ST Report: 24-Oct-97 #1342
From: Bruce D. Nelson (aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 10/27/97-08:40:19 AM Z
From: aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: ST Report: 24-Oct-97 #1342
Date: Mon Oct 27 08:40:19 1997
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October 24, 1997 No.1342
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>From the Editor's Desk...
Whaddaya know! Old. Janet (Waco & Ruby Ridge) Reno is at it again.
Persecuting Microsoft. This time though, I'm willing to bet she's throwing
up a monstrous smoke screen to hide her "pussyfooting" around the Slick
Willie Campaign $$BUX$$ issues and the abysmal failure of the Justice
Department to put a stop to the runaway Drug Problems this nation is
suffering from. Yes sir, the DOJ is a master a diversion. Imagine that.
and its not even election time yet.
Elsewhere is this issue, we cover the matter with an opinion of our
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Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson
Europe Probes Microsoft Practice
A complaint about Microsoft Corp.'s licensing practices reportedly is being
probed by the European Commission, mirroring actions by U.S. antitrust
authorities From Brussels, Amelia Torres of the Reuter News Service quotes
European Union sources as saying the EU will organize a hearing before the
end of 1997. Adds Torres, "The news come only a week after the European
Union's executive forced Digital Equipment Corp. ... to change its supply
and pricing of software and hardware maintenance services."
However, says one of the sources, this is not "a frontal attack against
Microsoft." The source says that as in the case of Digital the probe could
come to a mutually satisfactory conclusion. Reuters says the Commission
sent a so-called statement of objections to Microsoft less than six months
ago after it received a complaint about the licensing practices of the U.S.
software company, said the EU sources, speaking on condition of anonymity.
They declined to identify the complaining party.
The wire service says the investigation also concerns discounts granted by
Microsoft to certain companies that might complicate competitors' life.
Reuters says Microsoft already has replied to the EU's objections and a
closed-door hearing will be organized as part of the procedure into alleged
restrictive practices and abuse of dominant positions, the sources said.
Feds Crack Down on Microsoft IE
The U.S. Justice Department says it believes Microsoft Corp. violates a
1995 court order by requiring computer manufacturers to license and
distribute its Internet Explorer web browser as a condition of licensing
Windows 95. Federal authorities today asked a federal court today to hold
the computer software giant in contempt of the court order the government
obtained to bar the company from anticompetitive licensing practices and
seeks a $1 million a day fine.
Attorney General Janet Reno told reporters, "Microsoft is unlawfully taking
advantage of its Windows monopoly to protect and extend that monopoly."
Associated Press writer Michael J. Sniffen says the announcement had an
immediate impact on Wall Street, with Microsoft's stock, which had gained
as much as $3 earlier in the day, down $2.25 to $130 by early afternoon on
the Nasdaq stock market. Meanwhile, shares of rival Netscape surged more
than $6 -- or 18 percent -- to $41.12.
Meanwhile, Microsoft spokesman Mark Murray told Sniffen the Justice
Department action is "unfortunate and misguided," adding, "The facts will
show that Microsoft is in full compliance with the consent decree"
governing the dispute. He said the decree "specifically allows Microsoft to
integrate new features into the operating system. That's what consumers
want and that's how the software industry has operated for years."
But Assistant Attorney General Joel I. Klein, head of the antitrust
division, told reporters Microsoft's action was designed to undermine the
dominant market position of Netscape. Web browsers are important, he said,
because they "could erode Microsoft's operating system monopoly" in the
Windows operating system and "this kind of product forcing is an abuse of
monopoly power and we seek to put an end to it."
Klein said the Justice Department still is investigating other practices by
Microsoft but declined to give details. AP says federal authorities object
to Microsoft's requirement that computer manufacturers who want to license
the Windows 95 operating system also license its internet browser, known as
Internet Explorer. Most personal computer makers install Windows 95 at the
factory.
"These are two different products," Klein said, and they should be sold as
two separate products and denied the government is taking sides in the
battle for market share between Microsoft and Netscape, whose browser is
known as Navigator. "Each of Microsoft's products should compete on its own
merits," he said.
"Anyone can give away a browser, but no one can force it onto a computer
desktop unless you have monopoly power," Klein said. Antitrust law does not
bar monopolies achieved by a company's talent and ingenuity, but does
prevent abuse of that monopoly. "When you use that power to snuff out a new
entrant, that's what's prohibited," he said.
Besides a fine of $1 million a day, the department asked the U.S. District
Court here to:
z Require Microsoft to notify consumers who own personal computers with
Windows 95 that they are not required to use Internet Explorer and to give
them instructions on how to remove the visual Internet Explorer icon from
their computer desktop if they choose.
z Strike down parts of Microsoft agreements with customers that the
government said could be used to withhold vital information.
Compaq at Center of Microsoft Probe
Compaq Computer Corp. has supplied federal investigators with documents
alleging Microsoft Corp. threatened to withhold its Windows 95 software
from PC makers if they did not include a link to its Web software on the
main display of their computers. The Houston computer maker had a plan to
make it easier for buyers to use Netscape Navigator to explore the Internet
instead of Microsoft's Internet Explorer, but, says Associated Press writer
Cassandra Burrell, "had a change of heart when Microsoft threatened to deny
its ultra-popular Windows 95 computer operating system."
Burrell says Compaq had an established relationship with Netscape
Navigator's manufacturer, Netscape Communications Inc., and had removed the
icon of Internet Explorer from the computer "desktop" screen that confronts
users when they turn on their computers. But, according to court
documents, "Microsoft Corp. moved aggressively to stop that in May 1996,"
says AP. "The Justice Department is citing details of that incident to
support its allegations that Microsoft is using its powerful position in
the software market to muscle customers into using its browser." As
reported earlier, the Justice Department says it believes Microsoft
violates a 1995 court order by requiring computer manufacturers to license
and distribute its Internet Explorer web browser as a condition of
licensing Windows 95.
On the Compaq case, Burrell says Stephen Decker, Compaq's director of
software procurement, has told Justice Department lawyers that after seeing
Compaq had removed Internet Explorer's icon from computer desktops,
Microsoft threatened to revoke the company's license to copy and distribute
Windows 95. In an Oct. 17 deposition, Decker said that since Windows 95 is
pre-installed on all of the Compaq computers sold to consumers, Compaq had
a problem, adding, "When they found out about it, they sent a letter to us
telling us that, you know, they would terminate our agreement for doing
so."
Meanwhile, Microsoft continues to maintain it simply is enforcing the terms
of its licensing agreement and promoting consistency. Microsoft spokesman
Greg Shaw told the wire service, "Internet Explorer, which is the Web
browser that's part of Windows 95, is part of the functionality of Windows
95, so when we license Windows 95 to PC manufacturers, part of the license
of that operating system is the requirement that all of the functionality
of Windows 95 be provided to customers. Customers really expect that
Internet Explorer is part of Windows when they go to buy a PC."
AP says Decker's sworn interview is among more than 250 pages of documents
filed in U.S. District court in Washington as exhibits. They included a
follow-up letter in which Microsoft said it would back off its threat if
Compaq restored the Internet Explorer icon within 60 days. In the same
package of data is information that computer maker Micron Electronics Inc.
also ran into trouble with Microsoft in 1996 after entering into an
agreement with SpryNet, an Internet service provider that planned to offer
its customers a choice of using Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer.
"Micron considered removing Internet Explorer from the package of software
pre-installed on its computers," Burrell reports, but "dropped that idea
after Microsoft said no." Eric Browning, Micron's department manager for
product enhancement, said in an Oct. 14 deposition, "The Microsoft
representative informed me that deleting the icons would not be allowed."
Gov't Move Puts Win98 in Doubt
Yesterday's Department of Justice action against Microsoft Corp. and its
Internet Explorer 4.0 bundling practices throw into question a planned
update to Windows 95 that was to integrate the browser. According to trade
journal Computer Reseller News, the software giant is planning a stopgap
measure prior to the arrival of Windows 98. The publication reports that
Microsoft will ship a new version of Windows 95 -- tentatively called "OSR
2.5" -- to computer manufacturers within the next few months. The release
will consist of the most recent version of Windows 95 and updated software
from America Online, CompuServe, AT&T and The Microsoft Network; as well as
the Internet Explorer 4.0 desktop code, sources told the publication.
One official with a major original equipment manufacturer (OEM), who
requested anonymity, told Computer Reseller News he didn't see why
Microsoft needed the update. "Users are already downloading IE 4.0 and
installing it themselves," he said. "Why do they need us to provide (IE
4.0) to them?" Yet another OEM, also requesting anonymity, said, "We hear
we're supposed to get the (OSR 2.5) code in mid-December. After that,
because of our OEM agreements with Microsoft, we have 60 to 90 days to make
it available."
Governors Oppose Net Tax Ban
A federal bill aimed at restricting new taxes on the Internet would worsen
financial problems for the states and cities, the nation's governors and
local officials are saying. The National Governors' Association estimates
states lose $4 billion in sales taxes annually from mail-order catalog
sales, says tax writer Rob Wells of The Associated Press. "That's because
states, cities and counties generally lack the authority to capture sales
taxes on such sales if the catalog business is headquartered out of state,"
Wells notes, adding, "That problem could only intensify based on the
projected growth of electronic commerce." One study projects $1.5 trillion
in sales on the Internet by 2002.
Joining in opposing the Internet tax bill are leaders from the National
Association of Counties, National League of Cities and U.S. Conference of
Mayors. As reported, Rep. Chris Cox, R-California, and Sen. Ron Wyden,
D-Oregon, have sponsored similar bills that would bar any new taxes on
computer transactions -- such as taxes on Internet access or online
services -- for an unspecified time while Congress studies the whole issue.
The measure would exceptions to the moratorium for:
z Income earned through an Internet service.
z Local business license taxes, if the Internet provider is located
within the appropriate jurisdiction.
z Sales or use taxes, so long as they are the same as charged for mail
or telephone orders.
Opponent Brian J. O'Neill, a Philadelphia city councilman, representing the
National League of Cities, contends the technical language of the bill
contains a broad pre-emption of state and local taxes. Wyden spokesman
David Seldin strongly disagrees, though, saying, "We have bent over
backwards to clarify language of the bill so there can be no questions"
that local governments retain authority to levy the same taxes on the
Internet that are assessed on catalog sales. Seldin says the bill seeks to
halt new local taxes aimed specifically at Internet businesses.
French Enter Encryption Fight
The world business community and the European Commission are alarmed by a
proposed French law ensuring government access to corporate electronic
communications. Reporter Jennifer L. Schenker notes this morning in The
Wall Street Journal that France is presenting the law as a liberalization
of its current policy. Currently, France "is the only Western country that
bans any domestic use of cryptography-technology that encodes data for
protection against prying eyes," Schenker writes, adding the country also
places strict controls on the export of encryption tools, a restriction
imposed by certain other countries, including the U.S.
The new rules, submitted to the European Commission last week, would:
z Allow businesses operating in France to encode their corporate
secrets.
z But also require that keys to unlock the code be given to a French
government-approved entity in which the majority of the capital or votes is
retained by French nationals.
z And require companies selling products with embedded encryption
software in France to reveal the source code.
Objections have been raised by Microsoft Corp., Netscape Communications
Corp. and the Business Software Association, which represents major
international software publishers and high-tech companies, including Novell
Inc., Compaq Computer Corp., Apple Computer Inc. and Lotus, a unit of IBM.
Look for the BSA's European chapter to release a statement supporting the
European Commission's decision earlier this month to reject the
key-recovery approach to encryption, which is championed by both the U.S.
and France.
Cyber Promotions Loses Web Site
Junk e-mail specialist Cyber Promotions Inc. has been disconnected from the
World Wide Web site it leased from Apex Global Internet Services. However,
CP President Sanford Wallace says of the AGIS action, "The anti-spammers
have not won this war. They have just made it more difficult for themselves
as we will now send mail from different sources." Speaking from his
Philadelphia offices with Patrick McKenna of Newsbytes, Wallace added, "We
have been disconnected, but we have other means to continue mailings. It is
going to be hard to keep us from sending mail. We are looking into getting
our Web site up, but this does not mean we are out of business."
As reported, AGIS lawyers earlier sought to disconnect Cyber Promotions --
which boasts of sending up to 4 million unsolicited email messages a day --
but federal Judge Anita Brody ruled the company had to fulfill an
obligation of 30 days' notice. "With the notification period ended," says
McKenna, " http://www.cyberpromo.com is no longer accessible as a Web
site." Noting his legal battles with CompuServe, America Online,
Earthlink, BigFoot and others, Wallace said, "We want the same free speech
rights as any commercial advertiser."
Court Weighs 'Annoying' E-Mail
Legality of a Communications Decency Act provision that forbids the
electronic transfer of obscene, indecent or lewd messages will be addressed
by the U.S. District Court in San Francisco. United Press International
the three-judge panel is set to hear from lawyers representing the World
Wide Web site known as annoy.com, who will blast the provision that makes
it a felony to communicate anything "indecent" online "with intent to
annoy" another person.
UPI says the suit was brought by Clinton Fein, owner of a San Francisco
company called ApolloMedia, which operates annoy.com. "Fein's web site,"
says the wire service, "makes it possible for visitors to annoy President
Clinton, Sen. Jesse Helms and other public figures by sending them e-mail
and blunt electronic 'postcards' on controversial subjects." As reported,
violations of the Act could result in a two-year prison sentence and
$100,000 fine. Last summer, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down provisions
of the Act intended to restrict access to pornography on the Internet, but
the section related to annoying people was not part of that case.
UPI says the section makes it illegal to electronically transmit any
"comment, request, suggestion, proposal, image, or other communication
which is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy or indecent, with intent to
annoy, abuse, threaten or harass another person." Fein says he is not
challenging the language in the law making it illegal to harass, abuse or
threaten someone else.
AOL Sues Firm Over E-Mail
Citing repeated unsolicited bulk e-mail to its members, despite repeated
requests to refrain, America Online has brought federal suit against Over
the Air Equipment Inc. Reporting from AOL's Dulles, Va., headquarters,
United Press International quotes the suit as alleging Over the Air
Equipment used deceptive practices, including falsifying e-mail
transmission data, to avoid AOL's mail controls and to repeatedly transmit
vast quantities of unsolicited e-mail to AOL members. "E-mail sent to AOL
members from Over the Air Equipment included a link to their cyber-stripper
offerings on the World Wide Web," UPI says. "To further confuse AOL
subscribers, AOL said Over the Air Equipment copied an America Online
trademark fraudulently suggesting their site had AOL approval."
The suit contends that despite repeated demands to Over the Air Equipment
to cease, the company continued to use a variety of deceptive practices,
including forging e-mail headers and counterfeiting routing information to
escape detection. AOL also alleges Over the Air Equipment ignored AOL
member requests to be removed from Over the Air Equipment's mail lists and
continued to transmit unwanted junk e-mail to frustrated AOL members.
IBM Offering Job Buy-Outs
Quietly, IBM has begun offering a voluntary job-buyout plan to most of its
241,000 employees worldwide, a cost-cutting move that expert says could
eliminate several thousand jobs. It is IBM's first broad job-reduction
program in years. Reporting for The Wall Street Journal, writer Raju
Narisetti says the move "illustrates a growing dilemma for IBM's top
managers, who are juggling several poorly performing divisions such as
software and mid-range computers while trying to rapidly expand booming
businesses like computer services, where the company is adding thousands of
jobs."
Narisetti notes IBM has downsized from a peak of 406,000 employees in 1985
to 220,000 in 1994, but in the past two years, the firm's work force has
been expanding again as it has added new hires and begun acquiring
companies, such as Lotus Development. "Now," says the Journal, "IBM needs
the savings from more job cuts - expected to be hundreds of millions of
dollars, depending on how many employees leave." An IBM spokesman has
confirmed a "broad-based voluntary separation program" is under way on a
unit-by-unit basis, but declines to say how many employees the company
expects will take the offer.
Analyst John Jones Jr. of Salomon Brothers Inc. told Narisetti the company
will continue to have "balancing acts going on" in hiring new employees in
one unit and downsizing other parts of the company, adding the expense
associated with such "ebb and flow of business doesn't qualify or should
not be called out as a one-time charge."
Microsoft, Inktomi Make Deal
For undisclosed terms, Microsoft Corp. is entering a licensing deal with
Inktomi Corp., a closely held San Mateo, California corporation, to create
new World Wide Web search capabilities as part of a series of strategy
changes for its online service. Writing in The Wall Street Journal this
morning, reporters Don Clark and David Bank say Microsoft will launch the
search service early next year "as part of an effort to beef up a Web site
called MSN.com, the free part of its subscription based Microsoft Network
online service."
The paper says the MSN.com site is increasingly seen as a competitor for
companies such as Yahoo Corp., Lycos Inc. and Excite Inc. and the new
search capabilities could help it increase its audience. Add Clark and
Bank, "The fields of Web search and content feature a blizzard of deals in
which companies simultaneously compete and collaborate with each other. For
example, Microsoft's latest Web browser software already promotes Yahoo's
service for personalizing Web page. Executives of Yahoo, Santa Clara,
California, disclosed during a recent conference call with analysts that it
was talking with Microsoft about other alliances, including sharing its
flagship directory."
Analyst David Simons with Digital Video Investments in New York comments,
"Everybody is going around selling their Web real-estate willy-nilly. It's
looking very much like suburban sprawl, with strip malls, no zoning, no
planning." The Journal comments that Inktomi's technology, which will be
combined with Microsoft software, is considered among the most powerful in
automatically sorting through millions of Web pages and producing results
based on key word searches. By contrast, Yahoo has a directory that is
based on Web pages submitted from other companies and recommendations to
users from its staff.
As reported here earlier this month, Inktomi is selling an equity stake in
the company to chipmaker Intel Corp. for about $2 million as part of a
strategic alliance. Known mostly for developing the HotBot Internet search
engine software, Inktomi also is developing technologies to improve speed
and access in corporate networks and the Internet.
Intel Sued Over Patents
Datapoint Corp. is suing Intel Corp. for infringing on its
videoconferencing patents. According to the lawsuit, filed in Dallas U.S.
District Court, Datapoint advised Intel that it is infringing on the
patents, "but Intel continues its infringement willfully and with full
knowledge of plaintiffs' rights" in the patents. Datapoint says its patents
enable users to establish their own multi-point videoconferences utilizing
voice, video and data.
Datapoint is seeking an injunction against Intel as well as unspecified
damages. "Intel is one of the fastest growing companies in the
videoconferencing market, and a major contributor to their growth has been
the infringement of Datapoint's patents," says Blake Thomas, Datapoint's
president. "Another significant factor in Intel's dramatic growth has been
our multi-speed networking patents, which create compatibility between
systems of varying speeds." Datapoint also has a suit pending against
Intel on its multi-speed networking patents, as well as similar suits
pending against PictureTel and Compression Labs Inc.
Apple Upgrades MessagePad
An upgrade to the handheld MessagePad device, with more memory and enhanced
networking capabilities, is being unveiled by Apple Computer Inc.'s Newton
unit. Reporting from San Francisco, the Reuter News Service says the
MessagePad 2100, targeted to mobile professionals and mobile healthcare
providers, will be priced at $1,000 and available sometime in early
November.
The system will have four megabytes of dynamic random access memory instead
of one megabyte as in the MessagePad 2000 and an Ethernet card, to provide
a 20 percent faster connection with corporate networks. It also will have
enhanced software, to make electronic mail and Internet browsing easier.
Apple officials told the wire service current MessagePad customers who
want to upgrade to the MessagePad 2100 can do for $99, if they purchase a
MessagePad 2000 before Nov. 7. For purchases after that date, the upgrade
is $199.
CompuServe Sets Forum Deals
CompuServe Corp. reports it has signed contracts with 58 independent
business partners to manage a total of 425 Forums for its new "C from
CompuServe" Web-based service. Company officials say they expect the total
to exceed 500 Forums when "C from CompuServe" debuts later this year,
immediately making it one of the largest sites on the Web. "Independent
partners who have managed Forums on our existing CSi service for years are
responding enthusiastically to our new Web-based product," says Sam
Uretsky, vice president of business management for the online service. "In
conjunction with these seasoned experts, we will enable Internet users to
experience our acclaimed Forums for the first time. 'C from CompuServe'
will bring a wealth of unique content and an enhanced sense of community to
the Web."
Internet users will be able to access the Forums on a "read only" basis at
no charge, and can actively participate for a monthly flat-rate
subscription fee to be announced later, says Uretsky. "A crucial advantage
is that 'C from CompuServe' subscribers will be joining mature, highly
populated discussion groups, rather than start-up communities. From day
one, they will be able to communicate seamlessly with members of our
existing CSi online service and subject-matter experts who share their
interests." CSi members will also have access to the new product for no
additional fee.
The Forums are aimed at business, professional, technical and other
sophisticated consumers and cover a wide range of work and lifestyle
topics, according to CSi executive producer Bob Kington. "CompuServe
Forums are the most tightly focused discussion groups in the online world.
They provide opportunities to exchange information and opinions with peers
and experts, as well as vast downloadable file libraries." Kington notes
that the 58 business partners signed to date will contribute a collective
staff of more than 2,600 people, and over 10,000 aggregate years of
experience in managing online interactive discussion groups.
Micron Boosts PC Memory
Micron Electronics Inc. has increased the amount of standard memory on its
PCs. The Micron Millennia and ClientPro lines, which included 32MB and
48MB of RAM, have been increased to 64MB. Other Micron models with 16MB of
RAM have been doubled to 32MB. "We're driving a new standard in memory to
better support more memory-intensive applications, simultaneously boosting
the value and power of our PCs for our customers," says Jeff Moeser,
Micron's vice president of desktop products.
Anti-Virus Software Market Soars
The anti-virus software market is soaring, with unit sales up 84 percent
compared to the same time last year, reports PC Data Inc. Dollar sales are
up 77 percent. The Reston, Virginia, market research firm notes that
Symantec leads the anti-virus industry with a 45 percent market share,
followed by McAfee at 41 percent, Touchstone at 6 percent, Dr. Solomon at 5
percent and IBM at 2 percent.
Senator Warns of Millennium Bug
Visiting Germany, U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah) says he worries European
companies and governments are failing to tackle the computer data problem
known as the "millennium bug." Reporting from Bonn, the Reuter News
Service says Bennett told a group of German business leaders in Bonn he
fears a worldwide computer crisis in the year 2000 could even lead to a
global recession, adding, "I don't mean to be a fear mongerer, but I am
worried that the problem is not being addressed seriously enough. It could
trigger a worldwide recession. People couldn't get to their money, they
couldn't get what they need."
As reported, at issue here is a worldwide programming problem that could
cause computers to view the year 2000 as the year 1900. This would occur as
a result of a programming fault which only allows computers to accept the
last two digits of a year. Bennett told the wire service he has spoken to
business leaders in several countries on a tour through Europe and is
alarmed that so little was being done, saying Europe lags far behind the
United States in dealing with the millennium problem.
Said Bennett, "I was talking to one business leader in Bulgaria about it
and he said it shouldn't be a problem. He told me they would just ask Bill
Gates to come over and fix it for them. I hope our partners in Europe
realize how serious this problem facing us is." "The solution is, in
principle, easy," said Bennett, who was a successful entrepreneur and
businessman before entering the senate in 1992. "A two-digit field has to
be made into a four-digit field." Reuters adds Bennett compares the
re-programming computers to changing all the rivets on the Golden Gate
bridge while traffic was moving on it. "Finding and changing one rivet was
not hard," says Reuters, "but making sure they were all found and changed
was a greater challenge that had to be met."
Commission: US Systems Vulnerable
A presidential commission has found the U.S. is vulnerable to cyber attacks
on critical services and urges the government to step up measures to
protect itself against computer terrorists. In a summary of the classified
report it delivered yesterday to the White House, the Commission on
Critical Infrastructure Protection wrote, "National defense is not just
about government anymore, and economic security is not just about business
anymore," adding the country's dependence on computers for its security,
economy and way of life make the country increasingly vulnerable to
computer attacks that could easily wipe out communications and power grids.
Said the commission, "Today, the right command sent over the Internet to a
power generating station's control computer could be just as effective as a
backpack full of explosives and the perpetrator would be harder to identify
and apprehend." The Associated Press says the report recommends:
z Setting up a nationwide program to educate people on the scope of a
problem through White House conferences, presentations at professional
clubs and public education.
z Revising existing laws to ensure protection against electronic attacks
through the Internet.
z Doubling the $250 million the federal government now spends on
research aimed at countering threats of computer attacks.
z Once the figure is doubled in 1999, it would then be increased by $100
million each year until $1 billion is dedicated to the problem by 2004, the
paper said, citing unidentified administration sources.
z Providing money to universities and private firms that could come up
with more sophisticated intrusion detection devices.
AP quotes the report as saying, "Law has failed to keep pace with
technology. Some laws capable of promoting assurance are not as clear or
effective as they could be... We identified existing laws that could help
the government take the lead and serve as a model of standards and
practices for the private sector. We identified other areas of law that ...
can enable infrastructure owners and operators to take precautions
proportionate to the threat."
White House spokesman P.J. Crowley told the wire service a task force of
representatives from several government agencies will review the
commission's report and come up with recommendations, which is likely to
take the rest of the year. Also, an advisory committee headed by former
Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga., and former Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick
will work with the private sector on ways to protect against cyber attacks.
A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N
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A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N
EDUPAGE STR Focus Keeping the users informed
Edupage
Contents
Taxing The Net
Sun Seeks $35 Million In Java Suit
Microsoft's European Sales
Practices Under Scrutiny
Excite Buys Web Shopping Company
MIT Puts Computer Sales Online
NBC Puts Local Content On Web
Spam Wars And Gold Rush Days
AT&T Gets New CEO
Reno Says Microsoft Violated
Antitrust Agreement
A Third Of College Courses Use
E-Mail
France Proposes Key Encryption Law
What's In A (Domain) Name?
Report On Computer Terrorism
Spam Wars: The AOL Frontline
The Check Is On The Net
Australian Telco Sues For Lower Net
Phone Rates
Microsoft Competitors Testify To
Tough Tactics
Intel, Digital Settle Alpha Suit
Intel Heads Up PC-Based Arcade
Effort
Costa Rica Testing Online Elections
Virginia Library Applies Internet
Filters To Adult Patrons
Chat Rooms Could Boost Business,
Says Jupiter
The Transition From Technology To
Business
Technostress (Do You Get Nervous
Without Edupage?)
Live, Streaming Educom97
TAXING THE NET
The National Governors' Association is attacking proposed federal
legislation that would bar states from imposing new sales taxes on
Internet-related businesses for up to six years. NGA chairman George
Voinovich, governor of Ohio, says: "If enacted, the legislation coming out
of the House would undercut state and local sales taxes and lead to a
virtual sales tax collapse over the next 10 years that would be felt by
every American community." The fear is that such restrictions would not
only deprive states of additional tax revenues but would also cut into
existing sales taxes by driving consumers away from local merchants and
onto the Internet. However, governors of states such as California,
Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia, all of which are home to
substantial computer-related industries, are in favor of the legislation.
(Atlanta Journal-Constitution 18 Oct 97)
SUN SEEKS $35 MILLION IN JAVA SUIT
Sun Microsystems has amended its lawsuit against Microsoft, filed earlier
this month, to specify that it will seek $35 million in damages from the
software maker. The suit alleges that Microsoft violated a licensing
agreement for use of Sun's Java programming language. Sun's
specifications dictate that Java-based programs must run on any platform,
but some of Microsoft's programs use Java in a way that makes it compatible
only with Microsoft's Windows operating system. Besides the $35 million,
Sun also wants Microsoft to pay additional unspecified damages for misuse
of a Java-compatible logo. Meanwhile, Netscape CEO Jim Barksdale, voicing
the frustration of the other 116 Java licensees, has warned Sun that if the
allegations hold up and it doesn't revoke Microsoft's Java license, he
will sue Sun. (Bloomberg News Oct 17 97)
MICROSOFT'S EUROPEAN SALES PRACTICES UNDER SCRUTINY
The European Union's competition commission is taking a close look at
Microsoft's sales practices abroad, and has sent a "statement of
objections" to the company based on a complaint from a competitor. The
commission is investigating other complaints as well, and will hold
hearings on Microsoft's practices before the end of the year. (Wall
Street Journal 17 Oct 97)
EXCITE BUYS WEB SHOPPING COMPANY
Excite, an Internet search service, is buying Seattle-based Netbot, which
makes software called "Jango" for shopping on the Web. Jango is based on
technology licensed from the University of Washington, and that
institution will receive more than $1 million from the sale, as well as a
share of future royalties. (USA Today 18 Oct 97)
MIT PUTS COMPUTER SALES ONLINE
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is moving its computer sales to
students online, with orders taken via a special Web site, MCC/Online.
The site will be operated by NECX under contract to MIT. "The education
discounts aren't what they used to be," says MIT's director of
administration and finance for information systems. These days, he says,
the prices from local stores are so competitive that students can often
get a better deal there. By eliminating the overhead associated with
running traditional bricks-and-mortar computer sales operations,
educational institutions can offer their clientele better deals. Other
schools, including Cornell University, are following suit, and some, like
Tufts University, are getting out of computer sales altogether.
(Chronicle of Higher Education 17 Oct 97)
NBC PUTS LOCAL CONTENT ON WEB
NBC has launched its Interactive Neighborhood program, offering network
affiliates customized information gleaned from Microsoft Sidewalk city
guides, Big Yellow online directories, and Realtor.com and Rent Net
housing ads. "With this launch, we're tapping into the most valuable
content online -- local content," says NBC Cable president Tom Rogers.
The network plans to add classified and personal ads in the next few weeks.
(Broadcasting & Cable 13 Oct 97)
SPAM WARS AND GOLD RUSH DAYS
Internet service provider Apex Global Internet Services (AGIS) will no
longer offer Internet access to Sanford Wallace's Cyber Promotions, a
company widely known for sending huge volumes of unsolicited commercial
e-mail messages on the Internet. Wallace has recently indicated that such
a turn of events will have relatively little impact on him: "We've become
more of a consulting and software business." He compares his business to
the companies that made money during California Gold Rush days by selling
equipment to the miners, and is selling the raw materials and expertise to
others who want to send bulk e-mail. (New York Times 18 Oct 97)
AT&T GETS NEW CEO
The new chairman of chief executive of AT&T, the nation's largest
long-distance company, will be Hughes Electronics Inc. Chief Executive C.
Michael Armstrong. Industry analyst Jeffrey Kagan warns, "Armstrong has
to take center stage, rally and inspire the troops, and shout from every
podium that AT&T is back. Anything short of that is trouble."
(Washington Post 18 Oct 97)
RENO SAYS MICROSOFT VIOLATED ANTITRUST AGREEMENT
Attorney General Janet Reno has filed a petition in federal court asserting
that Microsoft has violated a 1995 consent decree by requiring computer
manufacturers who install its Windows 95 operating system to also license
and install its Internet Explorer software for browsing the World Wide Web.
Reno's charge: "Microsoft is unlawfully taking advantage of its Windows
monopoly to protect and extend that monopoly and undermine consumer
choice. This administration has taken great efforts to encourage and spur
technological innovation, promote competition and make sure that the
consumers have the ability to choose among competing products. Today's
action shows that we won't tolerate any coercion by dominant companies in
any way that distorts competition." The response from Microsoft chief
executive Bill Gates: "A fundamental principle at Microsoft is that
Windows gets better and makes the PC easier to use with each new version.
Today people want to use PCs to access the Internet. We are providing
that functionality in Windows, and providing a platform for innovation by
thousands of other software companies. It would be a great disservice to
our customers if Microsoft did not enhance Windows with Internet-related
features, and rapidly distribute updated versions of Windows through PC
manufacturers." (New York Times 21 Oct 97)
A THIRD OF COLLEGE COURSES USE E-MAIL
The annual Campus Computing Project survey shows that nearly 33% of courses
offered at the 605 institutions polled use e-mail, up from 25% last year
and 8% in 1994. At private universities, the percentage of courses sing
e-mail is 60% and nearly half of public university courses use it. More
than 14% of all institutions put class materials, such as syllabi, on the
Web and more than 24% use other Web resources, such as online
encyclopedias other Web sites. The No. 1 problem facing campus-computing
administrators continues to be user support, both technical and in terms
of faculty assistance. "These are flip sides of the same coin," says
survey director Kenneth C. Green. "People continue to ask, 'How do we use
this stuff?' It's still entirely new." (Chronicle of Higher Education 17
Oct 97)
FRANCE PROPOSES KEY ENCRYPTION LAW
The French government has proposed a law that would mandate a key-recovery
system for all encrypted electronic documents, a move that is opposed by
the business community and the European Commission. Earlier this month,
the European Commission rejected the key-recovery approach to encryption,
which some believe would make it easier for competitors to gain access to
a company's business secrets. "I do not say this is the best system,"
says the chief of France's Central Service for the Security of Information
Systems. "It is the least bad in trying to find a balance between
national-security interests, economic interests and the protection of
personal privacy." (Wall Street Journal 20 Oct 97)
WHAT'S IN A (DOMAIN) NAME?
The decision to create additional top-level domains may not solve the
current crowding in Internet domain names, says columnist Wendy Grossman:
"Judging from the comments I've seen, people hate the names: .firm, store,
.web, .arts, .rec and .nom (for personal domains). 'What is the problem we
are trying to solve?' asks Donna Hoffman, an electronic commerce
specialist at Vanderbilt University. If, she argues, we want to create
more 'good' names, this system fails because companies will register
multiple names. If the goal is a directory structure, it fails again,
because the names are confusing. 'The categories should be mutually
exclusive and exhaustive but also flexible enough to accommodate
evolution,' she says... The right structure could solve a number of
persistent problems if it took into account the changing nature of the Net,
the fact that rules will always be broken, and the increasing value names
and concepts acquire with use. The current plan does not do enough of the
first two things, although it correctly says that domain names are a public
trust, reflecting the human ability to create something valuable out of
nothing." (Scientific American Oct 97)
REPORT ON COMPUTER TERRORISM
The President's Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection says that
the country's communications networks are increasingly vulnerable to
attack by terrorists using computers and urges the government to establish
a new directorate within the National Security Council to coordinate
actions that would guard against such attacks, and to collect and trade
information between the government and the private sector. (Washington
Post 21 Oct 97)
SPAM WARS: THE AOL FRONTLINE
America Online is suing Prime Data Worldnet Systems for evading AOL's
anti-spamming measures to send large quantities of unsolicited email
messages to America Online subscribers. (Wired News 21 Oct 97)
THE CHECK IS ON THE NET
The U.S. government is starting a year-long market test of its Web server
software, which will enable it to pay government contractors over the
Internet. The test is sponsored by the Financial Services Technology
Consortium, a nonprofit group composed of banks, other financial service
companies, high-tech businesses, national laboratories, universities and
government agencies. The goal is eventually to move all government
financial transactions online. The two banks involved, NationsBank and
BankBoston Corp., will deposit the electronic checks into vendors'
checking accounts, clearing them electronically through the Federal
Reserve. The software for the banks was created by IBM and the software
for the Fed by Sun Microsystems. "We expect this market trial to be the
first in a series, leading to a commercial rollout that will lay the
groundwork for this electronic payment mechanism to meet and exceed market
demands long into the 21st century," says the project director for the
consortium. (Investor's Business Daily 20 Oct 97)
AUSTRALIAN TELCO SUES FOR LOWER NET PHONE RATES
Australian company Telstra Corp. has petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals
in Washington, DC to force the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to
review its Internet phone payment rules. The company wants U.S. phone
companies to shoulder a larger share of the costs involved in transmitting
Internet phone calls between the two countries. Internet traffic flows
primarily from Australia to this country, although rates are based on
historic flow in the other direction, says Telstra's attorney. That
situation is costing Telstra $15 million a year, he says. (St. Petersburg
Times 20 Oct 97)
MICROSOFT COMPETITORS TESTIFY TO TOUGH TACTICS
A Compaq Computer executive says in a deposition that his company decided
against providing PC buyers easy access to Netscape Communications' Web
browser software after Microsoft threatened to end Compaq's Windows 95
license. Compaq had planned to include a Netscape icon on its computer
screens, but "When they (Microsoft) found out about it, they sent a letter
to us telling us that, you know, they would terminate our agreement for
doing so." A Microsoft VP says his company was simply enforcing the terms
of the Windows 95 license. Microsoft's position regarding the 1995
consent decree reached with the U.S. Justice Department is that it has the
right to integrate new features into the operating system, and the Internet
Explorer browser software is one of those features. He added that PC
makers were free to add software from other companies, as long as they
keep Internet Explorer, too. (Wall Street Journal 23 Oct 97)
INTEL, DIGITAL SETTLE ALPHA SUIT
Intel and Digital Equipment Corp. have reportedly reached an out-of-court
settlement that will require Intel to pay Digital $1.6 billion -- 50% in
cash and the rest in discounts on Intel chip purchases. In return, Intel
will have access to Digital's Alpha microprocessor technology, and will
help Digital develop products for it. (Investor's Business Daily 22 Oct
97)
INTEL HEADS UP PC-BASED ARCADE EFFORT
Intel Corp. is leading a group of more than 80 companies in developing
PC-based, coin-operated arcade machines that incorporate Intel
microprocessors and Windows NT operating systems. In the past, arcade
games have used cheaper circuitry and chip-stored rather than
disk-drive-stored games, making it difficult to upgrade systems to play
different games. Under the PC-based system, an arcade owner who wanted to
switch to a more popular game could simply slip in a new CD-ROM, rather
than install a new system board or buy a new machine. Intel says it isn't
so much interested in the machines themselves, but the fact that the arcade
business stretches computer performance in graphics and other areas,
enabling Intel to incorporate those developments more quickly into PCs.
"Everything we do goes back to boosting demand for our primary market,"
says and Intel VP. "In doing so, we're bringing the economics of the
computer business to operators of arcades." (Wall Street Journal 23 Oct
97)
COSTA RICA TESTING ONLINE ELECTIONS
With the help of students from Villanova University Law School, the
government of Costa Rica is launching what appears to be the first test of
a national election online, with hopes that if the test is successful,
paper ballots will have been eliminated entirely by the next election in
2002. The project will use computers located in schools around the country
and linked to the Internet, and security experts at AT&T Labs in New Jersey
will help design and implement the system. (New York Times CyberTimes 22
Oct 97)
VIRGINIA LIBRARY APPLIES INTERNET FILTERS
TO ADULT PATRONS
The library board of Loudon County, Virginia, has voted 5-4 to apply
filters that would prevent all patrons, including adults, from viewing
"pornographic and obscene material" or from accessing sexually explicit
e-mail or chat rooms in the library. The head of the American Civil
Liberties Union calls the policy "an outright violation of your First
Amendment rights under the Constitution." (Washington Post 22 Oct 97)
[Postscript: Filtering software recently caused Edupage to be blocked for
a brief time at a high school in California. The blocking was
subsequently deemed by school administrators to have been a "mistake," and
Edupage distribution was reinstated.]
CHAT ROOMS COULD BOOST BUSINESS, SAYS JUPITER
Businesses could improve relations with their clients and market their
products more effectively if they sponsored "chat rooms" on their Web
sites that would enable customers to exchange information among
themselves, says researcher Jupiter Communications. Opportunities to chat
would also help companies close sales, position themselves competitively
and build communities. About 25% of online users now visit chat rooms.
(Investor's Business Daily 23 Oct 97)
THE TRANSITION FROM TECHNOLOGY TO BUSINESS
Asked how technologists can make the shift from technical to
business-related jobs, Novell Chief Executive Eric Schmidt answers:
"Businesses are mostly people-intensive, and technologists usually discount
the value of personal relationships. Managers can fuse influence as well
as 'being right' to get things done. If you love people, you can easily
make the transition." (IEEE Internet Computing Sep/Oct 97)
TECHNOSTRESS (DO YOU GET NERVOUS WITHOUT EDUPAGE?)
In their new book, "TechnoStress," psychologists Michelle M. Weil and Larry
D. Rosen say that the growing dependence on technology affects us
negatively, and that we count on our machines to do so much that when
something goes wrong with our technology, we are thrown into a tailspin. "
Some people become so immersed in technology that they risk losing their
own identity" -- a syndrome called "technosis." You are a victim of
technosis if you answer "yes" to questions such as: "Do you feel out of
touch when you haven't checked your answering machine or voice mail in the
last 12 hours?" Symptoms of technosis include overdoing work and never
feeling finished, believing faster is better, and not knowing how to
function successfully without technology. ("TechnoStress," John Wiley &
Sons 1997)
LIVE, STREAMING EDUCOM97
The three keynote sessions at EDUCOM'97 will be available as live,
streaming webcasts via RealMedia at www.educom.edu/conf/97/webcast.html.
Viewers will need the RealPlayer, Version 5 (at www.real.com) and at least
a 28.8 connection to the Internet (as always, faster connections are
better). Webcast times (CST) are 9:30 am October 29 (Educom Medal awards
and address by Eli Noam), 9:45 am October 30 (address by Sherry Turkle),
and 11:15 am October 31 (address by John Perry Barlow). The webcasts are
produced through the cooperative efforts of colleagues at the University
of Michigan, the University of Minnesota, and RealNetworks.
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DOJ vs Microsoft; Right or Wrong? STR Spotlight An opinion.
DOJ Tilting at Windmills - AGAIN!
An Opinion by Ralph F. Mariano
To begin.. I respectfully submit.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Justice Department Monday accused Microsoft
Corp. of using its Windows "monopoly" to force computer makers to include
the Microsoft Internet browser in pre-loaded software, putting rivals such
as Netscape at a competitive disadvantage.
The department charged that the software giant had violated its 1995
antitrust agreement with the government and asked a federal court here to
slap a $1 million a day fine on Microsoft if the alleged violations
continue.
The new legal assault represents a big boost for Netscape Communications
Corp., a bitter rival in the "browser war" that had accused Microsoft of
using "clandestine" tactics to persuade personal computer makers and others
to offer its browser rather than Netscape's. Browsers are used to navigate
the Internet's World Wide Web.
In its petition, the Justice Department asked the court to stop Microsoft,
based in Redmond, Washington, from requiring PC manufacturers to accept
Internet Explorer as a condition of receiving the company's widely used
Windows 95 software.
It sought to force Microsoft to notify consumers who have Windows 95 that
they do not have to use Internet Explorer and that they can use any
compatible Internet browser.
Consumers also would receive simple instructions on how to remove the
Internet Explorer browser icon from their PC. To get more companies to
offer evidence against Microsoft, the department wants the court to nullify
key portions of the secrecy pacts Microsoft requires manufacturers to sign.
Microsoft chairman and CEO Bill Gates defended the company's strategy.
"Today people want to use PCs to access the Internet. We are providing that
functionality in Windows, and providing a platform for innovation by
thousands of other software companies," Gates said in a statement.
The department, meanwhile, said a wide-ranging investigation of Microsoft's
practices would continue.
"Forcing PC manufacturers to take one Microsoft product as a condition of
buying a monopoly product like Windows 95 is not only a violation of the
court order, but it's plain wrong," Attorney Janet Reno told a news
conference.
Microsoft's stock skidded on the news to $131 before rebounding to end up
37.5 cents at $132.625, while Netscape's stock surged $4.3125 to end at
$39.25, both on Nasdaq.
Separately, Microsoft said its first-quarter profit from operations jumped
53 percent, slightly better than Wall Street had expected, on strong sales
of its PC software products.
Microsoft said it had net income of $663 million, or 50 cents a share,
compared with $614 million, or 47 cents, in the same quarter a year ago.
Revenue for the quarter ended Sept. 30 rose 36 percent to $3.13 billion
from $2.295 billion.
The 1995 consent decree barred Microsoft from imposing anti-competitive
licensing terms on personal computer makers. The company agreed to modify
its licensing practices.
The department said it brought Monday's action to enforce that pact and
prevent Microsoft from being able to expand its monopoly in the market for
PC operating systems through anti-competitive practices. Microsoft will
have 11 days to respond formally to the department's charges.
A spokesman said Microsoft is confident it is operating within limits set
by the 1995 consent decree, which he said "specifically allows Microsoft to
integrate new features into the operating system", such as its Internet
Explorer browser.
"We have never tried to stop any computer manufacturer from shipping any
other browser," said spokesman Mark Murray.
According to the department, much of Microsoft's market power today stems
from the fact that most applications programs for PCs -- such as word
processing, spread sheets and money managers -- are written to work with
Microsoft's Windows 95 PC operating system.
Microsoft's operating system is installed on more than 80 percent of the
nation's PCs. The department said many PC makers want to choose freely
among competing software products when they decide what to package with
their computers.
"Even as we go forward with this action, we also want to make clear that we
have an ongoing and wide-ranging investigation to determine whether
Microsoft's actions are stifling innovation and consumer choice," said
assistant attorney general Joel Klein, who is in charge of the department's
antitrust division.
The department charged that Microsoft had refused requests from at least
three PC makers to remove the Internet Explorer program or the browser's
icon from the Windows 95 package.
It cited a 1996 incident in which Microsoft issued a formal notice to one
of the nation's largest computer makers that it intended to end its Windows
95 license agreement unless the manufacturer continued to preinstall the
Internet Explorer icon and another Microsoft icon.
"Browsers are potentially the kind of product that could erode Microsoft's
operating system monopoly," said Klein.
Department officials stressed that they were not taking sides in the battle
between Microsoft and Netscape, or in any emerging competition between
Windows and other products.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association applauded the move,
saying Microsoft's practice seemed "designed to leverage the dominance of
Microsoft's operating system ... and choke off competition in the browser
market."
In Mountain View, Calif., Netscape Chief Counsel Roberta Katz said the
company supports the department's action against Microsoft. But she said it
was too early to judge the financial implications for Netscape's business.
Industry estimates suggest that Netscape accounts for about 70 percent to
80 percent of the browser market and that Microsoft accounts for about 30
percent. The numbers can add up to more than 100 percent because computer
users can use more than one browser.
What exactly is this country and its government coming to? Why are
the Whigs on the Hill (Reno & Co.) trying so hard to divert attention away
from the matters that will and do affect the nation's citizens the most?
What is Janet Reno's point in trying to persecute (that's right persecute
instead of prosecute) Microsoft Corporation? I'll try to answer these
questions as I see it. In my best. "Telling it like it is manner".
On the Hill, we have a both a lame duck Congress and Senate divided
Republican vs. Democrat. A "herd" of elected representatives so busy
shooting at each other and trying to destroy the gains made by each party
that the genuine issues that strongly concern and affect this Nation's
citizens and taxpayers are falling, left and right, by the wayside. That,
my friends, is the real CRIME the DOJ should be vigorously pursuing.
Madam Reno and the DOJ should be posting wonderful and highly
reassuring headlines about the TRUE interdiction and curtailment, if not
the eradication, of DRUGS flowing freely into the USA. But no, they're
ever so busy pounding on Microsoft's Door to seemingly make headlines for
themselves. This couldn't also be a diversion to take the heat off RENO
about side stepping, backpedaling and coddling "Slick Willie" over the
Campaign Funds Issue now could it??
Obviously, Janet Reno hasn't a clue about the huge amount of tax money
Microsoft generates both directly and indirectly Federally and for each and
every State in the Union nor does she seem to care. Yet on the real CRIME
FRONT. One can only wonder why the Drug Lords are operating with impunity
and why the Mafioso based in Las Vegas, Reno, Los Angeles, Miami,
Philadelphia, Chicago, New Orleans, New York City, New Jersey and Boston
still have an iron grip on commercial fishing, unions, concrete
distribution, trucking construction, garbage collection, medical coverage
plans, fuel distribution terminals, transportation enterprises and
entertainment centers. not to mention the underworld activities flourishing
without what appears to be the least bit of DOJ interception or mere
interference.
Microsoft is unlawfully taking advantage of its Windows monopoly to protect
and to extend that monopoly and undermine consumer choice."
Attorney General Janet Reno
"We have never tried to stop any computer manufacturer from shipping any
other browser."
Microsoft spokesman Mark
Murray
The government asked the federal court in Washington to hold Microsoft
in contempt of a 1995 court order barring the Redmond, Wash.-based company
from anti-competitive software licensing practices.
"This action is unfortunate and misguided," said Microsoft spokesman
Mark Murray. "The facts will show that Microsoft is in full compliance with
the consent decree."
William Neukom, senior vice president of law and corporate affairs at
Microsoft, said the consent degree affirms Microsoft's right to enhance its
operating system.
"This was carefully negotiated with the then-lawyers at the antitrust
division of the Department of Justice," Neukom said.
Those negotiations support "that Microsoft was quite free to do
precisely what we have done," and add new functions to the operating
system. The agreement especially allows new functions that permit users of
operating systems to locate and collect information from new sources_in
this case, the Internet.
Internet is New Battle Ground
In many ways, the Internet is the biggest threat to Microsoft. The company
makes the software that runs more than 80 percent of the personal computers
in the United States. It also makes word processing programs, spreadsheets,
databases and programming tools, all closely linked with the Windows 95
operating system. Microsoft's dominance of these markets allows it to
collect huge licensing revenues. But the Internet is eroding the
importance of operating systems. As use of the Internet grows, and the
software for accessing it more sophisticated, it doesn't matter whether the
computer being used runs Windows 95 or not.
"This is not about the Internet," said Netscape's general counsel,
Roberta Katz. "It's about doing away with competition in the browser market
because the browser threatens the operating system." The government told
the court that "as Microsoft fears, Browsers have the potential to become
both alternative "platforms" on which various software applications and
programs can run and alternative `interfaces' that PC users can employ to
obtain and work with such applications and programs."
Its fairly obvious Katz is sidestepping the real issue at hand. Who is
to be the "Big Dog" on the Internet and make the rules. Netscape is
already the predominate Browser in use. so, what's HER Problem?? They want
their (Netscape, Oracle, Sun) version of Java to be the THE Java used by
everyone. By MS using a variation, the user is indirectly protected from
the monopolistic shot being taken by Oracle, Netscape and Sun at tying up
the Net in their snare. OOOOPs, all of a sudden the shoe is in the other
foot. How about that? Web Trends pages all over the net that show the
statistics prove this time and time again. Yet Katz is saying its not
about the Net? Come now, are back to trying to sell bridges in Brooklyn?
Of Course, it ALL about the `Net. Netscape's Communicator Four is the best
Netscape can muster against Internet Explorer 4. So, in light of this
fact. Netscape has every reason to be putting up all sorts of weird fronts.
Has anybody asked about the Stringent requirements Netscape puts forth
relative to PLUGINS and how they steadfastly refuse to accommodate the
users in the midi and active areas? No, that's ok for poor little old
downtrodden Netscape to do these things while taking pot shots at IE4 at
the same time. Sorry, but somebody at Justice had better take a deeper
more informed look at this entire picture.
Windows Dominance Threatened
Netscape's software, Communicator, acts as both platform and interface. It
gives users an all-in-one program for e-mail, the World Wide Web and allows
groups to collaborate over a network. And it runs on more than just Windows
machines. And Java, a software language from Sun Microsystems, allows
programs to be run straight off the Web, without worrying about the
operating system. Already, crude word processors and spreadsheets are
available, and they don't need Windows 95 to run. Oracle, Sun
Microsystems, Netscape and other companies are working on low-cost personal
computers that use Java rather than Windows programs stored on personal
computers' hard drives.
Folks, there is no threat to Windows95 or any later version for that
matter.. The REAL underlying reason for Oracle, Sun, Netscape and Compaq
prodding the DOJ to act is because THEY wish to take the `Net over with
their Net TV garbage. People. the whole premise behind the Net TV thing is
to ultimately bring the user into total dependence upon the service
provider ie, Oracle . you will RENT the use of programs. Once you log off
you no longer have access to the program(s) until you rent the use of it
again. Talk about a fleecing monopoly! Give these sharpies half a chance
and you'll PAY dearly for every split second you're on the `Net. We might
as well hook up intravenously and let `em have the pint of blood right off
the bat!! After all that's what they are really after.
And if Windows becomes irrelevant, Microsoft's dominance of these
other software sectors could come crashing down. To avoid such a fate,
Microsoft's strategy is to siphon away Netscape's customers and control the
browser market, one that Netscape currently dominates with a 62 percent
marketshare. And by tightly integrating its browser with the operating
system, Microsoft can ensure that Windows 95 and its successor, Windows 98,
which is due out by next summer, remain in a dominant position. Netscape
would be pushed off the desktop.
Control of the operating system market allows Microsoft to set
standards that software designers have to use, whether they want to or not,
said Mike Morris, general counsel for Sun.
"When they control the standards it means they know first what's
coming down the pipe," he said. "Their developers will get a leg up."
Legal Troubles for Microsoft
If U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson agrees Microsoft violated
the court order but Microsoft continues the questioned licensing, the
government wants a record $1 million daily fine, well above the $10,000 a
day it usually requests in antitrust contempt actions. Microsoft has 11
days to file a written response. A hearing is likely later.
"This is a very serious abuse," said Assistant Attorney General Joel
I. Klein, head of the antitrust division. He argued that Windows and
Internet Explorer "are two different products" and should be sold
separately. "Each of Microsoft's products should compete on its own
merits."
Justice's action comes on the heels of a lawsuit by Sun accusing
Microsoft of improperly adapting Sun's Java language for Internet Explorer.
"This is just one more piece of bad news for Microsoft about their new
browser, which has gotten very strong technical reviews but seems to be
having some trouble on the legal front," said Dwight Davis of Windows
Watcher newsletter in Redmond.
Microsoft Corporation is one of the world's largest employers.
Microsoft employ thousands of folks globally. But by far, not larger than
say. General Motors, or the HUGE Grain and FEED Conglomerates like General
Mills, ConAgra etc.. Yet the Department of Justice (Justice?) under the
seemingly inept and woefully inadequate Leadership and Guidance of Janet
Reno the DOJ sees fit to hack away at Microsoft, almost continually, for
the last two and half to three years for one absurd reason or another. Why?
Because Microsoft is in the forefront of tomorrow's technology today?
Because MS has produced the most powerful and reliable Operating System for
the everyday computer user and the very best Web Browser??
No, its primarily because Microsoft's competition (lame at best) has
found Reno's "magic GO button!" The competition, (if you wish to call them
that, I call them all sour grapes), have discovered the DOJ underlings who
are seemingly willing to institute most any action involving MS to gain
notoriety for themselves. (the very same ones year in and year out, check
who were the DOJ rep(s) in each and every instance of their constant
hounding of MS) They seem to have forgotten they are public servants, each
and every one of them, from Reno on down. Is what they are doing and the
amount of taxpayer dollars they are consuming (read wasting) in the
public's best interest or, is it in the best interests of say. Netscape..
Sun. or any other wild and opportunistic number of Microsoft wanna-be's?
Steven Decker of Compaq Computer Corp. supplied government lawyers
with documents and testimony that allegedly show Microsoft Corp. threatened
to withhold its Windows 95 operating system from PC makers if they did not
include a link to its Web software on their computer display. Documents and
testimony from Compaq, a Microsoft ally and the world's biggest PC maker,
other PC makers and Microsoft are the underpinnings bolstering the Justice
Department's complaint Microsoft violated a 1995 antitrust agreement. The
fact that the Justice Department revealed the documents showed its lawyers
are confident they have a good case, an antitrust expert said.
Someone ought to ask Mr. Decker and the others at Compaq about the
high priced proprietary hardware they use in their assembled computers they
sell as the industry's "best." About the close-outs and Job lots they buy
to build these things, about the $25.00 chassis rails and custom connectors
they use thus forcing the consumer to pay through the nose for simple
upgrades and repairs.
Microsoft, on the other hand, has a positive and proven 15-year
history of adding features and functionality to its operating systems
products to provide more value for consumers and a rich platform for
software development. Microsoft generally requires PC manufacturers to ship
all of Windows, so that customers and software developers will have the
full benefit of the platform and a consistent experience. From time to
time Microsoft also issues updates to Windows to keep pace with consumer
demand for new features and functionality, and PC manufacturers generally
ship the latest updates to Windows as they become available.
Over the past two years Microsoft has been enhancing Windows with a
broad range of Internet functionality, including Internet Explorer. PC
manufacturers and customers have greeted these enhancements to Windows with
enthusiasm. Today nearly all of the leading PC manufacturers are already
shipping or plan soon to ship Internet Explorer 4.0, the latest update to
Windows, though they are not contractually obligated to do so at this time.
PC manufacturers are shipping Internet Explorer 4.0 because they want to
provide their customers with the latest operating system technology. That
will continue regardless of the outcome of the Justice Department's
proceeding against Microsoft.
It is important to note that all PC manufacturers are always free to
ship any other software product from any other vendor. For example,
consumers today can purchase PCs loaded with the Windows operating system
and the Netscape Navigator browser from a variety of manufacturers,
including IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Digital, Toshiba, Compaq and others.
Is the DOJ going to fine Microsoft $1 million a day for non-compliance with
the consent decree?
No, the DOJ does not have the authority to impose any fines. The DOJ
has asked the court to impose certain requirements on Microsoft, and
to fine Microsoft if the company fails to comply with those new
requirements in the future. The DOJ is not seeking any fine for things
that happened in the past.
What are the next steps now that DOJ has filed suit?
Microsoft will have the opportunity to present its facts and arguments
to the Hon. Thomas Penfield Jackson, the federal district judge who
oversees the consent decree, within the next few weeks. Microsoft is
confident that the Court will agree that Microsoft is complying with
the consent decree, and is competing in a fair and appropriate manner.
Will this action delay the shipment or impact the shipment of Windows '98?
No. Today's Justice Department action does not address Windows '98.
The Justice Department expressed concern that the non-disclosure provisions
in Microsoft's license agreements might discourage computer manufacturers
from providing information to the government's investigation. Is there
something unique about Microsoft's non-disclosure provisions?
No. There is nothing unusual about the non-disclosure provisions in
Microsoft's licenses. Microsoft's non-disclosure provisions are
standard provisions, very similar or identical to provisions used by
virtually every other software company.
In Summation..
If and when anyone can prove the actions of Reno and the DOJ are in
the TAXPAYER'S and Citizens of this great Nation's best interests. We will
all begin to listen very seriously. So far, all everyone has seen is
another magnanimous grandstanding attempt by Reno and Co. to take the
public eye away from;
z its coddling Slick Willie and his antics with campaign dollars
z the White Water Affair
z the Paula Jones "thing"
z its failure to eliminate the Mafia
z eliminate the curse of illegal drugs which poison our entire society
in one way or another.
One last point.. when is Janet (Waco & Ruby Ridge) Reno going to face
up to the fact the DOJ is a miserable failure under the inept guidance Reno
offers or, FAILS to offer?
Have a differing viewpoint or opinion?? Let me hear from you and
we'll publish it right here in follow-ups to our ongoing series "The DOJ
vs. Microsoft Right or Wrong?"
Is this emblem soon to be regarded as a Turkey rather than the proud
Eagle it is?? Reno appears determined to make it either a Roasted Turkey
or a miserably Lame Duck!
Kids Computing Corner
Frank Sereno, Editor
fsereno@streport.com
The Kids' Computing Corner
Computer news and software reviews
from a parent's point of view
Hello, readers. It's been a very busy summer and start of the fall for my
family and me. I've not been able to devote as much time to the magazine
as I have in the past. We have been doing a major home renovation and
remodeling project. In addition, in case you didn't notice when Jason
announced the news several weeks back, we are expecting a baby in December.
That's the major reason for all the home improvements.
Once again, I'm looking for some assistant reviewers to join up. Angelo is
on an indefinite hiatus due to time constraints. Jason didn't have much
interest in educational software and has moved on to write his own column
about computer games. Qualifications are that you can write well and can
objectively evaluate software. If you are interested, send a short writing
sample (it doesn't have to be a review) to fsereno@uti.com . If you have
any questions, send them along too. I'll try to post some more specifics
in next week's magazine.
And now for something completely different, it's time for a new contest.
Name Frank's Baby is the contest's title. We've been told to expect a boy,
but you're welcome to send names for a girl too. We won't necessarily use
the winning entry, but the person sending that entry will get a children's
software package as a prize. Just send your entries to fsereno@uti.com
with the title of Baby Name. You can send one male and one female name
with each e-mail. Each name entry should include a first and middle name
(or initial). The surname will be supplied by the parents. All entries
must be received by December 1st (the current due date is December 12th).
I'll have more details worked out about the prize next week. I might even
post some of the better names for everyone to see.
KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURE ANNOUNCES
EXCITING NEW ACTIVITY CENTER LINE
Knowledge Adventure licenses hot entertainment properties -- Superman,
Adventures of Batman & Robin, and FairyTale - A True Story -- to bring kids
exciting new interactive adventures this holiday season
GLENDALE, Calif., Oct. 21, 1997 - Knowledge Adventure, Inc., a leader in
educational multimedia software, is launching an exciting new Activity
Center line based on popular licensed properties from Warner Bros., DC
Comics and Paramount Pictures Corp. Three new CD-ROMs - The SupermanT
Activity Center, The Adventures of Batman & RobinT Activity Center, and
FairyTale -A True StoryT Activity Center - each combine popular
entertainment with the power and enchantment of multimedia.
The Superman Activity Center and The Adventures of Batman & Robin Activity
Center are based on the hit DC Comics series and Warner Bros. animated TV
series. These new activity centers provide exciting opportunities for
kids to interact with their favorite superheroes, while helping them build
critical thinking, problem-solving and deductive reasoning skills.
FairyTale - A True Story Activity Center is based on Paramount's upcoming
motion picture, starring Peter O'Toole and Harvey Keitel, which recounts
the true story of two young English girls who convince Harry Houdini and
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that fairies truly exist.
Says Larry Gross, president of Knowledge Adventure, "Warner Bros. and DC
Comics have a long history of success in children's cartoon programming and
character development. Superman and Batman & Robin are among the most
recognized and well-loved superheroes in the world. Kids will love to
interact with their favorite characters in these challenging and
educational adventures.
"We're also excited to bring Paramount's upcoming family film, "FairyTale -
A True Story," to CD-ROM. Girls, in particular, have reacted extremely
well to this activity center's enchanting world of fairies and fantasy. By
capturing the magic and charm of the film and providing endless
opportunities for exploration and creativity, we believe this CD-ROM will
be irresistible."
Superman Activity Center
Based on the hit DC Comics series and Warner Bros. animated TV show, the
Superman Activity Center is filled with 13 games, puzzles and activities
that allow kids to interact with their favorite superhero. Kids ages 5 -
10 can roam through three worlds -- Krypton, Smallville and Metropolis --
to solve puzzles and defeat villains as they build their critical thinking,
problem-solving and deductive reasoning skills. They will have fun writing
their own Daily Planet front page story with Lois Lane and Clark Kent,
learning valuable safety tips using Clark's X-ray vision, and matching wits
with Lex Luthor in a game of strategy and skill. The Superman Activity
Center features original voice-over talent from the animated television
series, adjustable skill levels and two modes of play.
Availability: Holiday Season
Format: Windows 95/Windows 3.1/Macintosh CD-ROM
Approximate Price in Stores: $20
FairyTale - A True Story Activity Center
Based on Paramount's upcoming motion picture, "FairyTale - A True Story,"
this enchanting CD-ROM for children ages 7 - 11 will sweep them away with
fairy folklore and 14 fun-filled activities. Set against an interactive 3D
scrolling garden filled with magical imageries, historical facts and
fairylore, FairyTale - A True Story Activity Center provides endless
opportunities for exploration and creativity. Kids will have fun creating
their own theatre based on fairy adventures, writing in their interactive
journal and watching over 15 actual clips from the movie.
Availability: Holiday Season
Format: Windows 95/Windows 3.1/Macintosh CD-ROM
Approximate Price in Stores: $30
The Adventures of Batman & Robin Activity Center
The Adventures of Batman & RobinTActivity Center takes young crime-fighters
ages 5 - 10 on exciting interactive adventures through Gotham City. Based
on the hit DC Comics series and Warner Bros. animated TV show, The
Adventures of Batman & Robin Activity Center challenges kids to capture
Batman's foes by playing 11 replayable activities, mind-bending puzzles and
exciting games designed to build critical thinking and problem-solving
skills. The mazes, puzzles and games re-set into new patterns each time
they are played, creating a new challenge every time.
Kids will have lots of fun exploring the world of Batman & Robin, including
Wayne Manor, The Batcave, Gotham City and Arkham Asylum. The Adventures of
Batman & Robin Activity Center features original voice-over talent from the
animated TV series and adjustable skill levels.
Availability: Now
Format: Windows 95/Windows 3.1/Macintosh CD-ROM
Approximate Price in Stores: $20
Knowledge Adventure, Inc. is a leading educational software publisher best
known for pioneering grade-based software with the best-selling, award-
winning JumpStart Learning System. The company is also known for its
Adventure series and new Activity Center line. Founded in 1991,Knowledge
Adventure is a subsidiary of CUC Software Services, Inc., a subsidiary of
CUC International Inc. (NYSE: CU).
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, which includes the Licensing, Studio
Stores, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, WB Sport and WB Toys
divisions, is a division of Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P.
DC Comics is a division of Warner Bros., a Time Warner Entertainment
Company. Since 1938, DC has created over 5,000 characters, including the
world's most popular super-heroes: Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.
These and other characters have starred in comic books, movies, television,
TV-animation, the Broadway stage and cyberspace.
Viacom Consumer Products merchandises properties on behalf of Paramount
Pictures, Paramount Television and Simon & Schuster as well as third-party
properties. Viacom Consumer Products, a unit of Viacom Entertainment Group,
is a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc.
KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURE SHIPS JUMPSTART ADVENTURES
5TH GRADE: JO HAMMET, KID DETECTIVE
The #1 selling grade-based software series expands with JumpStart 5th
Grade, a cool mystery adventure designed to prepare kids for success in
middle school
GLENDALE, Calif., Oct. 15, 1997 - The best-selling, critically acclaimed
JumpStart Learning System has expanded with JumpStart Adventures 5th Grade:
Jo Hammet, Kid Detective, now available from Knowledge Adventure. In this
exciting extension of the company's rapidly growing series of full-grade CD-
ROMs, kids ages 9 - 11 can boost their "brain power" by applying lessons in
language arts, math, history, science and art to unravel an action-packed
mystery adventure.
Providing a cool, hip environment for fifth graders to learn important
skills, JumpStart Adventures 5th Grade boasts a compelling storyline, solid
educational challenges, entertaining gameplay, stunning graphics and
animation, and richly scored, original music.
Developed by education experts and extensively tested by teachers and
students, JumpStart Adventures 5th Grade was designed to prepare students
for success in middle school. The software includes several brain-
twisting, curriculum-building games that cover a full year of fifth grade
curriculum, including language arts, U.S. history, art history, long
division, multiplication, decimals, fractions, ratios, logic, prepositions,
pronouns and physical science.
Featuring Knowledge Adventure's exclusive Adaptive Learning Technology,
JumpStart Adventures 5th Grade automatically adjusts to the student's skill
level -- keeping kids motivated and challenged as their learning needs
change over the course of the school year. Knowledge Adventure pioneered
the Adaptive Learning Technology in 1995, and this innovative technology is
now a unique feature in all JumpStart products. JumpStart Adventures 5th
Grade also features an extensive Parent's Progress Report to help parents
monitor their child's progress in all subject areas.
Says Bernadette Gonzalez, executive producer at Knowledge Adventure, "We're
delighted to expand the depth and breadth of the JumpStart line with
JumpStart Adventures 5th Grade. The JumpStart approach is still relevant
at the higher grade levels. The cross-curricular activities, which are
woven into an exciting adventure game format, motivate students to develop
a thorough understanding of fifth grade curriculum.
"Throughout the development process, we worked closely with a team of fifth
grade teachers and students to make sure that the program meets curriculum
requirements and is motivating for students. Our collaboration resulted in
an exciting program with a cool, edgy feel and intriguing adventure
storyline, offering a fresh alternative to standard drill-and-practice
programs."
Grade-Based Learning in an Action-Packed Mystery Adventure
In JumpStart Adventures 5th Grade, kids assume the role of Jo Hammet, a
savvy 5th grade gumshoe who is hot on a case. While visiting the
Hooverville Arts and History Museum on a field trip, Jo uncovers a sinister
plot by the mad genius Dr. X, who intends to destroy the city's factories
and power plants. Players join Jo on her skateboard as they cruise the
city on a mission to capture Dr. X and save six sabotage sites planted in
Hooverville.
While dodging Dr. X's goons and searching for clues to unravel the mystery,
kids encounter a variety of brain-twisting, curriculum-building games:
Art History
Students explore the Hooverville Arts and History Museum, where they can
view and learn about more than 70 historic and contemporary works of art.
Geography
Students learn about world geography by manipulating a huge rotating globe
in the museum, then testing their knowledge by completing challenging
crossword puzzles.
Whole Number Math
Many of Dr. X's secrets are locked behind special doors. To decipher the
codes, students solve math problems that include complex multiplication and
long division with remainders.
Language Arts
Dr. X's henchmen can provide information that will help solve the case.
Players use special glasses to read their minds, then fill in the correct
nouns, verbs and adjectives to complete the paragraph.
U.S. History
Players venture deep into the mine shaft, where they must dodge giant
boulders and ride in mine cars to discover artifacts from U.S. and Native
American history.
Fractions
Players visit the Squishy Juice Bar, where they learn complex fractions
with varied numerators and denominators while mixing grade-school beverage
concoctions.
Physical Science and Decimals
To defuse the bombs that threaten the city, players manipulate circuit
switch boxes to obtain the correct voltage number.
JumpStart Adventures 5th Grade provides two modes of play: kids can follow
the adventure all the way through, or test their skill at almost any
activity in the simulated Detective Training Center, which can be launched
from the Progress Report.
The JumpStart Learning System
Offering the most comprehensive solution to help kids succeed in school,
the JumpStart Learning System includes nearly 20 titles for children ages 6
months to 11 years. The best-selling, award-winning series includes full-
grade, subject-specific and learning tool products:
JumpStart Full Grades take a comprehensive, methodical approach to teaching
an entire school year. These products cover all the major subjects taught
in that particular grade, assuring an integrated approach to learning that
mirrors the classroom curriculum. Products range from JumpStart Baby to
JumpStart 5th Grade.
JumpStart Subjects complement the cross-curricular approach of the
JumpStart full- grade products by offering dedicated grade-specific
learning in critical subject areas like reading and math. Titles include
JumpStart Kindergarten Reading, JumpStart 1st Grade Reading, JumpStart 1st
Grade Math and JumpStart 2nd Grade Math.
JumpStart Learning Tools offer the same integrated approach found in other
JumpStart products to complement a child's education in supplemental skill
areas. Products include JumpStart Spanish and JumpStart Typing.
Availability, Pricing and System Requirements
JumpStart Adventures 5th Grade is immediately available at most major
computer stores and mass-merchant chains nationwide. The Windows
95/Windows 3.1/ Macintosh CD-ROM is expected to be priced at approximately
$30. Customers can call (800) 542-4240 for sales and ordering information.
System requirements for JumpStart Adventures 5th Grade are as follows:
Windows 95 and 3.1
486DX 66 MHz or faster; double-speed CD-ROM Windows 3.1 CD-ROM drive; 16 MB
RAM for Windows 95/8 MB RAM for Windows 3.1; 15 MB available on hard drive;
SVGA 256-color graphics adapter; MPC-compatible sound card.
Macintosh CD-ROM
68040 25 MHz or PowerPC processor; double-speed CD-ROM drive; 8 MB RAM
available; 15 MB available on hard drive; 256-color graphics capability;
13" or larger color monitor; System 7.1 or higher.
Availability: Now
Ages: 9 - 11
Format: Win 95/Win 3.1/Mac CD-ROM
Approximate Street Price: $30
Sales and Ordering Info: (800) 542-4240
Web Site: www.adventure.com
Knowledge Adventure, Inc. is a leading educational software publisher best
known for pioneering grade-based software with the best-selling, award-
winning JumpStart Learning System. Offering a total solution to help kids
succeed in school, the JumpStart series includes nearly 20 full-grade and
subject-based products for children ages 6 months to 11 years. The company
is also known for its Adventure series and new Activity Center line, which
includes The Adventures of Batman and Robin Activity Center and Superman
Activity Center. Founded in 1991, Knowledge Adventure is a division of CUC
Software Services, Inc., a subsidiary of CUC International Inc. (NYSE: CU).
# # #
JUNIOR TYPISTS "GO FOR THE GOLD" AS THEY PARTICIPATE IN
JUMPSTART TYPING
AN OLYMPIC-STYLE KEYBOARDING COMPETITION
FROM KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURE
Bringing exciting new thrills to learning how to type, JumpStart Typing
helps kids ages 7 - 10 build important keyboarding skills that prepare them
for success in today's computer-dominated world
GLENDALE, Calif., - Junior typists from around the world will soon be
"chasing the dream" as they build important keyboarding skills by
participating in Olympic-style keyboarding events in JumpStart Typing, fun
new multimedia software for kids ages 7-10 now available from Knowledge
Adventure. Branching out from the company's line of grade-based software,
JumpStart Typing is the first in Knowledge Adventure's new series of
"Learning Tools," designed to offer the same integrated approach found in
other JumpStart products to complement a child's education in supplemental
skill areas.
An exciting, comprehensive approach to learning how to type, JumpStart
Typing prepares youngsters for success in today's computer-dominated world.
Kids undergo the ultimate keyboard workout as they play "extreme sports" --
such as rock-climbing, snowboarding and skateboarding -- and take on more
than 30 valuable lessons in an electrifying environment.
Says Larry Gross, president of Knowledge Adventure, "We're excited to
expand our best-selling JumpStart system of full-grade and subject-based
software with 'real world' learning tools such as JumpStart Typing. By
learning correct typing technique at an early age, kids have a useful skill
that they can apply throughout life. JumpStart Typing brings a fresh, fun
approach to building valuable keyboarding skills, and offers a high level
of customization to meet kids' individual needs."
Let the Games Begin!
It's opening day at Sparks Stadium, the site of the first Extreme
Keyboarding Competition. The stadium is glistening with the most
technologically advanced sports equipment, and the most skilled typists
from around the world are arriving to compete for top scores in the most
extreme and daring keyboarding games.
Just before opening ceremonies, mischievous Polly Spark (of JumpStart
Adventures 3rd GradeT), one of
the shining stars of the Sparks Dream Team, locks the head coach inside the
trophy closet. Players learn that
the coach had excluded Polly from the competition because she did not
practice her typing with the team.
To save the competition and free the coach, kids become key players for the
Sparks Dream Team. Before participating in the keyboarding events, kids
must build their strength by taking lessons and timed typing tests in the
Keyboard Training Center.
The lessons introduce players to all the keys - from the "home row" to the
more difficult number and punctuation keys - via a color keyboard system.
JumpStart Typing features Knowledge Adventure's exclusive Diagnostic
Technology, which evaluates kids' strengths and weaknesses and adjusts the
level of difficulty accordingly. In addition, the Training Center features
movie clips, fashioned after 1950s training films and commercials, that
teach kids correct hand placement and proper typing posture.
Once kids build enough strength from practicing their typing skills, they
can take the field and participate in various keyboarding events such as:
Keyboard Kicks
A combination of soccer and table-top foosball, this game challenges
players to accurately type the letters, letter combinations and words found
in the scoreboards. Players move their soccer players and kick the ball
with every accurate letter entry. As players type successfully, the ball
movement accelerates, making this a very fast-paced, action-packed game.
Trail Blazer
In this snowboarding competition, plays must clear the jump on a switchback
trail by accurately and quickly typing the letter or key combinations that
appear above the individual snowboarders that race down the mountain.
Watch out for polar bears throwing snowballs!
Cliff Hanging
Players climb a treacherous mountain, Mount Keys, by accurately typing
letters and key combinations that appear below the hand grips. As the
player's typing speed and accuracy increase, "Wall Crawlers" pop out of
nooks and drop globs of neon slime to prevent players from progressing up
the mountain.
Roller Racing
Kids perform dazzling skateboard stunts on an extreme course full of typing
hurdles. To jump over or duck under the many obstacles, players must type
the correct letters that pop onto the course. As the player's speed and
accuracy increase, the letter obstacles spell words.
Fans Go Wild
Players can take a time-out from the competition by visiting their fans in
the stadium. In this race against the clock, the fans hold flip cards that
display letters. As players accurately type the letters that pop up, the
fans flip over the cards, which gradually reveal encouraging messages such
as "Way to Go" and "Impressive Typing!".
Cool New Technology
JumpStart Typing is one of the first educational software programs to
employ a proprietary horizontal and vertical parallax scrolling technology
to heighten the excitement of gameplay. This technology -- which is used
in the wall-climbing ("Cliff Hanging") and skateboarding ("Roller Racing")
events -- enables players to watch the action scroll past them at varying
speeds, providing the illusion, sensation and thrill of actually
participating in the games.
Key Features and Benefits
To make learning how to type easy and fun, JumpStart Typing offers many
unique features and benefits such as:
Over 30 typing lessons and thrilling, Olympic-style games that bring an
exciting new dimension to learning important keyboarding skills
Exclusive Diagnostic Technology, which evaluates kids' strengths and
weaknesses and adjusts difficulty accordingly - keeping kids motivated and
challenged
Movie clips that teach correct hand placement and posture
Entertaining typing passages, which draw from a pool of over 5,000 words,
ranging from a first grade through sixth grade difficulty level, add
variety to lessons and timed tests
A printable progress report that provides an "at-a-glance" record of
typing WPM speed and accuracy
A unique parallax scrolling technology that heightens the excitement of
gameplay
The JumpStart Learning System
Offering the most comprehensive solution to help kids succeed in school,
the JumpStart Learning System includes nearly 20 titles for children ages 6
months to 11 years. The best-selling, award-winning series includes full-
grade, subject-specific and learning tool products:
JumpStart Full Grades take a comprehensive, methodical approach to
teaching an entire school year. These products cover all the major
subjects taught in that particular grade, assuring an integrated approach
to learning that mirrors the classroom curriculum. Products range from
JumpStart Baby to JumpStart 5th Grade.
JumpStart Subjects complement the cross-curricular approach of the
JumpStart full- grade products by offering dedicated grade-specific
learning in critical subject areas like reading and math. Titles include
JumpStart 1st Grade Reading, JumpStart 1st Grade Math and JumpStart 2nd
Grade Math.
JumpStart Learning Tools offer the same integrated approach found in other
JumpStart products to complement a child's education in supplemental skill
areas. Products include JumpStart Spanish and JumpStart Typing.
Availability, Pricing and System Requirements
JumpStart Typing is immediately available at most major computer stores and
mass-merchant chains nationwide. The Windows 95/Macintosh CD-ROM is
expected to be priced at approximately $30. Customers can call (800) 542-
4240 for sales and ordering information.
System requirements for JumpStart Typing are as follows:
Windows 95 CD-ROM
486DX 66 MHz or faster; quad-speed CD-ROM drive; Windows 95; 16 MB of RAM;
SVGA 640x480 at 256 colors; MPC-compatible sound card.
Macintosh CD-ROM68040 or Power Mac; quad-speed CD-ROM drive; System 7.1 or
higher; 16 MB of RAM; 13" or larger color monitor.
Availability: Now
Ages: 7 - 10
Format: Win 95/Mac CD-ROM
Approximate Street Price: $30
Sales and Ordering Info: (800) 542-4240
Web Site: www.adventure.com
Knowledge Adventure, Inc. is a leading educational software publisher best
known for pioneering grade-based software with the best-selling, award-
winning JumpStart Learning System. Offering a total solution to help kids
succeed in school, the JumpStart series includes nearly 20 full-grade and
subject-based products for children ages 6 months to 11 years. The company
is also known for its Adventure series and new Activity Center line, which
includes The Adventures of Batman and Robin Activity Center and Superman
Activity Center. Founded in 1991, Knowledge Adventure is a division of CUC
Software Services, Inc., a subsidiary of CUC International Inc. (NYSE: CU).
# # #
A FANCIFUL TREEHOUSE WITH LOADS OF ACTIVITIES
MAKES LEARNING FUN IN
DAVIDSON & ASSOCIATES, INC.'S
FISHER-PRICE READY FOR SCHOOL - FIRST GRADE
First graders will build important early-learning skills in reading, math,
science, telling time, and more
TORRANCE, Calif. - Imagine a forest filled with treehouses, where every
room offers the delights of childhood: going on a treasure hunt, singing
silly songs, choosing toys to buy, playing in the garden. That's exactly
the experience first graders will have with Fisher-Price Ready for School -
First Grade, the latest in Davidson's popular Fisher-Price line of CD-ROMs,
which is shipping now.
Fisher-Price Ready for School - First Grade helps youngsters focus on
essential skills for first-grade curriculum with subjects such as phonics,
science, reading comprehension, telling time, and money & math. Davidson's
award-winning Kid Works Deluxe on the second CD reinforces reading and
writing skills learned on the first disc. A colorful, printed activity
book complements the activities on both CD-ROMs.
"With this addition to the Fisher-Price Ready For School series, parents
will find a complete learning system for their children from toddlerhood
through first grade," said Larry Gross, president of Davidson & Associates,
Inc. "Starting as young as 18 months, children can play and learn with
Fisher-Price CD-ROMs. The Fisher-Price name, one of the most recognized
brands in the world, assures parents that their children will have
positive, exciting learning experiences with age-appropriate activities."
Added Ed Powderly, Director of Licensing at Fisher-Price, "An additional
benefit of Fisher-Price Ready for School - First Grade is the added value
customers will receive with a second CD-ROM and the activity book. This
extends the learning process - both on and off the computer - and adds new
worlds to explore."
Fun-Filled Activities with Multiple Play Levels
First graders enter a world filled with animal hosts who represent
different learning games. Each game has three levels of difficulty, which
automatically adjust as the child's skills improve. A skills matrix is
included to help parents identify the skills covered and track their
children's progress.
Kids will delight in playing these games while building an important
foundation for first-grade success:
z Science Exploratory Lab
Kids join Lanny Lizard in the lab to learn about the world around
them as they participate in the scientist's experiments.
Skills covered: Thinking & observation, estimation, color mixing,
astronomy, geology
z Cuckoo Clock Connection
Von Bat helps kids learn about time on digital and analog clocks.
Skills covered: Telling time by hour and half hour
z Acorn Arcade
Young readers target phonics and word building in this
interactive video arcade, where acorns are the
ammunition for reading.
Skills covered: Reading comprehension, phonics, spelling,
vocabulary building, rhyming
z Price and Play
As first-graders select their favorite toys to buy, they are
challenged to apply math and money skills to the purchase.
Skills covered: Addition, subtraction, counting, money, using a
number line
z Silly Songs
Kids will have fun making music with the animal band as they
orchestrate their own musical sequences and watch the band play.
Skills covered: Music appreciation, sequencing, creativity,
memory building
z Treasure Hunt
Learning about north, south, east and west is made fun in this
map-reading game. Logic and planning make this treasure hunt a real
find!
Skills covered: Reading a map, understanding directions, reading
comprehension
z Build Your Own Treehouse
Kids personalize the main screen by adding their own treehouses.
Skills covered: Creativity, art & design
z Create a Poster
Young readers follow written directions to create a poster that
will decorate their treehouse.
Skills covered: Sentence structure, vocabulary, following
directions, reading comprehension
z Making Shapes
Geometrical shapes come to life as kids complete patterns with
Lady Liana.
Skills covered: Early geometry, patterns
Pricing, Availability and System Requirements
Fisher-Price Ready for School - First Grade is immediately available in
most major computer stores and mass-merchant chains nationwide; the Windows
95/Windows 3.1/Macintosh two-CD-ROM-set, along with a four-color, printed
activity book, is expected to be priced at approximately $30.
The software includes toll-free technical support, available from 7 a.m. to
6 p.m. Pacific Time every business day. Customers can call (800) 545-7677
for sales and ordering information.
System requirements for the software are:
Windows 95 and Windows 3.1 CD-ROM
A 66 MHz 486 or faster personal computer; 256-color SVGA graphics; Windows
3.1 or higher, or Windows 95; 8 MB of RAM; a Windows-compatible sound card;
and a double-speed CD-ROM drive.
Macintosh CD-ROM
Motorola 68040 processor or Power PC; System 7.1 or higher; 256 colors; 12
MB of RAM (with 8 MB available of hard disk space); and a double-speed CD-
ROM drive.
Availability: Now
Ages: 5 to 7
Format: Win 95/Win 3.1/Mac CD-ROM
Approximate Street Price: $30
Sales and Ordering Info: (800) 545-7677
Web Site Address: www.education.com
Davidson & Associates, Inc. is a leading publisher and distributor of
multimedia educational and entertainment software for both the home and
school markets. The company is internationally renowned for its award
winning Blaster Learning System, which has sold 5 million copies; the
Fisher-Price series, CD-ROMs based on popular Fisher-Price toys; and many
other innovative multimedia titles for children of all ages. Founded in
1982, Davidson & Associates, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of CUC
Software Services, Inc., a subsidiary of CUC International Inc. (NYSE: CU).
Fisher-Price, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel, Inc., is a leading
manufacturer of infant and preschool toys and juvenile products,
headquartered in East Aurora, NY.
# # #
Jason's Jive
Jason Sereno, STR Staff
jsereno@streport.com
Intense 3D Voodoo
6 MB Graphics Accelerator
List Price: $229.95
Intergraph
Huntsville, AL 35894
www.intergraph.com
info@intergraph.com
System Requirements
IBM PC, Intergraph PC or compatible computer,
8MB system RAM, CD ROM drive, available PCI
bus slot, Windows 95 or WindowsNT 4.0
A couple of weeks ago, I introduced to you an inexpensive and innovative
board from Intergraph. This week we are looking at a much more powerful
and advanced board entitled the Intense 3D Voodoo from the same company.
This board has many graphic, multimedia, 2D, and 3D features. It
outperforms less powerful 4MB graphic cards while staying in the same price
range. Three fully enhanced 3D games are also included with this 6MB
board. If you care less about price and more about power, this card is for
you.
The graphic features on this board are very extensive. The 128-bit 2D
multimedia processor sets this board apart from the competition. It is the
only board with this high speed 2D processor and the performance shows.
190 MHz RAMDAC creates refresh rates as high as 200Hz too. Intense 3D
Voodoo was the only board on a recent performance test to have a
stereoscopic display interface. It outperformed 3D Lab's Permedia, the
Matrox Mystique, Rendtion Verite, ATI Rage 2, and the S3 Virge VX, just to
name a few, by at least 110 performance points in a recent performance test
as well
Multimedia features include DVD video thru VMI or VESA feature connector.
"DVD" stands for Digital Video Disc. The board has two separate ways to
view DVD and also two more NTSC video outlets. These may be plugged into
the back of any VCR and most new television sets.
Many 2D and 3D features are located on this board as well. I already
mentioned the 128-bit 2D processor. This board allows multiple independent
video windows and simultaneous 2D and 3D rendering. Bi-linear filter
scaling as well as bi-linear and also tri-linear texture filtering are
included with the Intense 3D Voodoo. Gouraud shading, texture modulation,
and all of the normal advancements come with this board too. It always 24-
bit color and can stand up to anything 3D games have to offer.
Coming with Intergraph's new board are three enhanced and fully registered
games. They are Moto Racer from Electronic Arts, Turok: Dinosaur Hunter by
Acclaim, and Longbow FX made by people at Jane's Combat Simulations. I
must say that Moto Racer and Turok were very addictive and fun to play.
Their graphics and gameplay were both very advanced and I enjoyed both of
them. Longbow FX did not play as well as the others however. It was like
most flying sims I have played and with no instructions included with the
game, it was very confusing. But still, the retail values of the three
games is around $150 all together so it is definitely a plus if you
purchase this board.
3D Voodoo is much more powerful than other accelerators on the market
today. However, if price is a consideration when you buy hardware for your
computer, Intergraph's Intense 3D 100 is also on sale for $99.00. Still,
$229.95 is around the going price for most graphic accelerators and most of
those are only 4 MB. Plus, when the three enhanced games are added with
the package Intense 3D Voodoo almost seems a must-buy. If you are looking
for more power and performance in your graphic accelerator take a look at
Intense 3D Voodoo from Intergraph.
The Linux Advocate
by Scott Dowdle
LOGIN:
Hello from Great Falls, Montana. My name is Scott Dowdle and I hope to
write a continuous bi-weekly (or monthly) column on the Linux Operating
System here in STR.
Who am I?
I'm not a computer professional but I hope to be one someday as I'm
pursuing a BS in Computer Information Systems at Montana State University
Northern, Great Falls campus. As you can tell, I'm not a professional
writer but I do try and that's what counts, right? :) Rather than go into
an abbreviated history of myself, I'll just refer anyone interested to my
Internet homepage where I've gone into pretty good depth already.
Scott Dowdle's Homepage: http://www.icstech.com/~dowdle ...and feel free to
contact me via email: dowdle@icstech.com If you feel that you must, you
can call long distance information and ask for Scott Dowdle in Great
Falls, Montana and talk to me over the phone, but I'd prefer email first.
I don't claim to be a Unix guru nor an expert on Linux but I feel that I
know enough to point people in the right direction(s) even on Linux topics
that I've not gone too far into. Let it be known that the mother load of
Linux information is provided by the Linux Documentation Project. The LDP
is a collection of digital books, HOWTOs and man pages, among other things,
that have been gathered up by the LDP team to benefit the Linux community.
The LDP is available from many different sites on the Internet (ie
mirrored) and the Internet URL I use is:
http://www.caldera.com/LDP/
If that Internet URL seems to be slow for you, do a search for "Linux
Documentation Project" on your favorite Internet Search Engine (like
www.yahoo.com) and see what you come up with. There are literally
thousands upon thousands of Linux related homepages and sites. As part of
my efforts to inform the reader, I'll include URLs for what I consider to
be the better Linux related Internet resources.
Planned format for this column:
I'm a fairly spontaneous person (perhaps a fault) who likes to keep things
loose BUT I plan on following a general outline. With each release of
this column, I hope to devote a certain amount of space to the following
topics:
1. Linux History
2. Linux News
3. Linux Myth Dispelling
4. Linux Distribution Spotlight
5. Linux Application
Spotlight. Of course you'll find plenty of personal comments and opinions
thrown in for good measure and I plan to have a "Why Use Linux - special
applications" feature, just not ever column installment. Just keep in
mind, your mileage may vary. In the future I'll probably rearrange the
order some to keep people from falling asleep. :) Also, although no
graphics (ie screenshots) are included in this edition of the column, I
plan on including them in future columns where they seem appropriate and
when given the blessing of STR's editor. I might as well get started.
Linux History: First of all, what is Linux?
Just so you know, I've been using Linux for about three years and I feel
very comfortable with it.
Linux is an Operating System kernel that is available for many different
computer platforms. Linux was originally "born" in 1991 on the Intel
80386 family, a child of then college student (University of Helsinki,
Finland) Linus Torvalds. At the very beginning Linus announced his
intention to write a Unix like operating system kernel that takes
advantage of the special features of the Intel 80386 processor. Linus was
both inspired and frustrated by a semi-commercial Operating System named
Minix. Minix was/is an Operating System that is freely available with a
book called OPERATING SYSTEMS DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION by Andrew S.
Tannenbaum. Linus got into Unix in college and wanted to run a Unix like
system at home and the only affordable choice at the time was Minix.
Minix was/is written almost completely in C and complete source code for
the system is included in the book (now in its 2nd edition), as examining
computer operating system theory as well as how to implement theory in
code is the main point of the book. Minix was Unix-like but since it
didn't use any of the advanced features of the 80386, which seemed to be
specially designed for multitasking and all of the issues that come along
with it (like memory protection), Linus started hacking away at a system of
his own. He made a public announcement on the comp.os.minix newsgroup
letting people know of his plans and asking them to join in if they wanted
to, as he planned to release the complete C source code publicly via the
Internet so that anyone interested could get it. Computer hacker/geeks
WERE interested and the rest is history... a history that I'll do my best
to document as the columns go by. Enough history for now.
Linux News:
None this month. It's a new column so everything is news this time. :)
Dispelling some Linux myths:
There are two big factors that have been a great source of MYTHS about
Linux, and u