subscribers so that we can provide the right products and services to meet those needs."

The SilverPlatter conference is not moderated. Gerry Hurley, SilverPlatter's Director of Educational Services, assures conference participants that "any messages sent to the list will be posted. Any questions directed to SilverPlatter for response will be answered, and SilverPlatter will participate in topics raised for discussion if we feel we can contribute to the discussion."

In addition to the SPIN-L list, SilverPlatter has also established electronic mail boxes for direct communication with its Product Support and Sales and Distribution departments.

Support questions can be sent to: support@silverplatter.com. SilverPlatter's Product Support Department will respond to any technical, database and software search questions that are received in this mailbox.

Requests for information about any of SilverPlatter's products or services can be sent to: info@silverplatter.com. Also, any questions about accounts with SilverPlatter can be addressed to this mailbox.

To subscribe to SilverPlatter's conference, Internet users should send the following e-mail message:

TO: LISTSERV@SILVERPLATTER.COM

Subject: Leave this line blank

Message: Send the following text as a message:

         Subscribe SPIN-L First Name Last Name

For further information about the SilverPlatter Info Network Conference (SPIN-L) on the Internet, contact:

SilverPlatter Information, Inc.

100 River Ridge Drive

Norwood, MA 02062

Tel: 800-343-0064 (US/Canada)

617-769-2599,  Fax: 617-769-8763

SilverPlatter Information, Ltd.

10 Barley Mow Passage

Chiswick, London W4 4PH

Tel: 0800-262-096 (UK only)

+44-81 -995-8242,   Fax: +44-81 -995-5159


TalkWorks Windows Voice Annotation Swr
AUDIOFILE SETS NEW STANDARD IN VOICE MESSAGING EASE OF USE

Lexington, MA, (November 5, 1993) -- AudioFile announces version 2.0 of its TalkWorks voice annotation software that makes adding voice messages to Windows applications "one-click" easy. Unlike competitive products, TalkWorks is able to reside in the Windows tool bar so users don't have to exit the application to add recorded messages to reports, E-Mail or other documents.

"TalkWorks makes voice messaging useful by making it simple," stated Tom Erickson, vice-president of AudioFile sales and marketing. "Previously, you had to exit your application, enter an audio recorder, then drag the sound icon back into the application. With TalkWorks 2.0 you just click on the record icon in the tool bar and talk."

TalkWorks 2.0 is also the first voice annotation system to support high performance digital signal processor (DSP) for real-time processing of voice compression and modification. Initially, AudioFile provides 10-to-l compression and supports the Analog Devices ADSP-2115 DSP, standard on Cardinal and Echo audio boards. AudioFile will provide support for up to 36: 1 compression running on various DSPs in the near future.

"Unlike most voice annotation systems, TalkWorks allows messages of any length to be recorded," said Dr. Richard Goldhor, AudioFile's' chief technical officer. "High compression ratios help assure that networks and modems will be able to handle the file." TalkWorks 2.0 requires a 386 or faster PC and according to Goldhor, "The product's unique scalable architecture keeps the interface constant as users improve performance with either CPU or sound board upgrades."

TalkWorks 2.0 includes AudioRecorder, an OLE server that enables recording, embedding, and playing of audio in all compliant Microsoft Windows applications. Also new with version 2.0 are AudioEditor and AudioMixer modules. AudioEditor provides record and playback editing of both compressed and uncompressed digital audio files. Users can also cut and paste between messages with different compression types. AudioMixer allows users to combine various sound sources including wave and MIDI files, microphones, and CD players.

In conjunction with TalkWorks 2.0, AudioFile has unveiled an aggressive new pricing strategy. "Having made voice messaging truly practical," said Erickson, "we intend to put it within reach of every cost-conscious OEM and system vendor looking to add business audio for the first time."

AudioFile was founded in l 990 by Dr. Richard Goldhor and Dorothy Swithenbank. Located in Lexington, MA, the company specializes in voice messaging products for Microsoft Windows users. AudioFile's research division performs applied research in the area of voice processing and is principally funded through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants.

AudioFile, 4 Militia Dr, Suite 20, Lexington, MA 02173

617-863-0890,  fax 617-863-0956


Weitek Licenses Media Vision Captain Crunch
WEITEK LICENSES MEDIA VISION'S CAPTAIN CRUNCH VIDEO COMPRESSION

Merger of Low Cost Video Compression and Graphics Accelerators will Improve Usability of PC-Based Video Technology

FREMONT, CALIF. -- NOVEMBER 3,1993 --- Media Vision (MVIS:NASDAQ), a leader in multimedia for personal computers, announced today that Weitek Corporation (WWTK:NASDAQ), has licensed Media Vision's Captain Crunch video compression technology. Weitek's new Video POWER digital video enhancement chip will be the first semiconductor product to use the technology. This relationship will enable the development of highly integrated solutions that bring TV-quality video to personal computer platforms.

Integration of graphics and video is key to achieving this high quality. Today, without this integration, video and graphics are run separately on the PC, and the results are slower and of lower quality than that which the market believes is important to the growth of video applications.

"The integration of digital video marks a significant step in the evolution of PC graphics," said Saul Altabet, Weitek's manager of multimedia marketing. "The licensing of Captain Crunch technology is part of Weitek's overall strategy to support leading CODECs. Our relationship with Media Vision is key to our launch of the newly introduced Video POWER, the digital video enhancement coprocessor to Weitek's POWER 9100 graphics accelerator."

Believing that the availability of low cost, high quality video compression is critical before mainstream PC users will adopt video technology at the desktop, Media Vision introduced Captain Crunch technology in April 1993. The technology produces television-quality video at a far lower cost than existing compression schemes.

"Video on a PC is acknowledged as essential to making the PC a truly interactive tool," said Paul Jain, Media Vision's president and CEO. "We plan to license our Captain Crunch video compression technology to industry leaders in anticipation of making video a reality for the mainstream computer user."

Media Vision's Captain Crunch offers real-time compression and decompression of captured video. It delivers video in a 320 x 240 window at 30 frames per second at CD-ROM data rates with 24-bit color. This new video technology costs approximately one-tenth as much as comparable technologies such as MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group) and DVI (Digital Video Interactive). Captain Crunch is scalable. This means that video developed using Captain Crunch technology allows software-only playback on a 386 PC or Macintosh IICI or above without degradation of the picture quality -- users may choose to play smaller pictures or slower frame-rates based on their own system performance without intrinsic loss of picture quality.

Weitek's Video POWER enables higher quality video on personal computers than is possible with software-only solutions. This allows digital video applications to run full screen at 30 frames per second at resolutions as high as 1280 x 1024.

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

Media Vision's mission is to popularize multimedia by offering solutions at affordable prices. Headquartered in Fremont, Calif., the company is a leader in multimedia for personal computers, including hardware products ranging from systems and add-in cards to chips based on emerging multimedia standards for mainstream personal computers, and software titles developed specifically to take advantage of the power of multimedia computers. The company sells its products through computer retail and mass merchandising channels and to original equipment manufacturers, such as IBM, Compaq, NEC, Sony, DEC, Philips, Apple Computer, Inc., and many others. Media Vision recently opened its European subsidiary in Munich, Germany.

Media Vision

47300 Bayside Parkway, Fremont, CA 94538

510-770-8600,  fax 510-770-8648


Dynamind Developer Pro Neural Network Tools
NDX RELEASES DYNAMIND DEVELOPER PRO

Suite of Neural Network Tools Lets Application Developers Embed Neural Networks

Boulder, CO -- November 3, 1993 -- NeuroDynamX, Inc. (NDX) announced the release of DynaMind Developer Pro, a suite of neural network software tools for PC, Macintosh and Unix workstation platforms. The DynaMind Developer Pro development environment includes a comprehensive set of linkable C routines, a sophisticated scripting language for neural net training and testing, DynaMind simulation software and neural network chip emulation.

Comprehensive Neural Net Library

The central component of the package is NeuroLink Version 4.0, a library of over 100 C routines for integrating neural networks into host applications. For image and signal processing, NeuroLink supports Local Receptive Field (LRF) neural networks for creating "trainable" feature maps and object recognition filters. The library also offers Modular Neural Networks, a training paradigm that combines several independent nets to tackle complex applications, such as data fusion or signal blending. For pattern classification applications like quality control and failure diagnosis, the package supports Radial Basis Function networks for very fast training and accurate classification. Back Propagation, Recurrent Back Propagation, Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN), Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ) and K-Means Clustering are also supported, as are user-designed training algorithms.

Scripting Language Streamlines Development

To support rapid generation and testing of multiple networks, DynaMind Developer Pro features NeuroScript, a high-level scripting language. Users can batch-train multiple networks, or optimize network performance by building and training multiple configurations of a single network. NeuroScript gives extensive, neuron-level control of network parameters, custom reporting capabilities and pre-defined script templates.

DynaMind Simulation Software

For monitoring training and testing, the package features an enhanced version of NDX's DynaMind neural network simulation software. Network architecture and training parameters are set using DynaMind's nested pop-up menus and graphical displays. DynaMind accepts training data from spreadsheets and databases, offers On-Line Help and supports training for optimal generalization.

Hardware Support

For users interested in putting networks into hardware, DynaMind Developer Pro provides the ability to emulate the Intel 80170NX Electrically Trainable Analog Neural Network (ETANN) chip and Intel's ETANN Multi-Chip Board, which links up to eight ETANN chips.

Special versions DynaMind Developer Pro are also available for the NDX Neural Accelerators, PC and VME expansion cards with processing speeds up 45 million connections per second in recall mode.

System Requirements & Pricing

PC Version-$1,795

* IBM-compatible with 80286 or higher

* Microsoft Windows 3.1 or MS-DOS 3.1 or higher

* One 1.44-MB 3.5 inch disk drive and hard drive

* 2 MB memory

* VGA or Super VGA monitor

* Mouse and math coprocessor are optional

* NeuroLink supports Borland C/C++ Version 3.1 or higher

  and Microsoft C/C++ Version 7.0 or higher and

  Microsoft Visual C++

Macintosh Version-$1,795

* Macintosh II or higher with math coprocessor

* Macintosh System Software Version 6.0 or higher

* One 1.44-MB 3.5" disk drive and hard drive

* 2 MB memory

* NeuroLink supports Symantec Think C and MPW C

Workstation Version-$3,995

* Unix workstations from Sun, HP, DEC and others

* NeuroLink supports GNU C

NeuroDynamX, Inc. P.O. Box 323 Boulder, CO 80306

800/747-3531,  FAX 303/442-2854


GammaTech Power Pack for OS/2 V1.0
GAMMATECH POWER PACK FOR OS/2 V.1.0

Oklahoma City, OK -- SofTouch Systems, Inc. announces the general availability of release 1.0 by December 1, 1993 of their special editors, hot key and screen saver, GammaTech Power Pack for OS/2.

GammaTech Power Pack provides several advanced tools which would benefit any active OS/2 user. The Extended Attribute Editor can examine, create, alter and delete extended attributes on files and directories. The .INI File Editor can add, delete and update OS/2 .INI files.

Power Pack's Hot Key feature allows the user to define hot key combinations. This is useful in order to switch to an active task, start a program and disable key sequences. In addition, a screen saver feature is included free for a limited time.

The GammaTech Power Pack for OS/2 has a list price of $69.95.

SofTouch Systems Inc

1300 S. Meridian, Suite 600, Oklahoma City, OK 73108-1751

405-947-8080,  fax 405-632-6537


GammaTech File Secure for OS/2 File Encryption
GAMMATECH FILE SECURE FOR OS/2

RELEASE 1.0 AVAILABLE

Oklahoma City, OK -- SofTouch Systems, Inc. announces the general availability of release 1.0 of their file encryption software, GammaTech File Secure for OS/2.

File Secure provides a high degree of file level security by encrypting the requested data using the Data Encryption Standard (DES) algorithyms implemented. Files are encrypted using an encryption key provided by and known only to the operator. Files can only be decrypted by specifying the same exact encryption key.

Options are also provided to obliterate data to prevent subsequent recovery or access by unauthorized individuals. File obliteration meets Department of Defense 5220.22-M Specifications*. Data obliteration is performed under several conditions by the File Secure utility.

File Secure obliterates the data by overwriting the entire allocated space of the file, not just the used space. In addition, the OS/2 cache feature is bypassed for these writes to ensure that the data is actually written to the disk on each pass.

* This product implements Data Encryption Standard (DES) and is therefore not eligible for export outside of the United States and Canada.

GammaTech File Secure for OS/2 has a list price of $39.95.

SofTouch Systems Inc

1300 S. Meridian, Suite 600, Oklahoma City, OK 73108-1751

405-947-8080,  fax 405-632-6537


Froggman Software Arcade 3-D Action Games
Froggman Software's Latest Games Offer Exciting Arcade 3-D Action

Terror of the Catacombs and Lethal Tender are Froggman Software's latest PC games offspring

CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA (October 22, 1993) - After experiencing a splashing success with Froggman Software's pond-breaking summer launch, the amphibious gamers are at it again with two new 3-D titles: Terror of the Catacombs and Lethal Tender. Both games are for MS-DOS and have a Suggested Retail Price of $14.95 each.

"Our latest 3-D entries transform the games player from spectator status to participant," said Sue Currier, president of Froggman Software. "They're so realistic, you'll be tempted to tap on your computer screen just to make sure they're only games."

"Many of the features present in our best selling The Curse of the Catacombs program have been incorporated into our new games," Currier adds. "Once again, you will see plenty of exciting 3-D action, multiple levels of play, and dark themes reminiscent of our successful Catacombs series."

Terror of The Catacombs: From the publisher of The Curse of The Catacombs, the popular 3-D adventure continues in 10 exciting levels of play. This is your ultimate challenge...follow your arch rival Nemesis' trail of terror and stop his evil ways forever.

Lethal Tender: As super sleuth Nick Hunter, your mission is to infiltrate the shadowy compound of criminal mastermind, Thorne Deveraux in this explosive 3-D action adventure.

"While all our games are different there is one common denominator," said Currier. "They are easy enough to learn in a short period of time, but challenging enough to warrant playing again and again."

All Froggman Software games include full color graphics, multiple levels of action, sound effects with PC speaker, and Froggman himself in the form of a temporary tattoo.

There is also a serious side to Froggman Software. Due to the increasing decline of the amphibian population, Froggman Software will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of its games to the Herpetologist League.

The Herpetologist League is an organization dedicated to furthering knowledge of the biology of amphibian and reptiles. The moneys will be used to promote the study and conservation of amphibians and reptiles worldwide.

Froggman Software is a division of Expert Software, Inc. For consumer product information contact 800 876-FROG. Froggman Software is located at 800 Douglas Road, North Tower, Suite 355, Coral Gables, FL 33134-3128; Phone 305-567-9990


Expert Astronomer Wins Tech/Learning Swr Award
Expert Astronomer Wins Technology & Learning Software Award Of Excellence

CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA (October 22, 1993) - Expert Software, Inc's., flagship astronomy software program, Expert Astronomer for the Macintosh was awarded the 1993-94 Technology & Learning Software Award Of Excellence. Technology & Learning announced the award winners after a panel of 68 educators at Berkeley, California selected 29 software titles from a field over 130 entries.

"We are proud that Expert Astronomer was recognized as one of the leading software programs from a magazine as well respected as Technology & Learning," said Sue Currier, president of Expert Software, Inc. "Both Technology & Learning and Expert Astronomer are educational leaders in their respective fields."

Earlier this year, Expert Astronomer was named a finalist in the Software Publisher's Association Excellence in Software Awards under the category of Best Home Learning Program.

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;  305-567-9990;  fax 305-443-0786


NEC Intros Next Generation Image Series
NEC TECHNOLOGIES, INC. INTRODUCES THE NEXT GENERATION OF ITS IMAGE SERIES OF FAST GRAPHICS PCs FOR ADVANCED USERS

New Image 486es PCs Represent the Best Performing 486-based Systems For Running Today's Powerful 32-bit Operating Systems

Boxborough. Mass.. November 2, 1993--Further strengthening its leadership position as developer of the industry's fastest performing graphics PCs, NEC Technologies, Inc., the inventor of local bus video technology, today introduced the Image 486es Series of desktop/deskside personal computers--PCs that have become the benchmark by which other performance systems are measured.

Today's introduction completes NEC's family of exceptional PC products, which includes the Ready 486es and Ready Multimedia Series of small office/home office PCs, PowerMate 486es series of general business computers, and expandable Express servers. This focused brand strategy allows NEC to be more responsive to specific customer needs.

The Image 486es Series are the ideal workstations for powerful Windows-based applications. They feature NEC's exclusive ImageVideo technology for superior graphics performance; OptiBus Technology for maximum I/O throughput; integrated local bus IDE and FAST SCSI II device interfaces for configuration flexibility, and industry-standard SIMM memory expansion of up to 128MB--the most memory expansion of any desktop PC currently available.

Representing a unique engineering achievement for this class of advanced PC products, the Image 486es Series is fully compliant with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Energy Star program, whereby the energy-efficient PCs consume less energy than standard PCs, translating directly into lower operating costs.

"Today's challenging economic climate has led many PC manufacturers to abandon advanced business users to focus their finite development resources on low-end PCs. NEC is not ignoring advanced business users running today's powerful operating systems--NeXTStep, Windows NT, and OS/2--who demand premium systems for graphics power," said Denny Lane, director of desktop marketing at NEC Technologies, Inc. "The Image 486es Series demonstrates NEC's technological leadership in the performance PC market."

The Image 486es Series is comprised of six systems based on Intel's i486DX processor running at 33MHz and the i486DX/2 processor running at 66MHz. The new Image 486es Series replaces the previous generation of award-winning Image Series models introduced in February, 1993.

ImageVideo--Superior Graphics Performance

NEC's exclusive ImageVideo technology consists of a variety of components--including 32-bit VESA local bus video, hardware graphics acceleration, linear addressing, True Color, 1MB of the world's fastest 45ns video memory, expansion to 2MB, and ImageSync. This combination provides the best standard integrated video solution.

The new series includes a full 1MB of the world's fastest 45ns video memory. This can be upgraded to 2MB, envoking memory interleaving for even faster video performance. The Image 486es Series contains two high-performance VESA local bus slots. Both slots provide full bus master support, zero wait state 32-bit direct CPU interface with no additional clock delays for superior VESA bus performance. This unique combination makes the Image 486es the fastest VL bus implementation available. As a result, industry-standard VL bus cards will run faster in the Image 486es Series than in competitive products.

Next-Generation Operating System Support

To further enhance graphics performance, the Image 486es Series implements linear addressing. With linear addressing, the CPU avoids the traditional 64KB graphics memory bottleneck. With linear address mode video drivers, the graphics memory is always accessible to the CPU with no paging required. Sophisticated operating systems such as NeXTStep, Windows NT, and OS/2 take advantage of linear addressing for optimum performance.

Local IDE Bus for Balanced System Performance

The Image 486es Series features the second generation of NEC's exclusive OptiBus technology, designed to maximize overall system performance. OptiBus is a unique combination of optimized local bus IDE interface and programmed I/O, that optimizes performance while maintaining industry standard device compatibility.

Investment Protection Through VESA Local Bus and OverDrive Upgrades

For investment protection purposes, the Image 486es Series contains two high-performance VESA local bus slots, SIMM memory expansion, buffered serial ports, bi-directional parallel port, and the latest 237-pin ZIF socket for upgradability to the next generation of Intel OverDrive processor based on the Pentium core.

Distribution and Pricing Information

The Image 486es Series will be available immediately from NEC's nationwide network of authorized resellers. Although actual prices may vary, NEC estimates the products will sell at the following prices:

                       Image 433es         Image 466es

Floppy only              $1,559              $1,915

210MB HDD                 1,799               2,149

420MB HDD                 2,059               2,419

NEC Technologies

Headquartered in Boxborough, Massachusetts, NEC Technologies, Inc., is a leading manufacturer of computers and peripherals for the North American market. Product lines include award-winning UltraLite Versa notebook computers, MultiSync FG monitors, Silentwriter printers, MultiSpin CD-ROM hardware, and Image, PowerMate, Ready and Express systems products. NEC Technologies, Inc. is a subsidiary of NEC Corporation.

NEC Technologies

1414 Massachusetts Ave, Boxborough, MA 01719-2298

508-264-8000


ASTERIX et son fils: Learn French
ASTERIX CHARMS FRENCH STUDENTS WITH CLASSIC GALLIC WIT

November, 1993 -- Gessler Educational Software introduces "Asterix et son fils: Learn French", published by EuroTalk Ltd., London. A powerful new CD-Rom program for the Macintosh computer, with over 15 hours of instruction, "Asterix" won this year's British Interactive Multimedia Association Education Award.

Over 400 Uderzo full color cartoon drawings host a fast-paced, interactive journey through this amusing adventure. "Over the years, Asterix has been a consistent 'hit' with Gessler customers," says Seth C. Levin, Gessler President. "Having witnessed the timeless appeal of these books, we were delighted to find our 2,000 year old friend translated into the modem idiom of CD-Rom." Students of all ages will enjoy the challenging and flexible program, which combines rich language, authentic narration and vibrant images. Humor and charm reign, from the irrepressible Gallic villagers to witty background effects (i.e. Idefix barking, Asterix slurping and splashing from his morning bath), creating a true "page-turner".

Beginners will especially appreciate the exemplary sound quality. They can repeatedly listen to the narration of each "page", pull down full text translation, or look up specific word definitions. Maintaining an intermediate learner's enthusiasm is often a great challenge --a challenge met by the wry wit of this truly engrossing story. More advanced users will delight in the word plays while taking advantage of grammatical explanations. Great flexibility and multiple interactive options will excite individual learners and classroom alike.

Each of two disks offers options including L'INTRODUCTION: the characters introduce themselves and L'INTERVIEW: asking Asterix and Obelix the same questions, such as "Qui sont tes meilleurs amis?" ("Who are your best friends?"). L'HISTOIRE INTERACTIVE provides several options: page selection anywhere within the story, full English translation and teaching notes on unusual usage and grammar. With the appropriate hardware, a user can also select S'ENREGISTRER: record and compare your French to that of Panoramix the druid, or Asterix himself! L'Histoire Interactive can be accessed through two modes--ECOUTER listening to the story and viewing the images without on-screen text, or LIRE: reading the story through the cartoon images and captions without sound.

The story is told over two CD-Rom disks which can be used individually or together; each disk is available at $69.95, or at $125.00 for the set. Each program can be used from English to French, as well as from Spanish, German, Italian or Portuguese into French. The brief introduction and the onscreen text translation "bubbles" change for each version. The program requires a Macintosh with color monitor, and a minimum of 4MB memory.

The ancient warrior Asterix is sure to charm the American classroom for years to come.

Gessler Publishing Company Inc

55 West 13th St, New York, NY 10011

212-627-0099


Pebble Beach Golf Links Championship Course
Pebble Beach Golf Links is Now a Links Championship Course!

Play the best public course in America, on your computer.

Access Software Inc. is excited to announce the release of Pebble Beach Golf Links, Links, Links 386 Pro, and Microsoft Golf users have been asking for the Pebble Beach course more frequently than any other course in the world. Pebble Beach Golf Links is located on the Monterey Peninsula in northern California.

"Perhaps nowhere on Earth do the elements of a great golf experience combine as they do at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Here, along the shores of Carmel Bay, professionals and recreational players alike have experienced first-hand the wonders of this seaside layout rich with tradition and natural beauty", says head professional R. J. Harper.

Now computer users can enjoy the rich tradition of Pebble Beach Golf Links on their own computer. Access designers and programmers spent more than a man-year deftly reproducing every nuance of the course. "Users will feel like they've actually played the course", according to Access President, Bruce Carver. John Berven, the project leader said, "Our development team really put their hearts into this project, it's just terrific".

Pebble Beach Golf Links is the first in a series of LINKS CLASSIC EDITION courses. Only a few courses in the world will qualify for the designation of a LINKS CLASSIC EDITION course. This course begins shipping November 1, 1993, with a suggested retail price of $39.95.

LINKS, LINKS 386 Pro, and Microsoft Golf were all designed to easily incorporate these add-on Championship Courses. Once the course is installed, the LINKS player needs only to select the desired course by clicking the mouse button. New courses are in development and will be released about every EIGHT weeks throughout 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


Modular/1LP Touch Frame for Flat Panel Displays
CARROLL TOUCH ANNOUNCES LOW PROFILE MODULAR/1LP TOUCH FRAME FOR FLAT PANEL DISPLAYS

Round Rock, TX; November 1, 1993-- Carroll Touch, the leading manufacturer of scanning infrared touch screens, recently introduced the Modular/1LP -- a new low profile touch frame for flat panel displays.

Carroll Touch's Modular/1LP is the newest addition to the company's line of solid-state modular touch frames offering plug-and-play capability with its line of compatible modular controllers.

The self-contained Modular/1LP Flat Panel Touch Frame is low profile, completely sealable, and quickly mounts to all flat panel displays measuring 200mm x 150mm, including:

* Hitachi LMG5060XUF LCD, LMG5160XUFB, LMG5268UFB

* Panasonic MD480F640PG1 Plasma

* Sharp LM64P80 LCD,  LM64P831, LM64P863

* Toshiba TLX51525-C3M LCD, TLX-18325-C3M 1

The solid-state touch frame dynamically compensates for environmental factors such as water, dirt, and airborne particulates using patented servo-loop circuitry. Programmable amplification technology also makes the Modular/1LP impervious to the most severe ambient light conditions.

Available with either the Software-Based, Hardware-Based, PC/104, or RS-232 Controller, the Modular/1LP is priced at $380 for single quantities and is shipped with a variety of software drivers to aid in application development.

Used in applications ranging from medical instrumentation and automobile diagnostic systems to industrial control by the world's leading OEMs, Carroll Touch's modular touch systems offer the most reliable and cost effective operator interface available and are backed by a comprehensive five year warranty, the longest in the industry.

Carroll Touch

PO Box 1309,   Round Rock, TX 78680

811 Paloma Dr, Round Rock, TX 78664

512/244-3500,   FAX 512/244-7040


Clip-On Touch Frame for Nanao 17" Monitors
CARROLL TOUCH ANNOUNCES NEW CLIP-ON TOUCH FRAME FOR NANAO 17" MONITORS

Round Rock, TX; November 1, 1993-- Carroll Touch, the leading manufacturer of scanning infrared touch screens, has recently introduced a new 17-inch touch frame for Nanao monitors.

The new Nanao Touch Frame is the most recent addition to the company's line of solid-state modular touch frames offering plug-and-play capability with its line of compatible modular controllers for CRTs and flat panel displays.

Clipping onto the Nanao monitor, the 17-inch Touch Frame installation is completed in seconds. Plug in one of Carroll Touch's modular controllers, load one of the GUI drivers and the Nanao 550IW is now an interactive Touch Monitor.

Available with either the Software-Based, Hardware-Based, PC/104, or RS-232 Controller, Carroll Touch's Nanao Touch Frame is priced at $540 for single quantities. As with all modular touch frames, the Nanao Touch Frame comes with a DOS Mouse Emulator and drivers for the most popular GUIs including MS Windows 3.0 & 3.1, Macintosh Systems 6 & 7, and Amiga DOS.

Ideal for point-of-sale/point-of-purchase, interactive kiosk, or any application requiring an intuitive, easy-to-use operator interface, Carroll Touch's solid-state modular touch frames offer the most reliable and cost effective touch system available and are backed by a comprehensive five-year warranty, the longest in the industry.

Carroll Touch

PO Box 1309,   Round Rock, TX 78680

811 Paloma Dr, Round Rock, TX 78664

512/244-3500,   FAX 512/244-7040


FONE v6.2d Tames Telecom Costs
Eugene L. Woods Announces FONE 6.2d For Residential, Business & International Telecom Service Users

MANAGE YOUR COMMUNICATION COSTS (FAX, EMAIL, VOICE)! FONE is a comprehensive telephone call pricing data base program that calculates the approximate cost of call - BEFORE placed (Voice, FAX, & EMAIL), DISPLAYS ON-GOING CALL COST IN REAL TIME, & serves as a powerful business/personal directory management tool. This full-featured program handles everything from address labels, to a handy Appointment Calendar, to maintaining a phone book of frequently called numbers, to providing an on-screen note pad for each client entry in the data base. FONE will dial your calls thru your MODEM, & features Auto-Redial on Busy Signal. Auto-Lookup of Sample Rates for several major carriers, 1200+ US Cities, & 130+ Countries, are available in the FONE Reference Data Base for both domestic & international calls OR put in your own rates, cities, countries with the same call tracking/monitoring/report performance. The program maintains a Call Log report of who, how long, costs, etc. plus an estimated Monthly Bill report that includes recurring & logged call charges (Manual Call Cost entry allows user to enter cost of calls made while away from the computer for improved billing estimates), plus a report specific to each client in the data base which includes memos, costs, times, dates, etc. On-line context-sensitive Program HELP & Telcom INFO is available at the press of a button. Import data from other programs into your FONE Personal Data Base. FONE accepts ASCII text files and allows you to define field names for proper inclusion of data into your Personal Data Base.

What's New for v6.2...

Import a Data File - import an ASCII text file from another program into your FONE Personal Data Base and get call pricing information for every entry.

FASTFONE - Previously called numbers from the Personal Data Base are displayed first for rapid call placement.

AUTO RE-DIAL - If call is placed thru the MODEM and is busy, FONE will automatically re-dial until told to stop by user. (MODEM must be re-dial capable).

ESTIMATED FONE BILL - Now record recurring costs from your telephone bill plus all logged calls to get monthly bill estimate. Page thru past months to spot trends.

NON-PC CALL ENTRY - Now you can use FONE to track/record calls that were placed while you were away from your PC.

CHANGE POINT-OF-ORIGINATION - Temporarily change your location and see the approximate cost for a cal in California, or in New York, etc.

FAX TIME CALCULATOR - Calculates the time required to send a multi-page FAX to a location, Call Overview then gives you the approximate cost/best time BEFORE you send your FAX.

FILE TRANSFER TIME CALCULATOR - Calculates the time required to send a File to a location, Call overview then gives you the approximate cost/best time BEFORE you send the FILE.

PERPETUAL CALENDAR - Plan months ahead by paging thru this monthly calendar. A Comment Field is available for each date displayed.

ADDRESS LABELS - Print address labels from the Personal Data Base by individual or by Menu ID, i.e. all "CLUB" members.

UPDATED RATES - Several service rates have been updated and many new services have been added to the Sample Rate Data Base. Sample Rate Data Base now contains at least one service for every state in continental USA.

MOUSE ACTIVATED CONTROL BUTTONS - Faster command response to move thru many features of the FONE program.

MENU IDENTIFICATION - New colors for easier spotting of a specific item.

HELP/TELECOM INFO - Help and telecom info files have been updated for more effective use of the FONE program.

Price is $49.95 and requires 3.2MB of hard disk space initially. Requires DOS 3.3 or higher, 640K RAM and color monitor.

Eugene L Woods PE/EE

PO Box 261267, San Diego, CA 92196

619-549-4057,  fax 619-558-7850


FONE800 v2.12 Manages 800# Telephone Calls
Eugene L. Woods Announces FONE800 2.12 For Residential, Business & International Telecom Service Users

YOUR TOLL-FREE TELECOMMUNICATION RESOURCE! FONE800 is a system for storing, updating, & placing toll-free ( 800 ) telephone calls. The major function of the program is to collect & organize a library of personal, informational, consumer, & health related 800 telephone numbers. This cost conscious, menu-driven program is so helpful that it can even dial the number thru a MODEM equipped computer. Although the program comes with a Sample Data Base of over 1000 entries of toll-free numbers, the user can add, delete, & update, the data base to conform to their individual personal tastes & requirements. An on-screen note pad is available for taking notes related to each individual entry in the data base. FONE800 can print a report for each entry in the data base summarizing information about the 800 service and any related memos. On-line context-sensitive Program HELP & Telcom INFO is available at the press of a button.

Price is $29.95 plus $5 shipping; and requires 2.3MB of hard disk space initially. Requires DOS 3.3 or higher, 640K RAM and color monitor.

Eugene L Woods PE/EE

PO Box 261267, San Diego, CA 92196

619-549-4057,  fax 619-558-7850


TEALEAFS V2.1c Unique/Customizable Screen Saver
Eugene L. Woods Announces TEALEAFS 2.1c a Unique/Customizable TSR Screen Saver for Business Users

TEALEAFS... Just for Fun, With a Practical Twist A WONDERFUL LITTLE (INEXPENSIVE) "TSR" PROGRAM THAT DRAWS NEVER-ENDING PATTERNS ON YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN AFTER A USER SPECIFIED TIME OF KEYBOARD INACTIVITY. KIND OF LIKE THAT EXPENSIVE "SCREEN SAVER" THAT YOU HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT BUYING. YOU CAN SPECIFY YOUR PREFERENCE FOR THE PATTERN DISPLAYS, WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO PERSONALLY DESIGN YOUR OWN CUSTOM DISPLAY THAT IS INDIVIDUAL TO YOUR TASTES AND ARTISTIC INSIGHT.

FINGER PAINT FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART, RELAXATION FOR THE TIRED EYES AND MIND, ABSTRACT ART FOR THE NON-TECHNICAL, OR EVEN PATTERN ASSOCIATION.

REDUCE MAINTENANCE COSTS! TEALEAFS TELLS YOU THAT YOU LEFT YOUR COMPUTER ON AT THE END OF THE DAY.

OFFICE SECURITY! TEALEAFS HIDES YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN FROM UNAUTHORIZED EYES WHILE YOU ARE AWAY.

TEALEAFS MAKES A GREAT "ATTENTION GETTER , AS A DISPLAY IN THE WINDOW OR BEHIND THE COUNTER OF ANY BUSINESS . . . (IN THE OFFICE, COMPUTER SALES, TOY SHOPS, DEPARTMENT STORES, SOFTWARE STORES, TAVERNS/PUBS, ETC.)

LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE AND INEXPENSIVE 'PROMOTIONAL ITEM", FOR YOUR

BUSINESS? TEALEAFS MAKES A TERRIFIC "FREE, WITH PURCHASE' ITEM, WITH EACH SALE OF YOUR SERVICE OR PRODUCT, OR AS A 'PROMOTIONAL HANDOUT OR GIVEAWAY ITEM", AT THAT NEXT BUSINESS MEETING OR CONVENTION. SALES REPRESENTATIVES WILL FIND TEALEAFS AN EXCELLENT SALES CALL, ELECTRONIC BUSINESS CARD, BY USING THE TEALEAFS DISKETTE AS A, ON NEW OR EXISTING CLIENTS.

Price is $21.95 plus $5 shipping; requires 160K of hard disk space. Requires 640K RAM and color monitor.

Eugene L Woods PE/EE

PO Box 261267, San Diego, CA 92196

619-549-4057,  fax 619-558-7850


SSC Winter 1994 UNIX, C, MS-DOS Pub's Catalog
UNIX CATALOG FROM SSC

SSC has published its Winter, 1994 edition of the UNIX Pages. This thirty-two page catalog is a complete guide to SSC's UNIX, C, and MS-DOS publications.

SSC's Pocket References provide concise summaries for the different versions of UNIX, the Korn Shell, ANSI C, the VI Editor, C++, and MS-DOS 6.0.

For a free copy of the catalog, contact SSC.

Specialized Systems Consultants, Inc. (SSC)

P.O. Box 55549, Seattle, WA 98155 USA

(206) FOR-UNIX or (206) 527-3385,  FAX: (206) 527-2806


ClaimsPlus Tracks Health Insurance Claims
ClaimPlus Eliminates the Guesswork from Health Insurance

There has been extensive debate on the need to reform health insurance and no shortage of pundits who claim to know how it should be done. However, few policy-makers seem concerned with the nightmare of complex paperwork which the hard-pressed consumer already faces. A simple visit to a doctor or clinic results in a mass of complex forms, each more confusing than the last. Most people have neither the time nor the energy to unravel the insurance claim monster and so, increasingly they cross their fingers and trust the system to provide them with benefits for which they have already paid.

Te Corporation, a visionary New Hampshire software company, intends to change this with a new product called ClaimPlus. Working with hundreds of typical health care users, they have created a simple, easy-to-use software program which automatically tracks each step of the health insurance claim process, including Medicare, multiple insurance policies & subscribers, from when the first visit occurs, until the claim is fully reimbursed with no benefits missed. Not only does it keep track of each cost, claim, payment and reimbursement, but it automatically prompts the user if another claim is needed and prepares reports to substantiate these claims. Its unique report capability also provides documents for tax preparation and Section 125 benefits planning.

D. Yukio Endo, who founded Te in 1972, commented that "The hundreds of active development sites provided Te with a wide variety of medical situations and these have shaped the system into a flexible performer without complicating the user interface." Users consistently say that ClaimPlus saves them time and money, ensures that their records are organized and complete, and that the reports have proved invaluable when dealing with mis-processed or under-paid claims. In fact, Endo says "It has not been uncommon for users to report that by following ClaimPlus' simple user-friendly interface, specifically designed for tracking health claims, that hundreds of dollars of unpaid benefits were identified and successfully claimed."

Whatever the outcome of the much publicized health care reforms, it seems inevitable that, like the "simplified" tax code, there will be little relief from the deluge of complicated paperwork with which consumers will have to wrestle to claim benefits for which they have already paid. ClaimPlus is an easy-to-use "cure" for the headache of health care reimbursement.

ClaimPlus runs on any 386 or higher PC, using MS Windows 3.01. Listed at $69.99 (with substantial discounts for veterans, seniors, and volume purchases) the software is available directly from Te Corporation, Post Office Box 140, Campton, NH 03223 tel: 603.726.4700 (voice) 603.726.8818 (fax).


Fatty Bear's Fun Pack from Humongous Ent.
Bursting with Animation and Dazzling Sounds, Here's a New Fun Pack, From Your Child's Playmate, FATTY BEAR.

WOODINVILLE, WA--October 27,1993--Enjoyment for children ages 3-8, Humongous Entertainment today announced the release of Fatty Bear's Fun Pack for the IBM PC and compatibles. Children will play and learn with the fun and challenge of Reversi, Tangrams, Go Fish, Lines and Boxes, or Fatty Bear's Paint Set.

Fatty Bear's Fun Pack is the fourth title in Humongous Entertainment's Junior Adventures line. Fatty Bear, the talking teacher and playmate, encourages children throughout 5 different games with 4 levels of difficulty. The child is presented with the activities to choose from and levels of difficulty that will grow with them. They will go fish with Fatty Bear, flip over Reversi's multiple skill levels, mix the colors away in dozens of pictures in Fatty Bear's Paint set, experience the ancient Chinese game of Tangrams, and more!

As with all Junior Adventures, Fatty Bear boasts the marvelous cartoon graphics, full digitized speech, and full digital soundtrack. Look for the other Junior Adventures products from Humongous: Putt-Putt Joins the Parade, PuttPutt's Fun Pack, Fatty Bear's Birthday Surprise, Putt-Putt Goes to the Moon on a variety of platforms including IBM PC and compatibles, Macintosh, CD-ROM, and the 3DO multiplayer.

Humongous Entertainment was formed in 1992 by Shelley Day and Ron Gilbert. Ron Gilbert is the creator of LucasArts' SCUMM system and the designer of many of their graphic adventure games, including the Monkey Island series. Shelley Day started her career with Electronic Arts, then went on to produce products for Accolade, Taito, and LucasArts. Together, Ron and Shelley Day bring over 15 years of experience in the computer gaming industry to Humongous Entertainment.

Distributed by Electronic Arts

1450 Fashion Island Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94404


MiLAN Fiber-Twist Duplexor 150 Media Converter
MILAN UNVEILS PRODUCT FOR NEW DUPLEX ETHERNET TECHNOLOGY

Fiber-Twist Duplexer 150 Media Converter Now Shipping

Sunnyvale, CA (November 1, 1993) -- MiLAN Technology today became one of the earliest vendors to ship a product that supports the emerging full duplex Ethernet networking technology. The Fiber-Twist Model 150 is a palm-sized device that quickly and easily connects fiber optic cabling to the new full duplex ports on switching hubs announced by vendors such as Kalpana, Synoptics, and IBM, at the August Interop '93 trade show.

Full Duplex

Ethernet Full duplex Ethernet doubles the 10 Mbps throughput of traditional Ethernet by simultaneously transmitting and receiving data on the same port, for an aggregate throughput of up to 20 Mbps. Full duplex Ethernet is targeted at applications that require high-bandwidth such as desktop video conferencing and multimedia. The technology is also ideally suited for connecting network servers to switching hubs to improve network throughput and support more users on the LAN.

Full duplex Ethernet has not yet been adopted as an IEEE 802.3 standard. Nonetheless, vendors including Cabletron, SynOptics, Kalpana, IBM, and National Semiconductor, have pledged support for the new technology. Each has either begun shipping products that incorporate the technology or have announced their intention to do so in the very near future.

The Fiber-Twist Model 150

The Fiber-Twist Model 150 allows an administrator to quickly connect a full duplex 10BaseT (twisted pair) port on a switching hub to 10BaseFL (fiber optic) cabling. Fiber optic cabling is commonly used as a network backbone or to support workstations and servers in "noisy" areas where 10BaseT can not function. The Fiber-Twist can also be used to connect any traditional (non-duplex) 10BaseT port found on a PC, workstation, server, or hub, to fiber cabling or to connect a 10BaseT Ethernet segment to a fiber segment. The unit is fully compliant with the IEEE 802.3 10BaseT and 10BaseFL standards.

Administrators will find the small size of the Fiber-Twist--just 3.5" wide by 2.9" long--extrernely convenient. Standard Ethernet 10BaseFL and RJ45 connectors on the unit make installation straightforward.

Pricing and Availability

The Fiber-Twist 150 is offered at a list price in the U.S. of $495.00 with ST connectors and $515.00 with SMA connectors. The product is available immediately.

About MiLAN Technology

Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, MiLAN Technology offers a full line of networking products including Ethernet transceivers, converters, repeaters, fanouts, hubs, and print servers. MiLAN has quickly grown from its founding in 1991 to become a major provider of compact, power-efficient, affordable Ethernet products. MiLAN's products are sold under the terms of OEM agreements and by distributors and VARs worldwide.

MiLAN Technology

894 Ross Dr, Suite 101, Sunnyvale, CA 94086

408-752-2770,  fax 408-752-2790


Expert Swr Mac Design Series Gets Straight A's
Expert Software's Macintosh Design Series Receives Straight A's In University Classroom

CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA (October 20, 1993) - Expert Software, Inc's., popular Macintosh Design Series (Expert Home, Landscape, and Office Design), are not only practical programs for design and layout, but also for education.

"I selected Expert Home, Landscape, and Office Design to use in my classroom for several reasons," said Dr. Hill, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. "The quality is excellent, all around. From software to documentation, I would not hesitate to call it exceptional at a true value."

Hill was also impressed with the price of the programs. "The price was right (Suggest Retail Price of each is $49.95)," said Hill, who teaches Park Planning and Design. "Realistically, university budgets across the nation are becoming tighter, and ours (University of North Carolina at Wilmington) is no exception."

From students to department chairs, Expert's Design series gets rave reviews. "Expert Home, Landscape, and Office Design have allowed our students to move from a 'casual computer user' to a 'creative computer user," said Dr. Sue Combs, who holds a chair on the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. "Putting theory into practice will always be a challenge for higher education and the Expert Design Series has moved us one step closer."

"This (Expert Design Series) will help to give the students some real world skills," said Lorraine Lasnier, student at North Carolina at Wilmington. Fellow student, Brad Anderson adds, "Everything seems to be moving to computers. I was glad to see us make this step."

With Expert's Design series, Hill has been able to offer his students on-the-job training they would not normally receive without the use of a computer software program. In the past, Hill's student were drawing park designs by hand, but in the real world engineers use sophisticated CAD programs.

Hill believes Expert's Design Series offers the power of a CAD program with the ease of use of a draw program. "The user interface is extremely intuitive, yet powerful," said Hill. "This is critical, as most of the students in this course are limited in computer skills. The learning curve on CAD programs would be too steep for our students compared to Expert's Design Series."

Hill has been able to utilize the Design Series as if it were a simulation program for his class. He has planned his class schedule around the programs. Students are required to outline a fictitious park from scratch by using Expert Landscape and Office Design. Students incorporate the programs extensive library objects such as offices, trees, shrubs, fences and much more.

If there are additional library objects not offered in any of the Design Series programs, Hill has his students incorporate clip art such as baseball diamonds or ropes courses into the program. In the future, Hill plans to purchase Power Books, visit parks, and perform on-site design with his students.

"Perhaps the most important factor in deciding to use the Design Series is that the programs allow students to focus on designing parks and recreational facilities from a conceptual perspective, rather than a technical one. Expert Home Design, Landscape, and Office Design are head and shoulders above the rest in this application," Hill concluded.

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.


Mobile Forum'93 & 94 Speakers
MOBILE FORUM'93 AND '94 ANNOUNCES SPEAKERS FOR DECEMBER SYMPOSIUM

Minneapolis, MN (November 8, 1993) -- Mobile Forum '93 and '94 announces industry leaders to speak at the second symposium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on December 6-7, 1993.

Confirmed speakers include Steven Smith of Ericsson GE, Clayton Foster from GTE, Tom Berger from ARDIS, Racotek's Larry Sanders, Mike Abrams from Advantis, and John Christensen of Minnegasco.

The agenda for this seminar focuses on network topologies for a mobile and wireless solution. Seminar topics include:

* Components of a Mobile/Wireless Solution

* E-mail

* Putting all the Pieces Together

* Wireless LANs

* Choosing a Network Topology

  - The Choices and the Issues

* CDPD

* Satellites

* Packet Data

There will also be User Perspectives from representatives of companies that have experienced the promise, perils and rewards of implementing a mobile/wireless solution . Demonstrations of the latest technology will be given during each day's coffee and lunch breaks.

MOBILE FORUM '93 and '94 is a partnership of Skill Dynamics, an IBM Company, and Directions in Mobile/Wireless Computing, a CCT, Inc. publication. The second seminar in the MOBILE FORUM '93 and '94 series will take place in Minneapolis, MN, on December 6-7, 1993. This seminar series is designed to bring an understanding of the impact of mobile and wireless computing and communication technology to executives and technical management.

MOBILE FORUM '93 and '94 uses a single-track approach to provide attendees with a start-to-finish program. This program enables attendees to understand current happenings and potential impact upon their organization.

The registration fee to the MOBILE FORUM '93 and '94 seminar is $595 if registered by November 12, and $695 if registered after November 12. The seminar registration fee includes two lunches, a reception, and two full days of informational programs.

For more information about seminars, or to register, call 1-800-422-8033.


Weitek Extends POWER 9000 Graphics Accelerators
Weitek Extends POWER 9000 Family

Fall Rollout Features Increased Graphics Acceleration, Fully-Accelerated 24-bit True Color and Full-Screen, Full-Motion, TV-Quality Digital Video

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--November 1, 1993 - Weitek Corporation (NASDAQ:WWTK) today introduced enhancements to the Weitek POWER 9000 family of graphics accelerators, including new software drivers and a PCI local bus interface gate array for the industry-leading POWER 9000; the new POWER 9100, a next-generation graphics accelerator for professional desktop computer systems running Microsoft Windows and advanced 32-bit operating systems; and the Weitek Video POWER, a dedicated coprocessor for dramatically improving the performance and quality of full-motion digital video running under Microsoft's Video for Windows in a POWER 9100-equipped environment.

To be demonstrated for the first time at COMDEX Fall '93, these new offerings extend Weitek's performance leadership established last year with the highly acclaimed Weitek POWER 9000, the world's fastest graphics accelerator.

Weitek Enhanced POWER 9000 and POWER 9001

Performance of the Weitek POWER 9000 has been improved through a host of new software drivers, including OS/2 2.1, Windows NT, Microstation and SCO UNIX, as well as with improvements to existing software drivers that boost the performance of Windows applications and AutoCAD by as much as 50 percent.

Weitek also introduced today its new PCI local bus interface device, the POWER 9001, which works only with the POWER 9000. The Weitek POWER 9001 is specifically designed to provide the highest-performance PCI interfacing capabilities available today. The 160-pin PQFP chip also controls the SVGA logic, BIOS, RAMDAC and clock synthesizer.

"From its first day on the market the Weitek POWER 9000 has set the performance benchmark to beat in the high-end Windows accelerator market," said Bob Butchko, Weitek's director of marketing. "Our new and improved software drivers combined with broader platform support and new PCI interface device allows Weitek customers to continue to build more affordable and even higher performing system products for PC users."

Weitek POWER 9100

The Weitek POWER 9100 is a next-generation, fully-integrated graphics accelerator which provides a single-chip true color solution for the professional desktop. In only four megabytes of memory, the POWER 9100 can run fully-accelerated 24-bit true color at screen resolutions as high as 1280 x 1024 with WinBench 3.1 1 WinMarks in excess of 30 million. On a single chip, the digital video-ready POWER 9100 also integrates SVGA functionality, and VESA VL and Intel PCI local bus circuitry--replacing previous discrete logic implementations.

           WEITEK'S FAMILY OF GRAPHICS ACCELERATORS

                       OPERATING       HARDWARE         VRAM

                       FREQUENCY     ACCELERATION     ADDRESSED

Weitek POWER 9100       50 MHz          24-bit           4 MB

Weitek POWER 9000       33 MHz           8-bit           2 MB

POWER 9100 - features digital video-ready on-chip VL, PCI, SVGA

POWER 9000 - features improved price/performance POWER 9001 PCI

             interface gate array

"Today's professional desktop computers--Intel 486- or Pentium-based systems running Windows, OS/2, NT or UNIX and equipped with a local bus--require graphics acceleration and video enhancement that can keep pace today as well as in the future with advanced CPUs, motherboard designs, 32-bit operating systems and software applications," said Butchko. "Owing to its workstation roots, only the Weitek POWER 9100, working with the Video POWER companion chip, is delivering that kind of scalable performance."

Weitek Video POWER

The Weitek Video POWER device, working exclusively with the POWER 9100, improves the performance and image quality of any Video for Windows application by off-loading most video computing functions from the computer's central processor. This allows digital video applications to run full screen at 30 frames per second at resolutions as high as 1280 x 1024. By comparison, digital video applications are currently limited to small (120 x 160 or 240 x 320) windows, because they suffer severe image and motion degradation when displayed in larger frame sizes.

To maximize application compatibility the Weitek Video POWER will be supporting all of the leading compression/ decompression (codec) formats including Intel Corp.'s Indeo, SuperMac Technology's Cinepack, Media Vision Inc.'s Captain Crunch and Xing Technology Corporation's implementation of the Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) codec.

In addition, the newly adopted VESA Media Channel Bus Interface standard is an integrated feature of Video POWER.

"With the POWER 9100 and Video POWER, end-users will find all Video for Windows applications far more usable with full screen, full motion video at TV quality on their desktops," noted Butchko.

Price and Availability

The Weitek POWER 9000's price/performance ratio is significantly better today than at its introduction. The POWER 9000 is now priced at $45 in production quantities, down from $65, while delivering a 50 percent improvement in performance. The Weitek POWER 9001 is also available immediately and is priced at $18 in production quantities.

The Weitek POWER 9100 and Weitek Video POWER will be sampling in the fall of 1993 and shipping in the first quarter of 1994 in limited quantities to qualified original equipment manufacturers designing true color, digital video-ready computer systems. The POWER 9100 and Video POWER will be priced at $85 and $30, respectively, in production quantities.

The Company Weitek Corporation makes processors that enhance the performance of standard operating systems, user interfaces and application software. Weitek processors are used to build faster, more intuitive and competitive workstations and high-performance personal computers and peripherals.

Weitek Corp, 1060 East Arques Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086

408-738-8400,  fax 408-738-1185


Weitek Licenses SuperMac Cinepak
Weitek Licenses Cinepak From SuperMac

Video Playback Acceleration Soon Available

SUNNYVALE, Calif.,--November 2, 1993--SuperMac Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ/NMS: SMAC) today announced an agreement with Weitek Corporation (NASDAQ: WWTK) to license SuperMac's Cinepak advanced video-compression technology. This marks SuperMac's eighth agreement to license Cinepak video compression and further establishes Cinepak as the de facto standard for distribution and playback of video on CD-ROM discs.

"We are pleased to add Weitek Corporation to our growing list of Cinepak licensees," said Dan Wald, SuperMac's director of business development. "Cinepak's cross-platform bitstream compatibility has been the key to Cinepak becoming the video compression method of choice for CD-ROM title developers. We began by licensing Cinepak to platform developers such as Apple and Microsoft, then moved into the game market by licensing Cinepak to 3DO, Atari, and Sega. Now Weitek joins Cirrus Logic to extend Cinepak's strength into the area of hardware-based playback acceleration."

Weitek's new Video POWER digital video enhancement chip improves the performance and image quality of Cinepak's video playback for Microsoft Video for Windows applications. This allows digital video applications to run full screen at 30 frames per second at resolutions as high as 1280 x 1024.

"Weitek's TV-quality enhancement of SuperMac's emerging cross-industry Cinepak CODEC will help move digital video playback into the mainstream," said Saul Altabet, Weitek's manager of multimedia marketing. "Weitek's strategy is to enhance and accelerate Video for Windows and other industry standard multimedia applications--making our hardware a key requirement for high performance multimedia PCs."

About Cinepak

The leading-edge video-compression technology of SuperMac's Cinepak serves the Macintosh(g) and PC computer markets as well as the electronic entertainment market. SuperMac's licensing agreements with Apple Computer, Microsoft Corporation, Creative Labs, The 3DO Company, Atari Corporation, Cirrus Logic, and Sega of America, Inc. have established Cinepak as the de facto standard in video-compression technology and CD-ROM video distribution.

Cinepak is a video-compression/decompression (CODEC) scheme that enables each video frame to occupy less storage space than usual, while retaining highly accurate colors and excellent image quality. In contrast, other video compressors are often less than satisfactory. Their poor compression quality and low compression ratios result in low frame rates and compression artifacts (blockiness and jagged edges) that make the playback experience suffer. The advanced image-compression techniques of Cinepak allow full-length movies to fit on a CD-ROM while retaining true color and realistic quality much closer to the original video source material.

About Other Cinepak Licensees

Microsoft is currently integrating Cinepak into Video for Windows architecture--the PC market leader's system-software standard for digital video. This will enable multimedia users and developers in the fast-growing Windows market to have unsurpassed, full-motion digital-video playback plus the ability to store as much as a full-length movie on a CD-ROM.

Apple Computer was the first to incorporate SuperMac's Cinepak video-compression technology into its industry-leading multimedia QuickTime architecture to provide high-quality video-compression for Apple Macintosh computers.

Cirrus Logic will embed the Cinepak decompressor in upcoming graphics controller chips, bringing low-cost, full-motion video playback to the enormous installed base of CD-ROM-equipped PCs. Cirrus Logic will implement Cinepak decompression in silicon, producing a new line of graphics controllers capable of accelerated video playback for PCs.

Creative Labs, the leading vendor of sound and video multimedia products in the PC market, is working with SuperMac to develop future digital-video products based on SuperMac's advanced video-compression technology.

Sega of America plans to enhance its Sega CD video game platform with Cinepak for Sega--a custom version of SuperMac's advanced video-compression technology, developed and licensed exclusively for Sega for use in all current and future Sega game systems.

The 3DO Company licensed SuperMac's proprietary video-compression technology for use in its CD-ROM-based multimedia system and will provide the technology needed for incorporating full-motion video into the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer.

Atari Corporation, the company that created the video game craze, licensed SuperMac's Cinepak to take advantage of this leading-edge video-compression technology for realistic, full-motion video playback.

About SuperMac Technology

SuperMac designs products that accelerate and enhance the performance of both Macintosh and Windows-based computer systems. The company is a leading supplier of graphics peripherals to the color-publishing, digital-video, digital photography, and business productivity markets. Its products include accelerated color graphics cards, image-processing accelerators, large-screen color and gray-scale displays ranging from 17-21 inches, color printers, and digital-video solutions.

About Weitek Corporation

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

SuperMac

215 Moffett Park Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1374

408-541-6100,  fax 408-541-6150


C++ Memory Management Techniques
C++ Programmers Can Optimize Expanded, Extended, and Virtual Memory

Details an object-oriented interface to XMS and EMS 3.0, 3.2, and 4.0

Includes a complete virtual memory management system

BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, PA--In a perfect world, each new version of an application program would be able to do more without requiring more memory. But in the real world, programs continue to grow faster than many computer users can afford to upgrade. That's why memory requirements are so important to software buyers.

C++ Memory Management Techniques is the only professional-level guide to C++ memory management, and the only one programmers need to create high-performance software for their RAM-starved customers. Authors of C Memory Management Techniques and Turbo Pascal Memory Management Techniques, Dorfman and Neuberger now concentrate on the C++ programming language. Here, they provide step-by-step instructions and a generous supply of sample source code that show C++ programmers how to use and optimize EMS, XMS, and how to build a complete virtual memory management system.

Disk contains fully documented demonstration programs

About the Authors:

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.

C++ Memory Management Techniques

Dorfman/Neuberger

Paper $32.95 Order No./ISBN 0-8306-4288-9

Available: August 1993

304 pp., 106 illus., 7 x 10

TAB Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850

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


Electronic Traveller, Exploring Alt Online Sys
New Book Profiles Alternative Online Systems

An informative and entertaining journey through the backroads of electronic communications

Details on The Internet!

BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, PA--The Electronic Traveller: Exploring Alternative Online Systems takes a breezy, colorful, and sometimes irreverent look at alternatives to large online services such as CompuServe, Prodigy, and GEnie. Elizabeth Powell Crowe profiles such lesser known, but nonetheless worthwhile, online/bulletin board services as America Online, BitNet, The WELL, Delphi, FidoNet, and BIX.

She tells readers exactly how to log on to these systems and what special attractions, events, and people they can expect to find there. Crowe also critiques the personality of each system, including the unique customs, rituals, and quirks of the regular clientele. The Electronic Traveller contains information that is much in demand but can be found nowhere else in such an amusing, easy-to-read format.

Helpful screen illustrations show exactly what you'll see online

About the Author:

A former Director of Publications and Communications of the Society of Logistics Engineers, Elizabeth Powell Crowe is currently a freelance writer.

The Electronic Traveller: Exploring Alternative Online Systems

Crowe

Paper $16.95 Order No./ISBN 0-83064498-9

Available: September 1993

256 pp., 109 illus., 7 x 10

TAB Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850

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


Turbocharge Your Mac!
Macintosh Users Can Achieve Peak Performance

Well-known Macintosh expert Carla Rose reveals the secrets to faster computing, enhanced disk access, improved memory and storage capacity, virus protection, money-saving maintenance, and much more

BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, PA--Lively automotive analogies fuel this guide for budding Macintosh power users. Fast-paced and fun to read, Turbocharge Your Mac! holds the secrets to revving up any Macintosh, from the Plus to the Quadra 900. There's information and advice here for Mac users of all skill levels, illustrated by helpful screen shots, diagrams, and auto-related icons highlighting important dos and don'ts.

Carla Rose explains how to speed up operations with RAM disks, cache utilities, coprocessors, clock cards, and disk optimizers. She also shows how to improve efficiency using command keys and macros, shareware utilities, special storage media, and alternative input equipment. Finally, readers learn how to secure data with commercial anti-virus and file recovery programs, fail-proof power supplies, surge protectors, tape backup systems, and anti-theft devices.

Disk contains powerful productivity tools

About the Author:

Carla Rose is a computer columnist and author of Mac Online! Making the Connection.

Turbocharge Your Mac! Make Any Mac Faster & Smarter

Rose

Paper $32.95 ISBN 0-8306-443-1

Available: September 1993

432 pp., 200 illus., 7 x 10

TAB Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850

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


HEAT V2.1 Beta Testers Cite Speed/Productivity
HEAT, VERSION 2.2 BETA TESTERS CITE SPEED & PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENTS

Colorado Springs, CO., Nov. 1, 1993....BENDATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, A Ziff Technology Group Company, has begun shipping the new release of HEAT, HelpDesk Expert Automation Tool, Version 2.2. This latest release offers Help Desk staff increased flexibility and control over Help Desk resources with powerful enhancements to the broad spectrum of functionality HEAT has always offered.

John Burdick, Customer Support Manager for Coors Brewing Company in Golden, Colorado has used HEAT for 3 and a half years. His Help Desk, made up of six staffers, supports over 8,000 workstations and takes an average of 400 calls per week. They use HEAT to track inventory and monitor problems with all types of equipment and hardware, ranging from voice and data communications equipment to wide area network circuits. They also use HEAT as a billing tool, tracking time and resources for accounting purposes. COORS was a beta test site for HEAT 2.2, installing and testing it enterprise-wide.

Burdick cites the new assignment features as one of the most important areas to benefit to Coors' Help Desk. "Since 95% of our work is done on-line, we need to have instant access to a call record and its status. If it's already been assigned, we need to be able to edit that assignment, as well as look up assignments for calls that have already been closed out. HEAT 2.2 allows us to do that on the fly."

Burdick says this version will have a great impact on the system administrator, offering more power and flexibility from a supervisory point of view. "The new Monitor module and accompanying AutoEscalation features are really going to help me out," he says. "Often, things just get too busy to send a message or set an alarm, so being able to set system-wide criteria for automatic procedure implementation takes the pressure off setting such things into action." He continues, "HEAT's messaging is one of its strongest features and we rely very heavily on the messaging capabilities. It allows us to talk amongst each other, even when we're very busy. For example, we can communicate a major system-wide outage 5 seconds from creating the ticket. That simplifies things a great deal."

Jim Rollins, Manager of Help Desk Services for La Quinta Motor Inns, Inc. in San Antonio, Texas, has used HEAT on the La Quinta Help Desk from its inception. As a beta test site for HEAT 2.2, the new version was installed at the Help Desk to test and try out the new features. "The most important new features for us are those that increase speed and efficiency at the front line. The Hot Calls List and Fast Contact Table give my staff more flexibility getting to and from information in the system quickly."

Strategic Technology Systems in Gaithersburg, Maryland was another beta site for HEAT 2.2. Jeff Schaeberle, Help Desk Manager at STS, feels "HEAT's overall strength lies in it's ability to capture alot of detail and provide that detail in the form of accurate reports." Schaeberle agrees that the most valuable new features for STS are those that increase speed and efficiency at the Help Desk. "The OnHold and Hot Calls features are most important for us because they allow us to handle multiple priorities without losing track of anything."

The core functionality of HEAT; fast, flexible call logging and tracking, powerful information and knowledge sharing, expert problem assistance and comprehensive reporting capabilities remain the strength of HEAT's Help Desk features. The added functions and benefits of HEAT 2.2 are listed below:

* Auto-Escalation: Calls are automatically escalated according to pre-set criteria, providing increased control and effectiveness at the supervisory level.

* Hot Calls List: Identifies important calls and calls that have been escalated, reducing the number of calls that "slip through the cracks".

* Fast Contact Table: Identifies available communication options such as Email, Fax, Auto-Dial, Internal Messages, allowing operator to select and send message instantly.

* Calls On Hold: Operator can suspend a call in progress and work on more than one call at a time.

* Multiple Assignments: Calls can be assigned to (and worked on by) more than one group or person at a time if necessary, allowing improved call response times.

* Global Change: Allows specified changes across entire database or select groups with one keystroke, eliminating redundant data entry.

* Activity Log: Logs the date, time and call tracker I.D. for actions taken on a call, providing additional reporting and resource tracking capabilities.

* Hours of Operation: Allows system to track time based on actual hours of operation at the Help Desk rather than a 24 hour period, offering additional options for management reports.

Bendata Management Systems, A Ziff Technology Group Company, is the international leader in technology solutions for the Help Desk/Customer Support industry. Bendata is where Help Desks go for Help! To preview HEAT 2.2, or get more information, please contact Bendata Management Systems, 1755 Telstar Drive, Suite 100, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80920. (800) 776-7889, 719-531-5007,  fax 719-528-4230


Fujitsu Canada Standardizes on 21MB Floptical
FUJITSU CANADA STANDARDIZES ON 21 MB FLOPTICAL TECHNOLOGY FOR SUBSYSTEMS

Subsystems Incorporate 21MB Floptical Disk Drives and Media for DOS Systems and workstations as well as Apple Macintosh Systems and PowerBooks

Cupertino, CA -- November 15, 1993 -- The Floptical Technology Association (FTA) today announced that Fujitsu Canada, based in Mississauga, Ontario, has chosen 21 megabyte (MB) Floptical technology as the standard very high capacity floppy disk drive for a line of subsystem products.

The subsystems are available now in both internal and external DOS PC configurations, DOS notebooks and workstations, as well as external units for Apple Macintosh systems and Apple PowerBooks. The drives and 21MB media are being supplied by Iomega Corp., a founding member of the FTA.

Fujitsu Canada is a full-line supplier of opto-magnetic computer peripherals, including Floptical disk drives and media, CD ROM products, 8- and 16-bit interface products, as well as Corel SCSI software drivers for Floptical drives. Corel Draw! is also available bundled with some Floptical subsystems.

Fujitsu Canada will ship the Floptical subsystems to distributors and resellers throughout Canada using their standard channels. The subsystems, available now, have suggested list prices beginning at $579.00 (Canadian).

Rudie Nagelmakers, senior manager of business development for Fujitsu Canada, said, "The printing pre-press market is perfect for Floptical technology. Four-color separations typically use anywhere from 15- to 18MB of storage capacity. Because of data quality and cost factors, using a 21MB Floptical diskette is much more desirable than using a modem or removable hard disk."

Nagelmakers pointed out that Floptical technology, as the market standard for very high capacity floppy diskette recording, will play an important role in Fujitsu Canada's opto-magnetic market strategy. "21 megabytes on a diskette will help our market grow rapidly, as conventional floppies can't do the job, and there's no other very high capacity alternative to this technology, which offers users so many benefits in capacity, migration path, compatibility and performance."

Gary Larson, Iomega's director of OEM marketing, said that Floptical drives and media also offer other graphics applications the ideal I/O medium. "Many graphics files typically range from five to ten megabytes, and have outstripped the ability of low-capacity floppies to handle normal I/O functions, making 21MB necessary for such applications."

"Fujitsu Canada becomes yet another major manufacturer to standardize on 21MB Floptical technology," says FTA chairman James D. Milligan of 3M. "The trend to using 21MB Floptical technology continues based on the clear benefits offered by the technology. Floptical technology is achieving worldwide acceptance by OEMs, systems integrators, and VARs/VADs, as well as users."

The FTA has announced broad support of Floptical Technology by leading workstation manufacturers, including Silicon Graphics, Hewlett-Packard and Hitachi, Ltd. All have chosen 21MB Floptical technology as the standard very high capacity floppy disk drive for lines of high-performance workstations.

Floptical Technology Association

21710 Stevens Creek Blvd, Ste 220, Cupertino, CA 95014

408-446-0407,  fax 408-446-0450


The Gray Book, 2nd Ed. Designing in B&W
VENTANA BOOK REVEALS THE TRUE COLORS OF BLACK-AND-WHITE

Chapel Hill, NC--Lack of color need not mean colorless, a fact illustrated more graphically than ever in the newly released The Gray Book, Second Edition, fully revised and updated by Ventana Press. Written by noted design innovators Michael Gosney, John Odam and Jim Benson, The Gray Book, Second Edition shows readers how to create elegant graphic designs using simple, time-tested professional techniques. In a dazzling addition to the widely acclaimed first edition, the "Annotated Gray Gallery" showcases 25 all-new illustrations, taking readers behind the scenes to demonstrate the step-by-step processes used to create the art.

"Black-and-white design is not only economical and convenient to produce, it's more appropriate than color for most purposes," explain the authors in their introduction to the new edition. "The Gray Book will open your eyes to its endless creative possibilities [and show] how to work with contrast, screens and solids to create 'color' in an effective, attention-getting way."

Stunning examples demonstrate how to:

* Make visuals "pop" with reverses, drop shadows and special

  effects like 3D and gradients.

* Use contrast, textures, screens and solids to create

  attention-getting "color."

* Create riveting effects with light, shadow and space.

* Enrich the overall effect with unusual patterns, backgrounds,

  bleeds and multiple shades of gray.

* Add variety and flexibility by importing and enhancing scanned

  artwork.

Michael Gosney is editor and publisher of Verbum, the leading personal computer art journal. He is also founding editor of Step-by-Step Electronic Design newsletter and president of The Gosney Company, an electronic design agency in San Diego. John Odam is art director of Verbum, design director of Step-by-Step Electronic Design newsletter and a nationally recognized specialist in electronic design and illustration. Jim Benson is a writer, designer and contributor to Verbum, Step-by-Step Electronic Design, Publish, Art Product News and other publications.

The Gray Book, Second Edition, is softcover, 7 3/8" x 9 1/4", 315 pages with 400 illustrations. Suggested retail price: $24.95. ISBN: 1-56604-073-6.

Ventana Press publishes books and other materials that help computer users become more productive, including Looking Good in Print, Looking Good With CorelDRAW!, Desktop Publishing With WordPerfect 6, Word for Windows Design Companion and Voodoo Mac. 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


Advertising From the Desktop
NEW VENTANA TITLE COMBINES MARKETING & DESIGN EXPERTISE

Advertising From the Desktop shows profit-minded guerrillas how marketing battles can be won from right on top of their desks. --Jay Conrad Levinson; Author, Guerrilla Marketing

Chapel Hill, NC--Advertisers usually have only a split second of opportunity to make a lasting impression on potential customers. And while modern computer technology puts riveting visuals just a keystroke away, lack of design know-how can lead to disastrous results. From the publisher of Looking Good in Print comes help: Advertising From the Desktop, a brand-new compendium of marketing and design advice especially for desktop publishers new to the art of visual persuasion.

Authors Elaine Floyd and Lee Wilson synthesize years of marketing and design experience into a formula for advertising success. Using time-tested advertising techniques and hundreds of illustrations, they offer valuable advice on how to

* Increase the power and performance of ads with a solid

  marketing plan.

* Know when to use--and when not to use--special effects.

* Create layouts that command attention and attract buyers.

* Make headlines and logos hit the mark.

* Provoke, evoke, endear or entice through judicious use of

  color.

* Put the designers' knowledge to work creating effective,

  attractive ads, flyers, exhibits, sales materials and more!

Elaine Floyd is owner and president of EF Communications, a publisher of newsletters and training materials on business advertising. She is the author of Marketing With Newsletters and Quick & Easy Brochures. Lee Wilson is owner and president of Graphic Witness, a Nashville-based advertising and multimedia firm whose client list includes Aldus, Empire Bero and Smith Travel Research. He is a contributing author to Thomas Monroe's The Desktop Color Reference Manual.

Advertising From the Desktop is softcover, 464 pages with a 24-page color chapter and more than 300 illustrations. List price: $24.95. ISBN: 1-56604-064-7. For orders only, phone 1-800-743-5369.

Ventana Press publishes books and other materials that help computer users become more productive. including Newsletters From the Desktop, Looking Good With CorelDRAW!, The Gray Book, The Presentation Design Book, The Mac Shareware 500 and Word for Windows Design 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


PYRAMID Chromatography Manager for Windows
Windows-Based Chromatography Data System

PYRAMID Chromatography Manager combines easy-to-use software with high-performance PC interface hardware for capturing analog or digital signals from any chromatographic detectors. It offers many special features for the pharmaceutical, food/beverage, and environmental testing industries, including fully graphical programming, on-the-fly methods development, complete security, customized reporting, and on-line calibration and system suitability validation. Unique "user configurability" allows only those display elements and features actually needed to be made accessible in each channel. PYRAMID is capable of direct control of virtually any chromatographic instruments for total automation. A free updated version demonstration disk is available upon request.

AXXIOM CHROMATOGRAPHY, INC.

11988 CHALLENGER COURT, MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA 93021-7122

(805) 523-8888,  (800) 441-8888,  FAX (805) 523-2313


Texas Utilities Selects Fujitsu PoqetPad Plus
TEXAS UTILITIES SELECTS FUJITSU PEN MOBILE SOLUTION

SANTA CLARA, Calif, -- November 10, 1993 -- Fujitsu Personal Systems, Inc. (FPSI), today announced that it has been selected by Texas Utilities (TU) Electric, the largest electric utility in the state, to provide 650 Fujitsu sub two-pound PoqetPad Plus penbased computers as part of a three phase rollout to automate work crew timekeeping and job tracking data collection throughout the state. The systems run a data collection application developed by TU Electric using PenPal Associates' development tools.

The utility's crew foremen are responsible for the daily management of hundreds of crew workers throughout the state of Texas. As part of the first phase of the rollout, each foreman will use a Fujitsu PoqetPad Plus mobile computer which will provide them with an electronic listing of pay codes and vehicle numbers. The foreman uses the penbased computer to track the hours worked on a job and to allocate that time into various accounting categories. This information can then easily be networked into the utilities' management information system.

As part of the system, eight-unit docking bay stations at each of TU Electric's 48 Service Centers will be used to recharge the batteries and upload daily crew activity information. The crew information is transmitted each night using the PoqetPad Plus' RS-232 serial port and a high speed modem to TU Electric's BBS located at the Fort Worth headquarters. Each morning, the information from the 48 service centers is then combined and formatted before being transmitted to the central database, which resides on an IBM mainframe computer.

The mobile solution streamlines the data input process by eliminating the paper and data clerk entry steps and by reducing the number of validation errors that occurred when crew foremen had to manually enter job accounting information. Instead of "writing" the seven-digit account number and the appropriate category, the system provides a list of categories that display a list of valid account descriptions. As each account description is picked, the system automatically attaches the correct account number.

"In the utility industry, the timely and accurate collection of information is critical. At TU Electric, we needed a method for expediting job site data collection and a more efficient means of getting that information into our network," said Dave Cannon, manager of distribution systems analysis for TU Electric. "Fujitsu's PoqetPad Plus allows our field supervisors a simplified way to input data and a direct network link through the docking station. This new approach should improve field data collection by an order of magnitude."

"Our partnership with Texas Utilities in providing a field data collection system geared specifically towards their needs, represents Fujitsu's strong commitment to providing cost-effective enterprise-wide mobile computing solutions," said Lou Panetta, executive vice president of Fujitsu Personal Systems. "Our selection by Texas Utilities also confirms that vertical markets like utilities have unique integration and support requirements that cannot be met with off-the-shelf mobile computers."

The second and third phases of the rollout, which will begin in early 1994, will implement the PoqetPad mobile computers for the utility's meter technicians and field service personnel.

TU Electric provides electric service to about 5.6 million people, or about one-third of the population of Texas, in 88 counties of West, North Central, and East Texas. The company is the largest investor-owned utility in the nation in terms of energy sales.

Fujitsu Personal Systems, Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif, is a leader in providing mobile solutions for data collection and decision support applications through the development of super portable palmtop, pen-based and communicating computers. Its solutions are designed to meet the needs of applications where light weight, small form factor and long battery life are essential. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujitsu, Ltd, with offices throughout North America and in Europe.

Fujitsu Personal Systems Inc

5200 Patrick Henry Dr, Santa Clara, CA 95054

408-982-9500,  fax 408-496-0575


SuperToons Multimedia CD-ROM Shipping
SuperToons CD-ROM Shipping

Loon Magic! In MacUser 100 . . .

November 15, 1993; Las Vegas, NV -- Today, at COMDEX, Wayzata Technology Inc. released SuperToons, a new multimedia title. Superman is back, he's more popular than ever, and now he is available on your computer. SuperToons provides over 30 minutes of the best available animated Superman movies.

Wayzata was first to bring cartoons to your desktop with QuickToons: Cartoon Classics. Now you can enjoy another in the line of full length cartoons. SuperToons has four crisply digitized movies (with audio).

The Movies:

 -- Mechanical Monsters

 -- Terror on the Midway

 -- Underground World

 -- Volcano

SuperToons also includes an ultra high resolution version of each movie suitable for hard disk play back. As a special bonus the CD contains several TIFF format still images. Take a nostalgic look at these movies; you will find them enjoyable, entertaining and thrilling. SuperToons is now shipping at a suggested retail price of $49.00.

LOON MAGIC CD-ROM Rates in MacUser's Top 100 Gift Ideas!

"Loon Magic is a perfect gift...it's spectacular!" states the 1993 December issue of MacUser Magazine. Loon Magic, Wayzata's multimedia adventure into the world of this magical water bird, was rated in MacUser's top 100 gift ideas for all software and hardware under $250. Loon Magic retails for $49.00

Loon Magic, the interactive CD-ROM, contains facts, stories, films, pictures and recorded loon cries. It also has 10 professional CD audio tracks. This allows the disc to be used in an audio CD player as well as a computer. Even more, this disc contains a special version for kids.

Wayzata Technology Inc. is the world's leading publisher of cross platform CD-ROM and Multimedia Titles. Minnesota's premiere CD-ROM publisher since 1989, Wayzata Technology develops a wide variety of CD-ROMs for home, school and business. Our titles cover a wide variety of information including Reference, Multimedia & QuickTime, EPS and Bit-mapped clip art, Stock Photos, Fonts, Sounds, Games Shareware & Freeware, Programming Aids, Music and more.

Wayzata Technology is located in the northern lakes region of Minnesota in the town of Grand Rapids, approximately 150 kilometers from the Canadian border.

Wayzata Technology Inc

2515 East Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MI 55744

218-326-0597,  800-735-7321,  fax 218-326-0598

Internet: WayzataTec@aol.com


Apple PhotoFlash Adds Photos to Documents
Apple Unveils PhotoFlash

The Fast, Easy Way to Add Photos to Documents

SAN FRANCISCO, California--October 18, 1993--Underscoring its ongoing commitment to desktop publishing, Apple Computer, Inc. announced a new software product called PhotoFlash for the Apple Macintosh personal computer that simplifies the process of getting photos into documents. PhotoFlash is designed to help users of page layout and presentation software quickly and easily access, enhance, and place photos in documents. PhotoFlash helps customers create visually appealing documents that communicate information with more impact. Apple plans to unveil the product on October 21, 1993 at Seybold San Francisco, an electronic publishing conference and exposition.

PhotoFlash has three key components: an integrated browser that simplifies selection of images, unique photo preparation tools that enhance images, and scripting capabilities that place images into popular page-layout applications and automate routine tasks.

"We want to make it easy for people to get photos into documents," said Kirk Loevner, vice president, AppleSoft Products Group. "The simplicity of PhotoFlash helps enable general business users to get photos into documents without the steep learning curve of more complex products. Its integration with page layout programs and advanced scripting capabilities make it a time-saver for professional designers who want to automate routine tasks. We believe PhotoFlash will become the essential software for anybody who wants to create photo-rich documents without a lot of hassle."

Browser: Easy Access and Viewing of Photos

The integrated image browser in PhotoFlash is designed to make it easy for users to find and place photos quickly. The browser displays thumbnails (small previews) of images that have been saved in industry-standard file formats. The browser also provides a direct link to other applications, so users can simply 'drag and drop' to place images into applications such as Aldus Pagemaker and QuarkXPress.

Photo Enhancement Tools: Quick and Simple Photo Preparation

PhotoFlash includes selected enhancement tools that are designed to enable users to adjust images instantly, with advanced options available for finer control. Users can adjust the brightness and contrast of photos, remove scratches and dust from pictures, straighten scans, and quickly sharpen, blur, resize, rotate and crop images. All adjustments can be previewed instantly to allow the user to better anticipate and control the photo manipulation effects.

Fully Scriptable: Link to Applications and Automate Repetitive Tasks

PhotoFlash is AppleScript-savvy, allowing for scripting and recording to automate tasks and link PhotoFlash with other software applications to streamline workflow. Using one-button scripts that are included with the product, PhotoFlash can automatically place photos into documents created with page layout applications, such as Aldus PageMaker and QuarkXPress. In addition, users can use the integrated script recorder to automate repetitive tasks--it's as easy as pushing a button on a tape recorder. Once a script has been recorded, users can instantly accomplish the tasks performed most often, such as adjusting photos, creating contact sheets and performing file format conversion. New scripts can be recorded with PhotoFlash or easily extended using the included AppleScript script editor.

"PhotoFlash is a great match with PageMaker," said Lori Birtley, senior product marketing manager at Aldus Corporation. "It allows PageMaker customers to integrate graphics into their publications quickly and easily."

The key elements of PhotoFlash - browsing, photo enhancement and scripting - are tightly integrated and optimized for fast and efficient operation. PhotoFlash also provides an open architecture for easy integration of peripherals and other file formats.

Fast and Efficient Operation

Most imaging applications require a substantial amount of memory and disk space in order to run. PhotoFlash, however, is optimized to manage digital images. As a result, it requires much less memory and disk space. PhotoFlash also comes with integrated image compression technology and a unique selective compression feature that allows users to compress different areas of a photo at different levels, offering users the quality they need and the file size they want. Furthermore, PhotoFlash can be accelerated by PhotoFlash-compatible accelerator cards, including the ThunderStorm and Thunder II series from SuperMac Technology and Charger series from DayStar Digital. The technology for PhotoFlash was developed by Storm Technology of Mountain View, CA and is licensed to Apple Computer, Inc.

"Storm's expertise in high performance image handling and Apple's innovative core system technologies combine to create a product with a new level of performance, simplicity and automation for customers who work with photos," said Bill Krause, president and CEO at Storm Technology. "More importantly, we believe PhotoFlash will make it possible for thousands of Macintosh users to get photos into documents for the first time."

Support for Peripherals and Other Formats, including Kodak Photo CD

PhotoFlash accepts Adobe Photoshop plug-in modules for special effects, as well as import and export capabilities, giving users the ability to work with many scanners, printers, digital cameras and other peripherals. PhotoFlash supports a wide variety of file formats, including PICI, TIFF, JPEG, Photo CD, PhotoShop, EPS, and DCS, and can work with RGB, CMYK or grayscale images. In addition to optimized file access routines for other formats, PhotoFlash incorporates accelerated Photo CD routines to speed image access.

"This is a good example of how Kodak and Apple technologies are expanding the market for digital images," said Katherine M. Hudson, Kodak vice president and general manager for Professional, Printing and Publishing Imaging. "PhotoFlash is designed to enable people of all skill levels to use Kodak's scanners, digital cameras, and Photo CDs to easily access, enhance, and output their images."

Product Contents and System Requirements

PhotoFlash includes the PhotoFlash application, integrated browser, automated scripts for use with Aldus PageMaker and QuarkXPress, scripts for automating PhotoFlash functions, and the AppleScript and QuickTime system extensions. A sampler of color photos is also provided, along with a tutorial, a comprehensive user's guide, and unlimited customer support. Apple recommends PhotoFlash customers use the software with an Apple Macintosh or PowerBook computer with a 68020 or faster processor, at least 8MB of RAM (3.5MB of application RAM), and Macintosh system software version 7.0 or later.

Pricing and Availability

Apple plans to make PhotoFlash available for a suggested retail price of $279 beginning in late November of 1993. The company also plans to distribute it through software resellers, Apple authorized resellers, and through Apple's volume licensing program.

In addition, a number of companies are also announcing agreements today with Apple to include PhotoFlash with their products. These companies include PressLink, SuperMac Technology, Inc., and UMAX Technologies.

* PressLink, a subsidiary of Knight-Ridder and a leading supplier of news photos and text to the news publishing community, plans to bundle PhotoFlash with a front-end communications application, giving users a complete solution for acquiring images and text from the PressLink on-line service.

* SuperMac plans to bundle PhotoFlash with the company's line of graphics and image processing acceleration cards - Thunder II GX-1360, Thunder II-1360 and Thunder II Light products.

* UMAX Technologies plans to bundle PhotoFlash with its 600dpi color scanner, the UC630LE/Mac.

Apple Computer Inc, 20525 Mariana Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014

408-996-1010


Apple Chinese Language Kit
Apple Announces Chinese Language Kit

Joins Japanese Language Kit In Bringing Multi language Capabilities to Macintosh Users

SAN FRANCISCO, California--October 18, 1993 -- Apple Computer, Inc. today announced the Chinese Language Kit, a software product that makes it easy for people to work in Chinese and English (or other languages) on an Apple Macintosh personal computer. The Chinese Language Kit allows customers to input, edit, and display Chinese characters without having to use a fully localized Chinese version of the Macintosh operating system. The second of Apple's language kits, this product reinforces Apple's commitment to making the Macintosh a global computing platform.

The Chinese Language Kit and the Japanese Language Kit (shipped in April 1992) are both based on WorldScript--a technology only available with Apple's System 7.1. WorldScript provides system-level support for the most widely used written languages and a unified platform on which developers can create applications for worldwide markets. Using the Chinese Language Kit, a Macintosh computer with System 7.1, and any application that supports Apple's WorldScript, customers can create documents that mix Chinese characters with other languages supported by their system.

"We're extremely pleased with sales of the Japanese Language Kit, which have exceeded even our most optimistic expectations," said Kirk Loevner, vice president, AppleSoft Products Group. "We're equally enthusiastic about the Chinese Language Kit. People who need to use the Chinese language on their computers are not just in China, but all over the world. This is an important product for Apple, for many of our customers, and for any developer who wants to create applications for worldwide markets."

Language Kits are intended for customers who need to create documents and presentations that contain multiple languages, including professionals in multinational businesses, government, and publishing, as well as students, teachers and others. Apple believes that two trends, globalization of business and the increase of ethnic populations in the United States, may present opportunities to expand Apple's family of language kits for the Macintosh.

The Chinese Language Kit works with localized applications for Chinese and with WorldScript applications. Many major applications, such as WordPerfect and Nisus, take advantage of WorldScript. The Chinese Language Kit also supports the variety of applications that have been localized for the Chinese market; ClarisWorks and Canvas, for example, have Chinese versions shipping.

Product Contents and System Requirements

The Chinese Language Kit supports both Traditional and Simplified characters. It includes bilingual documentation, TrueType fonts, and a wide variety of input methods, including the most popular--Pinyin and Zhuyin. The Chinese Language Kit requires a Macintosh computer with at least 5MB of RAM, System 7.1, and a hard disk drive with at least 10MB of storage available (17MB to install both Traditional and Simplified characters). Additional TrueType fonts are contained on a CD ROM (included); in order to use them, users will need a CD ROM drive and additional hard disk space.

Pricing and Availability

The Chinese Language Kit is available in the United States through Apple authorized resellers for a suggested retail price of U.S. $249. In the United States, the kit comes with built in, up and running support through 1-800-SOS-APPL.

Outside the United States, the Chinese Language Kit is available through a variety of resellers. Pricing and availability varies by country.

Apple Computer Inc, 20525 Mariana Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014

408-996-1010


Macintosh TV Combines TV & Stereo CD
Apple Unveils Macintosh TV

Macintosh Computer Combines Television and Stereo CD Player in Single, Low Cost Unit

CUPERTINO, California--Oct. 25, 1993--Apple Computer Inc. announced today Macintosh TV, a new product that combines an Apple Macintosh personal computer, television and CD-ROM stereo system into one compact, low-priced unit. Designed for users at home and in higher education institutions, the $2,079 system greatly reduces the cost and space requirements currently required to obtain these electronic components separately. This product underscores Apple's business strategy to reach new users in the home and education markets.

Macintosh TV provides the integrated functionality of a powerful personal computer with a cable-ready 14-inch color TV, and double-speed audio CD player for high-quality stereo sound. The system can also be easily connected with a VCR, camcorder, laserdisc player or video game player. In addition, it comes with a sleek infrared remote that controls both television and CD player functions.

"The computer industry and the consumer electronics market are converging, and Apple is at the forefront of this transition," said Brodie Keast, Director of Product Marketing for the Apple Personal Computer Division. "With Macintosh TV, Apple extends its popular all-in-one computer design with new media capabilities that create a whole new category of computing and entertainment devices."

"With this special edition of the Macintosh, Apple hopes to learn more about the needs of this market and to apply that knowledge to future product development," Keast added.

Bundled Software Included

Macintosh TV comes bundled with several popular software programs pre-loaded, including ClarisWorks 2.0 (an integrated program combining a word processor, spreadsheet and database), American Heritage Dictionary, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, HomeWork Templates, and The Performa Click Art Collection. It also includes CD-ROM titles such as Groiler's Multimedia Encyclopedia, World Atlas, Space Shuttle, Wonders of the World (Volume I), Time Almanac 1993, and the Kodak Photo CD Sampler.

Product Details

Macintosh TV combines plug-and-play simplicity with the power of a 32 MHz 68030 microprocessor. It comes standard with 5MB of RAM expandable to 8MB. It has a 160MB hard disk drive and a 1.4MB Apple SuperDrive floppy disk drive and reads MS-DOS disks with Macintosh PC Exchange software.

The television capabilities include a 14-inch Color TV with a cable-ready tuner, a coaxial port to connect an antenna or cable service and a RCA port to connect a VCR, camcorder, laserdisc player, or video game player. The software support for television features includes frame grabbing, closed captions, channel scanning, and password protection of TV mode.

The AppleCD 300i double-speed CD-ROM drive adds more flexibility to Macintosh TV and provides a richer more exciting computing environment. This built-in CD-ROM plays standard audio CDs, reads data on CD-ROMs and views images on Kodak Photo CDs. The system integrates a high-quality 14" Trinitron color display which provides 640 by 480 pixels, .26mm dot pitch and 8-bit color, displaying 256 colors.

The SCSI port will support up to six SCSI devices, such as hard disks and scanners. There are two serial ports for printers, modems, and AppleTalk networks. There are also two Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) ports for keyboard, mouse, and other input devices. Macintosh TV also has built-in AppleTalk networking and file sharing without a dedicated server.

Pricing and Availability

Macintosh TV is a U.S. only, special edition product and will be available immediately upon introduction at selected consumer retail stores and higher education campuses, and through the Apple Catalog. The consumer stores include Best Buy, Select Video Concepts, Silo YES, and TOPS. The ApplePrice is $2,079.

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

Apple Computer Inc, 20525 Mariana Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014

408-996-1010


First Apple Newton Development Conference
Apple Computer and its Newton Licensees Announce First International Newton Industry Platform Development Conference

CUPERTINO, California--October 26, 1993--Apple Computer, Inc., today announced that it will host the first international Newton Platform Development Conference on December 7-8, 1993 at the Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara, California. This industry-wide event for the Newton platform is designed to offer developers an opportunity to join the growing family of companies from around the world who are lining up behind Newton technology.

Industry support for the Newton platform continues to gain momentum. More than 1,600 Newton development systems--Newton Toolkits--have been sold throughout the world. Since the introduction of the Newton MessagePad on August 2, at MacWorld Boston, many developers ha-e demonstrated applications based on Newton technology. Over 40 applications and titles have been announced for the Newton platform by 3rd party and in-house corporate developers, covering a wide range of solutions including communications, healthcare, sales force automation, finance, office productivity, education, real estate, and travel.

"We are excited about the level of enthusiasm with which the developer community has embraced Newton technology," said Philip Ivanier, manager of the development relations group for Apple's Personal Interactive Electronics (PIE) division. "This will be the first of many conferences designed to expand the broad range of applications which have already been developed for the Newton platform. and will facilitate the widespread adoption of Newton technology."

The conference will offer:

* Three separate specialized tracks:

- Orientation to Newton Development--

  For beginning Newton developers.

- Advanced Newton Development--

  For developers who have Newton development experience.

- International Newton Marketplace--

  A marketing and business management overview of the markets and

  business opportunities represented by the Newton platform.

* Over 20 comprehensive sessions covering a variety of

  development topics:

- Developing with the Newton Toolkit

- Advanced Newton script programming

- Vertical market solutions

- Application design and performance optimization

- Working with the View System

- Building communications into your applications

- Software distribution

- Developing electronic books for Newton

* A chance to learn about new development opportunities,

  partners, product plans and communications services.

To register for the first international Newton Platform Development Conference, US-based applicants should call 1-800-800-6812 or 1-800-301-9009, or send a message to Knowledge Industry Publications Inc. (KIPI), on AppleLink: KIPII. KIPI, a major event producer, is the show producer. Applicants based outside the US should call 914-328-9157.

Registration fees are $495 for the first company representative, and $395 for each additional company representative and/or registered owners of Newton Toolkit.

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

Apple Computer Inc, 20525 Mariana Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014

408-996-1010


Apple & TI Endorse High-Speed Serial Bus Std
Apple and TI Announce Agreement to Develop New Circuits for Multimedia Transmission Agreement Jointly Endorses Proposed High-Speed Serial Bus Standard

Dallas (November 1, 1993)--Texas Instruments (TI) and Apple Computer, Inc. (Apple) today announced an agreement under which TI will develop a new category of integrated circuits using technology developed by Apple g). Based on Apple's new FireWire technology, these integrated circuits will enable computers to exchange information at very high speeds with a variety of electronic equipment via miniaturized connectors and low-cost cables. The new devices will help improve the performance of disk drives, scanners, printers and multimedia devices such as digital cameras, CD ROMs, VCRs, camcorders and audio/stereo equipment.

The Apple FireWire technology, which is based on an emerging standard for information exchange (P1394 ), will enable a dramatic reduction in the number of connectors required, improves overall performance and allows " plug-and-play " addition of peripherals.

Both TI and Apple serve on the committee, set up under the auspices of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), to formulate this proposed standard which is designated the P1394 standard for a high-speed serial bus.

Under the terms of the agreement, TI is licensed to develop the new devices using the FireWire technology. As an authorized FireWire licensee, TI has been working with Apple to develop integrated circuits conforming to the P1394 standard that can be used across multiple system platforms.

Existing bus interface solutions do not address many of the anticipated needs of future systems. Applications in multimedia may require the ability to transport large volumes of data in an isochronous' - or "real time" - manner. The P1394 standard provides this capability, as well as enable higher bit rates and significantly lower cable costs over what is currently possible. In addition, the proposed standard provides uniformity in input/output (I/O) connections, digital integration of data and control and improved system reliability.

The emerging P1394 standard describes a serial bus driven by an advanced communication protocol for low system cost while still providing the data transfer rate needed for high performance peripheral devices. The P1394 specification provides straightforward, seamless connection between various types of equipment such as computers and peripherals. The cable specification gives customers great flexibility in how they connect devices together - including multiple daisy connections in a local area.

TI and Apple believe that the proposed high-speed serial bus standard will provide a strong unifying element in the electronic systems and multimedia equipment marketplace. The companies view their joint development agreement as a means of underscoring their individual endorsement of the proposed standard.

"FireWire will give customers both considerably enhanced performance when working with different information types such as video and the ability to connect digital products together easily, which is crucial as we move towards increasing use of different forms of media on the desktop", said Jonathan Zar, Business Manager of the FireWire project for Apple. "The P1394 standard, together with Apple's decision to license this technology provide a great basis for an industry standard connection for the digital world".

"This agreement is a natural outcome of the leadership demonstrated by both companies in the development and support of the proposed P1394 standard," said Bryan Bell, 11 data transmission products manager. "The performance and technical advances that our jointly developed devices promise to deliver will serve to bolster further acceptance of the proposed P1394 standard".

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

Apple Computer Inc, 20525 Mariana Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014

408-996-1010


Apple USA Announces Rebates for Holiday Season
APPLE USA ANNOUNCES REBATES FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

INSTANT REBATE APPLIES TO SELECT POWERBOOKS AND APPLE PERIPHERALS

CAMPBELL, California--November 1, 1993--The Apple USA division of Apple Computer, Inc. today announced it will offer customers instant rebates on select Apple PowerBook computers and peripherals beginning today and continuing through January 31, 1994.

"The rebates will give our customers added incentive to purchase Apple products as holiday gifts or to equip offices for the new year," said George Everhart, vice president of Apple's Personal Computer Business division.

Apple's "Does more. Costs less. Pays Now" holiday promotion will feature significant rebates on the following products while supplies last:

Qualifying Products:                                Rebate:

Apple PowerBook 145B                                 $150

Apple PowerBook 165                                   100

Apple PowerBook 165c                                  100

Apple PowerBook 180                                   200

Apple PowerBook 180c                                  450

Apple PowerBook Duo 230 4/120                         350

Apple PowerBook Duo 230 4/80 bundle                   350

(includes floppy adapter and external drive)

Apple PowerBook Duo 230 4/160                         500

(includes Apple Duo Dock and Express Modem)

Apple Duo Dock                                        150

Apple Duo Dock with 230MB HD                          300

Apple PowerBook Mini Dock                             100

Apple 16H Color Display                               200

Apple Color Printer                                   300

Rebate Logistics

Customers that purchase and take delivery of a qualifying product from a participating reseller between November 1, 1993 and January 31, 1994 will receive an instant rebate at the point-of-sale after signing a rebate verification form. Participating authorized Apple resellers can provide more information on the rebate. To locate an Apple reseller participating in the promotion, please call 1-800-538-9696.

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 Computer Inc, 20525 Mariana Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014

408-996-1010


SSI Fantasy Empires
LEAD A KINGDOM, FORGE AN EMPIRE, RULE MYSTARA in FANTASY EMPIRES

A new D & D Adventure

Game Category: Strategy/Action Simulation

Versions: IBM PC (October 1993) - $59.95

Sunnyvale, CA -- October 26, 1993 - Industry leading fantasy game publisher, Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI) today announced the release of the second in the line of D&D style games, Fantasy Empires. It is now available and carries a suggested retail price of $59.95

In Fantasy Empires players build their own empire with the help the first computerized Dungeon Master's (DM). The DM sits atop a screen and mediates all elements of game play, from spell-casting to diplomacy. His awesome, imposing figure is fully animated including a display of emotions. He dozes off when he is bored, and shifts moods depending on the success of the player. Players will need to build up their kingdoms with a variety of buildings, including castles, armories, and wizards' towers. Players command dozens of troop types, deploy special forces, send heroes on quests, and interact with all of the major D&D races including humans, elves, dwarves, orcs, humanoids, and the undead, to concur enemy dungeons and ultimately rule Mystara. SSI's D&D product line provides a new and exciting forum for those who are familiar with the AD&D products. The first D&D product introduced by SSI was Stronghold. "Players do not have to be familiar with a set of rules as they do in AD&D" states Caryn Mical, SSI's Director of Sales and Marketing. "They simply jump into the game and become quickly involved. Strategy and combat play a very large part in the D&D series while the AD&D line provides a more intensive role playing experience."

Fantasy Empires features a superb visual presentation. The DM is completely interactive during game play. With an overhead view and real-time combat, players are able to control one hero and to switch to another at any time. Or, players can simply issue a general battle order before combat begins then sit back and watch the action.

Fantasy Empires is designed up to five players who can challenge each other or a player can challenge up to four of the twenty different computer-controlled opponents. During multi-player combat, the screen is split so each player get his own view of what is happening to his army. With the use of the advanced "AI" and Neural Network Technology throughout the game, no two games will ever be the same. "This technology enables the game to evolve depending on the various decisions each play makes during his turn." states Fantasy Empires Associate Producer, Dave Lucca. "The players moves will have an immediate real-time effect on the game."

D&D Fantasy Empires was developed by Silicon Knights, one of the industry's most intuitive and creative development companies. Previously, Silicon Knights developed Cyber Empires for SSI. When asked what is an exceptional feature of Fantasy Empires, Dennis Dyack of Silicon Knights stated, "The graphics in Fantasy Empires are the best on the market today. The Dungeon Master is, by himself, a very entertaining part of the game."

Strategic Simulations, Inc. is one of the leading computer fantasy role-playing publishers and is most noted for its ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS line of computer products. The company is recognized as the premier war game publisher and, based on industry rankings, is one of the top ten entertainment software publishers worldwide. SSI develops for the leading 16-bit and 21-bit systems, including IBM, IBM CD-ROM, Macintosh, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and 3DO.

Strategic Simulations Inc

675 Almanor Ave, Suite 201, Sunnyvale, CA 94086-2901

408-737-6800;  Fax: 408-737-6814


Quattro Pro 5 Made Easy
BALANCED BUDGETS, GREAT GRAPHICS, DEDICATED DATABASES

GUIDE TO SAVVY SPREADSHEET TELLS HOW TO DO IT ALL!

Berkeley, CA--With all the advances in spreadsheet technology, information enthusiasts and number crunchers alike have never had it so good. Now the challenge is figuring out how to use all those hot features and put them to work quickly and easily. That problem is solved with Osborne/McGraw-Hill's release of Quattro Pro 5 Made Easy by Lisa Biow and Deborah Craig.

Quattro Pro 5, Borland International's latest release of its best-selling spreadsheet for DOS, has all the necessary bells and whistles to make it a top contender for spreadsheet supremacy. Its spreadsheet, database, and graphics capabilities are easy to use and yet are extremely powerful. In Quattro Pro 5 Made Easy, Biow and Craig help novices build functional worksheets in a matter of hours. For those readers with more spreadsheet experience, they also explain in detail how to take advantage of Quattro Pro 5's speed, versatility, and important features.

With Quattro Pro 5 Made Easy, readers will learn to:

* Build worksheets from the ground up

* Customize the worksheet environment for specific needs

* Create and annotate graphs

* Develop and use databases

* Discover optima; ways to link and consolidate notebooks,

  a new feature that allows users to organize data on several

  pages within a single file

* Take advantage of the WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get)

  environment

Biow and Craig cover more advanced concepts and techniques for manipulating data, including the use of functions and macros. In addition, the fundamentals of designing, displaying, printing, and customizing graphs for maximum visual impact are explained in detail.

In the information age, it's vital to get all that information organized efficiently for productive use quickly. With Quattro Pro 5 Made Easy, readers can take advantage of Quattro Pro 5 's full potential as quickly and effortlessly as possible.

Quattro Pro 5 Made Easy is soft cover, 528 pages, and illustrated throughout. Suggested retail price: $24.95. ISBN: 0-07-881963-6. For orders only, phone 1-800-227-0900, Monday through Friday, 8:30AM - 4:30PM Pacific Time.

Lisa Biow is a computer consultant and trainer specializing in spreadsheets and databases who has written four acclaimed versions of Quattro Pro Made Easy for releases 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0.

Deborah Craig is an author, technical writer, and editor specializing in spreadsheets and graphics packages.

Osborne/McGraw-Hill is a leading publisher of quality microcomputer books that include tutorials, references, and user guides written for people at all levels of computer ability. Osborne books are available in bookstores and computer stores everywhere.

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

510-549-6600,  Fax: 510-549-6603,   orders: 800-227-0900


Quicken 3 for Windows Made Easy
MAXIMIZE MONEY FOR SMOOTH FISCAL SAILING

IT'S A BREEZE WITH QUICKEN 3 FOR WINDOWS MADE EASY

Berkeley, CA--The change from the booming '80s into the recession-plagued '40s has made it vital for people to make every dollar count. For everyone not blessed with a winning lottery ticket or a job as a highly paid professional athlete, financial planning and organization are the keys to monetary success. Fortunately, Osborne/McGraw-Hill has published Quicken 3 for Windows Made Easy by David Campbell, CPA, and Mary Campbell to help people manage and track their finances.

Quicken 3 for Windows, Intuit's best-selling personal finance and accounting package, gives users the framework to organize their finances. Quicken 3 for Windows Made Easy explains in detail how users can take full advantage of the software's features and then goes a step further by providing professional advice on managing credit, handling investments, and preparing taxes. "With interest rates at an all-time low, people can no longer put money into a savings account and expect that their money will grow at an acceptable rate," remarks David Campbell. "By maximizing their money through the proper use of savings, credit, investments, and tax planning, people will be able to come out ahead even when the economic outlook is rather bleak."

Quicken 3 for Windows Made Easy explains how to:

* Get immediate results with a Quick Start section that

  teaches Quicken's essential features

* Set up and manage a home or office accounting system

* Organize records for faster tax preparation and for

  early filing

* Keep track of credit card purchases and other debts

* Use the loan calculator to determine borrowing power for

  future purchases

In addition, Quicken 3 for Windows Made Easy provides a template of Quicken icons, cost saving tips for small businesses, and information about creating custom reports. For those people with more specialized needs, Quicken 3 for Windows Made Easy explains some advanced options and how to customize the software.

Being buffeted about by the winds of change is never easy, especially when that change affects people' s money. Quicken 3 for Windows Made Easy helps smooth out the rough water not only by being the essential "how-to" guide to Quicken 3 for Windows, but by offering sound financial advice as well.

Quicken 3 for Windows Made Easy is soft cover, 528 pages, and illustrated throughout. Suggested retail price: $19.95. ISBN: 0-07-881972-5. For orders only, phone 1-800-227-0900, Monday through Friday, 8:30AM - 4:30PM Pacific Time.

David Campbell, professor of accounting and chairman of the accounting department at Case Western Reserve University, is co-author of four best-selling editions of Quicken Made Easy and Quicken 2 for Windows Made Easy. In addition, he is also a CPA and has published widely on accounting systems methods. He holds a Ph.D. in accounting from the University of Georgia.

Spreadsheet expert Mary Campbell has co-authored four editions of Quicken Made Easy and Quicken 2 for Windows Made Easy, and is the best-selling author of numerous books on Lotus 1-2-3, WordPerfect, and Harvard Graphics. As an experienced corporate trainer and president of her own computer training company, she has taught thousands of people to use these and many other popular software programs.

Osborne/McGraw-Hill is a leading publisher of quality microcomputer books that include tutorials, references, and user guides written for people at all levels of computer ability. Osborne books are available in bookstores and computer stores everywhere.

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

510-549-6600,  Fax: 510-549-6603,   orders: 800-227-0900


Quicken 7 Made Easy
FINANCE FATIGUE ELIMINATED WITH LATEST QUICKEN BOOK

Berkeley, CA--Tough economic times, new tax laws, and a myriad of investment choices make getting ahead financially tougher than ever. Organization helps, but it is all too easy to avoid doing this often time-consuming task. To help people keep their New Year's resolutions, Osborne/McGraw-Hill has just published Quicken 7 Made Easy by best-selling authors David Campbell, CPA, and Mary Campbell.

Covering Intuit Software's latest release of its ever-popular accounting package for DOS, Quicken 7 Made Easy never loses sight of the goal that financial organization should make people' s lives easier. With their combined financial and software training skills, the Campbells deftly take users through the essentials of the program to more intricate financial planning strategies so that readers can see immediate results.

With sales of more than 175,000 copies through four editions, Quicken Made Easy has become a perennial favorite. In this edition, Quicken 7 Made Easy teaches readers to:

* Set up and manage an accounting system for home or office

* Organize taxes for faster turn-around and, hopefully, faster

  refunds

* Keep track of credit card purchases sc monthly bills never

  contain surprises

* Use Quicken's new financial planners to make informed decisions

  about investments

* Determine borrowing power with Quicken's loan calculator to

  prepare better for future purchases

Knowing that it is easy to procrastinate, Quicken 7 Made Easy has clear step-by-step instructions, real-life examples, and numerous illustrations so that readers find getting started virtually effortless. Quicken 7' s powerful new features, including QuickFill, check printing enhancements, and graphs, are covered in detail as well. "Once people see how profitable it is to understand their finances and have them well-organized, they can't believe they waited so long to get started!" says accounting expert David Campbell.

The financial planning suggestions and tax information make Quicken 7 Made Easy much more than just a typical "how-to" computer book. While it might not help people clean out closets or lose ten pounds, Quicken 7 Made Easy can help readers cross one resolution off their list and end finance fatigue for good.

Quicken 7 Made Easy is soft cover, 524 pages, and illustrated throughout. Suggested retail price: $19.95. ISBN: 0-07-881971-7. For orders only, phone 1-800-227--0900, Monday through Friday, 8:30AM - 4:30PM Pacific Time.

David Campbell, professor of accounting and chairman of the accounting department at Case Western Reserve University, is co-author of four previous editions of Quicken Made Easy. In addition, he is also a CPA and has widely published on accounting systems methods. He holds a Ph.D. in accounting from the University of Georgia.

Mary Campbell is a trainer as well as author of dozens of best-selling computer books, including Teach Yourself WordPerfect 6, The Best 1001 WordPerfect Tips Ever, Harvard Graphics for Windows Made Easy and Microsoft Access Inside & Out. She is also president of a consulting firm specializing in computer training.

Osborne/McGraw-Hill is a leading publisher of quality microcomputer books that include tutorials, references, and user guides written for people at all levels of computer ability. Osborne books are available in bookstores and computer stores everywhere.

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

510-549-6600,  Fax: 510-549-6603,   orders: 800-227-0900


NSSI Distribution Agreement with Dell
NSSI ANNOUNCES DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT WITH DELL

Leading Personal Computer Maker to Distribute Industry's NSSI's Power Management System

San Diego, November 10, 1993 - Network Security Systems Inc. (NSSI), a recognized leader in network and standalone power management solutions, today announced a distribution agreement with Dell Computer Corporation (NASDAQ: DELL). Under the agreement, Dell, the industry's leading direct marketer of personal computer systems, will sell NSSI's family of uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) and LanSafe power protection software through its DellWare catalog.

NSSI's intelligent power systems enable users in LAN and WAN environments to protect critical file servers, workstations and bridges from blackouts, brownouts and under/over voltage conditions. As an added benefit, from a central terminal system administrators can manage power conditions and operational parameters for every network device with an attached UPS, including those at remote sites. Operating systems supported include MS/DOS, Windows, Novell NetWare, OS/2, LAN Manager, LAN Server and UNIX

According to Stephen Nye, president of NSSI, the average down-time for most networks is about six percent of which 90 percent is attributable to power outages. For resellers, this translates into a tremendous sales opportunity.

"In this day and age, companies simply can't afford the business and data losses associated with network down-time," said Nye. "Protecting your Network is not only simple, it's cost-effective as well. No matter what your yardstick; hard dollars, productivity or the like--power protection pays off. The smart network managers know this and are turning to NSSI for their power protection needs.

"By capitalizing on our individual strengths, we can provide our customers with a combination that can't be beat--a reputable, ready source of intelligent power protection hardware and software," concluded Nye.

A Fortune 500 company, Dell Computer Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports a complete line of personal computers compatible with industry standards. Dell's DellWare catalog was created to give the company's PC customers easy access to more than 2,000 of the industry's most popular computer-related products.

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. 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


SYBASE Magazine for Client/Server Solutions
New Magazine Delivers Client/Server Solutions to Sybase Customers

EMERYVILLE, CA, November 3, 1993 -- Sybase, Inc., the Enterprise Client/Server Company, has launched SYBASE magazine, the first publication to address the enterprise-wide client/server computing issues faced by Sybase customers worldwide. Aimed at a highly targeted audience, the quarterly magazine also provides computer-industry firms an effective vehicle for promoting their client/server solutions. Distribution for the premiere issue was 38,000 copies.

SYBASE magazine is aimed at executives and information systems (IS) managers who architect, authorize, or manage the implementation of computing environments based on client/server technology. Client/server technology allows companies to distribute information across a range of different computers linked by networks. The magazine examines technology and market trends, solutions from Sybase and its 600-plus business partners, and successful customer client/server installations.

"Sybase has always placed a priority on providing our customers and business partners the information, services, and training they need to successfully implement client/server-based computing solutions," said Stewart Schuster, vice president of marketing for Sybase. "We are expanding on this commitment with SYBASE magazine, a broad-distribution vehicle for reaching our worldwide base of customers located at more than 10,600 sites, as well as our partners who deliver business solutions that use SYBASE technology."

Award-Winning Editorial and Design Team

SYBASE magazine, under the management and direction of Publisher Carla Baker Marymee, brings together an award-winning editorial and design team experienced in producing computer-industry publications. The graphic look of the four-color glossy magazine was created by Peter Tucker, who has designed more than 30 publications over the last 20 years. SYBASE magazine's editorial content is directed by Editor John A. Barry, formerly a founding editor of SunWorld, editor-in-chief of DBMS magazine, a founding editor of InfoWorld, and the author of 10 computer-industry books.

SYBASE magazine leverages the expertise of its managers and designers and features contributed articles from recognized computer industry experts and technical consultants. The magazine also highlights user profiles and provides a forum for customer commentary.

Editorial and Advertising Contacts

Ad rates and the 1994 editorial calendar are in the process of being finalized. For more information about SYBASE magazine editorial, call John A. Barry at Sybase (510/596-4708). To learn about advertising in SYBASE, call the magazine's business manager, Roger Strukhoff, at Sybase (510/596-0859).

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


Ibex FactsLine Adds New Document Mgmt Features
IBEX TECHNOLOGIES SHIPS NEW DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT FEATURES

Client /Server Architecture Allows Easy Access

(Placerville, CA November 1, 1993)--Ibex announces the addition of advanced fax document management features to its fax-on-demand product, FactsLine. With the release of Windows Version 1.2, fax-on-demand and fax broadcast documents can now be scheduled to automatically activate at a specified date and time. In addition, documents can be set to automatically expire at a pre-determined activity level or at a specific date and time.

Other document management functions available under the FactsLine for Windows Version 1.2 include:

* Document accounting codes and functions used for billing

* Timed fax delivery options

* Multiple levels of document categories

* Links to document supplier database for billing and reporting

* Audio(voice) and textual description of documents

FactsLine features a client/server architecture with the document management client interface running under Microsoft Windows. This allows users to add, delete and manage fax documents from their desktop, while the fax-on-demand server runs uninterrupted. A new Windows printer driver makes fax document creation simple--users select the Ibex Print Driver as their Windows printer, print their document from any Windows program and enter the document number they wish to create or update. The fax document is created and automatically updated on the FactsLine server.

In addition, the index of available fax-on-demand documents, usually a manually-updated document, can be automatically generated with the new management tools. "We've found that a significant amount of our customers' time was taken up in the day-to-day process of keeping the index of documents current," says Ney Grant, president of Ibex, "and now it's a matter of seconds each day."

Ibex Technologies, headquartered in Placerville, California, is the leading provider of enhanced fax solutions. A pioneer in fax-on-demand, the company introduced its original FactsLine product in 1990, which quickly emerged as PCWeek's Analyst's Choice. Other fax products available through Ibex include Fax Broadcast, Precision Fax high resolution document service, Interactive Forms(g), and FDL Fax Description Language. Companies such as high technology firms, government agencies, manufacturers, publishers and service organizations use Ibex fax systems to automate document retrieval. Call 800-289-9998 to receive instant faxed information, including case studies and sample documents from selected customers.

Ibex Technologies Inc

550 Main St, Placerville, CA 95667

916-621-4342,  fax 916-621-2004


TruScan 500 & 800 E-size Document Scanners
TruScan Software for E-size Document Scanners

User Friendly Scanning Software for Vidar's New Scanning Systems

November 1, 1993 -- Vidar Systems Corporation introduces an easy-to-use software package for the TruScan 500 and TruScan 800 Scanning Systems. Vidar combines a highly accurate E-size scanner with software for Windows or Unix workstations to bring excellent imaging capabilities to all levels of the marketplace. TruScan software makes it easy for even first-time users to achieve good results in a very short time.

TruScan software gives you complete control of the scanner from your workstation. Using simple commands, you can choose grayscale or black-and-white scanning and set other attributes, including the image size, resolution, and grayscale brightness. If you don't need to scan the entire document, you can set up a scan window of any size, anywhere in the document. Two views of the image are displayed simultaneously: one is an enlarged view and the other is a convenient reference image of the entire drawing. For applications demanding the best possible image quality, TruScan' s unique "rocker mode" allows you to fine-tune the scanner by driving it repeatedly back and forth over a particular area of interest. First-time users can achieve great results immediately by choosing one of the preset document templates for blueprints, sepias, pencil, ink on Mylar, and black-on-white.

With the scanned document in memory, you can work on the image using TruScan's clean-up and editing tools, including deskew, despeckle, erase, cut, copy and paste. Take advantage, too, of exceptionally fast viewing functions--zoom, pan. rotate, invert and mirror. When you are satisfied the document is ready for archiving, you can save it to disk using any of the numerous file formats listed on the following page. You also have the capability to retrieve a file in one format and return it to disk in another format.

The TruScan software is bundled with the TruScan 500 and TruScan 800 systems.

Vidar Systems Corp, 520 Herndon Parkway, Herndon, VA 22070

703/471-7070,   Fax: 703/471-1165


Ensoniq Adds Digital Audio Recording to ASR-10
ENSONIQ Adds Digital Audio Recording to the ASR-10

MALVERN, PA, November 3, 1993 -- An operating system upgrade for ENSONIQ's ASR-10 Advanced Sampling Recorder adds digital audio recording to hard disk or to RAM memory. This allows the musician to add up to two tracks of live audio performance to MIDI sequenced tracks for full production in a single product.

The new O.S. Version 2.0 features digital Audio Tracks which can be recorded to either DiskTracks (SCSI hard drive) or to RAMTracks (internal memory). This upgrade makes the ASR-10 the first instrument of its kind to integrate a sampling workstation with digital audio capabilities. The floppy disk-based software will be available free to all ASR-10 owners upon its release in November 1993, and will be the standard operating system shipped with all ASR-10 samplers at that time as well.

Audio Tracks work like additional sequencer tracks, recording incoming audio instead of MIDI data. They can be recorded in conjunction with individual sequences, or as part of a complete song consisting of multiple sequences linked together. The ASR-10's locate mechanism allows users to instantly move to any section of music and resume playback of both MIDI and audio data.

Tracks can be recorded at 44.1 kHz or 29.76 kHz sampling rates, in mono or stereo, with punch in/out recording and auditioning of all recording and editing. Audio can be recorded via the analog inputs, or through the optional DI-10 digital interface (S/PDIF format).

Recording can be routed through the onboard 24-bit effects processor for signal conditioning or coloration, and tracks can be bounced down through the effects for multiple effects processing. Included with the disk are 12 new 44.1 kHz effect algorithms to enhance all digital recording. Two tracks can also be bounced down to one, making room for further recording.

"The ASR-10 was designed with the flexibility to expand its capabilities so we can support our customers with ongoing upgrades and improvements," said Steve Claflin, Vice President of Marketing. "Adding digital audio to the ASR-10 offers our customers a significant breakthrough in home composition and production, and we're pleased to provide the Version 2.0 software to all ASR-10 owners at no cost." Plans to further expand ASR-10 capabilities with future operating system enhancements are also being developed, according to Claflin.

The O.S. Version 2.0 requires ROM version 1.5, which may require installing new ROMs for a nominal fee. For further information on the upgrade or to determine your ROM version, please contact ENSONIQ Corp, 155 Great Valley Parkway, P.O. Box 3035, Malvern, PA 19355-0735; (800) 553-5151 or (215) 647-3930.

Headquartered outside of Philadelphia, PA, ENSONIQ Corp is a leader in designing and manufacturing innovative sound products based on its advanced, custom microchip technology. It is one of only 100 companies worldwide with the ability to design fully-custom microchips inhouse. ENSONIQ provides consumers with genuine breakthrough technology at affordable prices for products including musical instruments, signal processors, multimedia hardware, and hearing aids. The largest manufacturer of electronic keyboards in the U.S., ENSONIQ has sold more sampling keyboards than any company in the world.


Ensoniq Upgrades TS-10 Performance Synthesizer
ENSONIQ Upgrades TS-10 Performance/Composition Synthesizer

MALVERN, PA, November 3, 1993 -- ENSONIQ has upgraded the TS-10 Performance/Composition Synthesizer by adding four new significant features--SoundFinderlM, TempoTrack, Auto-Load of sampled sounds, and read-only SCSI support--and also by revoicing the TS-10's ROM/RAM sounds. ROM chips for making the TS-10 Version 2.0 upgrade are available free to TS-10 owners, requiring a repair station charge for installation.

The 300 ROM sounds in the TS-10 have been revoiced to provide greater expression and diversity with a finer degree of sonic accuracy, and the 300 Presets have been revised for a wider range of performance needs. With ENSONIQ's exclusive SoundFinder, the TS-10 now allows the user to search for sounds by musical category to locate any type of sound quickly and easily. The TS-10's 24-track on-board sequencer also includes TempoTrack, a feature which allows the musician to add ritards or accelerandos by editing tempo changes after recording a song.

The new Auto-Load feature enhances TS-10 sampled sound playback capabilities by automatically reloading samples last used upon power up, or automatically retrieving sounds for a specific song from disk or via SCSI. The new software supports the optional read-only SCSI interface (SP-4) for fast loading of sampled sounds from ENSONIQ format CD-ROMs and hard drives. In addition, the upgrade includes Wake Up Mode Parameters, allowing the user to choose the mode, and even the page, where the system will "wake up" when the TS-10 is powered-on.

The Version 2.0 upgrade is now a feature of all manufactured TS-10s. ROM chips for making this upgrade are available free to current TS-10 owners for installation at an Authorized ENSONIQ Repair Station, which may require an installation charge. For further information, call ENSONIQ Corp at 1-800-553-5151.

Headquartered outside of Philadelphia, PA, ENSONIQ Corp is a leader in designing and manufacturing innovative sound products based on its advanced, custom microchip technology. It is one of only 100 companies worldwide with the ability to design fully-custom microchips inhouse. ENSONIQ provides consumers with genuine breakthrough technology at affordable prices for products including musical instruments, signal processors, multimedia hardware, and hearing for products including musical instruments, signal processors, multimedia hardware, and hearing aids; The largest manufacturer of electronic keyboards in the U.S., ENSONIQ has sold more sampling keyboards than any company in the world.

ENSONIQ Corp

155 Great Valley Parkway, P.O. Box 3035, Malvern, PA 19355-0735

(800) 553-5151 or (215) 647-3930.


Ensoniq Intros TS-12 Performance Synthesizer
ENSONIQ Introduces TS-12 Performance/Composition Synthesizer

MALVERN, PA, November 3, 1993--ENSONIQ's latest addition to its family of synthesizer workstations, the TS-12 Performance/Composition Synthesizer, integrates all the capabilities of the TS-10 synthesizer with the 76-key keyboard of the KS-32 Weighted Action MIDI Studio. The TS-12 also premiers three new ENSONIQ features--SoundFinder which allows the user to quickly find specific types of sounds by musical categories; Auto-Load which automatically restores sample memory each time the TS-12 is powered-on; and TempoTrack, a sequencing feature which allows variable tempo changes after recording.

A weighted action keyboard with velocity and channel pressure and a 76-key range gives the TS-12 the same feel and dynamic response of an acoustic piano. The keyboard action was refined by working with musicians to develop 12 velocity curves that cover a broad range of playing styles. Designed to be powerful yet easy to use, the TS-12 also has the same advanced sound, sequencing, and performance control capabilities found in its sister instrument, the TS-10.

With 300 Sound Programs (1,200 including Patch Select variations) and 300 Performance Presets, the TS-12 offers sounds ranging from acoustic pop and orchestral instruments, to exotic world music and keyboard synth textures, to dance/rap groove sounds and drum kits. ENSONIQ's exclusive SoundFinder allows the musician to search for these sounds by musical categories to locate any type of sound quickly and easily.

The range of sounds on the TS-12 can be expanded even further with the ability to load and edit up to 20 sampled sound disks from the ENSONIQ family of ASR/EPS samplers, with up to 8 megabytes of RAM. The new Auto-Load feature automatically reloads sounds that were last in memory or are needed for a specific song. An optional SCSI interface (SP-4) loads sampled sounds from CD-ROM and other SCSI drives.

The sequencer can hold up to 60 sequences/songs in memory, with a 30,000 note memory, expandable to 97,000 notes. Other sequencing features include non-destructive editing, range editing, step-entry and multi-track recording, swing, percentage, and random quantization options.

Performance capabilities of the TS-12 include complete control over both internal and external MIDI sound sources, allowing the musician to map out sounds in advance of a live performance. Convenient controls allow splits, layers, and special combination settings to be made quickly, taking advantage of the TS-12's 76-key range. MIDI master control features provide 24-zone capability with separate key zone, velocity split, volume, panning, transpose, detune, controller enables, MIDI channel, MIDI bank select and program changes, MIDI status, pressure type, and more per zone.

Other features of the TS-12 include: 73 dynamic 24-bits effects algorithms derived from ENSONIQ's DP/4 Parallel Effects Processor with 692 preprogrammed variations; HyperWave voice architecture for selecting wave sequencing style synthesis; 6 Megabyte waveform ROM with 254 16-bit multisampled waveforms including ENSONIQ's exclusive TransWaves for dynamic timbral change from a single wave form; Patch Select buttons for instant access to four preprogrammed sound variations; high density disk drive which can store sound and sequence data and also MIDI System Exclusive data from external devices; four polyphonic outputs; and inputs for two programmable dual footpedals and a control voltage pedal.

Headquartered outside of Philadelphia, PA, ENSONIQ Corp is a leader in designing and manufacturing innovative sound products based on its advanced, custom microchip technology. It is one of only 100 companies worldwide with the ability to design fully-custom microchips inhouse. ENSONIQ provides consumers with genuine breakthrough technology at affordable prices for products including musical instruments, signal processors, multimedia hardware, and hearing aids. The largest manufacturer of electronic keyboards in the U.S., ENSONIQ has sold more sampling keyboards than any company in the world.

ENSONIQ Corp

155 Great Valley Parkway, P.O. Box 3035, Malvern, PA 19355-0735

(800) 553-5151 or (215) 647-3930.


NSSI Expands UPS Product Line
NSSI EXPANDS PRODUCT LINE WITH NEW 2KVA AND 1.2KVA UPSs

New Extended Battery Runtime Models Incorporate Better Power Fault Tolerance

SPECIAL TO COMDEX November 15, 1993 - Network Security Systems Inc. (NSSI), a recognized leader in uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) and UPS power management software, introduced two new 2KVA (2000VA, 1600 watt) UPSs and a new 1.2KVA (1200VA, 960 watt) extended runtime model. The IPS/A.I. 2000 provides affordable power protection for large, high-powered servers, networked computers and telecommunications equipment. An extended battery runtime version of the 2KVA, the IPS/A.I. 2000X is also offered. The new IPS A.I. 1200X is also an extended battery runtime model. The products are available now. Prices start at $1599.

In the extended runtime models, a battery charger has been incorporated into each individual battery pack. An independent battery charger enables users to configure the UPS with an unlimited number of battery packs without increasing the required recharge time. This differs from other manufacturers' systems which incorporate only a single battery charger in the UPS itself, an approach which increases the recharge time required. During this additional recharge time the system is left unprotected, leaving data susceptible to corruption or loss. This freedom from battery charging constraints makes NSSI's IPS/A.I 1200X and 2000X the most versatile and reliable UPSs available.

The new IPS A.I.. units have been designed lo work in conjunction with NSSI's award-winning LanSafe II network power management software, preventing data corruption and enabling users to interactively manage UPSs protecting network devices. LanSafe II software is available for Novell NetWare and UNIX. The new UPSs can also be integrated with NSSI's newest offerings: LanSafe II for NMS, an SNMP-compatible software product; and EmPower Link, an ethernet-ready processor for hub power management and control.

"The extended runtime capability is an absolute necessity for many mission-critical applications, especially for users in the telecom arena or with larger servers," said Stephen Nye, president of NSSI. "Until now, the ability to extend runtime has been limited because, with daisy-chained battery packs, you quickly reach a point where you can't recharge the batteries fast enough to provide reasonable protection against subsequent power outages. We've taken great care in our design to address this battery recharging problem and build our UPSs for superior power backup protection."

The IPS/A.I. 2000 has a half-load runtime of 21 minutes and a full-load runtime of 7 minutes. The IPS/A.I. 1200X has a half-load runtime of 45 minutes and a full-load runtime of 17 minutes. Additional battery packs, which can be configured to meet any backup time requirement, are offered for $459 each. All NSSI UPSs are microprocessor-controlled and capable of two-way communication via an RS-232 serial port. This enables the LanSafe II software to receive power failure notifications from the UPSs and react by performing an unattended orderly shutdown of a network's file structure.

NSSI's family of UPSs include models ranging from 300VA/210 watts through 2KVA/1600 watts. Support is provided for Novell NetWare and NMS, Microsoft Windows, OS/2, Banyan, DOS, LAN Manager, LAN Server, Windows NT and 3COM. The company's products are available through many leading value-added resellers and distributors including Dell, Ingram Micro, Merisel, 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


QuickTax V1.04 Planner/Estimator Updated
QuickTax v1.04 Planner/Estimator UPDATE

November 9, 1993 -- Version 1.04 now includes the new tax rate schedules and other changes from The 1993 Deficit Reduction Tax Law legislation recently enacted by Congress and signed into law by the President so it is completely up to date and won't have to be updated this January as other more complex forms type programs are. l have designed this program to be very easy, fast and simple enough for anyone to use. No manual is needed. Everything is online and there is only one short menu to read.

QuickTax Program Description

If you pay taxes, you NEED QuickTax - the super tax planner and estimator! Unless you know the new tax laws, they can affect you in ways you never dreamed possible! You'll get the most from deductions, credits, IRAs, savings plans, pensions, social security, capital gains, dividends and interest. Accurately determine filing status, dependencies, withholding allowances, estimated payments and more. Avoid overpayment, underpayment and penalties. NO confusing Tax Forms and flow charts to wade through and understand. Easy entry. Automatic prompts guide you through all entries.

Computes credits and self-employment, AMT and capital gains taxes automatically to keep you up to date on your tax liability. Accurately determine filing status, dependency, filing requirements and number of withholding allowances. Use the hyperspeed review mode to update returns. Ideal for client interviewing by Tax Professionals. QuickTax is an excellent guide for filling out your own tax return. How should you file - single or head of household, married, separate or qualifying widow(er)? Find out with QuickTax.

QuickTax combines speed with simplicity. No manuals to learn. Everything is online. Only one easy menu. Start with "Q" or anywhere. Once or twice around the track and you will be a power user!

Bates Engineering & Software Development

2742 Swansboro Rd, Placerville, CA 95667

Phone/fax: 916-622-1886

(Member Association of Shareware Professionals)


PC Interface for SIMCHECK Memory Tester

Aristo Computers Inc. of Oregon, announces a low cost PC Communication Package for the SIMCHECK Memory tester.

November 8, 1993 -- The PC Communication Package provides a versatile link between an IBM-compatible PC and the SIMCHECK Memory Tester. The link provides added benefits that are not available in the stand-alone mode. Test results can be saved on the hard disk and viewed or printed at a later time. An unlimited number of test scripts can be set up and stored for future use. The user-friendly interface takes full advantage of the PC's graphic color screen. At the same time, the screen menu simulates the SIMCHECK control panel, providing an intuitive interface for existing users. SIMCHECK's activities can be fully controlled by the keyboard, mouse, or SIMCHECK's own control panel.

The PC interface is optional! Unlike other memory testers that require a PC, SIMCHECK can still operate in a stand alone mode.

The Communication Package consists of a small serial interface module that connects to SIMCHECK's expansion slot, an RS232 serial cable, and communication software for the PC.

SIMCHECK memory testers have been used worldwide since 1990. The basic SIMCHECK tests all standard SIMM and SIP memory modules with 8 or 9 bits of 64K, 256K, 1Meg, 4Meg or 16Meg. Additionally, the modular product line offers 14 adapters for complete test coverage of DRAM and SRAM, as well as most less common SIMM modules. All products come with a 30 day money back guarantee and a one year warranty. A SIMM Handler device that provides hands-free operation is also available for high volume SIMM testing.

The PC COMMUNICATION PACKAGE retails for $295. SIMCHECK itself retails for $995.

The SIMCHECK product line has been developed by Innoventions, Inc. and marketed by Aristo Computers, Inc. For additional information call 800/327-4786, 503/626-6333, or fax 503/626-6492.


Interactive Multimedia Assoc Convergence Forum
Leaders of seven major industries driving convergence and national digital highway to meet at IMA Convergence Forum

ANNAPOLIS, MD--NOVEMBER 10, 1993--Leaders of seven major industries who are driving the development of the national digital information highway will be meeting in early 1994 through the Interactive Multimedia Association's (IMA) second "Convergence Forum." The first forum was held June 2 and 3, 1993 in Boulder, Colorado. Senior business and technical management from the cable television, telecommunications, computer, consumer electronics, publishing, broadcast, and film industries are meeting to discuss the major business, technology and policy issues needing to be resolved to help make the Information Highway a reality.

The Convergence Forum is spearheaded by IMA board member Philip Corman, corporate manager, Interactive Video Services, Digital Equipment Corporation, and will address a number of key issues in the industry, including:

* Cross-industry cooperation on policy, patent and regulatory issues.

The IMA's goal is to foster industry cooperation with the appropriate government agencies to develop strong policies that support the emergence of the Information Highway. The forum will also include discussions regarding competitiveness, cost-effectiveness, public access, patents and copyright/licensing.

* Technical issues which will facilitate the convergence of the various industries.

* Major requirements and obstacles confronting publishers and information providers which may limit the delivery of interactive programming and content over interactive video services (such as interactive TV).

These topics include the protection of assets in a networked environment (avoiding piracy), cost-effective creation of content (combining text, video, photos and graphics is often expensive and very time-consuming), and securing the timely delivery of content to users.

"The IMA Convergence Forum is a unique initiative that serves as a productive meeting ground for the diverse industries that will play a major role in the development of future new technologies," said Corman. "In addition to our role in bringing together industries, we're also heavily involved with setting up a productive partnership with appropriate governmental agencies to ensure open discussion of the issues, fairness, competitiveness and cost-effectiveness."

"Because this convergence of technology and industries includes so many critical businesses, and is closely tied to current White House administration goals, the issues that arise dwarf all previous issues facing these industries separately," Corman said.

Companies and organizations that participated in the first Convergence Forum included representatives from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), Public Broadcast Systems (PBS), National Broadcasting Company (NBC), McGraw-Hill, Time Warner, Continental Cable, Cable Labs, US West, Ameritech, Panasonic, Phillips, Mitsubishi, Microsoft, Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), Apple Computer, Kaleida, Sun, and Intel.

The IMA expects to announce the exact date and location of the second meeting of the Convergence Forum later this month.

The Interactive Multimedia Association is an international trade association with more than 260 member companies and organizations representing all areas of the multimedia industry. Its mission is to promote the development of interactive multimedia applications and reduce existing barriers to the widespread use of multimedia technology.

Interactive Multimedia Association

3 Church Circle, Suite 800, Annapolis, MD 21401-1933

410-626-1380,  fax 410-263-0590


Concise Guide to MS-DOS Batch Files
Concise Guide to MS-DOS Batch Files, Third Edition

Bestselling Guide to Creating and Using Timesaving Batch Files Now Covers MS-DOS through Version 6.2

The handy guide from Microsoft Press that's taken the mystery out of the batch file language for thousands of computer users has been updated to cover MS-DOS through version 6.2.

The CONCISE GUIDE TO MS-DOS BATCH FILES by Kris Jamsa shows readers how to create, save, and run simple batch files to customize their systems. No programming experience or additional software is needed--just this book and a computer running the MS-DOS operating system.

Batch files save time, reduce keystrokes and errors, simplify the execution of difficult commands, and can be used again and again. For readers already familiar with batch files, this book will uncover new uses and enhancements, such as how to:

* Use the CHOICE command to make batch files interactive

* Create icons that will run batch files from within Microsoft

  Windows

* Use ANSI.SYS to make screen displays more colorful

* Use the DEBUG command to create simple programs that enhance

  batch file capabilities

This book will also teach readers how to create macro definitions using the DOSKEY command. An extensive table of contents and a comprehensive index help readers quickly locate information on any topic in the book.

Kris Jamsa is the author of more than 40 computer books on a wide range of topics, including MS-DOS, hard disk management, MS-DOS batch files, and Microsoft Windows. Many of his books have appeared on bestseller lists across the country, and collectively they have sold over one million copies.

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 leading 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.

Concise Guide to MS-DOS Batch Files

by Kris Jamsa

$12.95, 224 pages, ISBN: 1-55615-638-3

Pub. Date: November 22, 1993

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

206-882-8080,  800-MSPRESS


Running Word 6 for Windows, Second Edition

The Microsoft Press- Guide to Mastering the Power and Features of Microsoft Word for Windows

RUNNING WORD 6 FOR WINDOWS--the easiest, most effective way to produce professional looking documents with Word version 6 for Windows--is now available from Microsoft Press.

Author Russell Borland, a member of the original Microsoft Word for Windows product-design team, pulls out all the stops to make this classic resource better than ever. User-friendly icons point out the powerful and timesaving features of version 6. Screen illustrations and hands-on examples bring Word for Windows to life. Improved navigational features in the book make it easy for readers to zero in on the help they need. And power tips provide valuable insights and helpful shortcuts. Users at every level of experience will discover what serious Microsoft Word for Windows users have known for years: this is the book to turn to for fast, expert help. Here's what's covered:

* Word for Windows Basics--starting Word and using the various menus, commands, toolbars, and buttons needed to create and refine a document

* Pillars of Word for Windows--using the central features of Word: styles, fields, templates and wizards, macros and commands, tables and forms

* Simplifying Document Tasks--using the features of Word to simplify creating elaborate page layouts and mail merges

* Creating Compound Documents--incorporating graphical and other elements to enhance the beauty and information density of a document

Borland also explains in detail how users can streamline "behind-the-scenes" document preparation to:

* Automatically format documents with AutoFormat and tables with Table AutoFormat

* Create custom styles and macros to mold Word to users' preferences

* Link text and graphics within documents, across documents, and across Windows-based programs

* Use the enhanced mail-merge feature to create form letters and address lists

Appendixes provide information about fields and instructions for using them--the only complete printed description of Word 6 fields available as well as additional in-depth information about customizing Word for Windows. Comprehensive tables of contents for each section and each chapter make it easy for readers to quickly scan for help, and a thorough, fully cross-referenced index helps readers pinpoint information about any topic in the book. In short, RUNNING WORD 6 FOR WINDOWS is the definitive guide to the world's most popular document processing software program.

Russell Borland's unique perspective as a member of the original Microsoft Word for Windows product-design team makes him one of the top authorities on Word. He is the author of Microsoft WordBasic Primer, Running Microsoft Mail for Windows, Getting Started with Windows 3.1, and the coauthor of Windows 3.1 Companion and Windows for Workgroups Companion, all published by Microsoft Press.

RUNNING WORD 6 FOR WINDOWS is the newest software guide in the Running series from Microsoft Press. Books in this series are comprehensive references and tutorials that go beyond the documentation. Valuable to quick-learning novices and advanced users alike, they feature both outstanding instruction and in-depth information that users can find easily. Other titles in the series include the classic Running MS-DOS by Van Wolverton, the bestselling Running Microsoft Excel from The Cobb Group, Running Windows 3.1 by Craig Stinson, the previously mentioned Running Microsoft Mail for Windows by Russell Borland, Running Visual Basic for Windows by Ross Nelson, Running Microsoft Access by John Viescas, and Running Microsoft FoxPro for Windows and Running Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS, both by Sal Ricciardi.

Microsoft Press is the book division of Microsoft Corporation and the leading publisher of quality computer books about Microsoft products. More than 10 million users at all skill levels rely on a complete line of Microsoft Press books to make leading 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.

Running Word 6 for Windows

by Russell Borland

832 pages, $29.95; ISBN: 1-55615-574-3

Pub. Date: November 11, 1993

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

206-882-8080,  800-MSPRESS


Microsoft Word 6 for Windows Step by Step
Self-Paced Training from Microsoft Press

Microsoft Word 6 for Windows Step by Step

The Fastest Way to Learn Word 6 for Windows

Training yourself, your company, or your customers just got easier with MICROSOFT WORD 6 FOR WINDOWS' STEP BY STEP, 2nd ed.--the book-and-disk self-paced training package from Microsoft Press.

This timesaving tool is a cost-effective alternative to traditional classroom training. Beginners, upgraders, and those switching from other word processors benefit from the book' s modular approach to teaching Microsoft Word for Windows. Newcomers to Microsoft Word for Windows will be amazed at how quickly and easily they'll be able to produce professional looking documents. Readers already familiar with previous versions of the software can turn directly to the information they need in lessons that explore new version 6 features. 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 40 minutes to complete and is generously illustrated with real world examples and is fully integrated with the practice files on disk. Readers can track their progress for each lesson. Each progressive lesson builds on concepts presented in previous lessons. Readers will learn to use Microsoft Word 6 for Windows to:

* Automate work with features such as AutoCorrect, AutoText,

  and AutoFormat

* Create drawings, charts, and graphs and insert them into

  Word documents

* Take advantage of multiple toolbars

* Save time with Wizards, templates, and ready-to-use forms

Appendixes discuss customizing the many Word for Windows menu and display options. A glossary makes looking up terms easy, and the comprehensive index helps students and trainers quickly find information on any topic in the book.

MICROSOFT WORD 6 FOR WINDOWS STEP BY STEP is one element of a comprehensive, three-tiered software training solution for end users, educators, and corporations. These Microsoft-approved training materials are designed to provide consistent training quality, save actual training and materials preparation time, and for the first time offer an easy way to "train the trainer." Instructor' s Guides assist educators in building instructor-led classroom curricula around the Step by Step Books. Courseware Development Kits (CDKs) offer customizable courseware development for use in training centers and corporate settings.

The book includes one 720-KB 3.5-inch disk and ordering information for a 1.2-MB 5.25-inch disk. Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1 or later and Microsoft Word version 6 are required.

MICROSOFT WORD FOR WINDOWS 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 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, Microsoft Mail for Windows Step by Step, and Microsoft Windows NT 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 leading 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 Word 6 for Windows Step by Step, 2nd ed.

by Catapult Inc; 336 pages, $29.95; ISBN: 1-55615-576-X

Pub. Date November 17. 1993

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

206-882-8080,  800-MSPRESS


Artisoft Signs CompUSA Volume Purchase Agreemnt
ARTISOFT SIGNS VOLUME PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH COMPUSA

(TUCSON, AZ - Nov. 2, 1993) - Artisoft, Inc. announced today that it has signed a volume purchase agreement with CompUSA Inc., a retailer of Artisoft products for more than two years. CompUSA will market the LANtastic network operating system and the complete line of Artisoft networking hardware and software through its nationwide chain of Computer Superstores as well as through CompUSA's direct sales organization serving corporate, governmental and institutional customers.

"CompUSA's strong presence in the market and popular superstore format provide an ideal setting for our growing line of scalable networking products, especially the new Simply LANtastic network, which is designed for the small office and home office customer," commented Dave Hallmen, Artisoft's Vice President of Sales & Marketing. "This direct relationship gives both companies the opportunity to enhance product placement, presentation and training at CompUSA Computer Superstores."

CompUSA Inc. currently operates 59 high-volume Computer Superstores in 32 major metropolitan areas throughout the United States. Its 25,000-squarefoot Computer Superstores offer more than 5,000 microcomputer products, including hardware, software, accessories and related products, at discount prices to retail, business, governmental and institutional customers. CompUSA also offers full-service technical departments and classroom training facilities at each store.

Artisoft develops and manufactures a full line of innovative, cost-effective network communication solutions including the award-winning LANtastic network operating system. 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


Alone in the Dark for CD-ROM
ALONE IN THE DARK, a Revolutionary Virtual Adventure PC Game now available for the CD-ROM

Santa Monica, CA--October 25, 1993--In another sign of the explosive demand for multimedia based entertainment, I-MOTION announced today the release of the award winning adventure game Alone In The Dark, for CD-ROM. Based on the work of the famous novelist H. P. Lovecraft, Alone In The Dark takes the player on a Journey through a strange and mysterious Victorian mansion. The game features advanced camera point-of-view technology. Each screen in Alone In The Dark has up to 9 camera positions. Following the player's movement, the computer calculates and presents the best camera shot. The game also features 3D real-time animation in VGA graphics mode, suspense-building stereo music and sound effects, 2 hours of digitized spoken narration, and a special save function that displays a visual image of the scene where the game was saved.

With over 200,000 floppy disk copies of the game sold worldwide, Alone In The Dark has won the praises of numerous game critics and the prizes such as the "Golden Triad Award" from Computer Game Review and "Adventure Game of The Year" from Computer Gaming World.

Commenting on the release for CD-ROM, I-MOTION president Bruno Bonnell said, "Alone In The Dark has acquired a significant following in North America. In the past year, we received numerous requests from consumers and dealers for a CD-ROM version of the game."

The number of CD-ROM hardware systems in American households is estimated at 5 million and represents a new market opportunity for interactive software publishers. Additionally, the huge storage capacity of a CD-ROM allows game designers to incorporate new features into their games such as realistic graphics and symphonic sound. According to Bonnell, the CD-ROM version of Alone In The Dark will feature the voices of live actors who guide the player through the rooms of the dark, mysterious, and at times dangerous Louisiana mansion. "We have gone to great effort to provide a sense of exciting realism", said Bonnell. Alone In The Dark will sell for a suggested retail price of $69.95 and will be available at software retailers such as Babbages, Egghead Software, Electronics Boutique and Software, Etc.

Santa Monica based I-MOTION, Inc. is a leading publisher of interactive software. In addition to Alone In The Dark the company plans to release three more exciting titles in 1994.

I-Motion

1333 Ocean Ave, Suite J, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Tech Support: 310-576-1885

Sales (via Interplay): 714-553-6655


Baker's NewsBits (11/18/93)
According to a news item in Informationweek's Nov 15th issue, Powersoft Corp has signed a letter of intent to acquire the outstanding shares of Watcom Corp, a Waterloo, Ontario maker of application development tools. Powersoft has been bundling Watcom's database engine in their Enterprise series of application development tools. Now the two will further integrate their products, as well as their distribution and marketing capabilities. The deal should be completed early next year.

Apple is expected to introduce Macintosh PCs that run both Macintosh and IBM compatible software. The machines will run Microsoft Windows and DOS software on an Intel 486 microprocessor besides running Mac programs on a Motorola processor. An add-on board with a crossover chip will let users switch between processors without shutting off the machine. Sounds similar to older Amiga Bridgboard capabilities.

Central Point Software is merging with XTree Co. according to reports in a recent issue of Informationweek. XTree's products, including XTreeNet for NetWare and XTree Tools for Networks, will be folded into Central Point's new Network Product Group.

IBM PC Co. stopped shipments of its popular ThinkPad 500 monochrome subnotebook in early November after customer reported technical problems with the battery. Final decision on a resolution should be forthcoming in a few weeks. Despite the malfunction, supposedly IBM PC says it has no plans to discontinue the model. The ThinkPad 500 uses a lead-based battery instead of the nickel metal hydride battery used in all other ThinkPad models.

Computer Associates International Inc. unveiled the first major release of Realizer since CA acquired the Basic language compiler in 1991. The new Version 2 allows Windows applications writtin in Realizer to be recompiled and run natively on OS/2 and vice versa. The new release is the only product that is source-code-compatible between OS/2 and Windows, according to CA. Realizer will become CA's cross-platform macro language, similar to Microsoft's Visual Basic for Applications, and will be bundled into CA applications Complete and Supercalc. CA-Realizer 2.0 will sell for $99 until April.

Children as young as pre-school can learn the basic principals of computer programming by using one of their favorite toys: building blocks. A well-known computer manufacturer has developed a set of blocks called "Algoblock" to teach very basic programming principals. Children can discuss the activity amongst themselves and execute commands by connecting the blocks, which takes the place of typing commands into a keyboard. Each block corresponds to a command of the program language and has a lamp that flashes when a command is executed. The indication lamps enable learners to trace programs. In addition, Algoblock has a feature that allows children to trace the program step by step, which aids in understanding how the program is built. Algoblocks have been "tested" by children in Japan, who seemed immediately interested, trying them out without much explanation.

Seymour Rubinstein, founder of MicroPro International (WordStar) and developer of Quattro Pro, has announced his next project -- UDICO or User Driven Interface Corp. The first new product WYSI-Help is a help authoring system. With WYSI-Help, anyone can put together a comprehensive, context-sensitive help system including hyperlinked text and external program invocation for any application or application grouping. You can generate customized help systems that are easy to understand and are ready for immediate use. Additional ground-breaking products scheduled for future release will be discussed in the coming weeks!


Loan Chief Financial Swr Generates Loan Tables
Know your loan payment options ahead of time by using new software Loan Chief

BOUNTIFUL, UTAH -- November 20, 1993 -- Insight Software Solutions today announced the initial release of the Loan Chief, a financial software package for the IBM PC. Loan Chief is capable of producing tables of loan values as well as complex loan schedules and solving for an unknown loan value.

Loan Chief incorporates "Loan Charts", a concept which allows you to create a table of any type of loan values that you may be in need of (see example chart below). You select the type of loan values you need--loan payments, loan principal amounts, months in a loan or the interest rate. Once chosen, you enter one of the remaining loan values as a constant and the other two as a range of values. Press the View/Print key and a chart is produced showing all loan values specified in the ranges.

"Those seeking loans for cars, homes or any large purchase can now easily estimate what they can afford by using Loan Charts found in the Loan Chief Software program." said Michael D. Jones, President of Insight Software Solutions. "And after producing the chart, they can easily take it with them for instant consultation on the spot."

Professional loan schedules can be generated with varying detail. Special features include the ability to accelerate a loan, to enter any payment amount for each payment period, and to estimate tax savings for mortgages. Acceleration methods include recurring extra payment, variable extra payment, double principal payments and 13 monthly payments per year. These can be illustrated side by side with the original schedule or by themselves.

Professional schedules, reports and summaries can be viewed on screen, printed or sent to an ASCII file. Schedules can be printed on a weekly through annual basis using a calendar or fiscal year. Values may be cumulative or non cumulative and rounded to the dollar or exact cents. All information can be saved and retrieved for multiple clients.

Loan Chief is menu driven with help for all input fields and contains an on-line manual. The menu, help, look and feel all make the program intuitively easy.

The product is designed for anyone seeking a loan and for the professional who may help others with their loan needs. Professionals include accountants, lawyers, financial planners, bankers and real estate professionals. Loan Chief contains options which allow for client and agent names and headers and footnotes which may optionally be bolded for emphasis on the reports.

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

The price of Loan Chief is $25.00 plus shipping and may be obtained from Insight Software Solutions, P.O. Box 354, Bountiful, UT 84011-0354, (801) 295-1890. Site licenses are available. Other software packages available include The Interest Analyzer, The Mortgage Analyzer, The Debt Analyzer and The Annuity Ace.

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


Migrating to Fortran 90

By James F. Kerrigan

389 pages, ISBN: 1-56592-049-X, $27.95 (US)

We have just published this practical guide to Fortran 90 for the  current Fortran programmer. It provides a complete overview of the new  features that Fortran 90 has brought to the Fortran standard, with  examples and suggestions for use. The book discusses older ways of  solving problems--both in Fortran 77 and in common tricks or extensions-- and contrasts them with the new ways provided by Fortran 90.

The book has a practical focus, with the goal of getting the current Fortran programmer up to speed quickly. Two dozen examples of full programs are interspersed within the text, which includes over 4000 lines of working code.

Chapters cover the following topics:

   - Aggregate array operations and array sections.

   - Derived types (structures).

   - Subroutines and functions revisited.

   - Overloaded operators and assignment statements.

   - Modules.

   - Allocatable arrays and pointers.

   - Improvements in file handling.

   - Numeric precision (KIND and numeric intrinsics).

   - Bit manipulation.

   - New intrinsic functions.

This and other O'Reilly products are available in the Americas and Japan through bookstores, or directly from the publisher. Access our gopher catalog by "telnet gopher.ora.com" (log in as "gopher"). To contact us: telephone 707-829-0515 (800-998-9938 in US & Canada); FAX 707-829-0104; email order@ora.com; or write O'Reilly & Associates, 103A Morris St., Sebastopol, CA, 95472, USA.  GSA # GS-02F-6095A.

Our international distributors are:

*  Europe (except German-speaking countries), Middle East, and Africa through International Thomson Publishing, Berkshire House, 168-173 High Holborn, London WC1V 7AA, UK.  Telephone 44-71-497-1422; FAX 44-71-497-1426; or email samantha.jones@itpuk.co.uk

*  German-speaking countries through International Thomson Publishing, Konigswinterer Strasse 418, 53227 Bonn, Germany. Telephone 49-228-445171; FAX 49-228-441342; or email 100272.2422@compuserve.com

*  Asia through International Thomson Publishing, 221 Henderson Rd., #05-10 Henderson Building, Singapore 0315. Telephone 65-272-6496; FAX 65-272-6498

* Australia and New Zealand through WoodsLane, Unit 8, 101 Darley Street, Mona Vale, NSW 2103, Australia.  Telephone 61-2-979-5944; FAX 61-2-997-3348; or email woods@tmx.mhs.oz.au

O'Reilly & Associates

103A Morris Street, Sebastopol CA 95472

707-829-0515, Fax 707-829-0104


Dr. Form Version 3.0 Forms Generation Software
Formerly distributed under the name of Quick Forms, DR. FORM Version 3.0 from IrwinWare is a form making program that will have you making your own Professional Quality Forms in minutes. DR. FORM will make forms up to 63 rows by 136 columns. It is not only one of the easiest Form programs to use, it also has features not usually found in other programs.

-- Full Mouse Support with a new and improved user interface!

-- Access to the entire IBM Extended Character Set

-- Both a manual and an automatic time & date stamp

-- fill in pre-printed forms and make templates to till in

   your existing forms

-- draw lines with the mouse

-- automatic grid maker

-- move, copy and erase features

-- UNDO feature

-- cursor in row & column or inches

-- fill in areas

-- context sensitive help screens

-- set tab stops anywhere on the form

-- duplicate characters

-- make labels

-- print multiple copies

-- more...

You can also load and save files in an ASCII format. Take plain text from another program and dress it up with Dr. Form.

Dr. Form will work with most dot matrix and laser printers that are compatible with the Epson, IBM Proprinter and HP LaserJet series of printers.

Distributed as shareware, check your favorite online service, local BBS, shareware distributor, or contact the author direct at:

IrwinWare

113 Beechmont Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15229

412-931-9577,  fax: 412-931-8442,  CIS: 71045,222


US Software Publishers Well Positioned in Japan
US Software Publishers Well-Positioned in Japan

Sales Increase 48% in First Half of 1993

November 15, 1993 (Washington, DC)- US personal computer application software companies are experiencing significant growth in the Japanese software market, according to a recent report from the Software Publishers Association (SPA) and the Japan Personal Computer Software Association (JPSA).

For the first half of 1993, US publishers' sales increased by 48% to $135.3 million, on an 84% increase in unit sales over the first half of 1992. Japan has grown to become the fourth largest international market for US publishers, after United Kingdom/Ireland ($215 million in the first half of 1993), Germany/Austria ($212 million), and France ($154 million).

For the first half of 1993, US publishers' sales of DOS applications totaled $52.4 million, but declined 21% when compared with the first half of 1992. In contrast, sales of Windows-based and Macintosh-based applications exploded in the half: Windows applications grew 260% to $55.0 million, while Macintosh applications grew 242% to $26.2 million.

"Japan is the only major international market in which DOS-based software is still dominant," said David Tremblay, SPA's Research Director. "Based on sales of both US and Japanese software companies, DOS applications account for about two-thirds of sales in Japan. But the tide is clearly turning - Windows and Macintosh applications are growing significantly faster than are DOS applications. That is good news for US companies, who dominate the applications on these operating systems."

Spreadsheets are far and away the largest application category for US publishers in Japan. For the first half of 1993, spreadsheet sales were $62.2 million, a 39% increase from the first half of 1992. The word processor category was the second largest for US publishers, with sales of $17.5 million. This category showed very good growth in the period, with a 135% increase compared with the first half of 1992. No other category accounted for more than $10 million in sales for US publishers in the half.

Twenty-three US-based software firms participate in the Japan data program by submitting confidential data to the accounting firm of Arthur Andersen, which prepared the report. Among the participants are: Aldus, Borland, Claris, Lotus, Microsoft, Software Publishing, Symantec, and WordPerfect.

The data was collected in 22 software categories (including word processors, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, and others) and in six software platforms (including DOS, Macintosh, and Windows). In addition to the US-based companies, 33 Japan-based companies participate in cooperation with the Japan Personal Computer Software Association (JPSA), a Japanese industry trade association based in Tokyo.

Information on participation is available from the SPA Research Department at (202) 452-1600, x317.

The Software Publishers Association is the principal trade association of the PC software industry. Its 1,000 members represent the leading publishers in the business, consumer, and education markets. Since 1988, the SPA's ongoing surveys of the PC computing software markets have provided the most reliable and authoritative sales, management and trends data in the industry. 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


Contractor's Dream Version 6.0
Contractor's Dream is again made easier and faster to operate, with an easier to understand Industry Standard menuing system, easier and faster way to create your assemblies in one step and with a lot more versatility. Basically enabling you to create your own calculations the way you are used to, without conversion factors to worry about. Again we are listening to you as a customer and have taken notes.

New Features

-- Windows, DOS and Mac version.

-- Expanded and Unlimited Databases.

-- Assembly Specification and Dimensioning all in one screen;

   no more flipping back and forth between screens making the

   program MUCH faster.

-- New improved ways of calculating labor or sub contractors,

   anyway you like, such as by: SQ FT, LN FT, UNITS, HOURS, etc.

-- Bid & Database editor is a full spread sheet, for ease of use.

-- New Industry Standard Menuing system and interfaces.

-- Fully mouse supported, but not a requirement.

Requirements

Windows Version - Windows 3.0 or higher

                  At Least a 286

                  2 Meg of RAM and 3 Meg on hard drive

DOS Version     - At Least a 286

                  2 Meg of RAM and 3 Meg on hard drive

Mac Version     - System 6.0 or higher

                  4 Meg of RAM and 1 Meg on disk

All versions sell for $99 plus $5 shipping and handling, with version 6.0 available in January.

Workhorses Inc

805 14th St, 2nd Floor

Golden, CO 80401

800-777-2477,  fax: 303-279-0411


Wilson WindowWare Windows 3.1 Shareware
Windows 3.1 Shareware from Wilson WindowWare Inc

Address Manager, Reminder, WinEdit, WinBatch, File Commander, Command Post

Address Manager 2.1D - Organize address, phone numbers, birthdays, anniversaries and additional information. Print to Rolodex cards, laser labels and evelopes. Manage up to 32 different lists with any number of individuals per list. You can manage a Christmas card list, a client list, a list of local businesses and a family and friends list. All will even dial the phone numbers for you if you have a modem. $39.95 registration.

Reminder 2.0A - A new time management program that is both simple to use, yet powerful enough to do your work for you without having to be there. Designed to let you set up and view your applications as easily as possible, Reminder sorts items and tasks by date and time placing all items needing attention on top so you can 'see' what is next on your list. Reminder can automatically display messages, dial a phone number, or set alarms to do a variety of tasks. Windows Reminder supports DDE. $59.95 registration.

Command Post 8.0H - A powerful programmable shell for Windows that can completely replace both the Program Manager and the File Manager. It gives users the ability to set up batch file type menus scripts inside the Windows environment. $49.95 registration.

File Commander 2.0K - File Commander adds up to four menu items to the File Manager menu bar. From each of these top-level menu items, File Commander allows you to make up to 99 menu items spread up to five levels deep. The menu items, when selected, execute our extensive Windows Interface Script Language, giving you complete Windows control. $49.95 registration.

WinBatch 4.0L - A batch language interpreter which brings the power of batch language programming to the Windows environment. WinBatch files can run Windows and DOS programs, send keystrokes directly to Windows applications, prompt users for input, present scrollable file and directory lists, display all kinds of information, and pop up dialog boxes. $69.95 registration.

WinEdit 2.0N - Powerful text editor designed to take full advantage of the Windows graphical environment. A fantastic programmer's editor, with features designed for creating and maintaining program source code. Allows users to run their compiler or other programming tool from within the WinEdit environment. $29.95 tyo $89.95 registration/cost.

Wilson WindowWare

2701 California Ave Southwest, Suite 212

Seattle, WA 98116

206-938-1740,  fax 206-935-7129


Competitive Upgrade on Acme Fonts

Silver Graphics proudly announces that our latest, greatest release of attention-grabbing headline sytles, Acme Fonts, is now available for a limited time for the competitive upgrade price of $69.00! This is the full retail package that has sold in recent weeks at the nationally advertised price of $149. This means you can acquire the full diversity of Acme Fonts at a 54% discount. All 64 styles in this package are professional quality. Each character is hand edited for best appearance, kerning pairs are carefully set by eye, and a full character set is included in each font.

Who qualifies for the competitive upgrade? If you own any font package from any other nationally advertised company, you qualify! No proof of ownership required. We're making this offer because we are anxious for you to see just how great our fonts are!

You simply specify Macintosh or Windows and you'll get Acme Fonts in both PostScript Type 1 and TrueType formats. Then your collection of quality typestyles will make even the big print shops jealous. Just look at the selection of headline and display styles. You'll notice right away that the diversity of styles is far greater than font packages from the traditional font houses, and all at an unbelievable low price!

Like you, we care about quality!

-- Characters are carefully hand-rendered, not autotraced

-- Letter spacing and kerning pairs are set by eye

-- Each font has an extensive character set, even includes

   European characters

-- Hinting is used on all fonts that benefit from hints

-- Works with all special effects your application provides

-- Use any font at any size!

Silver Graphics

307 West Morgan Ave, Pennington Gap, VA 24277

800-888-1550,  703-546-3800,  fax 703-546-2380


Software License Terms Competitive Issue
Software License Terms Becomes Competitive Issue in the Software Industry

SPA Study Shows Nine in Ten Publishers Reevaluating Their License Terms and Conditions

November 12, 1993 (Washington, DC) - The license of a personal computer application has become an important part of the product's feature set, according to a recent study of software licensing by the Software Publishers Association (SPA). The study examined the license policies of ten large software publishers: Aldus, Borland, Claris, Corel, Lotus, Microsoft, Software Publishing Corporation, Symantec, Wall Data, and WordPerfect. Topics included concurrent licensing, enterprise or site licensing, licensing for use away from a user's primary desktop computer, and the potential changes to license policies publishers were reviewing.

"Software publishers have come to realize that licensing is not just a legal issue," said SPA Research Director David Tremblay. "For many customers, licensing is also a value issue. Publishers are listening to the needs of their customers and are trying to make application licenses fit the needs. Concurrent use licensing, and flexibility in home/laptop use all came about because users demanded them. As the industry has grown more and more competitive, publishers are changing their licenses to make sure they both protect their intellectual property and really serve the needs of their customers."

Only one of the ten publishers interviewed in the survey said that they were not re-examining their licenses now. Four of the ten said that they were fine tuning or simplifying their license language; the other five publishers were in active review of their licenses.

The 1993 study found that for the most part, the debate over concurrent use, a hot issue in the 1992 study, is over. Most standard business productivity applications licenses now include a provision for concurrent use. The recent study also found that nearly all publishers interviewed offered a site or enterprise license plan. These agreements have evolved to become volume discount agreements, where the pricing per unit goes down as the number of units go up, but the customer pays for each unit used. Under some agreements, the software administrator is given the flexibility to make copies as needed. The customer then pays the publisher or its distribution partner monthly or quarterly for the copies. Many of the enterprise license plans also include an optional maintenance plan, under which the user company is automatically licensed for any upgrades or updates that are issued during the term of the agreement.

Copies of the full study are available without charge from the SPA by writing:

"1993 Business Software License Survey"

Software Publishers Association

1730 M St. NW, Suite 700

Washington, DC 20036-4510

The Software Publishers Association is the principal trade association of the PC software industry. Its 1,000 members represent the leading publishers in the business, consumer, and education markets. The SPA has offices in Washington, DC, and Paris, France.


Elfring Soft Fonts Shareware Products
Elfrint Soft Fonts Shareware Products

Elfring Soft Fonts specializes in making shareware for printers. We make font sets for LaserJet, DeskJet, PostScript, and TrueType printers. Many CD-ROM shareware packages and shareware distributors carry both new and updated versions of most of our font packages:

ESF's TrueType Collection 1,  V1.1

(New Release!) 10 scalable fonts for Windows 3.1 or WP 6.0, with a SETUP program to automatically install them and a tutorial on fonts. Includes: Aapex, Centry, Century bold, Cursive Elegant, Fritz Quad, Fritz Quad Bold, Old English, MicroStile, MicroStile bold, & Zap Chance. ASP Shareware, $25 from Elfring Soft Fonts.

Top Fonts Sampler, V1.3

(Updated!) A collection of 8 TrueType fonts for Windows 3.1 or WP 6.0. Text faces: Nova medium, bold, italic and bold-italic. Display faces: Cooper Black, Cursive Elegant, Future Black, & Old English. Includes a tutorial on TrueType fonts. ASP Shareware $20 from Elfring Soft Fonts.

Super Fonts I, V1.3

(Updated!) A collection of 17 display fonts for LaserJet or compatible printers. Includes: Black Chance, Cooper Black, Cursive Elegant, Dom Casualk, Hobo, Old English, Revenue, Stensil, & Zap Chance plus WP and Word drivers, utility programs, and a tutorial on soft font. ASP Shareware $35 from Elfring Soft Fonts.

LaserJet Fonts and Utilities, V1.7

(Updated!) 23 soft fonts for LaserJet or compatible printers. Includes utility programs, print drivers for WP adn MS Word/Works, and tutorial on soft fonts. Black Chance, Broadway, Century, Greek, Flourish, Helv, Roman & Script fonts. ASP Shareware $25 from Eflring Soft Fonts.

TSR Download, V2.9d

(Updated!) The soft font manager for LaserJet or DeskJet soft fonts. 7K TSR compresses fonts to cut size by a factor of 6, finds all fonts in up to 8 separate subdirectories, and displays them in English. You can download, control the printer, and much more. Comes with sample LJ & DJ soft fonts. ASP Shareware $45 from Elfring Soft Fonts.

LaserJet III & IV Scalable Fonts, V1.3

(Updated!) Five scalable PCL5 fonts for LaserJet Series III & IV printers. WordPerfect & MS Word/Works printer drivers plus a tutorial on fonts. Includes: Baha, Cooper Black, Cooper Italic, Penoir, & ESF Rounded. ASP Shareware $29 from Elfring Soft Fonts.

DeskJet Fonts & Utilities, V1.5

(Updated!) A collection of 18 soft fonts for the HP DeskJet family of printers. Includes utillity programs, drivers for WP, MS Word/Works, PC Write, and others, plus a tutorial on soft fonts. DeskJet owners must have an external RAM cartridge in order to use soft fonts. Helv, Roman, Old English, Dingbats, and Square typefaces. ASP Shareware $25 from Elfring Soft Fonts.

Elfring Soft Fonts

PO Bos 61, Wasco, IL 60183

708-377-3520,  fax 708-377-6402,  CIS 72417,3437


Alive Software Fall 1993 Shareware Games
Alive Software - Fall 1993 Shareware Game Updates

Billy The Kid 1.0 -- A 3D VGA Western Action Arcade Game. Includes many levels, 256 color scrolling action, escape from prison, survive the New Mexico desert, rattle snakes, buffaloes, bombs, gunmen and other surprises. Explore the old man's mine and his army of mice, fight with gangs, cross Ghost-towns, find treasures, face deadly enemies, Apache warriors and Sheriff's lethal six shooter. Requires VGA, 286-16 and 530K of free memory. Options: joystick, SoundBlaster, EMS, XMS.

VGA Jigsaw Puzzle 2.1 -- the most sophisticated Jigsaw Puzzle for the PC. It unleashes the color and brilliance of VGA and SVGA up to 800x600x256 colors. Loads a puzzle on the screen and then shuffles the pieces. Can you put them back together? Features 5 levels, several puzzles, music, GIF/PCX file support is also available. Requires: VGA, MCGA or SVGA. Options: mouse, AdLib and SoundBlaster.

VGA Sharks 1.5 -- Underwater action arcade game. As the Scubaman you collect rare marine creatures from the bottom of the sea, avoid deadly white sharks, killer jellyfish and ray-bats. Armed only with your stun-gun and equipped with your Electrosonic cage. It utilizes unique Artificial Intelligence, Simulation and Classic Animation techniques to transform your computer screen into a realistic ocean floor. Requires VGA graphics and 286-16 or better. Options: mouse, joystick, SoundBlaster.

VGA Concentration 2.1 -- build your memory skills and challenge yoru mind with this colorful card matching game. It uses the unique capabilities of VGA graphics. AdLib or SoundBlaster music, easy user interface, 3 Levels of difficulty and great graphics. Fun for kids and grown-ups too. Requires VGA or SVGA and 512K memory. Options: mouse, AdLib, SoundBlaster.

Animal Quest 2.0 -- Step into the wild world of Nature as a forest animal. Discover your prey, avoid your predators. Collect energy tokens and survive. A never ending adventure. Includes foxes, fears, rabbits, wolves and many more animals. Take a walk on the wild side. A fun game filled with sound effects, music and graphics. Requires: EGA/VGA. Options: mouse, SVGA, SoundBlaster.

Crazy Shuffle 1.5 -- a fun memory game for any age. Challenging and educational puzzle game sometimes called CONCENTRATION, it tests the player's memory and concentration skills. It is a picture matching game with colorful graphics, a lot of levels, SoundBlaster or PC speaker music and game variations. Use a mouse or the keyboard. Requires EGA/VGA/Hercules/CGA. Options: mouse, AdLib, SoundBlaster.

Magic Crayon 2.1 -- a coloring game for kids 3 to 12. A creative experience for kids who like to explore and experiment with color and shapes. includes several pictures for coloring, music, Icon-based menu. New version features coloring book, alphabet, numbers, shading, funny cartoons and great children's music. Requires: EGA or VGA and a mouse. Options: AdLib, SoundBlaster music.

Scubaman's Quest -- features underwater action arcade, scrolling graphics, SoundBlaster music. This game uses the same technology as Billy The Kid, but the graphics are even more elaborate. Requrires VGA graphics and 286-16 or better. Options: mouse, joystick, SoundBlaster.

All above from Alive Software, check your favorite online service, local BBS or shareware distributor for copies!

Alvie Software

PO Box 4004, Santa Clara, CA 95056


Integrity Master Visus Protection Software
Don't settle for just virus protection. Integrity Master protects you against all threats!

Integrity Master solves these common problems:

-- Did my disk utility really fix that file?

-- Do I have a virus?

-- What is the name of the virus and what does it do?

-- Did that buffy program damage something on my disk?

-- I thought I had 60MB of disk space free -- where did it go?

-- CHKDSK reports errors. Which files were damaged?

-- Did someone change a file while I was away from my PC?

-- Are all my files restored correctly from my backup?

Integrity Master is a high performance (100% assembly language) program offering virus protection, data integrity, security and change management all in one easy to use package. It detects hardware glitches, software bugs, and even deliberate sabotage to your data. If a virus strikes, Integrity Master identifies it by name and (unlike other programs) also identifies any damage caused by the virus. It will even detect new and unknown viruses, saving you time and money since you don't have to upgrade every month to detect the latest virus.

Distinquishing features:

-- Integrity Master recognizes known viruses by name and will describe their characteristics and then allow you to (optionally) remove them. Unlike other programs, Integrity Master detects damage caused by a virus, not merely infected files.

-- It can detect not only existing viruses, but also as yet unknown viruses. Unlike other programs, which you must constantly update to keep ahead of the current crop of viruses, Integrity Master continues to protect you.

-- Integrity Master checks your CMOS configuration memory and provides an intelligent display of any important changes. If needed, it can restore your CMOS memory (the full CMOS, not just the old 64 byte PC/AT CMOS!)

-- Integrity Master detects any form of file or program corruption, not just that caused by viruses. This makes Integrity Master a useful tool to provide PC security, change management and hardware error detection. Why spend your time merely checking for viruses when you give your PC a complete check out with Integrity Master?

-- Integrity Master understands which files and areas on your disk are special and provides special specific diagnosis and recovery if these areas have changed.

-- Integrity Master can reload system sectors on disks which are so badly damaged that DOS can no longer recognize them.

-- Integrity Master provides easy to use menus with context sensitive help plus a complete tutorial. Integrity Master is designed so you can start using it immediately -- no need to open the manual!

Requirements: DOS 2.0 or later, 256K free memory

Cost: $35 plus $4.50 shipping (US and Canada)

(ASP Shareware)

Stiller Research

2625 Ridgeway St, Tallahassee, FL 23219

800-622-2793 or 708-397-1221


Research Assistant V3.0.2 Text Gathering Tool
VSG Ships Speed Reading and Text Gathering Upgrade

Point Reyes Station CA November 6,1993. The Vitale Software Group announces release 3.0.2 of Research Assistant. RA 3.0.2 has a new interface, expanded hypertext linking, dynamic keyword highlighting, a new source reference annotation scheme, word wrap for downloaded text and a small manual.

Research Assistant takes over where other search utilities leave off. RA automatically gathers in one place whole paragraphs containing any number of user defined key words along with the source reference. All of this is done without ever having to open a single file or invoking a single cut and paste procedure. The collected text can be edited, printed and/or automatically transferred to a new file or added to an existing file. A second feature allows the user to create a hypertext link between paragraphs containing key words for browsing. The text files can be from any number of downloaded journal articles, any series of files on a CD-ROM or in any word processor. The number and size of files that can be worked with simultaneously is limited only by available memory and disk space. Ideal for PowerBook use.

Price: $79 plus $3 shipping. Order by mail through VSG or by phone (415) 257-4161. A convertible DEMO is available on most bulletin boards. Mastercard and Visa accepted.

AUTOCOLLECT collects all paragraphs containing the text of interest with full source reference to a cumulative clipboard. All cut and paste operations are automatic!

HYPERTEXT LINK  establishes a link between paragraphs containing keywords for browsing. Collect all or any portion of the text before going on. Ten separate hypertext links of any length are supported.

WRITE TO WORD PROCESSOR writes collected text to an existing word processor file or creates and writes the text to a new file. All cut and paste operations are automatic!

Requires  System 6.0.5 or later and Hypercard Player.

Vitale Software Group

P.O. Box 1023

Point Reyes Station, CA 94956-1023

415/663-9520,  Direct Sales (415)257-4161


Eye of the Beholder Trilogy
SSI GIVES PLAYERS HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF ABSORBING GAME PLAY WITH THE RELEASE OF EYE OF THE BEHOLDER TRILOGY

Game Category: Role playing

Versions: IBM PC & CD-ROM (October 1993) - $80.00

Sunnyvale, CA -- October 28, 1993 -- Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI) today announced the release of the Eye of the Beholder Trilogy. The award winning roleplaying series is now available in one package, at one great price. The entire Trilogy, Eye Of The Beholder, The Legend Of Darkmoon, and Assault On Myth Drannor, is available for the PC and compatibles in 3 1/2 inch disk and CD-ROM with a suggested retail price of $80.00.

"Now role-playing fanatics will have a chance to play one of the all time favorite role-playing sagas for one great price." stated Caryn Mical, SSI Director of Sales and Marketing. "Not only are they getting three games totaling hundreds of hours of game play, we've also included the Eye of the Beholder clue book to help players get started."

Set in the FORGOTTEN REALMS world, players will quickly become absorbed in this trilogy by starting their adventure with the original Eye of the Beholder. Descend into the sewers beneath Waterdeep, where a criminal conspiracy of monstrous proportions is brewing. Next players will be sent to investigate ominous rumors in the Legend of Darkmoon. Discover that the ruined Temple Darkmoon has been rebuilt and occupied by a powerful being with a terrible plan and an army of monstrosities to carry it out. In the finale of this saga, adventurers will be transported to the ruined city of Myth Drannor where they will battle countless terrors to wrest an article of divine power from the dread Lich Acwellan in Assault on Myth Drannor.

Strategic Simulations, Inc. is one of the leading computer fantasy role-playing publishers and is most noted for its Advanced Dungeons & Dragons line of computer products. The company is recognized as the premier war game publisher and, based on industry rankings, is one of the top ten entertainment software publishers worldwide. SSI develops for the leading 16-bit and 21-bit systems, including IBM, IBM CD-ROM, Macintosh, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and 3DO

Strategic Simulations Inc

675 Almanor Ave, Suite 201, Sunnyvale, CA 94086-2901

408-737-6800;  Fax: 408-737-6814


Tony La Russa Baseball II CD
NOW AT THE PLATE FOR SSI IS TONY LA RUSSA BASEBALL II CD

Game Category: Sports

Versions: IBM PC CD (October 1993) - $80.00

Sunnyvale, CA -- October 26, 1993 - Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI) today announced the release of the Tony La Russa Baseball II CD. The industries most highly regarded and successful baseball game has been souped up, adding graphics, sound, and expansion disks. The entire CD product carries a suggest retail price of $80.00 and is currently available.

The CD enhanced version of the highly successful La Russa II, provides baseball fans a sense of realism that hasn't been possible until now. "It is so realistic" states Chuck Kroegel, Vice President of SSI's Product Development, "you can almost smell the hot dogs and taste the beer!" The CD version uses close-up camera effects showing greater field detail, right down the mow lines, wet dirt, and players leaping against the fence at the warning track. Over 50% more detailed instant replays appear on the jumbo video monitor in the ballpark - the largest amount of replays in any baseball game. The familiar voice of Ron Barr, popular talk-radio sports show host, is greatly enhanced attributed to a higher sample rate. Improved sound effects and music, including interactive crowd noises which are triggered by game play, capture ballpark atmosphere and the crack of the bat.

Tony La Russa Baseball has been called "one of the finest, most balanced baseball games available," by both professional players and by computer game fans. So, in keeping with enhancing this CD version SSI has increased statistical accuracy which takes into account every meaningful factor. Players can display and printout leaders in 2,500 categories.

For an accurate simulation of old-timer play, 54 "living legend" squads and 2,000 players are provided to recreate the ultimate dream teams. This newer version of Tony now has over 500 authentic color portraits of baseball's Hall-of-Famers. Each player is individually rated for his strengths making this simulation as close to accurate as possible.

In addition to all of the technical enhancements which have been included in this game, SSI has included three (3) expansion disks which make this product truly the most comprehensive in its class. Users can expect to enjoy, SSI's Fantasy Manager, Fantasy Draft, and AL/NL Stadiums expansion sets which have been enhanced and even more exciting!

Tony La Russa II CD is in a league of its own!

Strategic Simulations, Inc. is one of the leading computer fantasy role-playing publishers and is most noted for its ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS line of computer products. The company is recognized as the premier war game publisher and, based on industry rankings, is one of the top ten entertainment software publishers worldwide. SSI develops for the leading 16-bit and 21-bit systems, including IBM, IBM CD-ROM, Macintosh, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and 3DO.

Strategic Simulations Inc

675 Almanor Ave, Suite 201, Sunnyvale, CA 94086-2901

408-737-6800;  Fax: 408-737-6814


Logitech Announces ScanMan PowerPage

Compact, Full-Page Scanner Offers Complete Boardless Scanning

Solution; Powerful Integrated Software

Fremont, Calif. -- November 8, 1993 -- Logitech Inc computer mouse pioneer and world-wide market leader in hand-held scanners and imaging solutions has announced ScanMan PowerPage, a compact, boardless, 256-grayscale, full-page scanner featuring motorized control and sheet-fed or hand-held scanning options Powerful integrated software included with the package offers image capture and editing? optical character recognition fax interface, and a copy utility. Positioned as a complete scanning solution at an affordable price point Scan-Man PowerPage will be available through Logitech dealers and distributors in early 1994 at a suggested retail price of $799 (US).

Software applications shipping with ScanMan PowerPage include Logitech's Foto-Touch Color image editing software Caere's OmniPage Direct AnyFont OCR software for Logitech, WinFax LITE faxing software by Delrina, and a copy utility that produces high-quality gray-scale copies using a printer All of these tools immediately appear onscreen in the PowerPage "Control Center" when the scanner is activated upon contact with a document, offering the user a complete set of scanning tools.

ScanMan Power Page is easy to install and compatible with all systems, including portables since it communicates with the computer by means of the parallel port and requires no interface card. It can be used as a sheet-fed full-page scanner or in hand-held mode, with the motorized scanning head detached from its base An optional document feeder is available through Logitech

Additional product features include:

* TWAIN and Microsoft OLE compliance for direct scanning into

  a variety of software applications

* Buttonless software-controlled communication between computer

  and scanner head

* 25 - 400 dpi resolution (for all source documents, from "quick

  & dirty" scans to optical character recognition of small font

  sizes)

* Optional portable accessory kit with battery pack available

  from Logitech

* Special thresholding and dithering features to automatically

  adjust contrast for text and images for producing high-quality

  copies and faxes

"With ScanMan PowerPage we are defining a new scanning product category " says Patricia Smith product marketing manager "It offers the control and full-page capability of a flatbed scanner while retaining the flexibility of a hand-held unit Its small form factor means it is ideal as a personal unit for both desktop and travel while the software included makes it a truly complete 'plug-and-play' solution "

BIS Strategic Decisions, Massachusetts-based industry analyst firm, sees a great potential for growth in the scanner market. According to Kristy Holch Vice President of Scanning Services "the scanner market is poised to take off again with the advent of new form factors and more complete integration of powerful software Given the increased number of options, we expect scanner sales to reach more than one million units in 1994"

Logitech designs, manufactures and markets "Senseware" -- products intended 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 North America, Europe and the Far East.

Logitech Inc, 6505 Kaiser Dr, Fremont, CA 94555

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


MS-DOS 6.2 Upgrade For Dummies, Special Ed.
Microsoft Announces MS-DOS 6.2 Upgrade For Dummies; New Product Includes Software and Book for Easy Installation and Use

Available From Bookstores and Software Resellers Starting Today

REDMOND, Wash.--Nov. 1, 1993--Microsoft Corporation today announced the Microsoft MS-DOS 6.2 Upgrade For Dummies, Special Edition, a joint effort with IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. to make installation and use of the latest version of the MS-DOS operating system easier for millions of PC users. The companies have combined the latest upgrade of MS-DOS software, version 6.2, with a special edition of the humorous, down-to-earth, best-selling computer book "DOS for Dummies" by Dan Gookin. The combined package offers respected, plain-spoken advice geared to typical PC users, while allowing users to benefit from all of the software's newest features.

MS-DOS 6.2 Upgrade For Dummies, Special Edition, will be sold through retail bookstores and computer software stores nationwide starting today. Since its publication two years ago, "DOS For Dummies" is the best-selling computer book title, has sold 1.5 million copies worldwide and earned high praise from both reviewers and individual users. Gookin is the author of more than 30 computer books and a regular contributor to leading PC magazines.

"A key goal for Microsoft is to make our operating system software more friendly and easier to use. The MS-DOS 6.2 Upgrade For Dummies, Special Edition, takes ease of use to an entirely new level," said Brad Silverberg, vice president of personal systems. "Consumers can more easily acquire MS-DOS at bookstores everywhere. By teaming up with IDG books, we're able to bring typical PC users the benefits of MS-DOS 6.2 without the technical details.

"For too long, PC software has been scary for typical users. Our "...For Dummies" books are an unprecedented phenomenon in the computer publishing industry, because we understand these users and their need for information that takes the mystery and techno-babble out of software use," said John Kilcullen, president and CEO of IDG Books Worldwide. "The MS-DOS 6.2 Upgrade For Dummies, Special Edition, helps achieve our vision of giving users a very easy way to install and use their operating system software."

MS-DOS 6.2 Upgrade For Dummies, Special Edition, includes information on installing MS-DOS 6.2 and using its new features to make computer use easier and more productive. The book also includes answers to questions most commonly asked of Microsoft' s Technical Support group.

The MS-DOS 6.2 Upgrade For Dummies, Special Edition, carries a suggested retail price of $77.95.

IDG Books Worldwide (San Mateo, CA) publishes high-quality computer books that bring extra value and skill-building instruction to the reader. The company is the fastest growing computer book publisher with over 50 titles in print and foreign translations in over 20 languages. Headquartered in Boston, MA, International Data Group is the world's largest publisher of computer-related information and the leading global provider of information services on information technology. International Data Group publishes over 194 computer publications in more than 62 countries.

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.

IDG Books Worldwide, 155 Bovet Rd, Suite 610, San Mateo, CA 94402

415-312-0650,  Fax: 415-358-1260


GENESYS HealthCare Human Resource Mgmt System
GENESYS Announces Comprehensive HealthCare Software and Services

-- Dedicated to Health Care Professionals --

November 8, 1993 -- Methuen Massachusetts -- GENESYS, the leader in Human Resource solutions today announced their new HealthCare Human Resource Management System HealthCare HRMS.

"Change is the only certainty in the health care industry. GENESYS is furthering its deep commitment to the industry by providing an industry-specific product and a dedicated division that lets Health Care executives focus on industry change proactively and easily " stated Ruth Ladner, Sr. Vice President of Sales and Support.

The new GENESYS HealthCare HRMS is designed specifically to support the health care industry's requirements. HealthCare HRMS provides Health Care executives with the tools to manage their single biggest asset and expense - their people

HealthCare HRMS is a flexible system that positions Health Care Organizations to adapt to any impact from Health Care Reform. The user tools give organizations the power to tailor HealthCare HRMS to the way they work and to adhere to any new government regulations.

HealthCare HRMS is platform independent; it operates on a full range of hardware configurations from client/server to mainframe

The new GENESYS HealthCare division is staffed with industry skilled professionals who are seasoned and sensitive to the unique needs of the health care industry.

Both HealthCare HRMS and Professional Services are sold through a direct sales force in the U S and Canada.

GENESYS

5 Branch St, Methuen, MA 01844

508-685-5400


PowerBatch Plus Upgrade is Ready
PowerBatch Upgrade Is Ready!!!

The new version of PowerBatch is so much more powerful than the current release that we are calling it PB Plus+. We have listened to all the suggestions you have made. We have tried to include all of your most asked for features and have added a few innovative commands on our own. I think when you read the list of enhancements you will be surprised!

What have you been asking for in the new release? You wanted to be able to read and write ASCII files, perform a subroutine, have more information about the computer your program is running on, give more information about the disk and disk drive, have better control over keyboard input, and more. Read on for the list of the major enhancements, there's even more that didn't make the list...

Read and write ASCII files

You can read, write, and append to existing ASCII files. You can have 8 files open at any one time for either reading or writing. You do not have to worry about opening or closing the files. You can write a file and immediately issue a read on the file. PB+ handles all the opens, closes, and buffer flushing to allow complete flexibility.

Subroutines

Define subroutines anywhere in your code. They begin with a subroutine label and end with an exit command. Perform these subroutines from any part of the code. "Nesting" of subroutines allowed up to 32 levels deep!

Save and restore screen areas

Save and restore any rectangular portion of the screen to heap memory. Saves data, color attributes, and cursor position. Save up to 16 areas at one time. Just tell PB+ to restore and the screen is restored to it's original condition. Makes menu popping a snap!

Swap out your current program

PB+ handles all of the programming details and error checking for you. This entails a certain amount of overhead in the compiled code. Some of you who are executing external programs that are too large to co-habit with your PB+ code (even though they are the memory hungry programs), we provide the solution! Just execute the swap command and your compiled program will swap to either EMS, XMS, or a disk file, leaving only 4k behind. At the completion of the external program, your program is swapped back into main memory.

Dynamically allocated arrays

Arrays? Dynamically allocated? Yes, and uses the memory area outside the boundary of your program (heap space). Write too many entries to your array...No problem, PB+ will allocate additional memory and all the array entries will be written.

Virtual windows

Redefine the screen size to DOS. Data written to the screen will wrap and scroll at the new boundaries. Great for opening a window and writing help files, etc.

Enhanced keyboard input

You can now detect the pressing of ANY key on the keyboard including keys like F11, F12 on an enhanced keyboard; right/left shift, Alt, Ctl, and Num Lock. ANY KEY! Any request for keyboard input has a timeout value (i.e., wait for input and continue after 5 secs).

Additional system information

Report the display adapter type, the version of DOS running, the number of serial and parallel ports, etc.

Cursor control

Turn the cursor off, on, and control the size of the cursor.

Additional commands

Identify disk drive type and volume ID. Report the size of any file on disk. Execute the DOS "print screen" command. Generate random numbers. Set screen mode to 43/50 lines per screen. The PB+ upgrade contains many more commands not listed here! PRINTED MANUAL INCLUDED.

Price in US and Canada is $20, all other countries is $24.

CSD, Inc

4437 Ormond Trace, Marietta, GA 30066


CrystalEyes Used in Hubble Repair Support
FIRST VIRTUAL PROTOTYPE DEVELOPED IN STEREO 3D TO REHEARSE REPAIR OF HUBBLE TELESCOPE

Lockheed's Computerized Virtual Reality Prototype Of COSTAR Eliminates Need for Physical Prototypes and Is Faster to Develop, More Accurate and Cost Effective

San Rafael, CA -- November 9, 1993 - The first known optomechanical virtual prototype, developed entirely in virtual reality for NASA/Goddard's December 1993 service mission to the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope, was announced by Lockheed Research Labs, Palo Alto, Calif. This virtual prototype enabled scientists to test the deployment of the COSTAR (Corrective Optics for the Space Telescope Axial Replacement) assembly without developing physical prototypes or models. The full-color, three-dimensional COSTAR prototype exists solely in a synthetically generated interactive workstation environment that is viewed in stereo depth through StereoGraphics' CrystalEyes liquid crystal eyewear.

StereoGraphics Corporation is the world's largest supplier of electronic stereo (three-dimensional) display equipment. While wearing CrystalEyes, scientists enjoy unrestricted movement to any vantage point in and around stereo representations of COSTAR and Hubble displayed on their workstations.

Dennis Hancock, senior scientist and a member of Lockheed's Optical Design Group, said, "One of the key lessons we learned from developing this application is that virtual reality need not be done at the multi-million dollar level to realize useful results. This first optomechanical virtual prototype was developed in less than four months, and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars less than a comparable physical prototype. Because of stereo depth, we are able to correct several problems prior to final assembly of COSTAR that were not obvious on a two-dimensional wireframe simulation."

Virtual prototyping has potential applications across a wide range of industries. For example, design teams in the automotive industry can use virtual prototyping to study the visibility a driver will have from a newly designed vehicle. An entire submarine with all functioning systems, including hydraulics, power, piping, life support and physical structures, can be constructed as a virtual prototype. Some architects have experimented with virtual prototypes that allow clients to "walk through" a building while it is still in the design phase.

Wil Cochran, vice president of sales and marketing for StereoGraphics, said, "There is no limit to the practical application of virtual prototypes and stereo viewing. The savings to every industry now using physical models will be virtually priceless."

StereoGraphics products produce stereo images by replicating the way people view their surroundings in the real world. Because the eyes are positioned a few inches apart, each sees the world from a slightly different perspective. The brain then fuses these images into a single image that has true stereo depth -- an effect known as "stereopsis."

StereoGraphics' CrystalEyes viewing system enables users to see computer and video images in true stereo 3D, an image that is similar to that of a high-quality color hologram.. Next to full-scale physical models, color stereo images give users the best sense of spatial relationships because they provide true stereo depth. In addition to virtual prototyping, CrystalEyes applications include scientific visualization, medical imaging, molecular modeling, photogrammetry, motion simulation, inspection systems, remote vehicle control, MCAD/CAE and training. Using three-dimensional images reduces design costs and development cycles, improves accuracy, and makes complex concepts easier to understand, manipulate and implement.

StereoGraphics also produces CrystalEyes VR systems, which enable the viewer to see the stereo image through the CrystalEyes stereo eyewear via a computer-directed ultrasound head-tracking device supporting all six degrees of head movement. As the user's head moves from side to side, closer to or further away from the monitor, the image on the display changes its perspective, giving the convincing illusion that the image is a real object. CrystalEyes VR is also offered with software for VR developers and is easily ported to SGI and Sun workstations and IBM PC systems and compatibles.

StereoGraphics Corp., founded in 1980 and the world's leading manufacturer of stereo viewing systems, invented and developed the market for modern stereo imaging hardware. Due to its capability, reasonable price and state-of-the-art technology backed by 15 patents, CrystalEyes stereo viewing systems are accepted as the industry standard for stereo viewing. StereoGraphics is located at 2171 East Francisco Boulevard, San Rafael, California 94901, phone 415/459-4500, fax 415/4593020.


StereoGraphics Intros CrystalEyes PC
STEREOGRAPHICS INTRODUCES CRYSTALEYES PC: THE FIRST STEREO VIEWING SYSTEM DESIGNED FOR MAINSTREAM COMPUTING

CrystalEyes PC at Special Introductory Price of $985, Brings Affordable stereo 3D Computer Graphics to PC Market

San Rafael, CA -- November 9, 1993 -- StereoGraphics Corporation, the world's largest supplier of stereo three-dimensional electronic display equipment, is introducing its CrystalEyes PC system for most popular desktop system platforms, including IBM PCs and compatibles, and some Apple Macintosh and Amiga computers.

The system, including the patented CrystalEyes shuttering liquid crystal eyewear in a new teal color, combines stereo electronics and infrared emitter in a single small package which sits atop the monitor. The stereo electronics converts a non-stereo-ready PC into a state-of-the-art graphics platform for true 3D stereo visualization. A single cable ensures easy installation without opening the computer.

CrystalEyes PC is the first true stereo viewing product designed for desktop PC users -- the vast majority of computer users. CrystalEyes PC's 3D stereo depth dramatically increases the user's ability to analyze complex computer graphics and intricate details. Typical applications for mainstream desktop users include mechanical design, CAD/CAM/CAE, molecular modeling, animation, medical imaging and digital mapping.

Wil Cochran, vice president of sales and marketing for StereoGraphics, said, "Up until now only the high-end workstation market has been able to afford stereo viewing. Because the CrystalEyes PC system is PC-compatible, millions of computer users can now bring their graphics applications to life in true 3D stereo depth."

CrystalEyes PC will be available for shipment early in January 1994 at a U.S. list price of $1,300 for the model CE-PCE, or $2695 for the model CE-PCE/17M, which is bundled with a 17-inch stereo-ready monitor. As an inducement to new 3D stereo users, the company is offering a special introductory price of $985 for the model CE-PCE, or $2380 for the CE-PCE/17M.

The stereo electronics convert a single frame into separate left and right fields. These fields are alternated at high speed onto the stereo-ready monitor display for viewing through the eyewear. Because the lightweight (3 oz.), untethered CrystalEyes glasses are synchronized with the stereo image by the infrared emitter, any number of users can simultaneously view the three-dimensional screen images with complete freedom of movement.

The patented eyewear delivers a minimum dynamic range of 250:1, ensuring a realistic, high resolution, ghost-free color image, while the 120Hz screen refresh rate in stereo mode provides flickerfree viewing.

CrystalEyes PC also features an automatic brightness mode which allows users to simultaneously view a non-stereo software application without removing the eyewear, it also includes standard infrared emitters which support viewers up to 8 feet away, and battery life in excess of 100 hours.

StereoGraphics products produce stereo images by replicating the way people view their surroundings in the real world. Because the eyes are positioned a few inches apart, each sees the world from a slightly different perspective. The brain then fuses these images into a single image that has true stereo depth -- an effect known as "stereopsis."

StereoGraphics' CrystalEyes viewing system enables users to see computer and video images in true stereo 3D, an image that is similar to that of a high-quality color hologram. Next to full-scale physical models, color stereo images give users the best sense of spatial relationships because they provide true stereo depth.

The benefits of stereo viewing have been proven in every application from mechanical CAD/CAE to virtual prototyping and architectural walk-throughs. Using three-dimensional images reduces design costs and development cycles, improves accuracy, and makes complex concepts easier to understand, manipulate and implement.

CrystalEyes products are used to improve and dramatize video and computer presentations, scientific visualization, architectural design, CAD/CAM/CAE and construction, medical imaging, molecular modeling, motion simulation, inspection systems, remote vehicle control, flight simulation, photogrammetric mapping and all types of training.

StereoGraphics also produces CrystalEyes VR systems, which enable the viewer to see the stereo image through the CrystalEyes stereo eyewear via a computer-directed ultrasound head-tracking device supporting all six degrees of head movement. As the user's head moves from side to side, closer to or further away from the monitor, the image on the display changes its perspective, giving the convincing illusion that the image is a real object. CrystalEyes VR is also offered with software for VR developers and is easily ported to SGI and Sun workstations and IBM PC systems and compatibles.

StereoGraphics Corp., founded in 1980 and the world's leading manufacturer of stereo viewing systems, invented and developed the market for modern stereo imaging hardware. Due to its capability, reasonable price and state-of-the-art technology backed by 15 patents, CrystalEyes stereo viewing systems are accepted as the industry standard for stereo viewing. StereoGraphics is located at 2171 East Francisco Boulevard, San Rafael, California 94901, phone 415/459-4500, fax 415/4593020.


CrystalEyes VR Supported by Virtual Design Env
STEREOGRAPHICS CRYSTALEYES VR SYSTEM Now SUPPORTED BY DIVISION, INC.'S VIRTUAL DESIGN ENVIRONMENT

Leading Virtual Reality Application Runs on Traditional CAD Systems Without Any Programming Required

San Rafael, CA -- November 9, 1993 -- StereoGraphics Corporation announced that its CrystalEyes VR system is now supported by the Virtual Design Environment virtual reality application software from Division, Inc., Redwood city, CA. StereoGraphics is the world's largest supplier of stereo three-dimensional electronic display equipment. Division is a leading supplier of integrated VR software, systems and technology, and is exhibiting at the Autofact show, booth no. 1347, Nov. 9-11, in Chicago. StereoGraphics is exhibiting at booth no. 947.

CrystalEyes VR is a stereo 3D viewer and head-tracking system that permits users to view and interact with three-dimensional spatial information on a workstation monitor. Virtual Design Environment is the world's first commercial design system to offer a true 3D user interface that can be readily used without the need for any programming. Combining these products allows the productivity benefits of VR to be exploited immediately while providing an easy upgrade path.

CrystalEyes VR systems use StereoGraphics' patented CrystalEyes stereo eyewear to view stereo 3D images via a computer-directed ultrasound head-tracking device supporting all six degrees of head movement. The CrystalEyes eyewear alternates left and right images at 120 frames per second, thereby creating true flicker-free, full-color stereo perception. As the user's head moves from side to side, closer to or further away from the monitor, the image on the display changes perspective, giving the convincing illusion that the image is a real object. CrystalEyes VR is easily ported to SGI and Sun workstations and IBM PC systems and compatibles.

Wil Cochran, vice president of sales and marketing for StereoGraphics, said, "VR becomes doubly powerful when users can put on the CrystalEyes glasses and enter Division's powerful Virtual Design Environment . We expect that the combination will help VR become a mainstream computing tool."'

Peter Cornwell, Division's president, said, "Using Virtual Design Environment and CrystalEyes eyeglasses, users can implement VR applications now. The ingredients are the lighweight CrystalEyes VR head-tracking eyewear and Logitech 3D mouse combined with off-the-shelf software. End users can now exploit VR in their existing working environment without software development or expensive, heavy headgear."

Virtual Design Environment is a high-end design system which imports existing design data produced by computer-aided design (CAD) and mainstream modeling software packages such as AutoCAD, 3D-Studio, Wavefront and MultiGen. Its innovative point-and-click interface allows users to quickly and easily create sophisticated interactive virtual environments through powerful 3D tools and menus.

Applications not possible using conventional CAD systems, such as interactive visualization and evaluation of designs for manufacturability, ergonomics, and other realistic spatial properties, can now be performed on existing graphics workstations. The Virtual Design Environment is able to run on flatscreen window- and mouse-based systems or on fully immersive installations.

The CrystalEyes VR system is available from StereoGraphics at a suggested list price of $1,995.00. Virtual Design Environment software is available from Division, Inc., at an entry-level price of $3,900.00 and is ready for immediate use on SGI workstations.

Division, Inc., is based in Redwood city, California. The Division Group of companies specializes in providing technology, products and services for virtual reality applications. The company services a worldwide installed base of its integrated VR system. Its shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange. Division is located at 400 Seaport Court, Suite 101, Redwood city, CA 94063, telephone 415/364-6067, facsimile 415/364-4663.

StereoGraphics Corp., founded in 1980 and the world's leading manufacturer of stereo viewing systems, invented and developed the market for modem stereo imaging hardware. Due to its capability, reasonable price and state-of-the-art technology backed by 15 patents, CrystalEyes products are accepted as the industry standard for stereo viewing. StereoGraphics is located at 2171 East Francisco Boulevard, San Rafael, California 94901, phone 415/459-4500, fax 415/459-3020


CrystalEyes CAD For AutoCAD Stereo 3D Images
NEW CRYSTALEYES CAD ALLOWS AUTOCAD USERS TO VISUALIZE STEREO 3D IMAGES FOR THE FIRST TIME

San Rafael, CA -- November 9, 1993 -- StereoGraphics Corporation, the world's largest supplier of stereo three-dimensional electronic display equipment, is introducing its CrystalEyes CAD system at the Autofact Show in Chicago, Nov. 9-11.

StereoGraphics and MicronGreen, Gainesville, FL, a leading third-party virtual reality software developer and CAD/multimedia/VR system source, have jointly developed a software application which takes advantage of StereoGraphics' leadership in stereo visualization.

Wil Cochran, vice president of sales/marketing at StereoGraphics, said, "For the first time, CrystalEyes CAD allows any AutoCAD drawing file to be viewed in three dimensions, giving users a clearer understanding of models they are trying to evaluate or manipulate. Until now users could only see a perspective view of objects on a two dimensional screen." Cochran noted that the image can also be saved as an AutoCAD "slide" in a graphics file on the hard disk.

Millard Pate, president of MicronGreen, stated, "With CrystalEyes CAD, models now pop out of the screen in solid stereo 3D, ideal for mechanical CAD, rendering, slide presentations, quick prototyping and any kind of solids modeling. For the first time, users don't have to take their models outside AutoCAD."

Pate said that using CrystalEyes CAD, Autodesk's AutoCAD, AveRender, AutoVision and AnimatorPro, a user now has the ability to rotate, texture, create volume surface and animate AutoCAD stereo 3D models. Features include interactive perspective control, and scripting of multiple images to create animation.

The MicronGreen CE CAD software creates a second, parallel image which, when viewed through CrystalEyes eyewear, lets the user see three-dimensional models in stereo 3D. The lightweight (3 oz.) untethered glasses are synchronized with the stereo image by the infrared emitter, enabling users to view the 3D screen images with complete freedom of movement. In addition, a user can alter the parallax value in order to exaggerate the stereo depth effect.

The benefits of stereo viewing have been proven in numerous applications, from mechanical CAD/CAE to virtual prototyping and architectural walk-throughs. Using stereo images reduces design costs and development cycles, improves accuracy and makes complex concepts easier to understand, manipulate and implement. Additional applications include scientific visualization, mapping, architectural design and construction, global imaging, structural analysis, plant design, facilities management and quality assurance.

The CrystalEyes CAD system includes patented CrystalEyes PC shuttering liquid crystal eyewear, stereo electronics and integrated infrared emitter, along with MicronGreen's CE CAD software. CrystalEyes CAD is available now at a suggested list price of $1695.00. Both StereoGraphics and MicronGreen are offering CrystalEyes CAD at a special introductory price of $1380.00. For those who already use CrystalEyes, the CE CAD software is available separately at a suggested list price of $395.00. Distribution is through StereoGraphics' and MicronGreen's direct sales forces and VAR networks. The CrystalEyes CAD system is designed for PC-based computers running AutoCAD release 12.0 for DOS, and requires a stereo-ready monitor with a 120Hz refresh rate for flicker-free viewing.

StereoGraphics' new CrystalEyes PC system is compatible with Micron Green's CE CAD software. CrystalEyes PC runs on most popular desktop systems, including IBM PC-compatibles and some Apple Macintosh and Amiga computers. With the CrystalEyes PC system, desktop computer users can bring graphics applications to life in true 3D stereo depth. The CrystalEyes PC system converts a non-stereo-ready PC into a state-of-the-art graphics platform for true stereo 3D visualization.

StereoGraphics also produces CrystalEyes VR for virtual reality systems. As the user's head moves, the displayed stereo image changes perspective, giving the convincing illusion that the image is a real object. CrystalEyes VR is supported by MicronGreen's Virtual Environment Navigator VR software, and is easily ported to SGI and Sun workstations and IBM PC systems and compatibles.

MicronGreen, Inc. is a leading developer of virtual reality software for the CAD and multimedia markets with its flagship software, Virtual Environment Navigator, an interactive real-time. tool for end users to fly, manipulate and script actions within AutoCAD and 3D-Studio 3D models. MicronGreen develops other VR-related software products, such as specific hardware drivers, geometry translators and optimizers. MicronGreen was founded in 1983 as a one-stop source for CAD hardware and software. Software products from Autodesk, Sense8 and MicronGreen, as well as hardware from extensive sources, support all VR needs, including fully-integrated and configured turnkey systems. MicronGreen is located at 1240 NW 21st Ave., Gainesville, FL 32609, telephone 904/376-1529.

StereoGraphics Corp., founded in 1980 and the world's leading manufacturer of stereo viewing systems, invented and developed the market for modern stereo imaging hardware. Due to its capability, reasonable price and state-of-the-art technology backed by 15 patents, CrystalEyes stereo viewing systems are accepted as the industry standard for stereo viewing. StereoGraphics is located at 2171 East Francisco Boulevard, San Rafael, California 94901, phone 415/459-4500, fax 415/459-3020.


ProClean Floptical Drive Cleaning Kit
FLOPTICAL TECHNOLOGY ANNOUNCES PROCLEAN FLOPTICAL DRIVE CLEANING KIT

Model PCF2 Embossed Woven Nylon Cleaning Diskette Ideal for High Speed Floptical Drives, Approved By FTA Drive, Media Manufacturers

Cupertino, CA -- November 15, 1993 -- The Floptical Technology Association (FTA) today announced the availability of the Model PCF2 Floptical Drive Cleaning Kit manufactured by Proclean, Bothell, Washington. The highly durable, embossed woven nylon PCF2 cleaning diskette is specifically designed to remove oxides, airborne dust and environmental contaminants from high speed Floptical drives and is the only cleaning diskette endorsed by the Floptical Technology Association and approved by leading drive and media manufacturers.

Floptical drives rotate at 720 RPM, which is twice the speed of high density drives. At this speed, the drives need a cleaning disk with a stronger fiber.

Dennis Anderson, vice president of Proclean, said, "Proclean's PCF2 Floptical Drive Cleaning Diskette is made of a durable woven nylon which will not shed and is far more absorbent than polyester. In addition, the PCF2 diskette is embossed with raised ridges for a 'washboard' effect. The channels between the ridges create a vacuum which helps dislodge contaminants for a more thorough cleaning."

The environmentally safe PCF2 Floptical Drive Cleaning Kit can be used up to 20 times and is packaged in a special sleeve printed with a Floptical disk drive maintenance log. The product is available immediately in retail distribution outlets for a suggested list price of $12.95

FTA chairman Jim Milligan said, "The Floptical Technology Association is committed to ensuring Floptical drive users have a good selection of superior products specifically developed for this technology.

The Proclean PCF2 Floptical Drive Cleaning Kit is the latest in the line of Floptical accessories, ranging from 21MB diskettes to parallel port connection hardware to host adapters and subsystems. for PCs, Macs, PowerBooks and Amiga Systems. In addition, the PCF2 is an excellent way for VARs and OEMs to add value to the Floptical systems they market."

Floptical Technology continues to set the trend with respect to very high capacity floppy diskette storage as the de facto industry standard. Recent announcements include a new portable, battery-powered 21-megabyte 3.5-inch PowerBook Floptical Drive for Apple Macintosh PowerBook and PowerBook Duo Systems manufactured by Iomega Corp., Roy, Utah, and broad support of Floptical Technology by leading workstation manufacturers including Silicon Graphics, Hewlett-Packard and Hitachi, Ltd. In addition, Fujitsu Canada, based in Mississauga, Ontario, has recently chosen Floptical Technology as the standard very high capacity floppy disk drive for a line of subsystem products.

FLOPTICAL TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Founded in 1991, the FTA is a non-profit mutual benefit association formed to promote 21-megabyte (MB) Floptical technology as the de facto industry standard for very high-capacity floppy disk drives. FTA membership now includes over two dozen vendors, manufacturing partners and licensees of Floptical technology. since the FTA's founding, members have achieved volume drive and media production, as well as technical superiority, product availability, cost-effectiveness, major OEM agreements, and most of all, satisfaction of end-user demand.

FTA members include drive manufacturers Insite Peripherals and Iomega Corp.; media manufacturers 3M, Hitachi-Maxell and Iomega; Insite's drive manufacturing partner MKE and Iomega's drive manufacturing partner, Chinon; subsystem manufacturer O.R. Computer System PTE. Ltd.; host adapter companies Adaptec and Rancho Techonology; and over a dozen other members providing a range of supporting Floptical products.

The 21MB Floptical technology is the new standard for high-capacity flexible disk drive storage as it is seen as a superior solution for low cost removable high-capacity data storage needs for workstation and microcomputer users.

The 3.5-inch Floptical disk drive features 21MB of formatted capacity (25MB unformatted), one inch-high form factor and single +5 volt power requirements. The Floptical disk drive uses standard 3.5-inch diskettes and variable mode dual heads which make it the first and only very high capacity 3.5-inch flexible drive able to read and write standard lower capacity 720KB and 1.44MB 3.5-inch diskettes. The Floptical drive's very high capacity is achieved by combining patented optical servo track positioning and magnetic recording technologies. Products based on Floptical technology include disk drives, media, host adapter and subsystem products for IBM, Apple Macintosh and Amiga systems.

Floptical Technology Association

21710 Stevens Creeke Blvd, Suite 220

Cupertino, CA 95014

408-446-0407,  fax 408-446-0450


Silicon Northwest Press Reception, Nov 16th
Silicon Northwest Report.....

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - November 16, 1993 -- The following companies are sponsoring the 21st semi-annual Silicon Northwest Press Reception, held Tuesday evening, November 16, 1993 at the Spanish Trail Golf & Country Club in Las Vegas.

HARDWARE MANUFACTURERS

ADVANCED HARDWARE ARCHITECTURES, INC. is a leading producer of high-performance data coprocessors, compiling patented algorithms directly into full-custom VLSI silicon architectures. Products include "lossless" data compression devices, highspeed Reed-Solomon error correction codecs, single-chip formatter/controllers and even a single-chip "lossless" image compression device.

COGENT DATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. - For the past eight years, Cogent has been a respected OEM supplier of high performance Ethernet adapters and network driver software to such industry leaders as Siemens, NCR, UNISYS, Intel, and Network General. Cogent has just released its new eMASTER series of Ethernet LAN adapters with its innovative data transfer technology, Predictive Pipelining (U.S. Patent Pending). Because the eMASTER adapters exploit existing Ethernet bandwidth to provide 50% greater system throughput than other leading adapters, they are an inexpensive alternative to bridges and routers. The eMASTER adapters deliver the highest performance of any Ethernet adapter on the market - at an affordable price. The new products provide a total systems solution for ISA (Industry Standard Architecture), EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture), and Micro Channel workstations and servers and PCMCIA machines.

CONSUMER TECHNOLOGY NORTHWEST INC. (CTI), headquartered in Beaverton OR, is exhibiting The Presenter Series line of computer-to-TV adapters, pocket-size devices that allow you to display computer-generated presentations on a television directly from your computer. CTI's most recent computer-to-TV adapter, the Presenter Plus Sound, incorporates audio input and output capabilities for developing and displaying full-multimedia presentations. CTI is also exhibiting the Presenter Video Capture. This device allows you to capture still video images through the parallel port, making it the only video capture device that is compatible with laptop or notebook computers.

DATACOM TECHNOLOGIES INC. is featuring the NEWLANcat 1800 automatic LAN Cable and Activity tester. This portable, high quality test instrument used for automatic certification of LAN wiring for Coax, Shielded and Unshielded Twisted Pair cable provides wiring checks, near end crosstalk (NEXT) and attenuation to 20 MHz, noise and traffic monitoring tests. All tests are performed per EIA/TIA 568, IEEE 802.3 and 802.5 standards. The LANcat 1800 stores up to 500 cable test reports that can be custom coded alpha-numerically for easy identification. These reports can then be printed to an external serial printer individually or in mass. Located in Everett, WA, Datacom manufactures data communication equipment, resource sharing equipment and LAN equipment.

E-COMMS, INC., will display their new remote LAN/WAN monitoring and control system. Designed for Third-Party and In-House service groups, the E-COMMANDER is compatible with all types of SNMP, TCP/IP network management software. Utilizing a single connection on the customer's LAN, it allows the monitoring, access and control of Servers, Bridges, Routers, Modems, Multiplexers, Smart UPSs, PBXs and Keysets. The remote switching of AC power allows the testing or cycling of UPS units, failed software to be rebooted or backup equipment and air conditioners to be turned on. In addition, all types of equipment alarms can be monitored and initiated from a remote location. Its modular approach insures complete flexibility to the user or customer's application today and in the future.

FAST ELECTRONIC will feature Video Machine, its award-winning hardware/software solution for PC or Macintosh. Video Machine turns the computer into a complete A/B roll video editing system with machine control, switching, user-definable digital video effects, titles, graphics and audio mixing. The Digital Player/Recorder for Video Machine will also be displayed, a hardware option which brings nonlinear editing to Video Machine. FAST will also announce the Aviator, a Video-for-Windows acceleration daughterboard for its Screen Machine 11 frame-grabber.

GROLIER ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING is featuring the recently released The New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia whose new offerings include Knowledge Explorer Audio Visual Essays, Multimedia Maps, fully-narrated animations, movies, sound, U.S. and world maps, tables, pictures, illustrations, timelines of world history, Knowledge Tree, a new 12-port entry interface and new updated encyclopedia text. Grolier will also feature The Guinness Multimedia Disc of Records.

IN FOCUS SYSTEMS, INC. manufactures and markets liquid crystal display (LCD) projection panels and self-contained color LCD data and video projection systems. The company's vision is to design affordable, high-performance LCD projection solutions that make presentations dynamic, flexible and clear for more effective communication. Its most recent products include the PanelBook 550, an active matrix LCD panel in a notebook-sized form factor; the PanelBook 450, a passive matrix full-color LCD panel; and the LitePro 550, the industry's most compact and easily portable LCD projector.

INTEGRATED CIRCUIT SYSTEMS, INC. (ICS) specializes in the design and marketing of mixed analog/digital or "mixed signal" integrated circuits to original equipment manufactures. The company's IC product lines include clocking devices (frequency timing generators and buffers) for personal computers, workstations and telecommunications; power management circuits, and sound, video and timing components for PC multimedia applications. ICS is proud to present the WAVEDEC Office Audio Codec, baseline PC sound for entry level systems and notebook designs; WAVEFront, the affordable wavetable synthesis product line; the QuickSover Battery Charge Controller, permitting safe recharging of nickle cadmium batteries in as little as 20 minutes, or nickle metal hydride batteries in as little as I hour, and GenDAC II, the only triple 8 bit DAC with integrated, dual programmable frequency timing generators for the PC graphics ad-in card and motherboard markets.

KEY TRONIC CORPORATION and the Honeywell Keyboard Division have merged to form a new even more powerful and responsive Key Tronic Corporation. This new entity brings strengths to the computer industry never before imagined in the input device market. This year we are featuring the SynerG Series of products. Main focuses for these products are comfort, convenience, efficiency and environmental sensitivity. The line includes adjustable keyboards, wrist pads with trackballs built in, and mice that are designed to be more comfortable, accurate, and easy to use. We are also featuring keyboards that protect you from Electro Motive Forces generated by the common household current that we are all exposed to every day.

KINESIS CORPORATION - The Kinesis Ergonomic Keyboard, Release 2, is a HumanKind alternative to the traditional, flat keyboard - one that enables users to operate more naturally, more comfortably and more productively. Developed by Kinesis Corporation, the Kinesis keyboard blends ergonomic and computer technologies into a keyboard that conforms to the shape and movements of the human body. Scientifically proven to reduce force and eliminate awkward keying postures, the keyboard has been providing ergonomic benefits to users for the last 18 months. Kinesis Corporation manufactures and distributes the keyboard from its offices in Bellevue, WA.

MANNESMANN TALLY will support its '93 COMDEX Fall theme of "Professional Performance Printers for all Applications," with the introduction of two new low-cost color ink jet printers, a 32 ppm departmental laser printer, and enhanced graphics capabilities and connectivity for its family of line matrix printers. Mannesmann Tally will enter the color desktop scanner market as well, with two products expected to set new price/performance points.

MOTIF INC. is a joint venture between Motorola and In Focus Systems for the purpose of producing low-cost, video-speed liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Motif will manufacture LCDs integrating custom Motorola-manufactured application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) embodying the Active Addressing system for passive matrix LCDs. Active Addressing is a fundamentally different way of applying electrical signals to LCDs that maximizes overall display performance, including response time and contrast, without limiting potential resolutions or display size. Active Addressing places proprietary pixel-addressing algorithms and circuitry in custom ICs, reducing LCD manufacturing costs significantly from more complex Active matrix LCDs. Motif's implementation of Active Addressing will enable super twisted nematic (STN) liquid crystals to achieve performance very close to that of thin film transitor (TFT) LCDs at a significantly reduced cost. Specifically, Motif's LCDs are expected to have response rates and contrast ratios that will compete with TFT at full VGA (640 X 480) addressability. Yet, they will use the low-cost and reliable manufacturing capability already in place for passive matrix displays.

PACIFIC COMMWARE is a leader in asynchronous communications technologies for PCs. The company's product line enhances the performance and ease of PC-based communications, providing rapid, reliable data transfers for high speed FAX/data modems, printing, mainframe, gateways, data acquisition and process control for PCs running Microsoft Windows. In 1991, Pacific CommWare introduced TurboCom, a set of drop-in replacement serial port drivers for Windows, allowing communications at baud rates up to 115.2 Kbaud. At Silicon Northwest, the company will be debuting TurboCom/2, a significant upgrade that extends interrupt support; and, TurboCommander, which incorporates the TurboCom/2 serial port drivers into a Windows application that allows multiple communications apps to share a single serial port and provides an on-screen reproduction of the modem LEDs.

"SOFTBOARD", from Microfield Graphics, Inc., is a revolutionary new electronic whiteboard that combines the functionality of the commonplace whiteboard with capabilities of desktop computers. Any information written on the SoftBoard surface using specially-equipped color dry-erase markers is simultaneously displayed on any connected Windows PC or Macintosh. This data can then be saved, printed, used in other applications or shared with other users - even those in multiple remote locations. Attractively priced at $2,995, SoftBoard's built-in data communications capability provides an easy-to-use, low-cost solution for audio-graphic teleconferencing, distance learning and multi-site collaboration applications.

SUPRA CORPORATION will exhibit a full line of faxmodems. Highly regarded for price/performance value, Supra's faxmodems range from the budget-conscious SupraFAXModem 24/96i to the best-selling SupraFAXModem V.32bis. New technologies include voice processing, PCMCIA, and ultra-fast 24k faxmodems. Supra, a leader in desktop communications, has a reputation for quality and customer satisfaction that is backed by a five-year warranty, free support, and timely service. Our products have won design awards and we continue to pioneer with features like SilentAnswer for receiving fax and voice calls on a single telephone line and the SupraSmart UART for reliable high speed communications.

TEKTRONIX, INC. - Since entering the dye sublimation market in 1992, Tektronix has captured 50 percent of the market for lettersized printers. Tektronix extended its dye sublimation family with the tabloid-size Phaser 480 - a high-speed color printer with exceptional image quality and color fidelity, versatile networkability and unmatched performance for this technology. With its enhanced performance and the newest in Tektronix color image processing, the Phaser 480 delivers beautiful, photographic quality that users have come to expect from Tektronix. The Phaser 480 will ship in January 1994 at $14,995 (US) suggested list price.

ALKI SOFTWARE - Six new products from ALki Software help Windows and Word users communicate ideas quickly and effectively. MasterWord's suite of tools heightens and simplifies Word's power. Seek indexes and locates text and files easily and quickly, and may become one of the most important tools on your desktop. DocStudio helps you design professional-looking Word documents with ease. Comprehensive Spelling and Comprehensive Thesaurus complete the standard versions of the Microsoft spelling dictionary and thesaurus. Word Proofing Tools offer a spelling dictionary, thesaurus, and hyphenation files for multilingual Word users in one of 14 different languages.

AMERCOM, INC. will be showing its Personal-E Mailbox software, an easy to use, point-to-point, entry-level e-mail product. It can be installed in minutes and used by anyone with a DOS- or Windows-based computer, a 2400-baud modem, and a basic understanding of a computer. It works over normal, dial-up phone lines and intelligently shares a single phone line with telephone answering and fax machines. Personal-E Mailbox is most appropriate for homes, clubs, and small offices, but can also be used by larger companies that need e-mail that is separate from their LAN-based systems.

ARABESQUE SOFTWARE is launching ECCO Simplicity, the easy, yet powerful, entry to the ECCO line of SuperPIM personal information/contact managers. Arabesque is previewing ECCO for Networks with group scheduling, shared dynamic notes, outlining and other workgroup functionality. The ECCO information management system encompasses products for entry level users (ECCO Simplicity), power users (ECCO Professional) and workgroup users (ECCO for Networks). ECCO easily accepts the broad range of information users deal with throughout the day such as calender items, contacts and phonebook entries, to-do's, random thoughts, work plans and even other application files. Data can be captured on-the-fly to be flexibly organized and categorized at will.

ATTACHMATE CORPORATION, founded in 1982, is the worldwide market share leader in PC-to-Hose connectivity software. EXTRA!, the company's flagship line of connectivity software, is available for a wide range of computing platforms, including Windows, MS-DOS, OS/2, AS/400 and Macintosh. Attachmate's installed base includes more than 1,000,000 units in large enterprises and government agencies worldwide. The company has recently announced joint development and strategic alliances with Microsoft Corporation, Novell, Inc., and Lotus. The company has offices in over 20 foreign countries with over 56 European affiliates. The company has recently announced EXTRA! Tools for Microsoft Office Professional, that allow users to exchange information with the mainframe from within their everyday applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.

AUTODESK, INC. will feature two new Windows products for the retail market at the Fall Comdex '93 Silicon Northwest Reception. The retail division specializes in economical, easy-to-use personal design software tools that are used by designers of all disciplines, including architects, mechanical engineers, electronic engineers and interior designers. Autodesk is the world's leading supplier of desktop computer-aided design automation software. Additional Autodesk products include AutoCAD and Generic CADD for computer-aided design and drafting professionals; AutoSketch for computer-aided precision drawing; and the Home Series for the home use market.

CONNECT SOFTWARE develops, markets and supports E-Mail Connection, a universal e-mail interface and mail client which accesses multiple mail systems. Users can compose and send a message internally on a LAN using NetWare MHS or MAPI, and to remote locations such as the Internet, America On-Line, GEnie, X.400, AppleLink and others via direct links with CompuServe and MCI Mail. It can also be used on a stand alone PC. Features include: The address book automatically updates and maintains incoming and LAN addresses. Automated Mail delivery and pickup scheduling. Mail enables MAPI compliant applications, and supports file attachments. Users can preview and prioritize messages without opening them, and create custom folders. Incoming mail is sorted by user definable rules.

DESIGNWARE, INC. is featuring myHouse and 3D Office, 3D project design software for the home and office. Both products feature a practical application of virtual reality: a 3-dimensional walk-through option that makes floor plans come to life, 3D renderings can also be generated with a single click of the mouse. Both myHouse and 3D Office come with over 300 realistic 3D symbols - everything from armchairs to up and down elevator buttons - for easy "pick and place" design with minimal drawing time. Popular add-on libraries such as Deluxe Kitchen & Bath are available allowing users to further enhance their designs. myHouse and 3D Office have minimal hardware requirements - an 80386 base computer and VGA monitor. The MSRP for myHouse is $89, and $129 for 3D Office.

EDMARK CORPORATION, specializing in early learning for over 20 years, offers a series of award-winning educational software programs for children ages 2 to 10. KidDesk, an interactive menuing and desk accessory program, gives everyone in the family their own place on the computer while protecting files on the hard disk from the little ones. Other products - the new Thinkin' Things, Millies's Math House and Bailey's Book House - make it fun for pre-schoolers to learn the basics of problem solving, math and reading by interacting with the talking, animated creatures on the screen.

ELSEWARE is introducing Font Works, the first integrated Windows font solution that gives users 220 high-quality fonts and the tools to use them effectively. Font Works includes: 220 high quality fonts in under 2 Mb; font management utilities that let you organize fonts in easy-to-use groups, customize application font lists by hiding or showing individual fonts as you need them; precise font replacements that carefully match fonts and their metrics to guarantee that your documents will look the way they are supposed to when they move between PCs; and the Advisor, written by noted type expert Daniel Will-Harris, which helps you select the right fonts for every document.

MICROLOGIC SOFTWARE is featuring new versions of MoreFonts for DOS and Windows. MoreFonts for WordPerfect 6.0 allows MicroLogic's signature special effects to be used with any fonts supported by DOS WordPerfect 6.0 - TrueType, PostScript, Bitstream or Agfa. MoreFonts for Windows brings special effects lo TrueType and PostScript under Windows. Both products include 145 popular typefaces, installable as Truetype or PostScript fonts. MLS also presents PrintMaster Gold for DOS and Windows: low price, ease of use, high-quality 24-bit color or b/w output, and a refreshingly non-proprietary approach to fonts and graphics set PrintMaster Gold apart in the entry-level dtp arena.

MOMENTUM DEVELOPMENT, INC., (MDI) is introducing a line of officially-licensed major league sports software products that allow Windows users to customize their operating environment with the look, logos, schedules, stats, standings and stadiums of their favorite teams in their favorite leagues. SportsGuides from MDI feature stunning team screen savers and wallpaper, a personal scheduler that automatically lists games and national TV coverage scheduled on the selected day, a personal rolodex and league- and team-specific trivia games. Stats and standings can be updated by modem, on a weekly basis, with the click of the mouse. Available for the National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Baseball and the National Football League (NFL), SprotsGuides bring a new universe of information and the excitement of professional sports to the PC Screen.

MUSICWARE, INC, based in Redmond, WA, is introducing Musicware Piano" for Windows, the first comprehensive interactive piano instruction software for beginners. Musicware Piano combines proven piano teaching methods with the power and ease of Windows, helping users advance step-by-step from the basics to playing songs using both hands. Used with any MIDI piano keyboard and a sound card, Music are Piano provides instruction in sight reading, ear training, rhythm and music theory fundamentals in an easy-to-learn method. Bundled with all necessary cabling, and an original songbook, Musicware Piano retails for $129.95 and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. It is distributed direct (800-99-PIANO) and through catalogs.

PAUL MACE SOFTWARE, INC. publisher of the dominant multimedia authoring system for professional use, is featuring Multimedia GRASP, the new high-end version of its popular animation and authoring program GRASP (Graphic Animation System for Professionals). MM GRASP enables users to create animated presentations, point of sale product demonstration, interactive tutorials, engineering simulations and interactive television and animation related to computer assisted design and manufacturing. MM GRASP supports up to 32,765 colors and supports all popular graphic displays. With the coming release of Visual GRASP as the entry-level companion to GRASP and MM GRASP, Paul Mace Software offers a full range of multimedia software to support your authoring needs. Visual GRASP is an easy-to-use, full featured, low-end multimedia development software that uses a mouse driven interface. Paul Mace Software sells and distributes its products worldwide to OEMs, master, national and regional distributors. Paul Mace Software has a Major Accounts and Site License program as well.

PC-KWIK CORPORATION is featuring its line of performance enhancement software for DOS and Windows: Super PC-Kwik, Power Pak, and WinMaster. In addition, PC-Kwik will discuss Jeopardy Detector, a new utility that monitors disk caches for periods of data loss and corruption. PC-Kwik will also discuss new technology to significantly improve Windows' performance.

REFLEX, INC - To pro-actively address the virus concerns of corporations and government agencies, Reflex introduces Disknet, the enterprise-wide PC security solution for DOS, Windows and networks. By creating a "security shield," Disknet provides a solution that keeps viruses from ever getting access to a PC's hard drive. It utilizes 3rd party scanners on one or more centralized "Administrator" PCs to scan for viruses on all incoming floppy disks. Once verified as virus-free, a 2-part customizable signature is written to the diskette, allowing its use on any PC within the Disknet shield. Additional utilities included guard against COM port and boot-sector viruses while providing additional security.

ROAD SCHOLAR Software will feature four new products: CITY STREETS for Windows builds on the popularity of the DOS program by adding several new features including GPS (satellite) capabilities. SPANISH SCHOLAR for Windows is a two-way translator and thesaurus that recognizes over 1 million terms and over 24,000 fully conjugated verbs. COASTER - Screen Saver for DOS & Windows takes you on three of the wildest roller coasters ever created and includes high-frame-rate animation, 256-color VGA graphics, plus real sound effects! And finally, RAZZLE DAZZLE 3D - Screen Saver for DOS & Windows turns your PC into a 3D super VGA virtual electronic art gallery. RAZZLE DAZZLE 3D will also play Animator files and music!

SAROS CORPORATION introduces a revolution in document management. Designed from the ground up for today's networked Windows user. The Saros Document Manager interface provides an easy intuitive way to access and organize information objects. Location independent. Network-wide search by attributes or content. Version control. Document routing. Unbeatable security. Routine tasks (fax, print, archive, e-mail, browse) integrated and automated. Customizable to individual work habits and business needs. Expedites system admin. Unique Saros architecture reduces overall cost of end user support and system maintenance and expansion. Modular components, object orientation, scalability, and integrated architecture safeguard LAN investment. Network independent. Works with any Windows application.

SECOND NATURE SOFTWARE will have samples of over 30 Windows screen saver/wallpaper collections of professional an and photography. Each collection has 22 high quality 256-color images as well as innovative image control software. The collections cover diverse subjects including images of nature and paintings from major museums. Second Nature will be showing their newest collections, their recycled packaging, and explaining how they are using all profits to support nonprofit organizations. A sampler collection with the Slide Show software will be available at the event.

SOFTWARE ARCHITECTS, INC., a leading developer of file transfer and storage management software, presents Formatter5 Pro for the Macintosh and jukebox MO Manager for Hewlett-Packard optical disk libraries. Formatter5 Pro is a file interchange utility that allows pre-press users to create Scitex, Crosfield and DOS formats and transfer files on Macintosh storage systems. Jukebox MO Manager is an optical disk library management software package that gives Macintosh users up to 20 gigabytes of on-line

storage for use with AppleShare or AppleSearch servers and stand-alone high-performance Macintosh systems.

VIEW SOFTWARE, INC. is showing its latest Document Management product for Windows called QuickFind. QuickFind lets users create clear, meaningful file names up to 255 characters long, making it easy to organize and find information. QuickFind enhances the File Open and File Save As commands to use long file and directory names. It is available in single user or network versions. QuickFind can be integrated with our imaging modules and third party databases to solve most document management problems. QuickFind works with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, Works, Office, Lotus 1-2-3, Lotus Improv, WordPerfect, Corel Draw and other popular Windows based applications.


SPA & Boscov's Settle Software Suit
Retail Chain Settles Software Suit; Pays $161,000 To Software Publishers Association

November 11, 1993 (Washington, Do -- The Software Publishers Association (SPA) announced today a settlement in its copyright infringement suit against Boscov's Department Stores, Inc.

In the settlement, the Pennsylvania-based retail chain agreed to institute copy control procedures in all of its locations and to destroy all unlicensed copies of software. In addition, the company agreed to pay $161,000 plus attorneys' fees to the SPA's Copyright Protection Fund. The suit against Boscov's was filed on July 20, 1993, following allegations that the company had copied copyrighted software onto the hard drives of a number of personal computers.

"Boscov's is a company that worked closely with us once they were alerted to their problems with software usage," notes SPA General Counsel Ilene Rosenthal. "We're very pleased with the outcome of this action, and with the fact that Boscov's responded to our action in a responsible manner."

The SPA, through its Copyright Protection Fund, operates a global program to fight software piracy through a combination of education and legal action. Initiated in 1985, the program is aimed at reducing the damage done by software piracy--including lost revenues, lost jobs and higher software costs for consumers. Since 1988, the SPA has initiated more than 1,000 lawsuits and audits for software copyright infringement, obtaining search and seizure orders against a wide range of businesses, computer dealers, bulletin board systems and educational institutions.

Federal copyright law makes it illegal to produce a copy of any piece of software for any purpose other than as a back-up or as part of the program's utilization. Statutory damages for companies and individuals that break the law can be as high as $100,000 for each copyright infringed. In October, 1992, Congress passed legislation making commercial software piracy a felony offense with prison terms of up to five years (10 years for repeat offenders) and fines of up to $250,000.

The SPA distributes free materials to help organizations understand the copyright laws, inventory their software and remain within the law. These materials, the SelfAudit Kit and SPAudit software, are available from the Software Publishers Association offices in Washington, DC. To date, this program has helped an estimated 100,000 companies to correct problems and remain within the law.

The SPA also maintains an Anti-Piracy Hotline (1-800-388-7478) for obtaining the free materials and reporting companies and organizations that break the law. The SPA's anti-piracy hotline receives up to 30 calls per day. Based on reports to the hotline, the Association took action against 747 organizations in 1992.

The combination of education and litigation has proven successful for the SPA-the most current estimates indicate that software piracy has been cut by almost 50 percent since the program was initiated.

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


HortMan Horticultural Manager
Sunrise Software is pleased to announce the first release of: HortMan, Horticultural Manager

The wise gardener keeps an up-to-date notebook at all seasons. HortMan will retain your notes for each plant and compile a list of tasks for each month of the year.

Whether your a professional gardener, a back yard hobbyist or a nursery manager, HortMan has the power and versatility to manage your horticultural demands.

The introductory shareware price is only $29.95 with free HortMan utilities for all registered users!

Hortman

Horticultural Manager

A software management tool developed to bring the power of the PC into the horticultural profession.

The wise gardener keeps an up-to-date notebook at all seasons. HortMan will retain your notes for each plant and compile a list of tasks for each month of the year.

Whether your a professional gardener, a back yard hobbyist or a nursery manager, HortMan has the power and versatility to manage your horticultural demands.

Information on several thousand plants can be compiled in a single book and HortMan can govern up to 50 books.

HortMan can help organize other sources of information, such as periodicals & books.

Exchange or distribute plant information with associates and friend. HortMan easily transfers plant information to and from diskette.

Some of the major features are:

* View and/or Edit plant information on one screen

* Maintain an up-to-date log on all plants

* Organize plants by Categories and Zones

* Create, Edit and Print a Work List for every month

* Easily export Plant Information to Diskette as:

  - HortMan Database Format

  - ASCII Text File

* Print Plant Information to Printer or ASCII File

* View helpful information in the Tips & Hints section

* A Quick Guide section will help you learn HortMan

* Choose one of three ways to Print or Transfer Plants:

  - Tag List

  - Search List

  - Entire Book

* Use the pop-up Notepad to record upcoming events.

* Search for Plants by:

  - Plant Name

  - Description

  - Zone

  - Category(s)

  - Reference Text

  - Work Tasks

HortMan is easy to learn, and fun to use !

Sunrise Software

4821 Clydelle Ave, San Jose, CA 95124

408-377-0703


Mobile Forum'93-94 Successful Registration
MOBILE FORUM '93 AND '94 REPORTS SUCCESSFUL REGISTRATION RESPONSE FOR DECEMBER SYMPOSIUM

Minneapolis, MN (November 15, 1993) -- Mobile Forum '93 and '94 reports a successful response rate for the second symposium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on December 6-7, 1993.

With over 100 attendees at the first symposium, the Minneapolis forum is approaching even greater numbers. Attendee registrations are increasing on a daily basis, which include top executives, telecommunications analysts, and technical management. Currently, 3M and IBM are just two of the many companies registered to attend the December seminar. End-users from such companies as Texas Utilities, USAir, and Sears Logistics have attended Mobile Forum to explore the opportunities that mobile and wireless communications can offer their corporations.

The Manufacturers' Information Center is an area where industry manufacturers and service organizations can purchase space to have their products and company information available to the attendees. Participating manufacturers have included Gould Electronics, Dauphin, MobileComm, Synergistic Systems, Motorola, and Skytel Corporation.

Mobile Forum '93 and '94 is a joint project of Skill Dynamics, an IBM Company, and Directions in Mobile/Wireless Computing magazine, a publication of CCT, Inc. This full-featured symposia will provide a practical, applications-oriented two-day program that brings together end users and manufacturers to help develop a clear picture of the many possibilities available in mobile and wireless computing.

The registration fee to the Mobile Forum '93 and '94 seminar is $695. The fee includes the entire two-day program content presented in a single-track format, two luncheons, and a reception where attendees and speakers can network. For a brochure, more information, or to register call 1-800-422-4999.


Golden CommPass 2.1 OS/2 Comm Package for CIS
Creative Systems Programming Corporation Introduces Golden CommPass Version 2.1

LAS VEGAS, NV, November 15, 1993 - Creative Systems Programming Corporation is now shipping the ultimate way to navigate the world of CompuServe, Golden CommPass 2.1 ! A complete 32-bit program, Golden CommPass is the only native OS/2 communications package designed specifically for CompuServe Information Service. It allows users to customize and totally automate on-line sessions with CompuServe forums, libraries, mail and weather.

Users choose their tasks -- such as retrieving mail, scanning forum message sections and downloading library files -- before going on-line, thereby keeping billable connect time to an absolute minimum. The program takes full advantage of OS/2 multitasking, giving users the ability to work on-line and off-line simultaneously.

"The new version provides customers with a host of new features and performance enhancements," says Larry B. Finkelstein, president of Creative Systems Programming Corporation, "We've taken our users' suggestions for improvements and delivered the features they most wanted. We've revamped the interface, and made Golden CommPass even faster and easier to use."

Among the new program options: Intelligent Subject Marking remembers and automatically marks message subjects previously selected or skipped. Message Aging allows you to mark and discard older messages, while Message Archiving allows you to save them to special archive files. New "drag-and-drop" features let you extend an on-line session and print or delete messages and files. Enhancements to CompuServe Mail include a file attach option that allows you to send a file with a message, and the ability to send carbon and blind carbon copies.

Menu options and dialogs are clearer and better located, and most variables are set on OS/2 notebook pages. The manual has been extensively rewritten and includes a mini-tutorial with A CompuServe's Practice Forum.

Golden CommPass is used throughout IBM, as well as many other corporations, to provide technical support on CompuServe for their applications. "As a long-time user of Golden CommPass, I am delighted to see that Creative Systems Programming Corporation is releasing a new 32-bit version of this product, along with a significant set of new and valuable features," stated John Soyring, Director of Software Development Programs for IBM Personal Software Products, "The IBM OS/2 forums on CompuServe are a major channel for delivering support to our users and business partners. Golden CommPass is a powerful tool that allows us to deliver this support more effectively and more cost efficiently."

"There has been a tremendous groundswell of support for OS/2 at the grass roots level," says John Patrick, vice president of sales and marketing for IBM's Personal Software Products division. "Momentum continues to build for the product, especially on the electronic bulletin boards. We're pleased that Creative System's Golden CommPass makes it easier for people communicating electronically to take advantage of OS/2's power and reliability."

Creative Systems Programming Corporation offers Golden CommPass 2.1 for a retail price of only $99. Golden CommPass 2.0 users are able to upgrade for a nominal cost of $29 until December 15, 1993. After that date, upgrades will be available for $49. Additional information and technical support will be available on the new Golden CommPass forum on CompuServe by typing GO GCPSUPPORT at any CompuServe prompt.

Founded in 1984 and a privately-held company, Creative Systems Programming Corporation designs custom applications for OS/2 and is a leading developer of OS/2 communications software.

Creative Systems Programming Corp

PO Box 961, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054

609-234-1500,  fax 609-234-1920,  CIS: 71511,151


Microsoft Press Computer Dictionary 2nd Ed.
Microsoft Press Computer Dictionary, Second Edition

The Comprehensive Standard for Business, School, Library,

and Home, Now Completely Revised and Expanded

456 pages, $19.95, ISBN 1-55615-597-2

Pub. Date: November 10, 1993

PC Magazine applauded the first edition of the MICROSOFT PRESS COMPUTER DICTIONARY saying it "defines and explains the language of computers." It's been quoted in The New York Times and USA Today. Compute hailed it as the "must-have computer resource." Now, this one-stop reference for thousands of people who work with computers has been revised and expanded to reflect the latest developments in an ever-changing field.

The MICROSOFT PRESS COMPUTER DICTIONARY, SECOND EDITION, contains over 5000 entries and more than 200 drawings, diagrams, and photographs that enhance definitions and provide additional detail. It' s the ultimate source of computer information for students, managers, and professionals--anyone who wants a quick and reliable grasp of microcomputer terms, phrases, and concepts.

Each entry is concise yet truly informative--a refreshing change from the usual terse definitions found in other dictionaries or laborious explanations in technical manuals. All entries are fully cross-referenced to provide supplementary information and to invite further exploration. Where appropriate, definitions include phonetic pronunciations that reflect industry usage--for example, GUI, pronounced "gooey."

Readers who work with microcomputers but who aren't computer professionals will find definitions for terms as basic to computing as hard disk, boot, operating system, and double-click as well as more advanced terms, such as object-oriented programming, fractal, expert system, and virtual memory. And while Microsoft Press is recognized as the first source for information about Microsoft products, the COMPUTER DICTIONARY covers competing products objectively. Even computer professionals will appreciate the concise explanations in plain English, not Computerese ! Appendixes provide a valuable reference to computer character sets and numeric equivalents.

Updated by Microsoft Press Technical Director David Rygmyr, this new edition significantly expands the first edition. The original MICROSOFT PRESS COMPUTER DICTIONARY was written reviewed, and editted by a distinguished team of top computer book authors such as JoAnne Woodcock, Charles Petzold, Ray Duncan, and Cary Lu, as well as world-renowned business and academic experts.

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,  800-MSPRESS


Runnings Windows NT
Running Windows NT

The First Complete Guide to Mastering the Power of Microsoft Windows NT

Running Windows NT by Craig Stinson, Mike Blasyczak, Bruce McKenney and JoAnne Woodcock

$27.95, 848 pages, ISBN 1-55615-572-7

Pub. Date: November 16, 1993

RUNNING WINDOWS NT -- the one-stop, easy-to-use guide to Microsoft' s state-of-the-art operating system -- is now available in the redesigned Running series from Microsoft Press.

PC Magazine contributing editor Craig Stinson' s concise tutorials and hands-on examples bring Windows NT to life. His results-oriented, step-by-step coverage helps newcomers to Windows NT get up and running fast--and then sprint beyond the basics. Hundreds of screen shots show readers exactly what to do. User-friendly icons throughout the book point out powerful, timesaving features, while power tips provide valuable insights and helpful shortcuts. It' s the most complete how-to guide available.

As a reference, RUNNING WINDOWS NT can't be beat. New navigational tools such as the detailed table of contents and the Chapters at a Glance feature make it easy for readers to zero in on the information they need. Sidebars call out advanced topics, and all the information in the book is thoroughly cross-referenced. Inside the front and back covers are handy visual references to Windows NT toolbars--perfect for quick lookups. Users at every level will agree that this is the book to turn to for fast, expert help. Here's what's covered:

* Windows NT basics--system configuration, using the interface, working with the built-in applications and accessories, and understanding operating system features such as OLE and ClipBooks

* Networking--using Microsoft Mail, Schedule+, and shared resources

* Security & Administration--using User Manager and other powerful Windows NT tools to create user accounts, monitor security, and set levels of permissions for shared resources

* Optimization--using Performance Monitor to maximize resources and get the most out of applications

RUNNING WINDOWS NT is the first book in the Microsoft Press Running series to sport a completely new look from cover to cover. Increased use of visual elements such as icons and graphics reinforce key points. Procedural steps are numbered for quick reference, and an expanded table of contents makes all the information more accessible. A comprehensive index leads readers quickly to information on any topic in the book. Other titles in the Running series include Stinson's bestselling Running Windows 3.1; the classic Running MS-DOS, by Van Wolverton; the bestselling Running Microsoft Excel 5, Fourth Edition, from The Cobb Group; Running Word 6 for Windows, by Russell Borland; Running Microsoft Access, by John Viescas; and Running Visual Basic 2.0 for Windows, by Ross Nelson.

Craig Stinson, an industry journalist since 1981, edits the "Spreadsheets" column for PC Magazine. Stinson was formerly editor of Softtalk for the IBM Personal Computer. He is the author of Running Windows 3.1 and coauthor of the forthcoming Running Microsoft Excel S, Fourth Edition, and Microsoft Excel 5 Companion, all published by Microsoft Press.

Microsoft Press is the book division of Microsoft Corporation and the leading publisher of quality computer books about Microsoft products. More than 10 million users 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,  800-MSPRESS


JVC Supports Authoring of Photo CD Portfolio
JVC ANNOUNCES INTENT TO SUPPORT AUTHORING OF PHOTO CD PORTFOLIO DISCS

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 15--JVC Information Products Company of America intends to support the authoring of Photo CD Portfolio discs on its Personal RomMaker CD-Recordable (CD-R) production systems, officials of JVC and Eastman Kodak Company announced today.

Kodak designed the Photo CD Portfolio format for creating CDs that combine still images with text, graphics, and sound. A programmed access or "branching" capability built into the format lets users create interactive discs. Like all Photo CD formats, Photo CD Portfolio discs can be played back on TV or computers.

JVC said it plans to bundle Kodak software for producing Photo CD Portfolio discs with its UNIX-based RomMaker products, and to brand JVC's CD-R systems with the distinctive Photo CD trademark. Personal RomMaker systems are complete hardware and software solutions for in-house production of CDROM discs.

Kodak Photo CD Portfolio authoring software will be introduced by early next year. Kodak and JVC are demonstrating beta versions of Photo CD Portfolio authoring software here at COMDEX in Kodak's booth (A-117) and JVC's booth (A-268). Both booths are part of the Multimedia Showcase in the South Annex of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

JVC Personal RomMaker Systems

JVC announced plans to support authoring and playback of Photo CD Portfolio discs on two system configurations:

* JVC's Personal RomMaker for UNIX, a standalone system that lets Sun SPARCstation users create individual CD-ROM discs at the desktop.

* JVC's Personal RomMaker Multi-Drive System for UNIX, which adds up to four additional CD-R drives for users who want to produce multiple copies of discs quickly.

Both products incorporate JVC hardware and Personal RomMaker software, which together write CD-ROM discs in the ISO 9660/Rock Ridge, ISO-9660/HiSierra, or UNIX native file system (UFS) formats.

The Kodak Photo CD Portfolio authoring software would provide JVC customers with another disc-writing option: the ability to produce their own Photo CD Portfolio format discs. JVC said it plans to incorporate the Photo CD Portfolio software as a standard model in its UNIX-based RomMaker line up, and to provide users sample Kodak Photo CD Portfolio formatted media with each purchase.

"The Photo CD format is gaining acceptance as an industry standard for high quality still images, and JVC expects Photo CD Portfolio format discs to become a popular medium for CD-ROM publishing," said Richard Young, vice president of JVC Information Products Company of America. "We plan to move as quickly as possible to provide our customers the ability to author Photo CD Portfolio format discs using JVC's RomMaker products."

KODAK Photo CD Portfolio Disc

The Kodak Photo CD system scans photographic images onto special compact discs for input to a computer or playback on television. The Photo CD Portfolio format is an extension of the core Photo CD format designed to serve as a CDROM publishing medium.

The Photo CD Portfolio format will combine Photo CD images or other digital image file formats with digital audio, graphics, text screens, and programmed access (sometimes referred to as "branching," which lets the presenter or viewer select different playback options).

Photo CD Portfolio discs can be played back on television using a Photo CD Portfolio, CD-I, or 3DO player, or other compatible playback device. The discs can be played on any computer using a Photo CD Portfolio-compatible CD-ROM drive with appropriate software. All major CD-ROM drive manufacturers currently offer multisession drives that are Photo CD-compatible.

"Kodak's strategy is to enable the broadest possible base of computer users to read and write Photo CD discs," said Fred Geyer, general manager and vicepresident, Kodak CD Imaging. "We are extremely pleased that JVC, one of the leaders in CD-Recordable hardware and software, has expressed its intent to let customers create Photo CD Portfolio format discs."

Eastman Kodak Company, 343 State St, Rochester, NY 14650


Kodak Photo CD Dics in Smaller Size
KODAK PHOTO CD DISCS WILL COME IN SMALLER SIZE

New 80 mm Format Designed to Meet the Needs of Transportable Users

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 15--As new, smaller-format CD-ROM drives begin appearing in laptop and notebook computers, Eastman Kodak Company unveiled plans to offer a smaller version of its popular Photo CD disc.

The 80 mm disc format will complement the original, 120 mm Photo CD discs that have become widely accepted by the computer industry during the past year. Kodak announced its intent to support the 80 mm format here at the COMDEX Show, where Panasonic is showing a prototype 80 mm Photo CD disc as part of the demonstration of a new notebook computer.

Kodak designed the new Photo CD discs to be compatible with the 80 mm CD-ROM drives likely to be found in future notebooks, laptops, and personal digital assistants (PDAs). The discs also will play on nearly all existing Photo CD-compatible devices, including existing CD-ROM drives, Photo CD, and CD-I players. Kodak expects to make the 80 mm Photo CD format available late in 1994.

"Hardware manufacturers have identified the 80 mm format as the best way to bring the benefits of CD-ROM digital storage to a range of transportable devices, from notebooks to PDAs," said Fred Geyer, general manager and vice president, Kodak CD Imaging. "We believe the 80 mm and 120 mm formats both will be widely used. As a result, we intend to offer Photo CD media in both sizes."

Here at COMDEX, Panasonic is demonstrating one of the first notebook computers to employ an 80 mm CD-ROM drive. Demonstrations of the new Panasonic notebook computer, which weighs less than 6 pounds, and features the prototype 80 mm Photo CD disc, are taking place throughout the week in Panasonic booth number L682 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

About Photo CD Discs

The original, 120 mm Photo CD disc is the same size as today's album-length audio CDs. New, 80 mm Photo CD discs will be the size of audio "CD singles," which contain a few audio tracks rather than an entire album.

Both the 120 mm format and the 80 mm format are recognized as CD-ROM standards by the International Standards Organization (ISO).

The smaller discs will be "backward compatible" with nearly all players and CD-ROM drives that can read or write current Photo CD discs. The reason: A small cavity built into 120 mm CD drives that is designed to hold 80 mm discs while they play. (In the rare instance that a drive lacks this cavity, the smaller discs can be played using an adapter ring.)

Any Photo CD information that can be written to a 120 mm disc also can be written to an 80 mm disc, but in a smaller quantity. The 80 mm Photo CD discs have one-third the data-carrying capacity of their 120 mm cousins.

In the case of the Kodak Photo CD Master disc, that means the smaller disc will be able to hold images contained on one 35 mm roll of 36-exposure film. Original Photo CD Master discs can carry four 24-exposure rolls, or a total of about 100 images.

Like the larger Photo CD discs, 80 mm discs will be produced by photofinishers and service bureaus using any of three Kodak Photo CD Imaging Workstations (PIWs). Kodak plans to provide PIW owners with a software upgrade to enable them to provide 80 mm disc authoring capability.

For more information about Photo CD, customers may call the Kodak Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-CD-KODAK.

Eastman Kodak Company, 343 State St, Rochester, NY 14650


Kodak Print from Slides Machine
DIGITAL IMAGING MEETS SILVER HALIDE QUALITY

Kodak Announces Prints from Slides Machine

LONDON, ENGLAND, Nov. 11--Eastman Kodak Company today announced the Kodak digital PFX system, a print from slides machine that should result in a new level of image quality and cost savings for photofinishers.

The PFX system allows photofinishers to scan and digitize slides at high resolution. It creates a color negative image electronically that is then printed on high-quality color negative paper.

"Using traditional methods users would have to print onto color reversal paper which can be costly. Or, users would have to create an internegative which is an extra step in the process," said Cortlandt E. Johnson, Business Planner, Photofinishing Equipment, Kodak Consumer Imaging. " With the digital PFX system, we're offering photofinishers an easier, less expensive process that produces images with the same quality as an optical print."

PFX signifies "Prints from X"--with "X" meaning many types of images. Today the system can make prints from slides but in the future this means additional digital printing opportunities.

The PFX system consists of a slide scanner, a computer workstation, and the Kodak CRT digital color printer.

The CRT printer (a high-speed cathode ray tube) exposes Photo CD index prints or other digital image files onto color negative paper. These prints can be processed off-line with the same equipment used to process prints from negatives.

The scanner, like the printer, was developed for use with the Kodak Photo CD system. It scans and digitizes information at 1024 lines by 1536 pixels for each primary color. In seconds, an image file is created containing over 4.5 million bytes of information.

The workstation uses this data to determine the exposure for all slides automatically. State-of-the-art algorithms developed by Kodak make this possible.

At the same time, an "electronic negative" is generated by reading and inverting data from the three-color scan. This new negative then is projected via patented CRT technology onto color negative paper by the printer.

Features/Advantages

The Kodak digital PFX system offers photofinishers a variety of advantages over traditional ways of obtaining prints from slides:

* High-quality prints result from the digital technology due to automatic focusing and electronic image sharpening.

* Digital technology optimizes contrast range of slides for color negative printing. This produces lower-contrast prints with increased highlight and shadow detail.

* The system ensures a low makeover rate when using the scene balance algorithm. A large color monitor assists in making color and density corrections.

* Photofinishers should save time and money. The system reduces or eliminates the need for separate Process R3 paper, chemicals and processor, or the need for internegatives.

* The system offers high multiple print productivity of 400 pph.

* An auto slide handling accessory is available, allowing operatorless printing.

Price/Availability

Customer trials for the Kodak digital PFX system will begin during the first quarter of 1994, with availability in mid-1994. Details regarding pricing will be available in the first quarter of 1994. For more information, U.S. customers should contact their local Kodak representative.

Eastman Kodak Company, 343 State St, Rochester, NY 14650


Photo Labs/Service Bureaus to Product Photo CDs
KODAK INVITES PHOTO LABS AND SERVICE BUREAUS TO PRODUCE PHOTO CD PORTFOLIO MULTIMEDIA DISCS

Rochester, N.Y., Nov. 11--Eastman Kodak Company today mailed over 1,500 invitations to photo labs and audio-visual service bureaus in the U.S. and Canada, inviting them to produce Kodak Photo CD Portfolio discs. Kodak plans to introduce Kodak Photo CD Portfolio design software for Macintosh computers and production software for Sun computers. Kodak Photo CD Portfolio production software for Macintosh and Windows will follow.

The Photo CD Portfolio disc format combines high-resolution Photo CD images with text, graphics, interactive menus, and sound. Kodak will target business markets such as sales, training, and publishing. Customers of the Kodak shrink-wrap software products will create interactive Photo CD Portfolio disc presentations and titles at the desktop.

Photo CD Portfolio discs can be played on TV using Photo CD, CD-I, Apple PowerCD, and Panasonic 3DO players. Kodak recently introduced the Kodak Photo CD portable player PCD 970 that displays Photo CD discs on TV and plays audio CDs to stereo systems.

Photo CD Portfolio discs also can be played on Macintosh and Windows based computers with compatible CD-ROM drives and Kodak Photo CD Portfolio player software. Commercial applications for Photo CD Portfolio format discs include business presentations, informational kiosks, trade show displays, and educational programs.

The format also is valuable for archiving digital images and for multimedia title creation where motion is not required.

The Photo CD Portfolio disc can be programmed with non-linear interactive menus. This means that menu branches can easily be designed into a presentation, allowing the user to select a remote control button, or by pointing the mouse to select an on-screen menu button.

Beginning in January, users can design the contents of a Photo CD Portfolio disc using shrink-wrap software from Kodak. Today's mailing to photo labs and audio-visual service bureaus is the first step in building a network of service provider locations to produce the Portfolio disc for users of the Portfolio design software. Kodak plans to have a service network in place before it begins shipping the desktop Kodak Photo CD Portfolio creation software to retailers in January.

Details about pricing, product features, and channels of distribution for Photo CD Portfolio desktop and production software will be announced at MacWorld Expo in January. For more information, customers and interested service providers can call the Kodak Customer Assistance Center at 1/800-CD-KODAK.

Eastman Kodak Company, 343 State St, Rochester, NY 14650


Kodak Automated Photo CD Imaging Workstation
KODAK INTRODUCES AUTOMATED PHOTO CD IMAGING WORKSTATION, CRT PRINTER

LONDON, ENGLAND, Nov. 11--Eastman Kodak Company today introduced an automated Photo CD Imaging Workstation (PIW) designed to increase productivity for high-volume photofinishers who process consumer film orders.

When it is brought to market early next year, the Kodak PCD Imaging Workstation 6600 will let photofinishers scan up to 50 rolls of 35 mm film at a time onto individual Photo CD discs, without the need for operator intervention. The PIW 6600 will employ a reel-to-reel scanning system, an automated disc loading device and the Kodak PCD Writer 600--a high-speed writer that is three times faster than Kodak's current CD writer. Along with the new PIW 6600, Kodak plans to offer the Kodak CRT Digital Color Printer, a high-speed printer that outputs digital image files onto photographic paper for conventional processing.

Photofinishers who purchase the PIW 6600 will be able to use the printer to output "index prints," that contain thumbnail versions of the images on a Photo CD disc, more quickly and at lower cost than they can with current thermal printers.

"We designed the PIW 6600 to fit the workflow environments of the highvolume photofinishing operations that process over 70 percent of consumer film orders," said Michael P. Morley, vice president and regional business general manager, Consumer Imaging, United States and Canada. "The new PIW promises to boost productivity and reduce labor costs for photofinishers."

Photofinishing Workflow

Today, high-volume photofinishers typically splice 50 undeveloped rolls of 35 mm film into a single reel, processing them in a continuous operation. Orders for reprints also are spliced together on reels, using the Universal Reprint System (URS).

After the film is processed and prints are made, the photofinisher cuts the film in strips, then collates the orders and prepares billing information. This system lets wholesale labs process thousands of orders daily, with only a few skilled technicians overseeing the highly automated processing equipment.

The PIW 6600 will offer the same capability for the production of Photo CD discs. Photofinishers will transfer multiple rolls of film onto Photo CD discs in a continuous, reel-to-reel scanning operation. The scanner will accept the same reels used to process undeveloped film, as well as reprint orders from a URS device.

The scanned images will be written to Kodak Photo CD Master discs using the PCD Writer 600. The Kodak PCD Disc Transporter accessory, which holds up to 75 discs at a time, will automatically insert and remove the discs from the writer to an output spindle.

KODAK CRT Digital Color Printer

Along with the PIW 6600, Kodak plans to offer a high-speed cathode ray tube (CRT) printer that exposes Photo CD index prints or other digital image files onto photographic paper. The prints can be processed off-line with the same equipment used to process prints made from negatives.

Producing up to 350 prints per hour, the Kodak CRT Digital Color Printer is more productive than thermal printers on current PIWs, with lower media costs. Maximum print size will be 5 x 7 inches.

In addition to outputting index prints, Morley said, the CRT Digital Color Printer will be offered as a standalone product for applications ranging from school photography to prints from slides.

Price, Availability

Morley added "Customer trials for both the PIW 6600 and CRT Digital Color Printer will begin later this year, with both products scheduled for availability in early 1994. We expect to announce pricing and exact availability dates at the Photo Marketing Association show beginning February 17, 1994."

For more information, U.S. customers may call 1-800-242-2424, ext. 36.

Eastman Kodak Company, 343 State St, Rochester, NY 14650


Math Ace Arcade Style Educational Math Game
Introducing Math Ace

"The program that turns kids on to math."

Palo Alto, Calif., October 11, 1993 - Magic Quest, formerly Earthquest, is proud to announce Math Ace, the 90's solution to the age-old dilemma of how to spark kids' interest in learning math. Unlike other math programs on the market, Math Ace is a fast-paced arcade style game which integrates an interactive, selfpaced math workshop called Smart Lab. Math Ace also introduces an intrepid digital math navigator named Bit-Bot and a voracious Virus intent on devouring the World's Math Archives. Math Ace is designed for ages 8-14 and presents more than 3,000 math problems covering 70 fundamental math concepts from basic arithmetic through algebra.

Due to the wide range of math concepts included in both the game and in the Smart Lab, Math Ace promises years of learning fun. Encouraged by the highly personable Bit-Bot, kids become caught up in the game play which includes four challenging math duels, games within the game, all in their quest to keep the dreaded Virus at bay. In addition to essential math concepts, Math Ace addresses charting, graphing and mapping, fractions, decimals and percentages, beginning geometry, probability and estimation, and everyday math applications such as telling time and calculator usage. Skills enhanced in Math Ace include critical thinking, problem solving, recall and memory, reasoning and discovery learning.

Unique "Smart Lab" Provides Kids with Step-by-Step Instruction

To help kids practice or simply explore and learn more about any of the concepts presented, Math Ace includes Smart Lab. This interactive math workshop provides step-by-step tutorials and in-depth information on problems encountered in Math Ace from simple arithmetic to abstract algebraic equations Kids get pointers such as how to visually group objects for quicker counting or a step-by-step approach to translating real world situations into solvable math equations. Smart Lab also includes an extensive reference section that provides definitions and information on weights and measures, metric conversions and translations of numbers from one to one hundred in Spanish, French and Japanese. Found only in Math Ace, Smart Lab increases kids' learning power and allows them to take time out to expand their math horizons before they reenter the game.

Math Ace will be featured in Magic Quest's innovative school software donation program, "Learning2". Included in the "Learning2" program is Magic Quest's newest title, Math Ace and the forthcoming newly designed Treks titles, Ecology Treks, Time Treks, and Earth Treks. Specially stickered boxes of all Magic Quest titles contain school computer information forms that kids can fill in with the help of their teachers and send to Magic Quest. Upon receipt of these completed forms, Magic Quest will issue special licensing privileges and free copies of the requested Magic Quest titles to each child's school.

Math Ace requires a 286 PC compatible or higher, 640K RAM, Microsoft compatible mouse, and 4 MB of available hard disk space. The program supports VGA or better, Sound Blaster or compatible sound board for sounds and music. Math Ace is now available in over 2,500 consumer and software stores nationwide with a suggested retail price of $49.95.

Magic Quest, formerly Earthquest Inc., is dedicated to developing and publishing software that brings out the magic of learning by integrating entertaining, challenging games and rich multimedia databases. Members of the Magic Quest team include Earthquest founders, Bob Stevens and Dave Smith as President and Chairman, Paul Salzinger, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing and Robert Bierman, Vice President of Engineering. For more information, please contact Magic Quest, 125 University Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301 (415) 321-5838.


Learning2 School Software Donation Program
MAGIC QUEST ANNOUNCES "LEARNING2"

AN INNOVATIVE SCHOOL SOFTWARE DONATION PROGRAM

Palo Alto, Calif., October 11, 1993 -- Magic Quest, formerly Earthquest, announced today its innovative school software donation program, "Learning2". In keeping with Magic Quest's philosophy of encouraging and motivating kids to learn, "Learning2" lets consumers increase their children's learning power twofold by issuing a free copy of software to the school of their choice upon purchase of any Magic Quest consumer software product.

Bob Stevens, president and co-founder of Magic Quest noted, "We at Magic Quest have always believed in making learning fun both at home and at school. The "Learning 2" program helps to accomplish this by increasing the educational benefits for our home software consumers while at the same time increasing the educational technology resources in our nation's schools. "

Judi Mathis-Johnson, Software Review Editor of The Computing Teacher commented, "Of all the promotional campaigns I've seen, "Learning2" seems the most beneficial way to reinforce children's home computer experience and the most effective way to get software into the classroom."

Consumers can participate in the program by working with teachers to fill out the school computer information form included in the specially stickered boxes of Magic Quest software. Magic Quest, upon receipt of these forms, will in turn provide free copies of Magic Quest software and licensing privileges for the 1993-94 school year to each school. National retailers, including Egghead, Electronics Boutique and Software, Etc. will take part in this unique program.

Debbie O'Hara, Director of Marketing at Electronics Boutique (EB) commented, "EB is proud to be a part of the Magic Quest "Learning2" program. We view it as a way to show our continued support of the local communities in which our stores are located."

Included in the "Learning2" program is Magic Quest's newest title, Math Ace and the forthcoming newly designed Treks titles, Ecology Treks, Time Treks, and Earth Treks. Math Ace, designed for kids ages 8-14, is a fast-moving arcade-style game featuring Smart Lab an interactive, self-paced math workshop, Bit-Bot - the digital math navigator, and more than 3,000 problems ranging from basic arithmetic through algebra. The Treks programs feature exciting interactive adventures in which kids can join Bit-Bot on grand multimedia tours through history, into the biosphere and around the world. All Magic Quest titles combine engaging games closely connected to rich multimedia database archives.

Magic Quest, formerly Earthquest Inc., is dedicated to developing and publishing software that brings out the magic of learning by integrating entertaining, challenging games and rich multimedia databases. Members of the Magic Quest team include Earthquest founders, Bob Stevens and David Smith as President and Chairman, Paul Salzinger, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing and Robert Bierman, Vice President of Engineering. For more information, please contact Magic Quest, 125 University Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301 (415) 321-5838.


Magic Quest Discovery Learning Series
Magic Quest Announces New Discovery Learning Series

"Treks Line Turns Kids on to History, Ecology and the World"

Palo Alto, Calif., Nov. 1, 1993 - Magic Quest, formerly Earthquest, announced today a new line of entertaining educational software products called the Treks Discovery Learning Series. The Treks line was designed to integrate the rich database resources developed for the company's original products with new, exciting games created to capture kids' imaginations. The first three titles in the series are Time Treks, Earth Treks and Ecology Treks.

These products bring to life veritable encyclopedias of information with action-packed games, a digital knowledge navigator named Bit-Bot and brilliant graphics, sound and music. Whether taking a trip through time, exploring the earth's ecosystems, or globe trotting with Bit-Bot, kids will find years of learning fun with these content-rich multimedia programs. The Treks line will also be included in Magic Quest's recently announced 'Learning2" school software donation program.

Time Treks

Time Treks offers kids two ways to travel through time. In the game mode, kids can draw on the program's vast archive of historical information and prevent the cunning Time Tyrants from altering the course of history. In the explore mode, kids can investigate over 5,000 years of history from 3400 BC, through the Renaissance, to today. Time Treks includes 170 timelines and themes such as 'Explorers', 'Age of Inventions', 'Empires', 'Art' and 'Civilizations'. The program's extensive contents are interconnected and easy to explore making Time Treks an indispensable tool for reports, research or just plain fun.

Ecology Treks

In this fast-paced survival game, kids use their eco-smarts to get Bit-Bot safely through the Earth's many bio-climatic zones, ranging from the aquatic to the tundra. Ecology Treks also features four interactive biosphere simulators and a visual ecology archive containing thousands of facts. From dry desert wastelands to steamy rain forests, Ecology Treks lets kids enter numerous biospheres and explore the relationships between earth's creatures and their natural environments in an entertaining yet educational way.

Earth Treks

Kids join Bit-Bot on a grand interactive world tour in Earth Treks. As they embark on this whirlwind trip across the globe, kids learn about geography, countries, cultures, languages, world history and the environment. No other product offers a more accessible, 'on-line archive' of global information in such a fun format. Kids can click on the four 'windows of the world' and digitally explore topics under the headings of 'Earth', 'Journey', 'Environment' and 'World Tour'. Earth Treks also features dozens of maps, charts and tables, games such as "The Master Map Challenge", 150 thematically organized global subjects and more than 400 ways to be a Better Citizen of the World.

The Treks line will be featured in Magic Quest's school software donation program, "Learning2". Specially stickered boxes of the Treks products and of Math Ace, Magic Quest's new math program, will contain school computer information forms. Once completed, these forms can be sent to Magic Quest in exchange for special licensing privileges and a free copy of Magic Quest software for the school.

Time Treks, Earth Treks, and Ecology Treks are available for the DOS and Macintosh platforms. For the DOS platform, these programs require 286 or faster IBM, Tandy/compatible PC; 640K RAM; VGA or better; hard drive; mouse; and MS-DOS 3.3 or higher. For the Macintosh, these programs require 2MB RAM and hard drive, Mac Plus or greater; operating system 6.0.7 or higher; System 7-min. 4MB RAM. Time Treks, Earth Treks and Ecology Treks are now available in more than 2,500 consumer and software stores nationwide with a suggested retail price of $49.95.

Magic Quest, formerly Earthquest Inc., is dedicated to developing and publishing software that brings out the magic of learning by integrating entertaining, challenging games and rich multimedia databases. Members of the Magic Quest team include Earthquest founders, Bob Stevens and David Smith as President and Chairman, Paul Salzinger, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Robert Bierman, Vice President of Engineering. For more information, please contact Magic Quest, 125 University Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301 (415) 321-5838.


English-Language Talmud on CDROM for Mac
English-Language Talmud On CD-ROM For Macintosh

November 10, 1993 -- Chicago -- Davka Corporation, in cooperation with the Institute for Computers in Jewish Life, announces the publication of the Soncino Talmud CD-ROM for the Macintosh, the latest volume in its Judaic Classics CD-ROM Library. This new program includes the complete English text of the Talmud--the major compendium of Jewish law and lore--the original Hebrew and Aramaic texts of the Talmud, and the Hebrew commentary of Rashi, the classic Medieval commentator of the Talmud, all on one CD-ROM disk. The Soncino English translation of the Talmud is generally considered to be the authoritative English version available. It is published by Judaica Press of Brooklyn, NY, and is included on the CD-ROM by exclusive license to Davka Corporation.

The Soncino Talmud CD-ROM includes a bi-lingual search engine that allows the user to search both the Hebrew and English texts of the Talmud, as well as Rashi's commentary. Results can be displayed on the screen in both Hebrew and English, and can be saved or printed. A unique feature of the program is its ability to display both Hebrew and English and scroll text in both languages simultaneously.

Using the CD-ROM Library, someone looking for all occurrences of a particular Talmudic word or passage in English or Hebrew--can quickly search through the entire Talmud--over 5000 pages--to find the relevant citations, just by typing in one or two words from the relevant passage.

The program even includes an index, that allows the user to search the Talmud by topic, in English.

The Soncino Talmud on CD-ROM is truly a milestone product in the world of Judaic software and scholarship. It is a boon for scholars, rabbis, and students for anyone who needs quick access to the classic works of Judaism.

The Soncino Talmud CD-ROM is priced at $299, and it can be used on a Macintosh computer equipped with a CD-ROM drive.

Davka Corporation has created more than 100 programs in the areas of Hebrew and Judaic studies. For more information, contact Davka at 7074 N. Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60645, (312) 465-4070.


ARTISOFT JOINS NOMDA/LANDA

Builds Relationship Through Cooperative Training Promotions, Seminars

(TUCSON, AZ - November 8, 1993) - Artisoft, Inc. announced today that it has joined efforts with NOMDA/LANDA to provide cooperative training, promotions and seminars to NOMDA/LANDA dealers and Artisoft Authorized Five Star Resellers. With this joint partnership, Artisoft and NOMDA/LANDA will make their training programs and services available to each other's resellers. In addition, Artisoft will participate in NOMDA/LANDA's Market Development Program and be a part of an educational networking program at the upcoming NOMDA/LANDA Emerging Technologies Expo '94. Artisoft President and CEO William Keiper will also present networking opportunities available to members during this conference.

"We are excited to be able to bring our networking expertise to those business dealers who are new to our market or are looking for new connectivity solutions," commented Dave Hallmen, Artisoft's Vice President of Sales & Marketing. 'We believe that our product line of networking solutions will provide ideal business opportunities for NOMDA/LANDA members."

According to NOMDA/LANDA President Leon Carter, "The partnership of Artisoft and NOMDA/LANDA not only strengthens the super channel through market development, but heightens the association's commitment to providing business equipment and unparalleled educational programs and services designed to increase growth and profitability for systems dealers and network computing resellers."

Participation in NOMDA/LANDA's Market Development Program will allow Artisoft to position its growing line of scalable networking hardware and software products to an established distribution channel relatively new to the networking industry, business equipment and systems dealers. By adding the Artisoft product line to their channel, NOMDA/LANDA dealers can take advantage of the growing opportunities in the networking market to better serve the needs of their customers.

Artisoft and NOMDA/LANDA will offer their respective educational courses and facilities to each other's resellers, who can receive training on connectivity issues as well as learn new business and profitability skills.

"Our training programs will allow NOMDA/LANDA dealers to expand their product lines and increase their technological expertise as the industry continues to grow and change," Hallmen continued. "In turn, Artisoft resellers can gain valuable business management skills through NOMDA/LANDA's exceptional educational programs."

Artisoft President and CEO William Keiper will address members at the NOMDA/LANDA Emerging Technologies Expo '94, January 20-22,1994, in Orlando, Florida. On January 20 from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., Keiper will discuss the profit opportunities for networking specialists, outlining high-growth market segments and the ways businesses can take advantage of these expanding connectivity opportunities. Immediately following Keiper's presentation, an Artisoft representative will present the past, current and future technological advancements in the peer-to-peer marketplace and will also discuss Artisoft's complete line of networking solutions.

In addition, Artisoft is sponsoring the "Connectivity Boot Camp" program at the Technologies Expo '94 on January 19 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This one-day educational program will cover basic networking technologies and connectivity issues, LAN profitability, peer-to-peer networking and as well as include a hands-on network lab. Keynote speakers include Frank Derfler, Senior Networking Editor of PC Magazine.

NOMDA/LANDA is an international organization serving over 6,300 dealers, value-added resellers, manufacturers and distributors providing total office automation and systems integration solutions. NOMDA/LANDA dealers and resellers provide such products and services as local area networks, copiers, systems integration, wide area networks, facsimile transmission equipment, document imaging systems, software, mailing equipment and computer systems. The Association offers ongoing educational programs and member services and promotes quality solutions, installation and service support to the end-user.

Artisoft develops and manufactures a full line of innovative, cost-effective network communication solutions including the award-winning LANtastic network operating system. 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


GENESYS Benefit Payment System V5.0
GENESYS Benefit Payment System Version 5.0 Now Available

-- Benefit Payment Business Unit Formed --

November 11, 1993 -- Methuen, Massachusetts -- GENESYS, the industry leader in client/server HRMS solutions, today announced the availability of Benefit Payments Version 5.0. Benefits Payments Version 5.0 is a complete payment and tax reporting system designed specifically for financial service organizations who need to create both periodic and non-periodic payments for their customers. On-line and menu-driven, this extraordinary solution is the only Benefit Payment System in the marketplace that can run on either a PC or mainframe computer without sacrificing functionality. Benefit Payments Version 5.0 includes many features that give financial institutions more flexibility and improved productivity including:

* Windows GUI

* Complete Payment Processing

* Government Compliance and Reporting

* OnLine Client Access

* Absolute Security

* Easy-to-Use Report Writer

The Benefit Payment System a complete and comprehensive pension payment and lump sum distribution solution that includes tax withholding and reporting. It is currently being used by major trust institutions and is producing several million checks per month to retirees.

The Benefit Payment System business unit consists of a team of experienced benefits professionals dedicated to service and support of this market. According to Ruth Ladner, GENESYS Senior Vice President, "The Benefit Payment System combines innovation with technology to provide financial service organizations with unique flexibility and functional richness. Our goal in forming the business unit was to concentrate on the needs of trust and financial service organizations."

According to Peter Loucks, National Sales Manager for Trust Systems, "This is the only Benefit Payment System in the marketplace that provides trust companies and financial service organizations with the ability to better service their clients with tailored access and reporting."

GENESYS is the industry leader in client/server HRMS solutions. Since its founding in 1981, GENESYS has provided high performance, yet easy-to-use Human Resource solutions to assure business requirements are accurately met. Our products include Payroll, Human Resources, Defined Contribution, Defined Benefits, Flexible Benefits, Benefit Payments, Human Resource Planning, and an Integrated Payroll/Human Resources Service Bureau.

GENESYS

5 Branch St, Methuen, MA 01844

508-685-5400


BW-Server PC-Based NSF Server Software
Beame & Whiteside Ships PC-based NFS Server

BW-Server Delivers Full TCP/IP and NFS Functionality on Intel-class Computer Hardware

November 16, 1993 -- LAS VEGAS, Nevada - At COMDEX 93 Fail, Beame & Whiteside Software of Raleigh, North Carolina, announced that BW-Server begins shipping today. BW-Server is Beame & Whiteside's newest connectivity solution for DOS and Microsoft Windows, making it possible to convert any Intel-class personal computer into an NFS network server capable of sharing file and print services with UNIX workstations as well as other workstations supporting NFS client services.

As Carl Beame, Chairman and Chief Technologist of Beame & Whiteside, explains, "Sun originally developed the Network File Service protocol to support UNIX hardware, but NFS has proven to be an ideal standard to support data access between virtually any computing platform. With the introduction of BW-Server, users no longer need a UNIX machine to act as an NFS server. BW-Server delivers full NFS functionality on any Intel-class machine, which makes it an ideal solution to set up printer and file sharing for workgroups. And since BW-Server is a full-featured NFS server, UNIX workstations and other NFS clients can mount local DOS and Windows files and resources."

BW-Server can be set up to run in any one of three different modes of operation. When implemented as a stand-alone DOS application, BW-Server acts as a Dedicated Server, so the workstation is devoted exclusively to NFS file and resource sharing. When implemented as a terminate-and-stay resident program (TSR), BW-Server operates as a Background Server so the workstation can be used as an NFS server and run other applications as well. Finally, BW-Server can be used as a Windows Server, so when run under Windows, the workstation can be used as an NFS server while still performing other DOS and Windows tasks.

No matter what the configuration, BW-Server offers a number of user benefits. For example, it supports peer-to-peer resource sharing between workstations, making it ideal for workgroup applications. BW-Server can also support connections with remote NFS hosts so UNIX users and others can access local PC-based files and resources. When BW-Server is combined with other proprietary networks, such as Novell NetWare, it allows the workstation to act as a resource access gateway. For example, remote UNIX users can access NetWare drives without having to run NFS for NetWare on the NetWare server. In addition, local PC resources such as CD-ROM drives can be accessed by other NFS clients, so the PC can act as a data repository for the local area network.

Other features offered by BW-Server include support for full UNIX file naming conventions as well as the standard DOS eleven-character file names. The software also supports Symbolic i inks (file name aliasing) and EXPORTS, which allows remote users to browse the server for available resources. lt also features Dynamic Mode Switching so when Windows is loaded the DOS TSR is unloaded and the Windows BW-Server is started, and when Windows is exited the DOS BW-Server TSR is reloaded. With Dynamic Mode Switching, the user automatically optimizes use of workstation memory.

BW-Server will run on any 80x86-class computer equipped with MS-DOS v3.1 or later, and it supports Windows v3.x. The software consumes as little as 30 Kbytes of base memory when using EMS memory. If desired, BW-Server can be loaded into high memory, leaving the base memory free for other applications. All the software loads on the local PC and no additional software is required for remote access other than NFS client support.

Beame & Whiteside Software specializes in developing and marketing TCP/IP and NFS connectivity solutions for DOS and Windows computing environments. A network of international distributors sells and supports all of Beame & Whiteside's standards-based connectivity software. Beame & Whiteside Software can be reached at 706 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603-1035; telephone: (919) 831-8989; FAX: (919) 831-8990.


Beame & Whiteside Intros New Server Swr
Beame & Whiteside Introduces New Server Software to Link NetWare to UNIX and Windows NT

New Connectivity Solution Gives NetWare Users Seamless Access to Solaris and Windows NT Files and Print Services

November 16, 1993 -- LAS VEGAS, Nevada - At COMDEX 93 Fail being held here this week, Beame & Whiteside Software will demonstrate its new MultiConnect IPX software for Sun Solaris and Microsoft Windows NT. MultiConnect IPX was developed to be loaded on Windows NT servers or Solaris hosts to provide seamless file and print sharing between Novell NetWare workstations and either Solaris or Windows NT computers. The software should be ready to ship in January 1994.

The current line of MultiConnect IPX products includes MuitiConnect Server for Windows NT, MultiConnect Server for Solaris, and MultiConnect Client for Solaris. Each software product has its own NetWare SPX/IPX protocol stack which can be loaded on either a Solaris UNIX or Windows NT host. No additional connectivity software is required for NetWare workstations or servers. The MultiConnect IPX protocol stack is implemented as loadable drivers and provides connectivity at the kernel level, creating a high-performance connection to support file sharing between NetWare networks and Solaris UNIX and Windows NT systems, as well as multi-directional print services. So, for environments that need to interconnect NetWare, UNIX, and Windows NT resources, there is now one piece of server software that can be loaded on the Solaris or NT host; it's no longer necessary to license multiple NFS clients to support NetWare workstations, nor is it necessary to have a NetWare server in order to take advantage of NetWare services.

"Novell's NetWare has gained international acceptance as a local area network platform, and this new line of SPX/IPX support software opens up new alternatives for NetWare users who need to share network resources with UNIX and Windows NT users," said Carl Beame, Chairman and Chief Technologist of Beame & Whiteside. "I'm happy to say that we are the first software developer to add SPX/IPX support to UNIX, and we expect an enthusiastic response from NetWare, UNIX, and Windows NT users. These products offer an ideal solution for customers who need to integrate their installed NetWare systems with UNIX and Windows NT platforms. And customers can still add our TCP/IP and NFS software to bring NetWare clients into larger, multi-platform network environments."

The MultiConnect IPX product family currently includes MultiConnect Server for Windows NT and MultiConnect Server for Solaris. MuitiConnect Server Is a NetWare server emulation that provides NetWare 3.11 features and transparent file and printer access to NetWare client workstations. The Solaris implementation uses a TPI interface that is loaded into the kernel and the Windows NT implementation uses an IPX driver that works with the NDIS drivers to access the network. Both server products support Ethernet II and Ethernet 802.3 frame structures (and SNAP frames for Windows NT). The IPX stack also supports SAP advertising services, RIP for connecting to other NetWare networks, a socket programming interface library, and a NetWare API subset programming library.

Both high-performance server emulations offer full file services, support multiple simultaneous users, and have full bindery and queue management services. They also support multi-directional printing so NetWare clients can direct print output to either Windows NT or Solaris-supported print devices, or to other NetWare print servers on the network. Unlike other solutions, the MultiConnect IPX file server can also operate when no native NetWare services are present (e.g., in the event of a server failure), providing independently developed MS-DOS utilities such as LOGIN, LOGOUT, SUST, MAP, ATTACH, and DETACH, which are similar to their NetWare counterparts.

MultiConnect Server for Windows NT and MultiConnect Server for Solaris both feature the MultiConnect Virtual Terminal Server, which provides NetWare NVT protocol services. Using the terminal emulator, NetWare users can log on to Windows NT systems using an NT command window, or onto a Solaris system using a UNIX prompt, Just as though their PCs were native terminals.

Beame & Whiteside also plans to offer MultiConnect Client for Solaris, a network client software package that allows Solaris users to mount NetWare directories as H they were UNIX files. Using a mechanism similar to UNIX's automount, Solaris users can access NetWare files as though they were native UNIX files. One mounted, the NetWare volume functions just like a UNIX directory, offering auto mounting by reference, UNIX file permission mapping, UNIX uid/gid mapping, and client printing. Using MultiConnect Client, Solaris users can also redirect print output to NetWare print servers using the Ip interface (or using nprint, which is similar to the Novell/MS-DOS print utility).

MultiConnect Server for Windows NT, MultiConnect Server for Solaris, and MultiConnect Client for Solaris are expected to ship in the first quarter of 1994.

Beame & Whiteside Software specializes in developing TCP/IP and NFS connectivity solutions for DOS- and Microsoft Windows-based computing environments. Beame & Whiteside Software is located at 706 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603-1035; U.S.A.; telephone: (919) 831-8968; FAX: (919) 831-8990.


Sound in Computing, Technology Overview
Sound in Computing -- A Technology Overview

Logitech Inc.

November 1993

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Overview

Music, sound, and speech are no longer locked up in arcades, and they are no longer strictly the domain of gamers. PC sound in computing has enjoyed tremendous market success and technical advancement over the past few years. More PC users are upgrading their systems with audio abilities, and more PC software programs are adding stereo soundtracks to presentations or spoken comments to spreadsheets and documents. At the same time, there has been increasing demand from the gaming community and the multimedia community for quality and diversity in both hardware and software. Manufacturers tapping into this market have caused a sound explosion of affordable product choices with increasing levels of quality, compatibility, and sophistication. Whether it is used in business multimedia or educational programs, games or music software, audio is bringing applications to life in a way that redefines the computing experience.

Even for basic audio applications, sound is still very much an add-on feature in the PC market. Most IBM-compatible PCs come with an extremely poor-quality internal speaker that's positioned ineffectively and has no volume control. Originally, the only sound produced on an IBM computer was "beep," used for boot-up and error messages. Later "chirps and squawks" were added to support computer games, then rudimentary sound cards were included in many systems.

There are several different approaches to adding sound to the PC. Sound boards play a critical role by providing PCs with the capability of recording and playing back sound. These boards are actually cards that fit into an empty expansion slot. Other solutions come in the form of easy-to-install external devices that plug into parallel ports instead of requiring you to install the card in the PC case. Adding sound to personal computer applications has never been easier thanks to the introduction of Windows 3.1, which provides an application programming interface (API) for producing digitized sound and music output at the system level.

The Basics of Sound

Generally speaking, there are two basic ways to make sound or music with a computer: digitizing and synthesizing.

The digital audio section of a board accepts input from an analog source (e.g., a microphone or a tape player) and turns it into a digital file stored on the hard drive. The file can then be played back, with the board turning the digital data back into analog signals that can go to headphones, an amplifier, speakers, or any other device that accepts audio input. Two factors determine how accurately sound is reproduced; sample rate and resolution. The sample rate, measured in KHz (i.e., thousands of cycles per second,) determines how many times per second the sound board samples the incoming audio signal and digitizes it. Resolution refers to the number of bits used to store each sample.

In more technical terms, special purpose integrated circuits, called analog-to-digital converters (ADCs,) convert analog sound waves into digital bits that the computer can understand; digital-to-analog converters (DACs) change them back again for human ears. The quality of the sound is controlled by the bit resolution of the samples (16 bit for compact disc) and the recording frequency (44 KHz for compact disc.) Sound recorded at 11 KHz (capturing 11,000 samples per second) is by definition fuzzier than audio sampled at 22 KHz or, better yet, 44 KHz. Most audio boards capable of dealing with digitized sound use 8-bit resolution, and audio is generally recorded anywhere between 5 and 22 KHz. This does not mean that the board fits into an 8-bit expansion slot instead of a 16-bit slot, but that it uses 8-bits to digitize a sound sample. That translates to 256 possible digital values, or substantially lower fidelity than the over 65,000 values allowed by a 16-bit audio board. (8-bit audio is adequate for speech; 16-bit sound is superior for music.) Whether or not a user should choose an 8-bit or 16-bit sound solution depends on the application's requirements for sound quality and the user's budget. The advantage of digitized sound is that you can simply record whatever you want. The disadvantage is the space requirements.

Synthesized sounds, as their name implies, are created, not merely played, by the computer. The musical results range from simple to sophisticated. The term synthesis refers to the technology of simulating the sounds of various musical instruments. There are different types of synthesis, but the input is always the same. Peripherals with a Frequency Modulation (FM) chip are a popular solution for producing synthesized sound. FM synthesis was built on mathematical algorithms that try to artificially create what a sound wave looks like. Yamaha's FM chips are popular choices to generate mono or stereo sounds.

A newer form of synthesis, called wave table synthesis, is leading edge technology that uses true instrument recordings and offers superior quality over FM synthesis. Instead of starting with an equation, or computer generated sound, it starts with a very small actual recording of an instrument. For example, with a piano it could start with a short recording of middle 'C', and a 'C' octave above, and then it builds from that, using algorithms to interpolate the rest of the notes in between. Wave table synthesis is now the highest quality available in a sound card.

Most wave table synthesizers are general MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) compatible, meaning that they follow an established MIDI standard. MIDI is a protocol for the interchange of musical information among musical instruments, synthesizers and sound boards. Many cards, like Logitech's SoundMan Wave comes bundled with software titles that allow you to record, edit, and play with MIDI music.

Logitech is one of the first developers to write directly to the general MIDI standard through the MPU-401 interface. This is the new DOS standard emerging for synthesized sound. This allows game players to immediately access the latest technology and hear wave table quality in some of the hottest games today, such as X-Wing, 7th Guest and Space Quest 5. The advantage of a MIDI file is the tremendous amount of space that is saves. Game developers use synthesized music files because it allows them to include a lot of music in their games without using up a lot of space on the diskette.

Sound Choices

The idea of using frequency modulation to synthesize instrument sounds was developed by computer music researchers at Stanford University in the mid-1970's. Although they knew that FM synthesis could produce a wide range of complex musical tones, their computers couldn't perform the necessary mathematical operations fast enough to create music. The process soon captured the interest of engineers at Yamaha, the electronics, industrial, and musical instrument giant. Yamaha had the know-how to create a single electronic chip that could perform all of the computations needed for FM synthesis, and to make it inexpensive enough to use in moderately-priced musical instruments. The first generation of sound cards carried the Yamaha OPL-2. The OPL-2 offered 11 voices but only two operators. Later the OPL-3 had the technology for 20 voices and stereo outputs, and can combine up to four operators per voice, while still being able to emulate the two operator chip. The latest generation of Yamaha chips is the OPL-4 which features FM synthesis, wave table synthesis, and general MIDI compatibility all on the chip. If you have a sound card in your PC, it most likely has a Yamaha chip. These chips give you AdLib compatibility allowing you to hear encoded music in your PC games.

The first major player in the sound market was AdLib. AdLib was the first with a sound board that had a synthesizer on it. It allowed the gaming market to add music, but the card didn't have any digital audio capabilities, so voices could not be recorded. The next generation brought Creative Labs' SoundBlaster. They took the same card and added digital audio capabilities. This allowed game manufactures to include both music and pre-recorded sound effects in their games This set the standard for all future sound cards.

The increasing demand for sound quality from both the gaming community and the new multimedia market have made the PC sound industry explode. AdLib's standard Yamaha FM Synthesis and SoundBlaster compatibility are still the most important features of any sound card, mostly because game manufacturers still write to that code.

The Complete Sound Solution

If you hope to compose a multimedia masterpiece, or use your card for business applications, you will want a sound device that pays as much attention to input (recording) as to output (playback). At minimum, a credible board should include a microphone input jack, output jacks for headphones, software for recording and manipulating sound files, and Windows 3.1 support. MIDI ports and sequencing software are added bonuses. Another consideration that users look for in sound cards is an interface that allows you to hook up a CD-ROM drive.

As the industry moves to the next generation of sound in the DOS world, you will find Logitech on the leading edge. By choosing the Yamaha OPL-4 chip for their newest 16-bit stereo card, SoundMan Wave, they are able to offer the highest quality and most realistic sound available today with 44-wave table and FM voices; full SoundBlaster and AdLib Compatibility; 16-bit or 8-bit stereo, or mono digital audio; 44 KHz sampling; a MIDI interpreter for general MIDI/MPU-401 compatibility in DOS; a five-channel stereo mixer; and a SCSI CD-ROM interface. They have eased the installation process by adding sound and graphics to the installation process, and support both Windows 3.1 and DOS, with separate controls and drivers for each. Both drivers talk to each other for equal settings in both environments.

Logitech first entered the sound market in 1992 with the introduction of AudioMan. AudioMan is a business audio product that has been winning rave reviews for its intelligent design and portability. Designed for the corporate market, AudioMan is compact and portable, and makes it easy to add sound effects, music or spoken messages to presentations, spreadsheets, and E-mail. Recently upgraded, AudioMan now incorporates true text-to-speech software for PC users.

SoundMan 16 was first introduced in February 1993. Targeted for the retail and home recreation market, this product rounded out Logitech's Senseware family of products with a high-quality, 16-bit stereo sound board. An upgrade to SoundMan 16 was announced in September, with added features such as improved user installation with sound and graphics, making it even easier for users to add sound cards to their systems, and new software bundles including; MCS MusicRack, Icon Hear-It, ScreenCraze II and AddImpact. Also in September 1993, Logitech increased its sound product offerings with two new additions to the SoundMan product family.

SoundMan Games, is an 8-bit stereo sound card specifically developed for newcomers to the PC game market. This product offers high-quality sound and full SoundBlaster Pro and AdLib compatibility, and a Sony CD-ROM interface.

SoundMan SuperPack, designed to offer a complete sound solution for games and multimedia users, ships with the high-quality SoundMan 16 sound board, plus Labtec speakers and microphone, and several software packages.

SoundMan Wave, a 16-bit stereo card based on wave table synthesis is the most recent addition to the SoundMan family.

Logitech, the leader in "Senseware," designs products to improve the interface between the user and the computer. Logitech offers the complete sound solution for entertainment and multimedia. The SoundMan and AudioMan product lines are high-quality sound products that are easy to install and come packaged with extra software titles. Logitech sound products support the most common sound standards AdLib and Sound Blaster. These products are not the last in the sound category. You will be hearing more from Logitech.

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GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Analog: An audio signal is an electrical replica, or analog, of the waveform of the sound it represents. The voltage of the signal varies up and down (negatively and positively, in electrical terminology) the same way as the sound pressure varies up and down at the microphone. As long as the signal is in this form, i.e., is a voltage that varies directly with the sound pressure, it is an analog, and audio devices which use such signals are analog devices.

Analog to Digital Converter (ADC): A converter that turns sound frequencies into digital information.

Digital to Analog Converter (DAC): A device which converts digital samplings into an analog signal.

Digital Signal Processor (DSP): A device which can be used to manipulate digital signals, providing special effects, real-time echo, harmonics, etc.

Digitize: The process of converting an analog value into digital (numeric) representation of that value. Example: If an analog input ranged from 0 to a peak of 6.2 volts, an input value of 4.5 volts would be digitized to a numeric 186, under an 8-bit sample resolution, (256 x 4.5 / 6.2.)

Direct Memory Access (DMA): A feature which allows a device to access RAM independently of the microprocessor, thereby achieving better, more stable performance, and reducing the load on the microprocessor.

Dynamic Filtering: Helps eliminate electronic emissions from the PC that can show up as noise in the sound board output.

Frequency Modulation Synthesis (FM Synthesis): A technique for producing sounds by modulating sine waves to produce harmonics.

Interrupt ReQuest (IRQ): A mechanism whereby a peripheral can notify the microprocessor of some event. The processor would be interrupted to perform some service for the peripheral.

Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI): A protocol for the interchange of musical information among musical instruments, synthesizers and sound boards.

MIDI Synthesizer: A device producing music according to a MIDI stream.

MPU-401: Popular MIDI interface standard for musical instruments.

OPL-2: OPerator type L2; a Yamaha FM Synthesis chip.

OPL-3: Operator type L3; a Yamaha FM Synthesis chip, backwards compatible with the OPL2, but with twice the capabilities.

OPL-4: OPerator type L4; a Yamaha FM Synthesis chip backwards compatible with the OPL3 with on-chip Wave Table synthesis. FM synthesis and Wave Table synthesis one chip.

Pulse Code Modulation (PCM): Refers to any type of digital encoding and decoding of a signal.

Sampling Rate: The frequency at which analog samples are converted to digital values during digitization. The higher the rate the more accurate the sample. Speech is typically sampled at 7000-8000 samples per second, CD quality audio is sampled at about 44,000 samples per second, (44 KHz.)

Small Computer Subsystem Interface (SCSI): A bus-type connection that can be used to connect computers with peripheral devices; hard disks, CD-ROM drives, scanners, etc.

Synthesis: A term that refers to the technology of simulating the sounds of various musical instruments.

Terminate and Stay Resident (TSR): Programs which remain resident in memory, such as hardware "driver" software. Excessive TSRs are likely to interfere with games.

Wave Table Synthesis: Incorporates digitized samples of instruments stored in ROM to simulate the sounds of various musical instruments.

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Logitech Inc, 6505 Kaiser Dr, Fremont, CA 94555

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


Free Copies of Micro Frontier Color It Program
According to a news item in the December issue of PUBLISH magazine, Micro Frontier is offering a free copy of their 32-bit Mac paint and image editing program, Color It, which usually sells for $149. Micro Frontier is giving away a million copies of the program between now and December 31st, with only a $8.37 shipping and handling fee. The copies will include an offer to purchase LizardTech's very capable image compression and conversion program, Planet Color, for only $19.95 plus a pack of discount coupons worth up to 45% off on Lightning Scan hand-held scanners from Thunderware. A special phone number has been set up to process the free software requests -- 800-949-5555.


Major 1994 Environmental Softwrae Expansion
MAJOR 1994 EXPANSION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SOFTWARE

Twenty NEW Environmental Software products are scheduled for 1994 release by SOLUTIONS Software Corporation. These new releases will be in addition to updated versions for thirty existing software datafiles.

The comprehensive environmental library will include a Hazardous Materials Information System, Chemical Sourcing, State Environmental Regulations and a full revision of the widely acclaimed SOLUTIONS 2-1-0 Software Database.

SOLUTIONS Software Corporation has developed a unique expertise that includes advanced computer software AND an extensive environmental experience. The result is state-of-the-art environmental tools for government and industry. The company has a 1994 menu that includes over SIXTY environmental software products that are distributed on a world-wide basis.

Detailed information on the Environmental SOLUTIONS Software productline is available upon request by Mail, Telephone, FAX or via SOLUTIONS-Net.

SOLUTIONS Software Corp

1795 Turtle Hill Rd, Enterprise, FL 32725

407-321-7912,  fax 407-323-4898,  SOLUTIONS-Net: 407-321-6119


2 New Drug Info Databases on SilverPlatter
SilverPlatter Signs Two New Databases on Drug Information

November 4, 1993 -- SilverPlatter Information and Adis International Ltd. have recently signed an agreement to publish two drug-related databases on SilverPlatter CD-ROM. These two databases are Inpharma and Reactions.

Inpharma on CD-ROM is a full-text database and a comprehensive drug information retrieval system. This database specializes in the important news on drugs and drug therapy. Information covered includes drug prescribing trends, trends in drug use, emerging therapeutic issues, research and development trends, new product therapeutic developments, clinically important adverse reaction reports, health care policy and drug economics, and drug regulatory and prescribing issues. Designed to complement the weekly international newsletter, Inpharma Weekly, which provides rapid updates to news on drugs and drug therapy, Inpharma on SilverPlatter will be a rolling database containing the most recent five years of full Inpharma Weekly text, updated quarterly.

Reactions on CD-ROM is also a full-text database providing a dynamic and comprehensive information retrieval system. Reactions focuses on all clinically relevant adverse drug experience. Information includes drug interaction reports, tolerability of new drugs, drug overdose, adverse drug reaction reports, risk-benefit assessment of new drugs, comparative safety within drug classes, adverse reaction incidence and epidemiology studies, and postmarketing surveillance of new drugs. Reactions follows CIOMS II Data guidelines and uses FDA definition for serious and non-serious reports of adverse drug events. Designed to complement the weekly newsletter, Reactions Weekly, which provides rapid updates to news on adverse drug events, Reactions on SilverPlatter will contain all Reactions Weekly reports and text from 1983 onwards and will be updated quarterly.

There is a pre-publication offer for both of these databases. Effective until March 1, 1994, an annual subscription to Inpharma is $1,495, thereafter $1,595. Subscription price for Reactions is $895, thereafter, $995. Prices outside of the United States and Canada are 10% higher. Pricing for network use, 2 to 8 simultaneous users is 50% higher.

As one of the first providers of information on CD-ROM, SilverPlatter has a distinguished reputation for bringing the right information with the right software to the service of its markets.

SilverPlatter Information, Inc.

100 River Ridge Dr, Norwood, MA 02062-5026

1-800-343-0064 (U.S. and Canada) or 1-617-769-2599

Fax: 1-617-769-8763

SilverPlatter Information Ltd.

10 Barley Mow Passage

Chiswick London W4 4PH U.K.

Tel: +44(0) 81-995-8242 or 0800-262-096

Fax: +44(0) 81-995-5159


Aldus Additions Developers Grants
Aldus awards grants to three Additions developers

SEATTLE, October 19, 1993--Aldus Corporation today announced that it will award three Additions software developers more than $100,000 in grants to help fund the design, implementation, and marketing of Additions for Aldus PageMaker. The grant awards will average from $30,000 to $50,000.

Integrated Software, Zephyr Design, and Group Logic Inc. will receive the grants based upon the specific benefit that their Addition will bring to Aldus PageMaker customers. A proven record in developing add-on products and a keen understanding of customer requirements in the advertising and workgroup publishing markets, especially magazine and newspaper publishing, rated highly in the selection process.

One half of the award will be advanced to each recipient. The balance will follow when the developer completes the Addition.

"The grant program will provide incentive for further Additions development," said Karen Howe, Aldus senior product marketing manager. "We hope that the program will stimulate the creation of third-party Additions that would have taken too long to develop or would not have been developed at all. The grants let developers explore their ideas with little risk while pursuing their mainstream businesses."

Integrated Software (New York, New York) will develop an Addition solution tentatively called "AdMaker." This will be used by magazines, periodicals and newspapers to facilitate publishing of paginated documents that include advertisements. Aldus noted Integrated Software's track record and understanding of the systems integration needs of customers as the primary reasons for the award.

"The Additions grant program gives us a fantastic opportunity to explore a whole new kind of software," noted Shah Karim, managing director for Integrated Software. "The solution we are putting together will meet the needs of magazine advertising production, and that will save PageMaker users a lot of time and money."

Zephyr Design (Seattle, Washington) will develop an Addition to assist advertising teams in sharing each other's layout and design art. Zephyr is known for excellent research, knowledge of customer requirements and the consistent creation of high-quality Additions.

"This grant is giving us a wonderful opportunity to move into the area of group publishing solutions for the advertising industry," said Beverly Multerer, co-owner and creative director for Zephyr Design.

Group Logic Inc. (Arlington, Virginia), formerly Group Technologies, will write an Addition to allow PageMaker users to easily export images of PageMaker publications as proofs. Group Logic demonstrated a good reputation for developing and shipping high quality products for the high-end publishing market.

"The grant program will make it possible for us to create an Addition that tightly integrates our products with PageMaker," said Andy Lewis, director of new product marketing at Group Logic. "The end result will be a much better solution for Aldus and Group Logic customers than would otherwise have been possible."

The Aldus grant program was started in April and invited developers worldwide to apply. Once selected, recipients may choose to market and sell the Addition through their own distribution channels or use the Aldus Developers Cooperative for this role. The Aldus Developer Relations group oversees the grant program and coordinates directly with the developers on the Additions design and implementation.

The grant is not a loan or an advance against royalties. The developer owns the code and controls the product.

"We are really committed to our developers' success," said Lisa Wise, Aldus manager of Developer Relations. "Independently developed Additions allow users to tailor PageMaker to their specific needs rather than having to work with a shrink-wrapped product that doesn't match their requirements 100 percent."

The Additions technology provides a specialized language of commands and queries that enables developers to tailor PageMaker for special publishing needs. Developers can write complex code modules and then communicate with PageMaker via commands that can perform any action that can be done to a publication. Queries can collect specific data from a PageMaker publication. With few exceptions, the language is identical for both Windows and Macintosh, making most Additions easily adaptable to both platforms.

Three kinds of Additions exist: loadable modules, which become an integral part of PageMaker's interface; standalone modules, for running PageMaker from another application; and scripts, which enable users to automate PageMaker functions.

The grants apply to loadable and stand-alone modules.

Developers interested in the program should all Lisa Wise, manager of Aldus Developer Relations, at (206) 343-7692.

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 98104-2871

206-622-5500


WINtelligent VISION Intros OCR Feature
ICOM's WINtelligent VISION Introduces Optical Character Recognition Feature

Milwaukee, WI -- ICOM, Inc.'s WINtelligent VISION, a Microsoft Windows-compatible software product that is designed to interact with Allen-Bradley CVIM Inspection Systems. By using a serial link between your IBM-compatible PC and the CVIM, you can access inspection results and control the activity as well as configure CVIM parameters. In addition to configuring the CVIM, WINtelligent VISION can archive and document these configuration parameters.

To extend the functionality of A-B CVIMs even further, WINtelligent VISION now supports Optical Character Recognition (OCR). This breakthrough allows WINtelligent VISION to

interpret actual readable text and construct reports from this information.

WINtelligent VISION now also features new enhanced upload/download capabilities to color CVIMs. Also, WINtelligent VISION has new support features that coincide with the FDA's new law for pharmaceutical product labeling.

WINtelligent VISION uses standard vision system terminology while making full use of the familiar Microsoft Windows interface. This intuitive package allows both novice and expert CVIM users to quickly configure and control operating parameters, access, document and print inspection results, and easily configure both CVIM and computer serial ports.

WINtelligent VISION is part of ICOM's WINtelligent Series of software products for Allen-Bradley PLCs. ICOM has continually provided innovative PLC software solutions since 1985. ICOM offers software for programming and documentation, graphical interfaces, historical trending, and data acquisition.

ICOM Inc

Box 351, Milwaukee, MI 53201-0351

414-321-8000, fax 414-321-2211, BBS 414-321-0008

Tech Support: 414-321-ICOM


Delivery Route Light
Midwest Software Company announces availability of their shareware DELIVERY ROUTE LIGHT relational database application for anyone with a delivery route (Vendors, newspaper carriers, etc.). It keeps track of all data on an unlimited number of customers, allows finding customers by either last name or account number, records unlimited number of transactions and remarks for each customer. It's fully menu-driven with letter-activated menu selections, has tons of F1 Help Windows, an Online Manual with a searchable Table of Contents and Index, menu-driven  backup and restore, screen saver, and a tutorial with sample data for beginners. Registered users get free technical help, more reports, and a program that rebuilds corrupted index files.

Requires DOS 3.3 or above, 700K free disk space (1MB to install), 512K RAM, CGA monitor. Highly recommended EGA or higher and printer.

Midwest Software Company

131 Burr Oak NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49505

616-365-2836


Another Company Offers ALMANAC 1994
Another Company offers their latest shareware product: ALMANAC 1994 -- a collection of fascinating facts, inside information and unbelievable yet true stores from around the world. There is something here for everyone in every household and office. This follows in the footsteps of Almanac 1991 and 1992 (there was no Almanac 1993).

Almanac 1994 is an experiment with an entirely new concept called "Dollarware." The idea is that registration is only $1. Registrants will get nothing additional in return, because the software is fully functional and complete. Hopefully more people may feel motivated to send the low registration fee. If this works, watch for more Dollarware in the future!

Check your favorite online service, local BBS or shareware distributor for a copy of ALMANAC 1994.

Another Company

PO Box 3429, Ashland, OR 97520

503-482-3611


MultiMux Priority Statistical Multiplexers
Multi-Tech Announces Voice/Data/Fax MultiMux Priority Statistical Multiplexers (PSMs)

MOUNDS VIEW, MINNESOTA--November 15, 1993--Multi-Tech Systems Inc., a leading data communications technology company, announced adding voice and fax capabilities to selected models of its high-speed Priority Statistical Multiplexer (PSM) line. The MultiMux MMV1600 and MMV3200 series high speed multiplexers now support two voice/fax channels over composite links that can operate up to 256K bps when connected to appropriate external DSUs. Each channel includes connector/interfaces for FXO, FXS and E&M operation. The MultiMuxes operate over a single composite link at up to 256K bps or dual composite links at up to 128K bps. Dual composite link configurations are used for interconnecting several sites to form private multi-node networks. The 1600 and 3200 series MultiMuxes provide synchronous, error-free data transmission between nodes with data encryption security. Each includes a built-in command modem for easy network management. MultiMuxes also can be equipped with internal or external DSUs which are ideally suited for use over AT&T's DATAPHONEX Digital Service (DDS) or equivalent digital data services. Retail prices range from $4599 (U.S.) for the Model MMV1608C/2, which provides up to 8 channels (expandable to 16), two voice/fax channels (MV2 card), and two digital composite links (DSUs not included), to $10899 (U.S.) for the Model MMV3232C/56/56/2, which provides 32 data channels, two voice/fax channels, and two digital composite links with integral multi-rate 56K bps DSUs. MMV series MultiMuxes also can be field upgraded with the MV2 2-channel voice card priced at $1400 (U.S.). MV2 voice cards will be available for shipment first quarter of 1994.

"The basic reason for adding voice and fax communications to multiplexer lines is to save on phone charges. By doing so, you are getting virtually free phone calls and fax transmissions between locations networked with voice/data/fax muxes. You need to select the right technology at the right price to get the best price while not sacrificing quality in your voice communications," states Raghu Sharma, President of Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. "Our combination of two voice/fax channels for $1400, a multiplexing technique superior to Time division Multiplexing (TDM), and voice compression that gives you better quality than the competition makes the Priority Statistical Multiplexers a cost effective addition to your network."

With the addition of voice and fax information streams to Statistical Time Division Multiplexers (STDMs), an added technology needed to be incorporated to accommodate the time-sensitive nature of both voice and fax transmissions. We call that technology Priority Statistical Multiplexing (PSM). With PSM, data packets are of limited length and voice/fax packets are given priority. The length of the data packets are determined dynamically according to the link speed preserving the timing requirements of normal speech and non error correcting fax transmissions."

PSM also facilitates an efficient means to network voice/fax/data packets between dual composite linked MultiMuxes connected in various locations. That is because a PSM packet which is received by a MultiMux node and must be passed to another node can be routed directly without a "store and forward" step usually associated with STDM technology. PSM provides only end-to-end error detection/correction (i.e. intervening nodes only relay packets) which decreases the end-to-end packet delay. Since MultiMuxes can automatically determine whether a transmission is voice or fax, PSM links between nodes can handle both data and fax transmissions eliminating the need to dedicate links.

PSM is a very simple extension of STDM technology. What is not simple, however, is the voice compression technology to get clear speech over such a packet network. With many other competitive products, the compression used is simply Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation (ADPCM), which can be done at 32K or 16K bps. At 16K bps the resulting voice quality is marginal. Multi-Tech has developed an algorithm for compressing speech to 16K or 9.6K bps bandwidth based on Vector Quantization, which provides superior quality when compared to ADPCM samples using the same bandwidth. Instead of encoding the speech waveform on a sample-by-sample basis, as in ADPCM, Vector Quantization works with blocks of samples matched to vector table values which most closely match the waveform.

The new MMV1600 series MultiMuxes provide 8 or 16 asynchronous data channels to which two voice channels can be added via the MV2 board. The V.35 or RS232-compatible dual composite links can operate with either external 4-wire synchronous modems, or external DSU/CSUs up to 256K bps. The MMV1600s can be equipped with internal DSUs designed for operation over AT&T's DATAPHONE Digital Service (DDS) or equivalent digital data services. All MultiMuxes come equipped with an internal 2400 bps command modem which can be used to remotely manage, test and maintain MultiMux nodes. The muxes feature input channel speeds up to 19.2K bps, asynchronous data input, a networking feature, hardware and software flow control, EIA pass-through, downline parameter loading, channel pacing, operational statistics, and full system diagnostics,.

The MV2 voice/fax board provides two channels with all the necessary interfaces to access PBX and telephone services. Each channel has two RJ11 connectors for FXO ( PBX station side) and FXS (e.g. telephone set), and one RJ48 for E&M I, II, III, IV, and V PBX interfacing. The MV2 is totally software configurable for selecting items such as compression rate, interface type, volume control, voice link selection and destination. The MV2 board also can be field retrofitted in MMV1600 and MMV3200 series MultiMuxes.

Multi-Tech Systems, which reported sales of $81 million for 1992, was founded in 1970 to manufacture data communications equipment and systems for the global market of networking product users. The Minnesota-based company is well-known for its MultiModem line of dial-up communications products. Multi-Tech's family of products include a complete line of data/fax modems, MultiMux statistical multiplexers, DSUs, 3270/3780/5250 emulation systems, X.25 PADS/switches, UNIX serial interfaces, communications software, LAN/WAN connectivity products, and most recently, the MultiModemPCS, a voice/data/fax personal communications system. These products are sold in over 70 countries through a worldwide network of distributors, manufacturer's reps, systems integrators, value-added resellers (VARs) and retailers. Multi-Tech Systems Inc. can be contacted at its headquarters: 2205 Woodale Drive, Mounds View, Minnesota 55112. Voice (612) 785-3500 or (800) 328-9717, FAX (612) 785-9874, International FAX (612) 331-3180, Telex 4998372MLTTC.


Talk AnyTime V.32terbo & Swr Enhancements
Multi-Tech Announces "Talk AnyTime", V.32terbo, and Software Enhancements to Voice/Data/Fax Modem

MOUNDS VIEW, MINNESOTA--November 15, 1993--Multi-Tech Systems Inc., a leading data communications technology company, announced that it is enhancing its MultiModemPCS (Model MT1932PCS) with V.32terbo technology, "Talk Anytime " feature, and enhanced MultiExpressPCS Windows. The new MT1932PCS supports the AT&T open standard called V32terbo. It operates at 16.8K and 19.2K bps by extending current 9.6K and 14.4K bps modem technology, adding two new data rates in a scheme otherwise like that of the 14.4K bps V32bis. The higher speed V.32terbo technology enhances the performance of simultaneous voice and data communications by providing up to 33% more throughput. The Talk AnyTime feature activates voice-over-data communications AnyTime the handset is picked up. The V.32terbo MultiModemPCS with Talk AnyTime will start shipping in January 1994 and is priced at $949 (U.S.).

According to Multi-Tech President Raghu Sharma, "Many voice over data applications need the extra throughput afforded by the V.32terbo technology. This is particularly the case when there is substantial data traffic while a voice conversation is in progress. Also, the convenience of being able to change from voice over data to pure data transfer by simply hanging up the phone, means you can send an intense amount of data during a session and then resume voice conversations by picking up the phone again. This is useful in sending a medical image during a consultation for instance. Since the Talk AnyTime feature is strictly a hardware feature, you can use any communications software without reprogramming, changing setup strings, or reconfiguring the modem. You also don't have to worry about changes in operator procedures or training. Now, getting voice over data is as simple as picking up a phone. The MultiExpressPCS software enhancements include the ability to export .WAV file. That means you can send voice messages from a MultiModemPCS to any PC sound system supporting .WAV and have it played."

Using the patent pending Talk Anytime, users can switch to simultaneous voice over data mode between two MultiModemPCSs without having to configure the modems first. Once the data link has been established between two MT1932PCSs, a voice over data link is started by lifting handset from the handset cradle. This will cause the first modem off hook to "ring" the other modem (the user can hear the remote modem ringing through the handset just like a normal phone.) When the answering modem receives the "ring," it flashes its LEDs and rings every two seconds to get the remote user's attention. When the remote user answers the call (picks up the handset), a normal phone conversation can take place while still passing data through the modems. To end the voice over data link, the users simply put the handsets back into their cradles. If one user fails to hang up, a "howler" tone reminds the user that the voice conversation is terminated and the handset should be placed in the cradle.

The MT1932PCS provides V.42 error correction in asynchronous mode for 100% error-free data and V.42bis "4-to-1" data compression for effective throughputs up to 76.8K bps (depending on file content). For async operation over dial-up lines, the MT1932PCS includes a V.17/Group 3 fax modem (for 14.4K/ 9600/4800 bps fax transmissions), MultiExpressPCS data communications software (for desktop management), and MultiExpressFax software.

Multi-Tech Systems, which reported sales of $81 million for 1992, was founded in 1970 to manufacture data communications equipment and systems for the global market of networking product users. The Minnesota-based company is well-known for its MultiModem line of dial-up communications products. Multi-Tech's family of products include a complete line of data/fax modems, MultiMux statistical multiplexers, DSUs, 3270/3780/5250 emulation systems, X.25 PADS/Switches, UNIX serial interfaces, communications software, LAN/WAN connectivity products, and most recently, the MultiModemPCS, a voice/data/fax personal communications system. These products are sold in over 70 countries through a worldwide network of distributors, manufacturer's reps, systems integrators, value-added resellers (VARs) and retailers. Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. can be contacted at its headquarters: 2205 Woodale Drive, Mounds View, Minnesota 55112, main numbers (612) 785-3500 or (800) 328-9717, Technical Support (800) 972-2439, BBS (612) 785-9875 or (800) 392-2432, U. S. FAX (612) 785-9874, International FAX (612) 331-3180.


On-Demand Remote Node/Remote Control Gateway
Multi-Tech Shipping On-Demand Remote Node/Remote Control Gateway

MOUNDS VIEW, MINNESOTA--November 15, 1993--Multi-Tech Systems, Inc., a leading data communications technology company, announced today that it is now shipping its family of on-demand remote node/remote control dial-in communications servers for Novell IPX LANs. The MultiComRNGateways support both remote control and remote node sessions for up to 32 remote users via modems and phone lines. All MultiComRNGateway models include a combination Thinnet/10BASET Ethernet NIC for connecting the Remote Node Server (RNS) PC to the LAN. Prices range from $799 (U.S.) for the RNGCOM, which supports up to four users via standard PC COM ports, to $2099(U.S.) for the RNI08 that supports up to eight users via the supplied serial expansion card (the RNI08 can be expanded to 32 users with additional serial cards.) Dial-out datacom and send/receive fax capabilities will be added to all MultiComRNGateways as a no-charge field upgrade in February, 1994.

"By providing on-demand remote node and remote control in our gateways, we are answering the need for users that need both casual remote access to LANs for such tasks as checking for E-Mail and compute intensive remote processing involving large files and graphics, states Raghu Sharma, President of Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. "When you combine the MultiComRNGateway with our MultiArray which can house eight Single Board Computers (SBCs) in addition to the gateway server, you have a communications server that can handle the widest variety of remote access needs. And since the pricing does not depend on the number of possible users and we do not require the presence of a NOS operating system to be functional, our solution can save users literally thousands of dollars for high end systems." The MultiComRNGateways consist of both hardware and software. The hardware is a combination Thinnet/10BASET Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC) which connects the RNS PC to the LAN.

Some models include a multiport serial card which gives the RNS PC high speed serial ports for the modems in eight-port increments. The software portion is MultiExpressRNG, the gateway software, and MultiExpress, Munti-Tech's data communications software. The MultiComRNGateways feature advanced statistical reporting to keep track of gateway activity and performance, and remote administration so the gateway can be managed from any node PC.

The procedure to do both remote node and remote control during the same user session is very simple. After dialing in to establish a remote node session, the user runs the MultiExpress remote software. At that point the remote user is shown a screen which displays all of the MultiExpress host systems available on the network. The user simply picks the host that is appropriate for the task. By invoking proper password options, you can leave a remote control session and return to it later with a simple three keystroke sequence to get to control mode and then selecting end session.

Multi-Tech Systems, which reported sales of $81 million for 1992, was founded in 1970 to manufacture data communications equipment and systems for the global market of networking product users. The Minnesota-based company is well-known for its MultiModem line of dial-up communications products. Munti-Tech's family of products include a complete line of data/fax modems, MultiMux statistical multiplexers, DSUs, 3270/3780/5250 emulation systems, X.25 PADS/Switches, UNIX serial interfaces, communications software, LAN/WAN connectivity products, and most recently, the MultiModemPCS, a voice/data/fax personal communications system. These products are sold in over 70 countries through a worldwide network of distributors, manufacturer's reps, systems integrators, value-added resellers (VARs) and retailers. Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. can be contacted at its headquarters: 2205 Woodale Drive, Mounds View, Minnesota 55112, main numbers (612) 785-3500 or (800) 328-9717, Technical Support (800) 972-2439, BBS (612) 785-9875 or (800) 392-2432, U. S. FAX (612) 785-9874, International FAX (612) 331-3180.


Multi-Tech Async Statistical Multiplexers
Multi-Tech Announces Asynchronous Statistical Multiplexers

MOUNDS VIEW, MINNESOTA--November 15, 1993--Mulff-Tech Systems, Inc., a leading manufacturer of data communications equipment, announced a new MultiMux Statistical Multiplexer that can communicate asynchronously over phone lines. By communicating asynchronously (in addition to the more traditional synchronous mode), the new MMH900 series muxes can take advantage of high speed modems with CCITT V.42bis compression to increase throughput and can incorporate voice over data communications using Munti-Tech's MultiModemPCS voice/data/fax modems. The MMH900 series also includes up to eight asynchronous data channels (operating up to 38.4K bps), optional internal 9600 and 14.4K bps modems, internal multi-rate DSU (2400, 4800, 9600, 19.2K and 56K bps DDS operation), and a built-in command modem for easy network management. The new asynchronous MultiMuxes are shipping immediately and are priced at $1299 (U.S.) for a four channel MMH904C and $1599 (U.S.) for an eight channel MMH908 without internal DSUs or modems. The internal Multi-rate DSU costs $750, internal 9600 bps 4-wire link modem $950 (U.S.) and 14.4K internal 4-wire link modem $1400 (U.S.).

"The addition of an asynchronous MultiMux answers two important requirements for the mux sites that needs up to eight input channels," states Raghu Sharma, President of Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. "First of all, there is better performance. By adding an asynchronous composite link, the MMH900 series MultiMuxes provide higher throughput over conventional phone lines. Recent modem technology advancements, like the V.32terbo modems using V.42bis compression can reach asynchronous speeds up to 76.8K bps. By using our new MultiMux with such modems, users can see dramatic improvement in channel performance. Secondly, the asynchronous link lets users incorporate voice communications on the same phone line using our MultiModemPCS. Using the MultiModemPCS's Talk Anytime feature, a user at one mux site can talk to a user at a second site by simply picking up the handset."

The new MMH900 series MultiMux statistical multiplexers come in four and eight channel models. The composite link is equipped with an RS232 interface (V.35 jumper option) that can operate with DSUs/ CSUs up to 64K bps, fractional T1 up to 64K bps, and 2-or 4-wire, dial or leased, synchronous or asynchronous modems. There are two internal synchronous modem options available that operate over 4-wire leased lines (9600 and 14.4K bps), and an internal multi-rate DSU (2400, 4800, 9600, 19.2K or 56K bps) that is designed to operate over AT&T's DATAPHONE Digital Service (DDS) or equivalent digital data services. The muxes feature channel speeds up to 38.4K bps, asynchronous data input, hardware and software flow control, EIA pass-through, downline parameter loading, channel pacing, operational statistics, channel statistics, full system diagnostics, and a built-in 2400 bps command modem for remote parameter updating and technical support.

Multi-Tech Systems, which reported sales of $81 million for 1992, was founded in 1970 to manufacture data communications equipment and systems for the global market of networking product users. The Minnesota-based company is well-known for its MultiModem line of dial-up communications products. Multi-Tech's family of products include a complete line of data/fax modems, MultiMux statistical multiplexers, DSUs, 3270/3780/5250 emulation systems, X.25 PADS/Switches, UNIX serial interfaces, communications software, LAN/WAN connectivity products, and most recently, the MultiModemPCS, a voice/data/fax personal communications system. These products are sold in over 70 countries through a worldwide network of distributors, manufacturer's reps, systems integrators, value-added resellers (VARs) and retailers. Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. can be contacted at its headquarters: 2205 Woodale Drive, Mounds View, Minnesota 55112, main numbers (612) 785-3500 or (800) 328-9717, Technical Support (800) 972-2439, BBS (612) 785-9875 or (800) 392-2432, U. S. FAX (612) 785-9874, International FAX (612) 331-3180.


Multi-Tech V.Fast MultiModemII Goes to Beta
Multi-Tech's New V.Fast MultiModemII Goes to Beta

MOUNDS VIEW, MINNESOTA--November 15, 1993--Multi-Tech Systems, Inc., a leading data communications technology company, announced the introduction of its newest MultiModemII, the MT2834BLV, for compatibility with the prevalent V.32 and V.32bis datacomm standards, plus added support for the V.Fast proposal. With the V.Fast enhancements, the MT2834BLV negotiates data rates up to 28.8K bps when communicating with other V.Fast modems, and with V.42 error correction and V.42bis data compression active, the MT2834BLV delivers effective throughputs up to 115.2K bps (depending on file content). In addition to compatibility with lower-speed modems based on V32bis, V.32, V.22bis and other common modulation standards, the MT2834BLV provides fax capability at 9600 and 14.4K bps. It also provides basic voice and voice-over-data communications and includes a handset and "off-hook" sensor. The MT2834BLV will be available in January, 1994, with an estimated retail price of $799.

Multi-Tech's President, Raghu Sharma, states, "Although the V.Fast approvals are moving slowly, the demand for the high speeds this standard could provide is increasing. As our customers look to us for high quality and performance, we are now responding with this new modem, which embraces the consensus of the 28.8K bps V.Fast proposal. We are committed to any modifications necessary, with free downloadable upgrades, to maintain worldwide compatibility once the V.Fast proposal is ratified as the V.34 standard, as expected. The needs for voice communications and voice-over-data communications are also answered in the MT2834BLV. Using Multi-Tech's own Talk Anytime feature, a pair of MT2834BLVs adds voice communication to virtually any asynchronous data stream, anytime the users pick up the handsets. Perhaps the best feature of the MT2834BLV is the promise of free downloadable upgrades from Multi-Tech's BBS, via FLASH PROM technology, as the V.34 standard is ratified. Other vendors may require the user to change PROMs and pay for the upgrade. "

The MT2834BLV provides synchronous or asynchronous operation over dedicated or dial-up phone lines, with V.42 error correction in asynchronous mode for 100% error-free data and V.42bis "4-to-1" data compression for effective throughputs up to 115.2K bps (depending on file content). For async operation over dial-up lines, it includes V.17/Group 3 fax capability (for 14.4K/9600/4800 bps fax transmissions), MultiExpress data communications software (for dial-in and dial-out), and MultiExpressFax software (based on the de facto standard Class 2 fax modem commands). It also includes all of the features and speeds of the other MultiModemII products with the added feature of 4-wire leased-line operation.

The MT2834BLV's dial back-up feature gives users added reliability over a leased-line connection. If the primary (leased line) link fails, the MT2834BLV automatically uses a dial-up line to establish a back-up connection. The dial-up link is used until the primary link can be reestablished, at which time the session is returned to the leased-line connection. All of this activity is transparent to the user. The MT2834BLV also includes Multi-Tech's popular adaptive protocol enhancing, a UUCP spoofing feature which speeds up typical UUCP batch file transfers in a UNIX environment, and support for IBM's AS/400 environment. The MT2834BLV uses industry-standard "AT" commands for modem configuration and dialing, supports V.25bis for synchronous dialing applications and has a built-in dialing directory for storing up to 10 phone numbers. Three RJ11 modular phone jacks are on the back panel for connecting the leased line, dial-up line, and a telephone handset, which is included with the modem. An RS232 serial port allows connection to a sync or async device, and a complete set of LEDs provides easy visual monitoring of the modem's operation. A special Error (ERR) LED lights up when the leased line is disconnected and the MT2834BLV has gone to dial back-up (the back-up phone number, or numbers, must be pre-stored in the modem's non-volatile memory).

Multi-Tech Systems, which reported sales of $81 million for 1992, was founded in 1970 to manufacture data communications equipment and systems for the global market of networking product users. The Minnesota-based company is well-known for its MultiModem line of dial-up communications products. Multi-Tech's family of products include a complete line of data/fax modems, MultiMux statistical multiplexers, DSUs, 3270/3780/5250 emulation systems, X.25 PADS/Switches, UNIX serial interfaces, communications software, LAN/WAN connectivity products, and most recently, the MultiModemPCS, a voice/data/fax personal communications system. These products are sold in over 70 countries through a worldwide network of distributors, manufacturer's reps, systems integrators, value-added resellers (VARs) and retailers. Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. can be contacted at its headquarters: 2205 Woodale Drive, Mounds View, Minnesota 55112, main numbers (612) 785-3500 or (800) 328-9717, Technical Support (800) 972-2439, BBS (612) 785-9875 or (800) 392-2432, U. S. FAX (612) 785-9874, International FAX (612) 331-3180.


V.32terbo Performance to X.25 Modems
Multi-Tech Brings V.32terbo Performance to X.25 Modems

MOUNDS VIEW, MINNESOTA--November 15, 1993--Mulff-Tech Systems Inc., a leading data communications technology company, announced an X.25-compatible MultiModemII based on AT&T's 16.8K/19.2K bps V32terbo open standard. The MT1932XP combines the functions of a full duplex dial or leased line modem, send/receive fax machine, X.25 PAD, and dial-up X.32 pad in a single desktop modem. The V.32terbo standard extends current 9.6K and 14.4K bps modem technology by providing two new data rates in a scheme otherwise like that of the 14.4K bps V32bis while maintaining compatibility with lower-speed modems based on V.32bis, V32, V.22bis and other common modulation standards. The MT1932XP comes bundled with MultiExpress datacomm and MultiExpress Fax software, and will start shipping in the first quarter of 1994 priced at $949 (U.S.).

According to Multi-Tech President Raghu Sharma, "This newest member of our MultiModemII family is a multi-purpose communications system. Since it can accommodate two phone lines (both a leased line and dial-up line), you can use its leased line for X.25 PAD functions, and when not using the X.25 network, you can still use the dial-up line for send/receive fax and dial-in/dial-out datacomm tasks. The dial-up line is also available for automatic dial backup for the leased line by storing the appropriate phone numbers in the modem's memory. We've bundled all the software you need for X.25, data and fax operations so you don't have to shop for anything to get started."

The MT1932XP supports up to four "virtual" X.25 or X.32 sessions through a single PAD port. By using the MT1932XP with a PC running the bundled MultiExpress data communications software (which includes special X.25 scripts), a user can establish the sessions with any node on the X.25 network. The multi-link capability of the MultiExpress software supports the virtual sessions through a single comm port and permits "hot keying" between the sessions via user-defined keystroke sequences. In X.25 mode, the MT1932XP can operate over four or two wire leased lines with dial back up. The MT1932XP can also operate in X.32 dial-up mode.

The MT1932XP also provides standard synchronous or asynchronous modem operation over dedicated or dial-up phone lines using bundled MultiExpress datacomm software. With the MT1932XP's V.32terbo modulation in asynchronous mode, data rates up to 76.8K bps are possible via error correction via V.42 and V.42bis "4-to-1" data compression, depending on file content. The MT1932XP also includes a V.17/Group 3 fax modem with bundled MultiExpress fax software (for 14.4K/9600/4800 bps fax transmissions). The MT1932XP also includes all of the features and speeds of the other MultiModemII products, with additional support for four-wire leased-line operation.

UUCP spoofing using Munti-Tech's own adaptive protocol enhancing, speeds up UUCP batch file transfers (UNIX) which use the "g" protocol. The MT1932XP recognizes industry-standard "AT" commands for modem configuration and dialing, supports V.25bis for synchronous dialing applications and has a built-in dialing directory for storing up to 10 phone numbers. Three RJ11s, or modular phone jacks, are available on the rear panel for connecting the leased line, dial-up line and phone in addition to an RS232 serial port for connection to a sync or async device. A complete set of LEDs provides easy visual monitoring of the modem's operation.

Multi-Tech Systems, which reported sales of $81 million for 1992, was founded in 1970 to manufacture data communications equipment and systems for the global market of networking product users. The Minnesota-based company is well-known for its MultiModem line of dial-up communications products. Munti-Tech's family of products include a complete line of data/fax modems, MultiMux statistical multiplexers, DSUs, 3270/3780/5250 emulation systems, X.25 PADS/Switches, UNIX serial interfaces, communications software, LAN/WAN connectivity products, and most recently, the MultiModemPCS, a voice/data/fax personal communications system. These products are sold in over 70 countries through a worldwide network of distributors, manufacturer's reps, systems integrators, value-added resellers (VARs) and retailers. Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. can be contacted at its headquarters: 2205 Woodale Drive, Mounds View, Minnesota 55112, main numbers (612) 785-3500 or (800) 328-9717, Technical Support (800) 972-2439, BBS (612) 785-9875 or (800) 392-2432, U. S. FAX (612) 785-9874, International FAX (612) 331-3180.


Multi-Tech Mid-Priced Data/Fax Modem
Multi Tech Announces Mid-Priced Data/Fax Modem

MOUNDS VIEW, MINNESOTA--November 15, 1993--Multi-Tech Systems, Inc., a leading data communications technology company, announced the new MultiModemZDX (model MT1432ZDX, or "ZDX") desktop modem for business and home users requiring dial-up data and fax communications in a small footprint. The ZDX is a full-featured CCITT V.32bis/V.32 (14.4K down to 300 bps) data and V.17/Group 3 (14.4K/9600/4800 bps) fax modem. It is bundled with MultiExpress data communications software and MultiExpressFax fax software. The Apple Macintosh model (MT1432ZDX-MAC) comes bundled with appropriate cabling and data/fax software. The ZDX includes most of the features of Multi-Tech's full-sized MultiModemII, but is designed for the fast growing mid-priced professional and home user market. ZDX modems are available for immediate shipment, priced at $349.00 (U.S.).

"Our new ZDX modem serves the most common datacomm and fax applications for businesses and home users, while maintaining the high quality expected from our MultiModem line," states Raghu Sharma, President of Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. "The ZDX modem can operate over dial-up phone lines at speeds up to 57.6K bps, transmitting or receiving asynchronous data using CCITT V.32bis/V.42bis standards, or at 14.4K/9600/4800 bps sending and receiving faxes using the V.17/Group 3 standards. By bundling both datacomm and fax software with the ZDX modem, we've created a complete system where new users don't have to worry about buying separate software. Even with its small footprint and low power requirements, the ZDX provides the user with a full array of LEDs for monitoring the modem's operation."

The MT1432ZDX complies with the CCITT's V.32bis standard for 14,400 bps operation. It also operates at the standard lower speeds of 9600 (V.32), 2400 (V.22bis), 1200 (V.22/Bell 212A), and 300 bps (V.21/Bell 103). It weighs in at a mere eight ounces and is approximately 4 1/2 inches wide by 5 5/8 inches deep and 1 inch high. The MT1432ZDX provides V.42 error correction for 100 % error free transmissions, and V.42bis data compression yielding asynchronous throughputs up to 57.6K bps, which are four times faster than V.32bis alone (depending on file content). Fax transmissions at 14.4K/9600/ 4800 bps allow the MT1432ZDX to send or receive faxes with any V.17, Group 3, or Group 2 fax machine, fax card or fax/modem in the world. The ZDX also responds to the EIA Class 2 command set, which is the de facto industry standard for high performance fax software. It uses industry standard "AT" commands for modem configuration and dialing.

Multi-Tech Systems, which reported sales of $81 million for 1992, was founded in 1970 to manufacture data communications equipment and systems for the global market of networking product users. The Minnesota-based company is well-known for its MultiModem line of dial-up communications products. Munti-Tech's family of products include a complete line of data/fax modems, MultiMux statistical multiplexers, DSUs, 3270/3780/5250 emulation systems, X.25 PADS/Switches, UNIX serial interfaces, communications software, LAN/WAN connectivity products, and most recently, the MultiModemPCS, a voice/data/fax personal communications system. These products are sold in over 70 countries through a worldwide network of distributors, manufacturer's reps, systems integrators, value-added resellers (VARs) and retailers. Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. can be contacted at its headquarters: 2205 Woodale Drive, Mounds View, Minnesota 55112, main numbers (612) 785-3500 or (800) 328-9717, Technical Support (800) 972-2439, BBS (612) 785-9875 or (800) 392-2432, U. S. FAX (612) 785-9874, International FAX (612) 331-3180.


Intelligent Technologies now on SilverPlatter

November 2, 1993 --SilverPlatter Information, in conjunction with the Turing Institute of Glasgow, has announced the addition of the Intelligent Technologies database to its range of CD-ROMs. The database provides coverage of the world's literature and leading edge research in the field of intelligent technologies.

Recognized as the primary database in its field, Intelligent Technologies contains over 80,000 records with abstracts, providing access to technical literature, applications, overviews, case studies, product information, developing trends in the industry, conferences, workshops and training courses.

Major subject areas covered include, robotics, artificial intelligence, cognitive modelling, computing, expert and knowledge based systems, machine learning, qualitative modelling and vision and image processing. Updated quarterly, complete and international information is provided from 1983 to the present, all on one compact disc.

All of the information contained on Intelligent Technologies is provided by expert staff of the Turing Institute Ltd., a respected leader in its chosen area of expertise. Constantly updated to ensure comprehensive coverage of the latest developments, Intelligent Technologies provides vital information to support research or product development and maintain a competitive edge.

As one of the first providers of information on CD-ROM, SilverPlatter has a distinguished reputation for bringing the right information with the right software to the service of its markets.

SilverPlatter Information, Inc.

100 River Ridge Dr, Norwood, MA 02062-5026

1-800-343-0064 (U.S. and Canada) or 1-617-769-2599

Fax: 1-617-769-8763

SilverPlatter Information Ltd.

10 Barley Mow Passage

Chiswick London W4 4PH U.K.

Tel: +44(0) 81-995-8242 or 0800-262-096

Fax: +44(0) 81-995-5159


Fortis Selects FOUNDATION Client/Server Tools
FORTIS SELECTS FOUNDATION CLIENT/SERVER DEVELOPMENT TOOLS AS CORPORATE-WIDE STANDARD

System to transform claims processing for major financial services/insurance company

CHICAGO, November 15, 1993-- Andersen Consulting's FOUNDATION software organization today announced that Fortis, Inc., one of the country's fastest growing providers of insurance and financial services, has purchased $1 million in FOUNDATION for Cooperative Processing (FCP) tools, methodology and services, which it will use to establish enterprise-wide standards for all client/server development.

The first system to be built using FCP will be a 1,000-workstation, client/server imaging-based claims system that is expected to dramatically reduce the time required to process the average claim to one day.

Fortis, Inc., the U.S. operation of the $46 billion worldwide organization, is using FCP Version 2.0 to implement and support Fortis' corporate growth strategy. This strategy requires coordinating the business operations and systems development organizations of three Fortis offices, located in Kansas City, Mo., Milwaukee, and Woodbury Minn.

"For Fortis to expand its presence in the financial and insurance markets, we must leverage leading-edge information technology -- such as client/server and imaging -- that enables the free flow of information throughout the enterprise." said Cheri Rodolfo, a senior vice president at Fortis. "The corporate-wide FCP framework will provide us with tremendous productivity and cost savings by allowing individual departments to build their own customized systems, which also can be shared and reused throughout the company."

Development groups at Fortis' three Midwestern sites are working on the first departmental systems to be built with FCP Version 2.0 -- a claims processing application that incorporates data capture and analysis, imaging, work management and processing. The new system, which combines the capabilities of several existing systems, will reduce the time required to process the average claim to one day. The new system also will take advantage of FCP's support for heterogeneous computing environments by integrating OS/2 workstations, UNIX servers and CICS mainframes.

Before selecting FCP, Fortis consulted with prominent industry analysts and reviewed the leading client/server development tools. FCP was the only tool to meet all criteria, including:

* Middleware communications capability to connect multiple

  platforms and provide future application portability

* LAN-based repository for capturing, storing and re-using

  business objects

* GUI-based rapid application development environment

* Client/server methodology

"Low-end point-and-click client/server tools are sometimes adequate for isolated departmental systems, but they don't provide the scalability or portability we need to support our long-term systems strategy," said Mark Downey, second vice president of Fortis development. "No one knows the operating system and hardware standards for the future. We need the flexibility to choose the technology that is best for Fortis. Only FCP could deliver that capability today."

According to Gordy Jager, second vice president of Fortis architecture, "FCP's LAN-based repository enables this portability by storing information and data for reuse in future systems. In addition, the repository allows for collaborative management of this complex project among developers in Fortis' three distinct development locations."

Claims System

Imaging and work management capabilities are integral to the new claims processing system.

Imaging technology eliminates manual distribution of paper forms and documents by creating an electronic image that can be passed along to multiple workstations. This allows several claims processors to work on a single document simultaneously .

For example, two processors can work on different aspects of a claim -- such as doctor validation and claimant history -- at the same time before it is moved to the next processor. This greatly speeds process completion, while ensuring consistency and eliminating errors.

The application's work management capability automatically evaluates claims processor workloads and distributes work to appropriate employees throughout the organization, regardless of location.

"This work management capability supports our managers and supervisors by automatically assigning work, setting deadlines for completion and then following up with staff through ticklers and reminders," said Rodolfo.

Fortis will use the work management capability from the claims systems as a template for all subsequent development projects. Each future system will contain a work management function largely based upon this initial framework.

Fortis plans to use FCP Version 2.0 for further development beyond the initial claims processing system. "With the FCP infrastructure and architecture in place, we plan to continue on the client/server migration path as far as it will take us," said Fortis vice president, Marguerite Waldoch. "We view our departmental development options as virtually endless. Upon completion of the claims system, we're considering development projects in field sales support or customer service departments."

FCP Version 2 was released in May 1993 and reflects FOUNDATION's experience using the first-generation of FCP to build "industrial-strength" systems that perform crucial business functions. The next-generation product offers dramatic enhancements that ease and accelerate the process for building heterogeneous client/server systems.

FOUNDATION introduced the initial version of FCP in April 1991. The product is being used in strategic client/server development projects by more than 84 companies worldwide, including Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation, Sprint Corporation, the State of North Carolina and British Columbia Gas.

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

Fortis, Inc. has approximately 6,000 employees and reported 1992 revenues of $2.7 billion and net income of $134.8 million. Fortis, Inc.'s parent companies are Holland-based N.V. AMEV and Belgium-based AG Group, each owning 50 percent of Fortis. Fortis, Inc. is the parent of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company, Time Insurance Company, the Fortis Financial Group and Fortis Sales, Inc.

Andersen Consulting

69 West Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602

312-580-0069


Wireless Connection for HP OmniBook 425
WIRELESS INFRARED CONNECTION FOR HP OMNIBOOK 425 EASES INFORMATION ACCESS

BOISE, ID, November 8, 1993 -- Extended Systems today announced support for wireless infrared connections for the HP OmniBook 425. Extended Systems' JetEye PC provides a "point-and-shoot" connection between the OmniBook and any DOS-compatible desktop or portable computer. With JetEye PC, the cabling hassles associated with moving files between the OmniBook and desktop PCs are eliminated.

Data Access Without Cables

The JetEye PC ESI-9610A uses the LapLink Remote Access software included with the OmniBook to establish a wireless connection with the desktop computer and allows access to local floppy and hard drives or printers. If the desktop PC is connected to a network, network files, applications and peripherals can also be accessed from the OmniBook.

The JetEye PC installs by connecting the infrared receiver to a serial port on the desktop computer. The infrared module can be conveniently placed anywhere on the desktop. Once installed, OmniBook users simply line up the superportable with the JetEye infrared sensor and activate a remote connection with the computer. With JetEye PC, the OmniBook becomes the ideal companion computer.

"OmniBook users who have JetEye PC are excited about the convenience and ease-of-use the infrared connection provides. One OmniBook user at Microsoft uses the JetEye PC to automatically update his appointments whenever he connects to his office PC. Other users at Hewlett-Packard have found the JetEye PC makes downloading, reading and replying to large amounts of daily e-mail much easier," said Fred Roehm, Extended Systems Product Manager.

High-Speed, Reliable Connection

Supporting Hewlett-Packard's patented serial infrared (SIR) technology specifications, the JetEye PC transfers files at 115.2 Kbps--six to twelve times faster than normal 9600 or 19.2K serial communications. JetEye PC transfer files quickly and accurately between the OmniBook and the desktop computer. Both the new OmniBook 425 and the OmniBook 300 superportables are supported.

The JetEye PC ESI-9610A is priced at $149 U.S. List and is available immediately. A special promotional price of $105.00 U.S. is available on all orders for JetEye PC until December 31, 1993. JetEye PC is backed with a three-year warranty and a 30-day, moneyback guarantee. JetEye PC can be purchased from Extended Systems direct sales organization, major computer dealers and international distributors worldwide. For more information about JetEye PC or other wireless solutions, contact Extended Systems at 800-235-7576 or 406-587-7575.

Extended Systems

5777 N. Meeker Ave, Boise, ID 83704

406-587-7575,  800-235-7576,  fax 208-377-1906


Aldus FreeHand 4.0 for Macintosh
Aldus announces Aldus FreeHand 4.0 for the Macintosh

SEATTLE, October 20, 1993--Aldus Corporation today announced Aldus FreeHand 4.0 for the Apple Macintosh, a major upgrade to its advanced graphic design and illustration software program. New capabilities in Aldus FreeHand 4.0 include enhanced text controls, intuitive color controls, a streamlined user interface, extensive graphic capabilities, and multi-page layout functions.

"The 4.0 Macintosh upgrade is a major milestone in Aldus FreeHand's product development," said Lorene Lee, product marketing manager. "Aldus FreeHand 4.0 promises to be more accessible for users, while at the same time providing even more powerful tools for high-end graphic design and illustration. The new version really aims to provide a complete solution for those in graphic services, graphic trades, and the publishing arena."

Professional features

The upgrade features a new customizable user interface that eliminates almost all of the dialog boxes and replaces them with floating palettes. The palettes eliminate the need for users to repeatedly enter dialog boxes, while providing a greater maximization of workspace. For example, Aldus FreeHand's Inspector palette helps users manage text, layout, and element attributes. The user interface enhancements are designed to provide an environment that is easy to use by positioning the tools for quicker access.

Aldus FreeHand 4.0 incorporates into multiple page design a live 56 l/2- inch square pasteboard. The pasteboard is the first of competing illustration applications to allow users to layout multiple pages in any combination of custom sizes and orientations, as well as move text and objects between pages.

The new version also allows users to specify columns and rows, gutters and margins, and paragraph controls. These capabilities create a more flexible and efficient process by allowing users to create, combine, review, and color separate from a single file.

Aldus FreeHand 4.0 now allows users to type directly into their design, eliminating the need to use a dialog box for text entry. Users now have the ability to wrap text around or inside objects of any shape, drag and drop tabs right into the design, and engage in professional track kerning. The new version contains a wrapping tab feature unique to any desktop publishing or illustration program. With these increased text controls, users can now use Aldus FreeHand exclusively for graphic-intensive single or multiple page layout.

In addition, Aldus FreeHand 4.0 now allows users to mix, then drag and drop color from wells in the enhanced Color and Tints palettes right into their design, even into objects that are not selected. With the new drag and drop color interface, creating graduated fills and radial fills is designed to be quick and easy. The new palettes allow for automatic creation of standard tints or custom percentages, and for mixing, defining, and naming saved colors.

Aldus FreeHand 4.0 has increased its graphic capabilities to include path operators for creating objects which previously would have been time consuming. Other increased graphic capabilities include built-in editable arrowheads, a polygon tool for drawing stars and regular polygons, and a calligraphic pen mode with variable nib width and angle. These new graphic capabilities broaden the users graphic horizons, while maintaining precision, control, and user flexibility.

System configuration

Aldus FreeHand 4.0 for the Apple Macintosh is System 7 savvy (also runs under System 6.0.7 or later); requires Macintosh-compatible hardware.

The recommended system configuration for Aldus FreeHand 4.0 for the Apple Macintosh is any Apple Mac IIci series or greater, PowerBook, Quadra, 8MB of RAM, a 120MB hard drive, a mouse or a drawing digitizing tablet with stylus.

Availability and pricing

Aldus expects to ship Aldus FreeHand 4.0 for the Apple Macintosh to retailers in the United States and Canada by the end of 1993. Localized versions for other markets will be announced later.

Aldus FreeHand 4.0 will have a suggested retail price of $595 (U.S.). Registered users of prior versions of Aldus FreeHand will be able to obtain the upgrade for $150. To purchase a retail version of Aldus FreeHand, an upgrade, or to obtain more information, customers can call Aldus Customer Services at (206) 628-2320.

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 98104-2871

206-622-5500


Aldus PhotoStyler 2.0 for Windows
Aldus ships PhotoStyler 2.0 for Windows

SEATTLE, October 20, 1993--Aldus Corporation today announced it has begun shipment in the U.S. and Canada of Aldus PhotoStyler 2.0, a major upgrade to its Microsoft Windows-based color digital imaging application for acquiring, editing, retouching, and printing color, grayscale, and black-and-white images.

PhotoStyler 2.0 is the first desktop application to fully integrate the KODAK PRECISION Color Management System, which eliminates the guesswork involved in achieving accurate and consistent color from both input and output devices, as well as monitors.

"PhotoStyler 2.0 is more accessible to new users, while at the same time providing more powerful tools for high-end design and production.," said Rod Bauer, PhotoStyler senior product marketing manager. "This is especially important under Windows, where many users are new to color, but have professional requirements. PhotoStyler 2.0 is the first digital imaging package designed with their requirements in mind."

Professional features

In addition to its color management capabilities, PhotoStyler 2.0 has several new professional productivity enhancements. A Practice Pad, Multi-Preview feature, and a Multi-Transform dialog box offer multiple ways to preview the results of an action before it is executed. A new Partial Edit feature handles large images more efficiently by loading only a portion of an image into memory for editing.

PhotoStyler 2.0 supports PageMaker 5.0, Aldus FreeHand, Aldus Persuasion, QuarkXPress, and others through such file formats as CMYK TIFF, DCS, JPEG, and PICT. Version 2.0 supports OLE as a server application. The new version will also support digital cameras, video capture boards, and color peripheral devices.

Version 2.0 is more tightly integrated with PageMaker 5.0 than any competing image processing products. For example, PhotoStyler will support the same color matching libraries (including Dainippon, Focoltone, Munsell, PANTONE, Toyo, and Trumatch) as PageMaker does, making it easier to work with standard process colors.

System configuration

The recommended system configuration for Aldus PhotoStyler 2.0 is a 486- or Pentium processor-based DOS-compatible computer, Microsoft Windows 3.1 running in enhanced mode, 8MB or more of RAM, a 200MB or larger hard drive, a color monitor, a high-resolution graphics adaptor card (a 24-bit color display system is recommended for professional-quality image enhancement), and a mouse.

The minimum system configuration is a 386-based DOS-compatible computer, 6MB of RAM, an 80MB hard drive, a color monitor with compatible VGA card, and a mouse or other pointing device.

Availability and pricing

PhotoStyler 2.0 is available through Aldus resellers in the United States and Canada for a suggested retail price of $795 (U.S.). Localized versions for other markets will be announced later. Aldus also offers PhotoStyler 2.0 Special Edition (SE) with a reduced set of features that will be bundled with OEM products such as scanners.

Registered users of PhotoStyler 1.1a can upgrade to version 2.0 for $150. To purchase a retail version of PhotoStyler, receive an upgrade, or find out about special OEM versions, customers can call Aldus Customer Services at (206) 628-2320.

Aldus Corporation (NASDAQ: ALDC) creates computer software solutions that help people throughout the world effectively communicate information and ideas. 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 98104-2871

206-622-5500


BidWorks For Residential Construction Projects
BidWorks ships

Turtle Creek Software announces that BidWorks for the Macintosh will ship November 15, 1993.

BidWorks provides very quick rough estimates and high-accuracy finished bids for both residential construction projects (single- and multi-family) and commercial buildings. It can be used for 'ballpark' estimates by architects, planners, developers, and design/build firms. It also creates accurate bids for general contractors, remodelers, custom home builders and developers.

BidWorks combines and replaces HyperEstimator and HyperRemodeler (also from Turtle Creek Software). HyperEstimator was rated #1 among 11 popular construction estimating programs in a review made by the Canadian Construction Association in 1991.

BidWorks uses a very simple graphic format, with 'smart dimensioning' based on measurements that are easy to make from blueprints or project notes. BidWorks includes specific 'cards' for calculating foundations, roofs, structural and finish dimensions. In addition, it includes 'calculators' that make it easy to figure labor burden and overhead percentages. It is possible to remove or change any of the 1000 1 unit prices that comes with BidWorks, or to add any number of additional items.

For simplicity, BidWorks handles new construction, room additions and 'gut and rehab' projects on a 'whole project' basis. It can also handle remodeling and other types of projects on a 'room by room' basis for greater flexibility. There is no limit to the project size or the number of rooms that can be used.

BidWorks is able to 'link' to MacNail, an integrated construction estimating, accounting and scheduling package that is also produced by Turtle Creek Software. Bids created in BidWorks can be exported to MacNail. Construction unit prices can also be shared between the two programs.

BidWorks costs $395. It includes a 400 page manual, and free technical support.

A Windows version is planned for release in early 1994.

For more information, contact: Turtle Creek Software, 651 Halsey Valley Rd, Spencer NY 14883. (607) 589-4471 or 589-6858.


APF4000 Flat Panel Integrated System
APF Introduces the "Flat Panel PC"

November 15, 1993 -- Greenville, SC . . . APF announces the introduction of the APF4000 Series, flat panel PCs designed for environments which demand superior computing power, small size, low power, and extraordinary style from desktop machines. The APF4000 integrates a full-function 486DX2 PC at 66 MHz, an active matrix color TFT flat panel display, and disk drives into one graceful, compact enclosure. The entire unit weighs only 14 pounds, and leaves a 9-inch by 10-inch footprint on the desk. An EPA Energy Star Partner, the APF4000 consumes less than 40 watts. The APF4000 is targeted toward OEMs and systems integrators whose customers are both business environments where space is at a premium (reception desks, customer service counters, trading floors, etc.), and individual users who appreciate workstation power in future-oriented design.

In place of a CRT, the APF4000 features a 10.4" 64,000-color TFT LCD which emits no radiation or EMI like conventional monitors. The adjustable screen will not flicker or burn in, easing operator eyestrain. And because the APF4000 requires no power supply fan, the unit is virtually noiseless. A 170 megabyte hard disk drive, a 1.44 megabyte 3.5-inch floppy drive, and a PCMCIA type II expansion slot are standard. The power, keyboard, COM, mouse, and printer ports are easily accessed at the rear of the unit.

A 66 MHz 486DX2 processor with 32M DRAM, plus 32-bit local bus video, powers the APF4000. Built-in Windows accelerators help the most demanding Windows applications run one hundred times faster than non-accelerated solutions.

Two model variations are included in the APF4000 series. The APF4300 includes all the above features, plus a Token Ring or Ethernet interface (10BaseT or 10Base2) for networked applications. The APF4500 unit is designed as a flat panel replacement for VGA analog monitors, as it does not include the computer. All APF Series units consume less than 50 watts, and have operating temperatures of 0-40 degree C.

The APF4000 is priced from $6995 (single), with stock to 30-day delivery. For more information, contact: APF, Sales Department, PO Box 25126, Greenville, SC 29616-0126. Phone: 803-244-4416.

FAX: 803-879-2030.


Coming Apart at the Seams, Baseball Book
Best-Selling Book About Baseball Now Available on Floppy Diskette Macmillan Announces Release of Coming Apart at the Seams, Expanded Book Edition

Cambridge, November 15--Macmillan's best-seller, Coming Apart At the Seams: How Baseball Owners, Players and Television Executives Led Our National Pastime to the Brink of Disaster, is now available as an Expanded Book, a floppy diskette product for Apple's popular PowerBook computer or any Macintosh. Photographs and audio features have been added to the Expanded Book edition, published by Cambridge-based Macmillan New Media, a leading producer and distributor of electronic and multimedia titles for the consumer, professional and medical markets.

Co-authored by sports lawyer Jack Sands and baseball analyst Peter Gammons, Coming Apart at the Seams provides an insider's view on the chaotic state of baseball today, and presents the authors' remedy for the sport's survival into the 21st century. The book highlights the conflicts between baseball owners, players, agents and television networks that are contributing to the demise of our national pastime.

According to Sands, "The problems that have been besieging major-league baseball since the mid-1970's can be traced to one factor: greed. The battle over how to split the revenue pie has created a schism between the owners themselves, as well as between the owners and players. Money colors everything, to the extent that the sport is no longer driven by on-field confrontations, but rather, by back-room negotiations. As a result, the integrity of the game is now at risk."

The electronic benefits of the Expanded Book bring the world of baseball to life, with features that allow the reader to interact with the printed word. Readers can view photographs of historical stadiums, key players and other prominent baseball personalities, simply by clicking on their respective names in the text. They can also hear recorded sounds from a live baseball game and batting practice. There's also an option that lets users search for favorite teams or players by typing in the name. Other functions include the ability to highlight memorable quotes or passages by bolding or underlining text, type notes in the margins, and mark pages with a dog-ear or paper clip--without creating the wear-and-tear these actions would cause in the print version.

Said Frederick Bowes, III, President of Macmillan New Media, "The interactive capabilities of the Expanded Book add appeal to a book like Coming Apart At The Seams which engages the reader with accounts of major people and events in baseball's past and present. And the hot issues being debated now, such as league realignment and the regionalization of televised games, make the topic particularly timely."

For business travelers, the Expanded Book format offers the added convenience of portability. Designed specially for the lightweight PowerBook, it can be loaded on a reader's hard drive, leaving them with less to carry when they're on the go.

Other Expanded Book titles available from Macmillan New Media include The Empowered Manager (from the Jossey-Bass Management Series), by Peter Block; I Love Boston Guide, by Marilyn J. Appleberg; All That Remains, by Patricia D. Cornwell; and The Fragile Species, by Lewis Thomas. Soon to be released titles include Marilyn J. Appleberg's I Love New York and I Love Washington Guides.

Jack Sands has been providing legal council to athletes from all major team sports for twenty years, and is best known for his representation of major league baseball players. Peter Gammons, ESPN's chief baseball analyst, is a sports writer for the Boston Globe and is syndicated in Baseball America. Both authors live with their families in greater Boston.

Macmillan New Media

124 Mount Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138

617-661-2955, fax 617-868-7738


XoftWare/32 for Windows Version 3.0
AGE LOGIC SHIPS XOFTWARE/32 FOR WINDOWS, VERSION 3.0

MAJOR NEW RELEASE OF 32-BIT PC X SERVER SOFTWARE

San Diego, CA. November 16, 1993 -- AGE Logic, Inc. has begun shipping XoftWare/32 for Windows, Version 3.0, the most recent release of the company's 32-bit PC X Window server software for Microsoft Windows. Compliant with industry-standard X11R5 technology, XoftWare/32 for Windows enables users to concurrently access and display Microsoft Windows and network-based UNIX applications on a single PC screen. XoftWare/32 for Windows, Version 3.0, includes a full suite of new utilities and features targeted toward the sophisticated PC user in a heterogeneous, networked environment.

Key new features available in Version 3.0 include a comprehensive Network File Manager utility with file transfer and local printing capabilities, a Concurrent Window Manager mode for simultaneous use of both local and UNIX window managers, a fully interactive Telnet client, and a Windows-based Trace diagnostic tool. XoftWare/32 for Windows, Version 3.0, also includes a new UNIX Print Re-route Utility, support for installation from a remote server, and 24-/16-bit true color support. Additional network capabilities include direct support for IPX/SPX networks and serial communications using the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP).

XoftWare/32 for Windows, Version 3.0 is currently available through AGE's international network of distributors and resellers and lists at $395. A version incorporating Novell's TCP/lP network software is available for $495. Multi-pack pricing, site licenses and custom OEM versions are also available. Interested parties should contact AGE, or their local reseller, for more information.

Registered users of any XoftWare products, including XoftWare for Windows, Desktop Edition, XoftWare/32 for Windows and XoftWare for DOS can take advantage of special upgrade pricing. Users can call AGE for more information on upgrade procedures and pricing at (619) 455-8600.

AGE Logic, Inc. is the leader in supplying software that enables the remote display of graphical information via the X protocol.

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 system hosts. Marketed under the XoftWare brand name, AGE offers a family of PC packaged products sold through distributors/resellers, systems integrators and QEMs as well as customized embedded X products sold directly to the world's leading terminal, computer and systems companies. AGE has alliances with major microprocessor, terminal and workstation companies to develop highly optimized, hardware-specific X servers tailored to their specifications. XoftWare packaged products are available for Microsoft Windows, Windows NT, DOS and other PC operating environments. For further information, contact AGE at 619/455-8600, FAX 619/597-6030 or e-mail sales@age.com.

AGE Logic Inc

9985 Pacific Heights Blvd, San Diego, CA 92121


WINtelligent LINX Added Comm Support
WINtelligent LINX Now Provides Additional Communications Support

Milwaukee, WI -- WINtelligent LINX, ICOM's Microsoft Windows-based communications application (DDE Server) program, which supports over thirty communications devices, has added the following new Allen-Bradley PLC support:

* SLC-5/03 over DH485 via Channel 0

* PLC-5/250 5130-KA bridging support between DH+ and DH+

* SLC-500 1785-KA5 bridging support between DH485 and DH+

* PLC 540 VME Support (Including Xycom and Raidsys versions)

With WINtelligent LINX, all hardware devices are supported in one software package. This eliminates the need to buy a separate package for each hardware device you wish to use, and no individual drivers have to be installed.

You can use WINtelligent LINX for a variety of applications, from acquiring data from your PLC to spreadsheets and databases for data logging, to process monitoring and report generation. WINtelligent LINX also allows you to recipe download through it's ability to write data to PLCs.

WINtelligent LINX is part of ICOM's WINtelligent Series; a family of software products for Allen-Bradley PLCs. WINtelligent Series software includes programming and documentation packages, graphical operator interfaces, and historical trending and data acquisition packages. ICOM has continually provided innovative software solutions for the Allen-Bradley PLC families since 1985.

ICOM Inc

Box 351, Milwaukee, MI 53201-0351

414-321-8000, fax 414-321-2211, BBS 414-321-0008

Tech Support: 414-321-ICOM


WINtelligent QUALITY Real-Time SPC Program
WINtelligent QUALITY, ICOM's Real-Time SPC Program, Now Has New Features

Milwaukee, WI -- ICOM is proud to announce several new features included in the latest revision of WINtelligent QUALITY, part of the WINtelligent Series family of Windows-based software packages for PLCs.

WINtelligent QUALITY is the best solution for PLC Statistical Process Control by providing time or event-driven control charts and documentation of process variables. WINtelligent QUALITY now has the ability to run by gages, manual entry, machine vision, and Windows DDE.

WINtelligent QUALITY also has powerful new alarming features which allow you to display custom information such as cad drawings, photos, text files, flow charts, or voice activated messages when alarms occur.

WINtelligent QUALITY includes the new DDE Execute feature which can provide remote access to a multitude of WINtelligent QUALITY functions, such as changing batch names, stop/start commands, and the ability to modify setting commands. WINtelligent QUALITY can be used as a client or a server.

WINtelligent QUALITY features a Manual Data Entry Panel; a tool to maintain consistency in record keeping between computer collected data and manually collected data.

Targetrol "Target Charts", which display multiple process variables simultaneously by showing the magnitude and position of the selected data relative to control and specification limits, are also a special feature of WINtelligent QUALITY.

WINtelligent QUALITY can be used as a stand alone tool or in conjunction with other products from ICOM's WINtelligent Series, a family of Microsoft Windows- based packages. ICOM offers software for programming and documentation, graphical interfaces, historical trending, and data acquisition.

ICOM Inc

Box 351, Milwaukee, MI 53201-0351

414-321-8000, fax 414-321-2211, BBS 414-321-0008

Tech Support: 414-321-ICOM


WINtelligent VIEW Operator Interface Swr
WINtelligent VIEW Operator Interface Software Now Supports Entire Allen-Bradley PLC Family

Milwaukee, WI -- ICOM's WINtelligent VIEW is the most advanced Multimedia Operator Interface available for PLCs today. WINtelligent VIEW makes operator interface easy by accessing ladder logic documentation from your ladder logic editor, saving you the trouble of creating a duplicate "tag" database.

ICOM is introducing several new WINtelligent VIEW features, including:

* Complete Allen-Bradley PLC Support.

  WINtelligent VIEW now supports:

  - PLC-2

  - PLC-3

  - PLC-5

  - PLC-5/250

  - SLC-500

* Improved Alarming.

WINtelligent VIEW's powerful alarming system allows embedded parameters to be specified. These embedded parameters make WINtelligent VIEW an excellent time saver for developers. Examples of these parameters include:

 - [PLC Description]

 - [PLC Symbol]

 - [In Time]

 - [Out Time]

 - [Acknowledge]

* Embedded Trending.

WINtelligent VIEW offers trending which displays up to 16 process variables per graph. These features include several display formats and a wide variety of options, including real-time and historical information. For example, you can configure many of the options so you can change them at run-time or retain complete control over the graph options. The display can be scaled automatically or manually. X and Y axes are configurable while trending.

WINtelligent VIEW is part of ICOM's WINtelligent Series, a family of Microsoft-Windows-based software packages. ICOM has continually provided innovative software solutions for Allen-Bradley PLCs since 1985. ICOM offers software for programming and documentation, graphical interfaces, historical trending, and data acquisition.

ICOM Inc

Box 351, Milwaukee, MI 53201-0351

414-321-8000, fax 414-321-2211, BBS 414-321-0008

Tech Support: 414-321-ICOM


WINtelligent TREND Shop Floor Function Keys
WINtelligent TREND's New Shop Floor Function Keys Simplify Data Acquisition

Milwaukee, WI -- WINtelligent TREND, ICOM's powerful Windows-based data acquisition tool for collecting and monitoring real-time and historical PLC data, has added a new feature: Shop Floor Function Keys. This keyboard-controlled addition to WINtelligent TREND, which features an operator interface-like quality that adjusts to five common display settings, makes the package simpler to use for the average worker who may not be familiar with using a mouse. The Shop Floor Function Keys also make access to single or multiple trend displays effortless. For example, you can check the temperature of one room and switch to another room simply with the touch of the keyboard.

WINtelligent TREND is the only data logging software that features historical data trending. It provides a familiar strip chart recorder display so the data can be scaled automatically or manually. WINtelligent TREND has a user-definable log rate that can log data continuously by time, event to the standard .DBF file format.

WINtelligent TREND can be used for several data acquisition needs, including: process monitoring, historical analysis, maintenance, diagnostics, and reporting.

WINtelligent TREND is part of ICOM's WINtelligent Series software products for Allen-Bradley PLCs. The WlNtelligent Series features software products for programming and documentation, graphical operator interfaces, and historical trending and data acquisition packages.

ICOM Inc

Box 351, Milwaukee, MI 53201-0351

414-321-8000, fax 414-321-2211, BBS 414-321-0008

Tech Support: 414-321-ICOM


WINtelligent RECIPE Manages Process Data
ICOM Introduces WINtelligent RECIPE

Milwaukee, WI -- ICOM, Inc., the leader in innovative software solutions for Allen-Bradley is announcing the release of WINtelligent RECIPE, a system for managing process data. With WINtelligent RECIPE, you can download recipes, upload current values, and compare current PLC values to recipe data.

By using WINtelligent RECIPE, you can add a full-featured recipe management to any DDE-compatible Windows application. You can also use RECIPE as a standalone application

Other features included in WINtelligent RECIPE are:

* Preview

RECIPE reads the current process data values, and highlights the differences between the existing values in the PLC and the existing data before you proceed to download and upload the current data set.

* Download with Verification

RECIPE verifies that each value is downloaded correctly. You can also download without verification if speed is critical.

* Download with Verification and Undo

RECIPE verifies that each value is downloaded correctly and if RECIPE fails to download any value, the values already downloaded are returned to their original state.

* Multiple Address Sets and Data Sets

Can be made for each recipe.

WINtelligent RECIPE is part of ICOM's WINtelligent Series of software packages for Allen-Bradley PLCs.

ICOM Inc

Box 351, Milwaukee, MI 53201-0351

414-321-8000, fax 414-321-2211, BBS 414-321-0008

Tech Support: 414-321-ICOM


ICOM & MDT Form Alliance
ICOM and MDT Form Alliance

Union Supplies ICOM Software With MASS PDS Client/Server Support

Milwaukee, WI -- ICOM, Inc., the leader in innovative software for Allen-Bradley PLCs has formed an alliance with MDT, Inc., supplier of MASS and ProDoc Programmable software. The two companies have agreed to exchange technical information that will allow ICOM's A.I. (Advanced Interface) Series programming software to seamlessly interface with MDT's network-based MASS ProDoc Programmable Device Support (PDS) and MASS server as clients.

The combined offerings from ICOM and MDT, leaders in PLC support software, provide a more complete solution than currently marketed individually or by other vendors.

ICOM's A.I. Series offers many programming and documentation capabilities, including: automatic Symbolic address programming, which integrates documentation text with programming functions, custom screen displays, timing charts, and a full security system. As a result of ICOM's new alliance with MDT, A.I. Series' users can also benefit from MASS features such as: security and user access control, program version control and library management, time-scheduled program uploads and compares, audit trails and revision history.

With the MASS Client/Server option, a user selects a program via the ICOM client. A directory services request is automatically forwarded to the MASS server. MASS verifies the user's privileges and sends the appropriate logic and/or database information and processor ID to the client and logs all user activities. The program changes are checked back into the MASS library and when the user logs off the ICOM software, the MASS server automatically uploads the program, compares it to the MASS version and E-mails designated users of any changes made.

ICOM's DOS-based A.I. Series will be offering the UNIX-based MASS Client/Server support in 1994.

ICOM Inc

Box 351, Milwaukee, MI 53201-0351

414-321-8000, fax 414-321-2211, BBS 414-321-0008

Tech Support: 414-321-ICOM


ICOM Intros WINtelligent DCS PLC-5 Support Swr
ICOM Introduces WINtelligent DCS

Milwaukee, WI-- ICOM, Inc. has expanded it's WINtelligent Series of innovative software products with the introduction of WINtelligent DCS, a Windows-based package for Allen-Bradley PLC-5s. WINtelligent DCS is designed to give the user who is familiar with process control the tools to easily adapt the PLC-5 to do both digital and analog process control.

At the heart of WINtelligent DCS is the Junction block diagram editor and compiler. The editor comes equipped with over 60 function blocks, including: hand-stations, function generators, pulse controllers, sequencers, bumpless transfers, and more. The compiler generates the PLC-5 code, documentation, and a common database for use with the integrated operator interface and data acquisition systems.

WINtelligent DCS offers several other features, including:

* Operator Interface Development System

* Ladder Logic Editor

* Data Acquisition System

* Batch Control and Recipe Management

* Simulation and Testing Software

WINtelligent DCS will be a part of ICOM's WINtelligent Series, a family of Microsoft Windows-based packages. ICOM has continually provided innovative software solutions for Allen-Bradley PLCs since 1985. ICOM offers software for programming and documentation; graphical interfaces; historical trending and data acquisition.

ICOM Inc

Box 351, Milwaukee, MI 53201-0351

414-321-8000, fax 414-321-2211, BBS 414-321-0008

Tech Support: 414-321-ICOM


US Robotics Supports Rockwell V.Fast Modulation
U.S. ROBOTICS SUPPORTS ROCKWELL'S V.FAST CLASS MODULATION

SKOKIE, Ill., -- Nov. 10, 1993 -- U.S. Robotics, Inc. (NASDAQ:USRX) today announced it has recently signed an agreement with Rockwell International Corporation (NYSE:ROK) to incorporate Rockwell's V.Fast Class (V.FC) technology for high-speed data modem transmission into selected U.S. Robotics products.

"It is important to help our customers increase throughput and maintain compatibility as the final pieces of the ITU-T V.34 standard are put in place," said Jonathan Zakin, U.S. Robotics executive vice president, sales and marketing. "Our customers rely on products that provide the widest range of connectivity options and the highest speeds available. Our support of non-ITU-T technologies such as V.FC assures that our products meet these needs."

V.FC technology uses line probing techniques that permit adapting to symbol rates which optimize the configuration of the modem to achieve the maximum throughput supported by the telephone networks. This technology uses the wider bandwidth available on today's telephone networks, making it significantly more immune to noise and other telephone line impairments than V.32 bis technology.

"U.S. Robotics has a well-recognized position in the industry as a leading modem supplier. We are pleased with their selection of Rockwell's V.Fast Class as an implementation choice for pre-V.34 modem products," said Armando Geday, Rockwell International's business director, modem systems.

Rockwell's Telecommunications Business Segment includes three principal businesses: the Digital Communications Division (DCD), the Switching Systems Division (SSD) and the Microelectronics Technology Center (MTC). DCD, headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif, has been a pioneer in modem technology for more than 30 years. Today it is a world leader in fax and data modem components.

Rockwell International is a multi-industry company applying advanced technology to a wide range of products in its electronics, aerospace, automotive, and graphics businesses.

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, and to end-users through the personal computer distribution channel.

U.S. Robotics, 8100 North McCormick Blvd, Skokie, IL 60076

800-DIAL-USR;  708-982-5010


U.S. ROBOTICS ANNOUNCES FAX SERVERS

Shared Access Network Fax Products Provide Integrated Solution

SKOKIE, Ill., -- November 15, 1993 -- U.S. Robotics today announced the addition of two fax servers to its Shared Access line of network communications products. The Shared Access Fax Servers, available for both Ethernet and Token Ring networks, are send-and-receive fax solutions including all necessary hardware and software. Both products will ship in the first calendar quarter.

"Network fax products represent a new market opportunity for our Shared Access line," said Jonathan Zakin, U. S. Robotics executive vice president, sales and marketing. "These new products allow us to capitalize on the growing fax server market, combining our expertise in the fax modem arena with our experience in network communications products."

The LAN fax server market is rapidly expanding. The market will roughly double in size from 1993 to 1994; the domestic market alone for fax server products will reach a half-billion dollars by 1997 [Source: BIS Strategic Decisions].

"Networked fax capability has been the most requested feature from our Shared Access customers," added Zakin. "The products we've introduced have all the powerful features our customers need for a complete, integrated hardware/software solution."

The Shared Access Fax Server Ethernet and Shared Access Fax Server Token-Ring provide send-and-receive fax capabilities for any size LAN. They include several methods for routing of inbound faxes, as well as complete logging and management capabilities. The Shared Access Fax Servers are based on U.S. Robotics' proven DSP-based fax modem technology, incorporating the ITU-T V.17 standard for fax speeds up to 14,400 bps.

U.S. Robotics' Shared Access products provide dial-in and dial-out access for any size LAN. The Shared Access Fax Server Ethernet and Shared Access Fax Server Token-Ring are companion products to the company's Communication Server 386 and LAN modem, which provide dial-out data transmission and remote LAN access via remote control and remote node. The company has not announced pricing for the Shared Access Fax Servers; however, they will be priced in line with U.S. Robotics' other low-cost Shared Access products.

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, and to end-users through the personal computer distribution channel.

U.S. Robotics, 8100 North McCormick Blvd, Skokie, IL 60076

800-DIAL-USR;  708-982-5010


V.34 High-Speed Modem Standard in Fast Lane
NEW V.34 HIGH-SPEED MODEM STANDARD MOVES INTO THE FAST LANE FOR ADOPTION

SKOKIE, Ill., -- November 15, 1993 -- V.34, the forthcoming standard for 28.8 Kbps dial-up modem transmission, moved closer to adoption at a recent ITU-T (formerly CCITT) meeting in Dublin, Ireland.

After almost three years of intense effort, all of the technical issues relating to the data phase of the V.34 standard have been resolved, assuring fully interoperable analog communications at 28.8 Kbps. Field testing of the new high-speed data transmission standard will begin in early 1994, using prototype modems that conform to the draft standard. Formal adoption of V.34 is expected in June 1994 by Study Group 14 of the ITU-T, which is responsible for international modem standards. Prior to that meeting, a "stable technical draft" of V.34 is scheduled for approval at a meeting of the V.34 rapporteur's group in Orlando, Fla. December 13 and 14.

"We're not at the point where you could build the final modem from what we've written, but we are pretty close," says Ken Jones, chief scientist at Telebit and a member of the V.34 rapporteur's group. "We'll finish up the technical details in December, but the technical choices are pretty much done. Right now it's down to a matter of some decisions that in some cases get down to heads or tails kinds of choices."

V.34 Modems in February?

Dick Brandt, Chairman, Working Party 1 of Study Group 14, says he expects V.34-compliant modems to appear in the market soon after the completed draft standard is submitted to the ITU-T in February.

At the recent Dublin meetings, the rapporteur's group got international support for much of its work and straightened out most of the details on the training sequence or "handshake" that allows two V.34 modems to communicate. The rapporteur's group agreed on a 64-state trellis coding that increases V.34 modems' immunity to line noise.

"The more powerful coding increases noise immunity by an additional db and it works under almost any line condition," explains Dale Walsh, U.S. Robotics vice president of advanced development and a member of the committee developing the standard once simply called V.fast.

Adds fellow committee member Dave Forney, vice president, technical staff, of Motorola, "On any given connection, V.34 will always work better than V.32 or V.32 bis because it takes advantage of whatever the line conditions are. It will use every bit of available bandwidth. In addition to higher data rate, it will also give users more robustness and flexibility. "

V.Last? Don't Bet on It

At some of the earliest V.34 committee meetings, the standard -- then known as V.fast -- was also jokingly referred to as "V.last" by some members, since it stretched the limits of dial-up telephone lines. But those same committee members are already thinking about a new, faster standard, tentatively called V.34 bis.

There was talk at the Dublin meeting about tweaking V.34 to make it a little faster, admits Telebit's Jones. "I think we could the push data rate a little if we really want to spend some time on that, but I can't see us getting much beyond 32 Kbps on dial-up lines."

A Standard by Any Other Name Isn't a Standard

Walsh also notes that users should not confuse the many non-standard high-speed modems, like the 19.2 Kbps V.32 terbo or 28.8 Kbps V.Fast Class modems, with V.34. These technologies may be useful, but will most likely not communicate with standard ITU-T V.34 modems without some sort of upgrade. These technologies arose from the delays associated with the V.34 standard, as an effort to provide data transmission at higher speeds.

U.S. Robotics, 8100 North McCormick Blvd, Skokie, IL 60076

800-DIAL-USR;  708-982-5010


O'Reilly & Associates & Species Survival Comm.
O'Reilly & Associates and the IUCN/Species Survival Commission to Fund Plan to Protect Crowned Pigeons

November 12, 1993 -- SEBASTOPOL, CA--O'Reilly & Associates, the leading publisher of books for the Internet, UNIX, and The X Window System, whose distinctive covers often feature wildlife, announced today that it is donating funds and establishing a funding program for the Species Survival Commission's field study of two species of crowned pigeons. The complete field project costs $70,000 and lasts 8 months. O'Reilly is donating $15,000 to kick off the funding, and starting a publicity campaign to help raise the rest of the money--as well as awareness of the Commission and its activities.

"The animals pictured on our Nutshell Handbook covers, business cards, ads, and stationary have become a part of our identity as a company," said publisher and president Tim O'Reilly. "Some of these animals are endangered species, including the slender lorises pictured on our book sed and awk, the tarsier pictured on Learning vi, and the Victoria crowned pigeons pictured on Lex and Yacc.

"Our use of these animals' images demonstrates that even seeming intangibles have real economic value. It seems only fair to pay the animals something for the use of their likeness to sell our products, much as soft drink manufacturers might pay a movie, sports or rock star to help promote their products."

"O'Reilly & Associates has taken a creative and progressive approach to supporting conservation," said Species Survival Commission Chairman George B. Rabb. "Celebrities regularly receive compensation for endorsing projects. I'm delighted that the concept has been extended to crowned pigeons and perhaps other wild species in the future."

One of the Species Survival Commission's projects needing funding is a field study of two species of crowned pigeons, including the Victoria crowned pigeon used on the cover of O'Reilly's Lex and Yacc, a guide to two important UNIX programming tools.

These chicken-sized birds live in New Guinea and Irian Jaya, Indonesia. The project being funded by O'Reilly will be carried out by the SSC's Trade Specialist Group. It is believed that all three species of crowned pigeon are subject to exploitation due to hunting for food, sport and plumes, and capture for wild bird parks throughout Asia. To support the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the international treaty pertaining to trade of wild species, the SSC is studying a number of species believed to be exploited at levels detrimental to their survival. This study will examine distribution, status and exploitation of crowned pigeons in Irian Jaya, Indonesia, establish a methodology that can be used to assess their status in the future, and recommend actions for their conservation.

FUNDING PROGRAM PLAN

In addition to donating $15,000, O'Reilly has organized a funding program whereby its customers can receive a premium for donating to the Species Survival Commission. (Due to the high cost of foreign shipping, at present these premiums are available only for U.S. residents.)

--For donations of $50 or more, O'Reilly will give a special SSC/Lex and Yacc teeshirt, which is only available for people making donations to this project. Donors should be sure to include their address to receive this one-size-fits-all tee-shirt.

--For donations of $100 or more, O'Reilly will give a free copy of any book from its catalog--a value worth up to $60. Donors should specify which book or books they want and include their street address and phone number.

--For donations of $1000 or more, O'Reilly will give a free copy of any ten books we publish--a value worth more than $250.

Donations should be made directly to SSC, and should mention the O'Reilly offer. Checks should be made out to IUCN-US, and sent to:

Susan Tressler

Species Survival Commission, IUCN

c/o Chicago Zoological Society

Brookfield, IL 60513 USA

One hundred percent of the donation goes to fund the SSC project. O'Reilly does not get any money from SSC to cover the books or shirts.

SPECIES SURVIVAL COMMISSION

The Species Survival Commission is the largest and most active of IUCN-The World Conservation Union's six volunteer commissions. It encompasses 4,800 volunteer member scientists, field researchers, government officials and conservation leaders from 169 countries. SSC members provide technical and scientific counsel for biodiversity conservation projects throughout The world and serve as resources to governments, international conventions, and conservation organizations.

O'REILLY & ASSOCIATES

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 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, Ste A, Sebastopol, CA 95472

800-998-9938,  707-829-0515,  fax 707-829-0104


Micro Express Color Notebook with PCMCIA
MICRO EXPRESS INTRODUCES COLOR NOTEBOOK PC WITH PCMCIA

Santa Ana, CA, October, 1993...Micro Express introduces its first active matrix color notebook PC. Called the NB8266, this PC is based on the powerful 486DX2-66 microprocessor. The display is a 10-inch color VGA active-matrix TFT LCD type, with CCFT backlighting and a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels. This notebook PC also offers such features as a PCMCIA expansion slot, built-in trackball mouse, intelligent power management to maximize battery life, a 200-MB fast hard disk and flash BIOS.

Including 4-MB of RAM (expandable to 20 MB), a 200-MB hard disk, color LCD display, 31/2" floppy disk drive, a built-in trackball mouse, free carrying case and quick-charge NiCd battery, the NB8266 costs $4499.

The video driver can simultaneously drive both the LCD display and an external SVGA CRT with resolutions of up to 640 x 480 pixels, or the external display alone up to a resolution of 1024 x 768. The fully-featured Award BIOS is stored in 128K of Flash ROM, has password protection and selectable shadowing of both the system and video BIOS. A CMOS clock calendar is included as are built-in diagnostics. Standard ports are one parallel and one serial and one PCMCIA Type III. In addition, there is a port for the external CRT monitor, an external keyboard/keypad port, and a port for a docking station.

The versatile optional docking station ($495) can be used to expand the NB8266 into a full multimedia PC. It includes: 2 internal speakers; 1 CD-ROM or 5-1/4" HDD bay; a built-in SCSI controller with 25-pin external SCSI port; one 3-1/2" drive bay; two 32-bit VESA local bus expansion slots; two 16-bit ISA expansion slots; one parallel and two serial ports; one external keyboard port; one 15-pin external video port; and a full-range auto-switching 150-W ac adapter.

The case measures 11.0"[W] x 2.0"[H] x 8.6"[D], and the system weighs 7.2 pounds, including the battery. A universal auto-switching ac adapter is included as well.

For battery conservation, a full sleep-mode, power-down management system is included. Estimated battery life is 2.5 hours. Recharging takes only 2 hours, even with the machine on.

The keyboard has 86 full-size keys, including an inverted "T" cursor-control pad. A carrying case is included at no extra charge.

The credit-card sized Type III PCMCIA slot gives you the option of using the latest PCMCIA cards, including the optional 2400/9600 bps ($199) and 14.4/14.4 kbps ($499) send/receive FAX/modems, thus expanding the computer's means of interfacing, data transmission, telecommunications and networking.

The Finest Available Customer Support

A full 15-month 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. 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 NB8266 notebook PC is 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.


P-TOUCH PC Debuts Custom Labeling From Computer
P-TOUCH PC DEBUTS CUSTOM LABELING FROM YOUR COMPUTER!

Las Vegas, NV, November 15, 1993 -- It's called the P-Touch PC and if the success of Brother's existing P-Touch line of electronic labeling systems is any indication, this product is going to become one very hot item with computer users.

This newest product is an innovative, dedicated label printer that can be used with both Macintosh and IBM-PC compatibles. It enables users to print virtually any image from their computer screen onto laminated, adhesive labels. The device offers high-quality thermal transfer printing and a bitmap graphics import feature.

"P-Touch PC opens an entire new world of application possibilities for computer users in just about every profession, from pharmacists to hotel facilities managers to warehouse staff," says Dean F. Shulman, Senior Vice President, Business Machine Group of Brother International Corporation.

Practically any combination of on-screen fonts, original graphics, bar codes and even company logos can be printed quickly and easily onto P-Touch laminated adhesive labels. The accompanying software includes several custom fonts and supports both ATM and TrueType fonts. Over 250 special scalable symbols are provided. Bar codes can also be generated.

"In today's competitive world, appearance is of vital importance, professionals demand methods of improving the looks of their presentations and materials," adds Shulman.

Whether it's archiving binders, retail signage, name badges, personal items, etc., P-Touch PC delivers high quality, superior looking labels with ease and convenience right from your computer keyboard.

The laminated adhesive tapes are available in over 40 color/width combinations. The one piece tape cassettes come in 5 sizes, from 1/4 inch to 1 inch wide, and offer quick and easy "pop in - pop out changing.

Thanks to its database handling capabilities and available non-laminated tape, the P-Touch PC may also be used to easily and economically print mailing labels. Runs of serial number identification tags can be generated using its sequential numbering feature. The P-Touch PC even offers the option of automatically printing the date and time on each label and has a built-in auto tape cutter.

This latest addition into the thriving family of Brother P-Touch electronic label makers is also extremely user-friendly. Unlike most other computer peripherals, it does not come with a 400 page manual, nor does it require an MIS supervisor to operate it.

"Like many of our products which cater to the SoHo (Small Office Home Office) market, we designed the P-Touch PC to be a technological breakthrough that's also easy to use--which in this business is a breakthrough in itself" said Shulman.

This new peripheral is compatible with Macintosh and IBM PC/AT, PS/2 or compatibles...right out of the box!

Its ICON based Windows (version 3.1) and Macintosh (system 6.0.7 or newer) application software is designed specifically for this product so that integrating images, text and database information is easily accomplished. The P-Touch PC also comes with a powerful printer driver that lets users print labels from other software packages. In keeping with Brother's "all included" philosophy, the P-Touch PC includes a fifty foot tape cassette, serial cables for both IBM compatible and Macintosh environments, and a simple to follow user manual. Custom fonts, special scalable symbols and pre-made label templates complete the package.

Despite the product's wealth of features, Brother, in keeping with their philosophy of making versatility and quality affordable, has priced the P-Touch PC very reasonably.

By continually offering their unique combination of products targeted at home office/small office workers, Brother has emerged as "The Ultimate Home Office Company." Brother expects this product to have wide appeal well beyond its loyal base of home office customers. "It's difficult to imagine any computer user in a commercial or industrial situation who would not benefit by the addition of a Brother P-Touch PC to their system" Shulman says. The P-Touch PC will be available in the 1st quarter of 1994.

Brother International Corporation, is also America's #1 manufacturer of portable typewriters and personal word processors, and distributes a full line of fax machines and computer printers.

Brother International Corp

200 Cottontail Lane, Somerset, New Jersey, 08875-6714

908-356-8880,  fax 908-356-4085


SoundMan Wave, High-End Wave Table Sound Board
Logitech Announces High-End Wave Table Sound Board: SoundMan Wave

Includes Wave Table & FM Synthesizers, SoundBlaster & AdLib Compatibility, SCSI CD-ROM Interface, and Value-Added Software

Las Vegas, Nevada -- November 15, 1993 -- Logitech Inc., international market leader in products to "humanize" the computer, today announced SoundMan Wave? a 16-bit stereo card based on wave table synthesis The product will be available through Logitech dealers and distributors in March for a suggested retail price of $349.

Because leading-edge wave table technology uses true instrument recordings instead of computer-generated sounds, music used in games and multimedia applications sound more realistic SoundMan Wave also includes a unique MIDI interpreter that allows users to hear wave table quality in many of today's most popular games such as X-Wing and 7th Guest.

Logitech choose the Yamaha OPL-4 chip for synthesized sound to provide optimal sound quality and to ensure 100-percent SoundBlaster and AdLib compatibility.

"Wave table synthesis offers superior quality over FM synthesis," says David Pelton, Logitech product marketing manager. "SoundMan Wave is our latest commitment to bringing consumers a wide variety of high quality sound products "

SoundMan Wave offers the highest sound quality available today with 44-wave table and FM voices; full SoundBlaster and AdLib compatibility; 16-bit or 8-bit stereo, or mono digital audio; 44 KHz sampling; MIDI support; a five-channel stereo mixer; a SCSI CD-ROM interface; and a variety of software titles.

Logitech enhanced the installation process by adding sound and graphics to SoundMan Wave's installation program. SoundMan Wave has no jumpers, users can install the product without having to set on-board options first The installation software automatically selects the correct settings for the system.

SoundMan Wave supports both Windows 3.1 and DOS, with separate controls and drivers for each Both drivers set and retain board settings and "talk" with each other, so the settings in one environment are the same as the other. Software applications bundled with SoundMan Wave include:

* MCS MusicRack from Animotion: Features a convenient window that looks and works like a home stereo system Key features include a mixing console, a software CD player for CD-ROM drives with audio playback capabilities, a digital recorder for recording and editing WAV files, and a MIDI player.

* Recording Session by MidiSoft: Record, edit, and play MIDI music with this powerful, easy-to-use program that displays musical files or performance as standard music notation in real time during recording and playback

* BeSTspeech ReadOut from Berkeley Speech Technologies (BST) -- This Windows-based program allows the user to read back text from the clipboard and any OLE word processors or E-mail Users can also read numbers from any OLE spreadsheet

* SoundMan Annotator from Voyetra: Allows users to annotate messages in any Windows OLE application.

* Icon Hear-It Lite from Moon Valley: Personalizes the Windows desktop by adding sound effects and replacing regular icons with clever icons.

SoundMan Wave comes with a three-year warranty and seven-day-a-week technical support System requirements include: an IBM PC/AT or compatible with a 386SX processor or higher, DOS 3.3 or higher, Windows 3.1 or higher, 640K RAM (4 megabytes recommended for Windows use), one 16-bit (full) slot, a hard drive, and speakers or headphones for output and a microphone or other audio device (e.g CD player) for input A cable kit will be available separately for connecting internal or external CD-ROM drives purchased separately.

Logitech designs, 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 North America, Europe, and the Far East

Logitech Inc, 6505 Kaiser Dr, Fremont, CA 94555

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


DSPLib Hand-Optimized C-Callable DSP Routines
DSPLib FROM SPECTRUM SIGNAL PROVIDES HAND-OPTIMIZED C-CALLABLE ROUTINES FOR MOST COMMON DSP FUNCTIONS

Burnaby, B.C., November 5, 1993 - Spectrum Signal Processing, the leading worldwide supplier of DSP hardware and software products, today released DSPLib, a library of signal processing routines for the Texas Instruments TMS320C3x/C40 series of Digital Signal Processors.

DSPLib allows engineers to attain close to theoretical peak performance from the TMS320C3x/C40 series while coding only in C. It provides high performance hand-optimized C-callable assembler routines for performance critical functions, relieving designers of the task of optimizing important sections of their code. DSPLib has been designed by Ensigma, a DSP research and development specialist based in the United Kingdom, which provides hardware and software products to users worldwide.

DSPLib can implement a 100-coefficient finite impulse response  (FIR) filter in just 548usec on a 40 MHz C40: just one-sixth of the execution time of a compiled C routine. FFTs, IIR (infinite impulse response) filters, convolution, correlation and windowing functions are all supplied, as are many other useful routines such as Gaussian white noise generation and matrix multiplication.

Supplied with a comprehensive user guide, DSPLib is provided as both source and executable code allowing those comfortable with assembler to customize their routines. After initial development, DSPLib routines can be used freely in applications code: no runtime license is necessary. The routines are all re-entrant. There are no static local variables, so that DSPLib functions can be used in multitasking systems and interrupt routines.

Also provided are high-level utilities, which allow DSP code to be developed in C on a PC or workstation, and downloaded to any of SPECTRUM's comprehensive range of compatible hardware for PC bus, VMEbus or SBus. Code can then be run on the DSP, with results displayed in real-time on the screen.

DSPLib is available now from SPECTRUM at US $750 each in single quantities. Significant discounts are available for large volume purchases.

Spectrum Signal Processing is the leading developer of system and processor boards, software tools, hardware systems and other digital signal processing products for the PC, VME and SBus environments. These systems support digital signal processors from all major DSP vendors. SPECTRUM's unique modular DSP hardware allows users to interface off-the-shelf peripheral I/O boards with the processor of their choice. Spectrum Signal Processing Inc. is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol SSPIF, and on the Vancouver and Toronto Stock Exchanges under the symbol SSY.

Spectrum Signal Processing Inc

8525 Baxter Place

100 Production Court

Burnaby, BC V5A 4V7 CANADA

604-421-5422,  fax 604-421-1764


Spectrum Signal Digital I/O Board
NEW DIGITAL I/O BOARD FROM SPECTRUM SIGNAL AIMED AT THE GENERAL PURPOSE CONTROL MARKET

Burnaby, B.C., November 5, 1993 - A new 32 Channel Digital I/O Board from Spectrum Signal Processing permits SPECTRUM's full range of DSP boards to be used in the rapidly expanding control market.

The new digital I/O board has been developed for general purpose control, including factory floor and assembly applications. When combined with other SPECTRUM boards, it allows users to structure systems that use DSP to inform outboard controllers or to generate alarms to central control panels. The 32 Channel board, which communicates to SPECTRUM's DSP boards using the company's DSP LINK interface, can be connected to higher power and specialized industrial equipment. It is directly compatible with Arcom's growing range of interface products, including a bridge to the widely used Opto22 modular system.

All 32 channels are arranged as four, 8-bit ports and provides sample rates ranging from 150 Hz to 200 kHz. All 32 lines are TTL compatible with hysteresis, presenting a standard interface to the real world. Each port can be programmed individually to be an input or output, and a data strobe signal allows transfer of parallel data to or from other digital equipment.

"Our new DSP LINK digital I/O board offers a significant number of I/O channels; an important feature for the application of DSP to factory floor data collection and similar control environments," said Ross Mitchell, SPECTRUM's Business Development Manager. "It is ideal for applications that need more than 32 synchronized I/O lines."

The new 32 Channel Digital I/O Board is available now from SPECTRUM for US $1,045 in single quantities. Significant discounts are available for OEMs purchasing in volume.

Spectrum Signal Processing is the leading developer of system and processor boards, software tools, hardware systems and other digital signal processing products for the PC, VME and SBus environments. These systems support digital signal processors from all major DSP vendors. SPECTRUM's unique modular DSP hardware allows users to interface off-the-shelf peripheral I/O boards with the processor of their choice. Spectrum Signal Processing Inc. is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol SSPIF, and on the Toronto and Vancouver Stock Exchanges under the symbol SSY.

Spectrum Signal Processing Inc

8525 Baxter Place

100 Production Court

Burnaby, BC V5A 4V7 CANADA

604-421-5422,  fax 604-421-1764


Ansoft & Cadence Sign Joint Mrkting Agreement
ANSOFT AND CADENCE SIGN JMA

Ansoft Plans To Integrate Maxwell Spicelink 3D Field Solver with Cadence's New Multi-level Signal Integrity Analysis Solution

PITTSBURGH, Pa, November 22, 1993 --Ansoft Corporation today announced that it has signed a joint marketing agreement with Cadence Design Systems of San Jose, CA. Under the terms of the agreement Ansoft plans to integrate its Maxwell Spicelink 3D Field Solver with Cadence's new multi-level signal integrity solution--DF/SigNoise.

"We see this relationship as being very beneficial for design engineers," said Keith Franz, Ansoft's vice president of sales and marketing. "Because of the increasing awareness and concerns about problems resulting from signal integrity issues with high-performance MCMs, PCBs, backplanes and entire systems, design engineers are more aware of their need for better signal integrity solutions. Working with Cadence, one of the largest software suppliers in the EDA industry, and being part of their DF/SigNoise solution gives us access to more engineers who need the proven capabilities of Maxwell Spicelink."

"Our multi-level approach offers a signal integrity solution to both design engineers and signal integrity experts," said Shiv Tasker, vice president and general manager of Cadence's systems physical group. "With the seamless integration of Ansoft's proven 3D solids modeling and field solution products with DF/SigNoise, users can choose an appropriate level of modeling detail and performance during every phase of the design process from technology exploration to post-layout verification."

Padmanabhan Premkumar, Ansoft's manager of product development, said of the integration, "The Interconnect Description Language (IDL) based open architecture of Cadence's DF/SigNoise made it easy for us to integrate Maxwell Spicelink." Premkumar added, "Seamless integration of modeling, meshing and field simulation required for the extraction of 3D LCRG parameters has been the cornerstone of Maxwell products. Integration with DF/SigNoise adds value by bringing a unique and comprehensive design solution that leverages literally decades of Ansoft expertise into a broader system level solution. "

The few 3D simulation tools available today have serious shortcomings in their modeling capability, often requiring users to purchase an external tool for an additional cost of at least 20K. Maxwell Spicelink defines a new standard for modeling ease and power by featuring a fully functional and graphic interactive 3D solids modeler for generating 3D models of any general shape. The package includes targeted modeling tools like the ParICs Physical IC Modeler for automatically generating 3D package models based on IEDEC standards. A Multi-Layer Interconnect Modeler (MIM) automates the generation of true 3D models from multiple layer information found in DXF, Gerber or GDSII files. Cadence and Ansoft both offer translators from mechanical CAD systems such as SDRC, Unigraphics, ProEngineer, etc.

Cadence's open architecture and Ansoft's 3D modeling capabilities synergize to serve the needs of both signal integrity experts and design engineers. An expert user has the ultimate flexibility to play what-if games and model any arbitrary geometry and generate a library of models for packages, connectors, cables, vias and non-ideal ground structures. When the design engineer uses DF/SigNoise, the parasitic information for these 3D geometries will be automatically extracted from this library, without the expense of hours or days of simulation on each signal.

Ansoft Corporation has ova 600 customers in the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific, with customers in the semiconductor, communications, computer and aerospace sectors. Founded in 1984 by Zoltan Cendes, internationally renowned authority in electromagnetics, Ansoft entered the EDA market with Maxwell Spicelink in 1992. Ansoft is a privately held company and headquartered at Four Station Square, Suite 660, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1119 USA. Phone 412-261-3200. Fax 412-471-9427. Internet info@ansoft.com


BCM Menu System v2.0
The BCM Menu System v2.0

by Brad May of BCM Software

The evaluation copy of the BCM Menu System is a shareware program with all the features of the registered version.  The program has been accepted by the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP) and conforms to their standards.

The BCM Menu System is a powerful group of integrated programs, offering a laundry list of menu and file management capabilities. Among its many features are:

 - Easy installation

 - Full mouse support

 - Online help

 - Intuitive screens and functions

     * Drop-down menus

     * Hot keys

     * Function lines

 - Encrypted password protection

 - Automatic screen saver

 - Low memory overhead (less than 1k) used, while running

   applications from the main menu

 - Quick and easy launching of all your applications from the

   main menu

     * It even launches Windows

 - Extensive disk & file management capabilities include:

     * Dual directory and tree windows

     * Change read-only and archive file attributes

     * Quickly find files

     * Change disk volume labels

     * Fast floppy disk duplication

     * Use DOS's print spooler

     * Text file viewer

  - File compression manager offers:

     * Support for ZIP, ARC, LZH and ARJ compression/extraction

       programs

     * Access to executable compressed files

     * Automatic detection of compression method

     * Individual on-screen selection of files within a

       compressed file

     * Convert files from one compression method to another

     * Add comments to Zip and Arc files

  - Easy customization of:

     * Menu screen and functions

     * File maintenance program

     * Compression program functions

     * Text editor

  - Uses your virus scanner to automatically scan compressed

    files for viruses

  - Can be setup to use of your favorite utilities

  - Feature-packed text editor:

     * Uses all available base memory for editing of larger files

     * Has a clipboard for transferring of text from one document

       to another

     * Cut, copy, and paste commands

     * Search and replace text functions

The BCM Menu System is all of this and much, much more.

These are the system requirements for use of the BCM Menu System on your computer:

     -IBM PC, XT, AT (or compatible), or PS/2

     -PC-DOS or MS-DOS 3.0 or later

     -512k base memory

           *Will use extended or expanded memory,

            if made available by a memory manager

     -Monochrome, CGA, EGA or VGA monitor

     -Hard drive with 1 meg free disk space

     -One floppy disk drive

BCM Software, PO Box 267, Taylor, MI 48180-0267

CIS Email #71470,2225


Hewlett Packard acquires PC Dashboard trademark

November 11, 1993 -- Martinsville VA - Hewlett Packard Company, a California corporation has acquired the rights to the trademark PC Dashboard from No Sweat Software, Inc., a Virginia corporation. No Sweat Software, Inc. will continue to offer the PC Dashboard product until December 31, 1993.

On December 31, 1993, No Sweat Software, Inc. will introduce an upgrade to PC Dashboard and change the name of the software to Starting-Line. PC Dashboard and the new Starting-Line are menu programs for IBM and compatible computers.

Starting-Line will continue to offer an easy-to-use interface for entry into applications from DOS. New features will include: Mouse support, Networking, all DOS versions compatibility, Pop-up calculator and other features easily configurable by the user. An upgrade program for current users of PC Dashboard will be available and will be announced at a later time

No Sweat Software, Inc., a software manufacturer, is located at 10 East Church St. in Martinsville, Virginia, (703) 632-6982; fax (703) 666-8978


Distributing Apps Across DCE & Windows NT
Distributing Applications Across DCE and Windows NT

By Ward Rosenberry & Jim Teague

302 pages, ISBN: 1-56592-047-3, $24.95 (US)

We will publish this book this week that tells what can you really  accomplish with the compatibilities between Microsoft platforms and DCE. It proves that applications can indeed cross platform boundaries, and  shows how to do it. The book gives steps for writing a simple, portable  application, and lists the complete differences between RPC support in  the two environments. The programming examples share data processing  across UNIX systems hosting DCE, workstations or PC's hosting Windows NT,  and PC's hosting MS-DOS with or without 16-bit Windows.

The book also has material for decision-makers and site  administrators.  Its first chapter discusses general industry problems  and compares the distributed access offered by DCE/Microsoft RPC with  other common solutions. Site administrators will benefit from another  chapter showing how to set up configuration files to handle cross- environment applications.

  Topics include:

   - Building Bridges.

   - Developing a Cross-Environment Application.

   - Writing Interface Definitions.

   - Administration.

   - Writing a Client.

   - Writing a Server.

   - A Remodeling Handbook for Local Applications.

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

This and other O'Reilly products are available in the Americas and Japan through bookstores, or directly from the publisher. Access our gopher catalog by "telnet gopher.ora.com" (log in as "gopher"). To contact us: telephone 707-829-0515 (800-998-9938 in US & Canada); FAX 707-829-0104; email order@ora.com; or write O'Reilly & Associates, 103A Morris St., Sebastopol, CA, 95472, USA.  GSA # GS-02F-6095A.

Our international distributors are:

*  Europe (except German-speaking countries), Middle East, and Africa through International Thomson Publishing, Berkshire House, 168-173 High Holborn, London WC1V 7AA, UK.  Telephone 44-71-497-1422; FAX 44-71-497-1426; or email samantha.jones@itpuk.co.uk

*  German-speaking countries through International Thomson Publishing, Konigswinterer Strasse 418, 53227 Bonn, Germany. Telephone 49-228-445171; FAX 49-228-441342; or email 100272.2422@compuserve.com

*  Asia through International Thomson Publishing, 221 Henderson Rd., #05-10 Henderson Building, Singapore 0315. Telephone 65-272-6496; FAX 65-272-6498

* Australia and New Zealand through WoodsLane, Unit 8, 101 Darley Street, Mona Vale, NSW 2103, Australia.  Telephone 61-2-979-5944; FAX 61-2-997-3348; or email woods@tmx.mhs.oz.au

O'Reilly & Associates

103A Morris Street, Sebastopol CA 95472

707-829-0515, Fax 707-829-0104


Ergonomic Interface Kybd Sys at Technology 2003
ERGONOMIC-INTERFACE KEYBOARD SYSTEMS TO EXHIBIT AT TECHNOLOGY 2003

November 5, 1993 -- Ergonomic-Interface Keyboard Systems, La Jolla, California, has announced it will exhibit at the Technology 2003 conference in the Anaheim, California convention center, Dec. 7-9. Sponsored by NASA, NASA Tech Briefs magazine, and the Technology Utilization Foundation, Technology 2003 is the premier national showcase of new technologies available for license or sale to U.S. business.

Ergonomic-Interface Keyboard Systems will display "The Vertical," an orthopedically-designed computer keyboard which reduces the risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and increases user productivity while decreasing fatigue. "The Vertical" will be available at Technology 2003 for attendees to experience. Keyboardists quickly adapt to "The Vertical", gaining full speed and accuracy within hours.

In addition to Ergonomic-Interface Keyboard Systems, Technology 2003 exhibitors will include over 250 federal agencies, their labs and contractors, and other major high-tech firms and universities nationwide. With 80,000 square feet of exhibits, Technology 2003 will be the largest technology transfer conference and exhibition ever held.

During concurrent symposia, government researchers and contractors will present over 100 technical papers describing commercially-promising inventions in areas critical to the nation's economic future: manufacturing, computing, microelectronics, advanced materials, biotechnology, and environmental technologies.

More than 8000 industry leaders are expected to attend the three-day event, which will also feature sessions on international inventions U.S. businesses can use to improve their competitiveness and productivity.

Technology 2003

41 East 42nd Street, Suite 921

New York, NY 10017

800-944-NASA,  fax 212-986-7864


SupraCOMcard 144 PCMCIA 14.4Kbps Faxmodem
Supra Announces PCMCIA Faxmodem

ALBANY, OR, NOVEMBER, 1993--The SupraCOMcard 144 packs the full power of 14,400 bps fax and data communication as well as Supra's reputation for price/performance value onto a PCMCIA card. Estimated selling price is $349.95.

"With increasing demand for PCMCIA support on laptop computers and the expected announcement of PCMCIA support on desktop computers, customers are demanding quality PCMCIA faxmodems at an affordable price," said John Wiley, President of Supra.

Two outstanding benefits of the SupraCOMcard 144 are its internal DAA which eliminates the need for a bulky external dongle and the use of flash ROM which enables users to "field upgrade" the faxmodem when product enhancements are made.

The SupraCOMcard 144 offers a complete solution to high-speed communication that includes software for use in both DOS and Windows. COMit provides full-featured data communications capabilities and FaxTalk allows for easy, yet powerful, transmission and receipt of fax messages. The popular CompuServe Information Manager for Windows is also included along with an introductory offer to the CompuServe information service.

Superior Performance

The SupraCOMcard 144 builds on the technology that has earned Supra a reputation for superior price-performance in the high-speed modem market place. The technology allows both fax and data transmission at speeds up to 14,400 bps. Data compression protocols can result in actual throughput of up to 57,600 bps.

The SupraCOMcard 144 has been tested with many of the major laptop computers and is fully compatible with those systems. The PCMCIA 2.01 card is designed for use in Type II and Type III PCMCIA slots. Based on the new Rockwell 144ACL chip set, the SupraCOMcard 144 is designed for minimal demands on the battery power supply.

The faxmodem supports industry-standard protocols including the full range of Bell and ITU-TSS standards (i.e. V.32bis and V.32); MNP 2-4 and V.42 error correction; MNP 5 and V.42bis data compression; MNP 10 for improved performance on noisy lines; V.17, V.29, and V.27ter fax protocols; Class 1 and 2 fax software compatibility; and Group 3 fax compatibility.

The modem features a five-year warranty, Hayes compatibility, extended AT commands, asynchronous operation, a mode that supports connection to synchronous modems, compatibility with most telecommunications software, autoanswer/autodial, and nonvolatile memory that stores two user configurations and four phone numbers.

About Supra Corporation

Supra Corporation, based in Albany, Oregon, has been providing personal computer users with high-quality, low-cost peripherals since 1985. Supra's modems are popular among consumers for excellent value in a reliable modem, and have been recommended by a variety of sources, from respected PC Magazine and MacUser columnist John C. Dvorak to the Boston Computer Society.

Supra Corp, 7101 Supra Dr SW, Albany, OR 97321

503-967-2400;  fax: 503-967-2401


Supra Ships Voice Upgrade for SupraFAXModems
Supra Ships Voice Upgrade

ALBANY, OR, NOVEMBER, 1993--Combining their expertise in high-end faxmodem hardware and software, Supra Corporation and Cypress Research Corporation have designed an integrated communications solution that allows users to experience full-featured voice, fax, and data communications in the Macintosh environment. The product is now shipping as an upgrade to owners of high-speed SupraFAXModems.

The voice option is available to owners of V.32bis and V.32 faxmodems as a $99.95 firmware/software upgrade. The firmware adds Supra Voice Processing (SVP) to existing SupraFAXModems. The software, Supra Digital Messaging System (DMS), developed with Cypress Research PhonePro, provides sophisticated answering machine capabilities.

"The combined power of Supra's hardware and Cypress' software will let users add the equivalent of a sophisticated digital answering machine to most Mac systems," said John Wiley, President of Supra Corporation. "This gives small business and home users unprecedented communications power."

Paul Hurley, President and CEO at Cypress added, "This joint venture brings together a unique set of features that will help define the market for integrated communication tools. It showcases new technologies developed to allow advanced Mac-based communications."

Benefits of Voice Integration

Supra's unique SVP firmware design offers robust support for recognition of touch-tone signals. This provides a convenient way to record, play, and remotely access messages. The DMS software is both easy to use and powerful. It includes a telephone tool for Apple Telephone Manager which enables addition of future voice applications. Specific benefits of this unique firmware/software combination include:

* A one-stop total solution to desktop communications: voice, fax, and data calls can all be processed with a SupraFAXModem.

* Port arbitration effortlessly directs and manages incoming fax and voice calls.

* Caller ID lets the user screen calls before the caller even hears a message if Caller ID service is available from the local telephone company.

* Flexible voice messaging options include custom greetings, time of day greetings, and personal greetings for friends and colleagues.

* Date and time stamp tells when messages came in.

* Message folder for easy review of fax and voice messages on the desktop.

* Graphical easy-to-use sound editing capability.

System Requirements

The following system is required for using the new Supra voice upgrade:

* A SupraFAXModem V.32bis or SupraFAXModem V.32.

* Macintosh Plus or later (Macintosh with a minimum of a 68020 processor recommended) with a hard drive and a minimum of 4 Megabytes of RAM.

* Apple System 7 or later operating system.

* FAXstf software version 2.2.3 or later for full support of fax/voice arbitration.

* Sound input device (such as a microphone) is strongly recommended.

Power User's Option

PhonePro, an icon-based telephone applications builder, was used to develop Supra Digital Messaging System. Users who want access to voice processing programming tools, can purchase PhonePro with the voice upgrade kit for a total of $349.95. This upgrade option includes the SVP ROM, a copy of DMS, and a copy of PhonePro (a $449.95 value). Using the intuitive interface, users can customize a telephone application that is exactly suited to specific home or business needs: voice mail, fax on demand, call forwarding, and more.

About Supra Corporation and Cypress Research

Supra Corporation, based in Albany, Oregon, has provided personal computer users with high-quality, low-cost peripherals since 1985. Supra's modems are popular for providing excellent value in a reliable modem, and have been recommended by sources from John C. Dvorak to the Boston Computer Society.

Cypress Research Corporation, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, develops and markets fax server and telephony software products for the Macintosh.

Contact Information

Voice upgrade orders may be placed by phone (1-800-727-8772), or online via Supra's BBS ( 503-967-2444), via fax (503-967-2401), or by mail addressed to: Supra Corporation, Voice Upgrade Department, 7101 Supra Drive, S.W., Albany, OR 97321.


Rupp Tech Time & Expense Mgmt for Sharp Wizard
RUPP TECHNOLOGY UNVEILS TIME & EXPENSE MANAGEMENT IC CARD FOR SHARP'S NEW WIZARD 9000 SERIES

Adds Functionality to Handheld Electronic Organizers

November 12, 1993 -- PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Rupp Technology Corporation has released the first in a new line of IC application cards for use with Sharp Corporation's newest handheld electronic organizer -- the Wizard 9000 series.

The Rupp Time & Expense Card 9000 helps Wizard 9000 series users effectively track and manage -- as well as print-out for hard-copy reference -their detailed billable time expenditures and specific expense-related business records in order to take full advantage of the power and versatility of Sharp's high end organizer -- the Model OZ-9600 II Pen Wizard.

Making use of the capabilities of the Time & Expense Card 9000's Time Manager component, users will now be able to instantly enter time records and compute billings by client, project, type of service and/or activity -- for up-to-the-minute budgeting and invoicing.

Rupp's newest IC card also contains an Expense Manager function which makes it possible to easily track all types of expenses and any pertinent data related to them (dates, method of payment, check or recharge numbers, etc.). The Expense Manager's functional screens fields include: mileage and other business travel expenses and records for tax preparation.

A separate Itinerary Manager also logs travel, lodging and rental car itineraries, while a special foreign currency conversion screen can be instantly accessed while any of the three managers are in use.

Each manager segment also contains open fields that can be customized for the user's own applications.

All three managers also give the user the option to print-out reports and invoices to any connected printer, or -- using the Sharp CE-IR1 wireless printer interface -- the same documents can also be sent to an unconnected printer via infrared transmission.

Since 1990, Rupp Technology has operated under a progressive agreement to develop software programs for use with mobile computing products from Sharp Corporation. As a result of this ongoing relationship Rupp Technology has since grown to a position as the largest value-added marketer of Sharp Wizards and organizers and their peripherals and accessories.

As with other Rupp Technology products for Sharp's family of electronic organizers, IC cards for the 9000 series incorporate the same level ease-of-use features that have made the Rupp software product line among the industry's most critically acclaimed.

The Time and Expense Card 9000 will be available beginning in January, 1994 at a retail price yet to be determined.

For additional product information, or to order Rupp IC cards for the Wizard 9000 series or other Rupp Technology or Sharp electronic organizer products, call (800) 844-7775.

Founded in 1985, Rupp Technology Corporation is now headquartered in Phoenix, with additional sales and marketing offices in Los Angeles and New York.

A pioneer in a variety of file management and data transfer technologies, Rupp's history of consistent software utility innovations led industry giants such as Microsoft and Sharp to select versions of Rupp file transfer programs over competing utilities for inclusion in their current product offerings.

Rupp Technology Corp

3228 E. Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018

602-224-9922,  fax 602-224-0898


Intergraph Renames Low-end Road Design Product

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Nov. 12, 1993 -- Intergraph Corporation announced today its low-end road design application has been renamed InXpress. The name change is the result of a dispute over the previous name RoadWorks.

Intergraph Background Information

Intergraph Corporation develops, manufactures, sells, and supports computer systems for the Technical Desktop -- the combination of compatible technical applications and personal productivity tools in a single desktop computer. Hardware products include workstations, servers, scanners, and plotters. The company's integrated software applications are used for computer-aided design, engineering, analysis, manufacturing, publishing, and earth sciences such as mapping/GIS. A member of the Fortune 500, Intergraph is the largest company dedicated to supplying interactive computer graphics systems.

Intergraph Corporation

Huntsville, Alabama 35894 0014

Tel. (205) 730-8302,  FAX: (205) 730 8300


Micro Wine Companion for Windows
THE PERFECT COMPANION FOR WINE LOVERS ARRIVES IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS

St. Augustine, FL -- November 5, 1993 -- Finally, thoughtful advice for wine lovers of all levels of knowledge and sophistication is available on the home PC. Lifestyle Software Group is proud to present Micro Wine Companion for Windows -- the most flexible system ever devised for managing wine information on the PC.

Micro Wine Companion is an all-purpose tool for anyone who appreciates a good bottle of wine. Whether you are just beginning to study wine or have been a collector for years, Micro Wine Companion will aid in maximizing your appreciation and enjoyment.

If you are just starting your cellar, this program is the most complete introduction to organizing your wine collection. Using Micro Wine Companion's innovative cellar log form, you simply describe each wine with classification, cellar and consumption information. With an additional page for any pertinent tasting notes, Micro Wine Companion lets you maintain a complete cellar log with little effort. Thus, as your collection increases, so does your knowledge of wine.

For those with an extensive collection, the state-of-the-art cellar management capabilities help organize your cellar to its utmost efficiency. With Micro Wine Companion at your fingertips, searching for that perfect bottle of wine will become a snap -- the program's many search and sort capabilities offer instant retrieval of individual bottles or lists of wines based on your personal needs. You can even print review and rating sheets to carry with you to your favorite wine store. You will never overlook a wine at its peak or select the wrong wine again.

With so many features, Micro Wine Companion allows you the flexibility to change your cellar log to reflect your own experiences, preferences and observations. Categorizing your wine will never be a chore again -- in fact, it will become fun. Catalog your wines using over 20 different criteria. Then, search and sort using any combination of name, appellation, type, producer, vintage, country, region, rating, price, value, occasion, foods, taste, breathe time, appearance and bouquet. Keeping track of the financial aspects of collecting becomes a snap too, because you can monitor the monetary value of your cellar and update price information with just a few strokes of the keys.

Dynamic audio and visual aids are also included to further enhance your appreciation and investment. Produce beautiful 3-D graphs to illustrate the composition of your cellar. Or, if you wish to study specific wine producing regions, colorful maps will automatically display the geographic origins of your wines. Micro Wine Companion's ingenious audio guide, accessible at the touch of a button, eliminates any misapprehensions when pronouncing foreign appellations and regions. Best of all, if you need some expert advice concerning a wine for a particular purpose, or to complement a meal, the exclusive Wine Wizard is there to guide you to the perfect choice. You'll never worry about what to serve again.

Micro Wine Companion for Windows retails for $49.95 and is available through software and other retail outlets. Lifestyle Software Group is a leading publisher and developer of home computing products, distributed in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Lifestyle Software Group, 63 Orange St, St. Augustine, FL 32084

904-825-0220


Southern Living Cookbook Multimedia Edition
BYTE INTO THE TRADITIONAL TASTE OF THE SOUTH

St. Augustine, FL -- November 5, 1993 -- An innovative way to experience the traditional flavors of the South is now available for your PC. Lifestyle Software Group proudly announces the release of The Southern Living Cookbook, multimedia edition for Windows. This electronic version of Southern Living magazine's collection of regional favorites joins the series of electronic cookbooks compatible with LSG's Micro Kitchen Companion, the most powerful recipe management and menu software available for the computer.

The Southern Living Cookbook brings you all the best from years of collecting age-old recipes and ideas that have been handed down from generation to generation. Now, you can have over 1,400 of these most delectable Southern specialties, tips on cooking basics, meal planning ideas, hints on entertaining and much more, right at your fingertips!

The electronic edition of The Southern Living Cookbook contains the features that have made LSG's Micro Kitchen Companion the accepted international standard in recipe management. Search for recipes by name, preparation method, key ingredient, key word or phrase, or ingredients to avoid, and the software finds exactly what you want in seconds. The TimeSaver Recipe Selector even allows you to effectively plan time in the kitchen.

What's more, you will find the software amazingly simple and informative. The Southern Living Cookbook, electronic edition, contains a colorful software interface that uses pull-down menus and buttons, making the program easy to master from the start. An audio guide to unfamiliar terms and ingredients is accessible at the touch of a button. Creating and printing menu plans, recipes and shopping lists has never been easier. Resizing ingredients is no longer a problem either, for you can automatically adjust recipe ingredients for up to 999 servings. Color photographs illustrating presentation and serving suggestions are also included for your convenience and comprehension.

The Southern Living Cookbook, electronic edition retails for $34.96 and is available through major and independent software retailers. Lifestyle Software Group is a leading publisher and developer of home leisure computing products, distributed in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Lifestyle Software Group, 63 Orange St, St. Augustine, FL 32084

904-825-0220


Betty Crocker's New Choices Cookbook
THE HEALTHY CHOICE IS BETTY CROCKER'S NEW CHOICES

St. Augustine, FL -- November 5, 1993 -- Now more than ever, you realize the importance of eating what's good for you. However, eating right usually means eating bland and boring meals-right? Wrong! You'll be happy to know that now you can have your cake and eat it too.

Lifestyle Software Group announces the latest release in its multimedia culinary series, Betty Crocker's New Choices Cookbook for Windows. This electronic edition is completely compatible with LSG's Micro Kitchen Companion (sold separately), the accepted international standard in home cooking management.

Everyone wants to learn how to balance healthy eating with delicious recipes without giving up ingredients that are readily available and easy to prepare. Learn how to maintain a healthy way of eating in Betty Crocker's New Choices Cookbook. Complete with straightforward nutrition basics, as well as information on eating to curb common medical problems, this is the software that will show you how to create a delicious and wholesome food plan for yourself or your whole family.

With more than 500 tested recipes for appetizers, salads, soups, entrees, breads and even decadent desserts, linked to powerful menu planning software, you will find the best recipe to suit your personal taste every time. What's more, not only do you have access to some of Betty Crocker's best and most healthful recipes, but you also have the ability to make over recipes from your own files that may not fit into your healthy lifestyle anymore. New Choices comes with nutrition information for every recipe, a nutrition glossary, plus a computed nutritional analysis of the meals you create. Now, you'll know exactly what you're eating -- the number of calories, the fat content, sodium count and vitamin breakdown.

Suggestions of what you can eat to help manage common medical problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis are included to help you choose the best foods for your condition while at the same time shying you away from foods which may be harmful--even hazardous--to your well-being. This meal planning software makes it even easier to select dishes for special diets; when searching, you can avoid recipes that contain ingredients you want to avoid.

Betty Crocker's New Choices multimedia edition is obviously much more than an average cookbook program. Not only do you receive valuable nutritional guidance -- you also obtain tips for shopping, eating out and healthy snacking, plus an automated shopping list feature that lets you print a list of items you will need.

Only have a limited amount of time to prepare a meal? The exclusive TimeSaver Recipe Selector that ranks dishes by hands-on time as well as elapsed time for marinating, chilling or freezing allows you to search for just the recipes you can make in the time you have to cook.

Betty Crocker's New Choices Cookbook retails at $34.95, and is available at software and other retail outlets. Lifestyle Software Group is a leading publisher and developer of home computing products, distributed in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Lifestyle Software Group, 63 Orange St, St. Augustine, FL 32084

904-825-0220


Micro Kitchen Companion New Available for Mac
MICRO KITCHEN COMPANION NOW AVAILABLE FOR MACINTOSH

St Augustine, FL -- November 5, 1993 -- Good news -- the most accepted international standard in recipe management is available to Macintosh users! Lifestyle Software Group proudly introduces Micro Kitchen Companion for Macintosh, multimedia edition. Micro Kitchen Companion for Macintosh simplifies and automates recipe reference and menu planning for under $50.

Like any good recipe software, it organizes recipes. Like a diet analyzer, it tracks nutrients in your diet. But that is where the similarities end. Because feature for feature, the new Micro Kitchen Companion for Macintosh beats any cooking software at any price.

Micro Kitchen Companion for Macintosh includes delicious recipes, plus users can add their own. With the home PC and Micro Kitchen Companion for Macintosh, recipe organization becomes a quick task. Recipes can be selected by name, key ingredient, effort, combination of ingredients, preparation method or key word or phrase. Micro Kitchen Companion for Macintosh helps you plan meals for special diets, and avoid allergy causing foods.

Micro Kitchen Companion for Macintosh is compatible with thousands of recipes from Lifestyle Software Group's extensive collection of electronic edition cookbooks. Thus, each cookbook can be easily merged into Micro Kitchen Companion for Macintosh to expand your culinary possibilities.

The exclusive TimeSaver Recipe Selector system allows users to efficiently plan time in the kitchen. Complete menus and shopping lists can be created with minimal effort. Nutritional data, displaying 14 essential nutrients, can be tracked for every recipe selected and meal planned with just a few strokes of the keys. Users can even recreate complete meal plans or keep a record of guests' preferences and dietary needs. What's more, large dinner parties will no longer be a chore because Micro Kitchen Companion for Macintosh can automatically resize recipes for up to 999 servings.

This multimedia edition includes on-screen color photographs to illustrate creative presentation and preparation ideas. As well, a talking lexicon helps with pronunciation of foreign cooking terms and ingredients.

System 7 compatible, Micro Kitchen Companion for Macintosh, retails at $49.95 and is available through software and other retail outlets. Lifestyle Software Group is a leading publisher and developer of home computing products, distributed in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Lifestyle Software Group, 63 Orange St, St. Augustine, FL 32084

904-825-0220


Virtus WalkThrough for Windows Gets MVP Award
VIRTUS WALKTHROUGH FOR WINDOWS CLAIMS PC/COMPUTING'S MVP AWARD

Cary, North Carolina (November 17, 1993)--Virtus Corporation's interactive 3-D modeling program, Virtus WalkThrough for Windows, has won PC/Computing Magazine' s coveted Most Valuable Product award. Competing in the Painting and Drawing Software category, Virtus WalkThrough for Windows topped Adobe Photoshop 2.5, Corel CorelDRAW 4.0 and Micrografx Picture Publisher 4.0 to win one of the industry's most sought-after recognitions. Winners were announced Sunday at COMDEX/Fall in Las Vegas.

"We are absolutely thrilled to have received this award," said David Smith, Virtus' founder and president. "It was an honor to be in competition with such incredible products."

"This year's most valuable products and finalists have a lot to brag about," said PC/Computing editor-in-chief Paul Somerson. "Their selection is based on evaluations designed to determined which are real productivity tools for the buyers who select them."

PC/Computing editors considered more than 5,000 new or updated hardware products and almost 6,000 software packages, before selecting 93 products in 31 categories as finalists for one of the industry' s most coveted awards. To select the MVP finalists, the editors considered every major product or significant

product upgrade introduced in the past twelve months. A dozen semi-finalists were chosen in each category by evaluating each product's usability, technological innovation, and its effectiveness in helping business users get work done as productively as possible. The semi-finalists' products were evaluated head-to-head, and the list was narrowed to three.

Virtus WalkThrough for Windows is an object-oriented, real-time 3-D graphics environment providing affordable, virtual exploration capabilities. While an object is drawn in the 2-D window, the program simultaneously displays its 3-D representation in an adjacent window. Using a mouse, viewers can navigate through each window at will. Based on the award-winning Macintosh version, Virtus WalkThrough for Windows allows PC users to "walk through" their ideas. Applications the program has been used for include: interior remodeling, factory floor layout, trade show booth planning, theater set design, film storyboarding, product displays and animated client presentations.

Virtus WalkThrough for Windows requires an IBM PC or compatible with a 386 or later processor, 4MB of RAM, a VGA monitor and Microsoft Windows version 3.1 or later.

About PC/Computing

Headquartered in Foster City, CA, PC/Computing is the fastest growing computer publication launched in the last five years and is the only one written specifically for business professionals who rely on personal computers to help them meet their business goals. In order to more specifically address its 850,000 readers, the magazine focuses its editorial content on service, support, durability, usability and the long-term reliability of PC products. PC/Computing was a finalist in the 1992 National Magazine Awards.

About Virtus Corporation

Founded in 1990, Virtus Corporation is based in Cary, North Carolina. The company's 3-D drawing and visualization technology has been employed in the development of major motion pictures such as The Abyss and The Firm, and is used throughout the world by architects, set designers, interior designers, marketing consultants, and other creative professionals. Virtus' first product, Virtus WalkThrough for the Macintosh, won MacUser Magazine 's coveted "Breakthrough Product of the Year" award upon its release in 1990. The company's newest product, Virtus VR, is now available for Macintosh computers; Virtus VR for Windows will begin shipping at the end of November.

Privately held, Virtus is backed by Motorola, Inc.'s New Enterprises Division, author Tom Clancy and filmmaker Michael Backes, among others. The company is rapidly emerging as a leader in real-time 3-D rendering and visualization, providing software that allows home users as well as creative professionals to quickly model, test and share their visual and spatial concepts.

Virtus Corp

117 Edinburg South, Ste 204, Cary, NC 27511

919-467-9700


Virtus Inks Deal with ASHD for VR Software
VIRTUS INKS DEAL WITH AMERICAN SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE DISTRIBUTORS, INC. TO SUPPLY VR SOFTWARE TO RESELLERS

Agreement Kicks Off With "Buy Three Get One Free" Limited Time Offer

Cary, North Carolina (November 10, 1993) -- Virtus Corporation and American Software and Hardware Distributors (ASHD) today announced that ASHD will distribute Virtus' entire line of 3D rendering and multimedia software to resellers in the United States and Europe. To kick off the distribution agreement Virtus and ASHD are offering resellers an opportunity to buy three copies of Virtus VR, Virtus' new entertainment package for Macintosh and Windows computers, and get a fourth copy free. This limited incentive is available to resellers November 10 through December 31, 1993.

"We're thrilled to include Virtus' products in our offerings," said Paul Deckard. director of marketing at ASHD. "ASHD is positioned for leadership in the multimedia and VR channels, so the two companies are a good match. Virtus makes an entirely new style of software that combines the appeal of virtual reality with fantastic ease of use and practical, real-world functionality--at a great price. They are the first products to allow normal, desktop computer users to create and explore virtual spaces without any added gear, like goggles or gloves. It's an added bonus that we're bringing them on just in time for the holiday shopping season, with the Virtus VR 'buy three get one free' promotion."

"ASHD has an incredible group of salespeople who provide excellent service and really know the multimedia and VR markets," said Ed Twardy, Virtus' distribution sales manager. "To demonstrate their commitment, they are devoting time to a training workshop on all of our products. The timing couldn't be better for us: Virtus' sales have increased dramatically since the introduction of WalkThrough for Windows, WalkThrough Pro, and our first consumer-oriented product, Virtus VR. ASHD will help us satisfy this increased demand to resellers while extending our reach in both the domestic and international channels."

All Virtus products, from the entry-level Virtus VR, to Virtus WalkThrough and the more advanced Virtus WalkThrough Pro, are available now through ASHD. As part of their agreement with the distributor, Virtus is referring all reseller inquiries to ASHD.

Virtus Corporation's flagship product, Virtus WalkThrough (U.S. List $195) is an interactive modeling program for Macintosh and Windows. It provides instantaneous 3D representation of objects and scenes drawn in 2D. Users can travel through the 3D environment at will, exploring it from any angle or perspective. Virtus WalkThrough Pro (U.S. list $395), is a higher end version of Virtus WalkThrough. Currently available only for the Macintosh, "Pro" adds the enhanced realism of surface textures, such as brick or wood grain, to WalkThrough models. It also lets users integrate Apple QuickTime movies as textures, introducing animation to the scenes. Virtus WalkThrough and WalkThrough Pro target professional users working in creative, visual fields.

The company's newest product, Virtus VR (U.S. List $99) is an entertainment-oriented software package that includes five VR "worlds", a gallery of sample 3D objects, and simplified tools that let users explore, alter, model and invent 3D environments on their home computers. Virtus VR is available now for Macintosh computers; Virtus VR for Windows will begin shipping at the end of the month. Virtus will supplement Virtus VR with an ongoing series of new galleries. The first two add-on galleries for Virtus VR will be released in November with the suggested retail price of $39.

American Software and Hardware Distributors, Inc.

ASHD is a privately held, international distributorship headquartered in Urbana, Illinois. With annual sales of approximately $100 million, the eight year old company is a leader in distributing multimedia presentation software and CD-ROMs to independent dealers and VARs (Value Added Resellers). Eighty percent of ASHD's business is with independent outlets, and twenty percent is with chain stores.

Virtus Corporation

Founded in 1990, Virtus Corporation is based in Cary, North Carolina. The company's sophisticated 3D drawing and visualization technology has been employed in the development of major motion pictures such as The Abyss and The Firm, and is used throughout the world by architects, set designers, interior designers, marketing consultants, and other creative professionals. Virtus' first product, Virtus WalkThrough for the Macintosh, won MacUser Magazine 's coveted "Breakthrough Product of the Year" award upon its release in 1990. Virtus WalkThrough for Windows is a finalist in PC/Computing Magazine's Most Valuable Product award. Winners will be announced at COMDEX/Fall '93 on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas.

Privately held, Virtus is backed by Motorola, Inc.'s New Enterprises Division, author Tom Clancy, and filmmaker Michael Backes, among others. The company is rapidly emerging as a leader in real-time 3D rendering and visualization, providing software that allows home users as well as creative professionals to quickly model, test and share their visual and spatial concepts.

Virtus Corp

117 Edinburg South, Ste 204, Cary, NC 27511

919-467-9700


Virtual Tarot CD-ROM, Multimedia For Your Mind
NEW VIRTUAL TAROT CD-ROM OFFERS "MULTIMEDIA FOR YOUR MIND"

Virtual Tarot Blends Ancient Mystic Science With Modern Computer Technology

SUNNYVALE, California, November 15, 1993 -- If you've been wondering where multimedia is going, now you can ask your CD-ROM.  Virtual Media Works today announced the introduction of Virtual Tarot, a multimedia CD-ROM based on the ancient mystic science of the Tarot.  Virtual Tarot offers an entertaining and surprisingly accurate look at a player's personal questions and future possibilities.  It is challenging and promises to stretch your mind and intuition.  The game features computer generated graphics and animations, video animation, original music and vocals.

Virtual Tarot is being initially released for the Macintosh with a PC compatible version planned for the first quarter of 1994.  The minimum system configuration requirement  is a Macintosh LC running System 7 with a 13-inch, 256-color monitor and 5MB of memory.  Virtual Tarot is priced at $49.95.  The Virtual Tarot Bundle, containing the CD and a Rider-Waite tarot deck, is $64.95.

"Virtual Tarot is unlike any other multimedia product on the market," states Jeff Manning, president of Virtual Media Works.  "Multimedia, to date, has focused on linear games which exhaust most user's interest after a short period of time. With Virtual Tarot the play is endless."

Virtrual Tarot's easy-to-use interface includes option-click voice helps for most screen items, a skip-animation feature for quick access to the various aspects of the game and on-screen controls that allow features to be turned on or off according to the player's preferences. Virtual Tarot also offers a advanced interactivity with a personalized diary for logging past readings.

Virtual Tarot makes the Tarot entertaining and immediately useful for both novice and experienced users.  It features the artwork of one of the most popular and well recognized Tarot decks in the world:  the Rider-Waite tarot deck.  The product includes ten different card layouts ranging from a contemporary version of the classic Celtic Cross to subject specific layouts such as Career, Love, Health and Money.  Each layout has its own evocative graphics, animations and original music designed to awaken the player's subconscious and focus his or her intuitive energies.

When using a Virtual Tarot divination layout, a player "deals" a card by clicking on a deck.  Using a complex algorithm that takes into account the precise moment in time that the player chooses to select their card, each card is "dealt" through the player's actions, not the computers.

Male and female voices provide concise meanings for cards and their positional significance.  Players can select between hearing either the original card meanings by A.E. Waite, or contemporary meanings by M.L. Foster, a practicing intuitive Tarot reader.  Expanded meanings by both authors are available through the Divination's Interpretation window.  Players can also select to hear the tones and see the colors associated with each card according the mystic tradition of the Qabbalah.

The Instruction and Philosophy segments of Virtual Tarot use movies to instruct the player on the history of the Tarot, the organization of the deck, how to do an useful divination, and how to effectively use the program.  The Card Review segment presents cards in significant groupings to encourage understanding of their subtle meanings and the relationships between various cards.

After completing any of the ten card layouts, a player can print or save results to a personal diary for future review.  Results are saved with the player's name, the layout type, date and up to three key-words.  Saved diary entries can be reviewed to reveal significant characteristics and trends of earlier readings.

Virtual Media Works develops interactive multimedia CD-ROM products.  To purchase Virtual Tarot, call 800-292-3157.  For business information contact Virtual Media Works, P.O. Box 70030, Sunnyvale, California  94086 or call 408-739-0301

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

VIRTUAL TAROT

"MULTIMEDIA FOR YOUR MIND"

TAROT FACT SHEET

Tarot reading is an ancient art used to examine current situations and gain insights into the future.  It takes years of practice to become adept at interpreting the Tarot using the traditional method of a card deck with reference books to look up card meanings and divinatory layouts.  With Virtual Tarot, a player can immediately begin to effectively use the cards while discovering the subtleties of Tarot divination.

The Rider-Waite Tarot deck includes 78 cards divided into two primary groups:  the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.  The 22 Major Arcana cards are numbered 0 through 21.  The Minor Arcana cards are divided into four suits:  Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles.  Each suit includes ten numbered cards and four court cards; the Page, Knight, Queen and King.  Each card has two unique divinatory meanings; upright or dignified, and reversed or ill-dignified.

Tarot readings or Divinations  are done by laying cards into specific patterns or layouts.  Each card position in a layout has a specific significance that is used with each card's individual meaning to create the overall Divination.

The Rider-Waite deck was designed by A.E. Waite, a well-known spiritualist,  in the early 1900's.

The Qabbalah is an ancient Judaic mystic belief system which is believed to be the basis for the medieval Tarot decks.

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VIRTUAL TAROT

"MULTIMEDIA FOR YOUR MIND"

TECHNICAL FACT SHEET

The following products were used in the creation of Virtual Tarot.

Hardware:

- Apple Macintosh Quadra 700, 850, IIfx and IIsi

- Silicon Graphics Indigo workstation

- Umax UC630 color scanner

- Two 1.2 gigabyte external Quantum disks

- Wacom drawing tablet

- Syquest 88C and 44

- Pinnacle Micro RCD 202 CD-R recording device

Software:

- Macromedia Director as authoring platform

- CoSA PACo animation compiler

- Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Premiere

- Strata 3D for 3D modeling and animation

- Video Bits distributed UNIX renderer for the Silicon Graphics

  Indigo

Sound:

- Opcode Vision for music sequencing

- Digidesign ProTools 2.0 for Sound FX and Dialogue editing

- Digidesign SampleCell II for Sound FX and Musical Sounds

- SoundEdit Pro (8-bit, 22k AIFF format) for digitizing music,

  SFX and Dialogue

- Various keyboards and modules for music:  Korg M1 and M3r,

  Yamaha DX7, EMAX II, Alesis D4, Prophet VX, Kurzweil K1000,

  Oberheim Matrix 6r


New Electronic Service in Santa Rosa Area
New Electronic Service is On-Line

November 22, 1993 --- The Party Line Bulletin Board System has begun business in Rohnert Park.  Computer users with a modem can subscribe to the service and access over 40,000 Shareware and public domain files.  Dozens of special interest areas provide information on items such as job listings or homebrewing beer.  Users communicate worldwide using electronic mail connected to Internet and MajorNet.  Users connected simultaneously may communicate "live" via keyboard, and evening links to remote systems allow people all over the country to "chat".

Among other services provided are PC Catalog, listing current hardware and software mail-order prices, and Newbytes, reporting items of interest in the computer and telecommunications industries.  Online games let users compete against one another or against the computer.

The Party Line's introductory subscription rate ($8 monthly) is a low cost alternative to nationwide services such as CompuServe or Prodigy.  For further information and a free trial week contact The Party Line BBS via modem (707) 588-8055, voice (707) 588-9602 or email: jami@partyline.com.  All incoming lines support 14,400 bps.

Excalibur! Software

P.O. Box 7570, Santa Rosa, CA  95407

Phone:   707-588-9602


3 New SilverPlatter Databases on CD-ROM
SilverPlatter Releases Three of its Newest Databases:

     Diogenes - FDA Medical Devices

     Humanities Index

     Investext: U.S. Companies

November 15, 1993 -- SilverPlatter announces that three of its newest databases have now been published on CD-ROM. Currently available are: Diogenes - FDA Medical Devices, Humanities Index and Investext: U.S. Companies.

Diogenes - FDA Medical Devices, from FOI Services, Inc. and Washington Business Information, Inc., covers three files on medical devices. The first, 510(k) Notifications, includes citations to each of the over 66,000 devices cleared for marketing under section 510(k) of the Medical Device Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The second file, PMAs, includes a complete list of all Premarket Approvals (PMAs). The third file, MDRs, includes Medical Device Reports covering adverse experiences associated with medical devices that are reported by the device manufacturer under the provision of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. These MDRs include full text from when the regulations began in 1985.

Diogenes is updated quarterly and covers 1976 to the present.

From The H.W. Wilson Company, Humanities Index indexes more than 350 English-language periodicals covering art, archaeology and classical studies, dance, drama, film folklore, history, journalism and communications, language and literature, music, performing arts, philosophy, religion and theology.

Humanities Index is updated quarterly and covers 1984 to the present.

Investext: U.S. Companies provides investment research reports on roughly 12,000 publicly traded companies around the United States. Written by analysts at leading investment banks and brokerage houses, these reports offer detailed financial data and forecasts coupled with in-depth analysis of corporate strategy, new product development, long term competitive stature, and industry trends. This database includes the full text of the two most recent company and industry reports of more than five pages, as well as abstracts of the next five most recent reports. Investext on SilverPlatter

Investext: U.S. Companies on SilverPlatter is updated monthly, and is only available for corporate and government libraries

The release of these new databases furthers SilverPlatter's commitment to bring the right information with the right software to the service of its market.

SilverPlatter Information, Inc.

100 River Ridge Dr, Norwood, MA 02062-5026

1-800-343-0064 (U.S. and Canada) or 1-617-769-2599

Fax: 1-617-769-8763

SilverPlatter Information Ltd.

10 Barley Mow Passage

Chiswick London W4 4PH U.K.

Tel: +44(0) 81-995-8242 or 0800-262-096

Fax: +44(0) 81-995-5159


Tele-Tech Call Pricing Data Available On-Line
Call Pricing Data Now Available On-Line With No Pre-Payment

Previous Fees Waived for System's Anniversary Promotion

November 18 1993 -- McAfee, NJ -- To celebrate TelePacs's fifth birthday, Tele-Tech Services is waiving the $600 pre-payment for this invaluable on-line telephone call pricing database.

Tele-Pacs is an excellent tool for viewing, printing, or downloading data for use in call accounting systems, coin-phones, or just for general information on telephone company rates. The system enables you to perform a variety of functions including site specific call pricing, looking-up V&H coordinate information, private line pricing, telephone call pricing, and a rate look-up program.

Tele-Pacs also includes a schedule of past and pending rate revisions, as well as updates currently in the process of being keyed and tested for use in the various Tele-Pacs applications. This schedule, used in conjunction with the features listed above, provides easy and fast access to a vast amount of information for several services of major Interexchange Carriers and Local Exchange Carriers.

AU of this information is now available with no up front financial investment. There is no monthly fee and no minimum usage requirement. While similar systems charge you for every table or file you access, TelePacs' fees are based strictly on the amount of time you are logged into the system. Tele-Tech's clients pay only $ 1 per minute for time logged using a 2400 bps modem, and $3 per minute for a 9600 bps modem. With this pricing system, clients are able to easily estimate and control costs.

Additions to the system before the end of the year will include a directory assistance rate look-up, a day of the week look-up, and a holiday look-up. Also coming within the next few months is an on-line summary of every revision received by Tele-Tech to each of the 600 tariffs in our library. Customers will have the ability to review these summaries and order the transmittals of interest to them. This is just the first step toward electronic delivery of tariff pages, which will be available through Tele-Tech in 1994.

Tele-Pacs is five years old, but it's still growing and improving. By signing up now, with no pre-payment, and as always, no hidden fees, you simply can't lose.

For more information about TelePacs and its features and applications, or to sign-up as a user and receive your password for the system, please write to Elaine S. Kronski, Marketing Consultant, Tele-Tech Services, Post Office Box 757, McAfee, New Jersey 07428, or call her at 1-800-433-6181.


Proxim Supports IEEE 802.11 MAC Layer Std
PROXIM ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR EMERGING IEEE 802.11 MEDIA ACCESS CONTROL (MAC) LAYER STANDARD

Las Vegas, Nevada, November 22, 1993 -- Proxim, Inc., the leader in wireless local area networking, today announced its support for the IEEE 802.11 MAC layer "foundation" protocol, approved on November 11, 1993 in West Palm Beach, Florida. This foundation protocol represents a basic framework upon which enhancements and refinements will be added in future 802.11 meetings.

As a pioneer in wireless local area networking, Proxim several years ago anticipated much of what has emerged as the 802.11 foundation protocol in its wireless protocol development efforts. Proxim's original RangeLAN wireless LAN adapter family, based on direct sequence. spread spectrum technology, was implemented using a distributed MAC layer protocol similar in many respects to the proposal ratified by the IEEE committee at its recent meeting. Furthermore, Proxim's RangeLAN2 family, based on frequency hopping spread spectrum technology, incorporates many additional elements such as protocol independent roaming, advanced synchronization, power management and other key features now embedded in the newly adopted 802.11 foundation protocol.

This new IEEE MAC layer foundation combines elements of a wide range of proposals and is not the selection of a single company's submission. To accommodate this new protocol, all current vendors, including Proxim, will be required to modify their existing products to ensure compliance. Because Proxim's network architecture is fundamentally similar to this new 802.11 foundation protocol, the changes required in Proxim's MAC layer design will be minimal. This means that Proxim will be able to conform very quickly to the final standard once it is fully specified and approved by the IEEE committee.

"Proxim is in a unique position to contribute to the IEEE 802.11 standards development effort given our extensive, market-driven experience in wireless local area networking." commented David King, Proxim's President and Chief Executive Officer. Proxim is currently the only manufacturer shipping a PCMCIA spread spectrum LAN adapter and seamless roaming for mobile computer users and has shipped a total of over 50,000 spread spectrum products to date. "We look forward to helping the committee further specify a detailed standard based on our empirical understanding of real world user environments and our wireless networking technology expertise." said King.

PROXIM INDUSTRY STANDARDS INITIATIVES

Proxim demonstrated its commitment to industry standards earlier this year by becoming one of the first vendors to ship a fully compliant PCMCIA product, including support of Card and Socket services. As part of its initiative to assist the 802.11 in forging a final industry standard specification, Proxim will focus its efforts in the following three areas.

Enhanced Central Management Features

Proxim plans to urge tighter integration of several critical central management elements required to support time bounded services for client / server environments. These elements will be critical in achieving superior synchronization, enhanced power management, higher performance in centrally managed environments, and easier facilitation of isochronous traffic for wireless multimedia services (i.e. voice and compressed video) in the future.

Higher Speed Physical Layer Standard

Proxim is committed to ensuring interoperability with other vendors at the recently approved 802.11 standard data rate of 1.0 Mbps, while striving to achieve higher speed wireless communications for users of its products. Proxim has submitted a proposal to the 802.11 to establish an enhanced, higher speed physical layer standard based on its RangeLAN2 product line which operates at 1.6 Mbps.

Seamless Multivendor Interoperability

To achieve full interoperability among all vendors, the IEEE 802.11 must define its MAC layer protocol in much greater detail. In addition to helping 802.11 further specify its protocol, Proxim is committed to working with other major vendors in the industry to ensure system and network level interoperability.

A number of leading wireless companies have voiced support for Proxim's efforts in the development of wireless LAN standards. Jim Slane, Group Business Manager for Digital Equipment Corporation's mobile wireless products, said, "As with Digital's efforts in other networking arenas, we are committed to achieving the goal of multivendor interoperability in wireless networking. As such, Proxim's effort to ensure the inclusion of the best elements of both client server and peer-to-peer wireless LAN architectures represents the best approach to achieve a unified industry-wide standard."

Ann Marie McGee, Director of Strategic Marketing for Fujitsu Personal Systems, Inc. (FPSI) added, "Fujitsu is a long time strategic partner of Proxim's, having incorporated Proxim's spread spectrum technology into several of our wireless products, including our recently announced Fujitsu Pad Plus RF handheld computer. FPSI is pleased to have an emerging standard which closely matches Proxim's wireless networking protocols. This should ensure a smooth migration path for our customers as the industry moves toward an open standard."

PROXIM BACKGROUND

Proxim is the leading supplier of wireless local area networking products for mobile computer users. In June 1993, Proxim introduced RangeLAN2, a family of high performance wireless systems designed for the corporate LAN market. Based on frequency hopping spread spectrum technology in the 2.4 - 2.4835 GHz band, RangeLAN2 offers the longest range and power consumption of any wireless LAN product in its class. RangeLAN2 delivers an uncompressed data rate of 1.6 Mbps per channel across 10 independent channels, creating an aggregate network bandwidth of 16 Mbps.

Proxim's original award-winning RangeLAN family of products, which began shipping early 1992, is designed for less data-intensive LAN applications such as E-mail, printer-sharing and file transfer, as well as many industry-specific mobile computing applications. Operating at a data rate of 242 Kbps per channel across three independent channels, the original RangeLAN family has a range of 300-500 feet in normal office environments and 800-1000 feet in outdoor or open space environments. Proxim, Inc., headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., was founded in 1984 to develop and market wireless networking solutions.

Proxim Inc

295 North Bernardo Ave, Mountain View, CA 94043

415-960-1630,  fax 415-964-5181


Anderson Soft-Teach Entering Multimedia Market
PERSONAL COMPUTER TRAINING ON CD-ROM

Using Multimedia Technology

Los Gatos, Calif. - November 19, 1993 - Anderson Soft-Teach today announced its entry into the multimedia market. The company will produce a multimedia product line, meeting the most current MPC standards, on CD-ROM in 1994. The company's entry into the multimedia market builds upon its 10 years of experience designing and producing video-based training courseware for personal computers. In addition to this new multimedia product line, the company will continue to provide video-based courseware for classroom and self-study.

"With the increased availability of multimedia technology, we will be able to deliver just-in-time, interactive training to the desktop in classroom or self-study situations," said Warren Anderson, president of Anderson Soft-Teach.

The Center for New Training Technology, located at the company's Silicon Valley headquarters, will allow corporate trainers to experience this new digital training technology first-hand. The Center will be staffed by multimedia development specialists who will be available to demonstrate products and answer questions.

Anderson Soft-Teach produces the industry's largest library of video courseware for personal computer software. All products are developed in-house by experienced trainers. Current topics include: Windows, Word for Windows, Excel for Windows, PowerPoint, MS-DOS, WordPerfect, WordPerfect for Windows, Lotus 1-2-3, Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows, dBASE IV, Computer Literacy and others.

Anderson Soft-Teach

983 University Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030

Sales: 800-338-4336,  Corp: 408-399-0100,  Fax: 408-399-0500


HIPPARCHUS GIS Enabling Software Technology

Product Information Bulletin -- 22 February, 1993.

New Release! Geodyssey Limited of Calgary today announced Release 2.1 of their remarkable Hipparchus computer software technology. Named after the Greek mathematician and astronomer, Hipparchus offers an entirely new approach to working with geographic data. Now, with today's release, Hipparchus includes powerful new capabilities that enhance the modeling of three dimensional geographic features.

Who Can Benefit? Anyone developing computer applications that deal with the "where" of things can benefit. Hipparchus-based computer applications can unlock the spatial meaning of data as never before. And help you to communicate that meaning with stunning graphic presentations. As an integral part of your application, the Hipparchus "engine" handles the geographic computations required.

About Hipparchus -- Hipparchus is a library of object and source program modules for use by C and C++ language programmers in developing computer solutions. The Hipparchus "engine" can be combined with your present graphical user interface and database management software to prepare impressive geographic applications. Itself written in ANSI C, the Hipparchus Library consists of over 250 functions pre-compiled from nearly twenty thousand lines of tightly-optimized code.

Using your existing graphical user interface and database management technology, you can now implement application-specific geographic information systems, bypassing the costly use of conventional monolithic geographic information system (GIS) solutions.

About the Technology -- Hipparchus is based on a novel approach to accessing and manipulating geographic data. Unlike "flat-earth" systems that use planar coordinates, Hipparchus works with direction cosines and 3D vector algebra to calculate true distances and locations on an ellipsoidal model of the Earth. Seamlessly applicable to things, conditions or events anywhere on the surface, Hipparchus works equally well with objects below the surface, in the atmosphere or even in near space. Also, a satellite orbit modeler permits accurate prediction of the coverage of remote-sensing satellites. If required, Hipparchus can work with millimetric precision.

With Hipparchus, data objects are modeled as unrestricted sets of points, lines, or regions. Objects such as utility poles, coastlines, satellite paths and property boundaries can be related to one another using spatial operators similar to AND, OR and NEAR. Your raw data is input to Hipparchus in any of the common coordinate systems such as lat/long or UTM. Numeric results can be output in familiar terms. Graphic results can be displayed in a variety of cartographic projections at any scale and viewpoint. Your clients will be able to roam freely, unfettered by pre-set views.

When it comes to organizing your data, Hipparchus' unique spatial indexing scheme provides truly impressive access speed. Based on the Voronoi polygon principle, Hipparchus spatial indexes are readily tailored to your application. In addition, they can provide unparalleled access efficiencies for distributed multi-theme geo-referenced databases.

Platforms -- Hipparchus Release 2.1 is immediately available for use on Intel 80286/287 hardware in DOS real mode. We call this Hipparchus DRM Release 2.1. Other versions now in beta test work with 32-bit extended DOS, Windows, NT, OS/2 and UNIX platforms such as the Sun SPARCstation and the HP 9000X. A DEC VMS version is also now under test.

The Package -- Hipparchus comes with extensive documentation and support. You get the Hipparchus Tutorial (210 pages, 29 illustrations, ISBN 1-895723-01-9), its companion, the Hipparchus Application Prototyper Guide (60 pages), the Hipparchus Library Reference Manual (390 pages, ISBN 1-895723-00-0) and on-line help notes. More than 20,000 lines of sample C language source materials illustrate use of the library functions while providing you with immediately useful data utilities and interactive, scriptable, geographic application prototyper programs.

Minimum Requirements You will need an Intel 80286 processor with an 80287 compatible coprocessor, 640K of RAM, and 3MB of hard disk storage. Any ANSI C or C++ compiler and linker compatible with Microsoft C/C++ 7.0 or Borland C/C++ 3.1 will do. Between 50K and 150K of run-time RAM is required for Hipparchus functions. A 3 1/2" HD floppy drive is needed for installation.

Prices -- Hipparchus DRM Release 2.1 is available to one developer/user for just $US475. If you require Hipparchus for development by more than one person or at more than one site, please call for a price quotation. If your resulting Hipparchus-based application will be used by more than one person, then you will need to purchase a site license ($US2500). If your Hipparchus-based application is to be distributed or networked for use beyond the licensed site, then you will need to purchase our unrestricted application distribution license ($US7500). For price information concerning other versions of Hipparchus, please call

Support Services -- Support information will be mailed or faxed periodically to all registered developers for a period of one year from the date of purchase of the product. Warranty service is provided to registered developers for 90 days following purchase. If you require individual service beyond this period, you will need to purchase our annual maintenance service ($US300). In addition, we offer related application development services.

Prices quoted will apply until 30 June, 1993. Quotations are FOB Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Pre-paid shipping charges are extra. For Canadian orders please add 33 % for exchange and GST. Payment may be made by corporate check or Visa.

Additional Information -- To help you evaluate Hipparchus, we offer the Hipparchus Tutorial and Application Prototyper for just US$49.95 plus shipping. (Cdn$59.95 +GST). The Tutorial explains the concepts while the Prototyper lets you explore interactively how Hipparchus can be used in support of your application. Supplied demonstration scripts get you started, then you can script your own demos.

Geodyssey Limited

500, 815 Eighth Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 3P2

Telephone 1-403-234-9848, FAX 1-403-266-7117

--end----end----end----end----end----end----end----end----end--


Instant Index Text Search Engine Cheaper/Faster
"INSTANT INDEX" TEXT SEARCH ENGINE COST ONE-THIRD AND IS TEN TIMES FASTER

McLean, VA, November 25 -- End user pricing for INSTANT INDEX is one third the cost of other commercial index and retrieval products. INSTANT INDEX costs only $99.9r for the personal edition and $395.00 for the professional edition. Indexing with INSTANT INDEX is now performed ten times faster than with other leading search engines.

Text Indexing developer Holden Technical Enterprises, Inc. (McLean, VA) is now offering a complete professional copy of a high speed text index and search software product for under $400. INSTANT INDEX will index most any file including word processing, database, and executable files using Windows 3.1, a 386-486 CPU and at least 4MB of RAM.

"Holden Technical Enterprises, Inc.'s quantum leap in text indexing technology does not mean a quantum leap in price," said Jim Young, product manager for INSTANT INDEX. "Users can now get a ten-fold increase in indexing speed over standard text index/retrieval software with a relatively small investment."

An example of the use of INSTANT INDEX would be an employment agency searching through their resumes for C++ Programmers with knowledge of banking who have accounting experience. The SEARCH capability and the CASCADE search capability of INSTANT INDEX allow you to continue searching until you have found the perfect match. The STICKY NOTE feature allows you to insert special notes about the information you have found such as a doctor might do on a patients medical record. The FUZZY LOGIC feature allows you to adjust the index parameters. INSTANT INDEX has no artificial Boolean logic constructs and no size limits on files or on their indices. The index for INSTANT INDEX is usually only 7% the size of the original file and this index is generated at about 8MB/minute on a 486 class machine.

In fact, INSTANT INDEX is so fast, feature rich and user friendly with its ON-LINE HELP, there is no need to look further.

Holden Technical Enterprises Inc

PO Box 3423, McLean, VA 22039

703-719-6142,  fax 703-971-8192


Jeopardy Detector Disk Caching Test Utility
Jeopardy Detector reveals data jeopardy periods created by the SmartDrive cache by monitoring DOS for situations where the File Allocation Table (FAT) and directory entires don't agree. If an application program crashes or the PC is rebooted, cross-linked files and data loss may occur if the PC continues to be used. a JPRDY.ZIP file has the Jeopardy Detection program and papers on cache writing techniques, available on various online services. Users unable to download the file can order a disk from PC-Kwik for $6.50 shipping and handling by calling (503) 644-5644; fax (503) 646-8267.

PC-Kwik, 15100 SW Koll Parkway, Beaverton, OR 97006-6026


WinZip 5.0 With Built-In Zipping
Now Shipping: WinZip(R) 5.0 With Built-in ZIPPING

BRISTOL, CT November, 1993 -- WinZip, already well known for bringing the convenience of Windows to the use of ZIP files, now includes both built-in zipping and unzipping.  It features an intuitive point-and-click drag-and-drop interface for viewing, running, extracting, adding, deleting, and testing files in archives.  Optional virus scanning support is included.  The new version is still priced at only $29 postpaid.

"The main advantage to this release is that WinZip no longer requires PKZIP and PKUNZIP for basic ZIP operations," said developer Nico Mak. "All files created or modified by WinZip are fully compatible with PKZIP 2.0, and of course WinZip can unzip files created by any version of PKZIP."

Key product features include:

* Built-in PKZIP-compatible ZIP and UNZIP, so PKZIP and PKUNZIP

  are not required

* Full Drag and Drop support

* Optional Support for ARJ, ARC, and LZH files

* Optional virus scanning support, including support for

  Windows-based virus scanners

As with all previous versions of WinZip, registered users can download the new version for a free upgrade, since WinZip 5.0 will automatically recognize valid registration numbers.  The upgrade price is $10 for users that prefer to receive a disk.  The old policy of free downloadable updates will continue for minor improvements, but in the future there will be a charge for major upgrades.

WinZip is available directly from Nico Mak Computing, Inc., at P.O.  Box 919, Bristol, CT 06011-0919.  For credit card orders, call the Public Software Library at 1-800-242-4775 (voice) or 713-524-6398 (FAX).  Fully functional evaluation copies are available from computer bulletin boards and CompuServe, or directly from Nico Mak Computing, Inc., for $5 (applicable to purchase price).  Quantity discounts and site licensing are available.


Nintendo Fun Centers for Hospitals
The Starlight Foundation, Toys 'R' Us and Nintendo of America officially delivered Nintendo Fun Centers to the St. Vincent's pediatric ward in New York City on September 30th. Fun Centers bring together a SNES, video game library, VCR monitor, and a TV set in a free-standing unit that can come directly to children in their beds. According to Phil Rogers, Nintendo's vice president, operations, "Many health care professionals tell us that video games play an important role in the overall patient care program by distracting kids from the pain, fear, and loneliness that they often experience in the hospital."

In January of 1993, as Nintendo was entering the second year of its program to bring Fun Centers to hospitals around the country, the company asked its retailers if they wanted to get involved and the response was overwhelming, according to Nintendo. Toys 'R' Us was the first to come on board and the store has committed to placing 60 units this fall. Other major retailers who have committed to donations include Electronic Boutique, Macy's West, Sears Roebuck and Co., and Software Etc. Several licensees have also joined the effort including Hi-Tech Expressions, Software Toolworks and FCI.

Richard Goddu, executive vice president, Toys 'R' Us, who was at the press conference, explained that the retailer is happy to expand its own efforts to place playrooms in hospitals and that this is "a small way for us to give something back to the children."

Nintendo explains that this kind of cooperation between retailer, manufacturer, and non-profit organization makes it easier to bring the Fun Centers to more hospitals, and although currently most centers have been placed in large cities, Nintendo hopes to bring the program into more regional areas.


FREE Contact Ease DEMO DISK

Professional Software for Salespeople.

- Ideal for Apple PowerBook and Duo users.

- Automaticaly follows-up even when you're too busy.

- Instant To-do list shows callbacks, meetings and other

  important tasks.

- True Multi-user performance.

- Dials and times calls.

- Reviewers say it's the easiest to use.

- CyberSwap feature keeps sales reps and home office up-to-date

  automatically.

- Built-in word processor makes mail merge simple.

WestWare Inc

10148 Diamond Head Court, Spring Valley, CA 91977-5317

800-869-0871, 619-660-0356,  fax 619-660-0233


Shareware Electronic Tax Filing Swr 1040/1099
Electronic Filing Group offers two new shareware tax programs: ETF93 is specifically for the 1040 series of tax returns; and ETF1099 for 1099 series of tax returns. Registration for each package is only $5.00 -- if unavailable locally or via your favorite online service, contact:

Electronic Filing Group

PO Box 270539, Houston, TX 77277-0539

713-666-2533 Voice/Fax.


X, the Game of Unknown Love - Educ Math Game
"Welcome to the Student Body. The students here are impressed with Math Skills. To get a date, you must first demonstrate that you can Solve For X."

Add the power of mathematics tutors to your secondary classrooms or home environment. Use the IBM PC game, "X, the Game of Unknown Love" by Niche Software. The game supplements traditional curricula for algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Students may select their own Modern Story Problems and they may elect to get helpful hints. Computer graphics inspire and reward student efforts. "X, the Game of Unknown Love" is offered as Shareware. You, the buyer get to try part of the product before purchase, and the price is kept reasonable because of mass-marketing. As a buyer, you get to influence the success of additional products through the registration process. So get ready for students to investigate Modern Problems such as: Carphone, Earth Girth, Cucumber Number, Something's Fishy, When Snails Collide, It's Your Fault, Make a Box, The Good Cholesterol, and many others.

Improve your Instructional Delivery System!

Niche Software

14162 Elystan Circle, Westminster, CA 92683

714-892-9052


The Graph Club! with Fizz & Martina
Introducing... The Graph Club! with Fizz & Martina

K-3 software package "revolutionizes teaching of graphing," teachers say

Watertown, MA, November 15, 1993--Never before has it been so easy to teach or learn graphing in the K-3 classroom or lab! The Graph Club, a software-based classroom kit just published by Tom Snyder Productions, uses cooperative learning and storytelling in a ground-breaking approach that spurs students to read, create, and interpret picture graphs, circle graphs, bar graphs and line graphs in a multitude of fun, motivating activities.

"I feel that The Graph Club will revolutionize the teaching of graphing skills," says Karen Bryant, kindergarten teacher at the Yorkshire Central Schools in Yorkshire, New York. "Graphing is an important skill for analyzing information, but at our level it can take a large amount of time to prepare the teaching materials for an effective lesson. The Graph Club eliminates all of that preparation time."

The Graph Club is a co-production of Tom Snyder Productions and Peggy Healy Stearns, software designer, teacher of 20 years, and author of the award-winning Solve It! software series. This complete, multiple-media graphing package includes:

* Macintosh software. A colorful, dynamic, and interactive playground for exploring graphs, as well as a setting for structured activities where children construct and interpret graphs.

* 28 Student Activity Portfolios. Students work in teams of four; each team member's workbook contains a different piece of the solution, making cooperation a necessity! Together students gather and classify information, create graphs and then use them to solve problems and make decisions. Communication is key.

* Illustrated chapter book. This whimsical 20-chapter book, "Fizz & Martina's Not-for-Profit Pet Resort," presents each graphing activity in a playful, motivating and meaningful context.

* Extensive Teacher's Guide. Includes complete set of cross-curricular activities, lesson plans, and reproducibles.

Over one thousand teachers and students across the country have tested The Graph Club in their elementary classrooms. Their reactions confirmed that The Graph Club's unique combination of print materials and software makes teaching graphing simple, effective, and fun.

"In this age of information overload--when students come to our classrooms visually oriented anyway--graphs are a powerful adjunct to the written word," says Graph Club author Peggy Stearns. "We can share this power with our students. That's what the Graph Club is designed to do."

A unique feature of The Graph Club is its use of storytelling to teach graphing concepts and skills. Each activity is presented in the context of a colorful, engaging story featuring the colorful cartoon characters Fizz and Martina, from TSP's popular math video series The Wonderful Problems of Fizz & Martina. As in that series, the stories provide a meaningful context for new math skills and concepts, as recommended by the NCTM standards.

Tom Snyder Productions is an Award-Winning publisher of high-quality educational materials, specializing in products that promote group learning. TSP's highly-praised product line spans the K-12 curriculum, including social studies, math, science, and language arts. For a free catalog, call 1-800-342-0236.

The Graph Club with Fizz & Martina

Package includes Macintosh software, 28 student workbooks, illustrated chapter book, and extensive teacher's guide. Available for Macintosh (1 Meg). Call for site licensing.

Special introductory prices (good through Aug. 31, 1994)

The Graph Club Classroom Kit: $149.95

5 Disk Lab Pack: $199.95

10 Disk Lab Pack: $299.95

Network version (AppleShare): $349.95

Tom Snyder Productions

80 Coolidge Hill Rd, Watertown, MA 02712-2817

617-926-6000,  fax 617-926-6222


ComputerEyes/LPT Parallel Port Frame Grabber
Digital Vision Announces ComputerEyes/LPT Parallel Port Frame Grabber

If you own a notebook, laptop, or Microchannel IBM PC or compatible, you're going to love our latest product ComputerEyes/LPT! This new device connects to the parallel port of any IBM PC or compatible and lets you grab beautiful 640 by 480 video images in up to 16 million colors.

ComputerEyes/LPT works on any IBM PC or compatible with a parallel port, including notebooks, laptops, and even your desktop machines. It's a great frame grabber if you own both a laptop and a desktop machine - one frame grabber works on both machines. We expect that ComputerEyes/LPT will be popular with all on-the-go frame grabbing users, including insurance adjusters, real estate appraisers, or anyone who uses both a laptop and a desktop machine at home or at work.

Let's not forget that ComputerEyes/LPT will work on all MCA (Microchannel) machines, too. Now it's easier, cheaper, and better than ever to grab images on your IBM model 50, 55, or any MCA machine.

Here's what ComputerEyes/LPT offers:

* Works on ANY PC with a parallel port

* Resolution to 640 by 480 24-bit pixels for outstanding

  image quality

* Includes both Digital Vision's easy-to-use software, and a

  Windows version

* Captures and saves PCX, TIF, TGA, BMP, GIF, JPG, and CE

  file formats

* Comes with a soft carrying case

* Complete with cables and power supply, the ComputerEyes/LPT

  weighs about two pounds

* Can save files up to 640 by 480 with 16 million colors even

  on laptops with less graphics capability.

If you'd like more information about ComputerEyes/LPT, call (800) 346-0090, and we'll DOS send you a free brochure. Or to talk to a techie about ComputerEyes/LPT, call us at (617) 329-5400.

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


COBOL spII Version 3.0 Available

Version 3.0 has been released for the following platforms:

* Microsoft Windows

* OS/2 Presentation Manager

* MS-DOS

The COBOL spII Version 3.0 Panel Editor has been completely redesigned

COBOL splI's Panel Editor, formerly called the Panel Definition Facility, has been redesigned for faster and easier panel creation. Here are just a few of the new features supported in version 3.0:

* 8 Character Panel Names

* Network Version with File Share & Panel Locking

* Icon Based Toolbar (GUI)

* Easier Menu Bar/Pulldown

* Creation Combination Boxes (Drop Down Choice Lists)

* Variable Font Size & Type Support for GUI versions

* Automatic List Boxes

* Custom COBOL Oriented Entry Fields

...and Much More!

Introducing the COBOL spII Version 3.0 Panel Editor

COBOL spII Version 3.0 also supports a new easier-to-use programming interface

In the past, some of our customers have told us that the COBOL splI programming interface can get a bit complex at times. Version 3.0 solves the problem.

COBOL spII version 3.0 uses Functions, Parameters and Data Items expressed in standard COBOL Working Storage variables to completely control the entire user interface.

The Version 2.2 way to open a panel file:

CALL "FSP" USING WRK-AO WRK-FUNC WRK-FILE

where WRK-AO is a parameter list, WRK-FUNC is the function and WRK-FILE is the panel file name. The Version 3.0 way to open a panel file:

CALL "SP2" USING SP2-OPEN-FILE SP2-FILE-DEF

where SP2-OPEN-FILE is the function to open a panel file and SP2-FILE-DEF contains all the information regarding the panel file to be opened.

Easy GUI Control Implementation

COBOL spII Version 3.0 supports the easy creation of all the major GUI controls. With Version 3.0 you can create these controls with the click of an icon,

so developing your user interface is very easy!

As you already know, controlling the user interface in COBOL spII is done in a manner that was specifically engineered for the professional COBOL programmer. You don't detect mouse events and pushbutton events with COBOL spII. You test for function keys when a pushbutton is pressed!

Here are just a few of the many types of GUI controls supported by COBOL spII, version 3.0:

Entry Fields available in COBOL spII include default and custom style entry fields.

Pushbuttons can be assigned a function key for easy processing in your program.

Checkboxes can be assigned an "on" and "off" value to make it easy to detect if a Checkbox is selected.

Just like a Checkbox, Radio Buttons can also be detected by a value assigned during screen development.

Combination Boxes in spII may be made enterable or only selectable.

Icons are handled just like pushbuttons in COBOL spII. This means that you simply assign a function key to an icon and test for the function key in your program.

Scroll bars in COBOL spII are completely automatic. You don't have to worry about writing any complex, cryptic API code to control the movement of the slider box in a scroll bar. In addition, you don't have to worry about controlling the movement of the data in a scrolling area.

Special Font Size and Type Support

COBOLspII version 3.0 allows you to take advantage of special fonts available in the Graphical User Interface Environments supported.

Even when you use special fonts in a GUI environment, your window definitions are still portable to character mode environments. COBOL spII will substitute the standard character mode font for the special GUI font.

Open Access to Screen Definitions

COBOLspII version 3.0 is the most "Open" COBOL user interface tool available. With version 3.0, you have full access to the spII panel file definition.

You can write COBOL programs to invoke panel file maintenance functions. This lets you to maintain your panel definitions independently of the COBOLspII panel editor.

Just think of the possibilities...

* Create panel definitions dynamically

* Modify existing panels dynamically

* Global panel editing using a COBOL program

* Write custom panel conversion programs

With COBOLspII version 3.0, you're not locked into a proprietary user interface tool, because you have full access to the panel file definitions.

Should You Upgrade Now or Wait?

During the past year, COBOL spII has undergone extensive re-engineering. The modifications made to COBOL spII were made to make the panel editor and programming interface easier to use in addition to providing better support for GUI environments.

Purchase COBOL spII Now if...

...you haven't used spII in the past and want a powerful user interface tool. If the following COBOL spII characteristics are of interest, you should purchase COBOL spII version 3.0 today!

* Regular Updates Provided

* Supports Latest User Interface Technology

* Easy To Learn & Use

* 100% COBOL Oriented

* Supports Text & GUI Systems Transparently

* Supports Operating Systems Transparently

* Supports COBOL Compilers Transparently

Purchase COBOL spII Now if...

...you evaluated spII in the past, but found it a bit complex. Version 3.0 is much easier to use than version 2.2. Take a second look at COBOL spII. We know that you'll be pleased with the changes.

Upgrade to spII Version 3.0 Now if...

....you are an existing COBOL spII customer and plan to completely overhaul your program user interface. You may want to consider moving to version 3.0 now. If your original user interface design didn't include COBOL spII's advanced features and you want to run in a GUI environment, you can continue using the existing spII CALL statements and parameters. Although your program will run in a GUI with no problem, your traditional menu and screen design may not have the general appearance of a GUI based application.

In this case, you may need to make some changes to your panels and source program for your programs to look like a standard GUI. This might be a good time to use the version 3.0 powerful features.

Upgrade to spII Version 3.0 Now if...

...you are an existing COBOL spII customer and are embarking on a new project, the new programming interface provided with COBOL spII version 3.0 should make life a bit easier. Although you'll need a brief period of time to adjust to the new programming interface, as an existing customer, you should become productive very quickly.

Because COBOL spII has been completely re-engineered, panel files and source programs developed with earlier versions are not yet compatible with version 3.0.

During the first quarter of l 994, Flexus will release conversion tools for converting existing COBOL spII panel files to version 3.0 panel files.

Also during the first quarter of 1994, Flexus will release a COBOL spII runtime system which will recognize the existing CALL statement and parameter format in addition to the new CALL statement format. These two facilities will allow existing COBOL spII programs to work with version 3.0.

Flexus has always provided upward migration for COBOL spII customers and always will.

Upgrade to Version 3.0 Later if...

...you are maintaining existing programs with COBOL spII and prefer not to rewrite any of the source code or repaint any of the screen definitions. We suggest that you wait for our general announcement in the first quarter of 1994 when we'll provide you with conversion tools. These tools will allow your existing source programs and current panel files to work with version 3.0.

Upgrade to Version 3.0 Later if...

...you need to develop or maintain your COBOL application in an operating system for which COBOL spII version 3.0 has not yet been ported.

COBOL spII is currently available for MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows and OS/2 Presentation Manager. The software will be ported to UNIX, VAX/VMS and Motif in the near future. If you have an immediate project for a UNIX or VMS environment, we suggest that you continue to use version 2.2 until the conversion tools are available in the first quarter of 1994.

Still Not Sure? Call Us!

If you're still not sure whether you should upgrade to COBOL spII Version 3.0, give us a call at 215-588-9400 or send a fax to 215-588-9475. We'll do our best to answer your questions.

Flexus International Corp

PO Box 640, Bangor, PA 18013-0640 USA

215-588-9400,  fax 215-588-9475


EA*Kids Expands to Support Apple Macintosh
EA*Kids Expands Product Line to Support Apple Macintosh

SAN MATEO, Calif,. November 19, 1993 -- Continuing its mission to create entertaining, educational software for homes and schools, EA*Kids has released three new titles for the Apple Macintosh. EA*Kids is a division of Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS), a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment. The new titles are: Scooter's Magic Castle, Ping and Kooky's Cuckoo Zoo and Peter Pan: A Story Painting Adventure. Three more EA*Kids titles, Eagle Eye Mysteries: The Original, Eagle Eye Mysteries in London, and EA*Kids Art Center, will be released for the Macintosh in December. Teacher editions, lab packs and site license versions of these products are being released now through January, 1994.

The Macintosh versions of EA*Kids products feature high-resolution graphics, digitized sound, and multiple levels of learning that are adjustable to the child's skills. Most consumer versions include individual Activity Guides for parents and children. All teacher editions include a Teacher's Guide designed by curriculum experts to complement classroom or individual learning activities.

Scooter's Magic Castle, for ages S to 8, has received a 1993 Parent's Choice Award as well as the 1993 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval. The program--a romp through a castle full of engaging learning games--features activities that reinforce skills such as critical thinking, counting and fractions, pattern recognition, keyboarding and creativity. Along with pal Scooter, children can create colorful monsters in the laboratory, grow their own magic gardens, and fish in the castle moat.

Ping and Kooky's Cuckoo Zoo, for ages 3 to 6, lets children drive their own train through a zany zoo. Accompanied by Ping (a friendly Panda) and Kooky (a nutty Cuckoo bird), children meet talking and singing animals who reinforce learning skills. Cuckoo Zoo features four "environments"--rain forest, savannah, polar park and farm-each populated with animal pals who teach color and number recognition, counting, matching, letter recognition and creativity.

Peter Pan: A Story Painting Adventure, for ages S to 9, also received a 1993 Parent's Choice Award. The program features the Paintbox Pals, a set of living paint "tools" that allow children to affect the events in Peter Pan's classic tale. The revolutionary Story Painting interface combines elements from story books, graphic adventures, and interactive cartoons, so children can create their own versions of Peter Pan's tale while strengthening reading and storytelling skills.

Consumer versions of the following additional products will be available by December, 1993: EA*Kids Art Center, Eagle Eye Mysteries and its sequel, Eagle Eye Mysteries in London for the Macintosh, Peter Pan: A Story Painting Adventure and Ping and Kooky's Cuckoo Zoo for the Macintosh CD-ROM.

Teacher's Editions and Lab Packs of Eagle Eye Mysteries, Scooter's Magic Castle and Ping and Kooky's Cuckoo Zoo will be available for the Macintosh in November, 1993.

Electronic Arts

1450 Fashion Island Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94404


EA*KIDS Nat'l Parenting Center Seal of Approval
THE NATIONAL PARENTING CENTER AWARDS EA*KIDS OFFICIAL SEAL OF APPROVAL

SAN MATEO, Calif., November 17, 1993 -- Less than six months after entering the children's software market, EA*Kids has won The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval for two of its EA*Kids software programs, Scooter's Magic Castle and Eagle Eye Mysteries. Both titles were released in April of this year. EA*Kids is a division of Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS), chartered to create entertaining children's software that inspires a love of learning.

"These superb products are exemplary in their design and execution," said David Katzner, president of the National Parenting Center. "They are among the finest examples of educational software we have ever tested. We are pleased to award them with the National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval."

Scooter's Magic Castle, designed for children ages 5 - 8, features a castle full of magical learning games. Over 20 activities reinforce process learning skills such as matching, patterns, critical thinking and creativity.

"It is quite apparent that when the folks at Electronic Arts began focusing their attention on the children's computer software market they really did their homework," states the National Parenting Center award. "Scooter's Magic Castle is one of the most fun, exciting and colorful programs ever submitted, but what makes it a runaway Seal of Approval Winner is that it is also stimulating, educational and brilliantly executed. As children guide Scooter through his castle, they encounter games and puzzles that teach a wide variety of skills, including memory building, patterning, colors, critical thinking and a host of tools that totally enchanted our testers young and old."

For pre-teens and early readers, Eagle Eye Mysteries features Jake and Jennifer Eagle as junior sleuths in their very own detective agency. Players can solve over 50 original cases while sharpening deductive reasoning and reading skills.

"Being able to entertain pre-teens is not easy task," states the National Parenting Center award. Today's budding teenagers are more sophisticated than ever and they simply won't stand for products that aren't innovative and challenging. Eagle Eye Mysteries satisfies all of those requirements in a computer program that demands deductive reasoning, fact finding and a little luck. There is a lot of reading and thinking required here which is one of the reasons our testers gave it high marks."

EA *Kids is a division of Electronic Arts. Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) is a diversified entertainment and educational company that develops, publishes, and distributes software worldwide. The company is 11 years old and has an annual sales rate of $300 million. Its corporate headquarters are in San Mateo. California, and it has offices in Texas, Canada, Europe, Australia and Japan.

Electronic Arts

1450 Fashion Island Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94404


James Pond 3 - Operation Starfi5h (Genesis)
JAMES POND 3 - OPERATION STARFI5H

SAN MATEO, CA, November 22, 1993 - Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) has announced the release of James Pond 3 - Operation Starfi5h for the Sega Genesis system Like the highly successful James Pond 1 and James Pond 2 - Codename Robocod -- James has also previously starred in The Aquatic Games.

There are four things you must know about James Pond:

1. He is a top-secret agent working for FI5H.

2. His arch-enemy is the evil Dr. Maybe.

3. He's a fish.

4. James Pond 3 - Operation Starfi5h is set to be James's biggest

   and most exciting adventure yet as the trail of Dr. Maybe

   leads James to the moon.

The dastardly Dr. Maybe plans to monopolize the world's dairy-produce market (his evil knows no bounds) by strip-mining the moon, which (as everyone knows) is made of cheese. It's up to James armed with a brand new range of secret-agent gadgets and weapons to stop him.

Suction boots, a fruit gun, x-ray specs, a jet-pack, spring boots and even a cunning fruit disguise kit must all be utilized if James's mission is to be successful. James can also enlist the help of his friend Finnius Frog to jump to higher places or to get through smaller areas.

The emphasis is very much on fun as James encounters 40 wacky enemies in his unfolding adventure. But don't let the outrageous characters and James' comic capers fool you into thinking that mastering the unfolding of his adventure will be easy. With over 100 levels of gravity-defying action, packed with mounted guns and missile launchers, the trail of Dr. Maybe is a dangerous one. There's more than enough challenge here to test the most hardened gamesplayer, as well as enough character and comic touches to delight James Pond fans everywhere.

Other features include a detailed FI5H map designed to help James track his progress. Gamers can also earn more points by collecting the moon treasure and valuable satellite pieces scattered over 100 levels.

James Pond 3 - Operation Starfi5h is due for release from Electronic Arts in December 1993 with an MSRP of $49.99.

Electronic Arts

1450 Fashion Island Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94404


Mutant League Hockey & 4 Way Play Adapter
MUTANT LEAGUE HOCKEY STARS TEST OUT 4 WAY PLAY ADAPTER

SAN MATEO, Calif., Nov. 22, 1993 - Four Legends of the Mutant League met today at Tripout Rink, home ice of the Screaming Evils, to test out the 4 Way Play adapter and Mutant League Hockey for the Sega Genesis system from Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS). Mutant League Hockey will be the second title in the Mutant League line of action sports products, available early next year.

Coaches Bricka and McWhimple joined players Bones Jackson and K.T. Slayer to test out MLH's real hockey action. "Hockey is my bread and butter," said Jackson, " and Mutant League Hockey turns a sandwich into a bloodbath. All the strategy of the real game is there, with dirty tricks and outrageous humor added to jazz up the action."

"Sure, its a little rough and tough," added K.T., reputedly Bones' bitterest enemy. "But it's all in fun. We knock each other silly, and even into pieces, but everybody's back in one piece and buddies again in a couple of minutes. It's all in the evil spirit of fun."

To expand K.T,'s point, he and Bones then demonstrated the close-up fight feature in MLH. When a fight breaks out on the ice, the game's point of view zooms right in on it, and players control the combatants on their teams.

Coach Bricka drew particular attention to Mutant League Hockey's compatibility with the new 4 Way Play adapter: "Now 4 friends can play at the same time. I don't have any friends, so I play with these losers. In a 4-player game, players 1 and 2 are on one team and players 3 and 4 are on another. The more players you got, the more important teamwork is."

"I see a lot of old friends and enemies from Mutant League Football," squeaked McWhimple. "I'm just glad they didn't see me. There are a lot of new faces, too, some of whom intimidate me even more than the old ones did. There are 20 chill teams, all but 1 of which terrify me, and 3 all-star teams. Each team has its own arena with obstacles like pits, mines, and fires. But the players - Robots, and Skeletons - are even more dangerous than the obstacles, and a lot less forgiving."

"I would call your limited wetware-based attention to the technological advances in Mutant League Hockey," official robotic observer Gil-9000 observed robotically. "It features 16 megs of visual readouts at hypothermic temperatures. Translation: The graphics are cool. This unit has also observed more hypertrophic anthromorph representations than were present in previous manifestations, an increase in motive fluidity, and heightened resonance in auditory output. Translation: The characters are bigger than in traditional hockey games, the animations are smoother, and the sound effects are better. "

All the Mutant League representatives gave their greatest praise to the different game modes. You can play a single game or a whole playoff series and try to win the Mutant League Monster Cup against the best teams in the league.

Electronic Arts

1450 Fashion Island Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94404


Ugly Duckling Interactive Fairy Tale
PRESENTING THE UGLY DUCKLING;

Interactive Fairy Tale Uses Beautiful Animation and Original Songs to Create a Fun Learning Environment on the Personal Computer.

November 15, 1993 -- Morgan Interactive has brought this Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale to life in an animated, interactive story for children ages 3-9. This retelling of the classic story by successful children's author Shannon Gilligan combines beautifully animated sequences, original musical compositions, and creative sound effects. The Ugly Duckling is now available on floppy disk for Windows and Macintosh, giving personal computer users without CD-ROM drives the opportunity to enjoy this engaging multimedia product.

The Ugly Duckling is sure to provide hours of entertainment for children while they learn important reading skills. It includes over 500 click animations and sounds. Delightful sequences range from musical rainbow fences and flying books to graceful swans and slithering sea monsters. Kids will also love to sing along with the three fun-filled songs included. The title is available now on CD-ROM for MPC Windows and Macintosh.

The story begins with a baby duckling who looks different from the rest of the flock. We follow the duckling on his search for happiness and acceptance in a world that shuns him because he is different. We are touched by the experience of the duckling as he grows up and learns to value himself for the unique creature that he is, looking beyond the outer appearance and into his heart. Children and parents alike will enjoy exploring the Ugly Duckling's world of charming animals and sounds as the story unfolds.

"We are very proud of our first title," says Edward Dua, president of Morgan Interactive. "This is the start of our efforts to integrate high quality artwork with leading-edge technology. We believe in education through entertainment."

Dua promises many more Morgan Interactive products over time imaginative titles that create a rich and fun, character-oriented learning environment for kids using the full power of today's personal computers and home entertainment systems.

The Ugly Duckling is distributed exclusively in North America by Electronic Arts Distribution under its Affiliated Label program.

Electronic Arts

1450 Fashion Island Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94404


CrystalEyes Dual Projection System for 3D Proj
STEREOGRAPHICS INTRODUCES AT IAAPA CRYSTALEYES DUAL PROJECTION SYSTEM FOR ALL STEREO (3D) PROJECTORS

Low-Cost System Works With All Projectors From Liquid Crystal To Stadium-Size Projection Models, Supports Head-Mounted Devices And 3-D Polarized Glasses

San Rafael, CA -- November 17, 1993 --StereoGraphics Corporation, the world's largest supplier of three-dimensional electronic stereo display equipment, is introducing the low-cost CrystalEyes Dual Projection System in Booth 4028 at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Show, November 17 through 20, in Los Angeles, CA.

The CrystalEyes Dual Projection System is based on StereoGraphics' self-contained CrystalEyes 3D Stereo VideoSystem, which enables live, high resolution, true stereoscopic 3D images to be simultaneously viewed and transmitted or recorded and played back with a single VCR. The CrystalEyes Dual Projection System offers the increased functionality of enabling projectors and head mounted displays to include live stereo viewing, simultaneous record and subsequent playback of the three-dimensional stereo images.

The CrystalEyes Dual Projection System is also available in a playback-only configuration which enables playback of video images for stereo projection utilizing any two standard projectors, from the lower priced liquid crystal units to the Eidophor and GE Talaria projectors for screens up to 25-feet high.

The playback-only version of the CrystalEyes Dual Projection System can also be used to deliver stereo input to head-mounted displays and "visors." Experiments at the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA, have shown that the resolution of a head-mounted display is greatly improved when stereo input is delivered via a CrystalEyes Dual Projection System.

The CrystalEyes Dual Projection System is designed to provide reasonably priced, easy-to-install stereo projection for simulation theater for a wide variety of location-based entertainment, including theme parks, thrill rides and indoor attractions like theaters and shopping malls.

The CrystalEyes Dual Projection System is priced at $23,500, with the playback-only version priced at $13,000. Both models will be available in January, 1994.

Wil Cochran, vice president of sales and marketing for StereoGraphics, said, "The CrystalEyes Dual Projection System is a great way for parks to upgrade to the latest virtual reality technology without breaking their budget. Now both small entertainment companies and large production houses can capitalize on the demand for three-dimensional interactive entertainment."

The CrystalEyes Dual Projection System is NTSC and PAL compatible and uses StereoGraphics' patented, state-of-the-art compressed-side-field format for viewing and recording on a single recording device.

In addition to the CrystalEyes Dual Projection System, StereoGraphics also offers a line of stereo large screen projectors that permit large screen stereo viewing via a single-field sequencing CRT projector in combination with CrystalEyes active shuttering eyewear. The projectors can also be fitted with StereoGraphics ZScreen active shuttering lenses for viewing with passive polarized glasses. The system projects bright, crisp, high-resolution color images from any video source or from computer graphics generated by PCs and workstations.

StereoGraphics CrystalEyes products are being used to improve and dramatize video and computer presentations, scientific visualization, medical imaging. surgical endoscopy, molecular modeling, photogrammetry, motion simulation, inspection systems, remote vehicle control, flight simulation and all types of training.

StereoGraphics recently introduced the CrystalEyes PC system which converts IBM PCs and compatibles, some Apple Macintosh and Amiga non-stereo-ready personal computers into a state-of-the-art graphics platform for true 3D stereo visualization.

StereoGraphics also recently introduced the CrystalEyes CAD system which allows any AutoCAD drawing file to be viewed in three dimensions, giving users a clearer understanding of models. The image can be saved as an AutoCAD "slide" in a graphics file on the hard disk.

In addition, StereoGraphics produces the CrystalEyes VR systems which enable the viewer to see the stereo image through the CrystalEyes stereo eyewear linked to an ultrasound head-tracking device supporting all six degrees of head movement. As the user's head moves from side to side, closer to or further away from the monitor, the image on the display changes its perspective, giving the convincing illusion that the image is a real object. CrystalEyes VR is also offered with software for VR developers and is easily ported to SGI and Sun workstations and IBM PC systems and compatibles.

StereoGraphics Corp., founded in 1980 and the world's leading manufacturer of stereo viewing systems, invented and developed the market for modern stereo imaging hardware. Due to its capability, reasonable price and state-of-the-art technology backed by 15 patents, CrystalEyes stereo viewing systems are accepted as the industry standard for stereo viewing. StereoGraphics is located at 2171 East Francisco Boulevard, San Rafael, California 94901, phone 415/459-4500, fax 415/459-3020.


MosesSPOOL Network-Upgradable Printer Sharing
MOSES COMPUTERS SHIPPING WORLD'S FIRST NETWORK-UPGRADABLE PRINTER SHARING DEVICE

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

November 15, 1993 - (COMDEX, LAS VEGAS) - Moses Computers, a leading manufacturer of "plug and play" networks for the IBM-compatible personal computer market, is now shipping 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! is now shipping 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.

Moses Computers will exhibit their full line of "plug and play" networks at COMDEX/Fall '93 in the Sands Exposition and Convention Center, Booth #S-4544. For more information, contact Moses Computers, 15466 Los Gatos Blvd., Suite 201, Los Gatos, CA 95032. Telephone: (408) 358-1550, fax: (408) 356-9049.


MosesDOCK Single-User Lan Shipping
MOSES COMPUTERS NOW SHIPPING INDUSTRY'S FIRST SINGLE-USER LAN

Multi-Purpose "MosesDOCK!" Lets Portable/Laptop Users Connect to Desktop PC's With Full Peer-to-Peer Services Within Moses Network

November 15, 1993 - (COMDEX, LAS VEGAS)--Moses Computers is now shipping its newest solution to connect laptops (including notebooks, sub-notebooks and portables) into the peer-to-peer network environment: MosesDOCK!, which integrates the company's MosesSWIFT! and MosesALL! platforms into a single, "plug-and-play" product, according to Frank Berko, Chairman and CEO of Moses Computers.

MosesDOCK! becomes the first network product in the history of personal computers not aimed primarily at multiple users. "We see MosesDOCK! as a natural peripheral product for the laptop buyer," said Berko. "Anyone buying a laptop today undoubtedly has a desktop PC as well and will need a vehicle to transfer data, as well as share drives, printers and peripherals. MosesDOCK! is the simplest, easiest and most elegant solution. It's also available at a fraction of the cost of more expensive proprietary docking stations offered by the laptop manufacturers."

The MosesDOCK! solution provides a data signaling rate of 4 megabits per second, nearly 100 times faster than simple file-sharing utilities. MosesDOCK! creates an inexpensive laptop computer docking station with full peer-to-peer networking capabilities. In addition, it serves as a starter kit for a Moses network of any size. Retail price will be $299, with a street price of approximately $199.

"Give the laptop user the freedom to integrate all of the features of his or her full-blown desktop PC's with all of its wired peripherals, and they will become hooked on the concept of peer-to-peer networking," added Berko. "The typical MosesDOCK! user will start by connecting his or her laptop to one PC, then add more and more connections as the value of connectivity becomes increasingly evident."

"Another advantage of MosesDOCK! is the speed of copying files between desktop and laptop," noted Berko. "Most users currently copy their day's work to a floppy, then load it to the desktop; the next morning the process is reversed. With MosesDOCK!, all work is copied directly to the machines' respective hard drives, bypassing the need to use floppies to transfer data and cutting the transfer process by at least 50 percent."

MosesDOCK! will provide laptop users with an inexpensive alternative to the very expensive proprietary docking solutions. Berko says, "Because MosesDOCK! provides a universal solution to all laptop users, retailers are at a distinct advantage in distributing a docking solution."

MosesDOCK! is also ideal for small office environments where one partner owns a desktop PC and the other has a laptop. For little more than the price of an A-B switch and cable, both users can share not only a printer (or several printers), but can have full peer-to-peer networking capability, something heretofore unheard of between laptops and desktops in this price range.

MosesDOCK! Includes Upgrade Disk for Current MosesALL! Systems

MosesDOCK! works with all existing Moses networks, including the original 2 mbps MosesALL! and PromiseLAN. MosesDOCK! users will in fact be able to upgrade their entire single-site network to 4 mbps using the software contained in MosesDOCK!

The MosesDOCK! systems contains one MosesSWIFT! portable network adapter, one internal MosesALL! internal network interface card (NIC), one 12-foot RJ11 modular telephone cable for close coupling, and the complete MosesNOS network operating system (NOS) and menu-driven installation program. MosesSWIFT! operates on AC or battery power; MosesALL! connects to any of the PC's standard ISA slots and requires no additional power. MosesDOCK! retails for $299 per two-node kit, with an expected street price of less than $ 199.

Moses Computers will exhibit their full line of plug and play" networks at COMDEX/Fall '93 in the Sands Exposition and Convention Center. Booth #S-4544. For more information, contact Moses Computers, 15466 Los Gatos Blvd., Suite 201, Los Gatos, CA 95032. Telephone: (408) 358-1550, fax: (408) 356-9049.


Kidware Educational Windows Software V2.10
KIDWARE - EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE v.2.10

Educational activities for kids 9-14

Programs to help students practice skills learned the classroom. Includes: Math, spelling, typing tutor, logic, graphics and puzzle programs. Runs under Windows 3.0, 3.1. Requires VBRUN300.DLL.

This new version features an easy installation program, which is run through SETUP.EXE from A or B drive. Included are:

* Word Wizard, three levels of spelling practice and support for user defined dictionaries, French/Spanish/German words. A Word Find activity, as well as a Certificate, may be printed.

* Math Wizard, featuring 4 math activities and Guess form. Practice Sheets and Certificates may be printed.

* Type Writer, the Kidware typing tutor, now features multiple practice levels, based on practice copy from classical poetry. Keeps track of errors and lets the user add new exercises. Great for teaching literature!

* Enhanced versions of Numero, Stones and Pie Charts.

* Enhanced online manual, graphic buttons, Sound On/Off.

PRICE: $19.95 US, $24.95 Canadian

CUSTOMER SUPPORT: 90 days with purchase.

WordSmith Document Design Inc.

PO Box 8061 Station A

St. John's NF Canada A1B 3M9

Phone/Fax: 709-576-7078


Oak Ridge High Tech Joke Book
OAK RIDGE FINALLY PUBLISHES HIGH TECH JOKE BOOK

And It's About Damn Time

November 22, 1993--Cupertino, Calif.--Oak Ridge Public Relations, Inc. has finally announced the publication of The First, Advanced, State-of-the-Art, High Performance, Totally Integrated, Revolutionary, Leading Edge, High Tech Joke Book (TFASOTAHPTIRLEHTJB). This 210-page volume is a collection of humor from around the world on technology, computers, software, science and mathematics.

Originally forecast for publication in the fourth quarter of 1992, the project schedule slipped during design verification and alpha testing.

"Sure, it's a year late," admitted Kathy Keenan, Oak Ridge's Empress of the Universe, "After all, it's a 'software' project. We were following the high tech industry tradition of announcing early and delivering late. But this book is not vaporware. You can buy it now. Really!"

Two years ago, the Silicon Valley PR shop began soliciting jokes relating to technology and science. TFASOTAHPTIRLEHTJB represents the best of a mountain of humorous (and occasionally mysterious) input Oak Ridge received from around the world. Engineers, scientists, trade press journalists and researchers submitted riddles, puns, definitions, lists, glossaries, shaggy dog stories, true stories and poetry on subjects ranging from personal computers to quantum physics

"We had to eliminate the material that was obviously under copyright as well as the ones no one could understand," Keenan said. "The more obscure jokes were submitted to a scientific panel of technology experts for review. If someone laughed, it went in."

The most-frequently-submitted joke was the following:

Q: How many software engineers does it take to screw in a

   lightbulb?

A: None. That's a hardware problem.

The flip side of this also came in:

Q: How many hardware engineers does it take to screw in a

   lightbulb?

A: None. "We'll fix it in software."

Some technical definitions:

Attenuation:    One less than eleven-uation.

Bare Conductor: The band leader at a nudist colony.

Literal:        A simple but powerful method of writing the

                answer in by hand.

Mnemonic:       Something the precise use of which one forgets.

Prototype:      A program that does not work perfectly but is

                still better than the one you eventually get.

Test data:      A collection of variables consisting of all those

                values for which the program will work.

TFASOTAHPTIRLEHTJB is compact, measuring 5.5" x 8.5" x .5". It is enclosed in a rugged, multi-color paper chassis. The unit comes fully loaded with all features required for use, including backlit screen simulation using high resolution black type on a white background. No battery, cabling or additional documentation is required. TFASOTAHPTIRLEHTJB comes bundled with BASE (Basic American Standard English), Release 1993.11.

TFASOTAHPTIRLEHTJB is priced at $14.95 in single unit quantities and is immediately available. (Price includes handling and shipping.) It may be ordered by sending a check to: Oak Ridge Relations, Inc., 21771 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 203, Cupertino, CA 95014-1175. Residents of California please send $17.81, which includes state tax. For information about discount pricing for orders of five or more, call Oak Ridge at 408-253-5042.

TFASOTAHPTIRLEHTJB is also available at selected retail book stores, including the Computer Literacy Bookshops in Vienna, VA and San Jose, Sunnyvale and Cupertino, CA.

Background: Oak Ridge Public Relations, Inc. is an eight-year-old agency specializing in high technology public relations. The agency's motto is: "Do good work. Get results. Have fun." The agency's staff still hasn't figured out what this would be in Latin, and would appreciate some help, here.


Automation Master Real Time Simulation Swr
AUTOMATION MASTER

REAL TIME SIMULATION SOFTWARE

Automation Master is a full featured modeling tool which mimics the operation of automated factories or warehouses controlled by one or more PLCs to:

    . Debug control software.

    . Eliminate downtime.

    . Improve startup safety.

    . Train operators.

With Automation Master you can play "what if" games to test control strategies.  Equipment damage during system start-ups is reduced by thoroughly testing control systems in the laboratory prior to their installation in the field.

Performance at capacities which may not be reached for years is assured since the automated system can be tested under any conditions using real time simulation.  Automation Master can reduce the field debugging cost of control software by 90%.

Automation Master runs on a standard PC with VGA graphics.  A demonstration disk is available from:

HEI Corporation

P.O. Box 88806, Carol Stream IL 60188

Phone: 708-665-5500,  Fax: 708-665-5769


Meta-Mouse & Digitized Voice Toolkit
Meta-Mouse, version 1.5

File Name: MMOU15.ZIP

Release Date: November, 1993

Price: $20.00

Changes the color, shape, and size of several types of Windows mouse cursors to a variety of useful and entertaining forms. The system default cursor, the l-beam cursor, the window sizing cursors, and the "hourglass" cursor can all be changed. Very simple to use.

Replaces older products: Meta-Mouse 1.3 and 1.4; Blinky 1.0 thru 1.2; Chooscur 1.0

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

Digitized Voice Programmer's Toolkit, version 3.0

File Name: DVPT30.ZIP

Release Date: November, 1993

Price: Varies depending on license type and hardware accessories purchased.

Provides application developers with an easy way to build sound playback into their programs and batch files. No sound card required! Use PC speaker or inexpensive playback "pod" on printer port. Compression, variable rate, indexed sound files, sound editor. Even plays in Widows DOS box.

Farpoint Software, 2501 Afton Ct, League City, TX 77573-3438

Voice: (713) 332-3782,  Fax: (713) 332-4730


New VCR Plus+ With Callset
NEW VCR PLUS+ WITH CALLSET USES TELEPHONE TO "RING IN" HOLIDAY SEASON TV TAPING, GIFT-GIVING

PASADENA, Calif, November 24, 1993 -- The new VCR Plus+ with CallSet -- set up entirely by telephone -- "rings in" holiday season television shows with the world's easiest way to videotape TV programming. The VCR Plus+ with CallSet is also a great "under $100" gift that makes videotaping a breeze year-round.

Busy holiday merry-makers who don't want to miss special holiday TV programs and shoppers seeking a special and useful holiday gift will agree -- videotaping doesn't get any easier or more user-friendly than taping with the VCR Plus+ with CallSet. With exclusive CallSet technology, one-time product setup is achieved through one toll-free telephone call -- a first for the video industry. The VCR Plus+ with CallSet offers instant product setup by telephone, as well as the one-step VCR Plus+ taping system popularized by the original VCR Plus+ Instant Programmer.

Instead of using an instruction manual for product setup, consumers simply dial a toll-free number and identify their zip code, cable system, VCR brand/model and cable box. A special tone is then transmitted over the phone to the VCR Plus+ unit, setting it up instantly for the correct VCR model, cable box model, the entire cable channel line-up and even the correct date and time. The VCR Plus+ with CallSet can then be used in the same easy, error-free manner as the original VCR Plus+ Instant Programmer. To tape favorite TV programs, the user simply enters PlusCode' numbers found in newspaper TV listings and in all editions of TV Guide.

"We predict that the VCR Plus+ with CallSet will be one of the top-selling holiday gifts for 1993," said Dr. Henry Yuen, chief executive officer of Gemstar Development Corporation, the company responsible for VCR Plus+ products. The VCR Plus+ with CallSet makes life easier on a daily basis for the TV viewer/taper -- and that's what VCR Plus+ products are all about."

In addition to offering precedent-setting CallSet technology, the VCR Plus+ with CallSet offers a "Now" button that allows immediate taping of TV programs that are already in progress. The VCR Plus+ with CallSet is styled in a new streamlined and compact case, and is available at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $59.95.

Like the original VCR Plus+ Instant Programmer, the VCR Plus+ with CallSet offers the convenience of Cable Box Control. Cable Box Control allows consumers to tape several programs broadcast on different channels without having to manually change channels on the cable box. As a result, cable box owners no longer have to remain at home to change cable box channels when they are taping.

The VCR Plus+ with CallSet also includes other useful features first introduced in the original VCR Plus+ Instant Programmer. These include the option of recording programs once, daily or weekly, and memory storage for taping of up to 14 programs.

VCR Plus+ products record television programs with PlusCode numbers published and broadcast by media with a worldwide audience of 180 million consumers. In the U.S., more than 600 newspapers and all editions of TV Guide publish the PlusCode numbers next to individual TV programs in TV listings.

Gemstar Development Corporation pioneered instant, error-free taping technology and has set the standard for VCR recording worldwide. The VCR Plus+ system has now been adopted as a premium VCR feature in the majority of VCR models available from all of the world's VCR manufacturers.

The Gemstar group of companies is privately held and was formed to develop and market technological products which make life easier for the consumer. The U.S. company, Gemstar Development Corporation, is headquartered at 135 North Los Robles Avenue, Suite 870, Pasadena, Calif, 91101.


Entry-Level Color X Terminals from NCD
NCD INTRODUCES NEW GENERATION OF ENTRY-LEVEL COLOR X TERMINALS

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 29, 1993 -- Network Computing Devices, Inc. (NCD), has replaced the entry-level models in its color X terminal line with a new product family that offers greater performance and more features yet costs up to 40 percent less.

The new Entry Color X Terminal (ECX) series includes the NCD 14-inch ECX14, priced at $1,795; the 15-inch ECX15, priced at $1,995; and the 17-inch ECX17, priced at $2,595. All three systems offer resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels and performance of 52,000 Xstones.

In addition, the ECX base electronics, available separately for $1,595, can be used with any standard VGA/SVGA VEAS-conformant multisync monitor of the user's choice.

The ECX products replace two earlier models: the NCD17c, a $4,295 17-inch unit shipping since 1990; and the NCD14c, a $2,495 14-inch unit shipping since 1991. These earlier models offered the same screen resolution as the ECX line, with performance of approximately 35,000 Xstones.

"The new ECX price points will appeal to customers who were considering lower-end PCs but don't want the administrative overhead, and to those seeking a higher-performance alternative to ASCII or 3270 terminals without a serious cost penalty," said NCD President Judy Estrin.

The newly designed ECX line incorporates several features not found in the earlier NCD entry-level models. A PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Assn.) slot on the back of an ECX unit, accessible without opening the system chassis, can accommodate any PCMCIA-compatible I/O function (e.g., token ring interface or modem). An integral local file system supports up to 20 megabytes of PCMCIA-compatible Flash memory for storing system software, fonts or configuration data.

In addition, a high-speed Centronics-compatible parallel port on the ECX offers an alternative way to connect printers or scanners while leaving the terminal's auxiliary serial port free for communication over XRemote, NCD's high-speed protocol for remotely-connected X terminals.

ECX units offer the same ergonomic features as NCD's midrange MCX line, with compact 12-inch-square base, keyboard shelf and security loop. The base, compliant with the EPA Energy Star program, draws less than 30 watts of power.

ECX monitors offer 70-Hz non-interlaced refresh rates for sharp, flicker-free images, and comply with the European Community MPR-2 specification for low magnetic field emission.

Compatible with NCD's full line of X terminals and PC-Xware software, ECX models run NCDware, the company's optimized version of the X11 server software. NCDware supports xdmcp (the X display manager control protocol); multiple local Telnet or LAT clients; local VT320 sessions; and SNMP-based network management. Users can select NCD's OSF/MOTIF-compatible local window manager, NCDwm (which also supports OPENLOOK features), or host-based window management (e.g., OSF/MOTIF or OPENLOOK). Communication protocols supported are TCP/IP, SLIP, XRemote, and Digital's DECnet and LAT. Remote configuration capabilities allow NCD products to be completely configured and managed from a central location.

The ECX family is the first NCD product line equipped with new boot PROMs that support a graphical user interface to select monitor, network and boot option parameters. In addition to previously available TFTP and MOP booting, NFS booting is supported for the first time.

ECX products are available 30 days after receipt of order. Complete systems include 4 megabytes of DRAM (expandable to 36 MB using a standard 32-bit SIMM), serial port, parallel port, Ethernet or twisted-pair interface, mouse, and keyboard choice of PS/2, UNIX, DEC LK401-compatible, Sun-compatible or Japanese Kana style. Software license is $50 per unit.

Network Computing Devices, Inc., formed in February 1988, supplies X Window System products which provide simultaneous access to networked multi-vendor computers via workstation-style graphical user interfaces. NCD is the leading worldwide supplier of X terminals, with a broad family of color and monochrome X terminals in various screen sizes and performance levels. The company's PC-X Division makes X server software products for DOS and Microsoft Windows-based PCs, which integrate PCs into X Window System environments.

Network Computing Devices Inc

350 North Bernardo Ave, Mountain View, CA 94043

415-694-0650,  fax: 415-961-7711


Library of the Future, 3rd Edition
LIBRARY OF THE FUTURE, THIRD EDITION, WEIGHS IN AT 3,500 WORKS OF LITERATURE

More than 1,750 Titles Including Over 3,500 Novels, Stories, Essays, Poems, Historical & Religious Documents on Single CD-ROM for $395; Also Features Video for First Time

November 15, 1993 -- (GARDEN GROVE, CA) - World Library, Inc., the nation's leading electronic publisher of classic literature, has announced its most comprehensive collection of literature on CD-ROM, according to William Hustwit, chief executive officer. The $395 disc comes in a joint Windows and DOS format, with extensive search features for each format.

Library of the Future, Third Edition, will add nearly 1,500 new titles, including fables and stories by the Brothers Grimm, and works by Jane Austen, Willa Cather, Joseph Conrad, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Rudyard Kipling and Alfred Lord Tennyson. The entire text of three popular John Steibeck novels (Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men and The Pearl) will also be included. The collection will also integrate video clips for the first time. More than 20 minutes of video will be contained in the title, including scenes from Sherlock Holmes and Aladdin.

Library of the Future, Third Edition, thus becomes the most extensive collection of literary works available on a single CD-ROM at any price. The complete text of more than 3,500 novels, essays, poems, short stories, plays, religious and historical documents, as well as other literary titles from a total of 1,750 works of literature, history, religion, science, philosophy and children's classics have been compressed onto the disc.

New works also include Doll 's House, by Henrik Ibsen; Casey at the Bat, by Ernest Lawrence Thayer; poems by William Cullen Bryant, and selections from many modem authors, including T.S. Eliot, Grantland Rice, George Bernard Shaw and Jules Verne.

The disc also includes the full text of all 2,000-plus titles from the Library of the Future, Second Edition, which is still available for $299. Those titles include the complete King James Bible, the Koran, Egyptian Book of the Dead and Bhagavad Gita; Magna Carta, U.S. Constitution, Federalist Papers and Declaration of Independence; as well as the complete works of William Shakespeare and the complete Sherlock Holmes, Canterbury Tales and Milton's Paradise Lost. There are also hundreds of other titles by authors such as Aristotle, Confucius, Kant, Plato, Socrates; Cervantes, Dickens, Fielding, James, Melville, Twain, Voltaire; Coleridge, Homer, Keats, Virgil, Whitman; Ibsen and Sophocles.

Classic novels in this collection include Dostoevsky's Brothers Karamazov, Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter, Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, Shelley's Frankenstein, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace, and hundreds more.

Extensive Search Capabilities, Auto-Scroll and Variable Fonts Add to Ease of Use

Library of the Future, Third Edition, also features a powerful search engine to locate all references to any of the CD's more than 100 million words or phrases in a matter of seconds. Users can access any of the works instantly from a main menu, as well as designate up to 99 bookmarks. The program also lets users scan for any word or various combinations of words (e.g., find all references to "love" and "hate" within four words of each other; find "Paris" or "London" or "Rome"). These word searches can be within a single text; a single author's works (e.g., Shakespeare); a single category (religion, history, poetry); a single time period or country; or any combination of the above.

"We think that Library of the Future, Third Edition, is a tremendous value for the consumer," said Hustwit. "Almost unbelievably, the cost of acquiring hard-cover copies of each text would be more than $15,000--and that doesn't include any of the benefits of the software."

Readable under MS-DOS or Windows, the disc's Windows/MPC interface is where the product truly shines. The product's Windows interface allows users to view up to eight documents simultaneously, which greatly enhances a user's ability to compare and contrast various works. Auto-scrolling can be set at variable speeds, allowing the user to choose a pace they feel comfortable reading at, which can be paused for breaks, thereby facilitating the ease of reading text directly from the PC. Furthermore, variable sized fonts allow individuals to create their own large-text books for more comfortable reading from the entire Library of the Future.

The texts can also be output to any Windows-based word processor and further stylized in any size or TrueType font, which can be useful for desktop publishing, term papers, etc. In addition, individual titles can be downloaded to a floppy disk, so one can read a novel at a time on one's laptop computer.

Over the years, earlier versions of Library of the Future have been acclaimed with numerous awards, including best CD-ROM (Chicago Tribune), CD-ROM of the Year/Users Choice Award (Byte) and Readers' Choice Award (Multimedia World). "We expect that the Library of the Future, Third Edition, will continue to lead the way as an application that justifies the purchase of a CD-ROM drive, as well as a title that is indispensable for the literary connoisseur," said Hustwit.

The company has since sold more than 100,000 CD-ROM titles worldwide. World Library products are distributed by Compton's NewMedia, Laser Resources, High Technology and Sony Electronic Publishing. The products are carried by hundreds of retail outlets, including Babbages, B. Dalton, BizMart, CompUSA, Computer City, Electronic Boutique, Egghead Discount Software, Office Depot, Sarn's Club, Sears, Software, Etc., Waldensoft and Walmart.

At COMDEX/Fall '93, World Library will display its entire line of electronic publishing products in the Compton's New Media booth, Las Vegas Convention Center, South Annex, Booth #A-716. For more information, contact World Library, Inc., 12914 Haster St., Garden Grove, CA 92640. Telephone: (714) 748-7197. Fax: (714) 748-7198.


Aris Ent. MediaClips Library to MPEG
ARIS ENTERTAINMENT TO CONVERT ENTIRE MEDIACLIPS LIBRARY TO MPEG

Animal Kingdom First to Combine MPEG, MPC & Macintosh on One Disc; Features 100 Images, 100 Sounds, 25 Videos of Wildlife Around The World

November 15,1993 -- (COMDEX, LAS VEGAS) - Aris Entertainment has announced its thirteenth MediaClips multimedia clip art title in less than two years, a colorful compilation of wild animal images, sounds and videos entitled Animal Kingdom. This title marks the first time Aris has combined MPEG, MPC and Macintosh-compatible formats onto a single CD-ROM disc.

Retailing for just $39.95, Animal Kingdom features 100 color photographic images of creatures large and small, from the Sahara to the Savannas to the Serengetti plain, along with 100 audio clips of original New Age music and 25 live-action videos. The title will ship November, 1993.

Animal Kingdom marks a shift in Aris' entire multimedia utility program, said Aris Entertainment president Chris Kitze, with all new MediaClips titles for 1993-94 being published with native MPEG capability, as well as the series' current MPC and Macintosh capabilities. In addition, the entire Aris library of multimedia clip art products will be converted to MPEG at each of their respective next printings. All titles will remain compatible with Video for Windows and Macintosh Quick Time for customers who have not purchased an add-on MPEG board.

"We believe that MPEG represents the future of CD-ROM," said Kitze, "It's the only full-motion, full-screen technology that is affordable, high quality and available today. We have committed our support to the MPEG standard, and we also remain firm about not raising our prices to add MPEG. To the contrary, as more and more consumers buy MPEG boards, the demand for full-screen movies and other applications will drive prices even lower."

Animal Kingdom also comes with a self-running slide show of the 100 dramatic images. All three formats, which are included on the same CD-ROM, utilize a built-in search engine to locate specific images and sounds from the disc. In addition, Aris' proprietary "picture picker" guides the user to the best shot for each occasion via a full-screen photographic matrix.

All MediaClips titles also use SuperMac's CinePak compression/decompression technology to efficiently store 25 run-time videos. All MediaClips images, sounds and videos may be used royalty-free in any presentation, provided credit is given to Aris Entertainment and to the artists.

Aris Multimedia Entertainment, Inc., was founded in 1991, by Chris Kitze and Diane Heppting. The company was recently named one of the top three publishers of CD-ROM titles in the world, according to the research firm PC Data. Kitze is regarded by many as a pioneer in the field of electronic publishing and CD-ROM software development. Heppting has a successful history of product marketing and management as a leading developer of CD-ROM titles since the early days of multimedia.

Aris' current product lines include utilities (MPC Wizard), multimedia entertainment and clip art (Media Clips) and games ( Video Cube series). Aris products are sold through Egghead Software, Software, Etc., CompUSA, Fry's, and other resellers. Its MediaClips and MPC Wizard lines are available in the U.S. exclusively through Compton's NewMedia, Inc., Carlsbad, CA.

During COMDEX/Fall '93, Aris will be exhibiting in two locations: Compton's NewMedia (South Annex, #A-716) and Electronic Arts (South Annex Pavilions, #A-1891). For more information, contact Aris Multimedia Entertainment, Inc., 310 Washington Blvd., Suite 100, MarinaDel Rey, CA 90292. Telephone: (310) 821-0234, fax:(310) 821-6463.


Aris Ent. Toyota Tsusho Dist & Dev Agreement
ARIS ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH TOYOTA TSUSHO

Deep Voyage, Full Bloom, Wild Places, World View, MPC Wizard & Video Cube To Be Translated into Japanese For Exclusive Distribution

November 15, 1993 -- (COMDEX, LAS VEGAS) - Aris Entertainment has announced that it has signed an agreement with Toyota Tsusho America, Inc., for product development and distribution in Japan.

Toyota Tsusho will introduce the Japanese version of these titles from the award-winning MediaClips series: Deep Voyage, Full Bloom, Wild Places and World View, and the best-selling CD-ROM utility, MPC Wizard. Aris Entertainment's hot new game series, Video Cube, will also be translated.

These select Aris titles will be translated and produced in the United States, then exported to Japan for distribution. Toyota Tsusho America has the exclusive rights to distribute the Japanese version of these Aris CD-ROM titles in Japan.

Toyota Tsusho Corporation is a marketing and trading corporation formed in 1948 and operating within the Toyota Group. Today, Toyota Tsusho has grown into a successful worldwide operation with record sales of $18 billion for fiscal 1993. Thirty years ago, Toyota Tsusho America, Inc., was formed. This American-based company currently distributes a variety of computer-related products, specializing in introducing American-made products into the Japanese market.

"It is indeed our pleasure to localize and market Aris CD-ROM software in the Japan market," said Hirohisa Shuyuma, senior vice president of Toyota Tsusho America, Inc. "The market leading Aris titles compliment our other multimedia products that we are promoting throughout the fast growing Japanese marketplace."

Aris' MediaClips line was selected by Multimedia World Magazine as the Readers' Choice award winner for clip media. The Aris MPC Wizard, a utility product which was developed to help end users get their MPC systems running quickly and efficiently, spent several months as the #1 bestseller among all CD-ROM titles and has never left the Top Five since its debut a year ago.

"We are delighted to be working with Toyota Tsusho America," said C.W. Bottorff, director of marketing at Aris. "The market presence and reputation of Toyota Tsusho combined with Aris Entertainment's best-selling products offer the Japanese customer the very latest in CD-ROM technology in their language."

Distribution Deal to Include Entire Line of Video Cube Titles

Aris has just released the Video Cube series, in one of the most successful new product launches in the company's history. Video Cube is a fast-paced, multimedia video game--an interactive Rubik's cube-like puzzle incorporating 108 Microsoft Video for Windows videos with CD-quality original music and sound effects.

The Video Cube has 18 levels of difficulty to test novices and expert players alike. The first title in the series is Video Cube: Space, is dynamic and engrossing with rocket launches, moon walks and stunning videos of the heavens above and the earth below. "The Video Cube series is especially suitable for gift giving," said Bottorff. "It's so much fun, you won't want to stop."

"Our research has shown that parents are often looking for exciting games for their children, but they also want something safe and non-destructive," said Diane Heppting, chairman and co-founder of Aris. "With Video Cube, players can enjoy hours of fast, challenging, three-dimensional action with none of the violent themes or overtones associated with traditional video games."

Aris Multimedia Entertainment, Inc., was founded in 1991, by Chris Kitze and Diane Heppting. The company was recently named one of the top three publishers of CD-ROM titles in the world, according to the research firm PC Data. Kitze is regarded by many as a pioneer in the field of electronic publishing and CD-ROM software development. Heppting has a successful history of product marketing and management and is recognized as a leading developer of CD-ROM titles since the early days of multimedia.

Aris has established a reputation for visionary products by consistently combining a unique topic blend for business and recreational use. Aris is a leader in multimedia technology, setting industry standards with its test and tune disc, the MPC Wizard.

During COMDEX/Fall '93, Aris will be exhibiting in two locations: Compton's NewMedia (South Annex, #A-716) and Electronic Arts (South Annex Pavilions, #A-1891). For more information, contact Aris Multimedia Entertainment, Inc., 310 Washington Blvd., Suite 100, MarinaDel Rey, CA 90292. Telephone: (310) 821-0234, fax:(310) 821-6463.


Trident Licenses Panacea's Turbo DLD Swr
TRIDENT LICENSES PANACEA'S AUTOCAD DISPLAY ACCELERATION SOFTWARE FOR ENTIRE GRAPHICS CHIP FAMILY

LAS VEGAS, NV -- November 15, 1993 -- Panacea Inc. today announced a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Trident Microsystems, Inc. of Mountain View, California, which allows Trident to include a custom OEM version of Panacea's software-based Turbo DLD software-only accelerator for AutoCAD with Trident's TGUI9400CXi and TGUI9420DGi graphical user inter (GUI) accelerators. The agreement also applies to the TVGA8800, TVGA8900 and TGVA9000 series of Super VGA chips.

Panacea's TurboDLDClassic software, customized for Trident graphics chips, provides performance 2-12x faster than AutoCAD alone for zoom, pan and redraw operations. The product works with AutoCAD Release 12, 3D Studio Release 3, AutoShade 2 with RenderMan. It is backward compatible with AutoCAD Release 11 and 10/386, as well as 3D Studio version 1.x and 2x.

In addition to the AutoCAD performance boost, TurboDLDClassic which retails for $ 149US, offers quick access to any part of the user's drawing via a single operation. TurboDLDClassic for the entire family of Trident graphics chips will be available by the end of the month from either the Trident BBS at (415) 691-1016 or Panacea's BBS at (603) 4325193.

"This is an exciting opportunity for Trident to significantly improve AutoCAD performance for our next generation of GUI accelerators. Working with Panacea allows us to provide the advanced, high-performance features of AutoCAD in a cost-effective manner," said Tad Furutsuki, product marketing manager for advanced graphics.

Recently introduced, Trident's DRAM-based TGUI9400CXi VL-Bus graphics controller integrates a 24-bit DAC, a dual clock synthesizer, an SVGA core, and GUI engines. In conjunction with the TurboDLD software, Trident's TGUI9420DGi can support BitBLT, color expansion, line draw, short stroke vector, area fill, pattern fill and image/text transfer.

Trident Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRID) is a leading designer, developer and marketer of integrated circuit graphics controllers for IBM-compatible PCs, flat panel controllers for notebook PCs, and multimedia video processing chip sets.

Panacea Inc. is the world's leading provider of commercial and OEM display drivers and software-only applications accelerators for graphics-intensive applications. Panacea specializes in PC-based software for graphics processors and graphics boards. Corporate headquarters are located at 24 Orchard View Drive, Londonderry, New Hampshire 03053, U.S.A. Phone: (800) 729-7420 or (603) 437-5022. FAX: (603) 434-2461.


Dianachart Insta-Call Voice Telephone Interface
DATA ACQUISITION SPEAKS OUT!

INSTA-CALL Voice Telephone Interface gives Industrial and Laboratory DIANACHART INSTA-TREND Data Acquisition systems the ability to call users on the telephone and warn them of alarm conditions.

Calls are made to a list of numbers you set up, and each number can have an individual message. Calls can be made to the entire list, or stop at the first person who acknowledges receipt by a password.

You can also dial in to INSTA-CALL from any touch-tone telephone and have the current measured data read to you as a voice message, for any channel you select. You can also be told the status of any alarm. In addition, you can change control and alarm setpoints by touch-tone commands. Incoming calls have password protection, and a log is made of all incoming and outgoing calls.

This new INSTA-TREND option is especially suited to unattended operations and can be used to check on status either at a remote location, outside normal hours, or from another part of the plant.

An interactive demonstration by phone is available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year by calling (201) 625-5298.

DIANACHART Inc

101 Round Hill Dr, Rockaway, NJ 07866

(201) 625-2299,   Fax: (201) 625-2449


November Cyber Magazine Available
The November issue of Cyber Magazine is out!  Get one now, or order a December issue right away.

We appreciate your interest in Cyber Magazine.  We offer the magazine in the US on disc at $5.00 per issue, or $50.00 for an annual subscription, (you save $10.00).  We offer the magazine to the EC countries, Europe, and the rest of the world at $8.00 US per issue, or $80.00 US per annual subscription, (you save $16.00).

We also publish a variety of Interactive Multimedia pieces on subjects such as The Future Of Space Explora- tion, which contains text, images, and animation which fills three disc. We also produce work for outside compa- nies globally at very reasonable rates, and the entire event can be handled via modem or express mail.

We can take your words, and images and craft for you an incredible interactive piece in only weeks even with re- view cycles.  Our prices start as low as $300.00 so give  us a try and expand the horizon of your opportunities.

The magazine is in a DOS format and will run on any PC compatible computer with a 286 or better configuration with a VGA video board or better.

To order a copy of Cyber Magazine and see for yourself what we're all about send $5.00 to the address below.

For more information please Email us via internet at:

     think@delphi.com

Postal mail at:

     Cyber Publications

     489 Stallion Rd.

     Rio Rancho NM 87124

Or call at:

     (505)-892-2736


SYBASE Announces New Gain Momentum Dev Pgm
SYBASE ANNOUNCES NEW GAIN MOMENTUM DEVELOPERS PROGRAM

Gain Momentum Development Options Expand to Include Consultants and Independent Software Vendors

EMERYVILLE, CA, November 22,1993 -- Sybase, Inc., the Enterprise Client/Server Company, today announced the Gain Momentum Developers Program, which has two main objectives. The first is to raise awareness of the Gain Momemtum product among professional service providers. The second seeks to encourage independent software vendors (ISVs) to use Gain Momentum as a development platform for building add-on tools for the Gain Momentum environment. Through the new program, participating companies will receive Gain Momentum software and training, as well as technical, sales and marketing support.

Gain Momentum is Sybase's object-oriented, application development environment that combines the rich content of multimedia with the flexibility of client/server computing. Its multimedia capabilities and flexible architecture provide an ideal environment for developing applications that model the look and feel of a company's business.

"We have been successful in developing a powerful, multimedia application development tool through our internal development team," commented Stewart Schuster, vice president of marketing at Sybase. "The Gain Momentum Developers Program will allow us to work with key partners on further increasing visibility for the Gain Momentum environment and to significantly complement our development tools offerings."

Sybase's introduction of the Gain Momentum Developers Program represents a logical next step in Sybase's efforts to integrate Gain Momentum into the company's overall third-party programs, following the merger of Gain Technology with Sybase, Inc., in July 1992. Sybase has modeled the Gain Momentum Developers Program after its Open Solutions Program. The Open Solutions Program is designed to help Sybase and its partners work together to bring client/server solutions to the market.

Benefits for Third Parties

Through the Gain Momentum Developers Program, ISVs and Professional Service Providers will obtain access to a powerful, easy-to-use application development environment that will increase their success in providing technologically advanced software solutions for today's enterprise.

By developing expertise on Gain Momentum, professional service providers can help their clients implement powerful client/server solutions that combine advanced multimedia features with easy access to SQL and legacy data.

"Participating in the Gain Momentum Developers Program gives us a competitive edge when consulting with our customers on application development tools," said Gene Johnson, director of systems analysis at General Research Corporation (GRC). "As a Sybase partner, we can work more closely with the Sybase development team on learning about the product and influencing its development to best fit the needs of our clients."

Sybase expects that ISVs will use the product to develop their own add-on tools for Gain Momentum. They will particularly benefit from the product's object-oriented architecture, its extensibility and rapid prototyping capabilities.

"We have joined the Gain Momentum Developers Program to complement our business strategy," said Alison Boardman, vice president of consulting services at Tech-Ease, a training services provider. "The partnership with Sybase will allow us to aggressively penetrate the mission-critical client/server market. In addition, we found that Gain Momentum is an ideal tool for developing powerful training packages that run on networked, UNIX-based systems."

Program Details

Sybase designed the new program to attract partners who understand today's business environments and are experts in client/server and multimedia application development. The program offers the following areas benefits:

* Product: Gain Momentum software and documentation.

* Training and Technical Services: Technical support through an 800 number for the U.S. and local contacts in international regions, training classes on topics such as designing sensory rich interfaces and implementing client/server database applications.

* Sales and Marketing Support: Joint marketing and sales activities through a number of vehicles: listing in the Sybase Open Solutions Directory and On-Line Referral, booth space at Sybase's annual user conference, participation in marketing and public relations events.

Gain Momentum Background

Gain Momentum is part of Sybase's Momentum family of tools, designed to offer a wide range of products for back office, front office, and extended office applications for client/server environments. The Gain Momentum environment is designed to facilitate a new class of easy-to-use, yet powerful business applications for an area of computing that Sybase has defined as the "extended office". In the extended office computer use is characterized by the requirement for an information-rich interface to extend the reach of applications to "elective" users. Sybase defines these elective users as business partners, such as customers or vendors, who need to be enticed to use an application, as opposed to company employees whose job it is to learn the use of their companies' applications.

Major corporations and government agencies use Gain Momentum in applications such as decision support systems, computer-based training (CBT), command and control systems, electronic performance support systems (EPSS), information kiosks, and interactive product catalogs. The goal of developing and implementing this new class of interactive, multimedia applications is to increase productivity among end users and to extend the reach to new audiences.

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


Xplorations CD-ROM of 100 Digital Art Images
Xplore Inc. releases Xplorations CD-ROM

Chicago, Illinois (November 28, 1993) -- Xplorations is a CD-ROM that contains 100 images of digital art for use in interactive multimedia, video productions, slide shows, publications, 3-D rendering, and virtual reality. Xplorations consists of images that are completely computer generated. Xplore Inc. generated these images over six months using 3D rendering, image processing, and other specialized techniques on a variety of workstations and personal computers. The Xplore group was able to make experimental images that range from the elegant to the outrageous.

These images were standardized as 24-bit-color PICT files with a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels, the standard format for most video and interactive media uses.

The Xplore group felt that browsing should be an area that is exceptional on the disk. To do this we licensed the browser version of Aldus Fetch. By using Fetch we have given all our users a professional browsing program to search through the images. Using the Fetch Browser, the user can visually search for images by looking at color thumbnails, or search the catalog by using keywords like: earth, fire, air, water, blue, yellow, red, orange, brown, green, white, warm, and/or cool. In addition to Aldus Fetch all the files have custom icons for easy location of the images in the Finder.

Important Features:

** Unique Artistic Backgrounds

** Royalty-free use

** 100 - 24 bit 640 x 480 PICT files

** Uses Aldus Fetch Browser

** Use in multimedia, video, slides, and 3-D rendering

System Requirements: Color Macintosh, 4 MB RAM, CD-ROM Drive, QuickTime 1.6 (included on this disk), and System 6.07 or later.

Price: 99.00 retail

MACZONE, 17411 NE Union Hill Road, Redmond, WA 98052-6716

ORDERS: 1-800-248-0800

EDUCORP, 7434 Trade Street, San Diego, CA 92121-2410

ORDERS: 1-800-843-9497

Xplore Inc.

211 East Ohio Street #1010, Chicago, IL 60611

312-329-0026 fax 312-329-0027

email: xplore@aol.com


Int'l Software Systems Releases CADPIPE 3.0
International Software Systems Releases CADPIPE 3.0L

CADPIPE now compatible with AutoCAD non-English language releases

Calgary, Alberta, Canada, November 16, 1993 - International Software Systems Inc. today announced the release of CADPIPE 3.0L, an add-on to the CADPIPE 3.0 series of software modules for use in computer-aided plant design. CADPIPE 3.0L makes CADPIPE compatible with AutoCAD non-English language releases.

Previously, anyone who wanted to run CADPIPE had to use an English language version of AutoCAD. With CADPIPE 3.0L, English CADPIPE will run with AutoCAD in most language versions available to AutoCAD users: German, French, Polish, Hungarian, Czecho, Spanish, Mandarin, and Korean. CADPIPE 3.0L allows the user to receive AutoCAD prompts in the local language and CADPIPE prompts in English.

"With the growing trend towards serving a global market, it became necessary to find a way to adapt CADPIPE to non-English language use. Customers in international markets disliked having to purchase and become familiar with an English version of AutoCAD in order to use CADPIPE. Now they can run CADPIPE on the local language version of AutoCAD," says Barry Morris, Manager of Research and Development for International Software Systems. "For former East Block countries like Hungary, not having to buy the English language version of AutoCAD is a significant cost saving that will make CADPIPE accessible to a much broader market."

"We have already successfully made other productivity tools available to international markets. We've been shipping international databases (British Standards, DIN, JIS, AFNOR, Polish and Czecho) for some time now," says Don Chapman, President of International Software Systems. "We have also been shipping a French version of CADPIPE for several years, and we wanted to make CADPIPE accessible to more people in more countries. CADPIPE 3.0L does this."

CADPIPE 3.0L is a supplement which is loaded on top of CADPIPE 3.0. All the functionality of CADPIPE 3.0 will be available to the user. CADPIPE requires a 386/486-based computer running under DOS 3.3 or later. 6-8MB of RAM are recommended to be available on the system. Users must also be running AutoCAD Release 12 or higher. CADPIPE 3.0L can be purchased from local CADPIPE dealers.

International Software Systems (ISS) develops and markets computer-aided plant design software products, collectively known as CADPIPE, for the development and construction of process plants for the chemical, oil refining, nuclear, pulp and paper, mining, food processing, dairy, brewing, bottling, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. CADPIPE software has been helping customers build intelligent plant design systems since 1987. Fortune 500 companies in 59 countries have made CADPIPE their plant design solution of choice. ISS, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a registered third-party developer for AutoCAD.

International Software Systems Inc.

#650, 202 - 6th Ave. S.W.

Calgary, Alberta T2P 2R9 CANADA

403-233-2520;  fax 403-234-8583


MultiModemZDX Low Priced Quality Data/Fax Modem
New Low Priced, Quality Data/Fax Modem.... The MultiModemZDX

Since its inception in 1970, Multi-Tech Systems has built a reputation for high quality, reasonably priced data communications equipment. The challenge for today's Multi-Tech Systems engineers: build a "small footprint" modem -designed for the fast growing mid-priced professional and home user market -while maintaining that high degree of reliability and value that has become synonymous with the word Multi Modem.

With the introduction of our new MultiModemZDX that challenge has been met.

Talk about good things coming in small packages. The compact MultiModemZDX (it weighs just eight ounces and measures approximately 4-1/2" x 5-5/8" x 1") comes with a full ten year warranty. It provides most of the features of our popular MultiModemII, including a full array of LED's for monitoring the modem's operation...yet retails for only $349 (SRP).

It's a full featured V.32bis/V.32 modem providing dial-up data communications at all standard data rates from 300 bps to 14.4K bps. It is also a V.17/Group 3 (14.4K/9600/4800 bps) fax modem, capable of sending and receiving faxes to and from any fax machine worldwide.

Just like the full sized MultiModemII, the MultiModemZDX can achieve throughputs as high as 57.6K bps. And because it comes bundled with MultiExpress data and fax software, it gives new users a complete system, eliminating the need to purchase software separately.

Multi-Tech Systems, Inc

2205 Woodale Dr, Mounds View, MN 55112

(612) 785-3500,  (800) 328-9717,  FAX 612-785-9874


KOMPUTER REPORTS FREE SUBSCRIPTION OFFERED

Scottsdale, AZ, November 29, 1993 -- Kim Komando, Radio Talk Host, Television Commentator, Syndicated Columnist and Author known as America's Komputer Tutor, is launching Komputer Reports, a publication specifically designed to help consumers make smart buying decisions as relates computer hardware, software and accessories. For a limited time, consumers can receive a 6-month free subscription.

Komputer Reports accepts no advertising to ensure unbiased product evaluations and ratings. Products are thoroughly tested to meet established criteria and conducted in labs staffed with only renowned computer experts. "We call a "bug" a "bug," said Kim Komando. The results are concise straightforward hardware and software product reviews, time and money saving tips, and more that make computers easy to use, understand and purchase.

In addition, Komputer Reports includes the latest used computer equipment price indexes and listings of the top selling software. A one year Komputer Reports subscription is affordably priced at $49.99/year. To receive a free 6-month subscription, consumers should send a check or money order payable to Komando & Associates, Inc. for $8.95 for shipping and handling to: Komputer Reports-Department 139, 4400 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 9, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. Subscribers must specify whether they would like to receive the DOS Windows or Macintosh version.. Plans are underway for electronic distribution too. Due to the incredible value offered, no credit card orders will be accepted.

The Komando Corporation is the creator of the Komputer Tutor product line of video learning tools as advertised internationally on network and cable television and in print.


Aris Multimedia - Video Cube: Space (CDROM)
ARIS MULTIMEDIA ENTERTAINMENT SHIPS FIRST GAME TITLE, VIDEO CUBE: SPACE

Fast-Action, Non-Violent, Video Puzzle First in New Series to Combine Multimedia CD-ROM Technology With Puzzle Solving Ability and Video Clips from NASA

November 15, 1993 -- (COMDEX, LAS VEGAS)--Aris Multimedia Entertainment, a world leader in MPC utility and multimedia clip art products, has begun to ship its first CD-ROM game title, Video Cube: Space. The fast-paced, multimedia video game is comprised of an interactive Rubik's cube-like puzzle incorporating 108 Microsoft Video for Windows videos, CD-quality original music and sound effects.

"Traditional computer video games all seem to be variations of 'Kill, Maim and Hurt,"' said Diane Heppting, chairman of Aris Entertainment. "We feel computer games should be exciting and challenging without needing to kill and destroy everything in sight in order to win. Our dealers seem to enthusiastically agree, as indicated by the more than 5,000 units ordered upon its release."

Video Cube begins with an animated cube, containing dozens of video fragments, hurling itself through outer space, at which point the player must unscramble the stills on each side of the Cube. The payoff for solving each side of the puzzle is a dramatic video (from ten to sixty seconds), accompanied by CD-quality music. These dramatic sequences are from the National Space Aeronautic Administration (NASA) and include rocket launches, moon walks and stunning videos of the heavens above and the earth below.

One of the most appealing parts of the game at retail is its remarkable packaging, which also is unlike any other CD-ROM on the market, with a 5 3/4" x 5 3/4" physical cube game included to complement the video game. "There are no other video games on the market where the packaging itself is a game," noted Heppting.

Containing 18 levels of difficulty, more than 100 videos and extensive selections of original music, Video Cube: Space is dynamic, engrossing and especially suitable for holiday gift giving. "Our research has shown that parents are often looking for exciting games to give their kids, but also want something safe and non-destructive," said Heppting. "With Video Cube, players can enjoy hours of fast, challenging, three-dimensional action with none of the violent themes or overtones associated with traditional video games."

Video Cube: Space retails for $49.95 and is available immediately through Electronic Arts, which recently signed a distribution agreement with Aris for the entire Video Cube line of titles. Video Cube requires a Super VGA monitor and an MPC-compatible CD-ROM and supports both 8-bit and 16-bit sound cards. Sound on the Video Cube can be played back at 16-bit/44k and 8-bit/22-bit formats. Aris' current product lines include utilities (MPC Wizard, multimedia entertainment and clip art (Media Clips) and games (Video Cube series).

Aris Multimedia Entertainment, Inc., was founded in October, 1991, by Chris Kitze and Diane Heppting. The company is currently one of the top four publishers of CD-ROM titles in the world. Kitze is regarded by many as a pioneer in the field of electronic publishing and CD-ROM software development. Heppting has a successful history of product marketing and management as a leading developer of CD-ROM titles since the early days of multimedia.

For more information, contact Aris Multimedia Entertainment, Inc., 310 Washington Blvd., Suite 100, Marina del Rey, CA 90292. Telephone: (310) 821-0234.


AGE Logic Ships PC X Server Swr for Windows NT
AGE LOGIC SHIPS PC X SERVER SOFTWARE FOR WINDOWS NT VERSIONS AVAILABLE FOR INTEL AND MIPS SYSTEMS

San Diego, CA. November 8, 1993 -- AGE Logic, Inc. has begun shipping XoftWare/32 for Windows NT, the company's 32-bit PC X Window server software for Windows NT systems. Two versions of XoftWare/32 for Windows NT are currently available: one version is designed specifically for Intel-based PCs; the other for MIPS-based PC systems. Compliant with the industry-standard X11R5 server code, both versions of XoftWare/32 for Windows NT enable PC users to concurrently access and display Windows NT, MS Windows and network-based UNIX applications on a single PC screen.

XoftWare/32 for Windows NT has been specifically designed and optimized for the Windows NT 32-bit operating system. In addition to 32-bit performance, the new software package includes many AGE enhancements and unique features that make X easier to use. AGE will be demonstrating both the Intel and MIPS versions of XoftWare/32 for Windows NT at Fall COMDEX in Microsoft Booth #L2602.

XoftWare/32 for Windows NT is currently available through AGE's international network of distributors and resellers. Both the Intel and MIPS versions of XoftWare/32 for Windows NT list for $495(US). Multi-user pricing and site licenses are also available. Interested parties may contact their reseller, or call AGE for the name of a reseller in their area.

Registered users of other XoftWare products, including XoftWare for Windows, Desktop Edition, XoftWareTU/32 for Windows and XoftWare for DOS can take advantage of special upgrade pricing. Users can call AGE for more information on upgrade procedures and pricing at (619) 455-8600.

AGE Logic, Inc. is the leader in supplying software that enables the remote display of graphical information via the X protocol.

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 system hosts. Marketed under the XoftWare brand name, AGE offers a family of PC packaged products sold through distributors/resellers, systems integrators and OEMs as well as customized embedded X products sold directly to the world's leading terminal, computer and systems companies. AGE has alliances with major microprocessor, terminal and workstation companies to develop highly optimized, hardware-specific X servers tailored to their specifications. XoftWare packaged products are available for Microsoft Windows, Windows N r, DOS and other PC operating environments. For further information, contact AGE at 619/455-8600, FAX 619/597-6030 or e-mail sales@age.com.


Cheyenne Swr Appoints Merisel Authorized Dist.
CHEYENNE SOFTWARE APPOINTS MERISEL, INC. AS AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR

ROSLYN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK, August 25, 1993 - - - Cheyenne Software, Inc. (AMEX:CYE) announced today that Merisel, Inc. has been appointed as an authorized distributor for Cheyenne's full line of data and network management software products for the U.S.

In making the announcement Stephen Brander, Director of North American Sales for Cheyenne, stated, "The magnitude of Merisel's influence in the microcomputer industry is well known. We anticipate the alliance between our companies to have a significant impact on increasing the awareness level for Cheyenne's products."

Alan Schroeder, Director of Products, Merisel, noted "The synergy between Merisel and Cheyenne will be a valuable resource to our customers. The benefits and advantages of this partnership will be mutual, as well as comprehensive, encompassing all phases required to provide the end-user with a quality product offering."

Merisel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MSEL) is the world's largest publicly held distributor of microcomputer hardware and software products. Merisel presently stocks products from more than 700 manufacturers for sale to 65,000 resellers worldwide

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


Diet Expert & Expert Quiz Show for Windows
The Survey Says: Diet Expert and Expert Quiz Show For Windows

Expert's latest Windows releases include a nutritional program and trivia game

CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA (November 15, 1993) - Whether your testing your knowledge or willpower, Expert Software's latest Window's releases cover both ends of the software gamut. Expert has begun shipping Diet Expert and Expert Quiz Show for Windows. Both programs have a Suggested Retail Price of $14.95.

"Our timing for release of these Windows titles couldn't be better," said Sue Currier, president of Expert Software, Inc. "Windows sales are going through the roof. According to the Software Publishers Association, Windows-based applications sales surpassed DOS-based applications in North America for the first time in software history."

For the first quarter of 1993, Windows sales were up $669 million, an increase of 114 percent from the previous year. "If you combine these figures with our extremely affordable price point and the overall popularity of nutrition and recreation software, you have the potential for two killer titles," added Currier.

Diet Expert for Windows is your very own computerized nutritional and fitness trainer. Simply enter basic information like name, age, height, and weight and weight change goals and the program takes care of the rest.

Additional Diet Expert for Windows features include:

* 2,400+ item food database lets you create daily custom

  meal plan.

* Automatically displays caloric distribution

  (% of fat, carbohydrates, and protein) for any meal.

* Over 80 exercises with calorie counts to help you design

  a custom exercise routine.

* Track special dietary requirements.

* Instantly calculates, displays, and graphically prints

  your personalized diet analyses.

Expert Quiz Show for Windows is the most challenging trivia question game you can play on your computer alone or with others. The program includes ten categories with over 3/000 questions. The categories include: entertainment, history, language and literature, money and politics, music and art, religion and philosophy, science, sports, technology, geography, and travel. Expert Quiz Show for Windows features include:

Additional Expert Quiz Show Features:

* 30 second bonus round allows you to make last second comebacks.

* Spin the wheel to determine level of difficulty for each

  question just like popular television game shows.

* Flashing lights and sound add to the game experience.

* You select your opponents category to keep the game close.

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.


WW2 AIR FORCE COMMANDER

CAMBRIDGE, MA -- November 3, 1993 -- Impressions Software is about to release the second game in the Air Force Commander series, which focuses on the "air wars" of the European theater of World War Two. This real-time, strategic simulation of air combat follows the success of the original by allowing players to recreate the earliest large-scale, airborne conflicts, including the famous Battle of Britain -- the first massive air war.

In this battle, continental Europe had fallen to Nazi Blitzkrieg attacks, and Great Britain alone remained free and fighting. Without the years of preparation the Germans had, the Royal Air Force had many fewer planes than the Luftwaffe, the outlook was bleak. But with heroic bravery and careful planning, the Spitfires and Hurricanes managed to stave off German bombers for long enough for Britain to survive, and America to join in the fight against tyranny.

This conflict, and many more, are simulated at squadron-level with WW2 Air Force Commander. As commander, players will have complete control over the air forces of up to a half-dozen nations, and must plan how to use each squadron to best effect. Dozens of WW2 aircraft types are available, to be located at one of several airfields, and ordered on defensive patrols or offensive missions as the player sees fit. WW2 was responsible for the development of radar as an integral part of air combat, so players are provided with three levels of radar to view the battlefield with, from a tactical overview to an enhanced geographical view. The goal is to secure the safety of your key civilian and military sites, while attempting to take out the enemy's strike capability or eliminate its will to fight!

WW2 Air Force Commander features the same real-time decision-making and strategic challenge of the original Air Force Commander, controlled by the same easy-to-use "point 'n' click" interface. 256-color VGA graphics, Ad Lib music, and Sound Blaster digitized sounds and speech enhance the gaming experience, and each of the fourteen historical conflicts can be experienced from either side of the battlefield, creating a total of twenty-eight scenarios.

Owners of the original Air Force Commander have been waiting for a "mission disk" to add to their game for some time; this product contains both the mission disk and game engine, and registered users can purchase it directly from Impressions for the special price of $9.95 + $5 shipping/handling. Registered users will be notified of this offer by mail, and by public messages on the major on-line services. Impressions has decided to release the game as a stand-alone product as well, and it will be available in stores and mail-order catalogs at the suggested retail price of only $19.95.

The Battle of Britain inspired Winston Churchill to say, "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." With WW2 Air Force Commander, players will get to prove themselves worthy of such praise on the battlefields of the sky!

WW2 Air Force Commander will be released on November 19.

Impressions Software, Inc. is a leading developer of quality strategy entertainment and educational software for the IBM PC, Amiga and Macintosh computers. Impressions Software is headquartered in Cambridge, MA, with offices in Farmington, CT and London, England.

Impressions Software

7 Melrose Dr, Farmington, CT 06032

(203) 676-9002,  Fax: (203) 676-9454


IMA Convergence Forum White Paper
Interactive Multimedia Association

CONVERGENCE FORUM

White Paper

by Philip Corman, Digital Equipment Corporation

Chairman, IMA Convergence Forum

October, 1993

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

NOTE -- all graphic illustrations had to be omitted from this copy of the original White Paper to allow easier electronic distribution.

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

1.0 Overview

The Interactive Multimedia Association (IMA) convened an initiative called The Convergence Forum on June 2-3, 1993 in Boulder, Colorado. The goal of the meeting was to bring together leaders from the cable television, telecommunications, computer, broadcasting, publishing, and consumer electronics industries

* outline their strategies for approaching and participating

  in the convergence of technologies and markets;

* detect obstacles to the growth of new media products and

  services;

* and identify business, technical, and regulatory issues; and

  other matters best resolved by cross-industry collaboration.

Each participating company gave a presentation detailing their perspective, strategies and opinions regarding the convergence of industries to deliver end-to-end interactive media services. An end-to-end solution includes all of the business and technology components that are necessary to create and develop content and services, distribute those services, and enable users to interact with those services on a variety of end-user devices.

Developed after the first meeting of the IMA Convergence Forum, this white paper is intended to serve as a starting point for relevant discussion and to identify specific objectives for participants in ongoing IMA Convergence Forum meetings. It will present a framework and model that highlights three areas identified by the Convergence Forum participants for cross-industry resolution: (1) a full-service network protocol, (2) an interconnection interface standard for digital device connection to service networks, and (3) a service-independent mechanism for content providers to interface with multiple video services.

This white paper represents an aggregation of those ideas, as well as the synthesis of those ideas into a framework and a business and technical architecture. This framework is intended to provide a basis for discussion and refinement, and to focus on issues which--if worked in a cross-industry forum--could establish guidelines for standards which could, in turn, drive the adoption of interactive media services more rapidly.

Participants in the forum agreed that the availability and quality of content, both passive and interactive, would be the controlling factor in the success of any end-to-end system or service.

Further, at the strategic level most of the respective industries are approaching these services from a common framework and model. While the cable television and telecommunications industries are planning to deliver end-to-end solutions, the other industries have carved out specific niches or components of an overall end-to-end solution. The resulting production of many incompatible devices (e.g., settop units) will give rise to considerable innovation and numerous technological breakthroughs, but will also cause substantial confusion for those wishing to utilize those devices.

It is clear that such a nascent market (i.e., interactive media services) will demonstrate rapid innovation and technology breakthroughs. It is equally clear that it will be fruitful to attempt to standardize in some carefully selected areas at this time. It is the intention of this paper to focus on those areas in which there is broad cross-industry support for standardization efforts. A good example of this is the race to develop and dominate the so-called digital set-top unit. It seems pointless to attempt to develop a cross-industry standard for the features and capabilities inside the set-top because it is uncertain at this time what functions and capabilities must be included and at what cost. It is just not clear what services people will use and what prices they are willing to pay for those services. Rather, it makes a lot of sense to standardize on the interconnection and interfacing of settops to the service networks. By standardizing the interfaces, the content and information providers will have a clear direction of how to develop and roll out services that provide them with some insulation from the rapid technological changes in the unit. An analogy might be the NTSC standard, which dictated the "interface" but not the functions, quality, etc. of the television internals.

The model and framework presented in this paper is intended to show the major components required for a complete end-to-end solution. The model is intended to present an open architecture that balances the need for competition within components of the overall solutions with the need to provide for:

* common media-based network protocols (media includes all data types ranging from video, audio, voice, images, graphics, text, MIDI, etc.);

* distributed servers and multiple client types (different set-tops, PCs, PDAs, etc.);

* standard interconnections for digital media platforms, including digital set-top units, desktop computers, and personal digital assistants; as well as media servers, media warehouses, content gateways, service provider gateways, network management, and business management;

* guidelines and direction to existing and emerging content and information providers for managing the business risk and costs of developing, delivering, and billing for services in an environment of rapid change technologically and in a business sense, since it remains unclear which services and delivery methods will be valued by the consumers of these interactive media services;

* access control, security, licensing and intellectual property, as well as business transaction management.

2.0 End-to-End Video Services Model

Figure 1 (omitted!) partitions an end-to-end solution into three major categories: (1) content creation, (2) distribution and (3) users. Each category is tiered into three layers: physical, operating and services

Content deals with those companies involved in the creation, development and production of digital video services, both passive and interactive. Requirements include capturing, editing, and producing content. Distribution identifies all of the components necessary to transport services from the content provider to the user--or consumer--ofthat service in their living room, business place, etc. Requirements include video servers, network interconnect, business transaction management, access control and security, support for two-way interactive access, etc. User includes all issues and areas for the consumer, including set-top units, decompression, user menus, interactivity, user profiles, etc.

Each category can be broken into three layers. The physical layer identifies the software, silicon, hardware, and network components required in the flow of multimedia services that must be in place before the service can exist. The operating layer represents the collection of applications, activities and processes that must be in place to provide a video service. These include billing and subscriber management, transaction management, network management and control. The services layer represents value-added services, such as movies-on-demand, and interactive services, such as home shopping, travel, news, games, distance learning, and the like. The purpose of this layering is to highlight all of the components, so that both technical and business interfaces can be identified. For example, it is clear that an interface is needed between different set-top units and multiple video servers. Likewise, it may be desirable to understand the interfaces and compatibility issues between the set-top units in the physical layer and the user interfaces in the operating layer (i.e., how are user interfaces rendered

 on multiple set-top units.)

Figure 1 represents a first pass at the critical components. This framework will be presented to and refined by the participants of the next Convergence Forum.

                  (figure 1 omitted!)

3.0 Cross-Industry Business and Technology Reference Model

This section synthesizes a reference model and identifies three areas targeted by the members of the Convergence Forum for initial cross-industry attention.

The reference model (Figure 1) can be broken down into three areas:

* content providers;

* wide area transport of two-way interactive media services;

* video service providers

                 (figure 2 omitted!)

3.1 Content Provider Issues

Content providers can be tiered in a pyramid into classes (Figure 2 -- omitted!). First, there are a relatively small number of very large content providers, such as Paramount, Sony/Columbia, Disney, Tribune Co., etc. The content and information providers in this tier have the internal organization and processes in place, and have long established distribution channels. To a large extent, they will determine their own distribution strategy. The second tier consists of a larger number of more regionally-based content providers. These content providers will have the abilities to create develop, -but may need the existence of stable standards and tools before committing to large scale distribution of content to video services. The third tier consists of a large number of very small content developers who will be seeking widespread distribution of their content. The first tier will determine how content is created and distributed to video services. However, the second and third tiers will need clear direction and navigation through the maze of multiple service providers, each with different distribution mechanisms and differing set-top units.

For the content and information providers, overriding issues include:

* how to develop passive and interactive content that can be

  delivered to multiple video services providers;

* how to protect content, intellectual property, unauthorized

  access and usage in a networked environment;

* how to track usage and bill for access;

* how to manage risk in a rapidly changing networked digital

  media services world;

* stable multimedia format standards for editing, producing,

  and publishing content;

* how to distribute that content over networks to multiple

  service providers in both on-demand and bulk transfer modes.

In order to address these issues, the Convergence Forum agreed on the need to focus on the interface (labeled #1 in Figure 2) connection to the network.

                    (figure 3 omitted!)

3.2 Network Protocol Issues

The second major component of the model is represented as a wholesaler or wide-area transport, which includes the connection of multiple geographically-disbursed content providers who deliver content to multiple geographically-disbursed service providers. In the model, represented in Figure 2, the wholesaler can provide transport, global network management, global content directories, access control and secure transport, and video warehouses of content. This distribution model provides for media services and media library and storage subsystems, for which distributed servers are clearly necessary. Server libraries (warehouses) must be able to physically reside at video services providers, wholesale (or wide-area) transport providers, and content/information providers. Hence, the model facilitates this distributed set of cooperating servers.

The opportunity identified by the Convergence Forum is for a media network protocol, (labeled #2 on Figure 2). This protocol includes:

* secure two-way transport of text, graphics, data, images,

  audio, voice, and video;

* access control and security;

* tracking and usage information; database and library management

  and control;

* messaging protocols for content access and distribution in both

  a bulk transport and an on-demand transactional modes;

* messaging protocols for interaction between content and digital

  media devices such as set-top units;

* server-to-server, server-to-warehouse, and server-to-client

  device communications;

* unified network monitoring, maintenance, and control protocols

  for resource management, gateway management, intrusion

  detection and management, storage unit management, etc.;

as well as other areas identified by subsequent discussion by the Convergence Forum members.

                    (figure 4 omitted!)

3.3 Video Service Provider Issues

The final component of the model identifies the video service providers. It is clear that each service provider plans different infrastructures and different service offerings. The Convergence Forum members agreed that there will be considerable innovation; there will also be significant differentiation in services, packaging, and technology. This will result in a proliferation of different set-top units and user interfaces. The third area labeled #3 in Figure 2) identifies an opportunity to define the interface specifications for any digital media client (e.g. set-top unit) to connect to a service provider's network thus enabling the differentiation while providing a standard way to connect such devices to networks. This interface can be used by providers of devices, similar to the way peripheral vendors build products to ISA or EISA buses on PCs today. Product competition is then based on price and performance, rather than proprietary interfaces.

The major opportunities for standardization in this area include:

* standard interconnection for digital media clients to video

  service providers including set-top units, computers, personal

  digital assistants, etc.;

* virtual device interface;

* guaranteed and reliable services and inquiry of capabilities;

* standard messaging protocol for initiation, downloading, user

  interaction, maintenance, remote diagnostics, etc.

                      (figure 5 omitted!)

4.0 Next Steps

At the next Convergence Forum meeting, participants are expected to refine the model and framework and identify those areas where standards for protocols, interfaces and interconnections may be specified. Work will also begin to establish specific goals, objectives, time frames, and adoption processes. By identifying areas for cross-industry collaboration in the three specific areas identified above, it is felt that cross-industry participation in these three areas will facilitate a more rapid deployment of interactive media services for all industries and companies involved.

Respectfully submitted,

Phillip Corman

Chairman, IMA Convergence Forum


Intergraph Third Quarter Report
INTERGRAPH  InterFACTS -- THIRD QUARTER AT A GLANCE

October 29, 1993

New Strategies . . . Intergraph will port its MicroStation graphics software to Silicon Graphics' Indigo family of RISC-based systems by year-end . . . A new business partnership with Stoner Associates Inc. of Carlisle, Pa., has the two companies distributing FRAMME NT applications and Stoner's SynerGEE for water and gas utilities. Stoner is Intergraph's fifth business partner in the utilities market.

Financials . . . Restructuring costs, weak markets and a transition to new products with lower profit margins took their toll once again, resulting in a net loss of $19.9 million. or 43 cents a share, for the third quarter. Orders were up 4 percent from the second quarter . . . A shareholder rights plan to deter unfriendly takeover attempts was adopted.

Products . . . MGE will be the first GIS software on Windows NT . . . Intergraph and MapInfo Corp. have developed translation software to exchange data between MGE and MapInfo for Windows.

I/Design Protege lowers the entry price for industrial design software from $24,000 to $14,900 . . . A new PDS-IN instrumentation module simplifies customization in plant design . . . SURGICAD Design combines anatomy with CAD, opening opportunities in orthopedic surgery, radiology and the manufacture of implant devices.

Due out this quarter: MGE Network Manager models utility networks for water and electricity. Gas and water versions will follow . . . FieldWorks downloads field survey data from electronic field books . . . Electrical Engineer Cable Management System automates cable routing.

Contracts . . . Intergraph got a big piece of the Navy's huge NAVFAC CAD 2 contract. Intergraph and Cordant Incorporated will compete for GIS and CAD systems for facilities engineering . The contract could be worth as much as $550 million. The next phase of the CAD2 procurement, NAVAIR, will be announced in mid-1994.. Intergraph is a bidder. ... Intergraph becomes the Hong Kong government's vendor of choice for CAD systems under a $10 million contract .

Overseas . . . Intergraph Europe is a partner in an EC-funded project to provide public access to GIS databases. The multi-lingual system will help tourists . . . Intergraph GIS business in Europe was up 68 percent at mid-year.

Management Changes . . . Larry Avers named Executive Vice President in charge of Mapping/GIS, image processing, dispatch management, utilities and aeronautical charting. He was Vice President, Mapping Sciences Division.

Intergraph, Huntsville, Alabama 35894-0014

Phone: (205) 730-8877,   Fax: (205) 730-8300


Moses Computers & M-USA COMDEX Give-Away
MOSES COMPUTERS & M-USA COMBINE FOR SOFTWARE AND NETWORK COMDEX GIVEAWAY

November 15, 1993 - (COMDEX, LAS VEGAS) - Moses Computers, a leading manufacturer of peer-to-peer networks for the IBM PC, and M-USA Business Systems, Inc., publishers of one of the PC industry's most popular accounting packages, will be giving away networks and software packages throughout COMDEX, at the rate of four products per hour.

Moses Computers will be giving away two-user start-up network kit for its popular peer-to-peer Local Area Network (LAN) MosesALL! IV. The MosesALL IV Super Set ($249 for two PC's) contains all hardware, software and cabling a user needs to easily create a true network connection between two IBM-compatible computers, including an easy installation videotape. In addition to transferring data at nearly 100 times the speed of comparably priced printer sharing devices, MosesALL! IV offers a true network for up to 53 PC's in a peer-to-peer configuration.

M-USA will give away copies of its revolutionary new Windows accounting package, Mondial, and its new Windows time and services billing software, Perfect Time. Mondial is a remarkably flexible, single- or multi-user accounting package that is easily customizable for all kinds of vertical applications. It is one the very few packages to feature both single-entry and double-entry bookkeeping options, as well as integrated G/L, A/P, A/R, job costing, data entry, point-of-sale, purchasing, budgeting and billing modules.

Perfect Time is a single- or multi-user time and services billing system, which streamlines record keeping and billing procedures for any company or individual who relies on time-based billings. Retail price of both packages is $199.95 each.

The two companies also announced that they will be pursuing bundles of their products in the marketplace, with details to be released at a later date. For more information on Mondial and Perfect Time, contact M-USA Business Systems, Inc., 15806 Midway Road, Dallas, TX 75244. Telephone: (214) 386-6100, fax: (214) 404-1957.

Moses Computers will exhibit their full line of "plug and play" networks at COMDEX/Fall '93 in the Sands Exposition and Convention Center, Booth #S-4544. For more information, contact Moses Computers, 15466 Los Gatos Blvd., Suite 201, Los Gatos, CA 95032. Telephone: (408) 358-1550, fax: (408) 356-9049.


Rupp Tech FastLynx for Wizard
ORGANIZER-TO-PC LINK FOR SHARP'S NEWEST HANDHELD DEVICES

Electronic Software Link Brings Full Windows-Compatibility

November 11, 1993 -- PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Rupp Technology Corporation has introduced FastLynx for Wizard, an electronic organizer-to-PC software linking product from the source of Sharp Corporation's prior organizer links and one of the first capable of taking full advantage of the power and versatility of Sharp's 8000 and 9000 Series electronic organizers -- including the popular Model OZ-9600 II Pen Wizard.

FastLynx for Wizard takes over where the popular Rupp-programmed PC link (OZ-892) leaves off by providing full support for the graphical Windows interface allowing users to import and export information across Windows-based applications between electronic organizer and a connected PC.

In addition, FastLynx for Wizard integrates fully with the Sharp CE-IR2 wireless interface for the OZ-9600 series Wizards, allowing for the cable-free transfer and exchange of data between devices via infrared transmission.

Designed for use with both 8000 and 9000 series Sharp Wizards, the latest version of Rupp's critically acclaimed connectivity product line is an advanced computer link for data exchange with the Sharp Wizard that works with all IBM-compatible PCs operating in the Windows environment.

FastLynx for Wizard is the third level of linking product to reach the market since 1990 when Rupp signed an agreement with Sharp Corporation to develop software programs for use with Sharp systems products. The pact gave Sharp access to Rupp's proven reputation for developing technologically advanced programs.

The newest Wizard linking product thus combines the key features of, and also extends both Rupp Technology's "FastLynx" line of file transfer products and the Sharp-branded Organizer Link dynasty developed with Rupp's assistance.

Key benefits brought on board with FastLynx for Wizard include: fewer memory restrictions than standard DOS-oriented programs; the ability to import and export SDF, CSV, dBase and other file formats to and from other software programs; selectable file transfer capabilities to and from the Wizard -- including a "merge" option; and, faster backup operations.

FastLynx for Wizard is currently available at an introductory retail price of $99 -- which includes a linking cable. Without cable, the software upgrade price for previous organizer link customers is $39.95. To order FastLynx for Wizard or other Rupp Technology or Sharp Wizard products, call (800) 844-7775.

Founded in 1985, Rupp Technology Corporation is now headquartered in Phoenix, with additional sales and marketing offices in Los Angeles and New York.

A pioneer in a variety of file management and data transfer technologies, Rupp's history of consistent software utility innovations has led industry giants such as Microsoft and Sharp to select versions of Rupp file transfer programs over competing utilities for inclusion in their current product offerings.

Rupp Technology Corp

3228 E. Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018

602-224-9922,  fax 602-224-0898