------------------------------------------------------------------------ NEWS OF THE WEEK| This section is dedicated to verified news . . . All News (C)opyright Respective Owner - Will Only Reprint ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Intel and AMD . . . | --------------------- LOS ANGELES (Reuter) - Almost a year to the day after they ended eight years of legal hostilities, semiconductor giants Intel Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. said on Friday they signed a five-year patent cross-license agreement. The arrangement gives Intel and its smaller rival the rights to use each others' patents and certain copyrights, exclusive of microprocessor microcode copyrights. The cross-license is royalty-bearing for products that use certain technologies, although specific financial terms were not disclosed in the firms' joint statement. The deal builds on a 1976 collaboration agreement that was extended in 1982 and led to litigation beginning in 1987 when each side accused the other of reneging on the deal. Santa Clara, Calif.-based Intel filed a number of lawuits to protect its chips from being copied illegally while Sunnyvale, Calif.-based AMD maintained it had the right to use certain Intel technologies and fired off an anti-trust lawsuit. In the end, the companies reached an out-of-court settlement last January under which AMD paid Intel $58 million for damages and Intel paid AMD about $18 million for breach of contract. The five-year deal addresses forward-looking technology advances, allowing the companies to create an industry standard so that software developers can write to that standard, the companies said. ``We're still competing,'' said an AMD spokesman. ``We're sharing the information per this agreement but at the same time we still have to execute and Intel still has to execute.'' Intel recently released speedier versions of its Pentium chip, while AMD is making a Pentium-class K5 that is behind schedule. ------------------------------- LAN Workplace is Updated. . . | ------------------------------- SAN JOSE, Calif. -- December 19, 1995 -- Novell, Inc., the industry-leading supplier of desktop TCP/IP products, today announced version 5 of its popular LAN WorkGroup# for MS Windows and DOS product. Running on NetWare# 4 servers, LAN WorkGroup 5 gives Novell NetWare users centralized access to information on both NetWare and TCP/IP networks, including UNIX# systems and the Internet. New functionality and enhanced host connectivity and Internet applications of LAN WorkGroup 5 include: * Netscape Navigator--provides world-class Internet browser and news reader that lets users retrieve information and communicate on the Internet; users get easy, point-and-click access to text, graphics, sound and video files on the World Wide Web * Windows Mailer--provides an easy-to-use interface for sending and receiving messages and files over TCP/IP networks, including the Internet; supports Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) and the Post Office Protocol version 3 (POP3) * PC-X Server--lets users run X Windows-based applications on remote hosts (over both IP and IPX) right from their desktop * WinSock compliance--now all Windows applications may be run on any WinSock-compliant TCP/IP stack. Similarly, any other WinSock-compliant application may be run on Novell's client TCP/IP stack, which is included along with the NetWare client for DOS and Windows * Online manuals and help for quick answers * Improved terminal emulation using Telnet--Host Presenter now provides drag-and-drop keyboard remapping, enabling keystroke sequences to be simplified * Integrated NFS client--gives users transparent access to files on any host supporting the NFS standard LAN WorkGroup 5 is installed once at the server, giving users access to a comprehensive suite of TCP/IP applications and providing TCP/IP address assignment and administration to reduce the time and cost of system administration. LAN WorkGroup 5 now includes the Netscape Navigator, a world-class Internet browser that extends the reach of users beyond traditional corporate information systems to give them powerful access to the Internet. With over one million nodes installed in more than 30 countries, LAN WorkGroup is the global, industry-leading TCP/IP solution for NetWare. LAN WorkGroup 5 contains all of the applications available through LAN WorkPlace# 5, Novell's premiere desktop TCP/IP solution. In addition, LAN WorkGroup 5 provides identical functionality, look and feel as LAN WorkPlace 5. The difference between the two products is that LAN WorkGroup 5 is centrally installed at the NetWare server, thereby eliminating the need for the administrator to visit all of the network clients for installation and configuration. LAN WorkGroup 5 replaces the popular LAN WorkGroup 4.2. LAN WorkGroup 5 is available immediately through Authorized Novell Channel Partners. Suggested retail pricing is US$1,500 for a five-user version; US$2,495 for a 10-user version; and US$6,995 for a 100-user version. Upgrade prices are also available. For more information, visit Novell's home page at: http://www.novell.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CD MATCH Eases Confusion . . . | -------------------------------- ANNAPOLIS, MD -- December 5, 1995 -- The Interactive Multimedia Association (IMA), a worldwide trade organization representing more than 400 interactive multimedia technology providers, today announced an industry-wide campaign to help consumers better match CD-ROM software titles to their personal computing systems. The IMA's CD MATCH(tm) program is designed to improve consumer satisfaction and reduce retail returns of multimedia titles, which are running as high as 30 percent for some titles. Core industry supporters include Apple Computer Inc., Atrium Interactive, Avid Technology Inc., B.P.D. Consulting, The Center for Image and Sound Research, Cloud 9 Interactive, CNN Interactive, Compaq Computer Corp., CompTIA, Corel, Craftsman Book Company, Defense Acquisition University, Double Impact Multimedia, Electronic Arts, Future Systems Inc./Multimedia Monitor, Horizons Technology, IBM, Infotainment World/GamePro and PC Entertainment, Intel, J.H.T. Multimedia, Macromedia, Metatech, MediaSense, Midialog, Miramar/Multimedia Merchandising, Multicom, nu.millennia, inc., Oakes Interactive, Philips Media-IMS, Play Music, Inc., Prentice Hall School Division, Propaganda Cove, School Zone Publishing Company, SicolaMartin Interactive, Temple Millar Multimedia, Thomson Technology Services Group, UltiTech, Videodiscovery and Zombie. The CD MATCH campaign will provide millions of consumers with free software that automatically runs a check of their multimedia PCs and provides a printout of the system's capabilities. The program promotes a uniform labeling system for on-pack display that matches the format and type of information on the CD MATCH printout. Combined, these two elements will enable consumers to make more informed CD-ROM title purchasing decisions, improve user satisfaction levels and reduce returns among the more than 5,000 CD-ROM titles on the market today. "The 186% increase in CD-ROM title sales during the past year is a strong signal that consumers want the entertainment, education, communication and information benefits offered by today's multimedia PC systems and software," stated IMA President Philip V. W. Dodds. "However, the extraordinarily high return rate of CD-ROM titles due to incompatibility is a clear indication that these same consumers are confused and frustrated with determining which multimedia titles will run on their systems." "While sales of CD-ROM drives and titles continue to rise dramatically, only 6% of titles offered for sale in 1994 turned a profit," Dodds noted. "With projected retail sales of 32.9 million units valued at $1.4 billion in 1996, the industry clearly needs a program like the IMA's CD MATCH initiative to help end consumer confusion and frustration, cut down on technical support costs and reduce the number of returns." Free CD MATCH software will be distributed to millions of consumers via the IMA's World Wide Web ftp site and other channels. The free CD MATCH software, which is based on Horizons Technology, Inc.'s LANauditor(R) technology, runs on a variety of platforms and creates a printout of a system's capabilities. Consumers can then take this printout to local retail outlets and compare it to the IMA-Recommended Uniform Label that will appear on CD-ROM packages, to determine if their computer systems will support a particular title's requirements. Reflecting the ever-changing nature of PC technology, CD MATCH software will be continually updated as appropriate. Simultaneous with the announcement of the consumer education program, the IMA also debuted specifications for a Uniform Label for CD-ROM titles, which is expected to begin appearing on packaging in early 1996. Strongly supported by both publishers and retailers, the IMA CD MATCH program is expected to standardize labeling practices, making it much simpler for consumers to compare their system capabilities with title requirements. The announcement of the IMA's CD MATCH program drew positive responses from representatives of many of the organizations that pledged their support for the IMA's leadership initiative. "With the current high return rate on consumer CD-ROM titles, the IMA CD MATCH initiative can provide a needed shot in the arm for computer retailers and resellers," commented John Venator, executive vice president and CEO of the 6,100-member Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). "As the providers of this technology, our members are concerned about customer satisfaction levels," Venator stated. "The IMA program puts the focus where it should be -- on our valued customers." Venator noted that an estimated 10,000 retail outlets currently sell CD-ROM titles, including computer and software stores, mass merchandising chains, video outlets, record stores and book stores. Title publishers are also taking an active role in promoting adoption of the IMA's ground-breaking program. "CD MATCH is a very important initiative which is long overdue. " stated Richard Ferrie, director of Technology Integration at Prentice Hall School Division. "The real benefit is to the consumers; the industry is finally making it easy for them to purchase multimedia products. We applaud the IMA for this initiative and expect it to have a positive impact on the whole industry in 1996." On the hardware side, Intel Corp., Compaq Computer Corp. and Apple Computer Inc. are some of the manufacturers that will soon begin bundling CD MATCH with their multimedia products. "Making it easy for consumers to quickly determine if their PC has what it takes to play a particular multimedia CD title is an important step towards making the PC more user-friendly," said Claude Leglise, Director, Developer Relations Group, Intel Corp. "The rapid pace of technological improvements in the computer industry leads to a wide variety of PC configurations. With the CD MATCH software and the new product labeling, PC users now have a simple tool to understand whether a new application will run on their system." "The consumer CD-ROM marketplace is critical to the interactive multimedia industry, and we need to make sure that consumers enjoy the most problem-free, fulfilling experience possible," stated Mike Braun, IMA Chairman. "The CD MATCH program achieves the IMA's mission to spearhead initiatives that cannot effectively be addressed by individual companies. This industry-wide effort will go a long way to help ensure long-term success." "Responding to consumer frustration, Infotainment World and its stable of leading industry publications, like GamePro and PC Entertainment, will fully support the CD MATCH initiative," remarked Patrick Ferrell, president of Infotainment World. "The CD MATCH program helps alleviate issues of 'recommended' versus 'required.' With CD-ROM sales skyrocketing, the need for a standard is imperative. For it to come from within the industry, via the IMA, is outstanding!" The IMA CD MATCH software will be available at no charge through the association's home page on the World Wide Web (ftp://ftp.ima.org/pub/cdmatch), and also through Horizons Technology, Inc's home page (http://www.horizons.com/cdmatch). The free software will also be available to consumers via magazine bundles and companion packs in early 1996. CD MATCH's consumer awareness campaign will result in over four million advertising impressions over the next six months, and title publishers have committed to putting labels on hundreds of titles in 1996. The IMA is encouraging industry-wide adoption of its uniform labeling practices. Title developers and publishers, retailers and manufacturers interested in incorporating the IMA Uniform Label for CD-ROM titles on packaging can contact IMA headquarters at 410-626-1380 for an implementation kit. This comprehensive kit features complete label specifications, camera-ready art, electronic versions of the logo and Uniform Label, CD MATCH software and a copy of the IMA's Recommended Practices for CD-ROM Developers, which includes guidelines on coding practices, such as installation and de-installation procedures for modifications to consumer computer systems. This information is also available through the association's Web site or by sending an e-mail request to cdmatch@ima.org. Organized in 1987, the IMA is the oldest, largest and most active trade association devoted to multimedia. Its mission is to promote the success of its member companies by working collaboratively to foster the growth of robust multimedia markets in ways that individual companies cannot. IMA initiatives and activities are designed to: a Bring buyers and sellers of multimedia products together a Simplify technology for the end user, thereby assuring buyer confidence and excitement and a Provide information and context on legislative and market developments affecting its member companies. IMA member information is available from Kathy Mitchell, Director of Member Services, 410-626-1380, the IMA FAXBack System, 410-268-2100 (from a fax handset), or by e-mail at info@ima.org or the IMA home page on the World Wide Web, http://www.ima.org. ------------------------------------------- The WWW Comes to Your NetWare Server. . . | ------------------------------------------- SAN JOSE, Calif. -- December 19, 1995 -- Novell, Inc. today announced first customer shipments of its new NetWare# Web Server, the complete software system for NetWare 4.1 servers that brings the popular World Wide Web (WWW) Internet technology to millions of NetWare customers worldwide. NetWare Web Server leverages the distributed services of NetWare, including the security and management features of NetWare Directory Services# (NDS), to give customers a powerful, easy way to use the Internet for both internal and external publishing. Announced at the Internet World Expo in Boston, Mass., last October 31, NetWare Web Server was completed ahead of schedule and became available through Authorized Novell Channel Partners December 15. "We have experienced a tremendous response to NetWare Web Server both from beta customers and potential new customers," said Vic Langford, vice president and general manager of Novell's Internet Commerce Division. "The product is rock solid, extremely fast, and fills a huge requirement our customers have been asking for -- NetWare access to the World Wide Web. With NetWare Web Server, we fulfill their needs." Running on cost-efficient, powerful Intel-based hardware, NetWare Web Server supports symmetric multiprocessing and scales to meet the Internet publishing and access needs of businesses and workgroups of all sizes. Businesses can easily plug NetWare Web Server into their existing NetWare networks providing them with a simple Internet publishing server for their network. NetWare Web Server is a complete solution that installs out-of-the-box on the NetWare 4.1 network operating system. No custom development or knowledge of the UNIX# system is required. Beta customers running NetWare Web Server report success installing and configuring a web server, creating a Web page, and viewing it all within 10 minutes. PG, St. Louis, MO -- patrick@supportu.com On 01/13/96 at 2:12PM -- http://www.crl.com/~supportu/ --------------------------------- Interactive Magic's Plans . . . | --------------------------------- RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Interactive Magic, an entertainment software developer and publisher for CD-ROM and On-Line Networks, has announced plans to publish "Air Warrior(R) II." Flight simulation fans know "Air Warrior" as the exciting online air combat game developed by the Kesmai Corporation. "Air Warrior II" will reflect Kesmai's latest 2.0 technology and will contain more than 75 missions to allow players to hone their flying skills before competing with others online. "Air Warrior II" allows players to fly missions in 30 airplanes from the WWI, WWII, and Korean eras. Armed with an intuitive Windows(R) point and click interface, "Air Warrior II" delivers a newly designed game environment that allows even the novice flight simulation fan to quickly ease into gameplay. "We're very excited to be working with Kesmai," said Interactive Magic Chairman "Wild Bill" Stealey. "With more than eight years of intense testing and development, Kesmai has produced some of the finest flight models on the market today. For gamers who love air-to-air combat, very few experiences match the adrenaline rush of dogfighting your best buddy while flying an F6F-3 Hellcat. You would have to time warp back to the early 1940s and climb into the actual airplane for a bigger thrill." In addition to more than 75 exciting missions, the PC CD-ROM title will contain special software, an easy to use tutorial, and a coupon for free online time so that players can quickly go online and fly against other "Air Warriors." "Air Warrior II" will also enable head-to-head modem play. Interactive Magic (www.imagicgames.com) is based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina and is dedicated to developing and publishing high-quality, realtime simulation and strategy games for both PC CD-ROM markets and Internet/Commercial and On-Line markets. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, Kesmai Corporation is both a pioneer and a global industry leader in providing online, multiplayer games. For more information about I-Magic contact Dave Murray at 919-461-0722, ext. 3013. Interactive Magic will also be publishing the following titles in 1996: "Destiny," "F-16 Fighting Falcon," "Hind," "The American Civil War," and "Decathlon." ------------------------------------------------ Novell Lowers the Price of the Tech CDROM . . .| ------------------------------------------------ OREM, Utah -- Jan. 3, 1996 -- Novell today announced new pricing and more flexible licensing options for the Network Support Encyclopedia Professional Volume# (NSEPro#), the company's technical knowledge base on CD-ROM. The NSEPro provides Novell customers and support professionals with a rich set of up-to-date support information in a convenient CD-ROM format. Beginning today, Novell is offering annual subscriptions to the NSEPro in single-user licenses. In addition, a new site license is available to accommodate organizations needing wide access to the NSEPro. "The NSEPro is a valuable support tool for more than 70,000 Certified Novell Engineers, large account customers and service partners," said Michael Bishop, director of Electronic Support for Novell Technical Services. "With the reduced price and licensing changes we hope to achieve a broader distribution of the NSEPro, enabling our customers and partners with the information they need to effectively support Novell products." NSEPro The NSEPro contains the following information as it applies to NetWare, Groupware, Personal Productivity and UnixWare products: * Downloadable files, patches and drivers * Thousands of Technical Information Documents (TIDs) * Product documentation * Novell Application Notes * Groupware Professional's Guide * Novell Labs certification bulletins The NSEPro has hyper-link functionality and full text searching capabilities. Customers can search using custom menus and Boolean logic or browse through manuals and technical information. Beginning with the 95-9 version the NSEPro began shipping on two CDs: one CD contains downloadable files, patches and drivers; the other CD contains TIDs and additional technical documents. The NSEPro is accessible from Windows, DOS and Macintosh. Technical information from Novell is also available through NetWire#, Novell's technical information service. NetWire includes easily searchable online databases and libraries of downloadable files, and provides remote access 24 hours-a-day. Customers can log on to NetWire from the Internet, CompuServe#, the Microsoft Network or SpaceWorks#. Pricing and Availability The suggested retail price for a single-user license of the NSEPro is $495 for an annual subscription with 12 monthly updates; site licenses are available for $995. Certified Novell Engineers (CNEs) can purchase a single-user subscription directly from Novell for $295 per year--which represents a 40 percent savings from the suggested retail price. Customers purchasing the NSEPro from locations outside the United States and Canada will be charged an additional $100 per year to cover duties and higher shipping costs. Customers purchasing a site license can receive additional CD-ROMs for $295 per CD per year. To subscribe to the NSEPro, customers can contact an authorized Novell reseller--call (800) 828-3362 to obtain a listing of resellers in your area; or call (800) 377-4136 or (303) 297-2725 to order directly from Novell and to receive a CNE discount. Customers who purchased the NSEPro at the old price between Sept. 30, 1995, and Jan. 1, 1996, will automatically receive an additional three months at no extra charge. Novell's electronic technical support offering provides Novell's service partners, large accounts, customers and technical support engineers with access to comprehensive technical information on Novell products, anytime, anyplace. Novell is establishing the electronic support programs and delivery vehicles required to provide technical assistance to a billion users worldwide by the year 2000. --------------------------------- Apple is the Key to $500.00 PC! | --------------------------------- Developer of Java Seeks a Foothold in Home Market; Sees Macintosh as '$500 PC,' say KPMG Consultants SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Sun Microsystems' (Nasdaq: SUNW) reported bid for Apple Computer (Nasdaq: AAPL), now said to be entering final discussion stages, represents the next major move in Sun's attempt to dominate the operating system market via Internet technologies, according to consultants of the KPMG Peat Marwick Information, Communications and Entertainment (ICE(SM)) practice. "The low offering price reflects in part the fact that it's primarily Sun that stands to benefit," says Ed Rodriguez, national director of the Electronic Devices practice for KPMG ICE. "By purchasing Apple, Sun gains a substantial foothold in the consumer market, from which it can attempt to challenge Microsoft for operating system dominance. Sun has already signaled that it hopes to create a rival operating system via its Java network computing programming language, which could serve as a platform for Internet-distributed applications. It believes Apple can be the vehicle into the home for such programs. Essentially, Sun hopes that the Macintosh computer will become a front end for Internet-distributed Java 'applets' -- in effect, the $500 PC that Larry Ellison of Oracle Systems has predicted will one day dominate the home computing world." According to Rodriguez, Sun has been very successful selling workstations into the corporate business environment but has very little experience doing business in the consumer arena. "If Java is to succeed, access to the consumer market is critical. Apple could very well be Sun's springboard into the consumer world," Rodriguez says. But a successful purchase of Apple will not make Sun an immediate threat to Microsoft and Intel, Rodriguez says, explaining that internal business and integration issues will likely preoccupy Sun executives for at least a year after the buyout. "It will take 12 months or more for Sun to articulate a long term business strategy, rationalize the Apple business components that complement its strategy and seriously execute against this strategy to take advantage of Apple's customer base," he says. "First, significant portions of Apple will probably have to be sold or otherwise disposed of. Sun will also have to contend with melding the two cultures, and restructuring." It also remains to be seen whether Sun can successfully manage Apple's business, Rodriguez says. Sun is clearly betting that a union with Apple would cement its role as a one-shop Internet powerhouse, says Mary Pat McCarthy, national director of the KPMG ICE Software and Services practice. "The combination of Sun's high-end servers and Java programming coupled with Apple's penchant for user-friendly software and loyal consumer base makes this potential merger extraordinarily appealing." Rodriguez, McCarthy and other KPMG ICE experts are available to comment on the proposed Sun purchase of Apple, and on other major computer-industry developments. Contact Andrea Gregg of KPMG ICE at 415- 951-7503, Rosabel Tao of Fleishman-Hillard at 415-356-1013, or Alan Ampolsk of Fleishman-Hillard at 212-265-9150, ext. 2216. One of KPMG's five industry-focused lines of business, the Information, Communications and Entertainment (ICE(SM)) practice provides assurance and advisory services to clients who produce content, distribution and delivery systems for the information superhighway. KPMG is the only assurance and advisory firm to dedicate a full-service line of business to these industries as a group. KPMG Peat Marwick LLP is the U.S. practice of KPMG, the Global Leader among professional services firms. Worldwide, KPMG has more than 6,000 partners as well as 72,000 professionals servicing clients through 1,100 offices in 829 cities in 136 countries. In the U.S., KPMG partners and professionals deliver a wide range of value-added consulting, assurance, and tax services in five markets: financial services; manufacturing, retailing, and distribution; health care and life sciences; information, communications and entertainment; and public services. ------------------------------ Microprose Has a New Leader! | ------------------------------ John Moore, Former CEO of Western Publishing, Penguin USA, Parker Brothers, Takes the Reins at Consumer Software Company NOVATO, Calif., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Mindscape, Inc., a leading publisher of consumer software, today announced the appointment of John Moore as its new chief executive officer. Moore comes to Mindscape from Western Publishing Company, Inc. where he was CEO, and before that Penguin USA where he was president. Mindscape is owned by international media group, Pearson plc, based in London. Moore is familiar to Pearson from when he was president of Penguin USA, also part of the Pearson group. "It is especially pleasing to have attracted John Moore back to the Pearson group," said Frank Barlow, Pearson's managing director. Moore left Penguin in May, 1995 to join Western Publishing Company, the largest publisher of children's books in the United States. Moore has held a number of senior management positions in the leisure and publishing industries. Before joining Penguin in 1991, he spent ten years running Parker Brothers, a leading toy and game company. He said: "I look back on my experience in the toy and software markets as one of the most rewarding times in my career to date; so Pearson's invitation to rejoin them and head up the team at Mindscape is a challenge I couldn't resist." Bob Lloyd, Mindscape's chairman and former chief executive officer, will continue as the company's non-executive chairman. "Bob Lloyd has worked extremely hard for us to reposition the business since we acquired it in 1994, but will now ease back on his personal role while continuing as chairman," said Barlow. "John Moore brings Mindscape a powerful set of skills that will help take the company forward in a volatile but very exciting market." Mindscape, Inc. is a leading developer and publisher of multimedia CD-ROM products for IBM(R) and compatible computers (MS-DOS(R) and MPC), Macintosh(R), 3DO(TM) and Sega(TM) CD systems; disk-based products for Macintosh and IBM and compatible computers (MS-DOS(R) and Windows(TM)); and cartridge products for Game Boy(R), Nintendo Entertainment System(R) (NES), Super NES(R), Sega(TM) Genesis(TM) and Sega(TM) Game Gear(TM) for the education, entertainment and information markets. Mindscape is headquartered in Novato, CA, with offices in Asuza, CA; Northridge, CA; West Sussex, England; Dusseldorf, Germany; Paris, France and Castle Hill, Australia. The company's development subsidiaries include Mindscape Bordeaux of Bordeaux, France; Strategic Simulation, Inc., (SSI) of Sunnyvale, CA and MicroLogic of Emeryville, CA. Mindscape is part of Pearson, plc, the international media group based in London. NOTE: All product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. þ