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     DIGITAL FUTURE NEWSLETTER (formerly FYI) Abridged Edition
              Information Media and Technology News
                 Published online every Saturday

         Volume 1, Number 23 / Saturday, December 3, 1994
          CIRCULATION: See list at end of this newsletter
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Copyright 1994 by John Hart & Hart Publishing. NOTE: This abridged 
version of Digital Future Newsletter may be freely duplicated and/or 
uploaded to BBS's and online host systems, providing that the entire 
contents remains unchanged. Except as permitted herein, unauthorized 
duplication is a violation of Pan-American & International Copyright 
Conventions. Any and all parties found guilty of infringement will 
be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

====================
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER 
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John Hart
767 South Xenon Court, Suite 117
Lakewood, CO 80228

Voice/Fax: 303-987-3246
CIS: 71044,2446
Internet: fyi@marketplace.com

(Please send press releases and other news to jhart@csn.org.)

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STORIES IN THIS EDITION OF DIGITAL FUTURE NEWSLETTER...

1.  From the Editor

2.  GE Info Services Plans Business Network

3.  America Online Announces Faster Access Speeds; Acquires ANS, 
       Creator of the Internet Backbone

4.  HomeSteadNet Real Estate On-Line Service

5.  New Database Makes Hard-To-Find Information A Mouse Click Away

6.  America Online Expands Position In Cable Market

7.  Latest Internet Tools Further The Cause of Social Justice 
       in Mexico

8.  GE Joins CommerceNet

9.  Peachpit Press Posts Hip New Guide Online For Free

10. Self Survey Finds Wide Home Computer Use By Women

11. SoftReach, Inc. Introduces Postal Management Discount Software 
      For Small and Medium Volume Mailers

12. Zenith Intros New High-speed Cable Modem

13. Universal Pictures Debuts On The Internet

14. Compuserve and Spry Positioned to Deliver 
       Total Internet Solutions

15. Jones Interactive, Inc. Debuts Breakthrough Education On-Demand 
      Service At Western Show

16. FCC High-Stakes Auction Begins Monday

17. Upcoming Conferences and Workshops

18. Limited Subscription Offer

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FROM THE EDITOR OF DIGITAL FUTURE NEWSLETTER (formerly FYI)...

(!) NOTICE!
    Effective December 10, the *Abridged Edition* of Digital Future 
    will no longer be distributed.  Only the full text edition of 
    Digital future will be sent to paid subscribers.  The limited 
    subscription offer of $40. for 52 issues expires December 31, 
    1994.  Thanks to those of you who have been reading the freely 
    distributed edition of Digital Future.  I hope you continue to
    read Digital Future by subscribing to the weekly full-text 
    edition.



Barriers to the National Information Highway by WilTel...

"There are at least four big barriers to the NII. One is outdated and
compartmentalized regulations governing telecommunication, cable
broadcasting, and information industries. Another is legal issues
concerning copyright, intellectual property, and security. The third 
is standards and the interoperability of the various NII technologies. 
And the last is the development of new structures for commerce and 
business activities on the NII, including billing and payment for 
services rendered," says the president of WilTel.


Read this story carefully. Does it send chills up your spine?...

The project manager for the Internal Revenue Service's Document 
Processing System described the "Golden Eagle" return, in which the 
government would automatically gather all a person's tax info and 
then compute the tax. "If I knew what you've made during the year, 
if I know what your withholding is, if I know what your spending 
pattern is, I should be able to generate for you a tax return. I am 
an excellent advocate of return-free filing. We know everything about 
you that we need to know. Your employer tells us everything about 
you that we need to know. Your activity records on your credit cards 
tell us everything about you that we need to know. Through
interface with Social Security, with the DMV, with your banking
institutions, we really have a lot of information ... We could 
literally file a return for you. This is the future we'd like to 
go to." 

'till next week --JH

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GE INFO SERVICES PLANS BUSINESS NETWORK

GE Information Services (GEIS), parent of the GEnie Information 
Service and other electronic commerce services, is launching 
Business Network. The service aims at improving inter-enterprise 
communications, to benefit the strategic alliances and business 
partnerships that have become more common in recent years.

[Details in the Expanded Edition of Digital Future]

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AMERICA ONLINE ANNOUNCES FASTER ACCESS SPEEDS; ACQUIRES ANS, CREATOR 
OF THE INTERNET BACKBONE

America Online announced last Tuesday a networking strategy designed 
to support the Company's rapid growth and position AOL to lead the 
market with increased capacity and the provision of high-speed,
high-quality communications services.  With the moves announced,
America Online subscribers will be able to access the service at 
speeds of 14.4 kbps, 28.8 kbps and ISDN in most major cities in the 
first quarter of 1995 at no extra charge.

[Details in the Expanded Edition of Digital Future]

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HOMESTEADNET REAL ESTATE ONLINE SERVICE

A local real estate association in Rochester, New York, will start 
beta testing a new online service for real estate professionals 
and their customers on December 1. The service, named HomeSteadNet, 
is scheduled to go online nationally January 15 of next year.

[Details in the Expanded Edition of Digital Future]

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NEW DATABASE MAKES HARD-TO-FIND INFORMATION A MOUSE CLICK AWAY

A special discount offer is available for the 1995 edition of
a unique reference database for Windows computer users, titled 
FYI:USA.  This is the second year the database has been published,
and includes several new categories and features.

The database FYI:USA contains 15 categories in a very easy-
to-access user interface.  The categories are: Associations, 
Consultants, Directories, Environment, Faculty Databases, 
Government, Hard-to-Find Sources, Hotlines, Media Sources,
Medical Libraries, Newsletters, Online Sources, Operating A 
Business, Research Sources, and Special Library Collections.  
Plus a Grammar pop-up guide is included. 

Each category is packed with hundreds of sources. The total of all 
listings is 2,000. The user clicks on an icon to see a complete 
listing in that category, then double-clicks on any organization 
to see the name, address, phone, fax, and description information 
displayed instantly.

FYI:USA is an excellent tool for entrepreneurs, salesmen, 
information brokers, researchers, writers, journalists, 
administrative assistants, any anyone who needs to access important, 
hard-to-find information with a mouse-click.  One of the most
valuable features of FYI:USA is its nearly complete listing of
all print media sources in the U.S.

FYI:USA is available every January and updated in July with new 
sources of information. 

If your order for FYI:USA is received before December 31, 1994,
you'll receive the July 1995 update absolutely free. The January/July
special price for readers of Digital Future is just $24.95, including
shipping. Minimum system requirements are Windows 3.1, VGA, 4 Mb of 
memory, and 3 Mb of hard disk space. No additional software 
is required to run this program. (Not available for Macintosh)

To order before December 31, 1994, send $24.95 U.S. funds on a U.S.
bank to John Hart, 767 South Xenon Court, #117, Lakewood, CO 80228.
Your 3-disk set will be shipped on January 2, 1995 and your free
July update will be shipped July 10, 1995.

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AMERICA ONLINE EXPANDS POSITION IN CABLE MARKET

America Online, Inc. announced November 30, that it has expanded 
its position in the cable market through new agreements that should 
enhance the company's technology and content, and broaden the appeal 
of its services in the broadband marketplace.

[Details in the Expanded Edition of Digital Future]

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LATEST INTERNET TOOLS FURTHER THE CAUSE OF SOCIAL JUSTICE IN MEXICO

PeaceNet, NACLA, LADB Join Forces in Publishing Mexico Information 
via the Internet. 

PeaceNet, the San Francisco-based non-profit computer network, has
announced its release on the Internet of the "Mexico Out of Balance" 
World Wide Web information resource.  With this release, the vast 
Internet community gains instant access to hard-to-find, in-depth 
information and analysis concerning political, economic, labor and 
trade issues in Mexico.

[Details in the Expanded Edition of Digital Future]

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GENERAL ELECTRIC JOINS COMMERCENET

General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE) has announced that four of its 
businesses, along with GE's Corporate Research and Development 
Center, have joined CommerceNet -- a consortium of technology 
companies developing ways to conduct electronic commerce over the 
Internet.  GE Information Services, Capital Services, Plastics,
and Power Systems will use CommerceNet to market their products and
services owner the Internet and collaborate with other technology
companies on joint projects.

[Details in the Expanded Edition of Digital Future]

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PEACHPIT PRESS POSTS HIP NEW GUIDE ONLINE FOR FREE

Peachpit Press has announced a radical challenge to the publishing 
industry.  "Aether Madness: An Offbeat Guide to the Online World," 
by Gary Wolf and Michael Stein, is being simultaneously released 
as a trade paperback and as a set of free hypertext pages on the 
World Wide Web.

[Details in the Expanded Edition of Digital Future]

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SELF SURVEY FINDS WIDE HOME COMPUTER USE BY WOMEN

More than a third of American women aged 18-49 use a computer at 
home, according to a study done for Self Magazine.  And the number 
may grow: not only do 38 percent already use a computer at home, 
but 50 percent either owned or planned to buy one in the next year.  
In addition, more than half the women -- 55 percent -- are already 
using a computer at work.

[Details in the Expanded Edition of Digital Future]

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SOFTREACH, INC. INTRODUCES POSTAL MANAGEMENT DISCOUNT SOFTWARE FOR
SMALL AND MEDIUM VOLUME MAILERS

SoftReach, Inc. a Certified United States Postal Service (USPS) 
Business Partner, has announced that they will begin shipping 
POSTAGEPro(TM) version 2.0, early in 1995.

[Details in the Expanded Edition of Digital Future]

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ZENITH INTROS NEW HIGH-SPEED CABLE MODEM

Zenith Electronics Corp. (NYSE: ZE) has previewed a new high-speed 
cable modem that will deliver universal computer compatibility 
previously unavailable in cable systems.

[Details in the Expanded Edition of Digital Future]

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UNIVERSAL PICTURES DEBUTS ON THE INTERNET

Universal Pictures has entered the "information superhighway" via 
the Internet's World Wide Web, with the interactive world premiere
of Ivan Reitman's "Junior," starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny
DeVito, and Emma Thompson.

[Details in the Expanded Edition of Digital Future]

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COMPUSERVE AND SPRY POSITIONED TO DELIVER TOTAL INTERNET SOLUTIONS

CompuServe Incorporated and SPRY, Incorporated launched the most 
comprehensive set of corporate Internet offerings in the industry 
as they announced a partnership that will deliver services that 
enable companies to achieve their specific business objectives by 
using the Internet.

[Details in the Expanded Edition of Digital Future]

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JONES INTERACTIVE INC. DEBUTS BREAKTHROUGH EDUCATION ON-DEMAND 
SERVICE AT WESTERN SHOW

Building on the heritage and expertise in such diverse areas as 
cable delivery systems, networks and educational programming 
inherent in the family of Jones companies, Jones Interactive Inc.-- 
the digital publishing subsidiary of Jones International Ltd.-- 
unveiled a first-of-its-kind education on-demand service at the 
Western Show that will revolutionize the way consumers request and 
receive education programs on their televisions and PCs.  

[Details in the Expanded Edition of Digital Future]

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FCC HIGH-STAKES AUCTION BEGINS MONDAY

At the Federal Communications Commission, which has held three 
auctions of the radio spectrum this year, the main event begins on 
Monday. The FCC will begin auctioning off broadband sections of 
the spectrum that will be used to create nationwide networks of 
wireless personal communications services, or PCS, including tiny
telephones reminiscent of cartoon cop Dick Tracy's wrist radio.

[Details in the Expanded Edition of Digital Future]

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UPCOMING INFORMATION MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY RELATED 
CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS

DECEMBER 1994
    Electronic Learning Fair, December 2-4, 1994, San Jose, CA.
    Contact: 408-271-3797.

    Fifth Annual Computer Fax Conference, December 5-7, 1994,
    Coronado Bay Resort, San Diego, CA. Contact: 800-874-9980.

    Telecommunications Policy and Regulation, December 5-6, 1994;
    Washington, DC. Contact 800-260-4PLI.

    Video Expo/Image World, December 6-8, 1994, San Jose, CA.
    Contact: 800-800-5474.

    Online/CD-ROM Information Exhibition, December 6-8, 1994.
    Olympia, London, UK. Contact: Tel: +44 (0)865 730275.  
    Fax: +44 (0)865 736354; e-mail: conferences@learned.co.uk

    Internet World 94, December 6-9, Washington Hilton & Towers, 
    Washington, DC, contact 800-632-55337 or 203-226-6967.

    Interactive Information Expo, December 6-8, 1994, New York, NY.
    Contact: 201-346-1400.

    Wireless Datacomm 94, December 6-8, 1994, Washington, DC;
    Contact: 203-847-5131.

    Workshop on Mobile Computing Systems and Applications, 
    December 8-9, 1994,
    Dream Inn, Santa Cruz, CA, contact 313-763-4413.

JANUARY 1995
    MacWorld Expo, January 4-7, Moscone Convention Center,
    San Francisco, CA. Contact: 617-361-8000.

    International Consumer Electronics Show, January 6-9, 1995.
    Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV.
    Contact: 202-457-8700.

    Interactive Television Convention 95, January 10-12, 1995.
    Paris; Contact 33.1-42-67-93-80.

    COMDEX/PACRIM, January 11-13, 1995, Vancouver Trade and
    Convention Center, Vancouver, BC. Contact: 617-449-6600.

    2nd Annual Mobile Communications '95 Conference, 
    January 18-20, 1995, Westin Hotel, Dallas, TX,
    Contact 800-256-1076.

    Lotusphere '95, January 22-26, 1995, 
    Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel,
    Orlando, FL, contact 617-894-5326. 

    NATPE, January 23-26, Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas, NV. 
    Contact 800-628-7346.

    ComNet 95, January 22-26, 1995, Washington Convention Center,
    Washington, DC. Contact 800-225-4698.

    Information Superhighway '95, January 24-27, 1995, 
    Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara, CA,  
    Contact Charles Van Horn, ITA, 
    505 Eighth Avenue, New York 10018; 
    Tel: 212-643-0620; Fax: 212-643-0624. 

FEBRUARY 1995
    Wireless '95, February 1-5, 1995, New Orleans, LA;
    Contact: 202-463-7905.

    Entrepreneur Magazine's Small Business Expo, February 4-5.
    Los Angeles Convention Center. Contact: 714-261-2325.

    InterMedia '95--The International Conference and Exposition 
      on Multimedia
    February 7-9, 1995, Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA. 
    Contact: 203-840-5634.

    Client/Server Conference & Exposition, February 14-17, 1995.
    San Jose Convention Center, San Jose, CA. 
    Contact: 516-733-6770.

    Networks Expo Boston '95, February 14-16, 1995,
    Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA. Contact 800-829-3976.

    Inter Comm 95, February 20-23, 1995, Vancouver, Canada, 
    contact 604-669-1090.

    SALT -- The Society for Applied Learning Technology, 
    February 22-24, 1995,
    Orlando, FL. Contact 800-457-6812 or 703-347-0055.

    High Tech Direct 2000, February 27-March 1, 1995, 
    Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara, CA, 
    Contact 800-808-3976.

MARCH 1995
    IEEE INFOCOM'95 -- The Conference on Computer Communications, 
    April 2-6, 1995, Boston, MASS., USA, contact 816-235-2361.

JUNE 1995
    INET'95, the 5th Annual Conference of the Internet Society
    focusing on worldwide issues of Internet networking, 
    June 28-30, 1995 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Contact: 703-648-9888.
    Fax: 703-648-9887.
 
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=====================================================================
                                                                        
INTRODUCTORY SUBSCRIPTION FOR EXPANDED EDITION OF DIGITAL FUTURE 
NEWSLETTER!     
                                                                        
   The expanded edition of DIGITAL FUTURE NEWSLETTER is available 
   only by subscription and delivered electronically to e-mail 
   addresses. 

   Limited offer: 26 weekly issues of the expanded edition of 
   DIGITAL FUTURE, uploaded to your e-mail address, are $25.00; 

   52 weekly issues are $40.00. SPECIAL OFFER EXPIRES 12/31, 1994.

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   Print the above coupon and mail it with check or money order in          
   U.S. funds on a U.S. bank, to:                     
                                                                         
              John Hart,                                
              767 South Xenon Court, Suite 117                     
              Lakewood, CO 80228 USA                          
              CIS: 71044,2446
              INTERNET: fyi@marketplace.com                      
                                                                         
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==========================
DIGITAL FUTURE CIRCULATION
==========================

DIGITAL FUTURE NEWSLETTER (abridged edition) is available every 
Saturday by one of these methods:
 
1. Internet, gopher Marketplace.com
2. CompuServe at these locations:
      IBM Communications Forum, Library 6, Hot Topics
      Internet Forum, Library 1, General Information
      PR & Marketing SIG, Online Newsletters
      Telecommunications Forum, Library 14, Internetworking
      Work At Home Forum, Library 1, General Information


BBS Sysops worldwide are welcome to make this abridged version of 
DIGITAL FUTURE Newsletter available to callers.


==========
DISCLAIMER
==========

DIGITAL FUTURE Newsletter publishes the information herein with 
the understanding that it is accurate and reliable, however, it 
can not be guaranteed. Although every attempt has been made to 
ensure accuracy of the data contained herein, the publisher cannot 
accept liability for misstatements. Furthermore, the views 
represented herein do not necessarily reflect those of the 
editor or the publisher.

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END DIGITAL FUTURE Volume 1 Number 23 / Saturday, December 3, 1994.
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