BYTE-1993-06

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Gateway 2000's HandBook Is The Fi^ lb Go The Distance!

It was the first time anyone ever took a portable all the way from Anchorage to Nome on a dogsled. Appropriately, the first portable PC to go the distance was the first product in an entirely new category of portables; the unique and innovative product that defined new standards for portable PCs: the HandBook, pioneered by Gateway 2000. At just 2.75 pounds, measuring only 6x10 inches yet including a 40MB hard drive, a backlit, use-itanywhere screen and comfortable keyboard, the HandBook was the only choice for Iditarod musher Frank Teasley.

"I've always wanted a way to cany my racing strategy with me and to record my progress during the race," said Frank. "But I can't afford any extra weight on the dogsled, and you don't find many electrical outlets on the trail. The HandBook easily fit in the dogsled, and I used it at checkpoints to review details of

the trail ahead, information on my competition, and notes on my dogs." Because he couldn't recharge batteries on the trail, Frank ran his HandBook on AA batteries kept warm in his parka.

Frank said the HandBook's exclusive auto-resume feature was a big plus, too. Being able to open the HandBook and start working exactly where he left off made it effortless to use.

Although the dogs slept an average of 12 hours a day during the race, Frank was lucky to sleep 45 minutes daily. He was busy making straw beds, putting ointment on the dogs' feet, replacing their polar fleece booties, preparing their food, repairing harnesses and repacking while the dogs rested. "Sleep deprivation can be hazardous to a

' h

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On March 6,1993,68 men and women, 1,253 dogs and one portable computer left the starting line in the 21st running of the Iditarod dogsled marathon. Not all of the men, women and dogs made it through nearly 1,100 miles of blinding snow, howling wind, mountainous terrain and sub-zero

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HandBook did!

BYTE BYTE

Popular Science

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Circle 163 on Inquiry Card.

So Powerful It Can't Be A PC.

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"Issue dale: April 13,1992 © 1992 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, SunSoft, the SunSoft Loco, VP/ix and Easy Window are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems. Inc. INTERACTIVE is a trademark of INTERACTIVE Systems Corporation. UNIX is a registered trademark of UNIX System Laboratories, Inc. Looking Class Professional is a trademark of Visix Software, Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective holders. The promotional discount is available to SCO UNIX/XENIX users and is subject to certain restrictions. Contact SunSoft for terms and conditions of promotion. SunSoft reserves the right to slop the promotion at any time. SunSoft can be reached at 2550 Garcia Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94043, (510) 460-3267. B-6/93

BYTE

Cover Story

JUNE 1993

VOE. 18, NO. 7

News & views

Lotus Takes Another Run

at Windows 22

BY NICHOLAS JOHN DELONAS The new Windows version of 1-2-3 is a serious challenger to Microsoft Excel.

Amstrad's Affordable

Pen Package 24

BY DICK POUNTAIN The Pen Pad

PDA600 may not offer the dazzle of Newton, but it's affordable and it works.

PostScript Level 2: Adobe Takes the Driver's Seat 28

BY TOM THOMPSON You may already have a PostScript Level 2 printer, but now you can take advantage of it with Level 2 drivers.

Going to Extremes 34

BY BEN SMITH With a powerful new graphics processor, Silicon Graphics' Indigo2 was born for data visualization.

HP Takes Color Mainstream 38

BY ANDY REINHARDT HewlettPackard's DeskJet 1200C meets the demand of users who covet color.

WordPerfect Goes GUI

with DOS Update 42

BY PATRICK WAURZYNIAK It's taken WordPerfect more than three years to update its DOS word processor, but version 6.0 may be worth the wait.

A Peek at PowerOpen 46

BY TOM R. HALFHILL The first PowerPC chip may not equal the Pentium's performance, but at one-fifth the price, you may not care.

Visual Basic 3.0 Strengthens Connectivity 48

BY TOM R. HALFHILL The newest version of Visual Basic inherits Microsoft's Access database engine.

Report from Mexico 49

BY D. BARKER Local programmers wait for a break.

What's New 220

The Paperless I imaging system reduces paper consumption, the Raidion LT provides fault-tolerant disk-array storage for OS/2, and more.

COMPUTING ENVIRONMENTS

Windows, Windows Everywhere? 72

BY JON UDELL Microsoft wants you to someday use a version of Windows for every computing platform. The unique demands of each platform, however, might make this goal unrealistic.

The Mips Challenge—80 Windows Graphics—90

Many Processors, Many Threads—84 NT's Architects Speak—92

Features

ADAPTING TECHNOLOGY

Computers for the Disabled 59

BY JOSEPH J. LAZZARO Off-the-shelf products help you meet the needs of disabled workers.

PRODUCTS

Readers' Choice Awards

BYTE readers name their favorite products.

65

Reviews

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State of the Art

CLIENT/SERVER COMPUTING

OVERVIEW

Client/Server Frees

Data 96

BY ELLEN ULLMAN Client/server brings data to your desktop.

Unix Database Servers Are Not for Everyone—102

Serving Mobile Clients—106

The Many Flavors of SQL 109

BY MARK CLARKSON

Market forces complicate the search for a database access standard. While vendors pilch their versions of SQL, users suffer.

Make Way for Data 113

BY PAUL KORZENIOWSKI

Middleware—such as remote procedure calls and messagepassing systems—invisibly aids data exchange. With it, you can save development time implementing your client/server applications. Programmers don't have to modify applications to accommodate network protocols.

BYTE JUNE 1993

COVER IMAGE-. ROBERT TINNEY G> 1993

SYSTEMS

Apple's Midrange Mac a Heavy Hitter 129

BY TOM THOMPSON Benchmark results and handson experience with two of Apple's newest Macs, the Centris 650 and PowerBook 165c.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

Microsoft's Visual C++ 133

BY JIM HURD Is Visual C++ a more powerful Visual Basic or a more graphical C++? Jim Hurd checks out its new tools and capabilities.

DATABASES

Two Roads to Windows Databases 136

BY STAN MIASTKOWSKI AND MARC SCHNAPP Paradox and FoxPro migrate to Windows: Borland's Paradox for Windows wraps its powerful features in an object-oriented package. Microsoft's FoxPro 2.5 for Windows maintains its solid Xbase underpinning and is built for speed.

Performance Comparisons—138

PRINTING

HP's Simple Laser 141

BY HOWARD EGLOWSTEIN HP's new LaserJet 4L brings laser-quality output to the desktop, along with low cost and simple operation. The BYTE Lab examines the speed, quality, and expansion trade-offs of the 4L series.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

BASIC for the Rest of Us 143

BY TOM THOMPSON Zedcor's FutureBasic provides a powerful development environment for the Macintosh that's actually easy to use. Thompson builds a project with FutureBasic and a helpful add-on, PG:PRO

PG:Pro—144

GRAPHICS

The Renaissance of Imaging 146

BY RAYMOND GA COTE Kodak hopes to change the way graphics professionals process electronic images with Photo CD and supporting software. BYTE examines two of Kodak's flagship Photo CD software products, PhotoEdge and Renaissance.

UTILITY SOFTWARE

Windows Dressing

BY STAN WSZOLA The Windows user interface isn't for everyone. The BYTE Lab examines 12 accessory packages that plug the gaps in the Windows user interface, including NewWave, Power Launcher, and Norton Desktop for Windows.

Table of Features—150 -151

148

HANDS-ON TESTING

BYTE Lab Report

Desktop Dynamite: 116 Fast 486s

BY RICHARD FOX, ALAN JOCH, LEONARD PRESBERG, AND LESLIE REISZ

156

We tested 116 50and 66-MHz 486s to tell you which is best for your DOS, Windows, and Unix applications.

How We Tested—167 Poor Quality—169 Bus Choices—170

Hands On

ElSes Mine Your Data

BY RANDALL D. CRONK Client/server computing revolutionizes executive information systems. ElSes can help you find and analyze your data, but it's not always as easy as it might sound.

121

TECHNOLOGY

Under the Hood

The Multiprocessor

Solution 185

BY DICK POUNTAIN Multiprocessor architectures lead the charge to improve I/O performance.

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Beyond DOS

IBM Unleashes a New

OS/2 193

BY BARRY NANCE IBM delivers a full-featured successor to OS/2 2.0.

PROGRAMMING

Some Assembly Required Animation for Windows Applications 197

BY MICHAEL J. YOUNG The CSprite class forms the foundation for adding animation to Windows programs.

.201

Pournelle:

Statistics Programs Help

Businesses Work

BY JERRY POURNELLE Mysteries revealed.

Reviews: Books & CD-ROMs Computer Ruminations 51

BY HUGH KENNER, RAYMOND GA COTE, HOWARD EGLOWSTEIN, AND ROB MITCHELL Unix Power Tools, Things That Make Us Smart, and other titles.

Commentary:

The Cuckoo's Egg

Revisited 274

BY CLIFFORD STOLL Five years after a hacker broke into a computer at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, the repercussions still echo across the Internet.

.10

Editorial:

More Personal Pathways.

BY DENNIS ALLEN

Letters 18

Readers respond on E-mail, Mac accelerator boards, computing in Italy, and other topics.

READER SERVICE

Editorial Index by Company 272

Alphabetical Index to Advertisers 268 Index to Advertisers

by Product Category 270

Inquiry Reply Cards 268A

BUYER'S GUIDE 231

Mail Order Buyer's Mart

PROGRAM LISTINGS

From BIX: Join "Hstings/frombyte93" and select the appropriate subarea (i.e., "jun93").

From the UUNET: ftp to ftp.uu.net, log on as "anonymous," and enter your user ID as your password. Type "cd/published/byte" and type "DIR." Files appear in subdirectories arranged by month.

From the BYTE BBS at 1200-9600 bps: Dial (603) 924-9820 and follow the instructions at the prompt.

BYTE (ISSN 0360-5280) is published monthly with additional issues in April and October by McGraw-Hill, Inc. U.S. subscriber rate $29.95 per year. In Canada and Mexico, $34.95 per year. European surface mail subscriptions $60, airmail $80. Non-European subscriptions, $60 surface mail or $85 airmail. All loreign subscriptions are payable in U.S. funds that can be drawn on a U.S. bank. Single copies $3.50 in the U.S.. $4.50 in Canada. Executive, Editorial, Circulation, and Advertising Offices: One Phoenix Mill Lane, Peterborough, NH 03458. Second-class postage paid at Peterborough, NH, and additional mailing offices. Postage paid at Winnipeg, Manitoba. Registration number 9321. Registered for GST as McGraw-Hill, Inc., GST #123075673. Printed in the United States of America. Postmaster; Send address changes and fulfillment questions to BYTE Subscriptions, P.O. Box 552, Hightstown, NJ 08520.

JUNE 1993 BYTE

EVTE

Contents by Platform

This page presents the articles in this issue according to computing platform.

DOS and Windows

Lotus Takes Another Run at Windows 22

With the new release 4 of 1-2-3, Lotus adds in-cell editing, OLE and ODBC support, and easy access to external data to its spreadsheet program.

WordPerfect Goes GUI with DOS Update 42

Version 6.0 of its word processor gives DOS users a more graphical interface.

Visual Basic 3.0 Strengthens Connectivity 48

The latest version adds tools for interacting with data in several formats.

Windows, Windows Everywhere? 72

Is there another version of Windows in your future? Here's a look at NT, Win32s, Chicago, and other versions in the works, as well as some alternative operating systems.

Microsoft's Visual C++ 133

Big changes should make it easier for C and C++ developers working on Windows projects.

Two Roads to Windows Databases 136

Borland's object-oriented Paradox for Windows offers you good multiuser support and native access to a wide range of database formats. FoxPro promises easy migration of DOS FoxPro applications to Windows.

Windows Dressing 148

This review looks at utilities that let you change the way you work in Windows.

Animation for Windows Applications 197

Using this C++ class, here's how to add movement to your Windows programs. This technique can also be helpful for adding drag-and-drop capability to your application.

Ami Pro Burns the OS/2 Flame

Lotus's new Ami Pro 3.0 for OS/2 is a full 32-bit word processor that is integrated with the Workplace Shell.

.42

Windows, Windows Everywhere? 72

OS/2's role as the glue between PCs and mainframes gives IBM's advanced OS an advantage over Windows NT.

IBM Unleashes a New OS/2

.193

Version 2.1 gives OS/2 users many things they've been asking for: more drivers, better handling of Windows programs, built-in multimedia support, and dual-threaded DOS session support.

Macintosh

PostScript Level 2 28

Printing from the Mac—especially color graphics and big images—will be faster with the latest version of Adobe's language.

A Peek at PowerOpen 46

The PowerOpen operating system will enable users to run Unix applications concurrently with existing Macintosh software and cut and paste between Mac and Unix programs.

Apple's Midrange Mac

a Heavy Hitter 129

The new 68040-based Centris 650 outperforms a Quadra 700, yet it costs significantly less.

BASIC for the Rest of Us....143

Zedcor's FutureBasic gives programmers the tools to quickly develop software for the Macintosh. Tom Thompson also looks at Staz Software's PG:PRO interface designer.

The Renaissance of

Imaging 146

A review of two Kodak tools for working with Photo CD pictures: PhotoEdge, an image editor, and Renaissance, a publishing package.

Going to Extremes .....34

Silicon Graphics' new Indigo2 workstation offers Unix users a system built for visualizing data.

Windows, Windows Everywhere? 72

Windows NT might be moving into Unix territory, but Unix has superior

networking and control of powerful graphics workstations.

Unix Database Servers

Are Not for Everyone 102

Database consultants warn that Unix isn't always the best way to go.

Lab Report..... 156

What's the best high-speed 486 PC for

running Unix applications? We tested 116 systems to find out.

Networks

Windows, Windows Everywhere?

.72

Microsoft wants some version of Windows to be controlling your network. But Unix still offers the best operating system for connectivity.

Serving Mobile Clients 106

It's not quite here yet, but unfettered connectivity is on the way.

.113

Make Way for Data ...

Middleware—including RPCs and message-passing systems—is a breed of client/server software that helps move data between your computer and your network.

ElSes Mine Your Data.

.121

Executive information systems can help you understand the data you just pulled off the network, but that doesn't always mean easy access.

The Multiprocessor

Solution 185

Here's an inside look at the technology you ought to consider before buying your next server.

Client/Server

Client/Server Frees Data 96

A giant retail outlet and the U.S. House of Representatives have turned to client/server computing. Not without headaches. But the headaches are outweighed by the mighty benefits.

The Many Flavors of SQL.... 10 9

Here's a look at the different implementations of SQL, including ANSI SQL3, IBM's DRDA, Microsoft's ODBC, and Borland's IDAP1.

Make Way for Data 113

Middleware can help move data through a client/server network. It also gives a programming team standard APIs that can save development time.

ElSes Mine Your Data 121

Client/server architecture, combined with executive information systems, is making it easier to find and analyze your data. Here's a look at the advantages, and problems, of today's ElSes.

Adaptive technology 5 9

Americans with Disabilities Act 5 9

Animation 197, 224

BASIC 48, 143

Books 5 1, 2 0 1

C++ 133. 197

CD-ROM ...51, 129, 146, 201

Client/server 23, 96,

109, 113, 121

Color printing 28. 38

Communications 48, 224

Databases 48, 96. 102.

103, 109. 1 13,

121, 136, 226

Desktop publishing 146

Document imaging 222

DOS 42, 72, 156, 193

Executive information systems 121

Graphics 28. 34, 38, 90.

141, 146, 197, 227

Laser printers 141. 222

Macintosh 28, 46, 129,

.. 143, 146, 226, 227, 229

Middleware 1 13

Mobile computing 106

Multiprocessing 84, 185

Networking....46, 54, 72. 96,

113, 121, 201, 220,

221, 222, 274

Operating systems 46, 72,

1 13, 193

OS/2 42, 72, 193

PCMCIA 220, 224

Pen computers 24, 82, 220

Photo CD 146

PostScript 28, 141, 220

PowerOpen 46

Printers 28, 38, 141,

221, 222

Programming...,48, 133, 143,

197, 227, 228

Spreadsheets 22, 226

SQL 109. 136

Statistics 201, 228

Systems 24. 34, 59, 129,

156, 185, 201, 220

Unix 34, 46, 52, 72,

.... 96, 102, 103, 1 13, 156

Utilities 148

Video 221, 224

Windows 22, 5 2, 65.

....72, 121, 133, 136, 148,

193, 197, 201, 228

Word processing 42

Workstations 34

BYTE JUNE 1993

"It's a quality desktop replacementmost powerful portable we've seen. One of the lightest units in the entire test group."

-PC Magazine, Mar.'93

"...in our battery tests, the TI4000 WinDX2/50 achieved a magnificent 6 hours and 24 minutes."

- Portable Computing, Apr. /May '93

"TI has done more to customize and optimize Windows than the other notebook vendors."

- Windows Magazine, Feb. '93

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TravelMate 4000 WinDX2/50

Performance Is Getting we Reviews.

As well it should.

For starters, the TravelMate™ 4000 WinDX2™/50 notebook computer comes with a 486 DX2 50MHz processor for increased speed and performance.

It's specifically designed around built-in Windows, so it's able to power up in just 30 seconds.

And its amazingly long battery life is made possible by TI's superior power management system.

For more information about the incredible, lightweight, award-winning TravelMate 4000 notebooks, simply call 1-800-527-3500.

TravelMate 4000

486 WinDX2/50 486 WmDXS/40 COLOR

4 or 8MB RAM sld. SMBRAMsld.

(20MB max.) (20MB max.)

120 or 200MB HDD 200MB HDD

5.6pounds 6.S pounds

Battery life varies according to model and use.

TravelMate. WinDX2 and "Extending Your Reach With Innovation" are trademarks of Texas Instruments. The Intel Inside logo is a trademark of Intel Corporation. © 1993 TI,

EXTENDING YOUR REACH WITH INNOVATIO N™

^r Texas Instruments

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Editorial |i

ennis Allen

More Personal Pathways

Our new design makes it easier for you to -find the technical

information you expect from BYTE

No, it's not your imagination—this issue of BYTE does look different, and there's a reason for the change. We've redesigned BYTE, and this new design is much more than a simple face-lift to make the pages pretty. Oh, I'll admit, the pages do look pretty, and that's a nice benefit. But the real reason for the change is to improve how BYTE delivers information to you.

The truth is, BYTE has not been very user friendly, and we knew we could do a better job. We needed some help, though, and it came from the two folks I mentioned last month: Richard Saul Wurman and Ken Silvia.

While Wurman stepped in primarily to help us with our new lab reports, his ideas influenced us in many ways. He helped us think like readers and not so much like editors. Sometimes editors forget what it's like to be a reader, and the result is that important information gets buried so deep in an article that you might miss it. Reading BYTE shouldn't be a game of hide-and-seek, so we've made important information obvious. Silvia, our magazine designer, deserves most of the credit. He created the framework that makes it all possible.

The idea is simple: We want to help each BYTE reader find his or her "personal pathway" through BYTE. It all starts with the table of contents. We learned that some people want to read a particular type of article first—review, cover story, feature, or column. So we've organized the table of contents first by section. For readers who are more interested in a particular application, we've added labels to the table of contents to tell you which articles are about spreadsheets, CAD, program development, or whatever application.

We've also included listings and page numbers for individual products in group reviews and for the many text boxes used inside larger articles. For those of you who want to read about specific platforms, we've added a third page to our table of contents that recategorizes major articles by platforms.

The articles themselves are more lively and contain more information than before. (One of the great advantages of our new design is that we're able to fit more words on a page.) BYTE's editors worked hard to break

stories down into logical pieces and, whenever possible, to break those pieces down even further. So you'll see more text boxes and diagrams than ever before. You'll also see a greater use of call-outs and pointers in photos and screen shots to better explain the nuts and bolts of what's happening.

Many articles also have expanded "decks" to help you decide if the article is a must-read for you. If the subject matter is not for you, the deck will have provided you with some useful information, anyway. That's the whole idea—to help you decide which articles to read and to make important information jump off the page.

We've also changed our cover look to accommodate the issue-oriented nature of BYTE's cover stories. There you'll see art and photography play a lesser role than in the past. Instead, you'll see a bold headline with a descriptive deck to better convey what the story is all about. Still, we take the cover art very seriously, and that's why we commissioned Robert Tinney to illustrate this issue's cover. Many of you will remember when every BYTE cover was a Tinney illustration. While we'll still use photos and other illustrators, I'm particularly proud to have Tinney back for BYTE's new design debut.

Perhaps Tinney's art even serves as subtle notice that BYTE is getting back to its roots of being technically authoritative. It's a move that we began over a year ago, and one that you witnessed first in BYTE's cover stories. No other magazine has reverse-engineered low-cost PCs to tell you where manufacturers cut corners. No other magazine has done chip-level compatibility testing to help you decide whether a system really has to have an Intel chip inside. No other magazine has explained the technologies of CD-ROM, smart E-mail, and local-bus architectures at the level of detail as that in BYTE's cover stories. And while marketing-oriented magazines recently touted on their covers why you must buy MSDOS 6, BYTE instead told you how to deal with the more immediate problem of fatware.

You can expect to see more and more of these kinds of stories. And expect to see greater technical depth as BYTE moves closer to its roots of being technically authoritative. Just don't expect BYTE to be dry and boring.

Meanwhile, let me know what you think about the changes.

Dennis Allen, Editor in Chief

S.O BYTE JUNE 1993

Visual Reality

While the competition plays catch-up, Borland continues to ^^ lead with the most graphical C and C++for Windows, DOS, and OS/2.

A more comfortable place to program

Borland'5 C++ gives you the most intuitive Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for DOS, Windows, and OS/2.® This ease of use, combined with the fastest C++ compilation speed, means you get your work done faster. And Borland C++ includes time-saving C and C++ code generation and Application Frameworks.™

To set standards you must meet standards

Borland C++ is the only popular compiler that meets the certified ANSI C* and AT&T C++ standards. You can be confident that as the language evolves to make programming easier and more powerful, your Borland C++ code will be ready to take advantage of future versions across all platforms. What's more, applications built

90-day, money-back guarantee!

See your dealer or call oow, 1-80G 336-6464, ext. 5818

In Canada call, 1-800-461-3327

♦ANSI C cerlilied by the British Standards Instilulc. Copyright © 1993 Borland International, Inc. All rights reserved. All Borland product United States and Canada only. All prices in U.S. dollars. Dealer prices may vary. Bl 54US

Circle 66 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 67).

with Borland C++ will deliver faster because you'll have the most advanced features—like templates that make your code smaller, safer, and more reusable.

#1 for real-world application development

With more than one million copies in active use, Borland's C++ is proven, polished, and finely tuned to meet the needs of C and C++ programmers. And Borland has the C++ that's just right for you, from the new Turbo C++ Visual Edition for beginning programmers to powerful Borland C++ for professionals.

Borland

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names are trademarks of Borland International, Inc. Offer good in the

Announcing the first network printer

Operating System

Ibpology

Novell Netware

'Ethernet/'802.3

Token Riuy (4116 Mbps)

Microsoft"'

'802.3

LAN Manager

Token Ring (4116Mbps)

Wiudowsjor

•802.3

Workgroups

"Ihken Rimy (4116 Mbps)

Windows NT

•802.3

To/am Riuy (4116 Mbps)

IBM LAN Server

•802.3

Viken Ring (4116 Mbps)

Apple'Ihlk

•Localltdk

•EtherWdk

HP-UX"

•Ethernet

SunOS"

'Ethernet

Solaris"

•Ethernet

SCO UNIX"

•Ethernet

•standard in the l IP LaserJet ISI MX printer. ••Fbroperating HP-UX, Sunt IS Or Solaris, a one-time purchase of $199 in configurationsnft ware is required. AdobeandPostScriptare trademarks of Aduhe Systems Inc. which may he registered in certain jurisdictions. Microsoft is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. UNIX is a registered trademark of UNIX System Lahuratorios Inc. in the U.S.A. and other countries, tin Canada call l-Sll(l-3S7-:i8h7. Ext. 7299. * !!)!):! Hewlett-Packard PE12.15:)

Multiple environments are no longer worlds apart. Even if you have Novell Netware on one network, HP-UX on another and EtherTalk on a third, the new HP LaserJet 4Si MX printer easily connects across platforms. Automatically.

The HP LaserJet 4Si MX printer comes out-of-the-box preconfigured for multiple environments. There's nothing more to do than plug-and-play. All interfaces are simultaneously hot, making switching so seamless, end-users won't even notice.

What's more, HP's LaserJet 4Si MX printer is ready to handle whatever needs come down the

that adapts to multiple environments.

pike. More operating systems? No problem. As your network system continues to evolve, the capabilities of this printer are no longer just impressive. They're indispensable.

The HP LaserJet 4Si MX printer is loaded with features that define state-of-the-art. HP's enhanced PCL5 and genuine PostScript'" Level 2 software from Adobe'" come standard. Printer environments are saved while switching. Setup is a cinch with network software utilities and drivers included in the box. And, if you need any reassurance about trouble-free operation, you have it in our Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) support.

At 17 ppm, this is the fastest LaserJet ever, with I/Os and RISCbased formatter capabilities matched to support its speed. It delivers impeccable 600 dpi print quality-thanks to HP's microfine toner and Resolution Enhancement technology. Plus, it comes standard with two 500 sheet input trays.

But what if you don't need the full capabilities of the HP LaserJet 4Si MX printer right away? HP offers another printer that's probably a perfect fit. The HP LaserJet 4Si printer delivers the identical 17 ppm performance and superb 600 dpi print quality. It also has room to grow. The two MIO expansion slots let you add

HP JetDirect network interface or third party cards. And you can add on Adobe's genuine PostScript Level 2 software and SIMM memory modules, as you need them.

To find out more about the multiple-network HP LaserJet 4Si MX printer and the upgradable HP LaserJet 4Si printer just call 1-800-LASERJET, Ext. 7299.f Capabilities this advanced make a world of difference—in any environment.

E^E!

EWLETT PACKARD

Circle 91 on Inquiry Card.

BVTE

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Dennis Allen

EXECUTIVE EDITORS

Naw York: Rich Malloy Peterborough: Rich Friedman

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NEWS Peterborough:

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STATE OF THE ART/FEATURES

Senior Editor: Michael Nadeau Technical Editors: Janet J. Barron, Anthony J. Lockwood, Robert M. Ryan

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BIX, owned and operated by General Videotex Corporation, is a worldwide, low-cost, online information service featuring industry news, downloadable software, powerful electronic mail, previews of upcoming BYTE articles, the full text of published issues of BYTE, and source and/or executable code for BYTE benchmarks and noncommercial software mentioned in feature articles. BIX also offers unmatched "conferences" on virtually every computer-related topic imaginable, where you can share information with thousands of other computer pros. To subscribe via modem, set your communications software to full duplex, 7 bits, even parity, 1 stop bit, and then call (800) 695-4882 or (617) 491 -5410, or make a data call to our Tymnet address: 310690157800. Then hit the Enter/Return key and enter "BIX" when asked to log in; then enter "BIX.VILLE" when asked for a name. For current fees and more information, call (800) 695-4775 or (617) 354-4137 on voice phone; fax: (617) 491-6642; Internet: bix@genvid.com.

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wt't& '

m

Copyright © 1993 by McGraw-Hill, Inc. All rights reserved. BYTE and EVTE are registered trademarks of McGraw-Hill, Inc. Trademark registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

>e>

Member Audit Bureau of Circulation

officers of MC6RAW-HILL, inc.: Founder: James H. McGraw (1860-1948).

Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer: Joseph L. Dionne; Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary: Robert N. Landes; Executive Vice President: Harold W. McGraw III; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer: Robert J. Bahash; Senior Vice President, Treasury Operations: Frank D. Penglase; Executive Vice President, Publication Services: Norbert Schumacher; Vice President/Group Publisher, Computer Magazines: Fritz Landmann.

a.4 BYTE JUNE 1993

SUPERIOR DISPLAYS ARE PART OF OUR HERITAGE.

HM

EDITORS' CHOICE

June 30.1992 FlexScan F550i

FlexScan F550I

Three hundred years ago, our ancestors in the Nanao area of Japan created Kutani, one of the classic styles of Japanese porcelain that is meticulously crafted for display. Inspired by their vision to create such colorful, intricate art, we recreate the richest, deepest colors in our innovative computer displays: the distinguished Nanao FlexScan51 monitor family.

Inherited with a discerning eye and practiced touch, we finely tune every monitor, bringing you displays with a brilliant palette and clear, sharp images - retaining a tradition that reflects our vibrant history and parallels the technology of today.

From the affordable 15" to the 21" big-screen, our FlexScan family features top-of-the line flat-square CRTs with ergonomic enhancements including easyto-use microprocessor-based controls, flicker-free refresh rates and a healthy work environment that meets the Swedish MPR II and TCO low emission standards. We've also added ecological features such as an energy-saving auto-power ON/OFF switch. And all of our monitors optimize performance for Windows users or CAD/CAM, DTP professionals.

From generations of finely-crafted displays, our renowned monitor family continues a heritage that is uniquely Nanao.

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Finalist

FlexScan F340iW

TO DESIGN OUR NEW MOUSE, WE

STARTED DY READING PALMS.

In relentless detail, we studied hands of all dimensions.

We consulted professors of kinesiology, engineers, ergonomists and computer users. We used digital fiber optics to analyze the human hand.We followed it in motion.

The result is a new Microsoft Mouse that is, well, anatomically correct. Uncommonly comfortable.

The palm is perfectly supported. Left or right handed, the grip is comfortable. Fingertips fall naturally into place. A click feels just right.

This mouse even looks good. Intriguingly asymmetrical.\et it somehow reminds you of the gentle curves of a human form.

Did we mention that it also has some innovative new software features? They allow you to customize the mouse, so it works the way you like to work.

Try the new Microsoft Mouse. If you're not comfortable, we'll refund your money. Guaranteed. Details are on the box, which you can quickly get your hands on at a computer store near you.

Microsoft

Making it easier

© 1993 Microsoft Corporation. All rigors reserved. Printed In the USA. Microsoft is.. registered tiadcmatk of Microsoft Corpora

Letters

Smarter E-Mail

The article "Smarter E-Mail Is Coming" in the March issue was very interesting. The example of E-mail-based expense reporting was of particular interest to me. I had just returned from a trip and prepared and signed my expense report on a Monday. On Thursday, I was notified via E-mail that within two working days the reimbursement would be deposited in my checking account.

We use a spreadsheet to prepare the expense report and print it. However, the report must be signed by the individual and a manager for payment to happen, and the appropriate receipts must be attached. Receipts are verified against what is listed. This has not yet been worked out for electronic means.

In your example, you had checks written. What happened to direct deposit? Let's go all the way.

Fred Stone Orlando, FL

Please forgive my lack of knowledge, but in "Smarter E-Mail Is Coming," does the acronym API stand for application programming interface? This was a little amusing to me, because the sentence before the one that contained API referred to the "confusing alphabet soup of E-mail acronyms."

Perhaps for us novices, you should include a glossary in the back of the magazine of the more common acronyms not defined in the articles.

Bruce J. Benedict Lynchburg, VA

"Application programming interface " is correct.—Eds.

A Taxing Review

Your cover proclaims BYTE to be "The Worldwide Computing Authority," and the March editorial mentions BYTE's recent "globalization." Given that, shouldn't your recent article on tax-preparation software ("How to Deal with Taxing Questions," March) have been described as "U.S. tax-preparation software for DOS, Windows, and the Macintosh"?

Paul Clapham Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Computing in Italy

I was pleased to read "Computers Italian Style" (February). We have little software in the major applications areas. This is surely connected with having many small companies and few medium and large ones in the field. As for piracy, it's here, and it's here to stay. A lot of users simply don't think computer programmers have to eat! The Business Software Association is doing a good job, but the real problem is that we lacked a law on software piracy until last December. Almost every European country had such laws long before Italy. On the other hand, "miracle" laws don't exist, so we must work harder to defeat pirates.

Daniele Russo Catania, Italy

Faster Macs

Rick Grehan's accelerator-board roundup ("New Tricks for Slow Macs," February) offered a promising introduction to accelerator-board upgrades, but it includes misinformation regarding available options. Extreme Systems submitted its Impact 030 (for the Mac LC, Mac LC II, and Performa 400) and the 50-MHz Vandal (for the Mac SE). The Vandal, which offers substantial speed increases and large-screen video support, was omitted from the review. Installing Vandal would have caused Mr. Grehan to rethink his statement that "installation [of accelerator boards] can be an ordeal."

While the author brought up pertinent issues surrounding accelerator boards, he neglected to address power consumption. Excessive power consumption can wreak havoc, particularly on Mac LC and LC II systems. Apple's guidelines for the LC and LC II specify no more than 4 W.

The author recommended only one accelerator board. This is rather limiting, since the article discusses accelerator-board options for several Mac platforms. A recommendation for each category would have been more appropriate.

Steve Snyder

Director of Sales and Marketing

Extreme Systems

Tukwila, WA

We'd like to test every version of every accelerator board, but time and space considerations make that impossible. Perhaps in a later review we '11 have the opportunity to examine the 50-MHz version of Vandal. The version of Vandal we did test didn 't end up in our recommendations, but it did perform well overall.

My comments in the Action Summary "Dislikes " section may not have been clear. My point is that installing any board inside a Mac SE, Plus, or Classic is an ordeal. The difficult}' in doing so is a function of the computer's construction, not of the accelerator-board design.

Your recommendation on adding power requirements is a good one. Thanks for your input.—Rick Grehan

Windows Bias

I am unhappy with the editorial policy outlined by Dennis Allen (see "The State of BYTE," March). I believe that you are demonstrating an excessive and uninteresting focus on Microsoft products, particularly Windows.

I use Macintosh, DOS, and OS/2 products extensively. I am interested in PenPoint, GEOS, Solaris, and even Windows NT, in moderation.

If I want to read about Windows, I can pick up any one of dozens of periodicals. I am not looking forward to two special Windows issues. Please reconsider your decision.

John Faughnan Escanaba, MI

I appreciate your comments on this issue. Our Windows issues are extra issues—they are not part of our regular monthly editorial schedule—that allow BYTE to quickly cover this exploding market. It has never been our intent to focus BYTE's regular issues exclusively on Windows. BYTE will continue to cover a wide spectrum of computing platforms.—Dennis Allen

We want to hear from you. Address correspondence to Letters Editor, BYTE, One Phoenix Mill Lane, Peterborough, NH03458, sendBIXmail c/o "editors, "or send Internet Mail to letters® bytepb.byte.com. Letters may be edited.

BYTE JUNE 1993

WITH BOTH STORAGE AND MEMORY, DATACARD IS THE SWISS ARMY KNIFE OF MICRO CHANNEL BOARDS.

Datacard Micro Channel Storage and Memory Upgrade.

Datacard is available with 85. 127 or 209MB of bootable 16 millisecond access storage plus four SIMM sockets that accommodate up to 64MB of system RAM. II s all the storage and memory needed for Windows or OS/2'for as little as $545 suggested retail.

Multi-Function Expansion Slot Utilization.

Datacard features four IBM-standard SIMM sockets for up to 16MB in 16-bit systems or 64MB in 32-bit systems. Existing memory cards can be depopulated and replaced with DataCard.

Kingston Reliability.

DataCard useis enjoy the same reliability customers have come to expect from Kingston memory and processor upgrades. Every product is individually tested prior to shipping and supported by free comprehensive technical assistance. DataCard is backed by a fin-year warranty; the on-boarcl drive is warranted for two years.

Turn Your PS/2 Into a Graphical Workstation.

Most PS/2 systems

don't have nearly the storage or system MM that graphical computing requires. DataCard is the complete solution to OS/2 and Windows hardware problems all on one Micro Channel card.

More Information.

If DataCard sounds like the storage and memory solution for you. contact your nearby Kingston dealer or call us at (800) 835-6575. Well he happy lo answer your questions about DataCard or any of our other 625 upgrade products.

[800]

Individual Product Testing.

Every product is bench tested in the system for which it was designed. Testing with original equipment manufacturer system diagnostics assures absolute compatibility. Tins rare commitment to quality control leads to many years of reliable service.

11 Kingston

VTi*! M.%.TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

The Inside Name in Upgrades 17600 Newhope Street, Fountain Valley. California 92708 (714) 435-2600 Fax (714) 435-2699

All Trademarks and Registered Trademarks are of Ibeir respective holders. Kingston and Kingston Technology are Registered Trademarks of Kingston Technology Corporation.

Circle 103 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 104).

Buy The Wrong Risk Losing More

Using the latest processors, COMPAQ ProSignia and SyslcmPro/XL deliver industry-leading performance based on industry-standard benchmarks.

hen it comes to finding the best server, you not only need great performance at a great price, you need the most reliable, easy-to-manage system you can find.

After all, a single server nightmare can turn what looked like a good investment into a costly mistake.

All of which explains why LAN Times readers chose our servers over all others for the third year in a row.

Because not merely are our servers leading the industry in price and performance, they're also the only servers with complete management capabilities built in

Integrated fault prevention tools continually monitor server subsystems.

© 1993 Compaq Computer Corporation, All rights reserved. COMPAQ, SY5TEMPRO Registered U.S. Patent ant! Trademark Office. ProSignia and Insight Manager are trademarks of Compaq Computer Corporation. Product names mentioned herein mav be trademarks and/ or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Server And You 3tian Just Your Data.

The COMPAQ Insight Manager then takes that information and alerts you to fluctuations, so you can avoid downtime. You can even program COMPAQ servers to reboot automatically, or to contact you offsite so you can diagnose and reboot from your location.

So while others may suggest they offer close to COMPAQ performance based on their own fabricated benchmarks, you'll never hear them claim to have a more reliable, easier to manage system.

Because they don't. Not

IBM. Not Dell. Not anybody.

And in the end, that will save

you a lot more than an occasional

headache. For more information, and

a free Novell Guide to NetWare 4.0,

call 1-800-638-8258, ext. 45.

COMPAQ servers-an J only COM PA Q. servers — alert you to hardware problems bejore they become problems, allowing you to troubleshoot and avoid network downtime.

When you build more reliable products, you can ojjer a more extensive guarantee. Every COMPAQ^scrver includes our free 3-year, on-site' warranty.

COMPAQ.

•This service provided by Contracted Service Providers and may not be available siotis apply. Monitors, battery partes and certain options are covered by a one-ye: the Compaq Customer Support Center. The Intel Inside logo is a registered tr; Award 1991,1992 and 1993.

i certain geographic locations. Certain restrictions and exclu warranty. For further details on our limited warranty, corttac lemark of the Intel Corporation. LAN Times Readers Choict

Circle 74 on Inquiry Card.

chart editing, and a great "live" status bar (similar to the one found in Ami Pro) at the bottom of the screen that shows the current status of highlighted cells. In short, release 4 feels like it was meant to be a graphical spreadsheet.

SPREADSHEETS

Lotus Takes Another Run at Windows

Help for Macro Writers

Release 4 lets you add macro buttons to the worksheet, and you can choose from 250 new macro commands. Lotus has also added 110 new calendar, database, engineering, financial, logical, informational, lookup, mathematical, and statistical ©functions. Lotus 1-23 now supports both client and server OLE and the ODBC

Lotus 1-2-3 release 4 for Windows packs more punch than the previous version and should challenge Microsoft Excel

NICHOLAS JOHN DELONAS

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Edit View Style Tools Range Window Help

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■U-MM'Ts'-Wlil ■JTTTPmi ■MT^MBE Will I' 1—

Compatibility with 1-2-3 for DOS worksheet models is better than before, although | it's still not perfect. Adding ' named pages and a few macro buttons can spice up your old models.

Laotus 1-2-3 release 4 for Windows ($495) is a major upgrade that, based on the prerelease software I evaluated, may help Lotus 1-2-3 make up ground on Microsoft Excel, which now dominates the Windows spreadsheet market. Even though many of the improvements are features that should have been there in the first place, Lotus 1-2-3 release 4 for Windows isn't merely a catch-up product. It offers several outstanding capabilities that you won't find in other spreadsheets.

The most interesting new feature is Version Manager, which lets users and groups of users store different versions of a worksheet in the same file. The capabilities introduced in the Version Manager dialog box are exciting. In fact, Version Manager alone might justify choosing 1-2-3 over Excel or Quattro Pro for Windows. (See the text box "Infinite What-If See

; Promotion

\ Production

; Salary

I Re a much and DgVgl,

IC

NEW FEATURES

• Version Manager

• In-ceil editing

• Live Status Bar •Support for OLE and ODBC

• Easy access to external data

narios" for a more detailed look at Version Manager.)

When it comes to matching the major features found in Excel and Quattro Pro for Windows, release 4 does a good job. Lotus 1-2-3 now feels more like

a real Windows application, and less like a product that was quickly ported from DOS. For example, you can select whole columns and rows by clicking on the worksheet frame. There's also a draw layer that lets you add arrows, lines, and so on over the worksheet and any embedded graphical objects. A click of the left mouse button selects any such object or a range of cells. A click of the right mouse button pops up a short-menu dialog box, letting you make quick changes appropriate to your current selection.

The new release for Windows also offers in-cell editing, drag-and-drop capability, one-step charting, on-the-sheet

SAURY Usl Yea;

PROMOTION Be C**w<n PR0DUCT_SA1£S E>®toi™ SALARY Irtreaied H,ng

162.6301

U2!ffi/22ailLlISi

Version Manager let me switch with ease between pessimistic and optimistic forecasts in this projected income statement.

(Open Database Connectivity) standard, which makes it easier for it to work with other applications.

For less-experienced users, many new features make release 4 accessible. Menus, Smartlcons, and dialog boxes are more context-sensitive than in the previous release, and there's even an animated online tutorial.

Have you forgotten the name of an @function or the

22 BYXE JUNE 1993

order of the arguments? No problem. Just click on the (©function Smartlcon to select from a pull-down list.

Have trouble understanding

Category:

All ©functions

OK

©Functions:

BESSEU BESSELK

♦

BESSELY

~—

BETA

BETAI

+

111 nr|—

Cancel

Menu »

@81N0MIAL(trials;successes;ptobabilits>;[type]) Calculates the binomial probability mass function or the cumulative binomial distribution.

has always had more powerful database features than Excel or Quattro Pro, and now these features are also easier to use. There's no longer any need to create a criteria range in the spreadsheet. Instead, you specify criteria via simple dialog boxes. The process of connecting to external data is much easier than before. There's still one glaring deficiency, though: the lack of an external data browser.

INFINITE WHAT-IF SCENARIOS

The ©function Smartlcon displays a dialog box that lets you peruse a list of ©functions. Once one is selected, Lotus 1-2-3 release 4 for Windows walks you through the entry of the ©function's arguments.

1-2-3's 3-D architecture? Take a look at what may be the best new ease-of-use feature— worksheet tabs. These tabs are analogous to the tabs you find in a file cabinet. They let you navigate between worksheets intuitively and assign meaningful names to those sheets, so you can easily see where you're going. Unfortunately, you can't drag and drop whole sheets, as you can in Quattro Pro for Windows. Even so, the new tabs are a welcome addition to 1-2-3. Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows

The Big Picture

Other new features in release 4 include more flexible print compression to let you fit more of your spreadsheet on a single page, a spelling checker, mail-enabling capabilities, spiffy designer frames for boxing data, and a new file format (.WK4) to hold all these features in a single file. Although it's risky making recommendations based on beta software, Lotus 1-2-3 release 4 for Windows looks like a clear winner that should excel in the Windows spreadsheet market.

Lotus Development Corp. 55 Cambridge Pkwy. Cambridge, MA 02142 (800) 343-5414 (617)577-8500

~|T

Scenario name: J Cast Year Comment:

OK

I Cancel j

Actual figures from last year.

-Sharing optionsHr— (<*> Unprotected O Erotected O Protected & hidden

Modified by •

Nicholas Delonas 03/29/93 10:33:10

Selected versions:

PROMOTION.Last Year's PRODUCT_SALES.LastYec SALARYlast Year's

Available versions:

SALARY

Hiring Freeze

Increased Hiring

Last Year's PROMOTION

Big Campaign

You can create any number of complex scenarios. To create a scenario, you select from the list of available versions.

The idea behind Version Manager is simple enough. A version is a named data set that you can bring into a worksheet range as needed. For example, suppose you have a range named "revenues" that holds projected gross income for the coming year. You could enter one set of pessimistic data and name it "Pessimistic." Then you could enter optimistic data and name it "Optimistic." To switch between versions, you need only call up Version Manager and select the data set you want from a pull-down list.

Version Manager is great for what-if analyses and testing various scenarios. Better yet, Version Manager can manage the shared use of a single worksheet file. For example, a workgroup might work on a single budgeting model. Lotus 1-2-3 automatically stores each person's contribution as a time-stamped version and keeps track of who contributes what by storing each user's ID with that version. This eliminates the need to roll up data from various departments. To provide security, Version Manager automatically searches for the most authenticated name and ID (for Notes, cc:Mail, network log-on, or user supplied) it can find.

Finally, Version Manager lets you combine any number of versions into scenarios. For example, you might create a scenario called "Best Possible," which would include best-case versions of both revenues and expenses. This approach is definitely easier than Excel's Scenario Manager, and it's more powerful, too.

PRODUCT WATCH

Lotus Notes! The Next 1-2-3?

i^Py the time you read this. Lotus should have released Notes 3.0, which the company hopes will do for groupware what Lotus 1-2-3 did for spreadsheets. The new Windows version of 1-2-3 could help Lotus improve its market share in the Windows spreadsheet category, which analysts say is currently dominated by Microsoft Excel for Windows. But Lotus officials admit that the spreadsheet category is a more mature market than that of groupware, thus offering less opportunity for growth. "In some of the more mature product areas, you'll do feature-leaping," Brenda Kelly, product marketing manager for Notes, says. "In a category such as Notes or groupware, what you're really doing is helping people understand the value,

the return on investment."

To help get the word out on Notes 3.0, Lotus created the Notes Open Education Program to expand the availability of Notes application development, installation, and administration training. Fifteen independent Notes training centers are scheduled to open in the U.S. this summer, with an equal number slated to open in Europe.

At the Notes 3.0 rollout, Lotus officials said that where 1-2-3 was the strategic product for the company in the 1980s, Notes will be its strategic product in the 1990s. Unlike 1-2-3, which was an instant money-maker, Notes, which was first introduced in 1989, has not yet generated a profit as a product.

— Dave Andrews and Dom Pancucci

NOTES 3.0

•Support for Mac, OS/2, and Windows clients

•Notes Server for Windows

• Remote administration

• Integration with 1-2-3 for Windows release 4's Version Manager

•Support for OLE

• Relational database queries from within Notes

• Support for Mac AppleTalk, OS/2 AppleTalk, Novell IPX/SPX, TCP/IP, X.25 Connect, IBM SNA, DECnet Pathworks, NetBIOS, and Vines

• Unix client and server, NetWare server due by the end of the year

• Windows NT version for Intel PCs in 1993 or 1994

JUNE 1993 BYTE 23

News & Views

LONDON

UPDATE

Amstrad's Affordable Pen Package

The Pen Pad weighs less than a pound and is solely penoperated, with no external (or emulated) keyboard option.

U.K. computer maker Amstrad showed its Pen Pad PDA600, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) that may beat Apple's Newton, Tandy/Casio's Zoomer, and others to the punch by many months, and possibly by many dollars. The Pen Pad should now be on sale in the U.K. and worldwide for £299. Although no dollar price was announced, Amstrad's chairman Alan Sugar suggested that $399 was the price he'd like to see.

The Pen Pad runs proprietary operating-system software developed by Amstrad and the

THE FACTS

128 KB of nonvolatile memory; enough to hold 5000 phone book entries

Level 1 PCMCIA slot; expand memory to 2 MB or add new ROM-based applications

Estimated 40-hour battery life from three AA cells

Eden Group, the U.K. electronics firm that also designed the hard■^^^^^ ware. An intuitive ^F^P user interface is based on a Filofax page metaphor, which is similar to PenPoint from Go Corp., where you select functions with the pen by touching 12 icons around the page border. No menus are used. The software supports English, Spanish, German, French, and Italian.

Built-in applications are an address book and phone dialer, a diary/time manager, a to-do list, a world clock, a calculator, a scribble notepad, and a unit converter that supports both built-in and user-defined functions. All applications except the notepad recognize handwritten characters for input, although you must enter characters singly into boxes. When you switch

on the Pen Pad, you train the character recognizer by writing out the alphabet. You can also retrain individual characters on the spot whenever a misrecognition occurs. Only one person's handwriting library can be stored at a time, lending a literal sense to the word Personal in PDA.

Rather than adopting a 32-bit RISC CPU, Amstrad/Eden has opted for a less-expensive but effective approach. The Pen Pad employs three 8-bit microcontrollers (Z80-compatible, maskROM devices from Siemens) as CPUs: one devoted to power management, one to character recognition, and one to data processing. Applications programmers will write to a functioncall API that hides the details of this multiprocessing.

Amstrad is aiming the Pen Pad at the lower end of the PDA market. Sugar acknowledged that his competitors will soon offer higher-tech PDAs with built-in radio communications and other features that the Pen Pad lacks. But the affordable Pen Pad is here now, and it works.

—Dick Pountain

HANNOVER, GERMANY

Apple's Newton Will Debut This Summer

HP 100LX Computer

Hewlett-Packard recently updated its two-year-old HP 95L.X hand-held computer with a new PC-compatible palmtop computer, the HP 100LX ($749). While the new system features an improved screen and new or improved bundled applications—most notably Lotus's cc:Mail and a graphical PIM (personal information manager) written by HP—it sports the same form factor as the 95LX.

The 11-ounce 100LX has MS-DOS 5.0 in ROM. It bundles Lotus 1-2-3 release 2.4. The 100LX uses an Intel 7.91-MHz 80C186 microprocessor, which HP says offers 50 percent more speed than its predecessor. The lOOLX's new screen has an enhanced 80-column by 25row, CGA-compatible LCD with a zoom feature that lets you see the entire document page viewable on a desktop PC.

The 100LX features a new PCMCIA 2.0 plug-in slot for adding flash-memory cards or modems.

—Patrick Waurzyniak

Apple's Gaston

Bastiaens bets his

wine cellar on the

Newton's shipping

this summer.

W^k. t the CeBIT computer show, Apple Computer announced that its long-awaited PDA will be available this summer. When asked whether this projected delivery date would be more realistic than Apple's previous estimates, Gaston Bastiaens, general manager of Apple's PIE (Personal Interactive Electronics) Division, said, "I bet my wine cellar on this, and it's a great wine cellar." Apple's Newton will be but the first of a family of similar devices with varying sizes and capabilities available from several vendors. German electronics giant Siemens AG announced a version of the Newton called Notephone, which will include a cellular telephone and

a fax/data

modem. Matsushi

la, Sharp, and Moto

rola announced that they

would also offer Newton devices.

Apple sees a range of Newlons with various sizes of LCD screens. The products include an educational toy. a small "inventory watch" worn like a wristwatch, and an architect's sketch pad with a large screen. Apple says the wide range of possibilities is due to the low cost of the Newton's processor, the ARM610. — Rich Malloy

The Newton will take on a variety of forms and functions.

24 BYTE JUNE 1993

WATCOM SQL fOr WindOWS is a high performance **

SQL database engine for Windows applications. The package includes

everything required to begin using WATCOM SQL immediately from many popular

Windows applications, supporting interfaces ranging from ODBC and DDE to the Windows

clipboard. Everything necessary for application development in C/C+ + (using compilers from

WATCOM, Microsoft or Borland) is also included.

Installation in Under 10 MinUteS The easy installation and setup reduce the time and expense traditionally required by client/server technology. Further, WATCOM SQL lets you achieve high performance results right out of the package without the need for performance setup and tuning by expert personnel.

Performance and Reliability watcomsql-s cost-based query optimizer

and efficient data representation combine to deliver high performance. Transaction processing and declarative referential integrity protect the consistency of your data. The client/server architecture reduces network traffic, resulting in increased performance for your multi-user applications.

Scalable SQL for Now and the Future watcomsql applications

can be designed to run without change in environments ranging from standalone PCs to large multiuser networks. The 32-bit WATCOM SQL Network Server Edition unleashes the power of 386/486 PC's to deliver high performance for large networks with many clients.

The Best Value in SQL Database Engines watcom™ sql

for Windows has a suggested retail price of $795* but for a limited time you can get it at the introductory price of only $395*. Even better, as a registered user of WATCOM SQL you'll be able to get a copy of the 6-user Network Server Edition for only $99* (Suggested retail price: $795*).

Royalty-Free Runtime for only $99* as a registered user youcanget

royalty-free runtime support for just $99*, enabling you to distribute our standalone single-user runtime SQL database engine with your applications royalty-free.

Highlights

win

1-800-265-4555

► ODBC Level 2 support ► Built-in declarative referential and entity integrity ► Visual Basic Interface Bi-directional, scrollable, updatable cursors Row-level locking

ANSI SQL and IBM SAA compatible Full transaction processing support with checkpoint log and forward transaction log Multiple simultaneous application connections Symmetric multi-threading of concurrent requests Import data from popular file formats including DBF Automatic use of expanded and extended memory to improve performance

Static and dynamic embedded SQL interface for use with WATCOM's 16 and 32-bit C/C+ + compilers, and other popular C/C++ compilers

Also available:

WATCOM SQL Developer's Edition for DOS

Complete Client/Server Development Tools Package for DOS including Standalone Single-user SQL Database Engine. Enables development and deployment of single-user standalone applications, and development of applications for use with the WATCOM SQL Network Server Edition.

WATCOM SQL Network Server Edition

High-performance Multi-user SQL Database Server

for PC LANs. Supports multiple concurrent DOS or Windows clients in a network environment.

The Leader in Development Tools

WATCOM. 415 Phillip Street, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3X2: Telephone: (519) 886-3700, Fax: (519) 747-4971. Trices do not include (.eight and taxes where applicable. Authorized dealers may sell lor less. WATCOM, and the Lightning Device are trademarks of WATCOM International Corporation. Other trademarks are the properties ol their respective owners. Copyright 1993 WATCOM International Corporation.

Circle 155 on Inquiry Card.

EDITORS CHOICE

Couple its outstanding M oyerall performance with a true^ optical resolution of 400 dots i per inch, an excellent scanning Jf software package {DeskScan II)M| and HP's well-earned reputa- ' tion for solid, reliable products, I and you have a winning combi nation.

It's tal

THE BEST

HARDWARE

& SOFTWARE

OF THE YEAR.

..top scoring product...

far

;--,*\

SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE

m The ScanJet lie performed well

m during all phases of PC Magazine

K Labs' testing. In terms of speed,

»'' this scanner led the field, ranking

[ first in two of five speed trials and

■ best overall. Some scanners,

PC Magazine Labs' te ference between the every test. In line-art the HP ScanJet lie seconds, while five 115 seconds or mor /' In general, yoi

twice as long for a co scale. With a fast sea translate into a half a ner, the set up to cole

as a whole, and a street price as low as $1,450, and it's hard to imagine a better buy.

HP

WAri excellent choice, for any PC desktop

©1993 Hewlett-Packarf Company *ln Canada call 1-800-387-3867, Ext. 7365. PE12357

scanner excellence), only < Hewlett Packard's ScanJet] excelled in both <

ig showed considerable difest and slowest machines on >de at 300 dpi, for instance, inned our text page in 22 its competitors required o' complete the same task n expect to wait roughly graphics scale as for gray ;r, this difference might lute or so. With a slow scan lay cost you 2 minutes or

tas made scanning as simple as possible.

_^_-:'

HP ScanJet He

i.

HP ScanJet Up

We'd hate to brag. So we'll let the PC press do it for us.

Both PC Magazine and Publish called the HP ScanJet He the Best Color Scanner for 1992. While PC Computing named the black & white/gray-scale HP ScanJet Up the Most Valuable Product of the year.

Speed. Simplicity. And accuracy were all applauded. It's no wonder. HP's singlepass scanning delivers both lightning-fast speed and precise color registration. TWAIN support allows scanning without having to switch between applications. And HP AccuPage technology with 400dpi resolution can tackle the toughest OCR challenges. What's more, capabilities this advanced are now even more affordable. List price on the HP ScanJet He has just dropped to $1,599. The HP ScanJet lip is just $879.

Impressed? Don't just take our word for it, or even the PC press's. Attend one of our scanning seminars that will be held April through September, 1993. To find out more about the HP ScanJet He and lip or seminars in your area, call 1-800-SCANJET, Ext. 7365? And judge for yourself.

ra

HEWLETT PACKARD

PRINTERS

PostScript Level 2: Adobe Takes the Driver's Seat

POSTSCRIPT LEVEL 2: A TWO-PASS PROCESS

ostScript Level 2 promises better memory management, more efficient (i.e., faster) operators, a pattern generator, and device-independent color support. The enhanced PostScript was introduced in 1990, and since then, numerous printers equipped with PostScript Level 2 interpreters have appeared on the market. However, they have not been able to reap the speed benefits of the new interpreter because a crucial component was missing from the printing process: There wasn't a Level 2 driver for the computers. Because PostScript Level 2 is a superset of the original PostScript language, the Level 2 printers worked fine with Level 1 drivers. Still, many printer owners probably wondered what the value of PostScript Level 2 was.

In April, Adobe finally released PostScript Level 2 drivers for both Macs and Windows. The reason for the delay was compatibility with existing software. On the Mac, some applications routinely made im

Passl

Pass 2

I .;.-■' ' ■■■ ./

©

PPD

File

©

Peek resource

©

0

O The document is spooled to the disk. Each page is imaged as a separate QuickDraw picture. © Page components are determined. Components include images, typefaces, patterns, and bounding boxes. © "Peek" resources—or tokenized objects—are created to optimize code during the second pass. © PPD files supply printer-specific information to the job, such as printer resolution and image enhancement. © The printer is queried for available typefaces.

© Portions of the job header are sent for image/graphics support; required fonts are downloaded. © QuickDraw page images are converted to PostScript. Peek resources are used to perform code optimizations. ASCII and binary data compression are performed before the page is sent to the printer.

POSTSCRIPT LEVEL 2 PERFORMANCE

DRIVER

PS LEVEL 2 APPLE

Illustrator document 98

Four-page color document 395

10-page dummy article 669

Small Photoshop file 63

Large Photoshop file 304

Photoshop file (CMYK) 984

Notes:

All times are in seconds based on beta versions 8.0b2c2

and8.0b4d.

The Illustrator file is 122 KB in size and uses a 24-bit

The four-page color document uses several color EPS

files, several typefaces, and one 24-bit color scanned

image.

The dummy article uses several gray-scale images and

several typefaces.

The small Photoshop file is a 1.15-MB 24-bit image.

The large Photoshop file consists of an 11.3-MB 24-bit

image.The CMYK file is a 15.1 -MB 24-bit color

Photoshop file printed to a Tek Phaser USD.

proper or redundant calls to the driver. Adobe and Apple have fine-tuned the driver to operate with these "print felons."

I tested two prerelease versions of the Mac PostScript Level 2 driver. The software consists of a Chooser-selectable driver and a host of PPD (PostScript Printer Description) files. These PPD files contain device-specific information that the printer driver uses to optimize the PostScript code during printing.

I installed the driver on a Mac Ilci using a DayStar Digital Turbo 040 accelerator board, a Quadra 950, and a Centris 650. The driver worked without problems with Claris Mac Write II, Microsoft Word 5.1, Aldus PageMaker 4.2,

119 657 778 143 948 1699

Adobe Photoshop 2.5, Adobe Illustrator 3.2, Think C 5.0.4, lasik Designs' MacNosy 2.98Q, and Zedcor's FutureBasic 1.04. To see if the driver boosted performance, I timed how long it took to print several types of documents in the background to an Apple LaserWriter Ilg and a Tektronix Phaser USD color dye-sublimation printer. The host Mac was connected to the printer via a single, thin Ethernet cable, which eliminated network traffic. Overall, small jobs showed only a small time difference between the drivers. Bigger jobs produced bigger time savings. This is because the driver uses two passes to produce efficient code and compress image data. For binary data, run-length encoding is used for image compression. Some network spoolers can choke on binary data, so when ASCII hexadecimal is used to send the file to the printer, ASCII-85 encoding is used.

The driver is actually slower when you print with the background printing switched off. This is because the driver spools a QuickDraw image to disk first. The driver uses this image to perform its optimizations and data compression. For this reason, you lose any boost when you switch off background printing, or you get cornered into printing in the foreground when your application swallows all available memory. A future version will optimize on the fly, Adobe says, but for now PSPrint is designed to work in the background. Based on the timing results, professionals making heavy use of color graphics and large image files stand to gain the most from PostScript Level 2.

—Tom Thompson

Adobe Systems, Inc., 1585 Charleston Rd., P.O. Box 7900, Mountain View, CA 94039, (415) 961-4400.

28 BYTE JUNE 1993

Finally full-motion video tor your PC

Now you can create full-motion video and multimedia presentations right on your desktop PC with Video Blaster'" hardware and Microsoft® Video for Windows™ software. Everything you need is right in the Video Blaster box.

Complete video hardware PLUS fullmotion multimedia software...

Video Kit for special effects and JPEG compression software to store images in a fraction of the

disk space required

by other PC video systems.

EPNDdS

Video Blaster lets you

capture, freeze, store, manipulate and export fullyscalable digital video images from as many as three sources (both PAL and NTSC).

Video for Windows software adds Windowscompatible, Audio-Video Interleave (AVI) format to your Video Blaster hardware. So you can now capture and store full-motion video and incorporate it into OLE-compatible applications. Use the two together to produce and edit hill-color digital video sequences in a resizable window. Combine still and moving video with computer-generated graphics and animation, or overlay text and graphics onto live video. With just these tools and a video source, you've got an entire multimedia video studio on your desktop.

To add CD-quality 16-bit stereo sound and on-screen digital mixing, just plug in a Sound Blaster"' 16 ASP'" or other Sound Blaster audio card. Your presentations will sound as good as they look.

Included in your Video Blaster package is over $1500 in software-including Macromind Action!"' and Tempra'" presentation packages for DOS or Windows environments. Plus Creative Labs

Microsoft Video for Windows:

puts the power of full-motion digital video onto your PC screen.

...all in one package.

It's the complete £%%&

multimedia author- SHOW:fm-DOS.

ing and editing

solution. Everything you need to get rolling with full-motion multimedia video... and all at a price you can afford.

For more information and the name of your nearest dealer, call 1-800-647-9933.

Creative Labs and Microsoft

team up to offer state-of-the-art

PC video for less than $500?

MacroMind Action! for

Windows.

VIDEO

FOR WINDOWS

iVideol rP[T TlVr"

CREATIVE LABS.

II *MSRP 5)499.93. If MS Video for Windows is not included in your Video Blaster package, a copy can be sent to you at a special offer price. Call 1-800-647-9933.

—"H ©Copyright 1992 Creative Labs, Inc. Video Blaster, Sound Blaster, and ASP are trademarks of Creative Labs, Inc. All other trademarks are owned by their respective companies wiNrxSs". International inquiries: Creative Technology, Lid. Singapore, TEL 65733-0233 FAX 65-773-0353. owmmii£

Circle 268 on Inquiry Card.

Format Tools Table Window Help

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LETTER,

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ICEPT PERSONAL CLOTHING).

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ALL OUTDOOR GEAR (EXCEPT PERSONAL CLOTHING)

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we recommend that to get the most out of the experience, you 'mat ion you requested about EuroC limb!

the entire excurs ion. Exotic Excursions will take care of these niturous travel by foot and this year's

♦ ALL OUTDOOR GEAR (EXCEPT PERSONAL CLO ^ Here is tlie Plamied itinerary for t

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AL L C LI MBING GEAR.

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AUGUST 1-14

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UPGRADE TO NEW MICROSOFT WORD 6.0 FOR MS-DOS FOR $99.

ANDDECOMEA MASTER OF MANIPULATION.

Make your word processing easier with new drag-anddrop text editing, one-step formatting ribbon, automatic bullets, automatic tables, lines and borders, and special symbols.

Take a few shortcuts and make your everyday tasks a whole lot easier. Just upgrade to new Microsoft* Word 6.0.

To start with, you can automatically add bullets to highlight key points. Or create a table with a single click on the new ribbon. Editing is a snap: use drag-and-drop editing to move text anywhere on the page. Then go back to the ribbon for one-step bold, italic, or underline formatting.

You can just as easily insert commonly used symbols like ©,™, §, and ®. A few simple clicks and it's done. And with TrueType* fonts, the crisp text you see on your screen is the same text you'll get in your documents - on just about any printer.

Need more impact? Add lines, borders, and shading in one quick step. When all is said and done, run your work through the grammar checker to make sure it's all buttoned up.

With Word 6.0, you'll create polished and professional documents every time.

Right now you can upgrade to Microsoft Word 6.0 for MS-DOS' for $99* and get a 90-day money-back guarantee.** Upgrade today. And see how Word 6.0 can help you become a master manipulator. So make the call.

To get a copy, see your local reseller. For the name of a reseller near you,

or to order by phone, call (800) 468-8899 and ask for Dent. JC2.

Micmsaft

Making it easier

© 1993 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Primed in the United States of America. Microsoft ami MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. TrueType is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.

'Plus 7.50 freight and applicable sales tax if ordered directly from Microsoft. "Freight charges are not refundable. Reseller prices may vary. You must currently be a licensed user of any version of Microsoft Word to qualify for this

special upgrade offer. To qualify for this offer at your reseller, you must bring proof of purchase with you: 1) the original disk from vour program, 2) the title page of the manual, or 3) a copy of the sales receipt. Offer good only In the

50 United States. Offer good until 9/30/93. Inside the 50 United States, call (800) 468-8899, Dept |C2. For information only: in Canada, call (800) 563-9048; outside the United States and Canada, call (206) 936-8661.'

News &Views

HANNOVER, GERMANY

I Designing PCs That Age Gracefully

EPA POLLUTION PREVENTER

Projected Benefits of Energy Star

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program has expanded from last year's original eight member companies that promised to develop energyconserving computers to over 50 companies. This number is increasing on a weekly basis. Brian Johnson, the Energy Star program manager, says the EPA has added printer, system software, and monitor categories to the program. Companies can affix an Energy Star logo to products that can power down to 30 W when not in use. According to Johnson, a PC and monitor without a powerdown mode will draw about 150 W, or 1300 kilowatthours per year, if the system is never turned off.

The EPA estimates that without the Energy Star program, computer systems (including monitors and printers) will consume 70 billion kWh of energy by the year 2000. This assumes that 70 million PCs and workstations will be in use. The EPA estimates that if 65 percent of all printers, monitors, and CPUs are Energy Star-compliant by the year 2000, the reduction in air pollution due to the reduced energy needs will be equivalent to taking 5 million cars off the road annually. Energy savings per Energy Star unit is estimated at 57 percent. The base cost per kilowatt-hour is estimated by the EPA at 7.5 cents. These numbers are the official U.S. estimates derived from several government agencies, including the Department of Energy and the EPA.

^Merman computer giant Siemens Nixdorf (+49 821 804 2949) announced a new desktop system that takes environmental friendliness beyond just conserving energy. In addition to a sleep mode in which power consumption drops to just 5 W, the PCD-4L can be largely recycled.

Siemens says that 95 percent of the PCD-4L (starts at 3845 deutsche marks) can be recycled. The company admits that recycling is not a priority item on most computer buyers' checklists, but it expects that many governments will soon pass laws that require businesses that sell products to recycle them for their customers.

To help companies design products that are more easily recycled, the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corp., a research consortium in

Zenith's prototype of a solar-powered notebook.

Austin, Texas, recently organized a Life Cycle Environmental Study conference in Washington, D.C. Presenters at the conference suggested that manufacturers should make circuit boards that are expandable to new processors and develop monitors so that the screen can easily be separated from the yoke and recycled.

At CeBIT, Zenith Data Systems (Langen, Germany, +49 6103 761 733) showed a rough

Nanao's New Power-Saving Monitors

anao USA's new 17inch FlexScan F5501W ($1599) and 21-inch FlexScan F760iW ($2999) typify a new generation of color monitors. These power-saving models consume 120 and 160 W, respectively, during operation. However, 3 minutes after your computer's screen saver activates, the monitors enter the first-stage Power Saver mode, where the power draw is cut to approximately 12 and 16 W, respectively. You can set the Power Saver mode to last anywhere from a few seconds to 60 minutes. When the monitor enters the second stage, the Power Down mode, power consumption drops to about 8.5 and 11.5 W, respectively. When in the Power Down mode, it takes about the same amount of time to wake the FlexScan as it does to cold-start the monitor.

One problem with these monitors is that the Power Down mode will not activate unless your screen saver is mostly black (e.g., a blank screen). Nanao ((310) 325-5202) is negotiating with companies like Berkeley Software to solve this problem.

—Gene Smarte

prototype of a solar-powered notebook system. The system will not make batteries obsolete, but it will extend the duty cycle of batteries from 3 hours to 6, 9, or even 12 hours, company officials said. A group of engineers tiled the top of a ZNote notebook with an array of indigo-blue solar cells. Because the notebook was too small to hold enough cells to generate the required amount of electricity, ZDS engineers added a 2-inch-wide strip of cells (see diagram). The cells will function in both sunlight and regular room lighting.

Company officials say that it will take 12 to 18 months before the solar-cell-equipped notebook is available. The extra price required by the cells is estimated at DM 1000-1500 ($650-$ 1000).

—Rich Malloy and Peter Wayner

GOING GREEN:

EASIER SAID THAN DONE

• Percentage of employees within top U.K. companies that would like their offices to be environmentally friendly 96

• Percentage who said they would buy only from an environmentally conscious supplier if its prices were competitive 75

• Percentage of respondents who would "go green" only if the action did not adversely affect profits 50

• Percentage of companies that use recycled paper for internal or external communications

30

Survey results from 304 executives, equipment purchasers, and office workers in a U.K. survey conducted by Network Research, an independent London-based market-research company.

32 BYTE JUNE 1993

Cross

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Circle 87 on Inquiry Card.

News & Views

GRAPHICS WORKSTATIONS

Going to Extremes

Silicon Graphics stretches its low end with the lndigo2

I he Indigo2 completes Silicon Graphics' effort to replace the Personal Iris line. For about the same price that you would have paid for the top-of-theline Personal Iris model in 1990, the Indigo2 gives you 10 times the CPU performance and 20 times the graphics performance, making it an ideal platform for data visualization.

While the Indigo2 is the newest system in Silicon Graphics' most popular line, the only similarity to earlier Indigo systems is the name. The shape, bus, and processors are not what you will find in any other Indigo workstations.

The most impressive element of the Indigo2 is its Extreme graphics processor. This uses eight geometry engines and two raster engines.

The geometry engines are specialized floating-point processors dedicated to resolving

the solids modeling and surface lighting of the objects that are being displayed in a window. The geometry engines are also responsible for shading and some of the more specialized effects (e.g., motion blur and fog). Each geometry engine can perform 32 MFLOPS. Because the work done by the geometry engine is easily vectorized on separate surfaces, parallel processing produces faster throughput.

The raster engines determine the location where each screen pixel will reside in the physical screen memory. Despite the fact that a pixel's position and attributes can be expressed as a set of integer values, the engines do their processsing using floating-point numbers as well. This ensures smooth and accurate motion.

The Extreme board's high performance requires Silicon Graphics' wider GI064 64-bit bus to facilitate high data transfer between main memory and the graphics processor and other data-hungry peripherals (e.g.,

the high-performance multichannel audio-processing system). The GI064 bus is the main system bus connecting the processor core, main memory, the I/O system, and the

graphics board (it The teal-blue lndigo2 is far from attractive, but your eyes resides in One of wi"focus on the imDressive graphic rendering on-screen.

the Indigo2's three

GI064/graphics slots).

The Indigo2 also has four 32-bit EISA slots running at 25 to 33 MHz. The EISA bus is fully implemented with its own bus controller, enhanced DMA functions and buffering, interrupt control, and clock. It is independent from the CPU bus and the GI064 bus. This lets the processor core (i.e., the R4000), the Extreme graphics processor, and EISA devices each run independently at their most effective speed.

The Indigo2 that I tested had a 1-GB hard drive, 32 MB of RAM, the 50-MHz R4000 CPU, and an Extreme 24-bit

EXPLORING DATA WITH VISUAL PROGRAMMING

Iris Explorer's visual-programming interface is a simple way to take advantage of Silicon Graphics' rich data-visualization capabilities. You can rotate, walk through, and even fly through the virtual objects that represent your data. You can add color mapping, lighting, and surface characteristics to the data. Your data may not have any spacial characteristics of its own, but you can explore ft as if it were an object in your hand.

Explorer is a graphical environment for manipulating and visualizing complex and large sets of data (see the "Visualization" State of the Art section in the April BYTE). You build the entire process of manipulating and generating models from the data by tying together modules that run as separate processes on a single computer or even distributed over a network of computers. Explorer represents each module as an active icon-size block on a map. The process requires you to drag and drop modules onto the map and connect the inputs and outputs. To adjust the controls of a module, you click on the block, and the module launches its own controls window with knobs, dials, buttons, and so on.

The data source does not have to be limited to static arrays. It can be incoming, real-time dynamic data. Explorer comes with tools for describing and reading the incoming data stream and for building your own modules. The modules that come with Explorer are sufficient for many applications, so you can get started looking at your data as soon as you have the software installed. It's clear that no one knows how to take advantage of Silicon Graphics' hardware as well as its own software engineers.

color frame buffer and 24-bit z-buffer (1280- by 1024-pixel resolution) driving a 19-inch monitor. This is the base configuration ($35,000).

You can order (or upgrade) your Indigo2 with a 75-MHz R4400. You get 50 percent higher performance for an extra $6000.

Besides a faster clock, the R4400 gives you twice the onchip data and instruction cache space (16KB). The R4000 is rated at 16 MFLOPS, and the R4400 is rated at 22 MFLOPS. A preliminary run of the BYTE Unix benchmarks showed that even the R4000 processor gave eight times the performance of a Sun SparcStation 1+ .

The Indigo2 with its Extreme graphics subsystem is an ideal platform for running applications built with Silicon Graphics' object-oriented graphics libraries, Iris Inventor and ImageVision. The Indigo2 bridges the graphics performance between the systems with Elan boards and those with the high-end graphics engines such as Silicon Graphics' Reality Engine ($99,000, not including the computer). — Ben Smith

Silicon Graphics, Inc. 2011 North Shoreline Blvd. Mountain View, CA 94034 (415) 960-1980

34- BYTE JUNE 1993

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► It even won Software Digest's® top recommendation in an eight-way shoot-out of die top general publishing tools! We're so delighted we've dressed FrameMaker 3.0 in a nifty new package. And inside you'll find the very best integrated solution for those really tough publishing jobs-the ones that word processors and DTP programs were never designed to handle.

Sure, you'll find FrameMaker a cinch for whipping out memos and proposals but it's when you start constructing the bigger, tougher documents that you'll really get a feel for FrameMaker's power and ease of use.

And you'll find FrameMaker completely file compatible across all major desktops: Windows, Macintosh® and UNIX.

Call 1-800-U4-FRAME Ext. 974 for your free guide to integrated document publishing: "Introducing FrameMaker."

Frame

Copyright © 1993 Frame Technology Corporation. All rights reserved. Frame, FrameMaker, Frame Technology and the Frame logo are registered trademarks of Frame Technology Corporation. Other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks or their respective companies. 'Highest Scoring in Authoring Category, Software Digest Ratings Report" Volume 9 Number 5; 1992 MTE Award of Excellence; 1991 BYK Reader's Choice Award; 1993 Windows Magazine Win 100 Award; 1993 PCMa&izine Editor's ChoiceAward; 1991.Mad Jser Editor's Choice Award.

Circle 88 on Inquiry Card.

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News & Views

MADE IN THE SHADE

With the depletion of the ozone shield, suntans are out, and sun protection is in. A new program for PCs called UV B-Ware helps you monitor UV levels and peak sunburn times for over 525 locations worldwide. Based on NASA satellite ozone measurements, the program delivers specific UV and sunburn predictions tailored to your lifestyle, location, and schedule of outdoor activities.

Developed by Save the Planet Software ((303) 641-5035), the program can tell you the time the sun is strongest each day for a given location, hours of sunshine for any day of the year, and the percentage of increase or decrease of the particularly damaging UV B-type levels for locations relative to 1980 levels. The DOS-based program costs $39.95. Windows and Mac versions are

PRINTERS

HP Takes Color Mainstream

ewlett-Packard announced in early May in Europe a new color ink-jet printer that the company says will help broaden the exploding market for color printers in the office. The DeskJet 1200C and PostScript-enabled 1200C/PS are aimed not only at traditional color users, such as marketing and design professionals, but also at general business users, who are increasingly demanding color output.

The new DeskJet 1200C straddles the line between black-and-white and color printers. Printing in black ink only, it can churn out documents at up to 7 pages per min

ute. The 300-dpi print quality ;md capability to output to plain paper or transparencies make the 1200C a viable alternative to a laser printer.

When color is added to the mix, the speed drops to 1 ppm in draft mode or 2 minutes per page in normal or high-quality modes. (High-quality mode mimics 300- by 600-dpi printing using HP's Resolution Enhancement Technology.) Depending on the amount of color used, cost per page ranges from about 7 cents up to about 49 cents, HP estimates. The printer uses an enhanced version of HP's PCL (Printer Control Language) 5 with color sup

port and supports Adobe's PostScript Level 2.

North American pricing is yet to be announced, but the printer will sell in the U.K. for £1389 (non-Postscript) and £1939 (Postscript). That translates to roughly $2040 and $2865, respectively, although HP said that U.S. prices can be expected to be lower than those estimates.

—Andy Reinhardt

Hewlett-Packard Co., Direct Marketing Organization, P.O. Box 58059, MS51IL-SJ, Santa Clara, CA 95051, (800) 7520900, (208) 323-2551.

Nonimpact Color Printer Market

1,000,000

1992

500,000

1991 |

According to Hewlett-Packard and industry analysts, the market for nonimpact color printers increased 235 percent from 1991 to 1992. The overall color printer market jumped 109 percent.

JUST DIAL 1-900-SUPPORT

Notorious for provocative late-night advertisements, 900 numbers are becoming a vehicle for technical support at companies such as Apple, Aldus, Lotus, Microsoft, Novell, and Sun. Businessland, CompUSA, and other retailers, as well as VARs, are also exploring 900 numbers.

Although many companies are concerned about customer reaction, they are looking to 900 numbers as a way to make tech nical support pay for itself, according to Bill Rose, director of the Software Support Professionals Association. To encourage this trend, AT&T is reserving a business-to-business 900-services prefix that will allow companies that are currently blocking out all 900 numbers to unblock these business services and make them available to their employees.

Vari-A-Bill, another new AT&T service, lets technical-support operators either cut or increase the cost of a call while it is in progress. For example,

^)CJO J W* if a caller identifies an undocumented bug, lie or she 555-support j^j^ could be rewarded with a lower rate. Conversely, a

caller who has questions that move to the next level of support would pay more. Some third-party companies also see dollar signs. 900 Support (Lake Oswego, OR) provides 24-hour-a-day Novell NetWare support at $4.99 for the first minute and $2.99 for each additional minute. CompUSA offers support via 900 lines for hardware and software at $2 per minute. Some companies, including 900 Support and Corporate Migrations (Dublin, Ireland), have moved into the international market, offering technical support in different languages for U.S. companies. As systems and software prices continue to fall, technical support is becoming an industry of its own. One way or another, users will end up paying for it. —Mike Franks

38 BYTE JUNE 1993

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Circle 71 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 72).

Gary Slattery, Software Developer, Computer Associates

"The best platform for DOS and Windows."

"I develop software applications for a living and I think OS/2 * is a great way to do business." A 32-bit, virtual memory operating system, OS/2 is the ideal platform for developing your DOS, OS/2, Windows™ and even host-based applications.

With OS/2 you can boost the power of your favorite DOS and Windows tools,

IBM and OS/2 are registered trademarks and Workplace Shell, C++, CommonView, C Set/2 and OS/2 Crash Protection are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. All other products are trademarks or registered trademarks ol their respective companies. ©1993 IBM Corp.

more

plus take advantage of over 250 available OS/2 development tools and utilities.

Its a productivity thing."

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OS/2 s pre-emptive multithreaded multitasking dynamically manages CPU time so you can run DOS, Windows and OS/2 apps concurrently in different sessions with maximum efficiency. That means you can edit in one window, compile in another, link in a third and test in a fourth. With OS/2 Crash Protection,™ if one application goes down due to a bug, the rest you're working on won't. "There's no limit to what you can do with this system.... It's definitely made me more productive."

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wi

WORD PROCESSING

WordPerfect Goes GUI with DOS Update

EP reathing some muchneeded life into its flagship DOS word processor, WordPerfect recently unveiled a radically updated, GUI-like version of the WordPerfect program. The new WordPerfect 6.0 for DOS also includes portions of the company's PlanPerfect spreadsheet.

With its first major DOS word processor update in more than three years, WordPerfect is protecting its long-held lead in the DOS word processing wars.WP 6.0 for DOS substantially revamps the dated interface of WordPerfect 5.1, adding a slick GUI interface

that lets users edit up to nine documents simultaneously on the same screen. Users have the choice of toggling between the more traditional, faster, character-based text mode and the new, but slower, graphical mode that mimics the look of a Windows product.

Ami Pro Burns the OS/2 Flame

MmoUis's Ami Pro 3.0 for OS/2 is a full 32-bit version that is designed to match the popular Windows version feature for feature. These features include a customizable mostrecent-files list, text linking between Ami Pro documents, and true background printing.

As with its OS/2 versions of 1-2-3 and Freelance Graphics,

Basic Formatting

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plitforniatoo.

Lotus has integrated Ami Pro with OS/2's Workplace Shell. This lets you drag and drop filenames onto the Ami Pro icon to launch the application, onto the printer to print, or onto the shredder for deletion. The

integration, however, doesn't stop there. From an Ami Pro document, dynamic links with both Lotus 1 -2-3 and Freelance Graphics for OS/2 will preserve dynamic links with spreadsheets and charts. And when Lotus Notes and cc:Mail for OS/2 ship, you can expect integration with Ami Pro.

Smartlcons speed a number of tasks for formatting text as well as objects you may want to incorporate (e.g., tables, bitmapped images, and charts). Another speedup function is style sheets; a third, the macro facility, makes it easy to record and play back a quick step saver or a permanent macro, either of which you can set to execute automatically when you open a document.

—Ed Perratore

Lotus Development Corp., 55 Cambridge Pkwy., Cambridge, MA 02142, (800) 343-5414, (617)577-8500.

"It's a DOS person's dream," says Chris Le Tocq, a senior analyst at InfoCorp (Santa Clara, CA). WP 6.0's capability to handle fonts onscreen without Windows and directly manipulate graphical text is "quite an engineering feat," he adds. "They've essentially written stuff that's in the guts of Windows."

WordPerfect did not stop at just adding a Windows-like interface to version 6.0; it also offers a host of new features, including the bulk of the functionality in WordPerfect's PlanPerfect spreadsheet. The interface has button bars similar to those used in WordPerfect 5.2 for Windows. It also offers mail enabling; full support of FaxBIOS technology, including drivers for Class 1, Class 2, or CAS-compliant (Communications Applications Specification) fax devices; color printing capability; and the use of scalable fonts with support for Type 1, Intellifont, TrueType, and Bitstream fonts. Also included in WP 6.0 is QuickFinder technology, which lets you quickly index files, directories, or complete hard disks for doing fast searches on keywords. WordPerfect introduced the QuickFinder late last year in its WP 5.2 for Windows update. WP 6.0 for DOS also comes with a new help facility that's called the WordPerfect Coach.

While WP 6.0 will run on a 286 with DOS 3.0 or higher, 450 KB of free conventional memory, and a 7-MB hard drive, WordPerfect recommends a 386, DOS 5.0, 520 KB of free conventional memory, and a 15-MB hard drive.

WordPerfect says it plans to ship WP 6.0 by June for $495; full upgrade, $129; competitive upgrade, $149.

—Patrick Waurzyniak

WordPerfect Corp., 1555 North Technology Way, Orem, UT 84057, (801)225-5000.

UPDATE

Microsoft Word for DOS

Keeping step with rival WordPerfect, Microsoft (Redmond, WA1 previewed a new version of its DOSbased Microsoft Word at the CeBIT show held in March in Hannover, Germany. Microsoft Word 6.0 for DOS is designed more for its installed base of Word 5.5 users than to compete with DOS market leader WordPerfect, according to Microsoft. "For us to make this into a WordPerfect killer is a little crazy," says Taylor Collyer, Microsoft's product manager for Word MSDOS.

Version 6.0 adds a number of new features to Word, including drag-and-drop text-editing capability, support for printing TrueType fonts, and a "ribbon" toolbar similar to that of Word for Windows. With its 3-D-style pull-down menus, dialog boxes, and buttons, the Word 6.0 for DOS update looks more like a Windows product than do previous Word versions. Word 6.0 also offers Reference Software's Grammatik 5. Word 6.0 requires DOS 3.0 or higher, 512 KB of RAM, and a 1.5-MB hard drive (5.5 MB for full installation). Retail price: $450; upgrades are $99.

—Patrick Waurzyniak

42 BYTE JUNE 1993

;

ALL-IN-ONE PACKAGE!

"CorelDRAW has sixgraphics packages in one stunning Windows program. And these are not watereddown versions -they compete feature for feature against stand alone products."

MVPI

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easiest charting package I've ever used, thanks to its intuitive design, ease of object editing, and the smooth integration with the rest of Corel's products."

PC SOURCES

POWERFUL PHOTO-EDITING!

"Corel PHOTO-PAINT is in a class by itself; no other product can match its image editing powers for close to its price range. "

PC WORLD

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CLASS

AWARD

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CorelDRAW has emerged as the ALL-IN-ONE graphics Super Star! Celebrated by top international industry publications, it has won over 90 awards for its exceptional ease of use, incredible value and outstandingfeatures.

CorelDRAW 3.0 outshines the competition! There is no longer any need to buy separate illustration, charting, photo-editing and presentation software, because CorelDRAW 3.0 includes CorelCHART, Corel PHOTO-PAINTand CorelSHOW—all in one value-packed box.

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again? Our DeskSaver feature solves that problem too.

BOB'S BIKES

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CENTRAL POINT

PC TOOLS

Windows® is a great product. And some- PC/Computing asked, "Who needs Macs?'

day, it'll be even better. But why wait?

New PC Tools" for Windows® is here right now. It saves you time, reduces clutter and gives you easy access to all the functions and files you use most often. In fact, PC Tools for Windows is so innovative that after reviewing it, the editors of

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Ever misplaced a file or couldn't remember its

*Our lawyers said we could run this headline if we make the following absolutely clear: Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. PC Tools for Windows is the sole product of Central Point Software, Inc. Microsoft and

Central Point? PC Tools;- MultiDesk:- WinShieUi" Speed Keys,- System Consultant- and DiskFix' are trademarks of Central Point Software.

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name? Our File Manager lets you quickly view files without having to load the program first. Tired of cryptic, abbreviated file names? Now you can attach long file names to your data to keep things clear and simple.

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Central Paint Software did not collaborate on this product, and this ad is not in any may sponsored by Microsoft. PC Toots for Windows does not replace Microsoft Windows or any future version thereof; it simply complements it. Names of other products mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective companies.

Circle 70 on Inquiry Card.

News & Views

EVOLUTION OF THE MOUSE

UPGRADES

Wood mouse

^x^

Ergo mouse

Mice have come a long way since the original wood mouse (pictured) that was developed by Doug Engelbart at Stanford Research Institute in 1963. Microsoft's first-generation mouse, introduced in June 1983, was based on a prototype made out of clay; the third-generation "Dove bar" mouse was introduced in 1987. Microsoft's newest mouse, developed with the help of an independent ergonomics consulting firm, is designed for either right- or left-handed use. A snap-to feature in the new mouse's software automatically snaps the cursor to the default-command button in a dialog box; screen wrap moves the cursor to the opposite side of the computer's screen when you move the cursor off the edge.

Novell's "Next-Generation" DOS

fc^y the time you read this, Novell should be beta-testing Novell DOS 7, a major upgrade to the company's operating system that will support true preemptive multitasking, integrated NetWare client support, and peer-to-peer networking. Another new technology in Novell DOS 7 is called the DPMS (DOS Protected Mode Services) API. which Novell says will reduce the demand for conventional, upper, and expanded memory.

The DPMS SDK ($195) will support both MS-DOS and Novell DOS. It lets software developers write device drivers and TSRs that reside in extended memory (instead of the high-memory area or conventional memory) and execute in protected mode on 286, 386, and 486 computers under DOS or Windows (MS-DOS requires developers to write a separate virtual device driver to execute in protected mode under Windows). Developers

can license and distribute DPMS applications without having to pay royalties.

Novell DOS (formerly called DR DOS) will ship with DPMS client components such as disk cache and compression drivers, a peer-to-peer server, and CD-ROM extensions.

Novell DOS 7 is expected to ship in late summer. The company, says it has an installed user base of 8 million for Novell DOS.

—David Andrews

NEW PLATFORMS

A Peek at PowerOpen

w

hen the first computers based on the new PowerPC chips debut early next year, they'll be able to run character-based Unix and graphical Motif applications concurrently with existing Macintosh programs. Multiple Mac sessions can run side by side in their own Motif windows, and the system Clipboard will let users cut and paste between the Mac and Unix environments. MSDOS and Windows 3.x programs will run atop an optional software emulator from Insignia Solutions.

Details of the PowerPC's PowerOpen operating system were revealed at the March Uniforum show in San Francisco. Seven companies—led by the original partners, IBM, Apple, and Motorola—formed the PowerOpen Association to promote the new RISC-based platform. Other founding members are Groupe Bull, Harris, Tadpole Technology, and Thomson-CSF.

Motorola officials say they expect the PowerPC 601 to deliver about the same integer performance and a 30 percent to 40 percent floating-point performance improvement over Intel's Pentium—at about onethird the price. In quantities of 20,000, the 50-MHz chip will cost $280; the 66-MHz chip will sell for $374.

PowerOpen's chief architect, Stephen P. Cummings of IBM, says hardware and software development are both on track. Tom Whiteside, manager of VLSI technology at IBM's Advanced Workstation Division, says the PowerPC 603 chip currently under development "is intended to be roughly the performance of the 601, but really, really cheap."

"We're entering a new frontier...we intend to price the PowerPC aggressively." —Tom Whiteside (IBM)

He did not disclose specific prices for the 603.

PowerOpen is built on AIX/6000 (IBM's Unix for RS/6000 workstations) and the X Window System. It natively runs Unix applications compiled for AIX, Groupe Bull's BOS/X, and Thomson-CSF's Uni/XT, as well as future programs for PowerOpen. It will also support COSE (Common Open Software Environment), the "unified Unix."

Apple has ported the Mac OS Toolbox to the PowerPC, so that Toolbox calls execute natively. Because Mac programs typically spend most of their lime in the Toolbox, this minimizes the usual performance penally for software emulation.

—Tom R. Halfhill

4-6 BYTE JUNE 1993

CA-REALIZER-Now For A Limited Time Only $99.

Above And Beyond Basic.

■■■'.

Eile Edit Bun Window Help Expenses

Expense Report

July 1991

Widget Division Sales -1930

INTRODUCING THE EASIEST BASIC DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM FOR WINDOWS. Compared to Visual BASIC, CA-REALIZER® is half the cost and twice the product.

Develop applications using the familiar procedural language model and a large array of powerful tools. You don't need to learn all kinds of confusing new techniques. Just type in programs or design them visually with FormDev. It's an interactive WYSIWYG, point and click tool that generates code. With a single command you can add Programmable Application Tools like spreadsheets, charts, text editors, animation, graphics tablets and user-friendly forms. And CA-REALIZER offers many features other BASICS don't, like automatic array processing. Arrays are re-dimensioned and processed automatically. Algorithms can be written as formulae instead of complex looped expressions.

Once an application is complete, you can compile it into a stand-alone Windows application and distribute it

1 c Mon TZ Tueh y Wed i g Thu i Q Fri 9Q Satl

royalty-free with the runtime module that's included. And you can generate an installation disk with the push of a button.

PC Computing said, "No other Windows BASIC can match it for power and breadth of features!'

And at $99, they can't match the price either.

So call 1-800 CALL CAI today for more information and the name of your nearest dealer.

CA-REALIZER*

REAUZER

Visual BASIC

Interactive WYSIWYG Application & Form Designer

•

•

Generates User Accessible & Modifiable BASIC Code

•

Familiar Procedural Programming Model

•

Integrated Full-Featured Debugger

•

Single-Stepping, Call-Tree, Variable Display

•

Automatically Expandable Dynamic Arrays

•

Full Range Of Fast Array Operators & Functions

•

Mathematical, Statistical, Date-Time Functions

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Dynamic Addition & Removal Of Form Objects

•

Fully-Integrated Programmable Application Tools:

•

Charts, Spreadsheets, Text Editors, Graphics, Animation, Scheduler

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Ability To Run Multiple Applications Simultaneously

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Full Support For DDE & DLLs

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Direct MDI Support & Serial Communications Library

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Import/Export Of 1-2-3, Excel, CA-SuperCalc Files

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Clip Art Library With Over 250 Bitmaps

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QuickBASIC Version 70 Compatibility Libraries

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13

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Don't waste another day trying (jaOMPUTER to figure out Visual BASIC. JmSSOCIATES

Leave that for your competition. Software superhr by [desigrh

CA-Realizer

© Computer Associates International, Inc., One Computer Associates Plaza, lslandia, NY 11788-7000, All product names referenced herein are trademarks of their respective companies. CA-REALIZER Release 1.0 and Visual BASIC Release 1.0 compared 10/92. Cost comparison based on Visual BASIC Release 1.0 Suggested Retail Price. PC Computing quote appeared 10/91, pg. 90.

Circle 78 on Inquiry Card.

News & Views

COMMUNICATIONS

Digicom's SoftwareUpgradable Modem

I he benefit of soft-modem technology is that when you want to extend your modern's communications capabilities, you upgrade your software instead of installing new hardware. A new modem package from Digicom Systems called Connection 96+ ($199) embodies the benefits of soft-modem technology. Connection 96+ consists of software and a daughtercard that fits into an ISA slot of a PC.

Digicom's soft-modem technology and card combine to deliver 1200- to 9600-bps transmission, v.42 and MNP 4 error correction, a 16550 UART (universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter), and extended AT command-set compatibility. When you purchase the Connection 96+, you are eligible for a free upgrade to 14,400-bps (V.32bis) transmission via Digicom's menu-driven BBS. After I installed the

modem and its software, downloaded the free V.32bis up grade. I used my new—and now improved— Connection 96+ to talk to a 14,400-bps modem I had at home. When I sent the same 68,992byte file (which I had downloaded from Digicom's BBS) at 14,400 bps, the improvement in transmission speed was obvious. Data blocks zipped by at almost twice the speed as when I downloaded the file at 9600 bps.

Digicom also sells a 9600-bps send/receive fax upgrade ($60). By the third quarter of this year, the company expects to release upgrades for V.32terbo (i.e., 19,200-/16,800-bps standard) and voice-messaging software. By the end of the year, Digicom ((408) 262-1277) plans to release a Mac model.

—Selinda Chiquoine

Visual Basic 3.0 Strengthens Connectivity

I ore than 70 percent of all copies of Visual Basic are sold to coiporations for developing in-house applications, and more than 90 percent of those custom programs interact with structured databases, according to Microsoft. So it's no surprise that the latest version of VB adds new tools for database connectivity.

Both Standard ($199) and Professional ($495) editions of

Mmgl loo's Qpllnm W"loiv Help

Executive laforaiation System

Edit 3ol» EoiO'

VB 3.0 now have the same database engine found in Access 1.1, Microsoft's RDBMS (relational database management system) for Windows. Thus, VB 3.0 can interact with databases stored in several common formats: Access, dBase, FoxPro, Paradox, and Btrieve.

A new visual data control in the toolbox lets VB programmers hook into these databases without writing any ml^^^^mM of the code normally required. In addition, the textbox, checkbox, picture, label, and image controls have been made dataaware. A VB application can now easily access a personnel file that includes

portraits of employees.

The Professional edition of VB 3.0 adds a programmatic object layer that provides complete control over the Access engine. While the Standard edition lets VB programs interact with existing databases, the Professional edition lets programmers write code that creates and manages databases in any of the supported formats. The Professional edition also has ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) drivers for SQL Server and Oracle.

VB 3.0 supports OLE 2.0 automation, so VB programs can communicate with and control other Windows applications that also support OLE 2.0.

—Tom R. Halfhill

Microsoft Corp., I Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98502, (206) 882-8080.

LONDON

WHEN YOU CAN'T WAIT FOR FAST, GO TERBO

Tired of waiting for the CCITT to complete its deliberations for the next international analog modem standard known as V.Fast, a group of 18 suppliers that includes AT&T Paradyne, Penril Datacomm, and National Semiconductor has introduced an interim modem standard called V.32terbo. The move followed frustration by vendors that the CCITT rejected a proposal to introduce an enhanced version of the existing V.32bis (i.e., 14,400-bps maximum) standard that would have been called V.32ter and offered a maximum transmission rate of 19,200 bps without data compression. The CCITT thought the proposed V.32ter enhancement represented too small of an improvement compared to V.Fast. The proposed V.Fast standard will offer top transmission of 28,800 bps but is not expected to be ratified for several months.

A U.K. start-up company called Sonix (Cirencester, +44 285 641651) claims to have shipped the first V.32terbocompliant modem. Sonix's Volante modem (795 pounds) lets users upgrade the modem to V.32terbo from a PC disk. Multitech (Mounds View, MN, (612) 785-3500) says it plans to release a V.32terbo modem this summer. The Multimodem II will cost $1199.

—Tony Dennis

4-8 BYTE JUNE 1993

Intel

Technology

Briefing

HOW WE'RE GIVING

PCS ELECTRIFYING

POWER.

in

,fel

0j

w

Pentium

■ processor

There is a new source of computing power. It's capable of executing two instructions at once. It's produced

processing speeds over 100

MIPS. It's the next generation

of compatible power. It's

called the Pentium"

processor. And this brief will

tell you how its technology is

making PCs run faster.

Three ways

to make faster

PCs.

Faster PCs start with faster microprocessors. And there are three ways to make faster processors:

1. Increase the number of transistors.

Today, the use of sub-micron compo nents lets designers fit more than 3 million transistors on a single chip. So we can integrate components such as math coprocessors and caches right onto the CPU—dramatically cutting access time.

2. Increase the clock speed. Twelve years ago the clock speed ticked

along at a measly 4.7 MHz. Today we can run at an astonishing 66 MHz—and we're still pushing for more.

3. Increase the number of executions per clock cycle.

Using new superscalar technology, our processors are now capable of executing two instructions per clock cycle.

WORKS IN

PRINCIPLE AND

IN PRACTICE.

Employing the techniques above, we've created the new Pentium processor. A processor that is over 300 times faster than the first PC microprocessor.

The Pentium processor, a model of efficiency.

The Pentium processor can be described as a super-efficient factory. Its main assembly line is its superscalar technology— which enables information to be processed simultaneously through dtial pipelines. To accomplish this, the pipelines divide up an instruction, then send it through five stages. As it passes from one stage to the next, the pipeline is free to begin another instruction. Speeding up operations substantially.

PSl

ttl

Intel*

pentium

©©INTEL '92

The new Pentium processor is fully software compatible with our x86 family.

Pumping data through.

The rest of the features on the processor are designed to keep that main assembly line working at peak capacity (see diagrams). These features, along with the superscalar technology, help the Pentium processor to crunch more than 100 MIPS at a clock speed of 60 MHz.

HOW FAST DID YOU SAY?

Twice the performance of our own Intel486"' DX2 66 MHz processor. Plus, the redesigned floatingpoint unit on the Pentium processor offers up to five times the performance of the Intel486 DX2-66 CPU for math-intensive applications.

Based on SPEC 92, the industry standard workstation benchmark, the Pentium processor is in the same performance class as the best workstation. But the Pentium processor is running at only half the clock frequency, and systems based on the Pentium processor cost only one-half as much.

The Pentium processor provides workstation class performance

60

SPECint92

50

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40

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The Intel jcomp Rating Index*

Pentium"' Processor-66

Pentium™ Processor-60 L

i486'" DX2-66 ,_

i486"' DX-50 (Jj i486" DX-33 C

i486"" SX-25 (, i386" DX-25

50

100

150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550

"The iCOMP index is an Intel microprocessor "horsepower" rating. It is a composite of selected performance measurements from SPEC 92. ZD Bench, and Power Meter. Source: iCOMP'" : A Simplified Measure of Relative Intel Microprocessor Performance, Intel Corp., 1992.

What does this technology really mean?

It means Pentium processor-based PCs are now as fast as workstations. It means faster Intel486 microprocessors, because our experience with Pentium processor technology allows us to improve them. It means new software horizons being brought to more and more users— such as

3-D design, multimedia, handwriting and voice recognition, virtual reality and more.

What do

YOU NEED?

As you are reading, we are ramping up Pentium processor production. The question is, when will you need a system

Besides running everyday applications better, the Pentium processor provides the power

NECESSARY for new MULTIMEDIA APPLICATIONS LIKE DESKTOP VIDEO CONFERENCING.

based on one? If you're running power-hungry applications, the sooner the better. But for all but the most demanding users, the answer is still an Intel486 CPU-based system. Especially since many Intel486 DX2 processor systems can be upgraded to the same technology found in the Pentium processor with a future Intel OverDrive" processor.

Technology you trust.

For over 20 years, Intel has led microprocessor design, development and manufacturing. So with Intel technology inside, you can be assured that you'll always have unprecedented power and unquestioned compatibility.

FOR A FREE PENTIUM PROCESSOR POSTER, CALL 1-800-955-5599.

Want more on our latest technology? Then call to receive additional information on Pentium processors and other Intel products that are making PCs better. Ask for literature package #67. The information is free. So is the call.

iny

©1993 Intel Corporation. fOne poster per response. Limited to supplies on hand.

The line width of each transistor is 1/10oth

THE THICKNESS OF A HUMAN HAIR. OR 0.8 MICRONS TO

BE EXACT. SO WE CAN PACK 3.1 MILLION TRANSISTORS

INTO AN AREA THIS SIZE.

A PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY RIGHT ON

Think of it as

A 64-LANE

now there are separate 8k code and data write-back caches that reduce cache conflicts and increase system performance. With an on-chip cache, we keep essential INFORMATION within an ARM'S REACH OF THE MAIN ASSEMBLY LINE. SO THAT INSTRUCTIONS AND DATA CAN BE FETCHED WITHOUT WASTING ANY TIME. AND A FULL 95% OF THE TIME. THE INFORMATION IS RIGHT AT HAND.

FREEWAY INSIDE YOUR CPU.

to get data really moving, we doubled the size of the bus on the first Pentium processor. This allows twice as much information to be fetched at once, there is even a burst mode for high-speed

information transfer

so more information gets to where it's going quicker. plus, automatic data integrity checking to be sure the right data is being moved.

We programmed the chip to be clairvoyant.

We've given the Pentium processor an intelligence of its

own A small cache

known as the Branch Target Buffer, which predicts which way an execution will branch. When the prediction IS CORRECT (AND IT IS OVER 90% OF THE TIME), THE BRANCH IS EXECUTED WITHOUT

DELAY ENHANCING

PERFORMANCE.

who said you

can't do two

things at once?

the first pentium processor has two sideby-side pipelines for integer instructions, this enables the processor to execute two instructions at once. After grabbing and partially decoding an instruction, the pentium processor determines if the instruction can be executed in parallel with the next instruction in line. if it doesn't detect any dependencies, the two instructions are sent along the parallel pipes for execution.

A BIG POINT OF

DIFFERENCE IN

math-intensive functions.

We've added specialized PIECES OF HARDware to speed up the three most common floating-point instructions a multiplier, a

divider and an adder. With these features, most floating-point instructions can be executed in a single clock cycle. giving you up to five times the floating-point performance of intel486 dx2-66 cpubased computers.

CACHE MEMORY

64-BIT BUS

Floating point unit

Report from

Mexico

D. BARKER

Software Lacks Local Flavor

#%rturo Salcido Maese is a software developer looking for his big break. He studied computer science at the Instituto Tecnologico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey and says had he been born in the U.S., he might have been another Bill Gates. He has written programs he sells, including a set of "Quick" utilities—QuickCalc, Quicklnfo, and others— written in Turbo Pascal and priced at less than $100. "I make software that is easy to use and doesn't cost much money," he says. He meets potential customers face-to-face; he doesn't have a marketing consultant or the luxury of PR. He wants to see homegrown software sold in Mexico.

But the software that gets sold and used here is mostly from the U.S.: Lotus 1-2-3, Excel, dBase, Word, and WordPerfect. At the recent Expo Comm Mexico computer-andtelecommunications show in Mexico City, the only native software company with a booth was Diagnosticos Admvo Computaror, a developer of business programs, such as Pacioli 2000. The company is famous as one homegrown venture that's prospered beyond the borders of Mexico. Its U.S. affiliate is DacEasy, a Dallasbased company known for its series of accounting programs.

The lack of local software doesn't mean there's a lack of local talent. Mexican universities have long had programs in computer science, and hackers have roamed here since the

dawn of the Apple II. IBM recently moved a programming project from the U.S. to its plant in Guadalajara. But local developers have yet to place a hit on the best-seller list. They're competing with the likes of Microsoft. And, according to some observers, they are also dealing with a native suspicion of things Mexican.

When the Apple II made its debut here, interest was high. "People thought computers were magic," Arturo says. "We thought they would solve all our problems." But there was little software to go with it. Some people became disillusioned. Others realized that the magic of computers requires a certain sorcery on the part of mortals. These people, like Arturo, became programmers.

In some ways, the Mexican computer market is similar to what you find in other industrial countries: The big computer users are large corporations, banks, and government, and they have been replacing their mainframes and minicomputers with microcomputers and PC-based networks.

With an estimated population of 90 million, Mexico is potentially a gigantic market. But outside the urban areas, there are few signs of the computer revolution.

Even in the cities, there is virtually no home computer market. Systems are just too expensive. Those prices are coming down, however. Gama Computadores, which manufactures PCs in Mexico, now sells 386SXes for around $800.

"A year ago, prices were

too high for anyone outside business," says Javier Valverde Polin, Gama's director of operations. "But now, prices are becoming cheap enough for home and student markets."

While prices are dropping, Mexican salaries are still low. A good programmer can make about $18,000 a year. This is certainly much more than most Mexicans make, but it's by no means the comfortable living of a programmer wrangling code north of the Rio Grande.

One problem with U.S. software coming into Mexico is the documentation. Either it's in English or it's translated in Spain, into Spanish Spanish rather than Mexican Spanish. There are anecdotes about neophytes reading the instruction "Insert DOS disk," translating DOS into its Spanish equivalent, and then trying to insert two disks into the PC. Terms like "Boot the computer" don't translate well, and the Mexican word for turning on an electronic device—encienda, to put fire into—would seem odd to a Spaniard.

When we met here in February, Arturo was hoping to soon find a partner who could handle the business side of marketing his software, who could get it on the shelves of computer stores. When we spoke again recently, he was still looking. ■

D. Barker is BYTE's managing editor. He can be reached on BIX as "dbarker."

Three cities account for most of Mexico's computer market: Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. These cities buy 85 percent of the computer products sold in Mexico. With 20 million people, projected to reach 27 million by the year 2000, Mexico City is a big market unto itself. One resident told a visitor, "Maybe computers can solve our traffic problems."

(Market information from Servicios de Estrategia en Electron ica.)

PHOTOGRAPHY: DAVID R. FRAZIER/TONY STONE IMAGES©1993

JUNE 1993 BYTE 49

We Deliver Computing Know How

Abacus Books will Keep You up to Speed

PC Intern

A literal encyclopedia of DOS knowledge. This book is a completely revised edition of our bestselling PC System Programming book which has been read by over 125,000 programmers worlwide. Whether you program in Assembly Language, C, Pascal or BASIC, you'll find dozens of practical, parallel working examples in each of these languages. Many of our readers say this book is worth its weight in gold. #B145. ISBN 1-55755-145-6. $59.95 with companion disk.

OS/2 Bible V2.1

Explains the many features and tools that are part of the OS/2 32bit multitasking system, its sptcnl functions and the utilities that are part of the package. Whether you want to link simple DOS applications, run Windows programs under the Workplace Shell or understand the structure of OS/2 2.1, this book covers all of these topics. From installation, to the basics of the Presentation Manager, you'll learn how to take full advantage of OS/2 2.1. #B174. ISBN 1-55755-174-X. $34.95 with companion disk.

AutoCAD 12 Programming

This book will teach you all about BATCH programming (for user defined startup of AutoCAD 12 creating Script files and programming custom commands with AutoLisp or ADS. Also covers prototype drawing and output functions, script programming. AutoLisp, menus and commands, the AutoCAD Development System and more. Disk includes programming examples and ready to use menus and tables. #B173. ISBN 1-55755-173-1. $44.95 with companion disk.

Upgrading & Maintaining Your PC

Turn your PC into a high performance screamer, Whether you're adding memory or a hard drive, CD-ROM or a sound board or upgrading an XT to a 386 or 486, this book shows you how. Includes companion diskette of utilities and System Sleuth™ diagnostic software. 598 pages. #BI67. ISBN 1-55755-167-7. $34,95 with companion disk.

Explains the features that make this processor so advantageousthe memory capabilities, the math coprocessor, the specialized software that maximizes the CPU's performance and more. Find out why Lhe486 is replacing the earlier processors. PC INFO program and System Sleuth™ diagnostic software included the on companion diskette. #B1S3. ISBN 1-55755-183-9. $34.95 with companion disk.

Sound Blaster Book

Newly revised, this book is your guide to Sound Blaster, from installation locustomprogramming. Includes an overview of the different Sound Blaster cards, many specific software products and much more. Also includes simple MIDI system to use with your Sound Blaster.

#BI81. ISBN 1-55755-181-2. $34.95 with companion disk.

Special Edition Includes

TEMPEST

Grophkn! Shefl

Software for

DOS 6.0

A $29.95 Value

DOS 6.0 Complete

The practical user's guide to DOS 6.0. This book is loaded with helpful hints for outfitting any computer with the newMS-DOS 6.0. covering everything from installation to using the new file, directory and storage maintenance features. DOS 6.0 Complete includes a companion disk with dozens of powerful batch files, detailed explanations and Tempest - the new graphic shell for DOS 6.0. 1100 pages. #B182. ISBN 1-55755-182-0. S39.95 with companion disk.

Multimedia Mania

This book removes the hype surrounding multimedia. Learn the basics from adding CD-ROMs and sound boards to making a MPC system. Includes CD-ROM with over 400 megabytes of sounds, graphics, animations, samples and techniques to get you deep into the world of multimedia. Also includes several commercial multimedia demonstrations. #B166. ISBN 1-55755-166-9. S49.95 with companion CD-ROM.

Order Toll Free 1-800-451-4319

Available at B. Dalton, Crown Books, Egghead,

Software Ete.,Waldenbooks, Computer City,

CompUSA and other retailers nationwide.

In Canada, Classic Bookshops, Coles, W.H. Smith.

In the UK, call Computer Bookshops 021 -706-1188.

In Austailia call Pactronics 02-748-4700.

In US and Canada add S5.00 postage.

Foreign orders add S13.00 postage per item.

We accept Visa, Mastercard or American Express.

Abacus

Dept. B6, 5370 52nd Street SE, Grand Rapids, Ml 49512 Phone: (616) 698-0330 • Fax: (616) 698-0325

Circle 61 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 62).

I Please rush me the following books:

I PC Intern $59.95 ea.

OS/2 Bible V2.1 $34,95 ea.

I AutoCAD 12 Programming . $44.95 ea.

I DOS 6.0 Complete SE $39,95 ea.

I Upgrading & Maintaining .,.$34.95 ea.

I The 486 Book $34.95 ea.

| Sound Blaster Book $34.95 ea.

I Multimedia Mania $49.95 ea.

; Subtotal:

I Ml orders include 4% sales tax:

In US & Canada add $5.00 shipping:

I Foreign orders add $13.00 per item:

Total amount (US funds):

For fast delivery Order Toll Free1-800-451-4319 ext. 26, or FAX (616) 698-0325~l Or mail this coupon to: Abacus, 5370 52nd Street SE, Grand Rapids, Ml 49512 Method of Payment: □ Visa □ Master Card □ Am.Express Q Check / M.O Card#:l I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Expires: /

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Dept. 66

Books & CD-ROMs

Computer Ruminations

THINGS THAT

SMART

BEFORE THE COMPUTER by James W. Cortada THINGS THAT MAKE US SMART by Donald A. Norman

DONALD A. NORMAN

Time was, when a rifle part wore out, the gunsmith fabricated a new one. The technology to mass-produce replacements that didn't need custom fitting was one by-product of the Civil War; that was the technology that, after 1865, made possible typewriters and cash registers and accounting machines. (No, it's no accident that "Remington" denotes both an office appliance and a gun.) James W. Cortada's intricate history of such artifacts is called Before the Computer, and, indeed, it's the computer that has now pretty well subsumed them all. In their day they filled immediate needs, and no one dreamed that a century down the road lay a single supermachine.

Donald A. Norman's Things That Make Us Smart is a complementary account. Although Norman is an Apple Fellow ("the highest-level technical appointment at Apple"), his new book's attention to computers is intermittent at best. Still, they're never far below the horizon of his ruminations, subtitled "Defending Human Attributes in the Age of the Machine." (No, not that tired old tune, dehumanization; Norman's attention is on technology that gets in the way in its eagerness to be helpful.)

Take five pieces of software: dictionary, encyclopedia, thesaurus, spelling checker, and language translator. "Their function would be greatly enhanced if they could all be combined into one." As it is, they can't even intercommunicate, unless thanks to a complicated shell like Windows. Unimaginative programmers? A "tangled web of financial and copyright arrangements"? Norman guesses it's probably both.

Or consider the filing drawer. It was "a major revolution in handling information" when it was first introduced early in this century. It depended on carbon— later, xerographic—copies, and on standardized paper sizes; then, "courses on methods for filing" could become a booming industry. Before the filing drawer, there were desks with pigeonholes. (The holes and slots and drawers were of varying sizes because documents were. "Pending bills" might consist of many small envelopes, "bank records" of several large checkbooks.) And with 60 to 100 places where some item might have been stashed, a human memory with a span of only five to seven categories was a crippled access device indeed.

You can see with what caution all these metaphors need to be looked at as we "computerize." Early in the book, Norman offers an arresting analogy. Here's a game called 15. Its pieces are the nine counting digits. Each player in turn takes possession of a digit. The winner is the first player to get three digits that sum to 15. Try it. You'll discover that, "Though the arithmetic is simple, keeping track of all the possibilities...makes the game difficult."

And here's tic-tac-toe, at which any kiddie speedily becomes expert. And here's the killer: The two games are identical. What a difference the representation makes! And finally: A computer program written to solve tic-tac-toe spatially, the way we do, "would have to figure out whether the X's and O's were on a straight line," a problem in trigonometry. For fast computerization, convert the game to 15. ■

BEFORE THE COMPUTER

James W. Cortada, Princeton University Press, ISBN 0-691-04807-X

$55

Hugh Kenneris Franklin and Callaway Professor of English at the University of Georgia. He writes for publications ranging from the New York Times to Art & Antiques. You can contact him on BIX as "hkenner."

THINGS THAT MAKE US SMART

Donald A. Norman, Addison-Wesley, ISBN 0-201-58129-9

$22.95

OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

CD SOURCEBOOK OF AMERICAN HISTORY, VOL. 1: FROM DISCOVERY TO WWI

Infobases International, Inc., 1875 South State St., Suite T100, Orem, UT 84058, (801) 224-2223, $69.95

This seems just what the thesis director ordered, a computerization of such a library assignment as used to send graduate students flocking to the stacks in tight patterns. The idea was to get there before too many others got there, else every book would be checked out. But now, forget books! What we have here is a big database of American history texts, plus a fast search facility that handles AND, OR, and NOT—even things like "All paragraphs containing both freedom and liberty or both peace and prosperity."

The search works fine. The problem is what we're searching through. Here's a category called First-Hand Sources, amid which we pick the subhead Revolution, and then the document called The Defeat of Burgoyne at Saratoga. Bring up this document and find the following heading: "TITLE: The Defeat of Burgoyne at Saratoga/AUTHOR: Sir Edward Creasy/DATE: 1777/SOURCE: Great Epochs in American History, Vol. 3, Pg. 155-164." You'd expect DATE to be the date of the document, but no, it's the date of the event under scrutiny.

And the Creasy pages are from Sir Edward Shepherd Creasy's Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World, a classic published in 1852. Great Epochs! That's a 1992 catchall, edited by (it says here) Francis W. Halsey and available only via Infobases, which is also our source for the present CD Sourcebook. What it puts on your screen isn't print but facsimile typescript. As far as I can make out, running standard printed editions through a scanner was harder than just retyping their hundreds of pages in a uniform format (and no guarantees of accuracy). That's typical. And no thesis director would accept so amorphous a reference.

I'm sorry to report that something's been blown again. The idea is good, and the search engine is very good. But the realities under which someone will need this package have not been envisaged at all.

—Hugh Kenner

JUNE 1993 BYTE 52.

Circle 170 on Inquiry Card.

PROTECT YOUR SOFTWARE

NO BUTTON, NO ACCESS.

Dallas Semiconductor is re-shaping the world of software protection and distribution control with a new family of microchips called Buttons. We put the lid on software piracy by packaging microchips in button-shaped, stainless steel cans. The chips contain missing but critical information to make the software run.

We offer a variety of Authorization Buttons and features so you can select the level of protection and price point that are right for you.

Security Continuum

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Authorization Buttons interface to the installed base of 100+ million PC's via the DS1410 Button Holder. They simply snap in and out. The DS1410 accepts two Buttons concurrently.

Toward a Dongleless World

New computers that accept Buttons directly, including

palm and notebooks, are being designed at OEM's today.

Our Dongle Trade-in Program will help in your transition

to this world. With an approved

application, we'll pay you $7.00

for each dongle that you

trade in for an Authorization^

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is good until August 31,1993

The one-piece price for the

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discounts apply.

We're Serious About Security

At Dallas Semiconductor, we design and manufacture our own microchips. And we're the only ones in the software protection business who do. Sixty intricate process steps and a 64-bit unique registration number lasered into each chip prevent duplication.

To learn how to button down your software, give us a call.

DALLAS

SEMICONDUCTOR

4401 South Beltwood Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75244-3292 Telephone: 214-450-8170 FAX: 214-450-3715

im Books & CD-ROMs

THE KEY INGREDIENT

WINDOWS FROM THE KEYBOARD by Nicholas Baran

John Wiley & Sons, ISBN 0-471-59093-2, $16.95

A mouse may be appropriate for a windowed environment, but is it required? Not according to Nicholas Baran. His Windows from the Keyboard is devoted to operating a Microsoft Windows environment totally from the keyboard. Baran, a BYTE consulting editor, doesn't propose that we should forgo the use of mice. Rather, there are times, such as when traveling with a portable, when it is worthwhile to be able to work without having a mouse attached to your system. Likewise, some people, such as touch-typists, want their hands at the keyboard as much as possible.

Windows from the Keyboard starts with an overview of operating the Program Manager, File Manager, and other systemlevel programs. It then explores keyboard control over six Windows applications: Ami Pro, Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Microsoft Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, and Quattro Pro. Baran includes detailed instructions as well as useful summary pages that you can copy and place next to your computer. If you prefer working from the keyboard, this book will help you get the most efficient, flexible use from your Windows applications.

—Raymond GA Cote

^SU-.i.jKeyf.l'iWCumiTUfid;

mv«xtows31 arJSnPopiW'A«Jc(]icre

8>'{.(.:i'-,;lM <&•■•<::,*., i''ili;|.:':|i>.i!ii,ll'«i>l!«;Dfl5slr<] i Making ll» Mo sH.JIii'i!;(i!ii.t:rin\Vili):¥shlw Iocs

UNIX WIZARDS

UNIX POWER TOOLS by Jerry Peek, Tim O'Reilly, and

Mike Loukides O'Reilly & Associates and Bantam Electronic Publishing, ISBN 0-553-35402-7, $59.95

Behind every smoothly running Unix environment is a Unix wizard. You can identify them by their ability to utter mind-boggling keyboard incantations. As with wizards of old, their power comes not from some mystical source, but from hardearned knowledge. Unfortunately for the uninitiated, this knowledge is locked within hundreds of books and thousands of articles. Unix Power Tools unlocks the storehouses of knowledge and can make a wizard out of anyone willing to spend time getting comfortable with the tools. This 1168-page book is not designed for casual reading. Instead, graze through it for solutions and ideas. It starts with the administrative basics of maintaining user profiles, log-in scripts, passwords, and directory structures. Each chapter consists of terse solutions to specific problems (e.g., setting terminal types, seeing log-in messages just once a day, and configuring environment variables). Moving on, you encounter techniques for navigating the file hierarchy, finding files, dealing efficiently with directories having thousands of files, and looking inside the found files. Once you find the files, you manipulate them with tools ranging from

52 BYTE JUNE 1993

Maybe they'd get more involved if your presentation had a higher I.Q.

Image Quality, that is.

Introducing Proxima®Ovation.™ The fully portable family of LCD projection panels that provides the most vivid color images available today.

Showcase your computer or video images crisply and clearly, utilizing the latest LCD technology and up to 226,981 true colors.

Ovation offers a dynamic range of multimedia capabilities to move and motivate your audience. Project computer presentations, video recordings, computer animation, TV, even live images from camcorders.

Ovation projects whatever you can see on your PC or Macintosh* monitor. Just place the Ovation panel on an overhead projector, connect the panel to your computer, VCR, camcorder, or other output device, and you're ready to impress your next audience. Make your presentation even more interactive with the Proxima Cyclops'" pointer system. It's like a cordless mouse. Point, click, and pull down menus—right from the projection screen.

Ovation projects to the big screen the same color

and clarity that you see on your computer monitor.

Above right: Actual computer monitor image.

Above: Actual projection screen image from Ovation LCD projection panel.

PROXIMA*

Proxima Corporation 6610 Nancy Ridge Drive San Diego. CA 92121 (619) 457-5500

In Europe: contact Horsterweg 24,6191 RX Bcek,

The Netherlands, +31- (0)4365 02 48. Ovation and Cyclops are trademarks of and

Proxima is a registered trademark of Proxima Corporation.

f Oilier brand and product names arc trademarks of their respective owners.

© 1991, Proxima Corp. All rights reserved.

Circle 161 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 162).

Circle 159 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 160).

ldding images to your Windows applications? Avoid storage problems with fractal image compression, the technology that inspired PC Magazine to declare "The advantages of fractal compression are unmatched."

This technology is now available to Windows 3.x developers in POEM ColorBox III, which provides DLLs for:

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For database, multimedia, archiving or other applications, ColorBox III is comprehensive, easy-to-use and at $995, suprisingly affordable.

Call today for more information. Learn why ColorBox III can solve your image storage problems.

Iterated Systems, Inc.

5550-A Peachtree Pkwy.,Suite 650

Norcross, GA 30092

Tel: l-800-4FRACTL«Fax: (404)840-0806

Ever seen a grown pirate cry ? Just plug this in... and watch

MEMOPLUG™

The amazing Software protection system based on a hardware plug. Contains read-write programmable memory. This system is practical and easy to use for both programmer and end-user. Supports various programming languages, operating systems and types of computers.

U-PLUG™

The premiere protection plug for UNIX systems \ that connects the standard serial port of computers and workstations.

LANPLUG™

Comprehensive network protection starts with a single plug. The LANPlug lets you operate protected software from any workstation on the network, while supervising a number of authorized simultaneous operation applications.

CLOCKPLUG™

This unique Time-limited software protection system is f

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U.S. office: Tel: 1 (800) 677 1587

Tel: (407) 682 1587 Fax: (407) 869 1409 South Africa: LionSoft Tel: 011 640 6002 Holland: M.H.P Tel: (31)440612916

France: C.T.I Tel: (1)47 38 16 17

Spain: Economic Data Tel: (34) 1 442 28 00

Czeck Republic: PC Kompas Fax: (42) 2 43 11 88

Currently looking for international distributors

EliaShim

MICROCOMPUTERS LTD

5 Haganim, P.O. Box 8691

Haifa 35022 ISRAEL

Tel: 972-4-516111, Fax: 972-4-528613

Reviews

looks & CD-ROMs

simple editing with vi to industrial-strength manipulation with emacs, and a slew of automated manipulations, from sed through Perl. Every tool mentioned in the book is available in both source code and executable form on the accompanying CD-ROM.

Unix Power Tools is an encyclopedic work that belongs next to every serious Unix user's terminal. If you're already a Unix wizard, keep this book tucked under your desk for late-night reference when solving those difficult problems.

—Raymond GA Cote

HARDWARE HELPER

NETWORK INTERFACE TECHNICAL GUIDE, $119.95 ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MAIN BOARDS, $499.95

Micro House International, 4900 Pearl East Circle, Suite 101, Boulder, CO 80301, 1303) 443-3388

The Network Interface Technical Guide and Encyclopedia of Main Boards are meant for technicians, computer magazine editors, or anyone who spends much time chasing down switch settings for obscure boards. The first book is an 800-page volume with switch and jumper settings for 330 network cards. Each entry includes a drawing of the card showing the key components, a table of possible settings, and a collection of applications notes. Just as I started looking at this book, I had to install a Novell NE2000 adapter. I quickly found it in the index, and within minutes I had the card configured and installed.

The four-volume Encyclopedia of Main Boards contains board layouts with switch and jumper settings for 980 system boards. I tried to spot-check a half dozen or so boards in PC clones at BYTE, without success. I was disappointed that this encyclopedia didn't show any of them, when there are over 3000 different system boards out there. Micro House plans to expand the set to six volumes, covering 400 additional system boards, this summer.

The encyclopedia includes a handy disk database of the system boards in the set. You can search by manufacturer, CPU, processor speed, and other criteria, and the process is much faster than leafing through the table of contents. It also includes a list of common acronyms and a glossary of computer terms. I found a few inaccuracies. The glossary incorrectly shows the 8086 processor as the one in the IBM XT, for example.

Both books could pay for themselves in time saved. Just make sure they cover the boards you have in your systems.

—Howard Eglowstein

THE CD-ROM AUTHORITY

CD-ROMS IN PRINT 1993, Meckler Publishing, ISBN 0891-8198, $95

M

736-page book (it's also on CD-ROM). The entries appear alphabetically by title, with indexes on subject, publisher, distributor, and other categories. It's the reference for anyone who needs to quickly track down all titles for a given subject. ■

—Rob Mitchell

34 BYTE JUNE 1993

Circle 86 on Inquiry Card.

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Offers 19 proven programming shortcuts for the Windows™ operating system, including quick access to 3D interfaces, charting, and serial communications. You can even add multimedia or Windows for Pen Computing functionality in a fraction of the time It would take you to create your own support. Just add any of the 19 custom controls to your Visual C++ or Visual Basic Toolbox. Use Ihe sample code and documentation with Visual C++ and create your own custom controls.

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CA-dBFast Windows 2.0

by Computer Associates

The complete standalone dBASE/Xbase development language for MS Windows. Create fast, powerful, easy-to-use graphical applications with over 200 extensions to the dBASE HI PLUS language. It also includes an interactive editor, compiler, and linker. Challenge your creativity and imagination! Design multiple windows, pull-down menus, check boxes, list boxes, radio buttons, bit-map pictures, and more!

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CA-Clipper

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dGT Unlimited!

by Blackhawk Data Corp.

PAINLESS PICTURES—The Database Graphics Toolkit (dGT Unlimited) turns any database into an image database, in three easy steps: 1) add a field to your database record; 2) add a line to your entry screen; and 3) RUN! Fast, powerful, reliable, flexible and now Royalty-Free up to 1000 copies, dGT Unlimited works with 40 different languages, runs on any VGA or EGA, supports images up to 1024x768, and can retrieve images from memo fields and BLOBs.

List: $595 Ours: $449

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List: $195 FAXc«era# 3142-0009

OS/2

by IBM

OS/2 increases your operating system choices by providing you with DOS, Windows and OS/2 support. Because OS/2 was created for use with 386SX and above processors, it offers full 32-bit addressability and true concurrent multitasking. OS/2 also features an object-based user interface, enhanced file system, advanced memory technology and the ability to complete many processes within a task simultaneously.

Ours: $126

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MetaWare High C/C++

by MetaWare, Inc.

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MetaWare, Inc. announces its newest product! The 32-bit High C/C++ compiler version 3.0 is a true compiler, not a C to C++ translator. "Incremental Strengths" let you specify the level of C++ compilation, allowing you to migrate from C to C++, one C/C++ block at a time. Included is a C++ tailored source-level debugger and a 32-bit Application

Development Kit for Windows. MetaWare offers a full line of multi-language, multi-platform compilers for professional software developers.

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VM Data

by PocketSoft, Inc.

VMData for Windows is a DLL that manages up to 128 MB of dynamic data. Eliminates annoying slowdowns commonly seen in 386 Enhanced Mode when programs use large amounts of dynamic data, and eliminates outof-memory problems in Standard Mode. Provides superior run-time performance and ensures that your program is a good citizen under the Windows environment.

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Allegro CL/PC

by Franz Inc.

Object-oriented development system for MS Windows based on Common Lisp Object System (CLOS). Native 32-bit compiler and integrated programming environment including editor, debugger, profiler, DLL support. Avoid memory-related errors with unobtrusive garbage collector. Build interactive GUI applications with high-level interface to Windows API. Runtime generator permits royalty-free delivery. The most advanced OOP system for Windows!

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BASIC Network Library Network C Library

by Automation Software Consultants, Inc.

The most comprehensive libraries available for NetWare software development, supporting all versions of advanced NetWare including 3.11. Over 450 C functions and 300 BASIC functions. Include any features from the NetWare

command line utilities and menu utilities in your C or BASIC program.

No licensing hassles. C library source code available.

BASIC Library List: $265 Ours: $229

C Library List: $295 Ours: $259

FAXcetera* 1004-9201

WATCOM C/C++32 Optimizing Compiler and Tools V9.5

by WATCOM

C/C++32 is a professional, multi-platform C and C++ development system supporting 32-bit application development for extended DOS, OS/2 2.x, Windows 3.x, Windows NT, Win32s, and AutoCAD ADS/AD1. The C++ compiler provides comprehensive support for the AT&T version 3.0 language including templates plus exceptional handling. The C compiler is ANSI Standard and IBM SAA compatible.

List: $599 Ours: $349

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Multi-Edit Professional

by American Cybernetics

A richly featured, easy-to-use programmer's text editor. Multi-Edit's flexibility and sheer power combine to provide you with unparalleled productivity. Features include: intuitive user interface, mouse support, syntax highlighting, cross directory multiple file search AND replace, color templates, and much more! Finally, a text editor that thinks like a programmer! Free demo disk available.

List: $199 Ours: $139

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served

PROTOGEN 3.0

by ProtoView Development

NEW VERSION! The industry standard ^ for code generation and prototyp- ing Windows applications. Develop

i h: JJ the user interface of your application

using Visual prototyping methods. ProtoGen generates expert level, commented code for ANSI C, Microsoft NT Win32. All generators included! User Code is prefrom one generation to the next. It's easy and fast.

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Stop struggling with big C++ applications.

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If you're serious about object-oriented programming, find out why PC Magazine says "At a time when no one else— including Borland or Microsoft—has released an objectoriented database manager, C++ programmers have an excellent tool available: Raima Object Manager."**

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Feature

Computers for the Disabled

JOSEPH J. LAZZARO

al has all the makings

of a good telemarketer:

He's bright, outgoing,

and persistent. He is also blind. Phyllis wants to hire him, but she has some concerns. How will he be able to use the company's database if he can't see the monitor? How will he read office correspondence? And more important, what will it cost the company to adapt the workplace to accommodate him?

Phyllis must accommodate him, since her company is in the U.S., and therefore subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA (see the box "For More Information"). But she needn't worry. The latest adaptive technology for personal computers provides a cost-effective way to allow Sal and workers with other disabilities to do their jobs with independence.

Getting Access

Personal computers are directly compatible with many adaptive hardware and software products. You simply install them as you would any other addin board or application. The majority of adaptive products are developed for the platforms that are commonly used in business environments: MS-DOS, Windows, and (he Macintosh. Fewer products are available for Unix, but development work is under way due to the influence of the ADA.

When adapting a personal computer, you should pay special attention to hardware requirements (see the box "Adaptation Needs"). Both PCs and Macs require at least 25 MHz of processing power to run many adaptive applications, such as OCR or speech-synthesis programs, in conjunction with mainstream programs, such as spreadsheets.

Memory is another major consideration. For adaptation, many systems require a minimum of 1 MB of RAM—4 MB if you're running Windows or if you're attached to a network. The number

Adapting desktop computers to meet the needs of disabled workers is easier than you might think

of expansion slots is also vital. For instance, if you have a machine with five slots, you can install a speech synthesizer and an optical scanner alongside your video and drive controllers and still have one slot free.

Another important issue is how many serial and parallel ports your computer has. Many adaptive devices interface to the computer through serial ports, using standard nine- or 25pin connectors.

Analyze, Then Adapt

The first task in adding adaptive technology to a computer is to determine the specific needs of the disabled worker in question. "It's very important to analyze the job thoroughly," says John Robichaud, a rehabilitation engineer with the Occupational Rehabilitation Group (Cambridge, MA), "and this goes way beyond just the PC." Robichaud's company looks at each job in terms of its component tasks and all the systems at the site used to perform those tasks. continued

JUNE 1993 BYTE 59

Feature

Adaptation Needs

HARDWARE: Both PCs and Macs require at least 25 MHz of processing power to run many adaptive applications, such as speech-synthesis programs, in conjunction with mainstream programs, such as spreadsheets.

MEMORY: Many systems require a minimum of 1 MB of RAM—4 MB if you're running Windows or if you're attached to a network.

EXPANSION SLOTS: With five slots, you can install a speech synthesizer and an optical scanner alongside your video and drive controllers and still have one slot free.

PORTS: Many adaptive devices interface to the computer through serial ports, using standard nine- or 25-pin connectors.

The next step is to focus on the employee's abilities. If he or she has no vision, then a speech or braille output package is recommended. For someone with limited but usable vision, a software magnification package may be appropriate. For a hearing-impaired worker, a Bau

dot/ASCII modem is a logical investment. For a motor-disabled user, an adapted keyboard or a Morse-code entry system is feasible.

To assist with adaptive technology, mainstream companies are providing consulting services and adaptive equipment to comply with the ADA. The SNAP (Special Needs Access Program) is a joint project of AT&T and NCR. It offers engineering consulting services and adaptive hardware and software for fees ranging from $75 to $125 per hour.

Cortez Martin, civil rights manager for the FAA Technical Center at the Atlantic City International Airport, used the SNAP to help accommodate a visually impaired worker. "We gave the consultants a real thumbs-up for their efforts and the approximately 20 hours of training they provided," he says. "The software and hardware ihey suggested made [our] employee more productive and more efficient."

DEC is using its DECtalk speech-synthesis system to help blind people to read and nonverbal people to speak. DEC has also created an Assistive Technology Group. In addition, Apple Computer and IBM have produced and sponsored assistive technology for their respective computer platforms. Their developments include everything from graphics-based speech-synthesis systems to sticky-key

software (i.e., programs that electronically lock and hold the Shift, Ctrl, and Alt keys).

Adapting to a Specific Need

To work effectively, most vision-impaired users need to have their computers adapted with technologies such as speech synthesis, magnification, braille, and OCR. Speech-synthesis systems interface to a

This deaf user's PC is connected to a telephone via an Ultratec Intele-Modem Baudot/ASCII modem. The user is sending and receiving messages to and from someone at a remote site who is using a telecommunications device for deaf people (right).

A PC for a blind user, equipped with an Oscar optical scanner and a braille printer, both by TeleSensory. The optical scanner converts text into ASCII code or into proprietary word processing format. Files saved on disk can then be translated into braille and sent to the printer. Visually impaired users can also enlarge the text on the screen by loading a TSR software magnification program.

computer through 8- or 16-bit slots or through standard RS-232 serial ports. They rely on TSR packages, known as screen readers, to drive them.

One example of a speech-synthesis system is VertPro from TeleSensory (Mountain View, CA). This $1795 product can read MS-DOS-based word processors, databases, spreadsheets, and other textbased software. Window Bridge from Syntha-Voice (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) is a $695 Windows-based screen reader. This product can verbalize both MS-DOS- and Windows-based applications, and it will drive most speech synthesizers.

Magnification software can enlarge text appearing on the screen by up to 16 times. ZoomText Plus ($595) from AI Squared (Burlington Center, VT) and Magic Deluxe ($295) from MicroSystems Software (Framingham, MA) can both enlarge text on MS-DOS and Windows applications. Berkeley Systems (Berkeley, CA) markets inLarge, a $195 Mac-based software package that magnifies most commercial applications.

For braille output, the Juliet printer

60 BYTE JUNE 1993

Why some software sells more than others.

■-

Y

Success. All software developers strive I for it. Now, Don Gall was on top of the world. Software '5L protection made Mk ^L all the difference. jA B Especially in m V Europe and Asia. ^^^^ Sales were four times better than before. He is the founding father of Sentinel — the guru of ^ software success.

Struggling Software Sales

One day, trekking through the coffee fields of Java, Don ran into his old college buddy Simon Seagull. "Don, my sales are well below expectations." Simon explained his plight, "My software should sell like yours, Don!" Yet despite critical acclaim Simon's company, SimonSays Software, teetered on a financial tightrope. "What's your secret, Don?"

They spent hours analyzing potential problems They looked at everything.

The Key to the Problem Finally, Don leaned back and asked the assumptive question, "What about protection - are you using Sentinel?"

Nervously, Simon sipped his coffee. His hands shaking as his eyes darted the room. "No. I didn't think I needed to."

Don's chair slid out from under him and he crashed to the floor. Amazed in disbelief, Don cried, "You What?!" Grabbing his tattered ^^^* scrapbook, Don jd pulled out photos of his travels. "Ever been to Seoul? Prague? Anywhere? Ten bucks will buy you anything, even bootlegged copies of software."

Don's Road to Success

Thumbing through the scrapbook, Don shared his experiences. "Back in the '80s, I was in your shoes beaten, battered and bruised." A Simon listened, y "Then, after a heart breaking trip around the world, I called the Software Publishers Association (SPA)

"I could hardly believe it. They told me developers lose billions of dollars each year. Why? Illegally copied software. In some countries there are nine pirated copies for each legal copy sold."

Simon was disgusted, "It's just not fair."

"That's why I committed ^ myself to solving the

1 I..J...l..^E!fc ^

piracy problem," explained Don. Simon's eyes lit up. "The dongle!" he shouted. Don corrected him, "Not just any dongle — the dongle that paved the road to success for over 10,000 developers worldwide — Sentinel."

Successful Developers Use Sentinel

Don pulled a stack of letters out of his gunny sack. "All of these people tell the same story." Don read about a successful developer from California who swears she wouldn't be in business without Sentinel. Another company says protection costs less than litigation, plus , they don't have to

spend time and money supporting illegal users.

Others confessed they wouldn't market products internationally without protection.

The hours flew by, story after story, Simon learned Don Gall's secret. To succeed is to protect. To protect is to secure with Sentinel.

Most Advanced and Widely Used Dongles in the World

Backed by the world leader in software protection, Rainbow Technologies, the Sentinel Family of hardware keys is the most diverse and comprehensive selection available. For DOS, Windows, OS/2, Macintosh, LAN, UNLX and others. They're simple to install, and are the most reliable and compatible available.

Rainbow offers just-intime delivery and the largest technical support and engineering staff in the software protection industry.

Call Don Gall today for a free copy of "The Sentinel Guide to Securing Software." Or better yet, ask him for a low cost Sentinel Evaluation Kit—complete with a working dongle!

CALL

800/ 852-8569

FOR YOUR FREE GUIDE TO SECURING SOFTWARE

SETUinEL

Securing the future of software

When you need a dongle, you need Sentinel. The only dongle Don Gall will use.

/? RAINBOW

T ECHN0LDGIES

9292 JERONIMO ROAD. IRVINE. CALIFORNIA 927 1 8 ■ 7 I 4/454-21 00 ■ fax 714/454-8557 International offices are located in the United Kingdom, Germany and France.

O 1993 Rainbow Technologies, Inc. All product names are trademarks of ihcir respective owners.

Circle 134 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 135).

IS

MODSOFI

WMXiUK

Circle 95 on Inquiry Card.

Rack & Desk

yIIUjjIj for iiiiiiii

XT/AT/286/386/486

11 f 111111111111111111111111811

Integrand's unique packaging design uses modular construction. We have 3 basic models for ISA/EISA bus computers. Over 90 interchangable modules allow you to customize them to nearly any requirement. We make drive enclosures and rackmount keyboards too. Integrand offers high quality, advanced design hardware and strong support. Why settle for less ?

Rack & Desk Models

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Call or write for descriptive brochures, prices or applications assistance:

INTEGRAND

8620 Roosevelt Ave. • Visalia, CA 93291

209/651-1203

FAX 209/651-1353 We accept VISA and MasterCard

ISKIXVAT m IBM • 2SS356 4SS W INTEL. Drives and computer boards not included

Feature

($3995) from Enabling Technologies (Stuart, FL) interfaces to any standard RS-232 serial or parallel port. Juliet can emboss braille on both sides of a page at a speed of 40 characters per second. The Reading Edge OCR ($5495) from Xerox Imaging Systems (Peabody, MA) and the Arkenstone Open Book Unbound ($2190) from Arkenstone (Sunnyvale, CA) can read printed material to blind people and send

of the keyboard on the screen. These products use a head-mounted pointing device. Examples include HeadMaster ($1195) from Prentke Romich (Wooster, OH) and the FreeWheel ($1395) from Pointer Systems (Burlington, VT).

With these systems, a motor-impaired person can bypass the physical keyboard with an external adaptive switch to select menu choices or virtual keys from an on

This motor-disabled person is communicating with a PC using a Pointer Systems optical head pointer to access all keyboard functions on a virtual keyboard shown on the PC's display. The user can "strike" a key in one of two ways. He can focus on the desired key for a user-definable time period (which causes the key to be highlighted), or he can click an adapted switch when he chooses the desired key.

the text to a PC.

For users with hearing impairments, there's a long list of available adaptive hardware and software that you can add onto PCs. For example, SeeBeep ($20) from MicroSystems Software translates IBM speaker output into visual signals. Computers that are equipped with Baudot/ASCII modems can act as telecommunications devices for deaf people and also communicate with other PCs. Examples of this type of modem are the $329 Intele-Modem by Ultratec (Madison, WI) and the $349 CM-4 from Phone-TTY (Hackensack, NJ).

To adapt equipment for motor-impaired workers unable to type on a standard keyboard, you can employ adapted keyboards, sticky-key software, head pointers, and Morse-code systems that bypass the keyboard and enter data through the RS-232 serial port. In tandem with these add-ons, you can install software to display a picture

screen keyboard. Adaptive switches come in a variety of forms that can be activated by eye movements, breath control, or any other reliable muscle movement.

Another way of controlling computers is via a Morse-code system. Such a system consists of adaptive switches and software for people who can't type on a full keyboard but have the ability to physically push at least one key. HandiCode ($495) from MicroSystems Software is such a program. Voice-recognition systems permit people to issue verbal commands to a computer to perform data entry. Among the available voice systems are two from Dragon Systems (Newton, MA): DragonDictate-30K ($50) and VoiceType ($1995 plus board).

What's in the Works?

Adaptive technology must struggle to keep pace with the mainstream computer industry. For instance, numerous DOS-based

62 BYTE JUNE 1993

The best place to get your photos printed

You don't need a photo lab to get computer output like this. A Phaser™ IIsd color printer from Tektronix will do just fine. It's the dye sublimation printer that gives you detailed, photorealistic images and crisp, clear text, too—thanks to TekColor™ Photofine technology. For just $9995 you'll get stunning 300 dpi print quality, true Adobe® PostScript™ Level 2, a 24MHz RISC processor for speedy image processing, and a printer that's ready to go to work with PCs, Macs and workstations. Practically speaking, it's like having a darkroom on your desktop.

For a free photo-print sample call the leader in desktop color printers at 1-800-835-6100 Dept. 25C Or call (503) 682-7450, ask for Document 1222 and we'll immediately fax you information.

Tektronix

j /

m\ ii

1 CHOICE

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[ TEkCo

lor

Phaser is a trademark of Tektronix, Inc. Postscript is a trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc. All other marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Circle 145 on Inquiry Card.

Feature

screen readers exist, but few GUI screen readers are available. The use of multimedia could prevent blind users from accessing the information servers of the future unless a method can be found to translate animation into either speech output or braille. Pen-based computers could prevent the use of adaptive equipment for two reasons: They lack expansion slots for specialized hardware, and the heavily visual operating system isn't friendly to blind users.

Another problem is the long stretches

of time between the appearance of mainstream products, such as spreadsheets and word processors, and those products' ability to interact with adaptive equipment. Ideally, this lag time will decrease as companies consider adaptive access early on in the design stage.

On July 26, 1994, companies with as few as 15 employees will be mandated to comply with the ADA. This criterion will make the ADA applicable to many more businesses. Because of the implementation of this new law, and the ever-increas

Oscilloscope Readings Don't Lie. Tripp Lite Outperforms American Power.

A :.. e.a u? line chi sou ~ n 2.< a.e u? uihi

Model: Tripp Lite Unison* PS 6.0

Tripp Lite Unison Claims: Sine Wave Output,

On-Line UPS

Oscilloscope Shows: Pure Sine Waveform

Transfer Time: 0 ms. (on-line)

Unison provides pure sine wave output at

all times, regardless of battery voltage level

or size oi the load it is supporting. There is

less than 4% total harmonic distortion

(THD) exhibited.

SEE THE FACTS before yoabuy.

sine wave UPS system. APC claims their SmartUPS" outputs sine wave power. But when viewed on an oscilloscope you'll see a different story.

APC's Smart-UPS8 only provides a flat-topped waveform while supporting its load. The only time Smart-UPS" produced a sine wave was when nothing was plugged into it!

Smart-UPS'"' does not produce sine wave power under load!

A flat-topped waveform produces increased levels of total harmonic distortion (THD). This causes heating of electronic components and impaired performance of sensitive equipment.

Why would APC claim to have something they don't? Call it marketing genius or just plain clever. The answer is that the UPS technology to produce a pure sine wave form is expensive. APC chooses

Model: APC Smart-UPS 600

APC Claims: Sine Wave Output

Line Interactive UPS Oscilloscope Shows: Flat-topped

trapezoidal waveform

Transfer Time: 2-4 ms. (standby)

The APC Smart-UPS is a standby UPS that

produces a trapezoidal waveform with

approximately 20% total harmonic

distortion (THD) ...

Nol Sine Wave!

to cut corners, giving your computer much less than a pure sine wave and certainly less than what you paid for.

If you want true sine wave power from a UPS, then trust us. Our Tripp Lite UNISON' on-line, sine wave power UPSs provide pure sine wave power, plus unmatched performance and value.

JT IND OUT more about the differences

between sine wave power and all other waveforms, call us and we'll send you Technical Note #17.

'THE POWER PEOPLE"

500 N. Orleans • Chicago • Illinois 60610-4188 • Tel: 312/329-1601 France: (1) 40 74 35 22 • UK: (0272) 308660

Fax: 312/644-6505

■ere perlormed Dfl a Tefclroni* Model 2430 digital oscilloscope; scale I div = 56 volls: verl. 1 div - 2 ms.: horizontal. Toe ambient test environment wan 6B—72'F and 15—45% midily. Both UPSs tested were rated at 600 VA. A 47 otim load (300 watts nominal) was used. All UPS batteries were brought Id a (till state of charge before testing. Oscilloscope photographs were all taken at the same poinl m ihe ballery cycle Date of test: February 25. 1993. All UPS systems weie purchased through commercial sources. Models used: Unison' 6.CA and Smarl-UPS' 600 Smart^UPS" is a trademark ol American Power Conversion,

For More Information

• By calling the toll-free hot line at The National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation and Research (NIDRR) in Washington, D.C., at (800) 949-4232, you will be directly connected to your nearest ADA technical assistance center.

• You can obtain a free handbook (in either hard-copy or electronic form) about how to add adaptive technology to personal computers from the Clearinghouse on Computer Accommodation (COCA) of the Information Resources Management Service, General Services Administration. Write to: Susan A. Brummel, Director, COCA, c/o GSA, Room 2022, KGD0,18th and F Sts. NW, Washington, DC 20405.

• State rehabilitation agencies, which are usually located in your state capital and listed in the phone directory, are a source of free information on ways to comply with the ADA.

• DOS-Abledata is a CD-ROM database from the Trace Center in Madison, Wisconsin. You can purchase this CD-ROM directly from the Trace Center for S25. You can also access its contents via the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind's BBS at (617) 451-5327 or via Project Enable (a disability-oriented BBS) at (304) 7667842.

• The Internet has at least two newsgroups covering disability-related issues. These groups are called misc.handicap and alt.education.disabled. On-line services such as GEnie, BIX, CompuServe, and Delphi also have forums dedicated to adaptive technology.

• The Department of Justice runs a BBS dedicated to providing information on the ADA. To access it by modem, call (202) 5146193.

ing pervasion and decreasing costs of PCs, the future of adaptive technology is on a rising curve.

The payoff of the availability of adaptive equipment benefits everyone. "Building access for disabled people is the same as building better interfaces for all users," says Janina Sajka, project manager of the World Institute on Disability Network (Oakland, CA). "By studying the needs of disabled workers, we have the opportunity to build better access for everyone." ■

Joseph J. Lazzaro is director of the Adaptive Technology Program at the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind in Boston. He is the author of Adaptive Technologies for Learning and Work Environments (American Library Association, forthcoming). You can contact him on BIX as "lazzaro@bix.com" or on the Internet at lazzaro@world.std.com.

64 BYTE JUNE 1993

Circle 149 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 150).

Vkm Reasons To Go Ec^Wild Duruip

Need a reason to celebrate? We're making this the best summer ever to buy a Gateway PC! During our 486 Fest, you'll find better-than-ever buys on all the fabulous systems in our product line. You'll think you died and went to hog heaven! Buy some fiesta goodies, invite a few party animals over and call us. We'll give you lots of reasons to party!

Party Reason — Choosing a 486 system shows you 're a smart buyer!

A less astute buyer might go for a 386 or Pentium™ system, but you know where the real value is. Gateway 2000's desktop and Nomad PCs are now all 486 systems for good reason. With our great prices on 486 technology, 386 systems are no longer a smart buy. And first-generation Pentium systems are not a good value.

Even if you were willing to pay the steep premium other manufacturers are charging for Pentium systems, you'd have trouble getting one because availability is extremely limited. Our engineers say the Pentium systems in our lab run so hot, you could use one to heat a hog barn. Besides, Pentium systems on the market today will be outperformed quickly by improvements in Pentium technology. That's why we're not selling Pentium systems yet. At Gateway, we won't sell anything unless it's a good value for you.

In today's market a 486 machine is the way to go, especially now that all of our desktop ISA systems are Pentium technology ready and guaranteed to bj upgradeable.

tobA.

Party Reason — If you pick a mini desktop, you II save enough to invite the whole barnyard to your parly.

Gateway's mini-desktop systems — 4SX-25,4SX-33 and 4DX-33 - are petite but powerful, based on an integrated design that incorporates many subsystems on the motherboard for the best priceperformance ratio. All mini desktop systems include: 4 to 8MB ! a large and fast hard drive, operating on the local bus for even faster drive performance; a fast video chipset with 1MB; a brilliant, crisp display from the standard 14-inch CrystalScarT non-interlaced, .28mm dot pitch color monitor; and more available expansion slots than you find in most small-footprint PCs. The combination of these features makes a cool Windows™

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Gateway's 486 Fest!

machine for an unbeatable price. Now that's cause for celebration!

^P Party Reason — You 'II be

wallowing in ecstasy if you buy a local bus system.

Go ahead and splurge on our 4DX250V or 4DX2-66V models. We put ATI's'" Graphics Ultra Pro video card with 1MB VRAM on our VESA® local bus for results that will be the hit of your party.

Plus, these systems have a hefty 8 or 16MB RAM with cache, and party-hearty hard drives running on the local bus. You get an extra VESA local bus expansion

♦ slot, a 15-inch flat, square CrystalScan color monitor, and more free choices of application software than you'll find anywhere else.

Party Reason — You II get the CDROM drive you always wanted.

It's included with our4DX2-66 systems! Or you can upgrade any other standard configuration with a CD-ROM. We supply a free system CD when you purchase a PC with a CD-ROM drive. The CD includes Microsoft's® Multimedia Pack,'" designed to let you explore the value of multimedia technology. You get an interactive user's guide to Windows and a collection of sound, animation and video clips to use in business presentations and documents.

Party Reason— You can have it your way at Gateway.

We custom build each Gateway 2000 computer to your order. We'll gladly provide you with a quote on a special configuration. Call our sales department!

Party Reason — You 'II save money!

Check the configurations and prices on the back page of this ad. We've gone hogwild for 486 Fest!

Party Reason — The wrappings!

Your Gateway system comes in a black-and-white cow-spotted box. Some people use our boxes for end tables and playroom furniture. It will certainly be a conversation-starter at your party.

Party Reason — Get our 486 Fest Best Buy!

Check the back page of this ad for an unbelievably good buy on a smart 4DX2-66 local bus system configuration including 8MB RAM. 340MB hard drive and CD-ROM for only $2495!

'

The Gateway 2000 4DX2-50V at $2295 is a favorite with our three little pigs.

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With Gateway's Pentium™ Technology Guarantee, You Have A Good Reason To Celebrate!

If you've been worried about keeping up with technology now that Intel's® Pentium processor has been announced, relax! Kick back and join the Gateway 2000 486 Fest, featuring great buys on 486 systems and our Pentium Technology Guarantee. It's a Gateway-exclusive offer that allows you to keep up with technology and save big bucks when you buy a Gateway 486 Pentium technology ready system this summer!

k Gateway 2000

est

Guaranteed Upgradeability

We guarantee you can upgrade your Gateway 486 Pentium technology ready system to future Pentium processor technology products in 1994. This next-generation OverDrive processor will easily plug right into the ZIF (zero insertion force) socket already installed on your upgradeable Gateway 2000 system with no modifications. And, unlike many manufacturers, we've already had our systems heat tested for use with Pentium technology processors.

Guaranteed Performance

We guarantee your upgrade to Pentium technology will accelerate overall system performance by 50 to 100%. It's likely that your upgraded 486 system will outperform Pentium systems on the market today.

Animal!

Guaranteed Price

We guarantee we'll sell you this 1994 upgrade at the best market price. At press time for this ad, we didn't have enough information to quote a price, but you can be sure it'll be terrific, possibly as low as S500. Call for details! The Pentium technology price guarantee is for a limited time only. If you purchase a Gateway 2000 Pentium technology ready system by August 15,1993, you'll receive a written price guarantee for the processor you can buy in 1994.

Guaranteed Availability ^^

We guarantee you can be among the first to get this nextgeneration OverDrive processor when it goes on the market. When you buy your 486 Pentium technology ready system this summer, you'll receive a personal upgrade reservation number. It's your guarantee of a special place in line to acquire this next-generation OverDrive processor when it ships in 1994. Our supply of upgrade processors will be offered in sequence to customers holding these reservation numbers. The sooner you buy your 486 system, the sooner you can get your OverDrive.

Get A Gateway During 486 Fest It's The Smart Technology Move

When you buy a Gateway 2000 Pentium technology ready system during 486 Fest, you're investing in your technology future for a fraction of what you would pay for a Pentiumbased system today.

Aren't you glad you peeked at our gift? Now you know Gateway 2000 offers the best value — today and tomorrow.

4

GATEMY2000

"You Ye go; a friend in the busbies.

8 0 0-846-2058

Party On With Value-Priced Portable

Keep counting the reasons to celebrate during Gateway's 486 Fest! You'll find plenty when you look at our Nomad notebook PCs and computer peripherals!

Nomad Notebooks

Party Reason — You 'II get 4<%

desktop performance in a lightweight portable when you buy a Nomad. Why settle for a 386 notebook when you can get a powerful 486 Nomad in the same price range? All three Gateway 2000 Nomad models are 486 systems with snappy performance that's still rare in notebooks. Plus, they're smaller than many notebooks, weighing just 5.6 pounds and measuring 8.5" x 11" x 1.8". No other notebook this size can beat the Nomad 450DXL's combination of performance and battery life! In PC Magazine's Battery Rundown Test, Nomad systems operated up to six hours on a single battery with power management enabled.

Party Reason — No more squinting at a dim and fuzzy display!

Nomad screens are big and brilliant — a full 10" VGA backlit display with 64 gray scale. You can use your Nomad in all lighting conditions.

Party Reason — Three cheers for a great keyboard and mouse!

Nice feel! The 79-key touch-type keyboard is comfortable, quiet and fast. Nomad 450DXL models now also include Microsoft's""Ballpoint"''portable mouse with Quickport,™ standard.

We have lots of options for our Nomads, too. Call for details!

Peripherals

Party Reason — You 11 save money on connectivity tools! TelePath"' Fax/Modem. It's everything you ever wanted in an internal fax/modem, including a great price! The Gateway 2000 TelePath is a 14,400bps modem, V.32bis, with 9,600bps fax capability. It's compatible with the standard AT command set and is downwardly compatible with

lower modem speeds. Package includes software — WinFax Pro,® Crosstalk'" for Windows and Qmodem — plus a free CompuServe® trial membership. $195

Network Cards. Call for a selection of Ethernet cards and Token Ring adapters, installed and configured.

Microsoft Windows™ for WorkGroups.

Networking made easy! Share files and printers, send electronic mail, schedule group meetings with the click of your mouse — and get everything you need in one inexpensive package. That's the beauty of Windows for Workgroups. Even a beginner can set up and configure a network with this fantastic product. Price includes an Ethernet adapter and software. Hardware and software are factoryinstalled, $159

Party Reason — You 'II save money on multimedia software and peripherals! CD-ROM Kit. You'll enter a whole new world of possibilities with your PC when you add a CD-ROM drive, giving you access to exciting new applications, databases and entertainment programs. With applications continually getting bigger, wouldn't it be convenient to get software on a single CD rather than piles of floppy disks?

*»

Get galloping portability on your road trips with Gateway's top-of-the-iine Nomad 450DXL.

And Peripherals!

Comparable CD-ROM drives usually retail for over $400. Manufactured specially for Gateway 2000, this kit includes CD-ROM, interface card and everything you need to add M PC-compliant CD-ROM to your PC. $225

Microsoft Windows Sound System.™

Here's the sound system designed for business, complete with a headset for private office use. You can "speak" commands to your PC for hands-free operation. Let your PC read numbers back to you for proofing spreadsheets. Embed audio messages in Windows OLE applications. Add audio to screen savers. Play your Ad Lib® and Sound Blaster™ games — and more! Our special Gateway price includes soundboard, microphone, headset and software. $149

Party Reason — You II save money on all kinds of extras from Gateway! Colorado Memory Systems™ TBU.

250MB internal automatic tape backup g unit copies up to 9.5MB per minute with high-speed data compression. Reads previously formatted Archive™ tapes, too. Comes with easy-to-use DOS software, one tape and cable. 486 Fest price: $195!

CrystalScan'" 15-Inch Monitor.

Non-interlaced color monitor with flat, square screen. If the system you want is advertised with a 14-inch monitor, you can upgrade at the time of purchase to a 15inch monitor for only $100.

Panasonic1' KXP2123 Color-Capable Printer. Add color to your documents with this 24-pin dot matrix printer. Includes Adobe Type Manager." Call for 486 Fest price!

Texas Instruments® MicroLaser"" Plus Laser Printer. Never before has such a small, Postscript'1" laser printer offered so much speed and economy. The MicroLaser Plus is only 13.4" x 14.2", yet it prints 9 pages per minute at 300dpi. Call for 486 Fest price!

Gatewav 2000

F

We offer many other system options and upgrades, including 17" and 20" monitors, tape backup units, bigger hard drives, other software and more! Call today!

The software and peripherals listed here are sold only with the purchase of a system. For details on our complete line of extras for Gateway customers, ask for our special add-on components division when vu call.

14

GATEW&2000

8 0 0-846-2058

Celebrate! We Give You More Softwan

That's right! We have even more reasons to party during Gateway's 486 Fest! We offer more free choices of application software with our systems than any other manufacturer. Plus, all software is pre

installed and ready to run the moment

your system arrives. Hooray! No installation hassles!

With Nomad, mini desktop and our 4DX2-66 Best Buy systems, you get Works, one of the best integrated software packages on the market.

Party Reason — Microsoft Works for Windows!1"

Works for Windows is the single program that combines all the tools you need to run a business: word processor, spreadsheet, database and electronic communications. It's simple to use yet provides power and functionality for advanced users.

With desktop and tower systems that include "choice of application software," you can select the following software packages. All applications are the latest versions.

Party Reason — Microsoft Excel for Windows."''

Microsoft Excel gives you unprecedented power and analytical functions, outstanding reporting and presentation tools, and easy charting. Includes faster ways to work. Reviewers consistently choose Excel as the best spreadsheet for Windows. It's an InfoWorld Product of the Year!

/ Gatewux 2000

F

♦

Part)' Reason — Microsoft Word for Windows!''

The original word-processing application for Windows is still the best selling! Drag d drop text and graphics around the page for easy creation of professional-looking documents. Existing WordPerfect* files (and other file

formats) are usable in Word. You can even type a WordPerfect command and see Word's equivalent command automatically demonstrated on-screen!

Party Reason — Microsoft Word and Bookshelf 92,:" CD-ROM Edition.

The most popular word processor for Windows now becomes the ultimate writing tool with an entire electronic reference library full of multimedia sights and sounds! Includes dictionary, encyclopedia, thesaurus, atlas, quotations, and more.

Party Reason — Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows!'''

For easy, professional on-screen slide shows, overhead transparencies or 35mm slide presentations. Fast and flexible word processing, graphing, outlining and drawing tools give you more time to master your content instead of wrestling with your software.

*

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Choices To Crow About!

^ Party Reason — Microsoft Project U for Windows.1'''

Project management is easier and more flexible than ever! This program gives you the power and versatility to manage your schedules and resources more efficiently. That's why PC Magazine, PC Week, PC World and Software Digest call Project the best program in its category!

Party Reason — The MS

Entrepreneur Pack.

Four great software packages in one! Microsoft Works,1" Publisher," Money™ and an Entertainment Pack.

Party Reason — Borland Paradox""for Windows.

Paradox for Windows is the relational database that makes a powerful database easy to use. Now you have complete access to data, plus all the tools you need to create graphical applications in no time. Paradox

for Windows works with existing Paradox for DOS and dBASE files without modification.

Party Reason — The Windows Programmer Pack. ^^^

Get everything you need to create programs for Windows: Microsoft QuickC for Windows,™ Visual Basic for Windows,™ Windows Control Development Kit,'" Windows Help Compiler1" and Windows Programmer's On-Line Reference.™

Party Reason — Upgrade to the CD-ROM Edition of Microsoft Office.'"

You can upgrade from a choice of application software to Microsoft Office, CD-ROM version, for only $99! This single package has all the leading Windows applications: Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

The standard edition of MS Office is also available as an upgrade from a choice of application software for $175, or $499 as a second application.

Party Reason —

Upgrade from Works to choice of application.

If the system you want comes with MS Works for Windows, you can upgrade to a choice of application software for only $100.

Software shown here is sold only with the purchase of a system. Software sold with systems includes the identical applications contained in retail packages but will not include the retail box. You get all master diskettes and manuals, shrink-wrapped and packaged in a Gateway 2000 box.

Everyone's flocking to check out the life of the party, Gateway's 4DX2-66 Best Buy system shown with optional Labtec speakers.

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8 0 0-846-2058

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The Whole Herd Is Dedicated To Pro

Yes, this is the whole gang at Gateway 2000. We now number in excess of 2,000 people. We gathered everyone together for this 486 Fest kick-off photo so you could see all the friends you have in the business, and so we could renew our commitment to your complete satisfaction.

Despite some blustery weather, Ted, our president and founder, gave us an inspiring pep talk about customer satisfaction and value. He reminded us that we will be the best in this industry only as long as we remember the guiding principles of our company, best described in our mission statement:

We are Gateway 2000.

We care about and respect you, our customers. We pledge to you that we will be honest, courteous and friendly.

If we make a mistake, we will admit it.

If you 're unhappy about something, we 'll do everything in our power to make it right. We 11 treat you as an individual and take special care to see that your individual situation is handled fairly. We have fun working together, striving to be the most knowledgeable, productive and successful team in the world. We blend our talents to continually offer higher qualify, more innovative and useful products, at a value unmatched by competitors.

We will always be happy but we will never be satisfied. And we will continually improve everything we do. We will succeed, together as a team. ^ We are Gateway 2000.

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ding You With The Best Service!

'♦

Party Reason — You II like doing business with people who care about you!

Each and every person in this photo rededicated his or her efforts to achieving these goals. Like a married couple going through a second wedding ceremony after many years of marriage, our energies were refocused on what's important. And what's important to us is vow!

Party Reason — You get excellent after-the-sale support!

Every Gateway 2000 system comes with a 30-day moneyback guarantee. If you don't like your system, send it back within 30 days for a refund. All systems come with a one-year limited warranty and telephone technical support for the life of the system from our award-winning tech department. You also get an automated fax service to supply you with detailed documentation on over 150 technical

subjects, and a lifetime BBS

membership for additional technical

support and online forums.

We offer on-site service to most locations

in the country (factory service only for

notebooks). Replacement parts leave our

factory as quickly as possible; we pay overnight

shipping. Plus we now have interactive

documentation on desktop systems with pictures and text

right on your hard drive (in addition to comprehensive v , , ,,,,,,,, ■ b J v r Far a truly celebrated value, the choice

hardware and software manuals). in black-and-white: Gateway '$ 4DX-33.

Party Reason — // Is so easy! Just give its a call!

We make it easy for you to buy a Gateway PC, with convenient payment options including major credit cards and C.O.D. terms. Net 30-day terms and leasing options are also available to qualified commercial customers.

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• * Gateway 2000's Party List

♦■

4SX-25

\

25MHz486SX Intel*'Processor

4MB RAM

3.5" Diskette Drive

80MB 17ms IDE Hard Drive

Local Bus IDE Interlace

Intel Pentium 'Technology Ready

Windows Accelerated Video w/IMB DRAM

14" Color CrystalScarT1024NI

Mini Desktop Case

5 16-Bit ISA Slots

124-Key AnyKey1" Keyboard

MS-DOS' 6, Diags, Windows'" & Mouse

MS Works for Windows1"'2.0

4SX-33

33MHz 486SX Intel Processor

4MB RAM

5.25" & 3.5" Diskette Drives

170MB 13ms IDE Hard Drive

Local Bus IDE Interface

Intel Pentium Technology Ready

Windows Accelerated Video w' I MB DRAM

14" Color CrystalScan 1024N1

Mini Desktop Case

5 16-Bit ISA Slots

124-Key AnyKey Keyboard

MS-DOS 6, Diags. Windows & Mouse

MS Warks for Windows 2.0

4DX-3S

33MHz 486DX Intel Processor

8MB RAM, 64K Cache

5.25" & 3.5" Diskette Drives

212MB 13ms IDE Hard Drive

Local Bus IDE Interlace

Intel Pentium Technology Ready

Windows Accelerated Video w/ 1MB DRAM

14" Color CrystalScan 1024N1

Mini Desktop Case

5 16-Bit ISA Slots

124-Key AnyKey Keyboard

MS-DOS 6. Diags. Windows & Mouse

MS Works for Windows 2.0

$1295

$1495

$1895

4DX2-50V

4DX2-66 BEST BUY

50MHz 486DX2 Intel Processor 8MB RAM, 64K Cache 5.25" & 3.5" Diskette Drives 212MB 13ms IDE Hard Drive Local Bus IDE Interface Intel Pentium Technology Readv ATI1" Ultra Pro Video w/IMB VRAM on VL-Bus™

15" Color CrystalScan 1572FS Desktop Case (Tower Upgrade) 7 16-Bit ISA Slots, 2 on VL-Bus 124-Key AnyKey Keyboard MS-DOS 6, Diags, Windows & Mouse Choice of Application Software

$2295

♦

4DX2-66E

66MHz 486DX2 Intel Processor

8MB RAM. 256K Cache

5.25" & 3.5" Diskette Drives

500MB 11ms SCSI Hard Drive

32-Bit EISA SCSI Controller

Windows Accelerated Video w/ 1MB DRAM

14" Color CrystalScan 1024NI

Tower Case

S 32-Bit EISA Slots

124-Key AnyKey Keyboard

MS-DOS 6. Diags. Windows & Mouse

Choice of Application Software

$3495

♦

FT 66MHz 486DX2 Intel Processor I 8MB RAM. 64K Cache B 3.5" Diskette Drive

■ CD-ROM Drive

■ 340MB 13ms IDE Hard Drive I Local Bus IDE Interface

■ Intel Pentium Technology Ready I Windows Accelerator w/IMB DRAM

on VL-Bus

■ 14" Color CrystalScan I024N1 I Desktop Case (Tower Upgrade) I 7 16-Bit ISA Slots, 2 on VL-Bus

■ 124-Key AnyKey Keyboard

I MS-DOS 6, Diags, Windows & Mouse

■ MS Multimedia Works. CD-ROM Edition

$2495

NOMAD 425SXL

25MHz 486SX Intel Processor

4MB RAM

3.5" Diskette Drive

120MB IDE Hard Drive

Backlit 10" VGA Screen, 64 Gray Scale

Simultaneous Video with 1MB

Size 8.5" x I l"x 1.8," 5.6 Lbs.

6-Hr. NiCad Battery & AC Pack

1 Parallel /1 Serial Port

79-Key Keyboard & FieldMouse™

MS-DOS and Windows

MS Works for Windows

$1995

GATEWAnOOO

4DX2-66V

66MHz 486DX2 Intel Processor

16MB RAM. 256K Cache

3.5" Diskette Drive

CD-ROM Drive

340MB 13ms IDE Hard Drive

Local Bus IDE Interface

Intel Pentium Technology Readv

ATI Ultra Pro Video w/IMB VRAM

on VL-Bus

15" Color CrystalScan 1572FS

Desktop Case (Tower Upgrade)

7 16-Bit ISA Slots, 2 on VL-Bus

124-Key AnyKey Keyboard

MS-DOS 6. Diags, Windows & Mouse

Choice of Application Software

BV7£

$2995

♦

Gl!©5AL REPEAT

"You've got a friend in the business."®

8 0 0-846-2058

610 Gateway Drive • P.O.Box 2000 • North Sioux City, SD 57049-2000 • 605-232-2000 • Fax 605-232-2023 Sales Hours: 7am- 10pm Weekdays. 9am-4pm Saturdays (CT)

NOMAD 450DXL

50MHz 486DX2 Intel Processor

3.5" Diskette Drive

Backlit 10" VGA Screen. 64 Gray Scale

Simultaneous Video with 1MB

Size 8.5" x 11" x 1.8," 5.6 Lbs.

6-Hr. NiCad Battery & AC Pack

1 Parallel /1 Serial Port

79-Key Keyboard & MS Ballpoint

MS-DOS. Windows & Works for Windows

$2495

(With 4MB RAM and 120MB Hard Drive)

$2995

(With 8MB RAM and 200MB Hard Drive)

All hard drive sizes are manufacturer's specified capacities. Microsoft MS-DOS 6 can increase hard drive capacity through software compression.

♦

<Z\ 993 Gateway 2000. Inc. AnyKey. black-and-white spot design. "G" logo and "You've gi : a friend in the business" slogan are registered trademarks, and CrystalScan and TelePmh are trademarks of Gateway 200(1. Inc. The Intel Inside Logo. Intel. Pentium and OverDrive are trademarks or registered trademark; of Intel Corporation. All other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Prices and configurations arc subject to change without notice. Prices do mil include shipping.

Feature

Readers' Choice Awards

he votes are in. BYTE readers have once again picked their favorite hardware and software products. Some of the winners are perennial favorites; some are surprises. Some won by a nose. IBM's ThinkPad, for example, unseated the Mac PowerBook, last year's winner in the notebook category, by a slim three votes. Some mighty products slid out of the top three slots altogether: It's still the market leader, but Lotus 1-2-3 was the fourth pick of our readers, with only half the votes of Quattro Pro for DOS. This year, we've added a new category: Company That Provides the Best Service to Its Customers.

These awards are important because they come from you, our readers. You use these products every day to do real work, in real working environments. The true test of a product's value isn't how many editors' awards it wins or how many boffo review blurbs it has in its ads, but how well it suits the needs of users. The winners on these pages are winners because they work for you; they help you get the job done.

Microsoft Windows 3.1

HP LaserJet 4

HARDWARE

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

HP LaserJet 4,

Hewlett-Packard

RUNNERS-UP: PowerBook Duo, Apple Computer Gateway 4DX2-66V,

Gateway 2000

DESKTOP COMPUTER PC

Gateway 4DX2-66V,

Gateway 2000

RUNNERS-UP: Compaq ProLinea,

Compaq Computer

Dell 466/T, Dell Computer

DESKTOP COMPUTER — MACINTOSH

Mac Quadra series,

Apple Computer

RUNNERS-UP: Mac Ilvi, Hci,

Apple Computer

WORKSTATION

IBM RS/6000,

IBM

RUNNERS-UP:

HP 9000, Hewlett-Packard

Iris Indigo, Silicon Graphics

LAPTOP/NOTEBOOK COMPUTER

IBM ThinkPad,

IBM

RUNNERS-UP: Mac PowerBook, Apple Computer Mac PowerBook Duo,

Apple Computer

HAND-HELD/ PALMTOP COMPUTER

Gateway HandBook,

Gateway 2000

RUNNERS-UP:

HP 95LX, Hewlett-Packard

Wizard, Sharp Electronics

MONITOR

MultiSync FG series,

NEC Technologies

RUNNERS-UP:

FlexScan T560i, Nanao USA

ViewSonic 7, ViewSonic

LASER PRINTER

HP LaserJet 4,

Hewlett-Packard

RUNNERS-UP: HP LaserJet Illsi, Hewlett-Packard HP LaserJet HIP,

Hewlett-Packard

MODEM

Practical Modem 9600SA,

Practical Peripherals

RUNNERS-UP: Satisfaxtion 400e, Intel Optima 144+, Hayes Microcomputer Products

JUNE 1993 BYTE 65

Feature

MultiSync FG

Gateway 4DX2-66V

VIDEO BOARD — DOS/WINDOWS

ATI Ultra series,

ATI Technologies

RUNNERS-UP: Stealth VRAM,

Diamond Computer Systems VGA Wonder XL,

ATI Technologies

VIDEO BOARD — MACINTOSH

Radius PrecisionCoIor,

Radius

RUNNERS-UP: Apple 24-Bit Color,

Apple Computer Thunder/24,

SuperMac Technology

ATI Graphics Ultra

Gateway HandBook

SOFTWARE

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Microsoft Windows 3.1,

Microsoft

RUNNERS-UP OS/2 2.0, IBM Quattro Pro for Windows,

Borland International

Mac Quadra 900

WORD PROCESSOR — DOS/WINDOWS

Word for Windows,

Microsoft

RUNNERS-UP: WordPerfect 5.1,

WordPerfect Ami Pro,

Lotus Development

WORD PROCESSOR — MACINTOSH

Word for Macintosh,

Microsoft

RUNNERS-UP: WordPerfect, WordPerfect MacWrite II, Claris

CAD PROGRAM — DOS/WINDOWS

AutoCAD release 12,

Autodesk

RUNNERS-UP: Generic CADD,

Autodesk Retail Products DesignCAD 3D, American Small Business Computers

CAD PROGRAM — MACINTOSH

Claris CAD,

Claris

RUNNERS-UP: DesignCAD for the Mac,

American Small Business

Computers

Vellum, Ashlar

CONTACT MANAGERS/ PIMS

Lotus Organizer,

Lotus Development

RUNNERS-UP: PackRat, Polaris Software ACT, Contact Software International

DATABASE MANAGER — DOS/WINDOWS

Paradox,

Borland International

RUNNERS-UP: FoxPro, Microsoft Access, Microsoft

DATABASE MANAGER — MACINTOSH

FileMaker Pro.

Claris

RUNNERS-UP:

4th Dimension, Acius

Omnis, Blyth Software

DATABASE CLIENT/SERVER

NetWare SQL.

Novell

RUNNERS-UP:

SQL Server, Microsoft/Sybase

Oracle Server, Oracle

DESKTOP PUBLISHING PROGRAM — DOS/WINDOWS

PageMaker,

Aldus

RUNNERS-UP: Ventura Publisher for Windows, Ventura Software FrameMaker for Windows,

Frame Technology

DESKTOP PUBLISHING PROGRAM — MACINTOSH

PageMaker,

Aldus

RUNNERS-UP: QuarkXPress, Quark Ventura Publisher,

Ventura Software

DESKTOP PUBLISHING PROGRAM — UNIX

FrameMaker,

Frame Technology

RUNNERS-UP: Interleaf, Interleaf Island Write, Draw & Paint,

Island Graphics

66 BYTE JUNE 1993

ssss**

YOUR HARD DISK JUST GOT DOURLE THE ELBOW ROOM.

Simply type it in and your disk has double the space*

All those files and applications you've accumulated won't cramp your style anymore. Now our integrated disk compression doubles your disk space. Easily. Invisibly. Safely. And our improved memory

management lets you extend your memory with just a few keystrokes. We've even added great new features

like backup, anti-virus and undelete tools for users of both MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows."

So if you need more space, integrated disk compression in the MS-DOS 6 Upgrade operating system makes it easy to stretch out.

Micms&ft

Making it easier

'Compression results may vary depending on system configuration. © 1993 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. For more information: In the SO United States, call (800) 22K-"007, Dept. RX3. Customers in Canada, call (800)563-9048; outside the 50 United Suites and Canada, contact your local Microsoft subsidiary or call (206) 936-8661. Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Feature

LJgfflfc

i

Microsoft Word for Windows

mmmmmmmmmm\mm

Fi!c Edit Search Run Compile Project Options V#nduw

Borland C++

M

M

iSILj^b!

■ .'in F-ir>*—

CorelDraw

E-MAIL AND WORKGROUP SOFTWARE — DOS/WINDOWS

Microsoft Mail,

Microsoft

RUNNERS-UP:

cc:Mail, Lotus Development

WordPerfect Office,

WordPerfect

E-MAIL AND WORKGROUP SOFTWARE — MACINTOSH

cc:Mail,

Lotus Development

RUNNERS-UP: Microsoft Mail, Microsoft QuickMail, CE Software

GRAPHICS PROGRAM — DOS/WINDOWS

CorelDraw,

Corel Systems

RUNNERS-UP: Adobe Illustrator,

Adobe Systems Designer, Micrografx

GRAPHICS PROGRAM — MACINTOSH

Adobe Illustrator,

Adobe Systems

RUNNERS-UP: MacDraw Pro, Claris Canvas, Deneba Systems

NETWORK OPERATING SYSTEM — PC

NetWare,

Novell

PageMaker 4.2

RUNNERS-UP:

Windows for Workgroups,

Microsoft

LANtastic, Artisoft

NETWORK OPERATING SYSTEM — MACINTOSH

NetWare,

Novell

RUNNERS-UP:

AppleShare, Apple Computer

MacTOPS, Sitka

PRESENTATION GRAPHICS — DOS/WINDOWS

Lotus Freelance Graphics,

Lotus Development

RUNNERS-UP: PowerPoint, Microsoft Harvard Graphics,

Software Publishing

PRESENTATION GRAPHICS — MACINTOSH

Persuasion,

Aldus

RUNNERS-UP: PowerPoint, Microsoft Cricket Presents, Computer Associates International

OPERATING SYSTEM/ ENVIRONMENT

Microsoft Windows 3.1,

Microsoft

RUNNERS-UP: MS-DOS 5.0, Microsoft OS/2 2.0, IBM

PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE — DOS/WINDOWS

Borland C++, Borland International

RUNNERS-UP:

Visual Basic, Microsoft

Turbo Pascal,

Borland International

PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE — MACINTOSH

Think C,

Symantec

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Project for Windows,

Microsoft

RUNNERS-UP: Time Line, Symantec Harvard Project Manager,

Software Publishing

SPREADSHEET — DOS/WINDOWS

Excel,

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Borland International Quattro Pro,

Borland International

SPREADSHEET — MACINTOSH

Excel,

Microsoft

RUNNERS-UP:

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Lotus

Wingz, Informix

UTILITIES — DOS/WINDOWS

Norton Utilities,

Symantec

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UTILITIES — MACINTOSH

Norton/Symantec Utilities for Macintosh,

Symantec

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Central Point Software SUM II, Symantec

COMPANY THAT PROVIDES THE BEST SERVICE

Gateway 2000

RUNNERS-UP:

WordPerfect

Microsoft

68 BYTE JUNE 1993

FOR A LIMITED

TIME YOU'LL HAND

OVER A LOT LESS.

This is your one chance to grab the MS-DOS' 6 Upgrade operating system at a price that's simply untouchable. Till May 31 you can get disk compression and improved memory management all for $49.99.

Now integrated disk compression easily doubles the space on your hard disk." And our improved memory management gives you

more free memory. In a snap.

To get information about this fantastic deal, call (800) 228-7007, Dept. RX3. Better yet, pick up the MS-DOS 6 Upgrade at your nearest reseller. Before this opportunity slips through your fingers.

Microsoft

Making it easier

"Offer good only in the SO United States, Reseller prices may vary. "Compression results may vary depending on system configuration. © 199.1 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. For more information: In the 50 United States, call [800) 228-7007, Dept. RX.l. For information only: Customers in Canada, call (800) 563-9048; outside the 50 United States and Canada, contact your

local Microsoft subsidiary or call (206) 936-8661. Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

We have laurels at Toshiba, we just don't

PRESENTING THE T44

REST ON THEM.

19 9 2

-WINNERPC Magazine Award (or Technical Excellence

Toshiba T44005XC

OurT4400Cs forefather, the legendary T4400SXC, captured

PC Magazines Technical Excellence and Editors' Choice Awards, PC World's World Class Award, and Byte's Award of Excellence.

ThenewT4400C is available with a blazing 25 MHz 486DX processor.

0 0 c

Immediately after capturing the "Editors' Choice" award from PC Magazine for our T4400SXC, we asked our engineers to better it.

They responded with the T4400C. A notebook that redefines what is possible in 486 color technology.

Take for example its TFTLCD active matrix color screen. We pioneered this technology and now we've advanced it even further by enlarging the screen to a full 9.5 inches. Amazingly, it provides an eyeball-popping 256 simultaneous colors at 640 x 480 resolution from a palette of 185,193 colors, making it the best TFT color display on the market.

If you think that's impressive, check what's under the hood. You'll find a choice of either a blistering new 25 MHz 486DX processor with a massive 200MB hard drive or the renowned 25 MHz 486SX with a 120MB hard drive. And both offer 4MB RAM expandable to 20MB.

Of course, if your needs are more modest, we offer a T4400SX with a large 9.5" monochrome LCD screen, a not-so-modest 25 MHz 486SX microprocessor and 120MB hard drive.

Our engineers even extended battery life. By offering such MaxTime™ power management features as automatic display and hard drive shut down, AutoResume and AutoSave.

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Our operators don't like resting either.

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© 1993 Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc.The Intel Inside logo is a trademark of Intel Corporation. All products indicated by trademark symbols are trademarked and/or registered by their respective manufacturers.

WithourT4400C,you

have a choice of either

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Cover Story

WIINDOWS, WINDOWS

I

A

Cover Story

EVERYWHERE?

If Microsoft has its way, one or another of its growing family of Windows operating systems will control everything from your cable TV box to your desktop PC, to your LAN, to your company's RISC-based multiprocessing superserver. The question Microsoft wants you to ask is not "Should I use Windows?" but rather "Which Windows should I use?"

JON UDELL

I

The chorus of voices asking the latter question swelled with the impending release of Windows NT. NT's advanced features are by now well known: microkernel architecture, portability, threaded symmetric multiprocessing, object-based security, and multiple operating-system personalities (see "Windows NT Up Close," October 1992 BYTE). Ironically, despite NT's considerable strengths, it could well be that a Windows 3.1 extender called Win32s (now shipping) or a more advanced 32-bit Windows-cum-DOS called Chicago (on the drawing board) will matter most to you.

In this article, I'll answer the question Microsoft wants you to ask: Which of the 16- and 32-bit variants of Windows are best for which purposes? But I'll also answer the question that Microsoft doesn't want you to ask: When might Unix, or OS/2, or NetWare, or the Macintosh be a better choice than Windows?

Redefining the PC

The PC industry achieved startling progress in its first decade thanks to a pair of de facto standards—the IBM PC and MS-DOS. The term personal computer was, for most computer users, a synonym for an Intel 80x86based machine that ran DOS. That definition began to change in 1990 when Windows 3.0 switched into 386 protected mode and delivered extended memory to the masses. Today the term personal computer is increasingly used to describe not a DOS machine but a Windows machine. What hasn't changed—until now—is the Intel chip at the heart of a Windows machine. But when you use Windows NT to run Windows applications on a personal computer built around a Mips R4000 or a DEC Alpha AXP CPU, you're riding the next wave of PC hardware and software evolution. Systems designers, liberated by NT's HAL (hardware abstraction layer), are avidly exploring RISC and multiprocessor technologies along with innovative I/O architectures.

"The PC industry has been in a quandary because the only competitive weapon was price," says Bill Glazier, director of Windows NT marketing for Mips Technologies (Mountain View, CA). Glazier helped Mips launch the Open Design Center, which licenses design kits to vendors who want

5 to build R4000-based PCs. Can this new species of RISC-based clone survive even as Darwinian forces thin the ranks of conventional clone makers?

5 Yes, proponents argue, by evolving in directions that systems built for

JUNE 1993 BYTE 73

Cover Story

The Windows Family Tree

Microsoft wants its GUI to cover almost all computing platforms

^m%

0 Windows 3.1, primarily for 386/486 desktop PCs, portable PCs, and Pentium PCs, offers a popular GUI with a large applications base.

Ct Modular Windows is currently found only on Tandy's VIS interactive TV system, but Microsoft hopes to see it in home automation devices, fax machines, and copiers. For developers, it brings a familiar API to these platforms and is less resource-hungry. For users, it offers a simplified Windows interface.

C) WinPad, yet to be announced, is Microsoft's GUI for handheld PCs and PDAs.

/ J

B

1—

r

O Windows for Pens adds handwriting recognition to mainstream applications.

v) Mobile Windows, yet to be announced, adds portable computing features such as hot docking and file reconciliation.

d Windows for Workgroups is Microsoft's peer networking environment. It features integrated E-mail and group scheduling.

9 Win32s is a higher-performance desktop environment, featuring a flat 32-bit memory model and the ability to run Windows NT binaries.

0 Windows NT for CISC is designed for high-performance workstations and servers. It is a portable, multithreaded environment. This extremely stable operating system is capable of symmetric multiprocessing, and it can run 16-bit DOS and Windows applications.

© Windows NT for RISC is planned to run on DEC Alpha AXP and Mips R4000 series systems at first. It cannot run DOS and Windows applications natively; it relies on a software emulator for that task.

(J) Chicago (aka Windows 4/MS-DOS 7) is the unannounced successor to Windows 3.1. It will feature support for threads, semaphores, and Bezier curves and might require as little as 4 MB of RAM to run.

DOS and 16-bit Windows can't follow.

The hardware competition that NT engenders—and, for users, the freedom of choice that it confers—goes far beyond the matter of RISC versus CISC. NT's arrival coincides with a generation of processors (including the Pentium, the R4000, and the Alpha series) designed to be yoked together in SMP (symmetric multiprocessing) systems. Built from the ground up to exploit SMP hardware, NT spells relief for the compute-bound Windows

application. Database engines and other server applications are obvious candidates for this treatment. "After porting our server to a stand-alone NT system," says Stuart Read, senior director of desktop marketing for Oracle (Redwood Shores, CA), "we were impressed that the same binary ran on NCR's eight-processor 3550."

Don't assume that SMP matters only for servers. Compute-intensive applications have put high-performance Unix workstations on the desktops of many en

gineers and scientists. Now the vendors of those applications are drooling at the prospect of moving them onto high-performance Windows workstations. NT's performance curve extends on a long, graceful arc through the Pentium and the R4000 to the world's fastest RISC CPU, the DEC Alpha AXP, and beyond that into the realm of SMP.

A dual-processor system won't automatically run twice as fast as a uniprocessor machine, for the same reason that a 32-bit

74 BYTE JUNE 1993

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NetWare Tailed and Approved

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Cover Story

program won't automatically double the speed of a 16-bit one. Performance can't scale linearly unless CPU throughput does, and processors already tend to leave their I/O subsystems in the dust. Fortunately, NT's clean separation from its supporting hardware encourages the sort of innovative design needed to break that logjam.

All in the Win32 Family

I have been writing Windows programs portably since Windows 3.1 came out. Originally that meant you could compile a single source file one way for Windows 3.1 and another way for Windows NT. Then a third target appeared: Win32s. Like the Windows extenders offered by Watcom and Rational Systems, Win32s gives Windows programs running on the 3.1 kernel access to linear 32-bit memory. Unlike these other extenders, however, Win32s runs NT binaries. It can't supply all the advanced NT features—threads, security, Bezier curves—that are missing from DOS and Windows 3.1. In fact, apart from the Win32 memory management APIs, it supplies virtually none of those advanced features.

Despite this deficiency, for which its name apologizes (the s denotes subset), Win32s will find many more users this year than will Windows NT. To see why, consider Spatial Technology's (Boulder, CO) ACIS, a 3-D modeling and rendering engine that grew up in the 32-bit Unix environment. Spatial is developing the Windows version of ACIS on Windows NT, but founder Dick Sowar is clear about where his market is. "We'll have some NT sales, but our primary focus is Windows 3.1," he notes. "We nan a lot faster on 32s than we do under NT on the same hardware. And it's an environment that's immediately available to more than 10 million Windows 3.1 users. We'll ship ACIS on 32s as soon as it's available." Mathcad from MathSoft (Cambridge, MA) will be another early Win32s adopter.

Who needs NT, then? Consider another Unix-based engineering application being readied for NT, Pro/Engineer from Parametric Technology (Waltham, MA). Win32s does provide linear memory, says vice president of development Mike Payne, "but to handle our 17 MB of code you need a real virtual memory manager, not the poor excuse you find in Windows 3.1." Payne says the Win32 version of Pro/Engineer performs well under a beta version of NT on both Intel and R4000 hardware, and he expects it will take a growing share of sales relative to the Hewlett-Packard, Silicon Graphics, and Sun versions.

NT has more going for it than a better virtual memory manager. After running it for many months, I've concluded it's the most robust system I've used since VMS. That's no coincidence, since NT lead architect David Cutler ran the VMS development effort while at DEC and then brought his team with him to Microsoft. A company that's betting its business on an application probably shouldn't construct it on a sandy DOS/Windows foundation. The choice then becomes Unix, OS/2, or NT. All have the credentials to handle the job.

The lure of NT is source and binary compatibility with Windows 3.1. NT handles Windows binaries better than the others, because it maps Windows API calls directly into the Win32 subsystem. That means 16-bit binaries spend a fair chunk of their time running in native Win32 mode on CISC or RISC platforms. If you decide to convert a Windows 3.1 program into a Win32 program (and if you've followed some simple portability guidelines), you'll spend more time writing a new make file than you'll spend editing code.

A PC in a Workstation

While Windows itself is arguably no better a GUI than X/Motif or OS/2's Presentation Manager, moving a line-of-business application onto a capable Windows platform such as NT offers distinct advantages. Companies that deploy workstations today typically find PCs popping up alongside those workstations. Why? When they are not trading stocks or doing finite element analysis or designing circuit boards, these people want to write letters and run personal schedulers—and they seem to want to do these things in Windows.

That's one reason Intergraph (Huntsville, AL) is porting NT to its RISC-based Clipper workstation line, as well as porting its entire suite of CAD/CAM applications from Intergraph's proprietary Unix to Windows. "It's interesting that the solution to merging the functions of a workstation and a PC into one box is turning out to be a down-market approach [Windows] instead of an up-market one [Unix]," says public relations director Jim Ruester.

The move to NT does a number of other important things for the world's fifthlargest workstation maker. NT opens up

Who Needs Windows NT?

Power users

who need a stable platform on which to multitask 32-bit Windows applications and 16-bit DOS and Windows applications

LAN administrators

who need a robust, scalable platform for use with 32-bit server applications

Intergraph's Clipper, which has been labeled a closed and proprietary RISC architecture. It also radically simplifies Intergraph's mission to move its software onto Intel and alternative RISC platforms. The reliable sameness of NT means Intergraph can diversify its hardware platforms without hacking through a forest of differing Unix APIs.

Moreover, Windows' rich environment will be fertile ground for Intergraph's software. "All kinds of useful spin-offs can happen when you put the engineering software side by side with the business and personal productivity applications," says Tom Steele, Intergraph's executive vice president of software systems. "An OLE that's attached to a spreadsheet is very interesting to us." He adds that the messaging and peer-networking technology that NT shares with Windows for Workgroups will slide neatly underneath the workflow features in Intergraph's applications suite.

Chicago and the Fear of OS/2

Lurking offstage is an even newer Windows sibling, an integrated DOS/Windows system called Chicago (aka Windows 4/MS-DOS 7) that will run yet another variant of the Windows API, Win32c. Details are sketchy; Microsoft understandably doesn't want to sabotage NT's moment of glory. Sources reveal, however, that Chicago is precisely the sort of "NT Lite" that Microsoft claims it is not.

Indications are that Win32c will occupy a midpoint along a curve that connects Win32s to Win32, supporting threads, semaphores, and Beziers but not Unicode or security. By sacrificing portability and the SMP option, this new 32-bit Windows will target 80x86 processors and the Pentium in configurations as lean as 4 MB.

For some software developers who were badly burned by Microsoft's handling of OS/2, Windows NT (in light of Chicago) creates a disturbing sense of deja vu. "OS/2 was the direction," says one prominent tool vendor, "and then they made Windows better and killed it. Now NT's the direction, and here they go making Windows better again."

But other observers relish the prospect of an API that's fuller than Win32s and bound to a more capable low-end Windows. Spreading Windows more smoothly

T8 BYTE JUNE 1993

WHY OKIDATA REINVENTED THE LASER PRINTER.

Conventional laser printers rely on a multi-part system of moving laser beams, rotating mirrors and focusing lenses to create each page of output. Sound complicated? It is. That's why Okidata engineers replaced it with a solid-state LED printhead producing 2,560 precise points of light.

Okidata's no-moving-parts printhead comes with a 5-year warranty the industry's longest. But it's only one reason to choose the Okidata OL400 4 ppm printer for professional-quality

THE

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Circle 122 on Inquiry Card.

Cover Story

Mips Challenges Intel on Its Own Turf

TOM R. HAUFHILL

Iips Technologies (Mountain View, CA), a relatively small chip-design house owned by Silicon Graphics, hopes Windows NT will enable its highly regarded RISC processors to challenge Intel's decade-long grip on the mass market for PCs. Raw speed isn't a problem for Mips processors. The clock-doubled 50-/100-MHz R4000, which costs about the same as a 33-MHz Intel 486 (around $400 in 1000piece quantities), runs two to four times as fast. The 75-/150-MHz R4400, scheduled for volume production in June, costs about the same as a 66-MHz Pentium (less than $1000) and runs about twice as fast as Intel's flagship processor. Today, Mips's processors are a trickle in the torrent of 80x86-compatible chips entering the PC market every year. Intel's high-volume manufacturing facilities ensure a healthy supply of chips, and its competitors (AMD and Cyrix) help keep prices in check. Mips has responded by licensing production of the R4000 series to six independent suppliers: Integrated Device Technology, LSI Logic, NEC Electronics, Performance Semiconductor, Siemens Components, and Toshiba.

Even if Mips can get supply and price under control, it's going to be hard to convince PC clone makers that a RISC PC is viable. Designing new systems around high-speed RISC chips is a daunting task. Many PC vendors weakened by last year's price wars can no longer afford major R&D efforts.

Mips Sowing Seeds

To seed the development of R4000based systems, Mips recently founded the ODC (Open Design Center) in Mountain View. The ODC sells design kits that enable doners to jump from using an 80x86 to using the R4000. One kit includes a reference motherboard for building systems specifically tuned to Mips processors; another has an under$20 pair of ASICs (application-specific ICs) that allow vendors to adapt the

R4000 to existing 486 motherboards. Either way, just add memory, peripherals, and Windows NT, and you've got a complete R4000 system that Mips suggests will be a Pentium killer.

One of the ODC's first customers is Carrera Computers, a start-up company in Laguna Hills, California. In February, Carrera began selling R4000 motherboards based on one of the ODC's reference designs. Sized to fit standard AT cases and intended for high-performance workstations or servers, the $4995 board includes a 1280- by 1024-pixel localbus video controller, 2 MB of VRAM (video RAM), SIMM slots for memory expansion to 256 MB, four EISA slots, a SCSI-2 connection, an Ethernet port, parallel and serial ports, and PS/2-standard keyboard and mouse ports.

Carrera founder and chairman Brace Faust believes that PC vendors will adopt RISC because it is economically sound and technically painless. While Carrera's motherboard complies with the ARC (Advanced RISC Computing) specification, he says that in the long run "ARC won't matter a hill of beans." ARC features, such as an EISA bus, SCSI, and built-in networking, can be omitted from the kind of bare-bones boxes that PC clone vendors like to sell. In fact, Carrera is working on a lowerpriced R4000 motherboard that does just that. Faust claims that by the end of this year you'll be able to buy a $3500 RISC PC that delivers four times the performance of a 66-MHz 486DX2.

Acer Develops PICA

Ronald Chwang, CEO of Acer America (San Jose, CA), makes a similar claim. Acer, however, is taking a very different approach. Rather than adopting a Mips reference design, the company has developed a new system architecture called PICA (Performance-Enhanced I/O and CPU Architecture). "As CPU power continues to increase," says Chwang, "you must innovate to bring I/O bandwidth into balance with it. NT encourages us to do that."

At the core of Acer's minicomputerlike design is a 64-bit, 200-MBps bus connecting the R4000, memory, video,

and a 64-bit, four-channel I/O processor that gives each channel independent DMA and bus-mastering capability. Integral Ethernet and SCSI I/O attached to those channels goes faster than it would on an EISA bus, and the design eliminates the prohibitive cost of EISA bus-mastering logic. A standard AT-bus controller does, however, support ISA cards.

PICA chip sets and motherboards not only will be found in Acer systems, but also will be licensed to other vendors through the ODC. A typical configuration may include a 50-/100-MHz R4000 chip, 16 MB of RAM, a 200-MB SCSI hard drive, a CD-ROM drive, a floppy drive, an accelerated video card on the video bus, built-in Ethernet, and a SCSI2 port. The cost of such a configuration will be around $3500 (not including monitor).

PICA will compete with another new post-AT architecture—Intel's PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect). Not simply a rival to the VL-Bus local-bus standard, PCI is actually a sweeping next-generation system architecture that just happens to support ISA and EISA for backward compatibility with old expansion boards. Like Acer, Intel offers a complete chip set that makes it easier for PC vendors to implement the new architecture; like Mips and the ODC, Intel is offering a reference motherboard that anyone can copy or modify.

A significant difference between PCI and PICA is that Intel's PCI supports any microprocessor, even non-80x86 and non-Intel chips. The current version of Acer's PICA works only with the Mips R4000 series, although Acer says future versions could support other chips as well. What PCI and PICA have in common is high performance, backward compatibility with the familiar AT bus, and a balanced approach to system architecture.

Windows NT is shaping up as the battleground not only for next-generation microprocessors, but also for next-generation PC system architectures.

Tom R. Halfhill is a BYTE senior news editor. You can reach him on BIX as "thalfhill."

SO BYTE JUNE 1993

Cover Story

32-bit memory data path parts

Three ISA slots

SIMM RAM slots

Memory controller (to PICA bus)

Data path I/O

CPU controller

32-bit data path parts

50-MHz Mips R4000 CPU

Secondary cache slot

I/O controller Video I/O slot

The PICA Mips motherboard.

Video controller

SIMM RAM

Four EISA expansion slots

50-MHz Mips R4000 CPU

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The ODC/Carrera Mips reference-design motherboard.

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Cover Story

across the hardware spectrum will only enhance NT's prospects, according to this view. "We were tickled to hear about Chicago," says one developer, "although we can understand their need to downplay it right now, because it sure might confuse people about NT."

Choosing Appropriate Technology

The "Windows everywhere" strategy, insofar as it unites systems ranging from laptops to superservers, makes a great deal of sense. DOS and Windows will continue to dominate at the low end. They're appropriate technologies for today's laptops and for some desktop systems. On the desktop, however, the boundaries will blur. Windows 3.1 (with or without Win32s), Chicago, and NT will each find a niche, determined by your hardware resources and your needs and preferences.

My 8-MB 386/25 runs Windows for Workgroups and Win32s nicely, and I expect it will handle Chicago just fine also, but I wouldn't burden it with NT. My 16MB 486/50, on the other hand, is a good NT machine. Using it as a workstation, I appreciate its stability and responsive multitasking. I also use it as a file server and as a platform for SQL Server.

A beta version of SQL Server runs on my NT machine now, but for some months before it was available I ran the shipping version of SQL Server 4.2, which is an OS/2 application—and a demanding one, too. I never really expected that NT's OS/2 emulator could rise to the occasion. Amazingly, it did, and I then used that configuration to test a series of SQL Server clients. Microkernel theory says that if memory management, thread scheduling, synchronization, and other services are imple

NT-Ready PCs

mented correctly, the microkernel can support any advanced operating system in a robust manner. My experience with NT's OS/2 subsystem suggests that the theory is correct, and it hints at the power and flexibility of NT.

So is NT for workstations or for servers? I say both. Clearly it's a server platform. But I also believe that my mission is as critical as a server's. Therefore, I'll use NT (hardware permitting), because when Windows 3.1 suffers from one of its unpredictable seizures, I waste time reestablishing my context and sometimes lose data. Obviously, NT's appetite for hardware:—on Intel platforms, you'll want 12 to 16 MB of RAM and a 486—precludes that choice for most users today.

Even if you can run NT, however, you might opt to trade its stability (which costs you system overhead) for the speed you could wring out of Windows 3.1 running Win32s applications on the same hardware. The point isn't which one you choose, but simply that you have a choice. A wide selection of Windows applications will be available everywhere, because their common API invites them to migrate freely among Windows platforms.

Microsoft argues, with some justification, that the common API will also ease the development of client/server applications. Today such applications often

10,889,

486-class system sales (1991

■1992)

Dataquest estimates that nearly 11 million 486-class PCs were sold during 1991 and 1992. This represents a mere 7.7 percent of the installed base of PCs still in use that could be NT-ready. An undetermined number of those 486 systems, however, are unable to run Windows NT without memory or storage upgrades.

Windows Weaknesses

WEAKNESS

No distributed global directory service to track network resources

GUI not fully integrated with operating system

Lacks vector and polygon primitives and 2-D/3-D programming abstractions

Not yet wellintegrated for portable systems

V\\

WHO DOES IT BETTER?

NetWare, Vines, Unix

Mac

Specialized Unix workstations

Mac

span Unix, OS/2, or NetWare servers and Windows clients. That forces developers to grapple with two hairy APIs instead of one. "It's not an issue if you are using packaged server software," says Oracle's Read, noting that many TCP/IP products for Windows support the use of Unix-based Oracle servers. "But if you are doing your own client/ server development,

then yes, the common API will save you

headaches."

Pen Computing with Windows

When was the last time you saw someone using a pen-based system on an airplane? The typical user of a pen system today might be walking along a highway inspecting power lines for Detroit Edison or taking inventory in a K-Mart warehouse. The system of choice for these mobile data-collection tasks is a GridPad running PenDOS.

Waiting in the wings are two elegant solutions in search of a problem: Microsoft Windows for Pens, and PenPoint from Go Corp. Microsoft's rather nifty extension to Windows 3.1 defines an evolutionary path from mainstream Windows applications to pen-enabled ones, to fully pencentric ones. Go's revolutionary PenPoint forgoes continuity with the desktop and invents its own arguably superior notebook user interface. Unfortunately, neither approach matters much to a Detroit Edison power-line inspector, whose reaction to the Microsoft mantra " Windows everywhere" would probably be "Huh?"

There may yet be a role for pen or tablet systems that run mainstream text, graphics, spreadsheet, and database applications, as distinct from PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) used for scheduling and communication. Think of the pen system as a yellow legal pad and the PDA as a pocket calendar; you have one of each and use them at different times for different purposes. If pen systems go horizontal, Windows for Pens stands to benefit enormously from its family connections. It adds value to standard Windows software running on a pen system, and it offers developers of pencentric applications a familiar

82 BYXE JUNE 1993

When protecting your software against piracy and unauthorized use, make sure that your protection system has all the following qualities:

A GOOD HARDWARE KEY

Hardware-based software protection systems are now the standard worldwide. However, not all keys are the same. A good key should have all the following features:

s/ Compatibility and transparency. The key should work without any problem on your customers' computers. The user should be able to forget the key after connecting it.

\/ Unbreakable electronics. A customized ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) component should be integrated in the key. This prevents reverse engineering and makes cracking virtually impossible.

\/ A unique and inaccessible software developer's

code burnt into the ASIC. (This code should not be held in the key's memory, where it can be read and altered.)

y/ A Read/Write Memory inside the key should be available on demand. The memory should be writable in the field, on any PC, without any special programming equipment.

%/ Very low power consumption, enabling the key to work even under the worst power conditions, on PCs and laptops, with or without a printer.

POWERFUL SOFTWARE

t/ A Linkable Protection Module with which calls can be made to the key from any point in the protected program.

V An "Envelope" installation program. Such programs enhance security while making it possible to protect a software even without its source code.

Ir Sophisticated antidebugging and encryption mechanisms

HASP - The Professional Software Protection System

HASP® OFFERS YOU ALL THESE FEATURES AND MORE:

HASP was designed by a team of computer experts, professional cryptologists, and electrical engineers. As a result, HASP keys are supported by what is probably the best software in the market, and the HASP system has worked on every computer it has been tried on. In addition to all the features mentioned above, HASP provides:

V A Full Authorization System for protecting dozens of programs using only one key.

/ A Pattern Code Security System (PCS) enabling parallel processing of multiple calls by the Linkable Protection Module.

\/ A Virus Detection option that can be incorporated in the protected program to check whether it has been infected by a virus.

V Several HASP keys can be connected (daisychained) one behind the other.

NETHASP- THE ULTIMATE SOFTWARE PROTECTION FOR NETWORKS

>/ Only one NetHASP key is needed to run a protected program from many stations in a network. NetHASP provides full support for protecting DOS and WINDOWS software under network environments, including Novell dedicated & non-dedicated servers, Lan Manager, Lantastic, Banyan, DLink, and NET-BIOS based LANs.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT US:

In all the products we tested, except the HASP, we could see through the encrypting and questioning procedures... and crack them.

CT Magazine (Germany) May '90

MemoHASP: ...of all the protection devices tested is without any doubt, the one which combines the best features.

PCompatible (Spain) Dec. '90

Trying to crack a program... that was protected utilizing all of HASP'S features - is like searching for the Holy Grail.

Micro Systems (France) Dec. '90

PC dongles... come with varying claims as to their transparency. The majority suffer from problems when a printer is connected... the DESkey and HASP-3 are not affected...

Program Now (Britain) May '92

Of all keys tested, HASP is the most ambitious one... the quality of HASP manufacturing seems excellent.

PC Compatible (France) June '92

OPERATING ENVIRONMENTS

• PC: DOS, WINDOWS, OS/2, SCO UNIX,

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• NEC (Serial Port): DOS, WINDOWS

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■ Australia Conlab Pty. Ltd., Tel: 3 8985685 ■ Belgium Akkermans bvba, Tel: 3 2338826 ■ CSFR ATLAS Ltd., Tel+Fax: 2 766085 ■ Chile Micrologics S A Tel562 222 1388 ■ Denmark SC Metric a/s, Tel: 42 804200 ■ France Logidata Intl., Tel: 50707375 ■ Germany CSS GmbH. Tel: 201 749860 ■ Greece Unibrain SA Tel: 1 6856320 ■ Holland Akkermans BV, Tel: 45 241444 ■ Italy Partner Data S.r.l., Tel: 2 33101709 ■ Korea Dae-A Engineering Tel- 2 848 4481 ■ New Zealand Training , Tel: 4 5666014 ■ Poland Systherm Tel: 61 475 065 ■ Portugal Futurmatica Ida., Tel: 1 4116269 ■ South Africa D Le Roux Tel- 11 886 4704

■ Spain PC Hardware, Tel: 3 4493193 ■ Switzerland Opag AG, Tel: 61 7112245 ■ Taiwan Teco Ltd., Tel: 2-555 9676 ■ Turkey Mikrobeta Ltd., Tel: 4-4677504

Circle 63 on Inquiry Card.

Cover Story

Many Processors, Many Threads

BOB RYAN

What one processor can do, two can do faster, and three can do even faster than that. That's multiprocessing theory. Between theory and working multiprocessor systems, however, lies a gulf that can be bridged only by some complex and expensive technologies. Shared memory buses and cachecoherency protocols have been in use for many years and have found their way into a number of commercial computers, but as yet multiprocessing hasn't had much of an impact on the marketplace.

Windows NT may well change all that. According to Tom Hiel, systems engineer of NCR's multiprocessing product group, "The key enabler of multiprocessing is an operating system that delivers it." NCR, which was to unveil a line of Pentium-based multiprocessing machines in May, expects healthy competition. AST Research, Compaq, Sequent, Siemens Nixdorf, and Wyse are among the companies that will introduce NT

port. SCO Unix and Unix System V release 4.0 achieve multiprocessing by means of kernel extensions. According to Mike Flanary, senior product manager for the Workstation Division at NCR, NT's built-in multiprocessing ports more readily and runs faster than

Multiprocessing Architecture

Multiprocessing NT systems employ a shared-memory architecture where each CPU has equal access to the common memory store. based symmetric multiprocessing Cache-coherency protocols ensure that processors accessing the systems. These companies and same memory locations have the most up-to-date version of the -\ __, . , common data in their caches.

others expect NT to jump-start the

multiprocessor market.

For NT, a uniprocessor machine is a degenerate case. Built from the ground up for SMP (symmetric multiprocessing), the NT kernel simply allocates threads to as many processors as are available. In a four-processor machine, the four highest-priority threads will always be running simultaneously. The kernel tracks threads that are ready to run along with their associated priorities, and it automatically handles multiprocessor load balancing.

This approach differs from how Unix systems—except Mach-based ones—deliver multiprocessing sup

programming environment. However, in a pen market dominated by field data collection, these synergies aren't very compelling.

the bolt-on kind.

The key to NT's multiprocessing support is its HAL (hardware abstraction layer). The HAL provides the kernel with a consistent view of the hardware, whether the system has one processor or 10. Different hardware doesn't require a different kernel, only a different HAL. All NT applications that run on a uniprocessor system will run on a multiprocessor system. "The HAL is the device driver for the box," says Dave Becker, manager of server marketing at Wyse (San Jose, CA).

NT can't handle all multiprocessing hardware; it supports symmetrical mul

tiprocessors only. The system must support cache coherency at the hardware level, and individual processors must be able to run any thread and service any interrupt or exception. This latter condition has an interesting side effect. Even if your application is not multithreaded, it can still get a boost from multiprocessing hardware, because NT system threads such as I/O service routines can run in parallel with the application code. What's involved in writing a HAL? According to Becker, it takes about 20,000 lines of C code. NCR's Flanary says that writing HAL code is the majority of the work required to port NT. Most multiprocessing systems will be sold as expensive highperformance servers. Sequent, for example, will play prominently in that market. Some companies, however, see an important role for multiprocessing desktop machines. NCR in particular plans to target compute-bound desktop applications, such as CAD, imaging, and desktop publishing, with its Pentium multiprocessors. Wyse also sees a role for SMP on the desktop, especially in engineering workstations. "The final nail in the coffin of workstation/PC differentiation is a localbus [multiprocessing] PC running NT," says Becker.

The multiprocessor vendors believe they can compete against hot uniprocessing workstations. The Alpha series, Mips R4x00MC, and Pentium chips all accommodate multiprocessor designs, so "it all comes down to cost/ performance," says NCR's Flanary. NT gives multiprocessing vendors a platform that lets them innovate for performance while maintaining compatibility with a large software base.

Bob Ryan is a BYTE technical editor. You can reach him on BIX as "b.ryan."

Let's Get Small

Synergies are even harder to nail down in the case of the junior member of the Windows family, Modular Windows. Execut

ing in a megabyte of ROM on Tandy's Video Information System (a 286-based CD-ROM player), Modular Windows displays on your TV and takes input from an

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Cover Story

eight-button hand controller. It jettisons large chunks of Windows, including Program Manager, multitasking, overlapped windows, and menus, in order to meet two requirements: stuff Windows into a megabyte, and simplify its GUI for the interactive TV user. What's left is about two-thirds of the Windows API plus an assortment of user-interface controls (cartoon-like buttons and scroll bars) and APIs (for managing the hand controller, direct video access, and the Tandy VIS memory cartridge).

A Modular Windows program bears a family resemblance to a regular Windows program, but the two are cousins once removed. The Modular Windows Software Development Kit comes with a version of the Reversi game that compiles for both platforms, but only thanks to large chunks of conditional code that are specific to Modular Windows. The adapted Visual Basic included with the SDK can help smooth over the differences, and Microsoft's latest multimedia authoring toolkit will build reference titles for Modular Windows, Windows 3.1/MPC, and Sony's MMCD Player from a single set of assets. Despite these aids, however, developers targeting the home entertainment market may ultimately find Modular Windows' relationship to Win- ^^^^^^^^^^_

"If I had a gun I'd shoot my PC; it can't even do a 20-page newsletter without having a spasm. I grew up with real systems, like VMS. If that's what Microsoft has in NT, I'm all for it."

Nina Lytton, editor,

Open Systems Advisor

(Boston, MA)

dows less useful than Microsoft claims, just because TVs and computers are still very different animals.

The value of the relationship gets even more tenuous if you imagine, as Microsoft does, that Modular Windows will be used to control intelligent cable boxes, high-end fax machines and copiers, and home automation systems. Microsoft won't say who's experimenting with Modular Windows for these purposes, and none of the likely candidates are talking, either.

Even though these kinds of devices won't run anything that's remotely like standard Windows applications, Craig Mundie, Microsoft's general manager for advanced consumer technologies, claims their relationship to Windows is critical.

"As Microsoft crams more and more of the network into the operating system, the distinction between client and server gets harder and harder to tell. This is threatening to Novell. The camel's nose is in the tent."

Paul Giraldi,

vice president

of sales,

Valinor, Inc.

(Fort Lee, NJ)

He cites familiar programming tools and procedures as factors that will speed Modular Windows-based software's time to market. Perhaps, but Windows has by no means yet proved that it can effectively serve that market. "We have a hard enough time even getting our customers to consider DOS," says Vincent D'Amico, director of software development for MicroTouch (Wilmington, MA), a touchscreen manufacturer focused on gaming and point-of-sale applications.

While the lone example of the Tandy VIS running Modular Windows isn't much support for sweeping claims about Windows' downward scalability, Microsoft is pursuing a series of initiatives to further shrink Windows and adapt it for nomadic use. There's no time to lose. It is hardly an accident that the Mac PowerBook has become the mobile ^^^^^^^^^_ machine of choice for the traveling businessperson. With its compelling combination of ROM-resident software, elegantly built hardware, and easy-to-use fax and remote networking, the PowerBook defines what the portable Windows machine has yet to achieve.

Microsoft reportedly has yet other versions of Windows for portable systems in the works. Mobile Windows, or MobiWin for short, is targeted at notebooks and subnotebooks. It will add features such as hot docking, which automatically synchronizes the configurations of both the computer and the docking station, and file reconciliation to the standard Windows, according to Gerry Purdy, vice president and chief analyst for mobile computing at Dataquest (San Jose, CA).

uses what Purdy describes as "elevators and floors." For example, on the desktop you have the real estate to manage tiling Windows. When the screen gets small, you don't have that luxury. So, instead, you stack the windows, one on top of the other, and select them by choosing "elevator" buttons.

Cracks in the Continuum

What "Windows everywhere" mostly means, for now, is that Windows runs both workstation and server applications. Microsoft also wants Windows to run your network, but that's easier said than done.

Despite the nifty workgroup capabilities of Windows for Workgroups and Windows NT, you can't get full-blown enterprise networking with just one stop at the Microsoft shop. What's missing? Most notably, a distributed global directory service that tracks all of an organization's human, hardware, and software resources. Also, Windows has no directory service. Even the advanced NT server, which will implement LAN Manager-style replicated administrative domains and support authentication between "trusted domains," won't match the capabilities of Novell's NetWare Directory Service, Banyan's StreetTalk, or the ONC-style (Open Network Computing) and DCE-style (Distributed Computing Environment) directory services sweeping the Unix community.

"NT will have a domain-based name service," says Jamie Lewis, an analyst for the Burton Group (Salt Lake City, UT), "but not a true global directory." NT's support for DCE RPCs (remote procedure calls) enables developers to distribute services across a mixture of NT and Unix platforms, but how will those services be advertised and located? NT won't initially support the DCE directory service. Cairo, a future version of Windows that's being designed to weave OLE, RPCs, and the NT file system into a distributed object system, won't solve the directory problem anytime soon.

Add to this technical challenge Microsoft's historical inability to sell network software to corporations, which is shown once again by WFW's lackluster sales

WinPad is a GUI for hand-held PCs. It performance. In fact, WFW is an under

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Cover Story

Windows graphics still lag, but not for long

Despite Windows' graphical face, its raster-based GDI (Graphical Device Interface) lacks the vector and polygon primitives and the 2-D/3-D programming abstractions necessary for advanced illustration, CAD/CAM, and visualization applications. Such primitives and abstractions serve two purposes: They simplify programming, and they create hooks for vastly better hardware support than today's local video buses and Windows accelerators can provide.

NT's GDI enhancements—paths, Bezier curves, 2-D transforms—help only slightly. Windows can enter the 3-D graphics workstation arena riding

on the shoulders of NT, but to compete successfully there, it needs to grow a better graphics API.

The good news is that Microsoft has licensed Silicon Graphics' renowned OpenGL. The bad news is that it won't be included in the first release of NT. Microsoft and Silicon Graphics are working to integrate OpenGL with GDI, but that's a complex task that will probably occur in stages. Some vendors can't wait. "We'll have an OpenGL interface in our first release," says Intergraph's Tom Steele. NEC Technologies (Boxborough, MA) will also offer OpenGL support for its forthcoming

The Windows GDI is not well suited for applications such as this simulation of airflow around a sphere, shown running on a RISC platform. (Photo courtesy of Research Systems, Boulder, CO)

R4000-based NT workstation.

Mike Mitsch, group manager of computer systems marketing for NEC, sees a strong need for commercial OpenGL-based software, even on hardware that doesn't have a graphics pipeline. "Brokers want to visualize the behavior of hundreds of stocks along multiple dimensions, and GDI just wasn't built that way," he says.

Win32 applications that adopt OpenGL will be able to do such things with relative ease, and on platforms that accelerate OpenGL, they'll do them in real time. Boardlevel OpenGL accelerators for RISC PCs are one likely development. If GDI and OpenGL do merge successfully—and Bill Glazier of Mips emphasizes that "we're not going to accept any kludged solution"—NT could well become a highly strategic operating system for Silicon Graphics workstations.

The fact remains that NT won't deliver high-performance graphics in its first release. But no one's complaining bitterly, either. System builders and software developers think that the Microsoft/Silicon Graphics relationship is taking NT graphics in the right direction.

appreciated gem. MIS people who gave it a bad rap. fearing the peer server would compromise centralized data management, missed the point completely. The server is an optional convenience.

The real value of WFW lies in the workgroup pieces, such as Mail, Schedule+, and MAPI (Messaging API), that can add complementary (and centrally manageable) services to an existing server-based LAN such as NetWare. Why wasn't this message ever heard? No one delivered it. Microsoft lacks Novell's army of resellers and Sun Microsystems' battalion of direct salespeople.

In the case of NT, the message is even more compelling. The basic product, for example, bundles a remote-access service

that handles asynchronous and even X.25 connections. The X.25 support is particularly important to any company that wants to export network services worldwide using a packet-switched network. "But no matter how good NT's networking may be," says Lewis, "Microsoft won't make a dent in Novell's business until it builds its own channel."

United Unix

Leading Unix vendors, including HP, IBM, The Santa Cruz Operation, Sun, and Univel, recently linked arms and proclaimed an end to the windowing and network wars that have splintered the Unix community. All these vendors now promise to ship X Window System 11 and Motif, along with

ONC, DCE, and the NetWare client protocols. "We'll finally be dealing from the same source base," says Dave Taber, group marketing manager for SunSoft (Mountain View, CA). It may be ironic that only the specter of NT could precipitate this long-overdue move, but the fact remains that a united Unix—if it materializes— will be a force to reckon with.

NT lacks Unix's multiuser foundation and its ability to export both charactermode and graphical interfaces through asynchronous and network connections. A third party, Citrix Systems (Coral Springs, FL), will add these capabilities to NT—as it has already done admirably for OS/2—but they're not part of the basic NT product. Although NT does maintain

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Cover Story

a database of users to support its roie as a peer server, Citrix's multiuser version of NT is a major undertaking that upgrades NT's user and session management, optimizes its scheduler, and implements protocols for charactermode and graphics terminals.

If Microsoft can fairly claim that Unix wasn't built from the ground up for symmetrical multitasking, Unix vendors can with equal fairness point out that NT wasn't built to support multiple users logged in from remote terminals. If you think that's irrelevant in the 1990s, try selling your local video store an upgrade from Xenix to a Windows LAN.

Unix also owns the high ground in networking and distributed computing. NT owes its favorable reception among network cognoscenti largely to its adoption of Unix network protocols such as TCP/IP. sockets, and DCE RPCs. However, Windows networking is still biased toward the nonroutable NetBEUI protocol, and it has a long way to go before it can match the sophistication and worldwide reach of Unix networking.

NT'S ARCHITECTS SPEAK

Dave Thompson and Lou Perazzoli are key architects of Windows NT: They're the development managers for networking and the base system, respectively. Both had been working with DEC's VMS operating system prior to moving to Microsoft. Perazzoli, in fact, was part of the VMS development team headed by David Cutler, who is now NT's chief architect at Microsoft. BYTE's West Coast bureau chief Andy Reinhardt interviewed them for this article.

The IBM Factor

Like Microsoft, IBM will field a family of nonportable and portable operating systems. "With such a wide range of hardware available," says John Soyring, director of software development programs, "no single operating system can cover them all." DOS and OS/2 are highly tuned for Intel processors, he says, while AIX couples tightly with the RS/6000. But IBM also sees the need for a portable, microkernel-based system, and it will begin to beta-test one later this year.

The forthcoming Workplace OS, built on a Mach 3.0 derivative, sounds a lot like NT. It will integrate multiple personalities— at least DOS, 16-bit Windows, OS/2, and AIX—under a future version of the Workplace Shell. ^^^^ The System Object Model, which is the innovative object technology that powers the extensible Workplace Shell, will support distributed objects that communicate using TCP/IP sockets or DCE RPCs. Meanwhile, IBM continues to im

BYTE: I'm interested in the notion that you were able to look back at the history of midrange and large systems and select which operating-system features to migrate down.

PERAZZOLI: In fact we did that. We looked at the Unix standards and some of the things people did on mainframes with databases. We had done a lot of this at DEC, because at DEC we were designing a new operating system and we knew what limitations they had with VMS and what limitations they had in their Unix operating systems. We gained a whole lot of knowledge in what people wanted.

We have had an interesting opportunity to do things from the ground up, to write everything from scratch. We got to take code from current projects at Microsoft when we felt it was a good idea, or we could rewrite stuff when we thought that was a good idea.

Lou Perazzoli

BYTE: Did you have a sense when you started on this project that you were working on a historic operating system?

PERAZZOLI: One of the things we wanted to do was bring a high-end operating system to PCs. We thought this would go over really big, because we saw demand for it. We saw the downsizing trend happening, and we saw that the minicomputer would be replaced by PCs. It seemed to us this was the logical thing. Plus client/server was just starting to become viable; a lot of the groundwork had been laid, and people were now thinking about client/ server as a model for running their business. So what we wanted to do was design something that was robust and had the features people wanted and

had client/server capabilities.

THOMPSON: I think my perspective may be a little different than Lou's because I came from the outside. My background was really more VMS-oriented than Unix or even PC, and it was clear to me that the PC needed a high-end, robust operating system. It was clear to me that if anybody was to supply that, Microsoft was in the best position. So I certainly sensed the potential from the very beginning.

BYTE: Is NT, as it stands today, relatively Cairoready? Is it architected in a way that makes the transition to a more object-oriented model fairly easy?

PERAZZOLI: Yes. In fact, there's a group here at Microsoft doing the development work, and essentially all they're doing is adding an object-oriented file system. NT already has four file systems [FAT, NTFS, HPFS, and CD-ROM], so adding another layered file system is not a hard thing to do. Most of the other things in Cairo are user-mode—for example, OLE 2.0 enhancements that they're making to applications.

BYTE: What's next for you guys?

THOMPSON: In the case of networking, there is a never-ending series of requests | for connectivity on the system. There are a number of major ways in which systems are connected, and clearly one of the things we need to do is expand our support for them. So I think on the networking side our work is pretty much cut out for us.

Dave Thompson

prove OS/2. Version 2.1, which is likely to ship before NT does, adds 32-bit graphics, badly needed video and CD-ROM drivers, and snappy Windows 3.1 support. The dilemma for IBM is that main

stream Presentation Manager applications that exploit OS/2's advanced features remain scarce. As a result, users tend to evaluate OS/2 as a platform for running DOS and Windows software. Unfortunately,

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Windows is a rapidly moving target. Because OS/2 2.1 doesn't support Windows VxDs (virtual device drivers), it won't be able to run Win32s applications. In theory, the Workplace OS could grow a Win32 personality, enabling it to run such programs in much the same way as NT does. Soyring hints that that may be the "fallback plan," but he maintains that "we won't encourage the development of Win32 software."

Although IBM's hold on the desktop

market is shaky, says Anders Vinberg, senior vice president of development with Computer Associates (Islandia, NY), Microsoft' s grasp of corporate information services is even weaker. "People in the PC industry have holes in their perspective when it comes to CICS [Customer Information Control System] and transaction processing," he says.

However, OS/2's role as the glue between PCs and mainframes remains a crucial advantage. In this realm, it's IBM that

looks like the innovator. Microsoft is taking a conventional approach, bundling a DLC (Data Link Control) protocol and a simple 3270 emulator with NT and separately offering SNA (Systems Network Architecture) and NetView services. IBM, already on top of these things, is raising the stakes by readying a DCE product suite for OS/2. More complete than NT's DCE offering, it will enable distributed transaction processing that harnesses OS/2, AIX, and mainframe resources.

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For an objective view of the operatingsystem race, talk to a tool vendor who supports them all. The Universal Component System from Software Transformations, Inc. (Cupertino, CA), enables developers to build applications for Windows, the Mac, OS/2, and many flavors of Unix. "One hundred percent of our users are interested in Windows," says STI's vice president of engineering Doug Donzelli. "For a second platform, the choices are Unix, the Mac, and, finally, OS/2."

Almost no one can afford to ignore the power and mass appeal of a family of compatible Windows operating systems. As a result, many fear that Microsoft will achieve the kind of control that IBM once wielded. Others argue that while that will surely happen, it won't be such a bad thing for users. IBM's iron rule, after all, gave us a reliable infrastructure for banks, airlinereservation systems, and other essentials of modern life. Maybe we need that kind of standard again, and maybe Windows is it.

But fortunately or unfortunately, things aren't going to be so simple. The ascension of Windows has got everyone's competitive juices flowing. Portable, microkernelbased operating systems are all the rage, and while Windows NT is running at the head of the pack, it's not as far out in front as Microsoft would like you to believe. NetWare, OS/2, Solaris, NextStep, and the Mac are all emigrating to new hardware platforms and influencing Windows as much as it influences them. The "Windows everywhere" game holds much profit for developers and users, but it won't be the only game in town. ■

Editor's note: BYTE news editors EdPerratore, Patrick Waurzyniak, and Dave Andrews, senior news editor Tom R. Halfhill, West Coast bureau chief Andy Reinhardt, and executive editor Rich Malloy also contributed to this article.

Jon Udell is a BYTE senior technical editor at large. You can reach him on BIX as "judell. "

34 BYXE JUNE 1993

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State of the Art

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Early in February, an old Honeywell mainframe rolled out of the Burlington Coat Factory's (Burlington, NJ) door, ending an era. Burlington, a retail outlet chain, would never see mainframe-based computing again. From then on, it would rely on client/server systems.

The U.S. House of Representatives also uses client/server technology, but it has no intention of scrapping its mainframe. Jim Daley, the database administrator for House Information Systems, describes his IBM ES/9000 as "solid as a rock." The House's client/server system functions as a front end to the ES/9000, which serves as a large database repository.

Burlington and the House of Representatives are typical of the early adopters of client/server computing. Every day they learn a little more about how to safely and efficiently move huge blocks of data off the big iron and onto networks of small, powerful computers.

If you move to client/server computing, it will change forever the way your enterprise accesses, distributes, and uses data. With this approach, data is no longer under the tutelage of the MIS department; it is readily available to you through your network. Consequently, you don't have to wait for the MIS staff to run your report. You can grab the data yourself and run it through a spreadsheet from your desktop using the brand of computer and the software tools that you're most comfortable with and that get the job done your way.

But getting client/server computing to work isn't all that easy. For example, it's up to you to find or develop print managers, console monitors, and other maintenance tools that came standard with mainframes. Your programming staffs, accustomed to writing large COBOL programs, may initially be mystified by Windows programming. And because client/ server systems are complexes of hardware

and software from different manufacturers, finding and squashing bugs can be a nightmare.

Still, these headaches pale when you consider client/server computing's potential to revolutionize your enterprise. Not only is data more available to you, but it's available through a system that can grow and change with you as your needs evolve. Further, because client/ server systems are open and modular, you can tailor your system for your own particular applications, picking and choosing the most cost-effective hardware and software components for your tasks.

What's in a Name?

Client

A computer or workstation attached to a network that you use to access network resources.

Server

Specializing Platforms

A lot of companies make the move to client/server computing to cut costs. Burlington, for instance, replaced its mainframe, a machine with 4 or 5 MIPS of processing power, with a battery of six series 2000/750 Sequent computers, with a total of 1500 MIPS, and with Sun Microsystems ELC or SLC machines, the aggregate power of which Burlington can't even calculate. Each Burlington retail store now has a Sun computer with a SPARC processor, a 200-MB hard disk, and 16 MB of memory, "all for $3995 [each] in quantity," says Mike Prince, Burlington's director of information services. "[Client/server is] overwhelmingly more cost effective."

But what may best define client/server computing, says J. Neil Weintraut, a senior technology analyst at the investment banking concern of Hambrecht & Quist (San Francisco, CA), is that it lets you pick and choose among platforms. "Anyone looking for the client or server is missing

A machine that furnishes clients with such things as huge disk drives, databases, or connections to a network. Servers can be mainframes, minicomputers, large workstations, or LAN devices. More than one server can supply services to clients.

the point of client/server," he says, "which is the ability to easily and rapidly customize relatively low-cost platforms for specific applications."

Because of the ability to specialize your platforms, you can get exactly the type of software you need to satisfy your requirements. For example, Burlington's Prince plans to choose between Solaris from SunSoft (Mountain View, CA) and Windows NT from Microsoft (Redmond, WA) based on performance (see "Windows Windows Everywhere?" on page 72). Daley at the House of Representatives sees products such as 4th Dimension from Acius (Cupertino, CA), a Macintosh software development tool, as "more contemporary" tools that let him deliver "more sophisticated" applications to end users.

Further, analyst Weintraut sees client/server technology becoming more versatile in the future. He envisions a new breed of "tactical" client/server applications, which he describes as applications that you can dynamically modify to meet rapidly changing business situations. "Previously, changes would queue up for months or years in the MIS backlog," he says, "precluding any consideration of modifying applications in a pedestrian manner."

Enterprise Changes

Client/server architecture gives you as many access points to your data as you have workstations on your network. It also lets you bring to your enterprise more tools to manipulate data.

At Burlington, Prince says that this ability has changed the way people can work

Client/Server Frees Data

Client/server computing gives enterprise-wide access to data 96

The Many Flavors of SQL

The SQL standard proves to be a moving target 109

Make Way for Data

Middleware eases data exchange on multiplatform client/server networks 113

ElSes Mine Your Data

ElSes help you detect links between seemingly unrelated data 121

ILLUSTRATIONS: NIGEL BUCHANAN © 1993

JUNE 1993 BYTE 97

State of the Art

Client/Server Frees Data

EARLY 1980s CONFIGURATION

X.25

Modem

Mainframe

Before the Burlington Coat Factory switched to client/server computing, store transactions were typed into a small, multiuser Altos. Transactions were sent via modem to an X.25 network and then to the mainframe at headquarters. Dumb terminals connected to network pads enabled data queries.

with data. Users no longer have to ask for MIS reports, because client/server computing empowers them to access Oracle databases at will. Users can feed information from the databases into spreadsheets or word processors on their desktop systems, seamlessly integrating the remote data with local tools. They couldn't do this on a mainframe, which limited access to computing resources. "People were discouraged from using [the computer]," he says. "Now they are encouraged to use it."

Burlington now runs its entire operation—190 retail stores, distribution centers, and headquarters—off its client/server system. The system handles everything from conveyor-belt scanners that generate database transactions to graphical workstations on which decision-makers enter queries.

In a typical Burlington retail store, the cash registers are NCR 7052s, which are DOS-based machines using the PC Network File Standard for network file services. The cash registers are connected by an Ethernet LAN to the main store processor, a Sun ELC or Classic. The Sun system acts as a file server for the registers and as a communications gateway to the central host computers.

Burlington stores communicate with various hosts on a network across a small satellite unit known as a VSAT (very small aperture satellite terminal) link via TCP/IP through X.25 protocols. From there, data

moves to several destinations, such as a gateway to VISA/MasterCard for creditcard transactions.

Store transactions pass over the satellite link and through front-end processing that switches them from a batch paradigm to transactions that can be stored in and processed by Oracle databases residing on

several Sequent computers at the Burlington headquarters. A Tuxedo on-line transaction-processing system from Unix System Laboratories (Summit, NJ) is used to coordinate data updates. Tuxedo uses the cooperative resources of the network by concurrently running processes on several machines. Previously, transactional processing occurred on a mainframe in a time-sharing setup. An added benefit of spreading transactional processes across the network is that work no longer comes to a screeching halt when part of the network goes off-line.

Wide-Open Growth Potential

The client/server concept grew out of the competitive world of open systems. "When people say client/server now, you can almost substitute the phrase open systems" says Roger Sippl, a founder of database vendor Informix (Menlo Park, CA). "Open systems gave entrepreneurs the opening to solve particular problems, which benefits the users."

Client/server's openness means that you can choose from various vendors' products. "The flexibility it [gives us] is pretty much endless," says Frank Pellegrino, associate director of computer services for the Public Broadcasting Service (Alexandria, VA).

PBS's client/server system comprises a database from Ingres (Alameda, CA)

1992 CONFIGURATION

Typical store

Terminal server

feajgg' .»#| /a^BBk

Today, Burlington's client/server system links all of its stores and distribution centers to headquarters. Store transactions enter network-ready cash registers linked to Sun computers, which also seive as communications gateways. Transactions are routed to a series of Sequent computers for processing. Terminal servers enable data entry and queries from workstations.

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State of the Art

Client/Server Frees Data

connected over an Ethernet backbone network to VAX and Mac clients. PBS has begun moving the Ingres database from the VAX to HP9000 machines. Meanwhile, two VAX-based databases— Datatrieve and VAX DBMS—remain in use.

On the client side, PBS still uses character-based applications. Ninety percent of the front ends still run on the VAX with character-cell interfaces.

The Mac clients are used mainly for database queries, but PBS plans to deploy more features on them. The Macs use GQL (Graphical Query Language) from Andyne Computing (Kingston, Ontario, Canada) for writing database queries. PBS is still looking for easy-to-use tools that will let it use the Mac as a platform for full-function database-update applications.

PBS has implemented two client/server-based applications. The first is its operations log. The Ingres database maintains information on broadcast schedules, which are automatically fed via satellite to PBS affiliates. The database also holds data used by automated broadcast switching equipment. In the second application, the database stores data about PBS programs, such as content, broadcast history, and right-tobroadcast information. ^_^_

Previously, PBS employees requested this sort of information from a department that handled program data analysis, says Pellegrino. Now the client/server system, coupled with the Mac's ease of use, empowers people to do their own Ingres inquiries, and the data-analysis department is free to perform its other duties.

Client/Server Advantages

FEATURE BENEFIT

Networked webs of small, powerful machines

If one machine goes down, your business stays up.

Computer arrays with thousands of MIPS; clients' aggregate MIPS beyond calculation

The system provides the power to get things done without monopolizing resources. End users are empowered to work locally.

Some workstations are as powerful as mainframes but cost one-tenth less

By giving you more power for less money, the system offers you the flexibility to make other purchases or to increase your profits.

Open systems

You can pick and choose hardware, software, and services from various vendors.

Systems grow easily

It's easy to modernize your system as your needs change.

Individual client operating environments

You can mix and match computer platforms to suit the needs of individual departments and users.

a Macintosh GUI while preserving the rigor and security of a centralized Ingres database for the computer services department. "Whether it's [Windows] NT or Unix on the server, it makes no difference to the user," says Bob Epstein, founder of the database manufacturer Sybase (Emeryville, CA). "On the desktop, there is no such thing as one environment. A user can choose the Mac, Windows, or Presentation Manager."

Client/Server Headaches

DOWNSIDE

WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU

Maintenance nightmares

Parts don't always work together. There are several possible culprits when something goes wrong.

Adapts to Needs

Pellegrino's users want and can use the latest technology. "They are used to the mouse," he says. "They are used to point-andclick." Client/server computing gives Pellegrino the ability to equip one group of clients with

Support tools lacking

With the client/server architecture, you locate or build support tools yourself.

Thus, as new tools become available, you can change your client software without disturbing your server. The House of Representatives built its clients using Sybase APT, an applications development environment on Unix, and SuperCard, a scripting language from Silicon Beach Software (San Diego, CA) on the Mac. Unix and Mac computers served as front ends to the database. Later, the House of Representatives decided to switch to JAM, a VT-100 emulator from JYACC (New York, NY), and Acius' 4th Dimension development tool. "We had to redo the client side," says Daley. "But there was no change to the server side." This modularity allows the system to expand to meet your growing needs. "You can grow by adding capacity to the servers or by adding more servers to the network," says Burlington's Prince. "You can add more clients. You can segment the network if [it] starts to become a bottleneck. There's no upward limit to the scalability." As new computing platforms emerge, you can evaluate new environments and system components in a modular fashion. ^^^ For example, Burlington is debating future server platforms. For Intel architectures, it's looking at Windows NT, SunSoft's Solaris, and Next Computer's NextStep. Prince says that he believes in Unix, which will probably remain his choice for large database servers. Some consultants who focus on LANs, however, find difficulties with Unix databases (see the text box "Unix Database Servers Are Not for Everyone" on page 102).

Retraining required The software development philosophy for the

Mac or Windows is different from that for COBOL or C.

Downsizing Downsides

Although PBS's Pellegrino enjoys the benefits of client/server computing, he still has to deal with its downside. For instance, Pellegrino had a hard time finding a bug in a

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State of the Art

Client/Server Frees Data

Unix Database Servers Are Not for Everyone

PAULINA BORSOOK

any companies are satisfied with the results of implementing Unix database servers on a network, but some industry consultants strongly advise against considering this option. Robert Bolt, president of Database Server Systems (South San Francisco, CA), questions whether Unix's vaunted performance advantage is true for many configurations. It has been demonstrated by vendors, notes Bolt, that "a dual-processor Unix box running SCO Unix will not outperform a single processor box running Novell's NetWare."

Bolt has implemented client/server databases on more than three dozen different configurations. On LANs, NetWare database implementations "run circles around equivalent Unix boxes," he says. "A symmetric multiprocessor SCO Unix box is slower than or on par with NetWare," in Bolt's experience. A NetWare version of a database, he

points out, has been streamlined to maximize I/O. It doesn't have the graphics, user shells, preemptive multitasking, or scheduling that slow down Unix versions.

Other industry experts believe that maintaining and troubleshooting LANbased Unix database servers is too timeconsuming. Michael Booth, database consultant with 4GL (fourth-generation language) vendor Cognos (Burlington, MA), says that when Unix database servers are installed on LANs, system managers must decide whether or not they want to take on the added responsibilities of making GUIs, networks, servers, relational databases, applications tools, and various front- and back-end machines work together. "Users may be screaming for GUIs," says Booth, "but the increase in support costs may counterbalance any hardware savings."

Because client/server systems are commonly built with components from many vendors, havoc can ensue when you try to update a piece of hardware or software. For example, if you upgrade

your software, "you're forced to synchronize releases of many operating systems across dozens of vendors," says Richard Finkelstein, president of Performance Computing (Chicago, IL), a consulting firm that specializes in database issues. "Any error can proliferate problems throughout your network."

So what's the bottom line? Bolt argues that you should watch out for technical overkill. If you've exceeded the capacity of your LAN and need to go from 30 to 50 users, he believes that you won't need a Unix box; a 50-MHz 486 will suffice. But if you must accommodate 500 users, Unix is a more resonable choice, he says.

If you are set on installing a Unix server, Finkelstein suggests working toward a homogeneous environment. That way if a problem pops up, it's easier to pinpoint where the responsibility

Paulina Borsook is a freelance writer based in San Francisco, California. You can contact her on BIX c/o "editors" or on the Internet at loris@well.sfca. us.

GQL query. "Not only did it blow up my software," says Pellegrino, "but it blew up my hardware."

His query tried to multiply a character value, but none of the four pieces of software involved in the process noticed that he had formulated an invalid query. "You never know if it's something behind the scenes with SequeLink [client/server middleware] and the server," he says, "or something that's happening with the GQL." Often, it's not a fundamental bug in any one product, but a failure of the parts to agree on a division of labor.

Jim Daley at the House of Representatives considers the IBM ES/9000 he runs to be an excellent machine, and he knows exactly how to keep it running. But when there's a problem in his client/server system, there is a long list of things he has to check. "If you're sitting at a Mac, [a database query | goes from there to the Sybase database on Unix. From there, it could go to an IBM RS/6000, which then runs it up to [the] mainframe. The mainframe turns

around and sends it all back through. It's gone through several different products that [I] haven't even mentioned. LThey all] come from several different vendors. Then again, it may be a hardware problem."

This typifies what might be the biggest challenge to successful client/server computing: You have to put together a complex system of hardware and software from multiple vendors. And when snarls develop, you have to determine which piece caused the problem. For many, this can be a rude awakening. "You no longer have one dominant vendor holding your hand," says Sippl. "IBM is not there saying, 'Don't worry.'" Just as personal computer users learned to get out their screwdrivers and plug in components, so, too, must client/server network managers learn how all the pieces fit together.

Mainframes came with prosaic but necessary support tools (e.g., printer managers, console and security monitors, and database tuning tools), but with client/server systems, you must hunt for the tools.

The early client/server users, says Burlington's Prince, "had to invent things themselves to do the basic functions that in a mainframe environment you would just procure from a vendor."

Another problem is that client/server systems require about one maintenance person per 50 workstations. "The labor required to keep the system operational must be reduced by a factor of 10," says Sybase's Epstein. Telephone companies are his model of excellence. "How many people does it take to keep a phone system operational? One for every 500 phones? One for every 1000?"

Client Conundrums

GUIs, and the Windows environment in particular, pose support problems, says Epstein. You can manage many more Mac clients than Windows clients because Macs are highly standardized, he says. Windows clients don't have the built-in consistency of configuration from one desktop to the next that Mac clients have.

102 BYi'K JUNE 1993

State of the Art

Client/Server Frees Data

Unix Database Implementation lips

Separate protocol stacks. If you are

using Windows, separate LAN Manager TCP/IP applications from those using FTP software or PC Network File Standard TCP/IP implementations.

Don't introduce new

applications until you have stabilized your hardware, software, and networking.

!*^

In moving to graphical systems like the Mac or Windows, programmers' problems are not so much technical as they are philosophical, says Pellegrino of PBS. His team had to learn how Mac programs are supposed to look, feel, and operate. "We were C programmers on dumb terminals," says Pellegrino. and not familiar with GUI programming. Bui it could have been worse, he says: "We could have been a COBOL shop,"

Such concerns may be an indication that client/server computing has left its pioneering phase and is in an early stage of maturity. Sybase's Epstein notes that prospective customers now evaluate products with questions about system management, not with a feature list in hand. Thus, you can expect vendors to respond to market demands by offering maintenance and development tools.

Link client/server applications

only to other client/server A^ applications. Keep them ' ^P separate from routine LAN services, such as printing and file-sharing.

The cornucopia of client platforms available to you also means that you'll have to maintain several versions of the front-end software. The House of Representatives, for example, maintains clients with three separate development tools: 4th Dimension, JAM, and Advanced Revelation from Revelation Technologies (Stamford, CT). Although it's working on a Windows client, the House of Representatives will not consider any tool that requires a separate code base for Windows. It's only looking at tools that allow conversions from existing client systems. "As far as Windows tools go," says Daley, "we're only looking at ports. We have enough clients."

But your biggest obstacle in bringing up a client/server system is that you must relearn and retrain. Client/server computing is relatively new, and its development tools are different from those that large enterprises are accustomed to. Many corporate developers have been writing big, batch-oriented COBOL programs or interactive, character-based C programs.

Tools Trickle In

Early on. database companies neglected client/server software development tools, but they are working to fill the void now. In March. Oracle (Redwood Shores, CA) announced its Cooperative Development Environment, a set of applications development tools—portable among Unix, Windows, and Mac systems—that provides integrated development from design to maintenance. Notably, Sybase and Oracle, known primarily as manufacturers of database engines, report that a growing portion of their revenues comes from development tools, support, and consulting. Sybase claims that 30 percent of its revenues comes from applications tools, and Oracle reports that more than half its revenue growth in 1992 came not from selling servers but from selling system integration services.

Independent vendors are jumping on the bandwagon and creating applications for the client/server architecture. For example, Sippl left Informix and has helped found Proactive Software (Mountain View, CA), which provides customer-support packages that can be customized and are designed to run on a variety of client and server platforms. Another new company, PeopleSoft (Walnut Creek. CA), offers financial and human resources software for Windows-based clients attached to several database servers. And Frank Dodge, of the McCormack and Dodge mainframe software firm, has formed the Dodge Group (Waltham. MA) to develop soft

ware for the client/server architecture.

Still, there is a need for everyday system management tools. PBS, for example, is looking for a good network monitor. And the House of Representatives wants what Daley calls an end-to-end debugging tool— something that could trace a problem through a maze of products on various platforms.

Despite the need for such system-management tools, it's unlikely that you'll see them soon, because all the client/server vendors would have to agree on an interface standard. Burlington's Prince is so adamant about the need for management tools that he is part of an association called MOSES (Massive Open Systems Environment Standards), a user-manufacturer community working to arrive at interoperation standards for systems tools (see the text box "MOSES To Set Standards" on page 104).

The desired utility programs are crucial to the long-term success of any client/ server platform, according to analyst Weintraut. He believes that the lack of utility software for new platforms like Windows NT will slow their widespread adoption. Weintraut estimates that it takes about three years for such utility software to evolve in response to end-user needs.

Ever-Changing Future

Even as you learn to handle your client/ server system, new trends will change the

"You go to these client/server conferences, and the magnitude of the attendance surprises everyone. The people there are listening to anecdotes from customers who have deployed client/server systems successfully. It's as if they're listening to the pioneers who visited America and returned to Europe to tell how great the new world was."

—J. Neil Weintraut,

senior technology analyst

at Hambrecht & Quist

JUNE 1993

State of the Art

Client/Server Frees Data

computer industry's face. Because client/ server computing is not an object but an architecture, each of its pieces—client, network, and server—will evolve in tandem with wider industry trends.

On the client side, the influence of multimedia could be the biggest factor for change. Gary Morgenthaler, a principal of the venture capital f inn Morgenthaler Ventures (Menlo Park, CA) and a founder of Ingres, sees a "huge groundswell" coming from multimedia-capable desktop systems. He predicts that in five years a majority of personal computers will have digital audio and video capabilities.

With multimedia, a new paradigm for applications is possible. Sybase's Epstein envisions expansive customer-oriented applications, such as on-line catalog shopping, electronic banking, and stock trading. And PBS has "grand plans for multimedia," says Pellegrino. He envisions the PBS program database storing digitized film clips with descriptive alphanumeric data. Burlington also intends to deploy a range of multimedia applications in the future: videoconferencing, video and voice at

"You no dominant

tachments to mail-enabled applications, and pictures of merchandise and fabric swatches attached to spreadsheets and database tables.

Before these kinds of multimedia tools can come to client/server computing, changes in other server components are necessary. Networks, for example, will have to offer wider bandwidth to support multimedia video, because at 60 12-KB frames per second, video hogs resources (see "Hitting Warp Speed for LANs," March BYTE).

Servers will have to be modified to handle multimedia objects, which have different structures than the alphanumeric, tabular data in SQL databases (see "The Many Flavors of SQL" on page 109). "Imagine multimedia-capable PCs by the millions connected to aging networks and SQL databases," says Morgenthaler. "People are going to be clamoring for new technologies lo make it work."

MOSES To Set Standards

MOSES (Massive Open Systems Environment Standards) association is a loose alliance of client/server users and manufacturers. Members of MOSES seek to pool their knowledge to create client/server management standards. Some of the items on its agenda include creating interoperation standards for systems tools and identifying policy procedures and internal practices that facilitate missioncritical client/server-based operations. "We're trying to put our heads together to come up with solutions to the problems we're all facing," says Mike Prince, director of information services for the Burlington Coat Factory (Burlington, NJ).

MOSES intends to produce white papers on such issues as how a system should behave, how to best archive data, and how to maintain client/server system security. Client/server users will be able to use the information in these white papers as a measure to compare against prospective approaches to these issues.

Among the members of MOSES are the Burlington Coat Factory, British Telecomm, Millipore, Oracle, Sequent Computer Systems, and US West Communications. To get on the MOSES distribution list, send E-mail via the Internet to inmoses@us.oracle.com.

longer have one vendor holding your hand. IBM is not there saying, Don't worry.'"

—Roger Sippl, founder of Informix

Crossbreeding Databases

Servers may have to undergo dramatic changes. SQL databases, which are based on the relational database model, are optimized for alphanumeric data stored in 2-D tables. However, multimedia objects do not conform well lo the model of the 2-D array. The question confronting the database industry becomes: Can a 20-year-old database model accommodate the new uses it will be asked lo perform?

Morgenthaler, Sippl, and Larry Ellison, Oracle's president and CEO, say no. They foresee new databases that merge relational and object technologies. Sippl believes that more object orientation is inevitable because "people are beginning to store data that doesn't look anything like IBM punch cards." By the time this story goes to press, Morgenthaler Ventures hopes lo announce its investment in a company creating just such a hybrid database.

Ellison says that within 24

months Oracle will release a relational/ object-oriented database that is used in conjunction with a language called SQL++. With extensions to standard SQL, the language will permit a user to evoke methods on objects. Because some of the retrieval logic will reside in the database itself (i.e., in the methods) and not in the query statement, queries can be shorter and simpler, and that will be a boon to users.

Shorter and simpler queries are also foreseen by Setrag Khoshafian, the principal designer of Intelligent SQL and chief scientist and vice president of R&D at Portfolio Technologies (Newark, CA), a manufacturer of client/server products. Khoshafian sees trends toward object servers in which an object's data storage and database operations are encapsulated together at the point where object services are acquired through database operations. Khoshafian thus agrees that a database object will not be just a data type but a data type and its operations. When precompiled operations such as queries are stored with data, says Khoshafian, end users will spend less time writing queries.

Several benefits of hybrid relational and object-oriented databases are foreseen by Ellison, Morgenthaler, and Sippl. For one thing, your applications interface will be simplified. To get an invoice, for example, you would send a brief message to your database in place of a long SQL query. Another benefit would be that the message/result paradigm of the object model would reduce network traffic.

Hybrid databases could also integrate all the types of data that people want to store: text, images, voice, and video (see "Relating to Objects," December 1992 BYTE). On this point, Sybase's Epstein is not so sure. He thinks that tables, which are transactional data, should be kept in separate repositories from applications objects, which are not transactional and do not often change. But if people are going to use multimedia, notes Khoshafian, "they will want and need to insert and delete multimedia data, (as well as] perform some modifications of the data. Therefore, it will be desirable to have the updates of the multimedia data under transaction control." continued

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State of the Art

Client/Server Frees Data

More To Come

Other trends are less controversial. For example, servers will become more intelligent. Ellison expects servers to hold both data and applications logic. Epstein sees clients and servers storing business rules, which will determine the integrity of transactions.

Servers also must be modified for the mobile user (see the text box "Serving Mobile Clients" on the right). Ellison and Morgenthaler imagine servers that download programs on demand to the mobile user, who then uploads the resulting data. Epstein foresees "dynamically partitioned systems" in which you download data that you can change and send back to the server. It will be the server's job to resynchronize the database.

Location transparency is also a feature that you'll find in future fixed-site client/ server systems, according to Khoshafian. He points out that as global networks evolve, client/server systems will have the capacity to converse with one another regardless of their physical location. The challenge, according to Khoshafian, will be to provide users with integrated access to the remote systems in a manner that meets users' needs. This, he says, will be accomplished through integrator objects that combine, filter, and integrate services from multiple objects.

Faster, More Robust

Even though many support tools are missing and components can fail to work in complete harmony with one another, client/ server architecture is changing the way organizations work. It's opening up tremendous, enterprise-wide repositories of data, logic, and business objects while empowering users to take advantage of this data through tools tailored both for the job and the user.

As part of an economic trend variously called downsizing, rightsizing, resizing and reengineering, more and more companies are eyeing client/server architecture as their next logical step. Setting up a client/server, system is no Cakewalk. It's a time-consuming, difficult trek. But as Burlington's Prince points out, compared to what came before, client/server computing is "faster, more accurate, and more robust." ■

Ellen Ullman is a software engineer and consultant with Neologiea (San Francisco, CA). She is also a BYTE consulting editor. You can reach her on BIX as "ullman" or on the Internet at ullinan@bix.com.

Serving Mobile Clients

DANIEL MEZICK

Wireless communications has the potential to expand client/ server computing far beyond the limited range of your local Ethernet segment. With wireless communications, you'll be able to access and manipulate your databases and other resources on your client/server system in real time from such remote sites as your home, a customer's office, or a building site. But before you can achieve unfettered mobile connectivity, tomorrow's client applications, called ultimate clients, will have to interact with servers in dynamic new ways.

To a client/server application, a wireless connection should be indistinguishable from its hard-wired cousins. However, one of the fastest wireless communications setups, WaveLan from NCR (Dayton, OH), offers bandwidth that's only 20 percent of the specified 10-Mbps Ethernet maximum. Further, the maximum broadcast range of wireless client/ servers is a cramped 800 feet, restricting their use to small groups within an office or a small building. You are most likely to find wireless client/ server applications in ad hoc workgroups performing such tasks as managing a political campaign or producing a sporting event.

The mobile client may not be here yet, but mobile computing is (see "Wireless Mobile Communications," February BYTE). The only option available for dealing with roving users and mobile data is to place a subset of your server's database schema directly on your mobile device. This approach introduces redundancy and coherency problems, requiring reconciliation when the subset is reintegrated with the server database. Companies such as Norand (Cedar Rapids, IA) and Proxim (Mountain View, CA) hope to introduce solutions to some roving-client problems soon.

Another obstacle to usina mobile

client/server applications is the capacity of the mobile devices. Large RDBMSes (relational database management systems) can eat up to a half megabyte of disk before you can even begin to store data. This is a burden for mobile computing devices, but small, fast, full-featured RDBMSes are emerging to address this need.

For example, Quadbase-SQL from Quadbase Systems (Sunnyvale, CA) is a fully relational database manager compliant with the ANSI-86 SQL standard. It consumes minimal disk space while providing support for data import and export. Quadbase-SQL has such big iron features as outer join, correlated subqueries, and declarative referential integrity, allowing for complex database applications to be supported in a mobile computing application.

Finally comes the question of data security. Servers must be able to authenticate clients, ensure that messages are transmitted without error, and secure communications because wireless signals are easier to intercept than wired communications (see "Seeking Security," May BYTE). Securing wireless communications will involve encryption, although that incurs processing overhead.

Developments in cellular and radio communications are raising high expectations for wireless, ad hoc, ondemand data. Although the autonomous and mobile client has to wait for higher bandwidth communications, better software, and more security, vendors are beginning to meet the demand for wireless access to data. The truly mobile client and ultimate client applications are still two or three years away, but when they arrive, anywhere/anytime access to data will be just like another day at the office.

Daniel Mezick is the pen product manager for Line Systems (Bloomfield, CT). You can contact him on BIX c/o "editors" or on the Internet at drnezick@woiid.std.com.

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State of the Art

The Many Flavors of SQL

Everyone agrees that a SQL standard is essential for cross-platform client/server computing, but marketplace reality keeps getting in the way of good intentions

MARK CLARKSON

QL (Structured Query Language) 'has been the standard data description and access language for relational databases for almost a decade, making it a linchpin technology for client/server computing. The only problem with the SQL standard is that there are too many of them.

No fewer than eight efforts are underway to create a standard based on SQL. ANSI alone is responsible for three standards, either published or in progress. Other efforts involve industry consortia, such as SAG (the SQL Access Group) and X/Open, and companies such as IBM, Microsoft, and Borland. If you also consider that every database speaks its own SQL dialect and has its own set of unique extensions to the language, it's not surprising that client/server installations are the exception rather than the rule.

The lack of one widely accepted standard drives up the cost of databases and related tools and makes maintaining a client/server environment complex and difficult. "What is the difference between too many standards and no standards at all?" asks Anu Shukla. vice president of worldwide marketing for Amsterdambased Uniface. "Not much."

The Standards Soup

ANSI took the first crack at creating a SQL standard in 1989 (SQL'89) and followed up with a revision in October of last year (SQL'92). But because ANSI standards are vague about the details of their implementation, products that claim to be SQLcompliant often fail to work with one another. The proliferation of different SQL implementations by vendors led to the formation of SAG. A consortium of hundreds of companies in the database field, SAG was formed to generate SQL standards based on a subset of ANSI SQL'89 and to deal with issues of connectivity and programming interfaces for SQL clients and

JUNE 1993 BYTE 109

State of the Art

The Many Flavors of SQL

servers. In conjunction with the industry group X/Open, SAG is constructing a standard based on the current state of the art in client/server implementations.

Many major companies are not waiting for the efforts of standards-setting bodies to bear fruit but are launching their own attempts to create de facto standards. Last year, SAG member Microsoft introduced ODBC (Open Database Connectivity), a SQL database API standard based in part on a draft of the SAG standard. Borland, also a member of SAG, is readying its own SQL API standard, called IDAPI (Integrated Database Application Programming Interface), which is based on the SAG version. Both companies are lining up support for their standards.

In addition, ANSI is working on its next-generation SQL standard, called SQL3. Not expected until the latter part of the decade, SQL3 will add structure, branching, flow control, error handling, and object-oriented capabilities to an already groaning SQL standard.

Finally, IBM is developing its own standard for database access, DRDA (Distributed Relational Database Access), which

What SQL Is

^1 Relational databases store data in tables—rows and columns—not unlike spreadsheets. The SQL language includes commands to describe, create, and delete those tables, as well as to update the data within them. For example, to retrieve the names of inexpensive writers from a database, you might use the following statement:

SELECT Writer

FROM Writer_database

WHERE Pay_per_word < .05

includes yet another version of SQL. Given the variety of SQL standards, says Judith Hurwitz, president of the Hurwitz Consulting Group (Newton, MA), "It's quite understandable if you're getting confused."

The Importance of Standards

The reasons for the proliferation of SQL standards are many. One is that standards are designed to serve only as guides. This leaves a lot of room for interpretation as a vendor takes a language specification and implements it in software. Like two house builders working from the same blueprint, says Hurwitz, "different people can interpret a specification differently."

This assumes a vendor is trying to conform to a standard. More often than not, vendors are trying to do much more. "The problem is that each vendor has probably made excellent, but different, decisions about how to extend the SQL standard," says Malcolm Colton, director of product marketing at database vendor Sybase.

Writing standards-compliant code means that a developer is using three- to fiveyear-old technology, says Colton. If you want the benefits of the latest technology, ^^^^^^^^m y°u can't conform to standards. "For example," says Colton, "we have had flow-control statements, stored procedures, and triggers in Sybase's SQL dialect since 1987. SQL'92 doesn't have those features. That's the type of thing you find in the SQL3 standard." In the absence of an acceptable standard, database vendors have invented their own.

You can also embed SQL statements in other languages, such as C and COBOL.

Using SQL, a client computer can access data anywhere on a network. SQL commands don't refer to data's location; data can be moved from platform to platform without affecting the application code.

Theoretically, SQL lets database vendors create products compatible with databases and tools from other vendors. Almost all tools in the client/server arena expect to communicate with the server database using SQL commands. These tools can access other data sources, too, if the sources present a SQL-compatible interface. Practically, however, the many different flavors of SQL make integrating different database tools difficult at best.

A Question of APIs

Even if the market's competitive pressures forever deter the universal adoption of a single SQL standard, database and tool vendors are looking at other ways of making life easier in the client/server environment. "I do not see the SQL language standards as too important," says Ron Wolf, product marketing director for SQL

database vendor Gupta (Menlo Park, CA). "The next step down—the programming interface—is where significant things are happening. Those standards are quite a bit more useful."

The programming interface—referred to as the API or the CLI (call-level interface)—lets programs communicate with a database using function calls instead of SQL statements. Where SQL standards address data access and manipulation, API standards deal largely with connectivity issues: connecting the client to the database and exchanging SQL messages and data.

A common API for SQL would make it less expensive for developers to support several different databases, making their tools more affordable. However, a common API may prove elusive, given market realities. Microsoft and Borland are pushing their own API standards on SAG, and the consortium has yet to weigh in with its finished standard.

Going Nonstandard

ODBC, IDAPI, and SAG's APIs are based on a common subset of the ANSI standard. That, says Uniface's Shukla, is taking the lowest-common-denominator approach, which "doesn't exploit the features of a database, other than perhaps Microsoft's or Borland's own."

Database tool vendors, who must deal with a host of different databases and exploit the individual capabilities of each to the fullest, resort to intelligent drivers. These drivers sit on top of a data source— usually, but not always, a relational database—and intercept incoming messages from clients.

The driver then translates the messages into a SQL statement or a series of API calls that is tailored to a database. Instead of talking directly to the database, the client tools speak to the drivers. With the proper driver, any application can function as a SQL server and be accessed by the same tools used with relational databases. Such drivers can fine-tune transactions, maximizing performance based on the SQL dialect or API library involved.

For example, says Shukla, Uniface has an intelligent driver that exploits all the features of each of the 27 databases it supports. As SQL standards grow larger and more complex, she says, "the standards bodies are taking longer to ratify them." In fact, the glacial pace of ANSI is largely responsible for the involvement of industry consortia like SAG and X/Open in the SQL standards business.

continued

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State of the Art

The Many Flavors of SQL

SQL Pronounced sequel, SQL (Structured

Query Language) is a data-access language designed to work with rela tional databases. First used on IBM's DB2, SQL became a de facto standard in the mid1980s.

ANSI SQL'89 The ANSI SQL standard ratified in 1989 was the first level of SQL standardization.

ANSI SQL'92 An extension to the 1989 standard, SQL'92 will become an important standard in the next few years, as database vendors and database toolmakers move to comply with it.

ANSI SQL3 An effort to expand the language substantially, SQL3 will provide more structure and standards for accessing object-oriented databases. Look for it by middecade, at the earliest.

SAG (SQL ACCESS GROUP) and X/Open

SAG is a consortium of database and database tool vendors. X/Open is an industry consortium dedicated to publishing and enforcing standards for open systems. These two bodies are working together to establish a SQL standard and an API based on ANSI SQL'89 and the state of the art in the client/server arena.

ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) Introduced in 1992 by Microsoft, ODBC is based on early work of SAG and X/Open. It defines an API for database access.

IDAPI (Integrated Database Application Programming interface) IDAPI is based on the work of SAG and X/Open and reflects Borland's attempt to define a SQL API.

DRDA (Distributed Relational Database Access) IBM's evolving standard for database access across all IBM platforms includes another take on SQL.

Next-Generation Databases

What does the future hold For SQL? Yogesh Gupta, a senior vice president at Computer Associates (Islandia, NY), thinks it might hold echoes of the past. He points out that when relational databases came to prominence, there was debate about what the query language of choice should be. Then IBM came out with DB2 using SQL, and SQL became the de facto standard. "The same thing can happen with ODBC," says Gupta. "Microsoft is in a position to

initiate it, and the time is right." Of course, that can also be said about SAG or Borland. Although the world of SQL is in turmoil, it's unlikely that SQL will be supplanted anytime soon. "Standards take such a long time," says consultant Hurwitz. "You don't want to just trash all that work and move on to something new." ■

Mark Clarkson is a freelance technology writer living in Wichita, Kansas. You can reach him on BIX c/o "editors."

E JUNE 1993

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'IBM prices only. Tin: iiliirnuq:;, puces ami pri)duc;s ure tiiilijnd to ch.imit: ui '.vilhijra'.val withoul prior notice. Products you acquire may not be counted under any existing Volume Purchase Anieemenl. lite same offerings and products may be available through IBM Authorized Remarketed. Remarketer prices may vary. Shipping and handling charges are exlra. "IBM Credil Lease prices quoted ure lor 3G-month terms. Lease rates quoted are good through 6/30/93, alter which time rales are subject to change without "dice. Lease available to qualified commercial customers only. tPRODIGY will not run wilhout a modem. A modem is not included with Ihe ThinkPad 700C or 700. A customer who acguires a ThinkPad 700 or 700C and a modem may contact PRODIGY to obtain a One-Monlh Free Tiial Membership, ThinkPad 700C, 700 and 300 syslems and options are manulaciured in Japan PS/ValuePoinl 6312.6314 and 6319 Color Displays are manutaclured in Korea. The PS/ValuePoinl 631? Color Display is manufactured in Taiwan. IBM, OS/2 and AT are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. PS/ValuePoint, SLC, ThinkPad. TrackPoinl II, HelplVare and HelpCenter are trademarks of international Business Machines Corporation. PC Direct is a trademark nl Zifl Communicaiions Company and is used by IBM under license. Intel and Ihe "Intel Inside" logo are registered trademarks ol Intel Corporation. Pentium, OverDrive, I486 and i487 are trademarks ol Intel Corporalion. Ethernet is a registered trademark of Xerox Corporation. PRODIGY is a registerad servicemark and trademark (jf Prodigy Services Company. Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows is a trademark ol Microsolt Corporation. ©1993 International Business Machines Corporalion.

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State of the Art

Make Way for Data

Middleware, such as RPCs and message-passing systems, helps data move smoothly through client/server networks. Soon these capabilities will become a part of your operating system.

PAUL KORZENIOWSKI

The term middleware is becoming quite fashionable, and many suppliers are bandying it about. But what is it, and how does it work? It's difficult to define, because thorny matters relating to building distributed applications (e.g., having an application function consistently while running on different operating systems) don't fit neatly under a single term. And further blurring middleware's identity is its transparent nature. "Users want transparent access to information, so the goal of middleware is to make itself invisible," states Martin Goetz. president of Martin Goetz Associates, a consulting firm based in Teaneck, New Jersey.

Middleware is a breed of client/server software that helps move data between applications running on your computer and your network. The software gives your programming team standard APIs that save development time, because the programmers don't have to modify applications to accommodate network protocols. With middleware, your programming team wastes less time trying to make an application work with your network's protocols or operating system and is free to spend more time fine-tuning your application.

For example, IBM's Logical Unit 6.2 network protocol has 32 verbs (e.g., SEND and RECEIVE). Some of them have more than 100 parameters. Your programmers have to tinker with more than 1400 error conditions to get everything to work. But middleware, such as Message Express from Horizon Strategies (Needham, MA), can reduce the number of verbs to five and the parameters to about a dozen.

OLTP (on-line transaction processing) monitors, which speed the exchange of data in various transactions (e.g., booking airline reservations) between databases and data sources, often provide middleware features. And many database companies, such as Gupta Technologies (Menlo Park, CA),

JUNE 1993 BYTE 113

State of the Art

Make Way for Data

MIDDLEWARE FUNCTIONALITY

Running on the

Novell network are

applications,

middleware,

IBM OS/2, and

Novell NetWare.

Running on the

TCP/IP LAN are

applications,

middleware,

Unix, and TCP/IP.

Running on the DECnet and PCs are applications

and middleware.

Terminal server

□ = Bridge

Middleware uses RPCs or message-passing techniques to overcome network and operating-system incompatibilities. A backbone network links DECnet, Novell, and TCPIIP networks. Middleware, running on each network component, ensures that all network users have transparent access to applications and resources on any of the three networks.

build middleware components into their product lines so that each product can interact seamlessly with its siblings. But neither OLTP monitors nor databases with rudimentary middleware functionality are designed solely as stand-alone products that move data smoothly across a network. Today, two primary types of middleware are available: RPCs (remote procedure calls) and message-passing systems. But tomorrow, distinct middleware products could vanish, because their main components are becoming integral parts of operating systems, much as TCP/IP has become a part of many Unix implementations.

RPCs Deployed Widely

RPCs are the best-known and most widely deployed class of middleware, according to Max Dolgicer, a director at Tucker Network Technologies (South Norwalk, CT), a consulting firm. An RPC functions like a programming call, completing a single processing chore in a series of steps undertaken by a software program. For instance, a programming call may gather a set of customer records. That step would be just one of many functions an application

Remote Procedure Calls

Pros

• runs on a variety of computers

• is incorporated into such products as Windows NT

• offers high data integrity

Cons

• is difficult to use with many servers

• uses computer resources inefficiently

• lacks flexibility

would have to complete to generate a company's monthly invoices.

Traditionally, applications and their programming calls ran on one computer. But with client/server applications, your records may not be located on the computer running the application. Consequently, you need a mechanism to travel through a network, find the data, and bring it back to your application. RPCs perform these chores in a manner that's transparent to end users, making it seem as if the data is stored locally.

RPCs first emerged in the Unix environment for Sun Microsystems and Hewlett-Packard computers, later branching out to desktop and larger computers. For example, five years ago, Novell (Provo, UT) began reselling RPC Tool from Netwise (Boulder, CO) and announced that it planned to incorporate the package in future versions of NetWare. RPC Tool supports a number of operating systems, including MS-DOS, OS/2, and Windows, as well as such network protocols as AppleTalk, DECnet, NetBIOS, and TCP/IP. HP's RPC, NCS (Network Computing System), received a big boost three years ago when the vendor consor

tium OSF (Open Software Foundation, Cambridge, MA) selected it as the basis for its DCE (Distributed Computing Environment) standards. DCE is a set of standards designed to help users and software vendors create client/server applications.

OSF claims that more than 100 vendors are building DCE products, including DEC (Maynard, MA) and HP, although no such products have appeared on the market yet. Much of the activity is focused on Unix-based systems, where the vendors are building DCE products to run on the OSF/1 and Unix System V release 4.0 operating systems.

Gradient Technologies (Hudson, MA) is leading the charge to bring DCE to PC users. Formed three years ago by former Prime Computer employees, Gradient built PC-DCE to run under Windows. It claims that more than a dozen suppliers, including HP and IBM, plan to incorporate PC-DCE software into their product lines. PC-DCE lets you build applications on your PC that will work with versions of the application running on other types of systems.

Passing Messages

Although not as widely deployed as RPCs, message-passing systems are gaining acceptance rapidly. "Both message-passing systems and RPCs will be adopted," notes Tucker Network Technologies' Dolgicer, "but a message-passing system offers more flexibility."

Both types of middleware were built on antithetical foundations, says Dolgicer, and each possesses pluses and minuses. RPCs were designed to connect two computers using synchronous connections. As a result, the software produces inefficient processing. For example, if there is not a clear line between two computers, the computer running the application sits and waits for a line to open. The upside is higher data integrity. Because of the tight connection between the two computers, it's likely that both will work with up-to-date information. High data integrity is important with mission-critical applications, such as electronic funds transfers.

Message-passing systems, on the other hand, are based on a flexible, store-andforward methodology that is common with E-mail systems (see "Smarter E-Mail Is Coming," March BYTE). A message may

114 BYTE JUNE 1993

drives

When you oversee the most technologically advanced race in the world, the engine is running long before

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need to be collected. Everything from

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times and speeds to engine serial numbers and driver and crew information. Then all the data collected dur

that

PC

s

202.757 12 22. |S

203.6 76 12 23. 93

307.655 IB

286.C59 T! 25. fi7

205.619 12 26. 92

286.1711 12 27. 611

2117.391 12 20. p

290.6117 12 29. 21

2911.610 12 30. 31

3911.961 12 }1. 19«

291.756 12 32. H

292.263 12 33. 36

293.303 12

3116.573 IS 3116.586 IS 303.877 11 306.0)6 11 306.265 IJ 307.236 IS

25.6 296.691 I?

26.0 290.352 12

27.5 290.901 12

29.9 300.651 12

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State of the Art

Make Way for Data

have to pass through computer after computer to reach its destination. Rather than wait for each computer to be free, a message-passing system moves the message forward whenever the next resource needed to get it closer to the destination (e.g., a port or process) becomes available. Using this system, your computers never sit idly waiting to establish network connections. The downside is unreliability. For instance, a message can get struck halfway to its destination, and neither side would know there was a problem.

The XIPC (XInterProcess Communications) message-passing system from Momentum Software (Englewood, NJ) is used by American Airlines to speed up client/ server applications development. "We needed software that could pull information from a variety of DBMSes," says Patrick O'Leary, a consultant who works at American Airlines. "We thought about developing our own but determined that the Momentum software had most of the features that we needed."

American Airlines used XIPC to build a cargo-system application for its employees and a second application, which O'Leary declined to identify, for an American Airlines customer. O'Leary says that XIPC cut development time by two-thirds, because it was easy to program. The company is considering using the software for additional applications.

Management Technologies, Inc. (New York, NY), a designer of financial applications, uses XIPC to simplify porting its software. "Our customers operate a wide range of computers, so we needed tools that operated in many environments," explained lohn Brann, MTI's vice president of research.

MTI selected XIPC over competing RPCs and distributed OLTP monitors because the Momentum message-passing system seemed to offer the most flexibility and was the most mature product, says Brann. MTI built its application in nine months, about half the time it would normally devote to such a project. Further, Brann reports that a beta version of the application has been running smoothly at customer sites.

Disappearing Future

It's likely that middleware will slowly disappear as its functionality becomes a base operating-system component. This incorporation may already be under way. For example, the Windows NT operating system will incorporate RPCs (see "Windows Windows Eveiy where?" on page 72). And while the future of RPCs may look bright, that of message-passing systems is less sunny, because the technology is immature and competing against an established RPC base. One indication of the status of message-passing systems is that OSF has no plans to establish a message-passing mechanism at this time.

As middleware is integrated into client/ server operating-system functions, you can expect to see new genres of middleware emerge in response to wider industry trends. For example, it's likely that software will evolve to facilitate the use of multimedia applications on different platforms. "Historically, vendors have attempted to differentiate their products with high-level software," notes Michael Matthews, marketing manager for disu'ibuted-computing programs at Hewlett-Packard (Cupertino, CA). "I expect a similar transformation will occur once there is a large base of middleware."

Even though Matthews and other observers expect another three to five years to pass before that transformation happens, evidence of middleware's growing influence can be seen now. For example, OSF's DCE comes with such features as naming-service functions and security safeguards, but it also comes with an RPC. ToolTalk from SunSoft (Mountain View, CA), a set of applications development tools, comes with CASE tools and built-in messaging functions.

Larry Russell, SunSoft's ToolTalk product manager, expects the number of middleware products to expand significantly during the next few years. "Users want universal plug-and-play capabilities with their applications," he says. Middleware helps them get it. ■

Paul Korzeniowski is a freelance writer based in Maiden, Massachusetts. You can contact him on BIX c/o "editors."

Message-Passing Systems

Pros

• provides flexible programming model

• uses resources efficiently

• works well with networks

Cons

• has small user base

• lacks set standards

• offers no instant-update capabilities

W- 'V5ffc

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Intel's video brings the same easy

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Recording with the Smart Video Recorder is as simple as pushing a button. And it's fast. It only takes one minute to capture and compress a oneminute video clip. (Other boards take up to 15 minutes.) One-step recording also cuts the Smart Video Recorder's disk space requirements

©1993 Intel Corporation. The Indeo logo is a trademark of Intel Corporation. *Third party trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

technology concept to your PC.

dramatically—it takes about 9MB to record a 60second clip. Other systems may require more than 50MB to record the same clip.

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State of the Art

EISes Mine Your Data

Executive information systems and client/server computing help you understand your data better

RANDALL D. CRONK

Client/server computing is transforming EIS (executive information system) software. With an EIS, you can pull together, view, analyze, and report on data that's in assorted formats such as spreadsheets or mainframe databases. Client/server computing has changed where people find information and how they understand that data once they acquire it.

The alliance between EISes and client/ server computing means that, in theory, anyone in your organization can become a knowledge worker (i.e., someone who can acquire, analyze, investigate, manipulate, observe, and study data). "In the past," says Tom Wood, an analyst at the consulting firm Business Research Group (Newton, MA), "most EISes were mainframe-based and hierarchical. The data you received was structured and not easily manipulated—not exactly what knowledge workers needed to do their job correctly. The client/server shift solves this problem perfectly."

Because of a client/server's ability to interconnect, today's EIS generation gathers data not only from mainframes but from sources such as minicomputers, LAN servers, and networked PCs. "In client/ server computing, the PC does what it does best—manipulates data—while the data itself can stay on the mainframe," says Howard Dresner, an analyst with the Gartner Group (Stamford, CT).

EISes give you powerful analytical tools that help you pinpoint meaningful relationships and trends in your data throughout your distributed databases. Graphics features let you depict data in charts and graphs that easily communicate its significance to your colleagues. Using statistical-analysis tools and data definitions in your database, an EIS can even suggest what data you should present and how to portray it.

Still, EISes have problems. For example, they don't always give you easy access to

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State of the Art

ElSes Mine Your Data

Viewing Data Through an EIS

Formal window Help

Corporate data warehouse

(Historical data)

Financial database

(Margin specs)

Regional order system |_

(Regional data)

View 1- Sales Margin Exceptions All Outlets

Margin Exception Report

ill Conditions

normal

Cognos's PowerPlay, running on a client/server system, has been fed data from three databases. This data has been used to develop a pie chart on last year's sales conditions. The bar graph shows how the same data can be manipulated to produce a what-if scenario, enabling you to explore and develop new strategies. (Photo courtesy ofCognos)

data, despite what some vendors claim. But the biggest problem, according to Dresner, is on the data preparation side: Where is the data? How do you clean it up, make sense of it, and relate it to other information? "The person responsible for implementing the EIS product may know that the relationships are there [in the database]," says Dresner, "but may not be able to find them or present them through an application to users in a timely fashion so they can act on it."

Once you find the data, you must deliver it—not an easy step with today's patchwork of network protocols, database managers, operating systems, and windowing environments (see "Client/Server Frees Data" on page 96).

Bridges to Data

Client/server computing is great in theory. Most database servers speak Novell's NetWare, TCP/IP, or both. Several of the popular database managers, such as Sybase and Oracle, allow you to access remote databases as if they were on your PC.

But in practice, real-time access to your production database isn't always as easy as clicking on a few icons. For example, when you first install your EIS, it might not be able to tell you whether the data you want is available. If it can, you might not be able to extract or manipulate the data unless you can apply your own expertise to your database's query language. Even if you can get your EIS to produce the data, the data may not be presented in a form that you or your applications can

read. For example, your EIS may be able to handle Lotus 1-2-3 or dBase, but your data may be formatted for an arcane main

frame database manager. When problems arise, they usually are not with your network-to-database connections. Rather, they occur because your EIS either can't read the format of the data itself or cannot cope with the schema used to organize the database. Further, some DBMSes are tied to industry-specific formats, such as the Apollo or Sabre airline reservation systems. If you work with an industry-specific database, you might have to rely on yourself or a third party for a data provider to serve as a bridge between your EIS and data. EIS vendors cannot make bridges between their product and every database. For example, if you use PowerPlay from Cognos (Burlington, MA), you'd have to rely on Showcase Vista from Rochester Software (Rochester, MN) to access your IBM AS/400-based

What business does sound have in a computer?

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JUNE 1993 BYTE 123

The only Windows statistics package you'll ever need.

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Rated "the best general-purpose statistics program" for the PC by Software Digest® SYSTAT for DOS is now joined by SYSTAT for Windows. This addition to the SYSTAT family takes full advantage of Windows, with pull-down menus, dialog boxes, sizable windows, and the ease of use you expect in a Windows package.

SYSTAT for Windows runs in standard and 386 enhanced modes and can take advantage of Windows advanced memory management. No matter how large or complex your analysis is, you can use SYSTAT.

SYSTAT delivers a balance of power and simplicity. It lets you analyze and manipulate data

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SYSTAT is a full-fledged Windows application. Just point and click. SYSTAT's QuickStat™ buttons give you simple, single-click shortcuts to common statistical analyses.

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A full range of univariate and multivariate slatistics-from / tests to multidimensional scaling. With a few clicks you can turn most statistics into graphs and perform:

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No other statistical or graphics package can produce all the scientific and technical graphs that SYSTAT can-nor surpass its ease of use. Graphics capabilities include:

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A compatible family of products

Whichever you choose-SYSTAT for Windows, SYSTAT for DOS or both-you'll enjoy the most powerful statistics and scientific graphics software available for the PC.

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For more information call or write: SYSTAT, Inc., 1800 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60201-3793. Tel: 708.864.5670, Fax: 708.492.3567

Australia: Hearne Marketing 61.3.8661766, BeNeLux: Oasis 31.3402.66336, Denmark: Agrolab 45.64.406575, France: Deltasoft 33.76.418508, Germany: STATCON 49.55.4272075, Italy: PiSoft 39.587.213640, Japan: HuLinks 81.33.5902311, New Zealand: Hoare & Assoc. 64.78.562675, Poland: COMPANION 48.12.360791, Spain: AddLink 34.3.4590722, Switzerland: F&P 41.31.215151, SYSTAT UK: 44.81.4620093

© 1992 SYSTAT®, Inc. Software Digest Ratings Report/8.5, May, 1991. Software Digest is a registered trademark of NSTL, Inc.

State of the Art

ElSes Mine Your Data

EIS Site Installations Soar Worldwide

3500 3000

1987 1989 1991

(Source: International Data Corp.)

database, because Cognos doesn't make a data provider for it.

End-user experiences vary. For example, Gordon Seeler, a technician at Prudential Insurance (Newark, NJ), reports that Forest and Trees, a Windowsbased EIS from Channel Computing (Portsmouth, NH), comes with the bridges he needs. Seeler's job is to set up Forest and Trees throughout the company. Prudential's main database is IBM's DB2. Forest and Trees accesses DB2 via Microsoft's SQL Server, which allows a PC to access DB2 data over a network (see "The Many Flavors of SQL" on page 109). The connection to the SQL Server is a data provider within Forest and Trees itself.

"I love it," says Seeler. "The product is easy to install. I just insert the first [of three] disks, go to Windows Program Manager, drop down the file menu, and select RUN. Forest and Trees prompts me for what data providers I want installed, and that's it."

Staging Strategies

Perhaps more typical are those client/server administrators who cannot—or do not want to—assign direct connections between end users and live databases. Instead, they opt to create an intermediate staging database. Charles Smith, general manager of a beer distributor in Kingston, Massachusetts, chose this option.

At the heart of Smith's problem is that the EIS he uses, Pilot Software's (Boston, MA) LightShip, cannot access the company's industry-specific DBMS, the VIP Beverage System from Vermont Information Processing (Colchester, VT). Smith's solution is to download VIP data from his IBM System/36 server to a standard dBase-type file running on a 486-based PC. His clients then access the data from their 386-based PCs running LightShip. LightShip uses a single data provider, called LightShip Lens, which is compatible with such widely used data formats as Microsoft's DDE.

Smith, whose background is in finance, set up his first EIS application for sales analysis in about two weeks. He doesn't consider this an unreasonable amount of time, especially in view of what the application does for him. For instance, Smith says that his LightShip application helps

maximize profits by letting him determine how many bottles of beer should be stocked at certain sales outlets. "This will let me bury my competition," says Smith. Security and compatibility factors are among the reasons that Chemical Bank uses a data-staging strategy. Cort Jacobsen is a vice president at Chemical Bank's securities trading department. He uses dBase running on a pair of 486-based PCs as a staging database for two reasons. One is to keep clients from sending queries against the trading database, which could slow down the database and result in a lag in the posting of stock market activity reports. The other reason is to overcome format incompatibilities between LightShip Lens running on client 486s and the database containing the bank's trading records, running under Microsoft's Fox

pro on 486-based servers.

Although LightShip can access Foxpro data directly, it can't do so with Foxpro's memo fields. This complication makes historical-trend analysis impossibly long to accomplish, since LightShip cannot use Foxpro's data indexes for searches. Like Smith, Jacobsen doesn't consider these data-connection issues a serious obstacle. One reason for this is that, as with many large companies, Chemical Bank has an information systems infrastructure for which such workarounds are not difficult to implement.

The good news is that the need for these kinds of workarounds is vanishing rapidly as EIS vendors implement data providers for more and more databases. Channel Computing seems to have the longest list of databases for which data providers are available, although all EIS vendors continue to add to their own lists.

EIS Magic

According to Judith Hurwitz, president of Hurwitz Consulting (Newton, MA),

What business does sound have in a computer?

Till memo lI•>".,bl-. 'lie JT'V.M! il Hi:

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State of the Art

ElSes Mine Your Data

customers are buying ElSes today without the data providers they need, proving the perceived value of the genre. Sales figures buttress this assertion. Clare Gillan, director of information access for International Data Corp. (Framingham, MA), a marketresearch firm, reports that sales of PC-based ElSes jumped from about $5 million in 1985 to $125 million last year. By 1996, EDC projects that sales will rocket up to $329 million.

"Executive decision support used to mean back rooms filled with programmers, each one providing a 'view for hire,'" says Hurwitz. "By comparison, today's ElSes are not especially difficult to install or use, and [they] provide an enormous amount of leverage."

"The magic," says Hurwitz, "[is that an EIS] lets you see things you can't see just by looking at rows and columns." Indeed, some packages, such as IDIS: The Information Discovery System from IntelligenceWare, go so far as to suggest what trends and relationships you should be asking your database about.

To do this, IDIS scrutinizes your raw data and uses statistical analysis to generate rules about it. For example, while looking at a supermarket's national sales data, IDIS might generate a rule that says that if a supermarket is between 31,000 and 73,000 square feet in size and sells between 2500 and 3000 boxes of cereal weekly in February, then 92 percent of the time, it will sell between 4000 and 5000 cases of milk in July.

Cognos's PowerPlay also uses statistical analysis to automatically suggest how data should be summarized and structured. Its statistical-analysis capabilities let you determine, say, whether a particular sample of time-series data would be more meaningful to you if it were displayed as a monthly, year-to-year, or year-to-date sampling. You can also determine whether there is greater variability in your sales data if the data is displayed by product type, vendor, or geographic region.

Helps You Think

With its combined graphical interface and multidimensional-analysis capabilities, an EIS has the power to help guide you in your thought process. "Dimensionality is

as key to the new EIS paradigm as

client/server computing," says Douglas McCartney, Pilot Software's vice president of marketing. "It gives you the ability to see the relationships in your data that are not obvious to you."

One dimension of a sales transaction, for example, is what sale was made when. Other dimensions are year-to-date sales, this year versus last year, first quarter versus second quarter, and so on. However, it is likely that none of these dimensions is called out explicitly in your database. An EIS can bring the relationships of these dimensions to the surface for your investigation and analysis.

That's precisely how Jerry Reilly, a data administrator at Amitech (Sellerville, PA), a gauge maker, uses PowerPlay. In what he

What ElSes Do for You

• create graphically rich charts

• find data in multiple distributed sources

• help discover relationships between data

• provide information at or near real time

• suggest pertinent data and how to present it

• give you statistical-analysis tools for summarizing and structuring data

describes as a "breakthrough application," Reilly analyzes product-delivery performance in many different ways. For example, he can analyze performance for the company as a whole; for any market group, customer, salesperson, or distributor; and for any time period or product type. In addition, Reilly can view the analysis in dollars, quantity, or number of orders. He can place months as rows and view performance as a trend line. He can also analyze performance at either of Amitech's manufacturing plants or for both simultaneously.

"In the old days," states Reilly, "when I printed a report, the next thing that would happen would be people coming back and wanting it sorted in a million different ways. No longer." Reilly says his next PowerPlay application will "reengineer the business." It will give him gross margins for any customer, region, product, or item sold.

In addition, ElSes let you use graphics to manipulate the data, not just present it. Virtually every desktop EIS offers a "drill

Microsoft Windows

Sound System. Y)u'll be

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«««woft h

It's the complete audio solution for your business, with all the hardware and software included. Call (800) wnnsoFT j 426-9400, Dept. JK8, for a free demo disk that'll bring ■J the Microsoft Windows Sound System to life on your PC. It's the first audio system spe- ■jr*^^ «%Xp cifically designed for the Microsoft JMWGFQSQfl Windows operating system* Making it easier

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JUNE 1993 BYTE 3L2T

State of the Art

ElSes Mine Your Data

GRAPHING DATA WITH AN EIS

After you enter the operating parameters for your IntelligenceWare's IDIS EIS lets you use

search, IDIS uses this information and statistical different types of graphs to visualize data

analysis to generate rules about the data. (e.g., sales information over time by location).

Rule No: 59 Confidence = 111%

II H.2W1 <- Dealer Volume <= 12.900

AND

1% <-- Rebate Value <= 354 III! tl

G.3% <- Sales Increase <= Vi%

1

(Photo courtesy of IntelligenceWare, Inc.)

You can graph what-if scenarios.

down" capability, for example. This means that you can click on a data item, say a pie slice representing New York state sales, and view the underlying statistics, such as a pie chart of all your New York distributors.

More recent capabilities allow you to set up virtual instrument-control panels for monitoring your business in real time.

LightShip, for example, allows you to display a chart of statistics as a bar graph by clicking on that presentation in a style menu. You can then drag the bar graph next to the original chart and view both at the same time. Using a "view selector" window, you can size your graph and populate it with the names of some of the fields in the original chart (e.g., regions,

SEARCHING WITH AN EIS

IntelligenceWare's Iconic Query lets you search for a particular item, generate a graph, or create a report.

The lines connecting icons express the relationship among actions that comprise a sales transaction.

t

Repuil

Uj

Puichaso

111 tie is

issue finii«spontl

/ \

SELECT CUSTOMER NAME. CUSTOMER.NO

SUCH THAI

PURCHASE. AMOUNT > 6.000 AND PURCHASEDATE > 1-12-1992

You define each icon before you begin a search. The parameters shown define the customer icon.

(Photo courtesy of IntelligenceWare, Inc.)

ustomui Payment / Invoice

Iconic Query lets you select icons that represent your databases.

years, and products). By scrolling through this window and double-clicking on the desired view, alternative presentations of your company's sales performance are displayed, all in real time. You can even make the words in the main title change automatically according to the name of the view being displayed.

Increasingly, EIS makers are using hypertext to make data manipulation more powerful and intuitive. IntelligenceWare's Iconic Query, for example, lets you specify relationships between objects by drawing a line between them. This allows nonexperts to express relationships that may not have been previously defined in the database and thus are unavailable to Iconic Query. For example, drawing a line between a shipments icon and a customers icon expresses the notion that shipments are made to customers.

EIS Potential Grows

EIS vendors claim that their products empower you to find relationships and trends in your distributed data so that you can quickly adopt new business strategies; many EIS users agree. According to Charles Smith, "20 seconds is not long to wait for a [business] strategy."

But, obviously, issues such as data staging and interchange need more attention— and they're getting it. This attention is evident in the growing lists of databases and compatible data formats supported, the higher level of built-in statistical-analysis functions, and the hypertext features.

Still, the energy behind the acceleration of desktop EIS is the continuing expansion of client/server computing. According to analyst Wood at the Business Research Group, 51 percent of all personal computers are networked, and 49 percent of all networks are interconnected to another network. Furthermore, a recent Business Research Group survey of 500 companies found that two-thirds of the companies either have begun to implement a client/ server computing strategy or have one in place already.

According to Wood, the trend is undeniable. "In the past, the obstacle to ElSes on the PC was the lack of a client/server infrastructure," he notes. "Now companies are installing [that] infrastructure." ■

Randall D. Crank of Boston, Massachusetts, is a marketing consultant for software companies and a freelance writer on computer-industry topics. He holds an MBA in marketing from Clark University (Worcester, MA). You can reach him on BIX c/o "editors. "

BYTE JUNE 1993

In the world of Windows NT, Intergraphs applications bring a new level of power and sophistication to the technical desktop.

The computer graphics industry has made another leap forward. Under Microsoft's New Technology operating system, popular business programs and Intergraph's technical applications can run alongside each other on the same computer. The same friendly Windows environment appears throughout the applications - word processing, spreadsheets, architecture, civil engineering, mapping, and all the rest. CAD users can now spend time designing and drafting, not navigating through the operating system.

"The Microsoft-Intergraph alliance

provides a full range of technical

applications, as well as a wealth of

personal productivity tools - complete

solutions for the technical desktop."

PaulMaritz, Microsoft Senior Vice President of Systems

MicraStation is general purpose

9a CAD software that runs on PCs, Macs, and UNIX workstations. It is a primary tool in Intergraph's solutions for the technical desktop. If you appreciate the economy of PCs but need sophisticated design power, take a look at MicraStation. It means a more productive, more profitable future fur you and your company.

CAD

"MicroStation

includes a mbust set

of 3D capabilities and

gives you a variety of

uap to wider models."

Infoworld

should give you the productivity edge you need to be competitive in today's business environment. You need a tool that streamlines the process of drafting, as well as a modeler that helps you create virtually any object-fast. You should be able to store design data in relational databases without programming. Your future depends on the ability to share data with your design team and other operations. MicraStation software gives its users this level of proficiency. And keeps them in tune with the best in applications solutions.

Intergraph introduces MicraStation Version 5. It refines a product that is considered the state of the art in CAD graphical user interfaces (GUI). In doing so it boosts CAD to a higher level of usability.

MicraStation Version 5 brings renowned integration advantages to designers and

MicroStation. integrates with your favorite Windows business applications.

LINK TEXT

engineers who need to run in the Microsoft Windows business environment - Windows, Windows for Workgroups, and Windows NT.

Software that puts you in charge.

Today, user friendly means more than easy it means software that empowers you. You control MicroStation through a graphical command center featuring icon command buttons... pull-down menus... tear-away palettes... multiple, resizable overlapping views. The display is sleek. With no perceptible repaint, Version 5's graphical user interface seems to float over your drafting and design area.

MicroStation runs as an extension of the way you work. Choose from unique Workspaces designed for your profession. They configure the graphical CAD desktop for you and manage the computing environment to your needs. Even discipline-specific drafting styles are provided. And it's all tailorable: Graphically build your own pull-down menus and palettes. Rearrange fields in dialog boxes. Disengage commands. You've got the power to create the interface that best meets the needs of the task at hand.

CAD software should accommodate the way you think, work, learn - even change your mind. You should be able to select a different dimensioning system right in the middle of a command. Or modify a shape and have

Februarys 1993 MicroStation PC, 4.0.3

"MicroStation PC is an exceptionally usable, powerful package with such rare and exotic features as nonuniform rational B-splines." PC Magazine

all of the dimensions automatically change. Simple actions - like grabbing a line or object - should be so fast that they require no conscious effort. MicroStation performs functions like these as a matter of course. Other CAD software simply can't.

Store information in popular relational databases - without programming!

A powerhouse of features gives you the productivity edge!

MicroStation offers more functionality in one package than any other CAD software. New dimension-driven design options help you design intelligently using geometric and dimensional constraints Apply variables to the constraints and save your design for reuse with different parameters when creating similar objects or parts. These and more new capabilities like user-defined linestyles and associative patterning and hatching - provide the most complete drafting environment available.

Powerful tools help you create freeform, mathematically precise surface models. Model virtually any object, no matter how complex. Perform trim, blend, fillet, and Boolean operations between surfaces. You've got the simplicity of solid modeling without the overhead.

Visualizing your designs is easy and cost-effective with MicroStation's new photorealistic rendering capabilities. Light sources, shadows, transparencies, depth cueing, anti-aliasing, and bump and pattern mapping help you market your designs. You can even create flythrough animations and play them onscreen for your clients. MicroStation is a powerhouse of features in one package.

The best tool for the '90s production enuironment

Users value the way MicroStation performs in the production environment On large projects, it's a clean-running, fast performer. One user said, "MicroStation is an all-encompassing system... capable of covering all facets of project management, not just design and drafting."

MicroStation users enhance productivity through real-time data sharing. True file referencing allows each member of a workgroup to easily

and safely share files concurrently with others. It's peer-to-peer sharing of design information while everyone continues working - across multiple hardware platforms and networks.

Run MicroStation with other Windows applications. Cut and paste graphics in a Word proposal. Link document text with your MicroStation design file. Drive MicroStation graphics with an Excel spreadsheet Embed sounds and messages in your design file.

^McroStation

All in all, if you combine MicroStation's integration capabilities with Windows' data sharing capabilities, you've got just what you'd expect from a '90s CAD product And you have a clear growth path to Intergraph's sophisticated application solutions for UNLX and Windows NT.

MicroStation Version 5 reads and writes to AutoCAD .dwg format.

"Compared to DalaCAD. AutoCAD, and

VersaCAD. MicroStation is much faster...

Compuler-Aided Engineering

DRIVE GRAPHICS

Beyond the immediate benefits, Sf there are advantages that come from Intergraph s years of experience. In

some industries, 25 years is not moch. In computer graphics, 25 years is the lifetime of the industry. For almost a quarter of a century, Intergraph has developed computer graphics systems - hardware, software, and support-for industries that rely heavily on maps, engineering drawings, and models to convey information.

p

limb the Statue of Liberty, ride Swiss Rail U through the Alps, use the 1993 Rand McNally Road Atlas, or take a break with the world's most popular soft drink. In these unexpected places - and hundreds of others you'll find the results of combining Intergraph's computer graphics experience widi users' ingenuity.

With Intergraph's

MGE geographic information system. California s Division of Mines ay id Geology will provide digital maps to enable Californians to determine if they live in risky earthquake or landslide zones.

■*imm JL.~ J i

Gohbell Hays Partners Inc.. a 32-person firm. _ uses MicroSlalion and hlodelView from Intergraph to design laboratories for corporations and universities. Says firm president Ronald Gobbell. "Three-dimensional modeling shows the scientist exactly how his lab is going to look." With MicroSlalioiL Gobbell Hays am customize and reuse cells with symbols of equipment, cabinets, and other basic lab features.

The Intergraph advantage.

The arrival of a powerful new Windows operating environment means that for the first time, hundreds of thousands of microCAD users will have access to the functionality and technical sophistication of Intergraph applications.

SS2J^!M■■;-i»|!:|k.'|«i»i. I-sivi-ieii lau-.-;

'llistilSuJ——

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Long-term partnerships with customers worldwide.

Intergraph's reputation for

a top-notch customer service follows the company around the globe as international business steadily increases. Intergraph's extensive customer support network continues to earn top ratings in customer satisfaction surveys. The most recent Daratech Industry Update quotes a wide range of

Intergraph users range from small offices or departments to large multinational firms, and their projects run the gamut from single drawings to complex aircraft carriers.

Intergraph users satisfied with their systems. Intergraph's track record of technological stability and continuity is important:

"Intergraph has given me a competitive advantage for a number of years."

"No other vendor could have given us total binary file compatibility for all these years."

"I'm a firm believer thai they have the best CAD product on the market."

Daratech Industry Update November 1992

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Integrate CAD processing with other Windows applications such as Word and Excel by taking advantage of complete support for Microsoft's Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) technology.

Urwatec Corporation uses the high-performance solid modeling technology in Intergriipbs Engineering Modeling System (EMS) to design products for least invasive surgery. Jlx process of'identifying anddeveloping new and innovative products is

fundamental for growth in the health care industry, and Linvatec credits Intergraph systems for providing a strong competitive edge.

M

Technical leadership.

The list of disciplines addressed with Intergraph software is one of the longest in the industry and continues to grow.

• Aeronautical charting • Architecture

• Cartography • Civil engineering • Dispatch management • Document management

• Electronics design • Energy exploration

• Environmental resource management

• Facilities management • Geographic information systems • Image processing

• Industrial design • Manufacturing

• Mechanical engineering • Photogrammetry

• Plant design • Publishing • Ship design

• Surveying • Telecommunications • Urban planning • Utilities - gas, electric, water

In 39 of the .50 departments of transportation in the United Stales, Intergraph applications for surveying, civil engineering, and CIS enable the DOTs to design and maintain the nation's transportation infrastructure.

New opportunities arise

when you go with the CAD standard.

MicroStation can give you a foot in the door on major projects around the world. For example, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and their subcontractors use MicroStationbased applications. On the massive Hong Kong airport project, Intergraph has been named CAD supplier in the four contracts announced so far. Through numerous contractors and subcontractors, Intergraph applications will play a major role in designing and building the new airport and township, as well as the railway that connects them to Kowloon and Hong Kong.

Designed for Windows NT - the new Technical Desktop Series workstations.

Intergraph has traditionally supplied complete software and hardware solutions. In keeping with this tradition, Intergraph offers its own systems designed for Windows NT. They're optimized for CAD immediately out of the box, with full networking capabilities built-in. So it's simply plug-and-play. And with an Intergraph workstation, display clarity, high resolution, and graphics performance make viewing your work a pleasure.

These fast, affordable systems are perfect for running the new technical applications from Intergraph, along with thousands of other applications that run under Windows. And workstations in the Technical Desktop Series are fully interoperable with other systems on your network.

Intergraph is the world's largest independent development site for Windows NT applications.

Low-cost suite of AEC applications

Feature-packed and available at a low cost, Intergraph's MasterWorks applications for architects and civil engineers bring a new level of power and value to the technical desktop. Intergraph brings to the Windows world functions formerly available only in high-end CAD systems. The MasterWorks series includes these applications:

Roadworks - transportation engineering DesignWorks - architectural design CogoWorks - coordinate geometry FrameWorks - structural modeling SiteWorks - site design

Whatever your project, MasterWorks will empower you to master your design challenges.

Affordable, expandable geographic information systems (GIS)

With the Modular GIS Fnvironment (MGE) solutions for the PC, Intergraph gives you the best of both worlds the power of the world's leading GIS on the world's most popular computing platform. Using MGE PC solutions, you can build an integrated, powerful GIS without investing large amounts of time, money, or resources. Start with a single PC and add workstations and sophisticated software as your needs grow. Or expand your existing MGE network with cost-effective PC seats. MGE PC solutions include:

MGE PC-1 - database creation and project management MGE Grid Analyst PC - spatial modeling and analysis Maplnfo for Windows - desktop thematic mapping MGE Project Viewer - read-only database display and query

'-■■■■ ._■>■-'

Before you spend a dollar, look at

the value of your investment. You

can be highly productive with

MicroStalion spowerhouse of

features for only $3,790

CALL 800-345-4856 today for an

Intergraph Solution Center reseller

or sales representative in your area.

Innovative technology' - once the domain of high-end systems - is now available on the technical desktop. For a more productive future, this is what you need...

Workgroup integration.

Intergraph pioneered reference hies, the technology that enables each member of a workgroup to easily share designs with others. And, since .dwg files can also be referenced, you can work with AutoCAD-created data in MicroStalion. In the Intergraph distributed computing environment, you share information, printers, plotters, and storage devices and see dramatic savings in time and money.

Integrated applications.

Intergraph's integrated data management architecture provides access to technical information within applications and across disciplines. This means that Intergraph's applications can address an entire project workflow from end to end. Access to information across disciplines is made even easier by the fact that all applications feature the same easy-to-leam-and-use graphical user interface.

Smooth operation between operating systems. Growth path.

Many of Intergraph's customers operate on networks that include a mixture of workstations and PCs, so interoperability is essential. Because Intergraph application file formats are common across hardware platforms, there are no problems of data incompatibility or translation, and sharing data is easy. Also, basic Windows NT includes all the tools needed for TCP/IP communication with our UNIX-based systems, so users can mix UNTXbased and Windows NT-based workstations in their networks and enjoy smooth interoperability.

Relational database support.

Intergraph data management tools feature built-in interfaces to Oracle, Informix, and other database management products. This support of leading databases in multiple environments enables you to create links to them without programming.

Interpol 8 is a «gmA trademark and Cohorts. IteiEnS'orks EMS. Frameworks, MasterWorks. Moddtiew. KoadWorks. SileVorks, and Solutions far ihe Tahnical Desktop an? trademarks of Intergraph Corporation MicmSlation® is a registered trademark of Benllcy S.aems, an Intergraph affiliate. Other brands and product names are trademarks uf their respective oanecs Copmght 1993 lna?rgranhCraporatjon.liuntssillc.AL 35894-0001.

If you choose to upgrade your hardware or add other high-end technical applications, Intergraph gives you a growth path. You can upgrade your system and continue to share files.

Open systems and industry standards.

Your investment in hardware and software is protected by Intergraph's continuing support of major standards for computing, networking, drafting, and design.

Value-added services.

Intergraph also provides support in the form of project implementation, customization, systems integration, training, and worldwide service and maintenance.

Call 800-345-4856 for an Intergraph sales representative in your area,

INTERGRAPH

Solutions for the Technical Desktop

Circle 98 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 99).

Reviews

System

Apple's Midrange Mac a Heavy Hitter

The Centris 650 packs a wallop -for just over $3000

TOM THOMPSON

Until early this year, the midrange Apple Macintosh was the Mac Ilci, a 25-MHz 68030-based computer. Now, with its Centris line of Macs, Apple put this aging warhorse out to pasture. The 68040-based Centris line redefines the norm for midrange Mac performance. It also redefines the price of this performance: A three-slot, 25-MHz Centris 650 with 8 MB of RAM and an 80-MB hard drive costs $3169, and you can get a 20-MHz Centris 610 configuration for as low as $1969.

CD-ROM Included

The Centris 650 looks just like a Mac IIvx, and in fact it uses the same chassis. My evaluation unit was packed with goodies: 8 MB of RAM, a 230-MB hard drive, built-in Ethernet, 1 MB of VRAM (video RAM), and a CD-ROM drive. The cost of such a system is $3939. The 1 MB of VRAM gives the Centris 16-bit color capability on a 640- by 480-pixel screen, making it useful for most image editing and multimedia work.

When setting up the Centris, I couldn't locate the packet with the usual high-density floppy disks containing system software. I was looking in the wrong place, because CD-ROM-equipped Centris systems include system software on a CD platter. The Centris boots from this CDROM by default when it can't locate a bootable SCSI drive. You can also force the Centris to boot from the CD-ROM by holding down the Command-Option-ShiftDelete keys simultaneously as the computer starts. Either way, a CD-ROM boot lands you in the At Ease shell, a system shell that puts you a mouse-click away

The Centris 650 redefines midrange-Mac performance by outrunning the Quadra 700 while maintaining a price close to those of high-end PC clones. Equipped with a doublespeed CD-ROM and a 25MHz 68040 processor, the Centris 650 makes a solid multimedia platform. Here, the Centris 650 is quickly running Reactor's Spaceship Warlock interactive movie directly off CD-ROM.

from applications that format the hard drive, test its integrity, and install the operating system. Other utilities allow you to create high-density floppy disks loaded with system software, such as a bootable "crash floppy" that includes disk formatting and repair

If you're not quite ready to retire that Mac Ilci but want Quadra performance, there's DayStar Digital's Turbo 040 ($1599). The Turbo 040 is a 33-MHz 68040 accelerator board. At boot time, the Turbo's faster 68040 processor outraces the llci's CPU and takes control of the system. The Turbo 040 has a plug-in socket for a FastCache |$399|, an expansion module with a 128KB, 12-nanosecond SRAM [static RAM) cache. A Ilci equipped with a Turbo 040 and a FastCache performed better than a Quadra 950.

applications. Storing crucial system software on a sturdy, read-only medium and providing ready access to it is one of Apple's better innovations.

A CD-ROM-equipped Centris can handle a wide variety of media. Its AppleCD 300 CD-ROM supports CD-ROM XA (Extended Architecture), which lets it read multisession Kodak Photo CD format. A QuickTime compressor/decompressor provided with the system software lets graphics applications transparently read the images stored on Photo CDs. The AppleCD 300 is a double-speed drive, which means it delivers over 300 KBps, twice the transfer rate of earlier drives. I inserted Reactor's Spaceship Warlock interactive CDROM into the drive and launched the software. This software makes heavy use of graphics and sound and is sensi

tive to system throughput. On a Quadra 950 using a slower CD-ROM drive, I had to copy the files onto the hard drive to get acceptable performance. On the Centris 650, I ran the interactive movie straight off the CD-ROM with snappy response.

With the Centris's 68040 heart beating at 25 MHz, you would expect to get only Quadra-700-class performance. However, the BYTE application benchmarks show otherwise, with the Centris 650 running about 13 percent faster than the Quadra 700. This is a conservative estimate, since I had to disable the processor caches (which degrades performance) in order to run Word 4.0 in the word processing benchmarks. The combined effects of tightly integrated components (which reduces the clock cycles required to shuffle data about the system) and interleaved memory (which minimizes the clock cycles needed to access adjacent memory locations) result in a tremendous performance boost for the system.

For those who bought a Mac IIvx and

JUNE 1993 BYTE 129

Reviews

Apple's Heavy Hitter

BYTE Macintosh Benchmarks

CPU

Centris 650

Quadra 700

PowerBook165c

PowerBook180

DayStar Turbo 040

Mac llci

Mac Classic II

Disk

Video

Applications

Better ► I 4 Worse

Better ► I 4 Worse Better ► I < Worse Better ► I 4 Worse

All machines were tested using System 7.1. All results are indexed. For each test, a Mac Classic II = 1, and higher numbers indicate faster performance. The floating-point benchmarks use the SANE library.

Comprehensive lest results and detailed configurations are available for all machines on request.

The Mac Classic II used a 512- by 342-pixel screen, and the PowerBooks used 640- by 400-pixel screens. All others used 640- by 480-pixel screens.

The Mac llci was equipped with an Apple Cache board and 8'24 GC display board.

For 68040-based Macs, caches were disabled for the Word Processing tests, and PageMaker 4.2 was used for the Desktop Publishing tests.

BYTE's Macintosh application benchmarks pegged Centris 650 performance about 13 percent higher than the performance of a Quadra 700. The PowerBook 165c is about as fast as a PowerBook ISO on most tests, but it falls behind on benchmarks that depend on video speed.

are disappointed with its performance (it's actually slower than the older llci), there's still hope. For $1199, Apple offers a main logic board swap that upgrades the IIvx

to a Centris 650. Be aware that the Centris uses a new 72-pin RAM SIMM that is incompatible with the 30-pin SIMMs found in the IIvx and older Macs.

PORTABLE COLOR

The PowerBook 165c is more or less a PowerBook 180 under the hood: It contains the same 33-MHz 68030 processor and 68882 FPU as does the PowerBook 180. But there's no mistaking the two because of the 165c's passive-matrix color LCD screen. The smaller 9-inch panel uses a higher dot density to achieve the same 640- by 400-pixel resolution as the 180 while displaying 256 colors. The 165c's display is clear and bright, but you have to adjust the brightness to maximum (thereby taxing the battery) to see it at its peak. Typical of passive LCD technology, the 165c's display also exhibits display artifacts (colored streaks) as cross-talk voltages leak to adjacent pixel lines. Nevertheless, several BYTE editors (not just me) judged it to be the best passive-matrix screen they've seen.

The low-level BYTE benchmarks gauged a PowerBook 165c (with 4 MB of RAM and an 80-MB hard drive) similar in performance to the PowerBook 180, except for video. PowerBook 165c designers used DRAM, rather than dual-port

ed VRAM (video RAM), for the frame buffer. Because the processor and display circuitry battle over access to this memory, video performance suffers. The slow display hampers throughput, causing some application benchmarks to plummet to apparent Mac IIvx speeds. Since the rest of the computer operates at 33 MHz, the performance penalty appears only when an application makes heavy use of the display. I hope future color PowerBooks avoid this design flaw.

While 256 colors seems limiting, it's adequate if you need to run small group presentations and need to carry a bare minimum of hardware. You might not want to edit anything in Adobe Photoshop on the 165c, but professional artists can use Photoshop to present portfolios of their work or to preview artwork while traveling.

PowerBook Battery Life

PowerBook 165c

83

PowerBook 180

100

Duo 230

■ 135

PowerBook 145 PowerBook 170

^■1 151

^^^^^^^Hl B169

Minutes

Thanks to the ground-breaking Quadras, software compatibility for the 68040-based Centris 650 was excellent. Aldus PageMaker 4.2, Symantec's Think C 5.0.4, and Zedcor's FutureBasic 1.01 all ran without a hitch. Scanning color images using Light Source's Ofoto 2.0 and an Apple Color OneScanner also went without problems. Adobe Photoshop 2.5 blitzed through loading and editing huge image files.

The Centris represents a great step forward, providing excellent performance and solid compatibility for a price that puts it in direct competition with high-end PCs. If there's one thing wrong with the Centris 650, it is—ironically—the price. Or at least the pricing structure. Prices between related Mac models usually differ by only a few hundred dollars, but the difference between a similarly equipped Centris 610 and Centris 650 is closer to $1000. ■

Tom Thompson is a BYTE senior technical editor at large and a certified Apple developer. You can reach him on BIX as "tomjhompson" or on the Internet at tomt@bytepb.byte.com.

About the Products ■

Centris 650 $3939

Apple Computer, Inc.

20525 Mariani Ave.

PowerBook

Cupertino, CA 95014

165c $3399

(800) 776-2333

(408) 996-1010

DayStar Digital

fax: (408) 974-6412

Turbo 040 $1599

Circle 1221

System Configuration

on Inquiry Card.

Centris 650: 8 MB of

DayStar Digital

RAM, 1 MB of VRAM,

5556 Atlanta Hwy.

230-MB hard drive,

Flowery Branch, GA

CD-ROM drive.

30542

PowerBook 165c: 4

(800) 962-2077

MB of RAM, 80-MB

(404) 967-2077

hard drive.

fax: (404) 967-3018

Circle 1222

on Inquiry Card.

130 BYTE JUNE 1993

Safe Memory Management Keeps Your System Running Smoothly.

What's more annoying than losing work on your PC? A crash or 'hang' destroys everything you've done since the last time you saved. That work is lost forever.

Two major causes of crashes are memory conflicts and running out of memory. To avoid these problems, many users sacrifice productivity-enhancing TSRs or useful network utilities. And that's unfortunate, because the right memory management lets you have it all—safety and performance.

Have Your Cake and Eat it, Too.

QEMM-386'" version 6 lets you run your favorite programs and TSRs without fear of 'out of memory' problems or conflicts. It provides the maximum memory right where your programs need it.

The more memory you have, the more reliability you get. No other memory manager measures up to QEMM's performance.

pcmck A,,c„r N%™ qmaps SS off £3,

RatWgS iSt M "U LU 6.00 Analyst'! Choice 2.1

Software

Compatibility

Hardware

Comp.ilibililv

Reliability

East of Use

NtanrV Management Flexibility

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What You Can Expect

Maximum Conventional Memonj Gain (default)

DOS5

DOS5 DOS3or4 alone

h GOOD ^ SATISFACTORY (~7) NLEDS IMI'ROVF.UHNT

PC Week carefully compared them all and rated QEMM-386 vbthe best memonj manager.

Tliis is ivhat QEMM-386 does for a typical PC. It reorganizes memory to produce greater speed and safety.

Nobody Knows Memory Like We Know Memory.

That's not bragging, just fact. As recently as two years ago, DOS ignored the importance of maximizing conventional memory. At that time, our QEMM-386 v5 provided up to 128K more usable memory. QEMM became a virtual necessity for 'power users'

Today, our latest QEMM-386 version 6 surpasses even that achievement. Thanks to our new, smart 'stealth' technology, it finds as much as 96K more high memory than other memory managers. And speaking of other memory managers, not one has yet been able to match our performance. Instead, some have slashed prices or started nasty rumors just because they couldn't reliably deliver the same results. These tactics must not work, since we outsell all the others put together.

QEMM has won more

recognition than all other

memory managers combined.

QEMM. The Memory Manager Millions Rely on Every Day.

Considering its unsurpassed performance

and the safety it adds to your system, it's no

wonder that

millions of PC

owners use QEMM.

And it should be no

surprise that 'gurus'

and MIS managers

consistently vote

QEMM-386 the top

memory manager

in poll after poll,

year after year.

Protect Your Productivity; Keep Your Work Safe.

Any task, from programming to writing the company business plan to composing a personal letter, takes time and thought. Your PC is supposed to make that process easier; your output better. When you can't run your favorite grammar-checking TSR or have to get by without a vital network utility, you're sacrificing productivity.

Whether you're running MS-DOS, IBM'" PC-DOS, DR DOS or MS Windows, don't sacrifice; don't compromise; don't risk losing work. QEMM-386 version 6 is the most powerful, flexible memory manager you can buy. Period.

QEMM comes with

Manifest, the

award-winning

memory analyzer

that helps you

avoid memory

conflicts.

Quarterdeck Office Systems, 150 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405 (310) 392-9851 Fax (310) 314-4219

Quarterdeck International Ltd., B.I.M. House, Crofton Terrace, Dun Laoghaire Co. Dublin, Ireland Tel.(353) (1) 284-1444 Fax: (353) (1) 284-4380

Circle 132 on Inquiry Card.

©1993 Quarterdeck Office Systems. Trademarks are property of their respective owners.

m

>;gw:; '"

Discover why FoxPro, Clipper, and dBASE were all written in C.

^/here is a good reason why • your database language was developed in C. In fact, there are many good reasons.

C code is small. C code is fast. C code is portable. C code is flexible. C is the language of choice for today's professional developer. With the growing complexity of database applications, C is a realistic alternative. Now with CodeBase 5.0, you can have all the functionality, simplicity and power of traditional database languages together with the benefits of C/C++.

C speed - fast code, true executables...

FoxPro, Clipper, and dBASE were written in C primarily for speed. But those compilers don't really compile, they combine imbedded language interpreters into your .EXE. Now that's slow. For dazzling performance you need the true executables of C. With CodeBase you get the real thing, C code. Consider the following statistics, from the publisher of Clipper:

SLOWER

dBASE IV FoxPro Clipper 5

remember, those products are all written in C. So why do you need to lug all their extra code around? You don't. CodeBase is a complete DBMS, in C. No fat executables stuffed with unused code. No runtime modules. No royalties. Just quality C code. CodeBase is just what you need.

C portability-ANSI C/C++ on every hardware platform...

No other language exists on more platforms than C/C++. Why rewrite your entire application for DOS, Windows, Windows NT, OS/2 or UNIX? With CodeBase the complete C source code is included, so you can port to any platform with an ANSI C or C++ compiler. Now and in the future.

dBASE Compatible data, index and memo files...

You want the industry standard. You need compatibility. Sure, dBASE is the standard, but every dBASE compatible DBMS product uses its own unique index and memo file formats. Only CodeBase has them all: FoxPro (xdx), Clipper (.ntx), dBASE IV (.mdx) and dBASE III (.ndx). Now it's your choice, we're compatible with you.

"Sieve of Erastothenes"

Benchmark for Prime Number Generation Shows C to be incredibly faster!

C size ■ small executables, no added overhead...

FoxPro, Clipper and dBASE would like you to believe you need their entire development system to build database applications. But

61392 StBUher Software Inc. All rights reserved. CodeBase Is a imdemnrk ofSeqaitU Softmtt Ine. All ol

CodeBase 53)

The power of a complete DBMS, the benefits ofC

NEW ■ Multi-user sharing with FoxPro, Clipper and dBASE...

Now your multi-user C/C++ programs can share data, index and memo files at the same time as concurrently running FoxPro, Clipper and dBASE programs. No incompatibilities. No waiting.

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EBH Software

Microsoft's Visual C++

It's not quite Visual Basic gone to C, but this enhancement to C++ T.O removes some of the drudgery of Windows programming

JIM HURD

icrosoft's Visual C++ brings welcome, sweeping changes to the Microsoft C/C++ 7.0 programming environment. The familiar character-mode Programmer's Workbench IDE and CodeView debugger are replaced in a single stroke by Visual Workbench. The menagerie of resource-creation and editing tools on which most Windows programmers cut their teeth is superseded by an all-in-one resource utility called App Studio. A new version of the Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC 2.0) greatly enhances the value (and doubles the size) of Microsoft's application framework. Taken together, these changes represent a major shift toward removing some of the common hurdles C and C++ developers face when moving to Windows.

But Visual C++ won't do for C++ what Visual Basic did for BASIC. Visual C++ has little in common with Visual Basic other than its ability to use VBX-style controls. However, the common ground that VBX controls provide is important: It's the path that makes it possible to prototype in Visual Basic and move to a finished application in C++.

Visual Workbench

Visual Workbench is an integrated development environment that replaces C/C++ 7.0's Programmer's Workbench. With a full-blown Windows interface, an integrated debugger, and background compilation, Visual Workbench goes far beyond its predecessor.

Visual Workbench provides a straightforward cut/copy/paste editor similar to the one in Borland C++. Like Borland's IDE editor, the Visual Workbench editor can highlight code syntactically—for example, keywords in red, comments in green, and preprocessor instructions in blue. This may seem trivial, but it helped me catch bugs that are easily missed.

The source browser from Programmer's Workbench gets a Windows face-lift in Visual C++. Compared to Borland's browser, the

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Visual Workbench and App Studio provide a much stronger programming environment than Microsoft C/C++ 7.0. A high level of integration and nice visual tools up the ante in Windows development environments.

Microsoft browser is more difficult to use but provides additional features, such as call graphs and caller graphs and the ability to filter the class hierarchy for selected symbols. For basic browsing, neither is superior. Unlike traditional browsers (but like Borland's), the Visual Workbench browser does not let you view or edit code directly. Instead, clicking on a method moves you to the editing window, opening one if necessary. Microsoft's first Windows-hosted debugger, a component of Visual Workbench, is short on bells and whistles. It doesn't offer the wide feature set of the MultiScope debugger, but fortunately it is more robust. As with the debugger in Borland's DOS IDE, you can set breakpoints at any time and jump directly into the editor when you find a bug. This high level

The debugger integrated into Visual Workbench. It's Windows-hosted (finally), but its features are those common to many other debuggers, and it doesn't support remote debugging. Visual C++ also ships with CodeView.

of integration translates to increased productivity. However, I still had to use NuMega's Softlce to trap the nasty bugs. And since the Visual Workbench debugger doesn't support remote debugging, you need to use a large monitor to give yourself enough space for both debugger and target application. I missed the ability to debug code on another machine, but not badly enough to use CodeView (also included with Visual C++).

MFC 2,0 FEATURES

Printing, including print preview

Multiple Document Interface, with toolbar and status bar

Split windows for VBX controls

Dialog box controls in windows

Drag-and-drop file manager support

OLE

Context-sensitive help

Code placed in shared DLL

App Studio

Like Borland's Resource Workshop, App Studio integrates a collection of resource editors, including editors for dialog boxes, menus, bit maps, icons, cursors, and string tables. App Studio goes beyond Resource Workshop with its Class Wizard, support for VBX controls, and a superior user interface.

The Class Wizard forms the link between App Studio and Visual Workbench. Programmers can select a control in App Studio and quickly jump to the code in their program that implements that control. If you haven't written the code

JUNE 1993 BYTE 133

MM Microsoft's Visual C++

EXECUTION SPEED

Using Thomas Lane's JPEG file-compression utility, I tested the execution speed of Visual C++ versus Borland C++ running under Windows. Execution times, in seconds, are shown for speed-optimized 386 code in both cases.

BORLAND C++ 3.1 VISUAL C++

JPEG to PPM JPEG to GIF PPM to JPEG

6.6 16.6 11.5

6.8

20.0

8.6

yet, the Class Wizard whips up a simple template.

Unlike the Application Wizard (described below), which is used once to set up a project, the Class Wizard is in constant use. The Class Wizard's main purpose is to map Windows messages to appropriate methods that you define; adding a new menu command is a reason you might invoke the Class Wizard. However, you can also use it as a simple browser.

App Studio supports VBX controls. Importing a VBX control integrates it into

the control palette along with the standard Windows controls (e.g., button and check box) and makes its properties accessible through the property editor. Through the Class Wizard feature, App Studio can generate code for mapping VBX messages to C++ methods. The ease of using off-the-shelf VBX controls is a big plus for Visual C++ programmers. In testing Visual C++, I often added features in the form of VBX controls that I would not otherwise attempt. VBX controls are convenient, but they don't replace a good class library. Compared to using grids with MacApp, for example, the VBX grid control is easier to implement but not as flexible. The VBX grid can hold text, numbers, or pictures, but the MacApp grid class can be subclassed to display whatever you want. Also, many of the VBX controls are cosmetic adjustments that add little functionality. Still, I often found VBX controls to be the shortest path to a finished product. The real solution, of course, is to use a

Key Application Framework Classes

Mac programmers will feel at home with Visual C++'s new Microsoft Foundation Class libraries: Much of the new terminology and architecture have been borrowed from MacApp. Here are a few key classes:

CObjeet supports run-time class identification, streams, and collections.

CCmdTarget command targets are objects that take part in the dynamic command routing. Menu commands, for example, traverse the command chain until "handled" by a command target.

CDocument objects manage an application's data. CDocument subclasses inherit default file-interface functionality, such as load, save, and save as.

CVIMpp does many things for MFC applications automatically, such as maintaining the Windows menu and updating the list of recently used documents. Every MFC application has a class that descends from CWinApp. The single instance of this class is the application object.

CVBControl supports use of Visual Basic controls within Visual C++ programs.

CView objects are responsible for displaying data. These objects manage screen repainting and printing.

CFormViem allows windows to be created in App Studio using the same tools used for dialog creation. Unlike dialogs, form views can be resized and scrolled.

CEditView provides basic text editing in a view wrapper. It's limited by functionality of the Windows edit control—one font, no styles, and a limited amount of text.

class library where you need a class library and a control where you need a control. Fortunately, Visual C++'s MFC 2.0 class library is no slouch. MFC 2.0 can dramatically reduce the amount of code needed for a basic Windows program by providing an architecture and a set of prebuilt components. Unlike its predecessor, MFC 2.0 adds real functionality to programs that use it. MFC eclipses other Windows frameworks, but it still has a number of weaknesses compared to some application frameworks, notably MacApp.

The Application Wizard feature provides a quick way to create all the files needed to start a new project using the Microsoft Foundation Classes. The Application Wizard is like a shell script on steroids: Check items in a dialog box, specifying a few names and planned application features (such as OLE or drag and drop), and the Application Wizard creates a project directory complete with make file and basic application shell. By using the Application Wizard, I quickly created the shell for an OLE test application that instantly had the basic menus, toolbars, and so on.

The Deciding Factors

Visual C++ is not the perfect compiler. Compilation can take two to three times longer than it does with Borland C++ 3.1. If you don't muck around with Microsoft's tedious precompilation procedure, the difference can be a factor of 10. The quality of generated code is roughly equal to that of code from Borland's compiler (see the table "Execution Speed"). Visual C++ is still based on CFront 2.1. Templates, exceptions, and flat-model 386 code generation didn't make it into this release.

Still, Visual C++ clearly sets a new target for the quality of development environments. It's a stunning upgrade that should be immediately embraced by anyone using Microsoft C/C++ 7.0. Users of other compilers will have to weigh the advantages of Microsoft's advanced environment and application framework against the lack of templates and relatively slow compilation. You may find that you have a place for more than one C++ compiler in your software toolbox. ■

About the Product

Jim Hurd is vice president of R&D at National Software Testing Laboratories (Plymouth Meeting, PA). You can reach him on BIX do "editors."

Visual C++ $499

Microsoft Corp.

1 Microsoft Way

Redmond, WA 98052

(800) 227-4679

(206) 882-8080

Circle 1229 on Inquiry Card.

134 BYTE JUNE 1993

The Worlds First Universal File Editor

Edit Any Text/Data/Binary File Up To 2 Gigabytes

□ Unique multi-mode, multi-file editor handles any text, data or binary file.

a Edit DOS, Unix and Mac text files, fixed and variable length data records.

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□ Edit database, mainframe, Postscript, .EXE and other non-standard files.

□ Hyper-browse CD-ROM files.

□ Full featured program editor. a Convenient word processing. a Also VEDIT for only $89.

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7 New

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This screen shows UEDIT simultaneously editing different files in different nodes. The word processing file in this window is being editing with word jrap and justification enabled. The binary file aboue is being edited in 16 byte record Rode in two windows - one displays the file in hexadecimal, the | ather in ASCII. Any file can be edited and displayed in any desired mode.

Full borders with scroll bars are being used in this screen. You can select no borders, minimal borders or full borders without scroll bars. U-»: Choose Enter:Select Esc:Escape Ctrl-C:CanceI Fl:Help

also

I

Until now, data files, such as database files, downloaded mainframe files, Postscript and plotter output, .EXE executables and other non-standard files were a real headache if you ever had to view, patch, search, search/replace or extensively edit them.

Traditional text editors can't handle these files because they are non-standard or too big. Traditional disk utilities allow only the most primitive viewing and patching. Just a single corrupted data file could take days to fix, and you sweated and cursed the whole time.

A new way to handle data files

VEDIT lets you edit data files as effortlessly as text files. Its secret is incredible speed, huge file capacity and special editing modes.

File modes support DOS, Unix and Mac style text files plus data files with fixed length or variable length records. Display modes include five ASCII modes, Hexadecimal and EBCDIC, or split the screen for any combination. Search using pattern matching or regular expressions, cut and paste data files, and much more. Long lines can be horizontally scrolled or wrapped onto multiple screen lines.

Handle nasty "text" files too

Text files may sound easy to edit, but other editors choke when they hit embedded control (null) characters, very long lines or the 400 Megabyte file you are trying to put onto a CD-ROM. VEDIT handles all text files effortlessly and automatically detects the correct file type. With VEDIT you can conveniently edit any file you will ever encounter.

Speed,speed,speed

Only VEDIT has the speed to edit multi-megabyte files. Traditional text editors such as Brief(tm) and Sage(tm) are much too slow to edit files much larger than memory; and Multi-Edit(tm) is 7 times slower than VEDIT. And none of them can efficiently edit data files.

VEDIT Brief Multi-Edit Sage

Edit data/binary files Yes

Support fixed-length records Yes

Maximum line length Maximum file size Hex/EBCDIC editing Multiple display modes Fast browse of CD-ROM Global search/replace in 10 Meg file

Unlimited 512 2048 65K

2000 Meg 32 Meg 32 Meg 100 Meg

Yes/Yes No/No No/No No/No

Yes

Yes

2:49 min >24hours 20.0 min 2:10 hour

uiiiiTidXG procjicinnnier s eQiior

Long a favorite among programmers, VEDIT has every advanced feature you might expect. Simultaneously edit numerous files, split the screen into windows, search/replace with regular expressions. Automatic indent, block indent, parentheses matching and block operations by character, line, file or column speed program development. Word wrap, paragraph formatting, justification, centering and many printing options are ideal for text processing.

Its unique compiler support integrates tools from different vendors and fully supports "make". VEDIT PLUS has the most powerful macro programming language of any editor. It's ideal for translating files from one format to another.

Easy to learn, easy to use

An intuitive user interface with drop down menus, hot keys, mouse support, optional scroll bars, context sensitive help, point and shoot file selection and unlimited keystroke macros make VEDIT PLUS easy to use, easy to learn. Safety features include 1000 level undo, auto-save and optional backup files.

The entire keyboard layout and everything in VEDIT is configurable with easy to use menus. With over 100 configuration parameters you can fine-tune VEDIT to your exact needs and preferences.

Installation is trivial. Only the 85K VEDIT.EXE is required (no overlays) and a full installation is only 500K.

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Confidently order your VEDIT PLUS today; it comes with a 30 day money-back guarantee. VEDIT has been the choice of 100,000 programmers, writers and engineers since 1980.

VEDIT PLUS - DOS single user license: $185; DOS network 5 user license: $385; UNIX/XENIX, QNX, FlexOS/IBM 4680: $285.

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VEDIT is a registered trademark of Greenview Data, Inc. All other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Greenview Data

Circle 76 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 77).

Reviews

Software

Two Roads to Windows Databases

Paradox for Windows and FoxPro 2.5 for Windows migrate from DOS. One's good for a client-server setup; the other's built for speed.

STAN MIASTKOWSKI AND MARC SCHNAPP

If there's one thing you can be certain of these days, it's that wherever you find Borland, you'll also find Microsoft. So it's not surprising that both companies have moved well-established DOS database managers to Windows— though each by a different route. Borland has redesigned Paradox to fully exploit OOP (object-oriented programming), while FoxPro 2.5 for Windows remains true to its Xbase heritage and still boasts blazing speed on demanding jobs.

Paradox for Windows

Paradox, Borland's powerful relational database program, has evolved through four DOS versions during the past decade. The latest incarnation, Paradox for Windows, is a complete rewrite and redesign, including aggressive object-oriented access.

Data Access and Connectivity

The heart of Paradox for Windows is the Borland InterBase Engine, a core technology that will be the heart of all the company's database products. The InterBase Engine's biggest advantage is that it offers potential native access to a wide range of data formats.

The first release of Paradox for Windows lets you use Paradox and dBase (.DBF) files. Borland promises SQL access within the next few months, to be followed by modules for Interbase, Oracle, and Microsoft/Sybase, among others. The important thing to underline about the InterBase Engine is the native data access. No exporting or importing is involved. We

were easily able to create a sophisticated linked database that used a mix of both Paradox and dBase files.

Paradox has always offered extensive built-in multiuser support, which has been extended with Paradox for Windows. In a network setup, multiple users can work with data on a central server running Paradox for Windows. File and record locking is automatic, and the database owner can further restrict access to files through read and write locks.

Creating a new database with Paradox for Windows isn't much different from using any Windows database. You do have a few choices, however, such as choosing whether you want to use Paradox for Windows, Paradox 3.5, or dBase format.

Paradox for Windows offers some unique field types, although they're not exportable to other database managers. Besides the standard database fields, Paradox for Windows has dynamic memo and formatted memo fields that are useful for storing large amounts of text. The formatted memo field lets you give rich text attributes such as font, size, and color to stored text.

Stored data is often more than text, so Paradox for Windows also has two other unique field types: graphic and BLOb. As the name implies, graphic fields hold standard graphics file formats, including BMP. EPS^GIF, TIF, and PCX. BLOb (Binary Large Object) fields hold virtually any type of binary data. In a database environment, you're likely to use BLObs for audio and motion-video files, or perhaps a CAD drawing. OLE fields are a specialized form of BLObs. Using Windows' Object Linking and Embedding, they let Paradox for Windows act as an OLE host. Clicking on an object in an OLE field launches the associated application.

More Than a Windows Interface

Paradox for Windows' Database Desktop interface is new and completely different. The interface makes everything that appears on

the screen an object that you can manage and manipulate. Paradox for Windows is the first major Windows application that's completely object-oriented. From a user-interface standpoint, objects are primarily visual entities that encapsulate (i.e., hide) packets of code and data. That's one reason it's so difficult to explain how the interface works in Paradox for Windows. You have to see and use it. The Object Inspector is the key to the object-oriented interface. When you point to anything on the screen and click the right mouse button, you see a menu showing all the properties that are associated with the object.

One familiar feature of Paradox for Windows is QBE (Query by Example). Paradox was the first to incorporate it into database technology, and it works much the same way in Paradox for Windows as it does in the DOS version, although it's more graphical. Creating a query is still a matter of checking the fields you want to search and entering search criteria. It remains one of Paradox's most powerful features.

Form and report design has been vastly extended in Paradox for Windows. The program's aggressive object orientation makes the process more obvious and considerably more capable.

Data Modeling

Paradox for Windows extends Paradox's data models. You can use the usual single and multifield primary indexes, but you can also use secondary indexes. This powerful concept can dramatically speed up operations as well as create complex relationships among tables. The program has many data-integrity

THE ROADS TAKEN

Paradox

FoxPro

• Object-oriented

• Xbase-oriented

• Multiuser support

• Multiuser support

• Native access to a wide range of data formats via InterBase Engine

• Superb speed via Rushmore query-optimization technology

• Graphical query by example

• RQBE with optimized SQL links

136 BYTE JUNE 1993

I f\ T/-I/1 Q 9 Enter my one-year (12 issues) subI V\ ± Xl/O • scription to BYTE for only $24.95.* I'll save 40% off the single copy price. Plus, I'll also receive BYTE's Annual Special Issue FREE with my paid subscription. If at any time I'm not satisfied with BYTE, I may cancel for a full refund on all unmailed copies.

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features. Most notable is referential integrity using foreign keys. This lets a database contain rules and conditions about what you can and can't do with its data. Also important is domain integrity, which lets you specify a valid set of values for a field.

Paradox for Windows shines at constructing extremely complex data relationships. The program's graphical objectoriented approach helps cut through the complexity of creating relationships such asone-to-many-to-many-to-many-to-one.

Application Development

Paradox for Windows' Database Desktop has all the tools necessary to create a wide range of databases. But if you want to do more, there's ObjectPAL. The successor to the DOS version's PAL (Paradox Application Language), object-oriented ObjectPAL is itself a paradox because of its range.

A user without programming experience can easily use ObjectPAL to customize an application. For experienced developers, ObjectPAL is a powerful application development environment that lets you use either its custom programming language or a visual drag-and-drop approach. There's a downside: PAL programmers have a great deal new to learn. It's also very difficult to convert existing PAL programs to ObjectPAL.

FoxPro for Windows

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Don't think of FoxPro 2.5 for Windows only as a Windows DBMS—although it certainly is a respectable one. As the first Windows incarnation of FoxPro, FoxPro for Windows' key strength is its ability to quickly migrate DOS FoxPro applications to Windows. FoxPro applications will run with minimal adjustments on both the DOS and Windows sides and are also compatible with dBase III Plus and dBase IV.

The New Face

FoxPro 2.5 for Windows' user interface is close to that of FoxPro 2.0, although

some menus and menu items have been shuffled to accommodate Windows conventions. For instance, the Windows version eliminates the DOS menu bar and places its utilities in the Help menu. In addition to the common Windows menu bar, FoxPro for Windows features a command window into which you can type Xbase commands. The main screen area becomes the TTY terminal for feedback on interactive commands. You can create MDI (Multiple Document Interface) child windows using Xbase DEFINE WINDOW commands or by invoking data-manipulation surfaces and design tools. FoxPro includes a screen painter with a user-modifiable Xbase template file to generate Xbase code.

FoxPro for Windows' screen painter, report generator, and label maker let you manipulate screen objects directly, but this is not by any means an OOP environment. FoxPro's programming language is a dialect of procedural Xbase. Applications written using the supplied design tools can be moved back and forth between DOS and Windows using a "transporter" tool. To exploit DDE, FoxPro for Windows adds commands that turn FoxPro into a DDE server or client.

Leaving the Shadow of dBase

The FoxPro series was designed to live in a dBase world. FoxPro for Windows' underlying dBase-clone heritage becomes quickly evident when you examine the Xbase code it generates. FoxPro for Windows comfortably runs dBase III Plus code. However, there are still semantic differences between FoxPro for Windows and dBase IV. Microsoft has created a dBase IV Migration Kit to move dBase IV programs into FoxPro. The kit centers on a FoxPro application that analyzes the syntax of dBase programs.

FoxPro for Windows makes several significant leaps over dBase IV. FoxPro adopted dBase IV's concept of a single file holding multiple index expressions. This means that indexes are continually updated as data is entered into tables. FoxPro amplifies the idea by using its own file structure with bit-mapped indexes and advanced query optimization.

To gain the most from FoxPro, you index just about every field. With queries that include matches against multiple fields, FoxPro can generate fast result sets by finding the union of records with hits in the various indexes. FoxPro uses queryoptimization technology, known as Rushmore, which has been responsible for up

A FoxPro 2.5 for DOS character-based screen created using the screen painter.

fa*!-.

The same code runs under Windows unmodified, but the results aren't very Windows-like.

C«jS

After treatment with the Windows screen designer, the application is enhanced with TrueType fonts and an OLE picture field.

ping market standards in PC database performance.

Data Access and Types

Although Microsoft has touted ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) as a solution for universal connectivity to various databases, FoxPro 2.5 has no access to SQL database servers. FoxPro for Windows can access dBase III and dBase IV tables and will generate FoxPro index files automatically on the first access. FoxPro data can be exported to ASCII, dBase III, DIF, SYLK, WK1, WKS, WR1, and Excel formats.

Like previous versions, FoxPro for Windows supports multiuser operation. DOS and Windows versions of FoxPro respect each other's locks. No new commands have been added to the existing set of record- and file-locking and error-handling constructs.

FoxPro for Windows continues to use fields that can hold binary data. There is also a new General field type. FoxPro for Windows is an OLE client. By defining a field as type General in a table, you reserve a space for linked or embedded objects. There are no menu options to invoke

JUNE 1993 BYTE 137

[SB Two Roads to Windows Databases

Performance Comparisons

RICK GREHAN

I tested the performance of FoxPro 2.5 for Windows and Paradox for Windows with a subset of the BYTE Lab/NSTL database benchmarks. These benchmarks consist of four transaction tests and three queries. Running the benchmarks required porting them from their DOS origins to the Windows environment. FoxPro for Windows happily recompiled the benchmark source code and was ready to run in just minutes. However, I had to completely rewrite the PAL source code written for Paradox to work with Paradox for Windows' ObjectPAL.

The tests simulate database operations for a book order-entry system using five tables: book, author, link (for associating author names to book titles), orders, and entry (where each entry record represents a line item attached to an order). I ran all the tests on a Gateway 50-MHz 486DX laptop with 7 MB of RAM and a 120-MB hard drive. The results (in seconds) appear in the table.

The Results

On the simple queries, Paradox does well. The first query test involves a single-table search, and Paradox outdoes FoxPro by a hair. The second query requires a threetable join, and again Paradox hits the finish line ahead of FoxPro, although this

time the lead is healthy. However, in the third query—a demanding fivetable join—FoxPro shines. FoxPro's secondary indexes and Rushmore optimization seem to give it the edge on more complex data sets.

In the transaction tests, Paradox does well across the board. Transaction test 1 requires an exact search, and Paradox does marginally better than FoxPro. Transaction test 4 is a simple update test, requiring an exact search as in test 1, and again Paradox is slightly faster.

Transaction tests 2 and 3 are more complex, requiring a search of a large table (25,000 records in one case) using an inexact key. ObjectPAL's setFilter method, which enables you to create a restricted view of an otherwise huge index, enabled Paradox to outrun FoxPro's seek command.

Overall, it appears that Paradox for Windows has the upper hand. The engine beneath the new Paradox is a complete rewrite of the engine living beneath the DOS version of Paradox. Borland's engineers claim that this new engine contains both ISAM-type (indexed sequential-access method) operations and table-type operations. From a performance standpoint, the rewrite was obviously a success.

BENCHMARK RESULTS

FOXPRO

PARADOX

Query tests

#1

5.14

4.50

#2

67.23

34.01

#3

Transaction tests

#1 #2

15.41

12.53 48.97

36.77

10.86 28.49

#3 #4

29.75 4.83

21.05 2.84

Rick Grehan is technical director of the BYTE Lab. You can contact him on BIX as "rick_g."

OLE, but FoxPro for Windows adds a new APPEND GENERAL command to store objects in a table under program control.

RQBE

The nongraphical RQBE (Relational Query by Example) procedure for joining FoxPro tables lets you select picklist items for tables and join conditions. FoxPro sup

ports outer joins, and the table browser will display one-to-many relationships. RQBE results are directed to the user's choice of a temporary cursor, a browse table, a stored DBF table, a report, a label, or a graph. Selecting a graph output invokes a graph "wizard" that aids the user in selecting from an Excel-like gallery of charts.

The RQBE module generates a unique FoxPro flavor of SQL that runs queries against DBF files. In addition to the standard SQL aggregate functions, FoxPro SELECT statements can include Xbase functions and expressions. Optionally, you can preview SQL code and save it for reuse.

FoxPro's RQBE and Rushmore queryoptimization technology are intimately linked. Although Xbase programmers have always been able to link files, FoxPro cannot optimize these links; it can optimize only the performance of SQL joins. The RQBE facility is an easy way to do so.

Which for Windows?

Paradox for Windows pushes the edge of database technology while retaining surprising ease of use. The product has layers of features and abilities. The heavy-duty marketing battle between Borland and Microsoft over dominance in the growing database market unfortunately gives the impression that high-end databases are easy-to-use necessities for nearly every computer user. That's not the case. Paradox for Windows is most comfortable in a client-server environment handling huge amounts of data.

FoxPro for Windows benefits from userinterface refinements and language enhancements, but its real value is in its heritage; it's simply the most formidable Xbase contender now available. It offers a potent combination of high performance, slick tools, and a smooth multiplatform migration path that Xbase developers can exploit today. With Rushmore's superb response time, and

good application design tools, FoxPro is a strong tool for downsizing applications with massive data sets that require speedy interactive queries. ■

Stan Miastkowski is a BYTE consulting editor and a Paradox user and developer. You can contact him on BIX as "stanm" or via MCI Mail at 530-9979. Marc Schnapp is acting chairman of X3 J19, the ANSI committee for Xbase language standardization. You can reach him on MCI Mail at 172-5429 or on CompuServe at 73767,517.

Product Information

Paradox for Windows $795

Borland International,

Inc.

1800 Green Hills Rd.

P.O. Box 660001

Scotts Valley, CA

95067

(408) 438-8400

fax: (408) 438-8696

Circle 1227

on Inquiry Card.

FoxPro 2.5 for Windows $495

Microsoft Corp. 1 Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052 (800) 426-9400 (206) 882-8080 fax: (206) 936-7329 Circle 1228 on Inquiry Card.

138 BYTE JUNE 1993

(

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Circle 157 on Inquiry Card.

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Copyright© ATI Technologies Inc., 1993. All company and/or product names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers. 'Accelerates Indeo Video, RLE and Video 1 compressed files under Video forWindows. QuickTime forWindDwssupportis planned. Performance varies depending on system configuration.'ISA versions only. 'Suggested retail prices, dealers may sell for less. Prices and features are subjectto change withoutnotice.

Circle 65 on Inquiry Card.

IWjCTH Hardware

HP's Simple Laser

A 4-ppm printer that: breaks new ground—not your desk or your budget

HOWARD EGLOWSTEIN

The days of having a laser printer on the network and a dot-matrix printer on the desktop may be drawing to a close. As shared resources, laser printers give you crisp-looking, classy documents, but you sacrifice convenient access and document privacy.

Hewlett-Packard's new low-end LaserJet 4L will break that mold. It brings the output quality of a 300-dot-per-inch laser printer to individual desktops. It includes the attributes that have made dot-matrix technology the choice for most personal printers: low cost, simple operation, and an unassuming footprint. What it lacks is speed and the expandability you might expect from high-end lasers.

The LaserJet 4L comes in two varieties. The 4L is a PCL-only (Printer Control Language) printer for DOS and Windows users, while the 4ML serves Mac clients as well, with both PostScript and PCL support. Both are compact, 4-pageper-minute, 300dpi lasers with very unlaserlike prices: $849 list for the 4L and $1279 list for the 4ML.

Both printers are equipped with HP's Resolution Enhancement Technology (RET) and a new flavor of PCL, PCL5e. Each unit is just over a foot square and weighs less than 16 pounds. I tested the 4L, but the 4ML shares many of the same new features, although the extra $430 on the 4ML's price tag brings significantly more capability. The 4L comes standard with 1 MB of RAM and an MC68000 processor, while the 4ML is packed with 4 MB of RAM, a more powerful Intel 960 processor, PostScript Level 2, and a LocalTalk port. The 4ML also offers automatic port sensing, automatic emulation sensing, and a full complement of PostScript fonts.

).WWll«tP' ihB TUCB utllloAS

THE LASERJET 4L skips the usual front-panel controls in favor of a TSR and DOS-utility combination called Explorer. Explorer lets you adjust the print intensity, determine the number of copies, and choose among fonts without having to navigate through the branches of traditional front-panel push-button menus. It can also pop up alerts on jams or out-of-paper conditions.

For First-Time Owners

The 4L embodies a lot of new technologies, but the technical advances are mostly directed toward increasing ease of use and lowering cost. These include Explorer control software, Memory Enhancement Technology (MEt), and other significant improvements.

Look closely and you will notice (or rather, not notice) the front control panel. Instead of the usual LCD and buttons, you'll see just one button and four status lights. With the 4L, you control output by activating HP's Explorer, a TSR control program on your PC. Explorer's remote control uses HP's Bi-Tronic technology. This allows information to travel back and forth between the printer and PC via the parallel port. If you run out of paper or some other error occurs, an optional popup mode that monitors the printer's status

breaks into your DOS application with appropriate messages.

The 4L's single front-panel button takes the printer on- or off-line, resets the printer, and outputs test pages. The 4L doesn't even have a power switch. HP says its research indicated most users leave their printers on at all times, so the 4L was designed with automatic power control. The 4L remains on as long as it's plugged in. About 15 minutes after the last print job, the printer shuts down everything except its processor. Total power draw in standby mode is only 5 W. Sending a print job to the 4L reactivates it, preserving all previously set modes and downloaded fonts.

The 4L's complement of 1 MB of memory sounds skimpy. However, with MEt, 1 MB of printer memory should be enough for printing anything you could send to a 300-dpi printer. MEt extends memory use by compressing fonts before saving them during the initial download. MEt also exposes graphical data to a variety of compression algorithms to conserve as much memory as possible. If that doesn't do the

JUNE 1993 BYTE 1*1

Reviews

HP's Simple Laser

trick and there still isn't enough memory to print a given job, an Image Adapt mode kicks in and removes just enough fine detail to fit the page into the buffer. If you don't want to sacrifice the finer graphics, you can turn Image Adapt off and opt for a 1-MB upgrade.

The LaserJet 4L is simpler to maintain than traditional laser printers. It's built around a new Canon print engine that has no corona wire and fewer parts to clean. You can also save toner by printing proofs in Economode. Similar to the draft mode on many dot-matrix printers, Economode prints each page with half the usual amount of toner. This feature saves money and makes your toner last longer.

The 4L ships with Windows 3.1 drivers, drivers for many popular DOS applications, and HP's Explorer. Installing the drivers is predictably simple. A Windows application takes care of copying the drivers, checking your Windows configuration, and setting your default printer driver. The DOS application drivers are similarly easy to install. If your application doesn't support PCL5e, you can use LaserJet II, III, or 4 drivers with the 4L.

The 4L's simplicity introduces some limitations if you'd rather coerce a 4L into an inexpensive shared resource. Swapping the front panel for a clever software solution means you can't use print-sharing devices unless they pass all the signals directly from your computer to the printer. You can't use the 4L with electronic sharing switches or most mechanical switch boxes, and you can't control it across a network.

Someday Your Prints Will Come

Making a printer smaller, lighter, and less expensive has its drawbacks. The most obvious of these is speed. The 4L's print engine is rated at 4 ppm, but I was able to achieve this speed only by sending a series of sparse pages, printed entirely in one font. Effective speed with standard busi

ADJUSTABLE PAPER TRAYS are common, but the mechanism on the 4L's single tray is unique. An adjustable stop on its single tray slides along a special track and locks in settings for 8'/;- by 11-inch, executive, and B5 sheets. The tray is sized for standard A4 paper, but it also prints envelopes, labels, and transparencies. To fit legal-size paper, the slide juts off the end of the tray, allowing the paper to stick out the back of the printer.

Print-Speed Benchmarks

HP4L

HP Series II

Epson Action I Laser 1000

2.0 Minutes

4.0

On a series of five mixed text and graphics pages, the 4L was almost 30 percent faster than the more expensive Epson Action Laser 1000 (also 4 ppml. The 4L was slightly slower than the full-size 18 ppm) Series II. The Series II was only a few seconds faster in spite of its faster-rated print engine. The 4L uses data compression to speed up data transfers.

ness documents (mostly text) was closer to 2 or 3 ppm.

To get a quantitative measure of the 4L's print speed, I put together a number of test documents with a variety of fonts and bit-mapped graphics. I compared results for the 4L, an Epson Action Laser 1000, and a near-antique HP LaserJet Series II with 4.5 MB of memory.

The figure "Print-Speed Benchmarks" shows the results of printing a mixed text and graphics test document on each of these printers. For each printer, I installed the appropriate print driver (PCL5e for the 4L and the standard Windows Series II driver for the others) and used a second computer to capture the printer data stream. The results shown in the figure indicate the time required to copy the captured data to the printer. Printing from Windows rarely yields consistent results due to its internal task switching and memory management. Capturing the data stream eliminates these variables.

The two HP printers flew through the test much faster than the Action Laser. For a mixed document, a variety of factors affect performance; the Series IPs 8-ppm print engine was a definite advantage on the simpler pages, while the data-compression algorithms built into PCL5e gave the 4L an edge on the graphics-intensive pages.

The 4L's small size is great for fitting on your desk. The trade-off is its lack of expansion options. The 4L has no font-cartridge slots, it doesn't take third-party upgrade cards, and you can't add memory beyond 2 MB. If you want PostScript, you'll have to purchase the 4ML instead of the 4L— there is no 4L-to-4ML upgrade.

In general, the 4L's output quality is excellent. HP's RET works by tracking the outline of solid graphical areas and adjusting dot position (from the standard 300 by 300 grid) to make outlines smoother. It's not the same as using a higher resolution, but it can give that illusion. RET on the HP 4L gave its output an edge over that of similarly priced printers like the Action Laser.

An informal poll (I passed print samples around BYTE) easily placed the 4L's text quality higher than the Action Laser's. It also fared better than the Series II, and its quality was better than that of a preproduction Texas Instruments microWriter (see First Impressions, April BYTE). However, I also took a more critical look at graphics samples from the 4L, examining the effects of the printer's dithering algorithms, tonal range, and coverage. The 4L's graphics displayed noticeable posterization in areas of fine detail. Both the Action Laser and the LED engine in the microWriter produced better detail and tonal range than the HP printers.

The Canon SX engine that usually runs in the Series II (and many other 8-ppm printers) prints washed-out, streaky blacks; the LaserJet 4L's microfine toner cartridge prints better. However, the HP Series II that I used for comparison was running a special third-party graphics toner cartridge (Black Lightning, Hartland, VT) that prints good, solid blacks, better than those produced by the LaserJet 4L.

A Pitch for Selfishness

Why consider a 4L? You may be printing confidential material that you don't want coming out of a shared network printer; your computer could be a long walk from the shared printer; or you may simply be working in a home office. The LaserJet 4L's two weak points, speed and expansion capability, aren't usually issues for personal printers, and you'll probably find 4 ppm more than adequate.

Most important, the 4L and the 4ML give you the same quality as big, expensive models without taking up your entire desk and a big chunk of your cash. Forget what you learned growing up—if you buy a 4L, don't share it. Keep it all for yourself. ■

For More Information

HP LaserJet 4L, $849 HP LaserJet 4ML, $1279

Hewlett-Packard Co.

P.O. Box 58059/

MS 511L-SJ

Santa Clara, CA 95051

(800) 752-0900

fax: (208) 344-4809

Circle 1224 on Inquiry Card.

Howard Eglowstein is a testing editor for the BYTE Lab. You can contact him on BIX as "heglowstein."

BYTE JUNE 1993

H Software

BASIC for the Rest of Us

Zedcor's FutureBasic is a powerful (but simple) Mac development tool

TOM THOMPSON

All you MacFolk bear with me while I speak heresy. Despite the Mac's many strengths, it's sorely lacking in good, easy-to-use development tools. Sure, there's Symantec's Think C and Think Pascal compilers. However, both C and Pascal have steep learning curves, and neither language is suitable for rapidly knocking out a quick fix. Regrettably, the Mac lacks a decent BASIC compiler. The BASIC language is easy to learn, yet powerful enough to tackle many problems. I've watched many troubles put to rest in the BYTE Lab by quick hacks whipped out in BASIC on PCs, and I've wished that the Mac was capable of the same feat.

Zedcor's FutureBasic promises to change all this. The package costs $299.95, runs on any Mac, and requires only 2 MB of RAM. It has an integrated development environment that's similar to that of the

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Think products: You write code in a program editor, interactively compile, link, and launch the application, and land back in the program editor when the application quits. The result is a quality stand-alone application, with its own resources for menus, icons, and windows.

FutureBasic has many of the familiar BASIC keywords, such as DIM, DO, FOR, AND, OPEN, READ#, WRITE*, PRINT USING, LEFT$, MIDS, and RIGHT$. Where it makes sense, these differ from BASIC keywords from other environments. For example, the OPEN key

Ffle Edit Command Tools Ulindotus CrossRef

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FutureBasic provides a simple BASIC for knocking out real Mac applications quickly. The development environment is like that of Symantec's Think languages.

word opens a file's resource fork or data fork. FutureBasic also provides some special Mac-specific keywords, such as HANDLEEVENTS, MENU, DIALOG,

Debugger and Cross Reference Tools

Pointer indicates current x. position in program

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FutureBasic offers a number of plug-in modules called tools. You launch them from a Tools menu; each provides FutureBasic with additional capabilities. Keystrokes, mouse-clicks, and other events pass first to active tools, which can act on them or pass them on to the development environment. Of the tools provided with FutureBasic, the Debugger and Cross Reference tools shown here are the most useful.

JUNE 1993 BYTE 143

Lin BASIC for the Rest of Us

PG:PRO Application Generator

If you wish the Mac had a good Visual Basic to handle messy interface details, Staz Software has a tool for you. PG:PRO is a program generator that lets you sketch out your interface of menus, windows, and controls on-screen. When you save the completed design, PG:PRO creates both a resource file and FutureBasic files that implement most of the interface operations.

PG:PRO uses a pseudo-object-oriented design to capture events and present them as messages. As an example, there are at least three ways to open a file on the Mac: You can double-click on the file, which launches the application you used to create it; select Open from an application's File menu and pick a file in the Standard File dialog; or, under System 7, drag and drop a file onto the application's icon. Normally, you have to set up code to field each possibility, but PG:PRO handles all three actions and provides an "open" message with the file's name and volume number.

To test PG:PRO, I reconstructed the file-dump application I'd written with FutureBasic. It was easy to design the interface, since the program's earlier incarnation gave me a good idea of what to do. I then inserted code from the older program into appropriate locations in the FutureBasic files made by PG:PRO. Sure enough, when I dragged a file to the resulting application, it opened the file and dumped its contents to the screen.

(I had to change the application's FREF resource and rebuild the Desktop file for the Finder to allow this operation, but this is an OS detail, not a problem with PG:PRO.) It took only a few hours to rebuild the application using PG:PRO, but remember that I wasn't starting from scratch.

All in all, PG:PRO makes a great partner for FutureBasic and makes it easy to design applications quickly without getting mired in the details of managing the interface.

About the Product

$169

PG:PRO

Staz Software

11A Leisure Time Dr.

Diamondhead, MS 39525

(601) 255-7085

fax: (601) 255-7086

Circle 1226 on Inquiry Card.

SOUND, and WINDOW, that help you implement a rudimentary event loop, build menus, play sounds, and create dialog boxes and windows. An ON TIMER keyword lets you specify code that you want to run periodically—handy for creating timing routines or background tasks.

For us rocket scientists, there's direct access to all the Mac Toolbox calls from within the BASIC environment: You use FN (function) when using a Toolbox trap that returns a value (e.g., FN BUTTON), or CALL for a Toolbox trap that doesn't (e.g., CALL TEXTFONT(4)). Finally, FutureBasic supports the use of in-line assembly language code for those who need the ultimate in fine control.

The BASIC language uses a dollar-sign suffix on a variable name to indicate that its contents are a string. FutureBasic uses other suffixes (e.g., f ilePointer& or numberOBytes%) to set variable sizes and types. It

supports variable types of integer (16-bit), long integer, BCD (binary-coded decimal), and floating-point (single- or double-precision). There's no ready access to bytesize variables, and for a good reason: Such support might let you unwittingly write code that would generate an odd-address exception on 68000-based Macs. However, if you must deal with data at the byte level (perhaps within a buffer), there are the PEEK and POKE keywords. When running on 68000-based Macs, these keywords perform the required odd-address sanity checks.

About the Product

FutureBasic $299.95

Zedcor, Inc.

4500 East Speedway,

Suite 22

Tucson, AZ 85712

(800) 482-4567

(602) 881-8101

fax: (602) 881-1841

Circle 1225 on Inquiry Card.

Try Out

To evaluate FutureBasic, I wrote a program that lets you first select a file and one fork (resource or data) for examination. The application then dumps the fork's contents to a window as both hexadecimal and ASCII data. I was able to code all the menu choices, window display,

and file I/O using FutureBasic and Mac-specific FutureBasic keywords. Although the manuals provide copious sample code for various programs, a Control Panel, a Desk Accessory, an Apple Event handler, and even an Extension, I was never clear on how to properly write a dialog handler for HANDLEEVENT. Instead, I created my own dialog window in ResEdit, used RESOURCES to load the resource file, and used Toolbox traps to manage the dialog.

FutureBasic 1.01 has two faults—one minor, one serious. When you test-launch your application, it doesn't prompt you to save any changes you made to a file, as the Think compilers do. If the application blows up in your face, you stand to lose any changes you made to your code (maybe that's not such a bad idea after all). The big problem is that FutureBasic needs to handle low-memory situations gracefully. If memory runs low when working with large projects (common when working with PG:PRO), FutureBasic quits unexpectedly or crashes without warning. The only workaround is to give FutureBasic as much memory as you can spare. Once completed, my code ran reliably, and both disk I/O and window drawing were snappy. I wrote most of the display code quickly, but—as usual—it took me several days to get the error handling and the interface to work properly.

While FutureBasic has flaws that need correcting, it's such a big improvement for BASIC programming on the Mac that I have to admit I like it. Zedcor has provided a powerful compiler that lets more people program the Mac. But the price is a tad steep: I would much rather see it at the introductory price of $149 it had only a month ago. I'd like to ultimately see Zedcor and Staz merge compiler and application generator into a single product. But even as separate tools, FutureBasic and PG:PRO give Mac developers a strong development environment that mirrors Visual Basic. PC developers, take notice. ■

Tom Thompson is a BYTE senior technical editor at large and a certified Apple developer. You can reach him on BIX as "tomjhompson" or on the Internet at tomt@ byteph.byte.com.

BYTE JUNE 1993

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If you're already a CompuServe member, just type GO WINCIM. If you aren't, call us for more information at 1 800 848-8199. Either way, you'll soon see why the best view is the one from CompuServe Information Manager for Windows.

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Reviews

Software

The Renaissance of Imaging

Kodak releases flagship support products for Photo CD

RAYMOND GA COTE

I astman Kodak intends to change the way graphics professionals

I handle photographic computer images. Instead of developing traditional photographs and scanning them into the computer, you can have the pictures delivered on a Kodak Photo CD and access them directly from your computer's CDROM drive.

To capitalize on the Photo CD revolution, Kodak plans an extensive line of supporting software to retrieve, manipulate, and publish Photo CD images. The first two entrants are PhotoEdge, an image editor running on the Windows and Macintosh platforms, and Renaissance, a publishing tool for the Mac.

The Edge

PhotoEdge ($135) is a basic image editor that works with Photo CD, TIFF, and Macintosh PICT files. Both the product and the documentation are well designed and intuitive. Although you can manipulate several different image formats, PhotoEdge works best with Photo CD files. Photo CD-specific enhancements include the ability to read in a contact sheet that shows the contents of an entire Photo CD (see the screen below) and automatically displays images in any one of five resolutions. The contact sheet can display im

ages in three different sizes and lets you define the number of columns to be displayed. These options allow you to view the maximum number of images, depending on your display monitor.

Once loaded, images can be adjusted for brightness, contrast, and color balance using a pair of scroll bars in a floating window. Changes can be previewed before you commit to the new values. PhotoEdge supports a fairly standard set of image filters. These include a smoothing filter to average the values of adjacent pixels, a sharpening filter to improve contrast, an edge filter to produce outlines, and an inversion filter to create a negative image.

I was surprised to find the image-cropping tool given such prominence in PhotoEdge. Each image window prominently displays the crop-tool button along with the current cropping dimensions. Usually, the crop operation is kept on a menu or toolbar along with other manipulation functions. However, after just a few hours, I was reminded that in a production environment, I perform cropping much more frequently than any other manipulation. You can achieve a fine level of control by dragging a rough crop outline around an object of interest and then performing minor adjustments using a combination of mouse movements and directly entered sizes.

Various image conversions are also

A PhotoEdge contact sheet displays the contents of an entire Photo CD and automatically shows images in any one of five resolutions.

available. Full-color Photo CD images can be converted to 256 colors or gray scales, 16 different colors or gray scales, and monochrome. The monochrome conversion offers 18 halftone patterns used to simulate shades of gray on a black-andwhite display.

Unless you are a professional user of halftones, you will find this wide selection to be rather bewildering. The documentation doesn't provide any guidance as to when particular halftone patterns are most useful. You'll need to experiment to see how particular patterns look on your printer for specific images.

You can store images in several file formats including EPSF (Encapsulated PostScript File), TIFF, and Macintosh PICT. Unfortunately, you cannot read the EPS files back into PhotoEdge. Surprisingly, the popular GIF file format is not supported.

PhotoEdge is a good base-level imagemanipulation program. The reasonable price, intuitive interface, and well-written documentation make PhotoEdge an excellent choice for a first imaging package and a real asset to Photo CD acceptance.

The Renaissance

When I first looked at Renaissance ($695), I was positive that this was what the world surely does not need—another page-layout program. But, in this case, first looks are definitely deceiving. Renaissance allows you to do page design rather than page layout.

In Renaissance, the focus is on images and graphics rather than text. The program is suitable for designing advertisements, brochures, and probably even small newsletters with a heavy graphical content. Like page-layout programs, Renaissance allows you to define page dimensions, two-page spreads, multiple horizontal and vertical columns, and positions for registration marks. You can also define text boxes and link them together to produce automatic text flow from one box to the next. But that's where the similarity to page-layout programs ends.

The screen on page 147 shows a brochure cover I put together in about 5 minutes to highlight several Renaissance features. The graduated background is one of

146 B Y T E JUNE 1 993

several stock patterns that can be stretched to any arbitrary size. Objects, such as the drawn circle, all have borders with definable sizes and colors. Images can be pasted into arbitrary shapes (including text) and automatically cropped to the image dimensions.

I simply dropped the photo shown here into the circle and then positioned it for best viewing. I then entered the "Celebrate!" text on the page and joined it to the circle. Renaissance automatically joined the text baseline to the graphic outline and positioned the text. T then dragged the text to the proper position at the top of the circle and stretched it out slightly. Instant brochure. You can store frequently used graphical elements in a series of online libraries. These libraries include text styles, text, page definitions, graphical elements, color palettes, and printer setups. For example, if a client insists that his or her brochures use a specific color scheme, you can build a color palette displaying only the appropriate colors.

The manner in which images can be moved around the page is something else that sets Renaissance apart from standard page-layout programs. Grouped graphical elements can show six different behaviors when the group is resized. The default behavior stretches all the elements both horizontally and vertically. You can also elect to stretch each element equally and not change the distance between elements. When resizing a group, you may not want to change the element size but rather just the space between elements. The "move proportionally" option changes the space between elements without changing the element sizes.

You can set each of these options for individual elements and designate different settings for behavior when stretched horizontally and vertically. Renaissance is intelligent about stretching graphical objects such as rules and borders. The weight of a stretched rule will change, but not the border around a box. Borders are controlled separately.

When Renaissance is installed, it also installs a copy of the Pantone Professional Color Matching software. This software lets you correctly select industry-standard Pantone colors on your printouts. Renaissance provides sophisticated control over printed output. If you have a color printer, particularly one that is certified to match the Pantone Color Matching software, you can just print your finished work. Most people, however, need to create color separations for a printing process. Renais

Renaissance objects, such as this circle, have borders with definable sizes and colors. Images can be pasted into arbitrary shapes (including text) and automatically cropped to the image dimensions. (Photo by Richard W. Strauss, From the Smithsonian Institution's

Photographic Collection. Used with permission.)

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sance provides a fine level of control over color-separation definitions, even allowing you to define which colors will overprint others. Separated output can be sent directly to a laser printer or to EPS files for transmission to a service bureau for processing.

For your final design, text elements are as important as graphical ones. Renaissance provides a rich set of text-display and -manipulation capabilities, some of which will be familiar to those involved in typesetting. Along with standard functionality such as setting font style, tabs, and indents, Renaissance allows you to fully control kerning, letter and word spacing, leading, and drop caps. A set of special icons let you insert left, right, and center commands to override the defaults for the paragraph (typesetters will feel comfortable with the names Quad left, Quad right, and Quad center). You can also insert variously sized spaces—such as em, en, thin, and figure—and define discretionary hyphens.

Automatic hyphenation uses a rulebased algorithm or a dictionary lookup. You can also apply a combination of the two, using the rules as the default and placing the difficult-to-hyphenate exception in a lookup table. The lack of an on-line spelling checker is disconcerting; there is nothing quite as distressing as spending days on a layout only to find a misspelled word in the final copy.

Renaissance is a flexible, high-powered page-design package that I found to be very easy to use. It is ideal

For More Information

Kodak PhotoEdge

Kodak Renaissance.. $695

Eastman Kodak Co.

343 State St. Rochester, NY 14650 (800) 242-2424, ext. 53 (716) 724-1021, ext. 53 fax: (716) 781-5986 Circle 1223 on Inquiry Card.

for graphics-intensive page-layout tasks such as advertisements, brochures, and newsletters.

Resource Hungry

Both these products will happily swallow all the processor power and memory you can provide and come back looking for more. PhotoEdge, a relatively small (480KB) application, can require around 30 MB of memory when manipulating the largest images (2048 by 3072 pixels in full color). Renaissance has similar resource demands, particularly when you are designing pages with multiple photos and text tied to complicated graphical objects. While reviewing these two products on a Mac Ilci, I frequently had time to grab a cup of coffee while waiting for an image to load. Small images load quickly, but if you plan to do professional-level work, you'll want a fast system and a big hard drive.

Kodak PhotoEdge and Kodak Renaissance run the range from entry-level to professional-quality tool. They demonstrate that Kodak is seriously attempting to address image-processing needs at all levels. PhotoEdge is an excellent choice for casual image manipulation. I recommend Renaissance for anyone needing to create small multipage graphical documents. ■

Raymond GA Cote is a software development engineer for Appropriate Solutions. He also edits Robot Explorer newsletter. You can contact him on BIX as "rgacote" or on the Internet at rgacote@world.std.com.

JUNE 1993 BYTE 147

Reviews

Software Roundup

Windows Dressing

Add-ons that enhance, streamline, and simplify Windows

STAN WSZOLA

veryone has a unique method for organizing applications and files under Windows. Even if you run a common set of programs (e.g., a word processor, spreadsheet, and communications package), you've probably changed the screen colors, program groups, icons, and other elements to modify the Windows desktop environment to suit your own style.

In this review, I look at 12 packages that customize and enhance your Windows desktop. These packages help you launch programs, manage files, organize your work flow, and personalize the appearance of your Windows desktop. No two do the same job in the same way. Some utilities can replace the Windows desktop with a different metaphor for organizing your working environment. Other packages have a smaller list of features and concentrate on improving or enhancing the built-in Windows program and file management tools.

Since each of these packages takes a unique approach to common features, a head-to-head comparison is difficult. Instead, I'll explain some of the features common to all the packages and discuss outstanding software in more detail. Some of the common features in each package are only components of larger Windows utility bundles. Take a close look at the table "Features of Windows Accessories" to see exactly what components each package includes.

Here I'll focus on attributes like program launching and virtual-desktop capabilities, but there are other useful utilities such as fde managers, file and text finders, and system-resource displays. In selecting any package, look at the range of features to determine the best mix of utilities for your needs. Remember, though, that an appropriate selection involves more than a simple feature comparison. Because these packages can change the look and feel of Windows, you must make a basic decision. Do you want to overhaul the Windows interface and impose a more structured working environment, or would you rather stick with the basic operation of the Program Manager?

A set of disk utilities in BeckerTools 4.0 enables you to optimize, manage, and diagnose problems with your hard driveChanging the look of your desktop is easy with NewWave's control panel. You can store related files in desktop folders.

Direct Access Desktop's control panel offers quick access to programs, a virtual desktop, and other utilities, such as backup software.

Some powerful tools distinguish Norton Desktop for Windows, including virus scanning, hard disk backup, and a viewer that supports a wide range of file formats.

The Squeegee icon, sitting in the upper . left corner of the active Window, calls a full set of utilities.

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XTree features a convenient replacement for the File Manager. It can even manage ZIP files.

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Program Launchers

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under Windows.

Some of these launchers are quite sophisticated and offer a boggling array of features. You can use a configurable toolbar that will launch any application with a mouse-click, and you can configure toolbars to automatically load with each of your applications.

Each accessory package takes a slightly different approach to launching applications. All the packages reviewed are add-ins that leave the Program Manager as the primary shell. Some launchers, such as Hewlett-Packard's NewWave 4.1 and Symantec's Norton Desktop for Windows 2.0, give you the option of replacing the Program Manager entirely.

Launchers come in two flavors: a pulldown list or a toolbar filled with icons. The most flexible list launchers, such as hDC's Power Launcher 2.0 and Icom Simulations' Squeegee for Windows, position icons on the title bar of the active window. You click on the icons to launch programs or access drop-down menus for further options. With both the launch lists and toolbar packages, you can also define the type of files that are associated with applications (e.g., text files with word processors and graphics files with graphics editors). You can then click on a document icon to run the associated program.

Toolbar or toolbox launchers provide a collection of icons corresponding to those in the Program Manager groups. You can position the toolbar anywhere within the screen area. The toolbars offer the advantage of high visibility with easily recognized icons. The disadvantage is that the toolbar takes up room on your computer's screen. Some toolbars, such as hDC's Power Launcher and Task Manager 2.01

JUNE 1993 BYTE 149

Reviews

Windows Dressing

FEATURES OF WINDOWS ACCESSORIES

These tools offer a host of useful functions, from program launching to file recovery to resource tracking, (o = yes; •

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from Metz Software, can be closed or made invisible after a program launch.

Choosing the best program launcher depends on your preference for lists or toolbars. I prefer the list launchers, because they use less screen space. Most of my work involves word processing, so I prefer to see as much text as possible without any extraneous clutter. Other users might prefer a floating toolbar that offers quick access to their favorite applications and macros.

The Power Launcher offers both lists and toolbars. It has a wide range of features and an extensive set of customizing options, such as associating and launching custom toolbars for popular Windows applications. I also liked the position of the toolbar at the top of the screen, and the Power Launcher's custom menus are easy to configure. It even gives you the option to launch multiple applications with one mouse-click.

I liked one other launcher almost as well. The Task Manager employs a customizable toolbox interface. It replaces the Windows Task Manager with an enhanced module that includes file management, searching capabilities, and file launching.

Virtual Desktop

Working with Windows' Program Manager, File Manager, and several applications active at the same time results in a very cluttered screen. You could solve that problem by getting a larger display monitor, or you could use a virtual desktop.

A virtual desktop consists of several miniature screens grouped together in a grid. Each screen has its own set of icons and application windows. Each of these miniature screens is a desktop that contains a set of applications. The virtual screen in the upper left corner of the grid might contain Microsoft Word; next to that might be a screen with the Program Manager and File Manager; and another screen could contain a DOS application, such as a communications program or database. You can move through the set of virtual desktops by clicking within the selection grid. When you select the screen, the selected desktop zooms out to fill the screen.

The virtual desktop lets you easily switch between applications. You can also

JUNE 1993 BYTE 151

Reviews

Windows Dressing

automatically load a predefined application set. Most utility packages, including the Power Launcher, Amish Utilities for Windows 2.0, and WinTools 1.0a, will allow you to specify a position on the virtual desktop screen for each application. You can also rearrange the position of the virtual screens within the selection grid.

The Power Launcher has one of the best virtual desktops. You can have up to 64 virtual screens, even though using more than the default value of nine screens is overkill. You can make the Power Launcher virtual desktop invisible while you're working, or the grid of virtual desktops can stay in front of the active window, ready for fast access. I also liked WinTools' virtual desktop. WinTools lets you designate tools and icons that will "follow" you around as you switch among the virtual screens. A tagged application will automatically move to the active virtual screen. For instance, you might have an icon that notifies you of incoming E-mail or fax receipts. By tagging the icon, it will always remain visible so that you won't miss a notification.

Visual Metaphor

The method used to organize your work in Windows is called a visual metaphor. An onscreen image represents a function, a program, or a file. By manipulating a familiar image, you perform a function such as copying or moving files. Ark's Workspace for Windows is shown here.

Ark Interface's Workspace for Windows 1.0 has taken the desktop visual metaphor to its logical conclusion. Workspace adopts the image of a well-equipped office, where your documents are organized in binders and filing cabinets. All your programs are represented by familiar objects. For ex

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PANORAMIC!'! EXTENSIVE FILE CONVERSION CAPABILITY \ LBS YOU TRANSLATE FILES TO A VARIETY OF GRAPHICS ANO FAX FILE FORMATS WITH FULL CONTROL OVER COLOR | AND RESOLUTION

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ample, a paintbrush represents the Windows Paint program, a desktop telephone might hold a communications program, and a pencil could call Windows Write. Every object can also carry a text label. Clicking on an object fires up the associated program.

All these objects are located on what appears to be an office desktop. You can associate any of the 24 built-in objects with any program. You can arrange the objects on the desktop or in the office as you like. Workspace gives you the visual equivalent of an office equipped with familiar accessories, so you can work on the computer much as you would in reality.

Workspace manages your files by organizing them in up to nine project binders. Each of these virtual binders is associated with its own subdirectory on the hard drive. When you start a new project, Workspace creates a subdirectory where it automatically stores and tracks all the files you create as you work on the project. You can view and launch all the files in a binder using an OverView Window. In this window, each file in the project binder is represented by a small "snapshot" of the actual file. By clicking on a snapshot, you load the target file into the application that created it.

Workspace can recall an entire working environment, opening applications and restoring files to the state where you last left them. For example, if you were working on the third page of a document and updating a spreadsheet graph, Workspace can save the environment, and, when you open the project again, the word processing program will display the third page of your document and the spreadsheet will load up the graphing module. Unfortunately, you are limited to working on one project at a time.

You can keep track of the time you spend on each Workspace project and review or print out the tracking data for any day, week, or month. You have immediate access to the time information and can create a report to build invoices or to evaluate your productivity.

HP's NewWave also takes a project orientation. NewWave replaces the Windows interface with an object-oriented system. It uses file drawers, folders, file icons with 32-character labels, and a wastebasket as GUI elements. Files and applications are objects. These objects can be stored on the desktop or in folders, copied or shared, or dropped in the trash. NewWave has a vaguely Mac-like look but not the ease of use of the Mac OS. The Mac integrates

152 BYTE JUNE 1993

Circle 166 on Inquiry Card.

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PC Certify™ from Landmark resolves hardware and software conflicts FAST!

CPU & System Board Tests

Clock speed, instruction set, DMA controller 1 & 2, interrupt controller 1 & 2, CMOS RAM 8253/8254 timer, math coprocessor (instruction set).

COM & LPT Port Tests

COM (1,2,3,4), LPT (1,2,3,4), internal loopback, identifies addresses.

Hard Drive Tests

Non-destructive testing ol drive and controller tor MFM, RLL, IDE, ESDI, and SCSI, Includes indentification of IDE specs (hds, cyl, spt) for quick and easy setup.

CMOS Save & Restore

CMOS recovery program for restoring lost CMOS settings.

Continue (Run Tests) 1 CPU [386DX] (40.52 MHz) System (AT)

" oru: 648KB, 3672KB EXT, 64KB HHA, 19B4KB XHS Forts: (1:3FB) (2:2FB) 1 LPT Port: (1:37B) 1 A: 1.2MB 5.25" Floppy Drive 1 B: 1.44MB 3.5" Floppy Drive

1 HDO:Type 47, Cyls: 762, Hds: 8, Sect: 39, Cap: 116Mb 1 Paradise (VGA) and VGA Color Monitor 1 101 Key Enhanced Keyboard 1 Printer

«» Iterations:

- don t test

Memory Tests

Tests conventional, UMB, HMA, XMS, extended and expanded, identifies address, bit, and parity failures, displays bad RAM address.

Floppy Drive Tests

Non-destructive tests for 3.5" and 5.25", with high and/or low density controllers.

Video Tests

Text attributes, ASCII character display, scrolling character set, high and low resolution graphics, EGA/VGA color tests. Supports Hercules, MONO, CGA, EGA, and VGA (up to 1MB).

Printer & Keyboardprinter character and barber pole tests, 84 and 101 key model keyboards.

WHAT IS PC CERTIFY?

PC Certify is an easy-to-use, non-destructive PC diagnostic program designed to quickly identify hardware faults and system configuration errors. Windows setup problems can be frustrating. You don't know whether it's the software, configuration, or a hardware fault. With PC Certify you'll quickly be able to pinpoint what the source of the problem is.

WHAT DOES PC CERTIFY DO?

PC Certify software allows you to easily:

•Diagnose hardware vs.

software failures. •Identify system setup

problems. •Keep track of system

upgrades and

configuration changes. •Run a complete

preventative

maintenance check on

your system. •Print a testing and certification report for quality control

and inventory records.

WHY YOO NEED PC CERTIFY

Few things are more aggravating than computer downtime and lockups. You waste time wailing for help and usually pay a dear price to get it when you finally do. Your time is valuable, so let PC Certify handle the problem for you.

Anyone can use PC Certify. Simply run the program in AUTOMATIC or QUICK MODE, sit back, and relax while PC Certify scrutinizes and tests your computer system for hardware lailures.

Once the battery of tests is complete (usually within minutes), a Test Results Summary will be on your computer screen. You can route the summary to a disk file or your printer. Either way, you'll know what's wrong with your PC hardware.

SLASH TECHNICAL SUPPORT TIME

When you find yoursell needing technical support for your software and hardware or when you experience a computer malfunction, PC Certify is the quick, inexpensive answer.

With PC Certify on your system, you can quickly identify the source of the problem; hardware, software, or configuration. Telephone support becomes fast and easy. Repair bills drop like a rock (50% and more of your repair bills are for diagnosing the problem, PC Certify does it for you at NO COST!).

EASY PC INVENTORY CHECKS

With PC Certify you can check your system configuration and use the hidden database to compare the current configuration with the original. This will eliminate unauthorized system configuration changes or loss of computer system components. You'll identify hardware problems and know exactly what parts you'll need to repair your system.

SYSTEM INFORMATION

•Displays DOS

environment. •Displays

AUTOEXEC.BAT. •Displays

CONFIG.SYS. •Displays software

interrupts. •Displays BIOS

RAM data area. •Displays ROM

PRODUCT FEATURES «^

•Run tests in single oi multiple passes. w^1

• Run tests with or without operator interaction. ^B •Prints system certification document.

• Utility included to park the hard drive. •Detects and stores

presence of major system components.

• Keeps an up-to-date internal database with complete system information.

• Internal database can be output to delimited ASCII file to any database for tracking of system assets and configuration changes.

• CMOS Save & Restore CMOS recovery program. •Includes easy to understand on-line help & manual.

copyrights and text strings.

COMPATIBILITY

PC Certify requires 256K of RAM, DOS 3.0 or greater, and is w compatible with all IBM PC/XT, AT, 386,486, or true ■ 'j^nQ\ compatible computers. PC Certify is not a aO** * Windows program. It can be run in Windows H configured in Standard mode. However, it is H imperative that you run any PC diagnostic from *W DOS or a boot disk and not from within Windows, ™ otherwise you will not be able to fully test your memory and hard disk functions.

Copyright © |y"2. All Rights Reserved. PC Certify is a trademark (if Landmark Research International Corporation. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Other names are trademarks of their associated owners.

• 90 Day Money-Back Guarantee

• Toil-Free Lifetime Tech Support • Discount Two-Day Shipping

ORDER DIRECT: Call (800) 683-6696

FAX (813) 443-6603* Int'l (813) 443-1331

niANDMARK

RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

703 Grand Central Street • Clearwater, FL 34616

Circle 141 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 142).

Efflfl Windows Dressing

the operating system and the user interface to a greater degree. And, while all Mac applications share a common user interface, NewWave has to contend with a wide variety of Windows applications, each with its own unique interface.

File Management

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File management is a critical component of Windows accessories. You need to know what files you have, where your files are, how to get them, and how to keep them intact. One of the major complaints about Windows has always been the File Manager. Although the File Manager has improved with each Windows update, it is still somewhat clumsy and inadequate. The utilities covered here include all the basic functions of the File Manager while adding important features—such as file viewing—that the File Manager lacks.

I appreciate Norton Desktop for Windows because I know that no matter what happens, I can always find, copy, back up, or recover my files. The Norton Desktop is not extraordinary in appearance. The Desktop displays the drive icons on the right, with a toolbar on the left. Clicking on any drive icon brings up the Norton File Man

ager window. Similar to the Windows File Manager, the Norton File Manager includes a set of buttons to let you move, copy, delete, sort, and filter elements in the file display. You can drag and drop files from one drive window to another or onto the printer icon on the toolbar.

Norton Desktop presents you with a user interface that is better than Windows' but not as unusual as that of NewWave or Workspace for Windows. Norton's Quick Access module looks and works like the Windows Program Manager; however, it provides password protection to selected files within groups. You can also position groups and icons directly on the desktop, and you have the option to display groups in normal mode, in a list, or in a toolbox. Another popular feature allows you to browse through word processing, spreadsheet, database, and graphics files in 45 formats.

Norton Desktop is configured for use across a network, and the latest version includes support for Microsoft's Windows for Workgroups, allowing you to send mail or files to other WFW users. You can purchase a Network Menuing Administration Pack to simplify setup and maintenance. The administration module lets you standardize the look of the Norton Desktop across a network and control access to applications and files.

With so many features and accessories, there is no doubt that Norton Desktop for Windows is the best of the file and hard disk management accessory packages. The sheer volume of its features takes it be

yond a collection of accessories and turns it into an excellent working environment. Of the packages reviewed, the only other one that comes close is BeckerTools 4.0. It has a similar set of utilities, but it lacks the network support. I took the file management component from BeckerTools and used it to replace the Windows File Manager. I then had a more functional file manager without having to overhaul my Windows environment. BeckerTools has a convenient toolbar in its file management shell for one-click deleting, searching, viewing, printing, editing, or executing files.

Choosing a Set of Utilities

After working with all these packages, I naturally developed a few favorites. Unfortunately, few of these Windows utility compilations offer the best of every feature. The Power Launcher has the best program launcher; NewWave offers the most comfortable desktop metaphor. I was intrigued with the Workspace for Windows environment, but it's a little too cute to work with on a daily basis.

It's too bad you can't buy just the desktop metaphor from NewWave, or the virtual desktop from Amish Utilities. As a complete package, I like Norton Desktop for Windows best. It's not the best in every category, but the desktop organization is very strong and the package includes all the Windows tools you'll ever need. ■

Stan Wszola is a testing editor for the BYTE Lab. You can reach him on BIX as "stan."

Company Information

Abacus Software, Inc.

Fifth Generation Systems, Inc.

Icom Simulations, Inc.

Symantec Corp.

(BeckerTools 4.0)

(Direct Access Desktop)

(Squeegee for Windows)

(Norton Desktop for Windows

5370 52nd St. SE

10049 North Reiger Rd.

648 South Wheeling Rd.

2.0)

Grand Rapids, Ml 49512

Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Wheeling, IL 60090

10201 Torre Ave.

(800) 451-4319

(504) 291-7221

(708) 520-4440

Cupertino, CA 95014

(616) 698-0330

Circle 1233 on Inquiry Card.

Circle 1236 on Inquiry Card.

(408) 253-9600

fax: (616) 698-0325

fax: (408) 253-4092

Circle 1230 on Inquiry Card.

hDC Computer Corp.

Metz Software, Inc.

Circle 1239 on Inquiry Card.

(Power Launcher 2.0)

(Task Manager 2.01)

Amish Software, Inc.

6742 185th Ave. NE

P.O. Box 6699

Tool Technology Publishing

(Amish Utilities for Windows 2.0)

Redmond, WA 98052

Bellevue, WA 98008

(WinTools 1.0a)

541 Cowper St., Suite A

(206) 885-5550

(206) 641-4525

1125 A St., Suite 107

Palo Alto, CA 94301

Circle 1234 on inquiry Card.

fax: (206) 644-6026

San Rafael, CA 94901

(415) 323-4627

Circle 1237 on Inquiry Card.

(415) 459-3700

fax: (415) 323-0138

Hewlett-Packard Co.

Circle 1240 on Inquiry Card.

Circle 1231 on Inquiry Card.

(NewWave 4.1)

PC-Kwik Corp.

974 East Arques Ave.

(WinMaster 1.5)

XTree Co.

Ark Interface, Inc.

Sunnyvale, CA 94086

15100 Southwest Koll Pkwy.

(XTree for Windows)

(Workspace for Windows 1.0)

(800) 554-1305

Beaverton, OR 97006

4115 Broad St., Building 1

1201 Third Ave., Suite 2380

(408) 720-3441

(503) 644-5644

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Seattle, WA 98101

fax: (408) 720-3560

fax: (503) 646-8267

(800) 876-6368

(800) 275-3698

Circle 1235 on Inquiry Card.

Circle 1238 on Inquiry Card.

(805) 541-0604

(206) 654-4127

fax: (805) 541-8053

fax: (206) 654-4188

Circle 1241 on Inquiry Card.

Circle 1232 on Inquiry Card.

154 BYTE JUNE 1993

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BERNOULLI'

Wmt

Now Windows users are opening a new world of possibilities.

The new Bernoulli" 150. The standard in removable storage.

Ah, the things you can do with software these days. Amazing, isn't it? That's why we created the new Bernoulli 150 removable drive. So you can get more out of your storage than ever before—more freedom. More excitement. And frankly, more storage.

Willi the new Bernoulli you can explore new ideas without running out of space. You just add inexpensive disks in the sizes and prices you need—150, 105. 90, 65 & 35MB. That's what we call MuI(iDislcT

The Bernoulli 150 is a MultiDisk drive. So It not only reads/writes 150MB disks, but 35,65,90 and 105MB disks, too. It even reads our 44MB disks.

a feature yoti can only get with the Bernoulli 150.

What s more, you can take your data where you need it, when you need it. Free from worry.

And since no one has time to sit on their hands, we offer a very quick 18-msec effective access time.

As you mighi have guessed, only award-winning Bernoulli Drives give you this much potential.

CorelDRAW bundle offer. Call 1-800-283-7608.

Sound good? Give us a call today for more information. Or visit your local dealer. And from now on. expect the world out of your storage.

L<WI=GA

Makers of Bernoulli

©1993 Iomega Corp. The Iomega logo and Bernoulli are registered trademarks, and MultiDisk is a trademark of Iomega Corp. All other products are trademarks or their respective holders. For customer service in U.S.A. and Canada, call 1-800-456-5522. In Europe, call 49-761-45040. For worldwide customer service, call 1-801-778-3000. For accessory items, call IOMART at 1-800-723-3770.

Circle 100 on Inquiry Card.

HANDS-ON TESTING

Desktop Dynamite:

We test 50- and 66-MHz 486DX2 and 486DX systems to find the best machines for DOS, Windows, and Unix

RICHARD FOX, ALAN JOCH, LEONARD PRESBERG, AND LESLIE REISZ

If you need the most powerful PC you can buy, consider one of the 116 systems tested here. These 50and 66-MHz 486DX2s and 50-MHz 486DXs allow you to run today's business and scientific applications efficiently. What's more, these systems are a hedge against obsolescence: Even in light of Intel's recent Pentium announcement, high-end 486s should remain the processors of choice for most single-user workstations well into next year. And if Windows NT, OS/2, or Unix is in your future plans, these 486s can adequately handle those 32-bit environments. We chose winners and runners-up that are particularly suited to important applications under DOS, Windows, and Unix. The list at the far right shows our choices for the best systems. In subsequent pages, we recommend the best 486s that are highly expandable and those that are inexpensive. We also evaluate the various graphics chip sets, disk caches, and local-bus schemes these systems use and show how these design choices relate to system performance.

We found that the local bus has taken high-end systems by storm. We ranked a total of 29 systems as winners or runners-up, and only five—from Computer Sales, Hertz, Swan, Micro Express, and Unisys—didn't use a local bus to speed the graphics subsystem. All the ranked local-bus systems used the VESA implementation, the VL-Bus, except for those from Dell and NEC, which used proprietary schemes.

The graphics-accelerator choices by systems vendors also proved to be significant. Of the top 15 performers in our graphics tests, 13 used the Weitek Power 9000 (the remainder used the S3-805 accelerator).

Best of all, the marketwide drop in hardware prices over the last 18 months has also touched the high end. Although the most expensive systems we tested sell for $10,000, we can recommend 10 systems for under $2700 that performed close to the fastest systems and were built to last.

But not all the trends we found were positive. Quality control is a pervasive problem: 40 out of the 116 systems we received either wouldn't boot on the first try or had some other serious hardware problem.

How to use this guide

To find the best high-end system, follow the main headings until you come to the application category that most closely matches yours. Then look to the Best Overall, Most Expandable, or Low Cost summaries. In all cases, higher index numbers indicate faster performance. Our decision was

based 50 percent on performance, 30 percent on features, and 20 percent on ease of use. Although you can use highend 486s as network servers, this report focuses on their suitability as single-user workstations. The prices we quote are list prices for our as-tested configurations.

Summary boxes detail the best systems for each application category. For each application, we name best overall, most expandable, and best low-cost systems.

Besides the top pick, each summary box gives the vital statistics for other outstanding systems.

--I=t-im-l'll-.r.'mm Xinetroii X/LAN 486DX2

■foot.

Xir.etron XAJtN 486DX2 1 AST Pre^ma J'66d EI8P NEC trace 466 raWIM? Bcss466EV WWMP Heuz46666Ei

.166EV as the lastL-.t system lot storage subsystem drive with 1 MB of cache

VL-Bus graphics system. We

quickly aO0 eipar

486DX2'66 IJ

486DX2I66 - S5090

m m

4560X2.66 I S4425 7.

IG7M*76b M&MB8CSI 128

1280.1024 340-MBIDE 256

1024-768 340-MB IDE 256

1024.768 340-MBSCSI 256

1024.768 12-GBSCSI 126

The top system in each group. We point out the qualities that made us choose this system as best for this application.

The deciding factors for this category. Speed-index numbers change from application to application, because we calculate these indexes based on tests most appropriate for the category. For example, the speed index in the database category is most dependent on our database application test.

156 BYTE/NSTL LAB REPORT JUNE 1993

PHOTOGRAPHY: STEVE BELKOWITZ S) 1993

BYTE

116 Fast 486$

What to Look For in a High-End System

VL-BUS EXTENSION We found that a local bus provided only a small performance improvement for hard drives but was essential for graphics environments: All the winners in DOS CAD, Windows, and Unix used either the VL-Bus implementation or a proprietary scheme.

POWER SUPPLY The typical output for high-end systems is 200 W, but specify 300 W or more if you plan to run multiple hard drives. Look for power supplies that switch between 110 and 220 V, a necessity if you're buying systems for international divisions or if the systems will be transported internationally.

HARD DRIVE Choose capacities of at least 100 MB for DOS business applications, 200 MB for DOS CAD and Windows, and 300 MB for Unix. Database and development applications access the hard drive frequently, so fast drives will pay off: Look for rated access times of 8.5 to 12 milliseconds.

FLASH ROM BIOS Systems that hold these basic routines and instructions on a flash chip let you make BIOS updates easily through software rather than by replacing the chip.

CPU

Choose a system built on a 66-MHz 486DX2 if you need the fastest performance and can afford to spend an average of $4000. The 50-MHz 486DX2s were the slowest of the highend processors we tested and had little or no price advantage over better-performing 50-MHz 486DXs.

RAM CACHE Specify a minimum of 256 KB for general business applications. Look for systems that can handle 512 KB or 1 MB if you run computationally intense applications (e.g., CAD) or if you multitask under Unix.

SIMMS

For DOS applications, purchase a minimum of 4 MB; for DOS CAD and Windows, at least 8 MB; and for Unix, at least 12 MB.

BEST

a

DOS WORD PROCESSING, DESKTOP PUBLISHING, AND SPREADSHEETS

Xinetron XYLAN 486DX2

This workstation is fast: It turned in outstanding results on our word processing and spreadsheet application tests and also had the fastest storage and graphics subsystem. PAGE 159

DOS DATABASE AND DEVELOPMENT

Thiinderbox II

A tower system that captured both Best Overall and Most Expandable honors. The Thunderbox II includes a full megabyte of processor cache, which helped it outperform all other systems in this category. PAGE 163

DOS CAD AND GRAPHICS

NEC Image 466

NEC's Image 466 uses a proprietary local-bus implementation to boost graphics performance. The system's combination of graphics speed, low cost, and clear, sharp monitor makes it best for CAD and graphic arts. PAGE 165

WINDOWS

CompuAdd 466 DX2 Desktop Power

VL-Bus graphics, a noninterlaced 1280- by 1024pixel display, and easily accessible memory and adapter slots qualify the CompuAdd 466 DX2 as the best system for Windows. Besides performance features, the 466 DX2 also comes with excellent documentation and strong technical support. PAGE 171

UNIX

Hertz 486/66E.

BYTE Unix tests and SPEC benchmark results both ranked the Hertz 486/66Ei fastest among Unix systems. PAGE 179

ILLUSTRATION: BRUCE SANDERS ©1993

JUNE 1993 BYTE/NSTL LAB REPORT 3.57

SYSTEMS FOR

>

Even though at first blush a 50- or 66MHz CPU with an integrated FPU may sound like overkill, we found fast 486s to be excellent choices for DOS word processing, desktop publishing, and spreadsheet applications. This power comes in handy for today's versions of WordPerfect and Lotus 1-2-3. which let you perform demanding tasks like linking data from many spreadsheets, running spreadsheets in 3-D, or working out WYSIWYG previews. The right 486 can ensure that page scrolling, text search and replace, graphing, and computation take place without slowing the pace of your work.

Performance was the key attribute we considered when choosing winners and runners-up in our word processing and spreadsheet application tests. Many word processing and spreadsheet operations are computationally intense—the computer must frequently access the hard drive, and graphics-intensive page scrolling is common—so we looked at an even mix of CPU, memory, hard drive, and graphics subsystem performance. We used BYTE's hardware-component tests to rate the speed of subsystems. Our suite of application tests, which included WordPerfect 5.1 and Lotus 1-2-3 release 2.4, gave us insights into how each system ran actual business programs. Our performance rankings weighted these subsystem and application tests most heavily (additional subsystem and application tests rounded out our evaluations).

We identified some clear technology trends that explained why the winners and runners-up stood out from the rest of our test sample. All the systems that were rated Best Overall or Low Cost used 66-MHz 486 processors. Of the 12 systems we ranked in the entire business applications group, only the Swan 486/50ES, a Most Expandable runner-up, used a 50-MHz processor. In most cases, the 66MHz systems performed faster than 50-MHz counterparts and didn't necessarily command a premium price. The Swan system was a notable exception: It recorded the same performance score as the Swan 486/66ES, which was identical except for its 66-MHz processor. The 50MHz model costs $100 less, but apparently identical supporting hardware for the 50- and 66-MHz versions make the extra clocks moot. We saw no reason to buy Swan's 66MHz system over its less expensive cousin.

UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED?

In the relentless quest for more computing power, vendors are always striving for ways to produce the fastest systems. One vendor, Personal Computer Graphics, submitted the Turbo Max 80, a system based on a 66-MHz 486DX2 that PCG says can run internally at 80 MHz.

Our test results showed that the Turbo Max 80 clearly operated at speeds beyond those of most of the other systems in this roundup. It outperformed all the other systems in our three DOS application categories and placed within the top five for the Windows and Unix performance tests.

According to an Intel spokesperson, Intel does not test or guarantee and, consequently, does not condone operating any of its CPUs outside of the rated specifications. Moreover, unless the entire system is designed to withstand the excess heat being generated by the 486DX2 chip, unexpected heat dissipation could lead to system failure. PCG addresses this issue by equipping the Turbo Max 80 with three fans, including one mounted on the CPU. In the end, we decided not to include this system in our rankings, because of our unanswered questions about its longterm reliability.

PCG Turbo Max 80

In the Best Overall category, the AST Premmia 4/66d Model 343W, the Boss 466EV, and the NEC Image 466 came with 256 KB of secondary cache RAM, which sped up these systems in handling large applications, such as those in our application tests. Secondary cache RAM among slower systems was 128 KB. The Xinetron X/LAN Workstation and the Boss 466EV included 1 MB of hard disk cache; in contrast, many unranked systems came with no disk cache or only a 64-KB track buffer. Finally, among the Best Overall systems, only the Hertz 486/66Ei didn't take advantage of a local-bus graphics accelerator to speed screen redraws. Accordingly, its graphics test results were the slowest of these five systems.

Bus type showed little differentiation in our performance tests: ISA and EISA systems performed comparably, primarily because we tested them as workstations rather than as network servers.

Although performance accounted for half of our selection criteria, we also rated each system by the presence or absence of standard features that would aid DOS users running word processors and spreadsheets. This represented 30 percent of our evaluation.

BYTE/NSTL LAB REPORT JUNE HW

For example, monitor quality is important for these applications. The best monitors were High Definition's Amax Impression Plus and the unit bundled with the AST Premmia, both of which support noninterlaced resolutions of up to 1280 by 1024 pixels. NEC's Image 466 is available with an NEC 3FGX monitor, another standout for crisp displays.

Keyboard feel is obviously important for word processing applications, but we had two reasons for leaving it out of our numerical rating. First, the suitability of a keyboard is a subjective rating, and our preference for clicky versus mushy or the position of the Escape key in the upper left corner may not match yours. Second, high-end machines such as these are more amenable to page-layout and design tasks and are a bit too expensive for heavy data-entry tasks, where keyboard quality is critical.

Finally, we rated systems for ease of use by considering such factors as the quality of technical manuals and the accessibility of expansion slots and drive bays. Here, specifications were sometimes deceiving. For example, the Acma 486/DX266 VESA System, a low-cost runner-up, offered five available ISA slots, but two of them were obstructed by wiring and would accommodate only halflength cards.

As with a number of other systems we tested (see the text box "Poor Quality Control" on page 169), the first X/LAN we received would not boot. Xinetron eventually sent a replacement unit that ran without problems. Even though its performance, ease of use, and features were all high enough to make it a winner in our Best Overall category, we remain disappointed by the lack of quality control made evident by the problem system. In the end, we let the Best Overall designation stand, only because the replacement unit ran without a hitch.

KEY

■ Desktop I Tower

D Mini-tower VL = VL-Bus

BYTE BEST

DOS BUSINESS APPLICATIONS

Running classic DOS applications?

BEST OVERALL

Xinetron X/LAN 486DX2

This 1-foot-tall mini-tower ran our word processing tests faster than ^S^v^t- any of the runners-up did and scored a virtual tie with the Boss •iiggft 466EV as the fastest system for the spreadsheet test suite. Its tS0|^ill» storage subsystem, which is built around a 340-MB Maxtor SCSI

drive with 1 MB of cache, was the fastest in this group, as was the system's VL-Bus graphics system. We found this system easy to live with: We could quickly add expansion cards, thanks to its easy-to-remove case and accessible adapter slots and SIMM slots. The system comes standard with a 36-month warranty and an informative manual.

r""^^!!

M

l3

H

PROCESSOR

CASE PRICE

SPEED INDEX

EASE OF USE

BUS

DISPLAY (MAX. RES.)

HARD DRIVE

RAM CACHE(KB) STANDARD MAX.

BEST

Xinetron X/LAN 486DX2

486DX2/66

D $2699

7.6

Excellent

VL, ISA

1024x768

340-MB SCSI

128 256

RUNNER-UP

AST Premmia 4/66d

486DX2/66

■ $5090

6.7

Good

VL, EISA

1280 * 1024

340-MB IDE

256 512

RUNNER-UP

NEC Image 466

486DX2/66

■ $3499

6.9

Excellent

ISA'

1024x768

340-MB IDE

256 256

RUNNER-UP

Boss 466EV

486DX2/66

1 $4495

7.4

Fair

VL, EISA

1024x768

340-MB SCSI

256 256

RUNNER-UP

Hertz 486/66Ei

486DX2/66

1 $5870

6.2

Excellent

EISA

1024x768

1.2-GB SCSI

128 256

Need expansion'

MOST EXPANDABLE

Boss 466EV

The $4495 Boss 466EV ran almost a dead heat with the Best Overall X/LAN in the word processing and spreadsheet application tests. Among the Most Expandable finalists, the Boss ran the application tests about 20 percent faster than the competition did. In addition to performance, the Boss will meet most expansion needs with one VL-Bus and four EISA slots, a SCSI port, and six 5'A-inch drive bays. One caution: The second of two fans located inside the chassis troubled us. Its tacked-on mounting suggested an additional fan was added to the original system design because of overheating problems: however, we didn't experience any heating problems during our testing.

BEST Boss 466EV

RUNNER-UP Hertz 486/66Ei

RUNNER-UP Swan486/50ES

RUNNER-UP Lightning Thunderbox I

RUNNER-UP Microtech MT/VLB

PROCESSOR

CASE

PRICE

SPEED

EASE OF

BUS

DISPLAY

HARD DRIVE

DRIVE BAYS

INDEX

USE

(MAX. RES.)

Wt

Sf"

486DX2/66

1

$4495

7.4

Fair

VL, EISA

1024x768

340-MB SCSI

0

4

486DX2/66

1

$5870

6.2

Excellent

EISA

1024x768

1.2-GB SCSI

7

2

486DX/50

1

$5969

6.0

Excellent

EISA

1024x768

325-MB SCSI

7

2

486DX2/66

1

S3895

7.8

Fair

VL, EISA

1280x1024

520-MB SCSI

0

3

486DX2/66

1

$3099

7.7

Fair

VL, ISA

1280x1024

340-MB IDE

1

5

Watching the bottom line?

LOW COST

j ^H

11.

r>9

Eastern Tech ET 486VLB66

If performance were our only consideration, the 486VLB66 would have been a Best Overall finalist. We're comfortable in putting it at the top of our low-cost list because the system's speed and $2595 price compensate for the superficial documentation and the lack of a flash ROM BIOS and a toll-free technical-support line. But it shines in speed: The system ran our word processing and spreadsheet tests faster than any other machine we ranked. The low-level test results showed it was especially fast in the drive tests, which is attributable to the local-bus Tekram hard drive controller with 1 MB of cache (maximum of 16 MB) and the 14-ms, 340-MB Western Digital hard drive. Graphics performance was also outstanding, thanks to a VL-Bus implementation of an S3-805 graphics accelerator.

BEST Eastern Tech ET486VLB66 486DX2/66

RUNNER-UP High Definition HDVLB66 486DX2/66

RUNNER-UP Acma 486/DX2-66 VESA 486DX2/66

RUNNER-UP Computer Expo 486VLB/66 486DX2/66 ' Video is on proprietary local bus.

PRICE

SPEED

EASE OF

BUS

DISPLAY

HARD DRIVE

TECH. SUPPORT

INDEX

USE

(MAX. RES.)

$2595

7.9

Fair

VL, ISA

1024x768

340-MB IDE

Lifetime

$2400

6.5

Fair

VL, ISA

1280x1024

340-MB SCSI

Lifetime

$2595

7.2

Fair

VL, ISA

1024x768

360-MB IDE

12 months

$2567

6.9

Fair

VL, ISA

1024x768

340-MB IDE

36 months

JUNE 1993 BYTE/NSTL LAB REPORT 153

"ZEOS couples smart design with excellent software options.. .easily upgradable, excellent video performance."

—PC Computing, March 1993, BEST VALUE

Everybody is talking price, price, price. Now ZEOS is talking price, price, price and features, features, features! Right now, you get more features at lower prices from ZEOS than from anyone else!

TAKE A REALLY CLOSE LOOK AT WHAT YOU GET:

■ VESA-standard local bus video —the fastest video performance available anywhere. PC Magazine tested

PC MAGAZINE LABS BENCHMARK TESTS: GRAPHICS WINMARK

Compaq Deskpro 66M

Dell 466 DE/2

Gateway 2000 4DX2-66 V

IBM PS/2 Model 77 486DX2

ZEOS 486DX2-66 with our optional Viper video card!

12.34 | 744

7.06

Megapixels

per

second.

Nobody beats

ZEOS!

ZEOS "blew all competitors away—in some cases performing more than ten times as fast as competitors."

—PC Magazine, 1/26/93

ZKMjut Best Wue Is Now Ben Better!

NOW:

LARGER,

FASTER

LOCAL BUS

HARD

DRIVES!

a ZEOS system with our optional Viper video card. Their findings? The ZEOS "shattered our previous record.. .by nearly fourfold? Now the dazzling video performance that rated #1 with PC Magazine can be yours!

■ Local bus IDE hard drives. Now we've made your hard disk drive data throughput over twice as fast with local bus IDE! Dell doesn't have it; few others do either. ZEOS has it and so can you.

■ You get eight expansion slots, including two that support VESA-standard local bus devices with bus mastering. Expandability with local bus performance in mind!

■ "An array of features to make a user's mouth water." —PC Magazine. Such as stronger cases, high-capacity

power supplies with built-in surge suppression, floppy drives by Teac, and so much more.

■ PC Magazine Readers' Choice for Service and

Reliability—February 9,1993! ZEOS was the only

PC vendor to receive the "Excellent" rating

for both desktop and laptop systems.

Our customers vouch for our excellent 1%.\

■ "It's hard to imagine a brighter upgrade picture. "—PC World. You get more than just an overdrive socket—you get upgradability all the way to Intel's Pentium'-based Overdrive'" processor. Not to mention Flash BIOS for future upgrades by disk or modem, six-bay cases, cache ar^l;j^,a'w all the way to 256K... plus optional .Saggr on-board SCSI for only $49!

rWr^EZ/ t_OLi /:.". J/iiM

NOW: Larger drives, all with highspeed built-in cache. Up to 452MB!

standards. We were the first to offer 24 hour supportyears ago. Even now, few offer it 'round the clock. But with ZEOS you get it, 365 days a year!

■ Warranties, guarantees and more. If you're not absolutely convinced your new ZEOS PC is everything we say it is and more, you have a full 30 days to return it to us for a complete, no-questions-asked refund. Plus, you're covered by our One Year Limited Warranty our Express Parts Replacement Policy and our Complete Customer Satisfaction Package.

■ You get your choice of a popular Windows application from Lotus 1-2-3, Ami Pro, Freelance Graphics, or new Lotus Improy called the most "revolutionary and accessible" spreadsheet ever. That's in addition to DOS 6.0 (plus enhanced tools), Windows, and the fabulous Lotus Organizer. With all the free software you get with your new ZEOS system, you save hundreds of dollars!

"The ZEOS 486DX-33 is the fastest 33-MHz 486 DX-33 system we tested, and its performance even topped that of two 50-MHz 486DX2s."

—PC World, February 1993, BEST BUY

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO VALUE.

Nobody, and we mean nobody gives you as much as ZEOS. At any price. And frankly in the history of our company we've never built better PCs < mwm""'',

than these. That means a lot from a company with nine PC Magazine Editors' Choice awards.

SO GIVE US A CALL!

You can't make a better purchase decision than to buy your own ZEOS system. So why not give us a call right now and talk with your own friendly and knowledgeable ZEOS Systems Consultant. ZEOS is absolutely your best choice. And we don't just say it. We guarantee it!

CALL NOW TOLL FREE

800-554-5226

Fax Orders: 612-633-1325, Government: 800-245-2449, TDD Orders (for the hearing impaired): 800-228-5389, Outside U.S. and Canada: 612-633-6131. MasterCard, VISA, Am Exp, Discover, Z-Card*" COD and Leasing programs. Open 24 Hours a Day, 365 Days a Year!

Purchase orders from Fortune 1000 companies, governments and institutions subject to approval. Leasing programs available. All prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. Please call to confirm pricing, specifications and warranty details. All products and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. ©1993 ZEOS International,Ltd., 1301 Industrial Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55413 USA. ZEOS is a publicly traded company (NASDAQ symbol- ZEOS) UPGR-BYT-9306

CHOOSE FROM FOUR MONEY-SAVING PACKAGES.

Or we can custom-build a system to your exact specifications. Just call us!

#1

#2 #3

#4

$1295 1395 1595 1695 1795

107 32K

■ 16

$1795 1895

2095 2195

2295

214 128 K

■ 16

.28

28

$2195 2295 2495 2595 2695

8

340 128K

12

28

$2495 2595 2795 2895

2995

16

452 2S6K

■ 12

28

486SX-25

486SX-33

486DX-33

486DX2-50

486DX2-66

Intel 486 CPU

ZIF upgrade socket

MB of RAM expandable to 64MB on motherboard

High-speed IDE hard drive (MB)

Built-in hard drive cache

Local bus IDE hard drive interface

Seek time (ms)

1.2MB Teac floppy drive

1.44MB Teac floppy drive

ZEOS 14" high-resolution mono VGA monitor

ZEOS 14" high-resolution 1024x768 non-interlaced SVGA color monitor

Monitor dot pitch (mm)

1MB high-speed VESA local bus card with Windows accelerator

Eight expansion slots including two VESA local bus

Two serial ports, one parallel port

Shadow RAM/EMS support

Socket for optional on-board SCSI

Flash BIOS

High-capacity 200W power supply and built-in surge suppression

ZEOS SpaceSaver case with six drive bays

Two cooling fans

ZEOS 101-key tactile/click keyboard

Microsoft DOS 6.0 (plus enhanced tools)

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Mouse

Choice of Lotus Improy 1-2-3, Ami Pro or Freelance

Lotus Organizer

24-Hour-A-DayToll-Free Technical Support

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

One Year Limited Warranty

Circle 156 on Inquiry Card.

all Mouse.

THE NEW

Logitech Ball Mouse.

Cheap Ball Mouse.

nui

1CI 1

1

.Mllll

. , < 1

|L M L^|

n

■■■" m^M

THI

THE

It's Different. It's Better. It's The Last Mouse You'll Ever Need To Buy.

If?s AlmosLUnfair To Compare. Our new technology

is so advanced it virtually makes other mice obsolete.

Compare the accuracy. A ball

~&sS~ mouse picks updust and dirt that

can roll up; and contaminate the

2^ internal mechanism, which makes

^ youfiigursor jump around the

MM

Compare. Our new technology Compare the ease of use. The Honeywell mouse doesn't ne'ed.a

:es othermice obsolete. specialpad;itworksperfectlyonanysurface-atanyangle-even

Compare the accuracy. A ball upside down!

mouse picks updust and dirt that Compare the quality, reliability and price. Proven Honeywell

can roll up; and contaminate the quality and fewer parts make our mouse extremely reliable. So

internal mechanism, which makes reliable, we back it with a limited lifetime warranty.* And, our

your cursor jump around the . .simple design allows it to be competitively priced with mice using

screen. s ' ■■.'" out-of-dateball technology.

Our unique design keeps the mouse ,. So, compare all of the other mice. But do yourself a favor arid

free of debris,so your;cursor goes try a new Honeywell mouse -you'll see why it's the last; ifiouse

precisely whereyou want it-wheri you'llever need to buy. We guarantee it.

you-want it - fdrevef. , The Honeywell mouse is Microsoft* Windows", and DOS ._,

compatible, and works with IBM, compatibles and PS/? s""

For information oh where to get the new Honeywell mouse call us at 1-800-445-6939

In Canada, call (4i6) 293-8111. ►=. ''fll

Circle 273 en Inquiry Card.

Hoii

Helping You Control Your World

Available At

Honeywell Inc. Keyboard Division, 4171 N. Mesa, Bldg. D, El Paso, Texas 799021-800-445-6939.

*See warranty for complete, details. ©1993 Honeywell liic. All product names aretrademarks of their respective companies. \

BEST

DATABASE AND DEVELOPMENT

Fast performance for database applications hinges on the effective integration of CPU, memory, and hard drive subsystems. The efficiency of the components translates into being able to work rather than wait while your system is executing queries, generating reports, or compiling code.

Performance was our most important selection criterion, and we devised our speed-index number by combining results of application and subsystem tests and giving emphasis to the CPU, memory, hard drive, and FoxPro portions of the two test suites.

The Lightning Thunderbox II, the best system overall, distinguished itself with high scores in our CPU and drive tests. All the Best Overall systems used 66MHz processors. The AST Premmia, the CompuAdd 466 DX2 Desktop Power, and the Hertz 486/66Ei each posted high marks in the memory subsystem tests. The Thunderbox II and the FutureTech System 462eV showed fast performance on our drive tests, along with solid scores for CPU and memory.

Database users need flexibility for adding memory to boost performance or drives to provide redundant storage. Our Most Expandable rankings show the five standout systems. The Swan 486/50ES deserves mention. Its tower case is one of the most flexible designs we have seen: It has eight free 3'/>-inch drive bays and six free EISA slots.

The systems in the low-cost category provided 486 power for under S2600, with the 50-MHz Micro Flex selling for less than S2000 (we recommend it as only a runner-up because it was the slowest in the group).

KEY

m Desktop I Tower

D Mini-tower VL = VL-Bus

Want the -fastest database machine?

BEST OVERALL

Lightning Thunderbox II

This tower received the highest score among the database and development St|J»V. Ieaders in our subsystem and application tests. In addition, it sped through *^0t0& tne FoxPro 2.0 application test two times faster than its nearest competitor GglpSP (the FutureTech System 462eV). It includes 1 MB of secondary cache (128 or 256 KB is the norm), a Tekram SCSI hard drive controller with 1 MB of cache, a 520-MB Maxtor hard drive with a fast (8.5-nanosecond) access time. Rounding out its fine performance, the system comes with a two-year warranty covering parts, labor, and shipping, as well as lifetime technical support with a toll-free support line.

PROCESSOR CASE PRICE

SPEED EASE OF INDEX USE

BUS

BEST

Lightning Thunderbox II 486DX2/66 I $3895

RUNNER-UP Xinetron X/LAN 486DX2 486DX2/66 D $2699

RUNNER-UP Hertz 486/66Ei 486DX2/66 I $5870

RUNNER-UP CompuAdd Desktop Power 486DX2/66 m $4039

RUNNER-UP AST Premmia 4/66d 486DX2/66 - $5090

RUNNER-UP FutureTech System 462eV 486DX2/66 I 33129

RUNNER-UP NEC Image 466 486DX2/66 - $3499

DISPLAY HARD DRIVE (MAX. RES.)

7.8 Fair VL, EISA 1280x1024 520-MB SCSI

7.2 Excellent VL, ISA 1024*768 340-MB SCSI

6.2 Excellent EISA 1024*768 1.2-GBSCSI

6.3 Excellent VL, ISA 1280* 1024 500 MB IDE 6.3 Good VL, EISA 1280x1024 340-MBIDE 7.1 Good VL, EISA 1280*1024 340-MB SCSI 6.5 Excellent ISA1 1024*768 340-MBIDE

RAM CACHE (KB)

STANDARD MAX.

1024 1024

128 256

128 256

256 256

256 512

256 512

256 256

Planning for expansion?

MOST EXPANDABLE

Lightning Thunderbox II

In addition to its pacesetting performance in our FoxPro and subsystem tests (see item above), the Thunderbox II can easily be expanded in the three areas vital to database and development performance: CPU, memory, and storage. The system contains a socket for upgrading to Pentium processors, disk cache that's expandable to 16 MB, and five available EISA slots.

PROCESSOR CASE PRICE

SPEED EASE OF INDEX USE

BEST Lightning Thunderbox II

RUNNER-UP Hertz 486/66Ei

RUNNER-UP Swan486/50ES

RUNNER-UP Boss466EV

RUNNER-UP Microtech MT/VLB

486DX2/66

486DX2/66

486DX/50

486DX2/66

486DX2/66

BUS DISPLAY HARD DRIVE

(MAX. RES.)

$3895 7.8 Fair VL, EISA 1280* 1024 520-MB SCSI

$5870 6.2 Excellent EISA 1024*768 1.2-GBSCSI

S5969 6.1 Excellent EISA 1024*768 325-MB SCSI

$4495 7.4 Fair VL, EISA 1024*768 340-MB SCSI

$3099 7.7 Fair VL, ISA 1280*1024 340-MBIDE

DRIVE BAYS

%"

Si"

0

3

7

2

8

2

0

4

1

5

Need top performance -for under $2600?

LOW COST

Eastern Tech ET 486VLB66

The 486VLB66 came in second to the Thunderbox II as the fastest performer of our database systems and costs $6000 less than the most expensive system in this applications group— the Swan 486 150ES, which ran the tests considerably slower. The 486VLB66 derives much of its speed advantage from the VL-Bus IDE interface with 1 MB of cache and 256 KB of secondary cache. The 486VLB66 comes with a 24-month warranty covering the system and a 12month warranty covering the 14-inch 1024- by 768-pixel ViewSonic 6E monitor and the 340MB Western Digital hard drive.

BEST Eastern Tech ET 486VLB66 486DX2/66

RUNNER-UP Acma 486/DX2-66 VESA 486DX2/66

RUNNER-UP High Definition HDVLB66 486DX2/66

RUNNER-UP Micro Express Micro Flex 486DX/50

RUNNER-UP Acma ISA Workstation 486DX2/50

RUNNER-UP Computer Expo 486VLB/66 486DX2/66

1 Video is on proprietary local bus.

PRICE

SPEED EASE OF

BUS

DISPLAY

HARD DRIVE

TECH. SUPPORT

INDEX

USE

(MAX. RES.)

$2595

7.4

Fair

VL, ISA

1024*768

340-MB IDE

Lifetime

S2595

6.8

Faii

VL, ISA

1024*768

360-MB IDE

12 months

32400

5.9

Fair

VL. ISA

1280*1024

340-MB SCSI

Lifetime

$1999

5.5

Good

ISA

1024*768

325-MB IDE

Lifetime

$2295

6.3

Good

ISA

1024*768

360-MB IDE

12 months

$2567

6.5

Fair

VL. ISA

1024*768

340-MB IDE

36 months

JUNE 1993 BYTE/NSTL LAB REPORT

Higher Performance for Less.

VESA

1024x768/72Hz

The Superior CTX-1561

—15-inch Flat Screen

Overscan Capability

15" Flat Screen 90-136/180-260VAC

30-60KHz VESA 800 x 600/72Hz VESA 1024 x 768/72Hz

15" Flat Screen

120VAC

31-38.5/47.8-49KHZ

800 x 600/72Hz

N/A

-High Refresh

-ISO 9002 Certificated

CTXSW

Even in the most demanding environments, CTX-1561 is a proven price/performance winner of 15-inch monitors in today's market. For your budget concerns, CTX also provides CTX-1461 as an economical alternative to CTX-1561 without sacrificing resolution or other advanced features. See us at

©COmPiHySpring'93 Booth 1614, Hall B

CTX

Committed To Xellence

'LR: Low Radiation MPR-I1Model available for all CTX Professional Series Monitors

CTX INTERNATIONAL

20530 Earlgate Street Walnut, CA 91789 909/595-6146 Fax 909/595-6293

CTX SOUTH

6090-F Northbelt Pkwy Norcross, GA 30071 404/729-8909 Fax 404/729-8805

CTX EAST

146 Division Place Hackensack, NJ 07601 201/646-0707 Fax 201/646-1998

CTX MIDWEST

500 Park Blvd., Ste. 425 Itasca, IL 60143 708/285-0202 Fax 708/285-0212

CTX OEM

1225 E. Crosby Rd., A21 Carrollton. TX 75006 214/416-9610 Fax 214/245-7447

©Copyright 1993. CTX International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. All brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Circle 84 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 85). I i

BYTE

BEST

CAD AND GRAPHICS

Fast 486s are the systems of choice for CAD and graphics professionals. The high clock speeds and integrated floatingpoint processors play well against the complex computations of these applications. And with high-resolution displays the norm for CAD and graphics, local-bus video accelerators mean faster screen redraws and more efficient work.

We gave the most emphasis to the results of the Lotus 1 -2-3 release 2.4 and Autodesk Animator Pro 1.0 tests, which together challenged each system's computational, floating-point, and graphics capabilities. We gave equal weight to BYTE's subsystem and Windows tests when evaluating performance. We also looked for important CAD and graphics features, such as support for 1280- by 1024pixel (noninterlaced) displays.

Because of the high computational needs of CAD and graphics, 66-MHz processors dominated our three categories. The only exception was the Keydata Key VL-Bus Windowstation, a 50-MHz 486DX that made runner-up in our low-cost category on the strength of its VL-Bus graphics system.

All the winners and runnersup in this applications group came with some implementation of a local bus. The Best Overall winner, NEC's Image 466, and a runner-up, Dell's 466/ME, used proprietary local-bus implementations; the remaining systems were VL-Bus-based. In the BYTE Windows index, the NEC Image 466 and the Dell 466/ME scored about 10 percent faster than many of their VL-Bus competitors.

KEY

■ Desktop I Tower

D Mini-tower VL = VL-Bus

Looking -for the best graphics performer?

BEST OVERALL

NEC Image 466

The NEC Image 466 finished a close second to the Boss and X/LAN systems in our performance tests weighted for CAD and graphics, but it achieved top honors on the strength of its entire package. The Image 466's Tseng ET-4000 W32 video accelerator (with 1 MB of DRAM) is integrated on the

motherboard using a proprietary local-bus scheme. Its advantages: Integrated video doesn't occupy a slot, while local-bus video offers fast screen redraws. We found the desktop chassis easy to access for upgrading drives, memory, and boards. The $3499 price, which was second lowest among the seven Best Overall systems, includes an NEC 3FGX 15-inch monitor—a monitor with outstanding clarity. The price also includes a threeyear basic warranty covering parts and labor, lifetime technical support, and a year of free on-site service.

BEST NEC Image 466

RUNNER-UP AST Premmia 4/66d

RUNNER-UP Xinetron X/LAN 486DX2

RUNNER-UP CompuAdd MC 466EDX2

RUNNER-UP Boss466EV

RUNNER-UP Dell 466/ME

RUNNER-UP Tri-Star 486 VL Station

PROCESSOR CASE PRICE

486DX2/66 - $3499

486DX2/66 - $5090

486DX2/66 D $2699

486DX2/66 m $6884

486DX2/66 I S4495

486DX2/66 m $3669

486DX2/66 I $3279

SPEED INDEX

EASE OF BUS USE

DISPLAY (MAX. RES.)

HARD DRIVE

RAM CACHE (KB) STANDARD MAX.

7.8

Excellent ISA'

1024x768

340-MB IDE

256

256

7.4

Good VL, EISA

1280 x 1024

340-MB IDE

256

512

8.0

Excellent VL, ISA

1024x768

340-MB SCSI

128

256

7.3

Excellent VL, EISA

1280x1024

525-MB SCSI

256

256

8.0

Fair VL, EISA

1024x768

338-MB SCSI

256

256

7.4

Good EISA'

1024x768

320-MB IDE

128

128

7.6

Good VL, ISA

1280x1024

340-MB IDE

256

256

Need a CAD system with room -for growth'

MOST EXPANDABLE

Boss 466EV

The 466EV ran our CAD and graphics tests faster than any other system ranked Most Expandable. The system's 60-ns memory speed and 256-KB 15-ns secondary cache contributed to the strong showing. The 466EV uses a VL-Bus Genoa WindowsVGA 24 video adapter based on a Cirrus Logic chip set; this implementation achieved the highest score in this group for the graphics-intensive BYTE Windows tests. If you need to expand the system to improve performance, the motherboard holds up to 256 MB of memory. The caching drive controller came

i control

er can noia a maximum

Dt lb MB of

RAM.

PROCESSOR

CASE

PRICE

SPEED EASE OF BUS INDEX USE

DISPLAY (MAX. RES.)

HARD DRIVE DRIVE BAYS

%" Si"

BEST Boss 466EV

486DX2/66

1

$4495

8.0 Fair VL, EISA

1024x768

340-MB SCSI 0 4

RUNNER-UP Hertz 486/66Ei

486DX2/66

1

$5870

6.8 Excellent EISA

1024x768

1.2-GBSCSI 7 2

RUNNER-UP Microtech MT/VLB

486DX2/66

1

$3099

7.7 Fair VL, ISA

1280x1024

340-MB IDE 1 5

Cost-conscious?

LOW COST

High Definition HDVLB66

This 66-MHz system finished first in this group thanks to its $2400 list price, solid performance in ■ our CAD tests, and flexible expansion options. The system offers a local-bus Genoa WindowsVGA 24 video card featuring the Cirrus Logic GD5426 chip set. The HDVLB66 includes 256 KB of secondary cache, 8 MB of RAM, a socket for a P24T processor, and a local-bus UltraStor hard drive controller connected to a 340-MB Fujitsu drive.

PROCESSOR

BEST High Definition HDVLB66 486DX2/66

RUNNER-UP Eastern Tech ET486VLB66 486DX2/66

RUNNER-UP Acma 486/DX2-66 VESA 486DX2/66

RUNNER-UP Key VL-Bus Windowstation 486DX/50

RUNNER-UP CompuEx 486VLB/66 486DX2/66

CASE

PRICE

SPEED INDEX

EASE OF USE

BUS

1

$2400

7.6

Fair

VL,

1

$2595

8.4

Fair

VL,

1

$2595

7.7

Fair

VL,

1

$2395

7.0

Fair

VL,

1

$2567

7.6

Fair

VL.

HARD DRIVE TECH. SUPPORT

DISPLAY (MAX. RES.)

1280x1024 340-MB SCSI Lifetime

1024x768 340-MB IDE Lifetime

1024x768 360-MB IDE 12 months

1024x768 210-MBIDE Lifetime

1024x768 340-MB IDE 36 months

1 Video is on proprietary local bus.

JUNE 1993 BVTE/NSTL LAB REPORT 165

a i

It's NeXTSTEP system software is years ahead of its potential rivals such as Microsoft Corp s. Cairo and Apple and IBM s Taligent systems.

Business Week, Januarv 25. 1993

a,

We have not seen a development environment anywhere that matches the power of NeXTSTEP. We have already proven this power by delivering applications to our business in a matter of weeks that would have taken months in other environments.''

I NO YAH PETURSSON, CIO, Mi: CAW CELLULAR

u ...NeXTSTEP is probably the most respected piece of software on the planet. The underlying reason for NeXT's success is objects..."

Byte, October 1992 a . _ , 7 ■ 1 j j

...NeXThas the potential to be the Microsoft of objects..."

Lisa Thorell, Dataquest

d ;

NeXTSTEP is the best platform for developing object-oriented, client! server applications.

Larry Ellison, Chairman & CEO, Oracle Com'.

NeXTSTEP is the

ideal environment for crossplatform development.''

Tom Mai.i.okv, VI1 Development, WordPerfect Corf.

IT WONT BE OUT OF THE BOX

UNTIL MAY 25TH.

BUT THE REVIEWS ARE ALREADY IN.

NeXTSTEP™for Intel®processors.The world's only object-oriented user and development ^& environment. Coming soon to industrystandard computers all over the world. For information, call 1-800-TRY-NEXT. THE OBJECT IS THE ADVANTAGE:

6/«J NeX'I' Computer. Inc. AV.V7 ana'NeXTSTEP are registered'trademarks ofXeX'l'Computer. Inc. Tlie Object is the Advantage is a trademark of XcXT Computer. Inc. Intel is a ntfstmd trademark of Intel Corporation.

Circle 120 on Inquiry Card.

How We Tested

PERFORMANCE

We tested each system under Windows 3.1, DOS 5.0, and SCO Unix 3.2.4. Our DOS and Windows performance testing consisted of DOS and Windows low-level tests designed by the BYTE Lab and application tests developed by the National Software Testing Laboratories.

The low-level DOS tests determine the quality of computer subsystems by isolating hard drive, memory, and CPU performance. The collection of Windows low-level tests exercises the Windows GDI (Graphical Device Interface), as well as memory management and file I/O routines. The graphics components of these tests determine how fast a system can execute basic graphics calls within Windows, including calls that display pixels, lines, rectangles, polygons, and ellipses. The graphics tests also exercise text display and BitBlt operations. BYTE's Windows tests were run in resolutions of 1024 by 768 pixels at 256 colors, and the DOS tests were run in VGA resolution.

The application tests give us accurate "real-world" representations of system performance; the only way to really know how well a system runs Microsoft Excel, for example, is to test with Excel. For DOS tests, we used WordPerfect 5.1, Lotus 1-2-3 release 2.4, FoxPro 2.0, and Autodesk Animator Pro 1.0. We ran Excel 4.0a, Microsoft Word 2.0b, and Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows 1.1 for our Windows evaluations.

In addition, we ran a set of tests on each system under SCO Unix. This suite consisted of the BYTE Lab's low-level Unix tests and SPEC89. The Unix tests cover a spectrum of typical scientific and engineering tasks, such as electronic-circuit analysis, architectural analysis, and compilation, as well as general Unix system operations. Therefore, the platforms were tested as scientific and engineering workstations, not as file servers or database processors.

USABILITY

We worked with each system to gauge its usability. For example, we rated systems according to how easy it was to perform simple upgrades; high marks

went to systems where the cover came off easily, add-in cards fit without problem, and the cover fit back on without undue fiddling. We evaluated memory expansion by determining how easy it was to access the open SIMM slots; similarly, we judged whether open drive bays were obstructed or difficult to reach. In addition, we evaluated the manuals provided by each vendor. Did one integrated manual come with the system, or was there a collection of manuals for each of the system parts? Were the manuals well organized? As we found the answers to these and other questions, we kept extensive lab notes to refer to during our selection process.

FEATURES

We chose several features that we considered vital for high-end 486 systems:

• 32 MB or more of system-memory capacity

• local-bus graphics

• support for 1280- by 1024-pixel displays

• one or more drive bays available for expansion

• bundled applications software

• free one-year parts-and-labor warranty

CONFIGURATION

We tested 50- or 66-MHz 486DX2 and 50-MHz 486DX systems in either desktop, mini-tower, or tower configurations. We accepted systems with ISA, EISA, and Micro Channel architecture buses. We specified up to 1 MB of hard disk cache. We didn't use any software cache that may have been supplied by vendors.

We requested 8 MB of system RAM, the system's maximum amount of secondary processor cache RAM, and a 300- to 400-MB hard drive. Finally, we asked for each system's best graphics hardware configuration or a minimum of 1024- by 768-pixel resolution at 256 colors and 1 MB of VRAM. Test-configuration prices include a 14- or 15inch 1024- by 768-pixel or better monitor, whichever was standard.

Leslie Reisz (left), Alan Joch, and a few of the 116 systems we tested.

SELECTION

After we evaluated performance, features, and usability scores, we weighted our findings to help us select our winners. If you're buying a high-end system, you want speed and power, so we selected performance to be worth 50 percent of our final score. To determine our performance scores, we gave the most weight to tests based on applications related to each individual category (e.g., WordPerfect 5.1 and Lotus 1-2-3 release 2.4 for word processing and spreadsheet selection). Similarly, features represented 30 percent of our final determination; usability was 20 percent.

Contributors

Michael P. Connors, Contributing Editor of PC Digesl (an NSTL publication), writes anil researches comparative reviews of PCs.

Richard Fox, Senior Test Engineer/NSTL, has spent the last two years testing compatibility and performance of high-end PCs, software, and operating systems for NSTL.

Alan Joch, Senior Editor/BYTE, coordinates combined testing between the BYTE Lab and NSTL.

Leonard Presberg, Manager of Performance Testing/NSTL, directed the development of NSTL's applications benchmarks for PCs. He holds a B.A. in computer science from Oberiin College.

Leslie ReiSZ, Senior Test Engineer/NSTL. wrote Unix interface programs for Unisys before joining NSTL in 1991. Since then, he has coordinated the testing of Unix systems and networks.

The Lab Report is an ongoing collaborative project between BYTE Magazine and National Software Testing Laboratories (NSTL). BYTE Magazine and NSTL are both operating units of McGraw-Hill, Inc.

JUNE 1993 BYTE/NSTL LAB REPORT 167

The best sound is not in the cards. roKTABLi^,

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Whether you take your work across the hall or across the country, with PORT-ABLE Sound Plus, you have all the cards you need to play right in your hip pocket. The hinged design lets you flip up the unit if you are short on desk space or lap space. And, the power will always be with your whether you use rechargeable or nonrechargeable AA batteries. PORT-ABLE Sound Plus also comes equipped with an AC/DC power converter.

As a bonus, you will get all the software you need to communicate. Like Lotus Sound"' an OLE server for Windows 3.1. WinReader for Windows 3.1, a handy textto-speech utility. Digispeech's DOSTalkand DOSReader text-to-speech applications. Show & Tell For Kids'" for

THE SOUND SOLUT

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a

MICROSOFTts

inc. WINDOWS™

CCMM1BLE

^"'"'■""•WMP

Poor Quality Control

Of the 116 systems we tested, 40 experienced hardware problems that were significant enough to delay their testing. We solved some of the problems simply by opening the systems and ensuring that the power and data connections, as well as the adapter boards on the motherboard, were secure.

IDENTIFYING

PROBLEMS

However, we called the vendors to identify at least half of the problems. For instance, when we powered up the Ares Microdevelopment 486-66DX2-VL, the system produced only a series of beeps. Hearing those beeps over the phone, the Ares technical staff instantly isolated the problem to a bad secondary processor cache.

Three systems, the Xinetron X/LAN, the Sho-Tronics 486 MAX DX2/66, and the Micro Express Micro Flex, experienced problems so severe that the vendors had to supply a new unit. In these cases, the problem systems would not boot at all, so no POST (power-on self test), video output, hard drive activity, or beeps occurred.

We contacted Wyse Technology after realizing that the Decision 486SE was clearly not operating at the expected speed of a 66-MHz DX2. During a conference call with several technicians, we checked each CMOS setting and DIP switch. We finally discovered that one of the DIP switches on the motherboard was between two settings. Once it was pushed into the proper setting, the system operated at the correct speed.

SCO UNIX

We experienced a number of problems installing SCO Unix, due in some degree to problems with third-party peripherals and their drivers. The two Gateway ISA IDE-drive desktops we tested worked fine. However, we had problems with the company's EISA towers, which shipped with UltraStor 24F SCSI controllers and Seagate hard drives. Unix would not install on the Gateway 4DX250V. It would install on the 4DX2-66V model, but the system would periodically lock up. Gateway sent us replacement Adaptec SCSI controllers. The 50

Of 116 Systems Delivered...

11% had difficulty running SCO Unit

2% total failure

32% hardware/configuration

MHz machine worked fine with the new controllers, but the 66-MHz version would no longer install SCO Unix. After more calls to Gateway, a technician suggested we turn the turbo switch off. This fixed the problem: Unix installed and ran—but very slowly.

Duracom's systems had similar problems. We tested two ISA IDE-drive machines and two EISA SCSI-drive machines with Duracom's Adaptec clone controllers. The ISA machines ran fine, as did the EISA 50-MHz DX2. But the 66-MHz DX2 EISA would not install Unix. After a number of CMOS setting changes and system part swaps—SCSI controllers, hard drives, and CPUs—Duracom sent us a replacement Adaptec controller. Even with the new controller, we couldn't get our tests to work correctly. We could not resolve this problem before press time.

The Ariel 486DX2-66VLS ISA and the Ares 486-66DX2-VL both had problems running the BYTE benchmark filesystem test. The Ares hit a kernel panic (i.e., an error from which the operating system cannot recover), and the Ariel system locked up during the test. Both had UltraStor SCSI controllers; the Ares ran a Quantum hard drive, and the Ariel ran a Toshiba hard drive. After several attempts, these systems successfully completed our tests.

The Lightning Thunderbox II also locked up during SCO Unix testing. After a number of tries, the tests finally ran, but the results were not consistent with the other test systems. Eventually, the Tekram SCSI controller failed completely. Lightning then sent a new Tekram controller, and from then on we had no problems running the tests.

VIDEO AND UNIX

There were a few machines whose original video cards would not work with SCO Unix. The CAF Technology Gold 6D2 and Gold 5T each came with a Poka video adapter, and both exhibited this problem. CAF sent two Western Digi

tal VGA boards, which worked fine with Unix and were $125 cheaper. The High Definition System HDEISA 50 came with an Orchid Prodesigner that was replaced with an Oak Technology Super VGA card, which was fine.

The Dell 466/L ran slow. After we attempted to solve the problem by swapping memory, Dell Computer's technical-support staff told us to put the 66DX2 CPU into the 450/L, an identical machine. The new "466/L" ran as we expected.

The Malone machine repeatedly locked up during testing. Technical support determined that the problem was due to the CMOS settings, and after a few adjustments, the problem was resolved.

Quill sent us a machine that would not install Unix. The installation procedure could not make the file systems on the hard drive. After a controller jumperswitch change didn't work, Quill sent a different hard drive controller, which solved the problem.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Sometimes we found the responsiveness of technical support disappointing. We made repeated calls to Gateway 2000 for SCO Unix drivers. After getting no response, we resorted to downloading the drivers from UltraStor.

Most troubling about these problems was the sheer number. There were 40 systems that gave us some degree of hardware difficulty, which required time, patience, and technical expertise to correct. These figures paint a grim picture of the current state of the market.

In the end, we didn't see any correlation between the size of the vendor and the quality of the system. So-called upper-tier vendors (e.g., Dell and Gateway) were just as likely to send problem systems as were their smaller competitors. Our advice: Before buying a system from any vendor, make sure you are comfortable with the support and warranty options available.

JUNE 1993 BYTE/NSTL L A B REPORT 169

SYSTEMS FOR

DIFFERENT BUS CHOICES

The bus is the common pathway that connects a computer's processor, memory, and peripheral control units. It's a term both for the common wiring paths that make up these connections and for the physical connectors (e.g., ISA sockets) into which expansion devices fit. Here are the current choices:

LOCAL BUS

ISA BUS

Our test specification of a high-end 486 with 8 MB^of RAM and a 300-MB hard drive was a potent combination for Windows workstations. The processor and memory size kept the systems from balking as we ran through our suite of Windows applications that have grown to take up 10 MB of storage space and have been known to stall lesser systems. Our Windows performance tests included important business applications like Excel 4.0a, Word for Windows 2.0b, and Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows 1.1. These benchmarks compared how well each system performed charting, file I/O, statistical-computation, searchand-replace, and spelling-checker functions, among dozens of others. Complementing these tests were the BYTE Windows benchmarks, which run custom tests that exercise eight specific graphics functions and help us see how effectively the graphics subsystems perform. After we ranked systems for performance, we made our final selections by considering features, such as whether graphics subsystems supported resolutions of up to 1280 by 1024 pixels, the accessibility of internal components, the construction quality, and service and support options.

The 66-MHz 486s swept the Windows competition with every winner and runner-up, including those in the low-cost category. All 19 of the ranked systems used a local bus to speed graphics performance, with two—the Dell 466/ME and the NEC Image 466—running a proprietary local-bus implementation. The remaining systems were all VL-Bus-based.

Best Overall, CompuAdd's 466 DX2 Desktop Power, sells for $4039 and ranked near the top with an index score of 8.2 in the Windows tests. You'll get your money's worth from the

MICRO CHANNEL

ARCHITECTURE

BUS

EISA BUS

A local-bus device connects directly to the processor bus and runs at processor clock speed (25 MHz for a DX2/50; 33 MHz for a DX2/66). Many vendors—Including Dell and NEC—use proprietary local-bus designs. These are direct connections and are not designed for third-party peripheral expansion. The Video Electronics Standards Association has developed a local-bus standard known as VL-Bus. VL-Bus defines a connector for up to three local-bus devices. VL-Bus is a simple extension of the standard ISA bus, so local-bus systems and adapters can be designed with a minimal price premium. VL-Bus systems are available with both ISA and EISA systems. Intel has released a more sophisticated local-bus specification known as PCI (Peripheral Connect Interface). PCI allows the addition of up to 10 local-bus devices and supports concurrent CPU and bus-master operation. PCI also supports the new 64-bit Pentium processors; the VL-Bus does not. No systems or devices utilizing PCI are available as we go to press; however, they should be available later this year.

This standard AT bus has several technical limitations. These include the inability to address more than 16 MB of RAM, an 8-MHz operating speed, and a theoretical 16-MBps data transfer rate. Nevertheless, it remains the most popular choice for an expansion bus due to the large number of ISA boards available and its low cost.

This 32-bit design put forth by IBM allows for bus-mastering devices and 40-MBps data transfer rates. It uses software-configurable boards (no messing with DIP switches or jumpers) and is software compatible with the ISA bus. The bus uses an entirely different connector than the ISA bus. Two disadvantages: Only a few vendors support it, and systems using it tend to be much more expensive than ISA systems.

Another 32-bit bus that supports bus mastering and data transfer rates of up to 32 MBps. It's also compatible with existing ISA cards; this feature is EISA's best and worst aspect. EISA systems will accept ISA cards, but this acceptance can cause conflicts with the EISA configuration software. EISA configuration software cannot configure ISA cards or recognize ISA cards' settings. This means you still must configure ISA IRQs (interrupt requests) and other settings by hand. EISA systems used to command a large price premium over ISA systems, but that premium has dropped considerably In the last year.

170 BYTE/NSTL LAB REPORT JUNE 1993

$2993 Zeos 486DX2-66. A Weitek graphics accelerator on the VL-Bus makes the Zeos system a fast Windows machine. It comes with 128 KB of 12-nanosecond secondary processor cache, support for up to 64 MB of system RAM, one free VL-Bus slot, a choice of several Lotus Windows applications, and excellent documentation. The performance score of the Dell 466/ME lagged behind the previous two systems, but slower performance was counterbalanced by useful features like a 16550 UART (universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter) for improved serial communications, and a 224-watt power supply.

The best system for expansion, the Lightning Thunderbox II, also ranked within the top 6 percent for performance. The P C Pros/Touche 486/66 DX2 EISA VLB 5550T finished as a runner-up in this category, with good performance and features scores. However, its usability score was substandard: Cables obstructed all three EISA slots, and the CPU socket made only half-length cards viable. Moreover, the system was shipped with its DX2 processor in the P24T upgrade socket.

We also found the Microtech MT/VLB 486DX2/66 hard to use. Its two nine-pin serial ports were unmarked, and five of the seven ISA slots were limited to half-length cards due to poor placement of the RAM SIMM slots, a fan-mounted CPU, and secondary cache SIMM.

We named the $2400 486/66 VESA lower system from High Definition System the best lowcost system, even though it ran our Windows tests slower than three runners-up. One runnerup that the High Definition machine bested was the 486DX2 system from Bi-Link, which frustrated us with its cramped mini-tower case that made adapter installation and memory expansion difficult.

KEY

• Desktop I Tower D Mini-tower VL = VL-Bus

B YXE BEST

WINDOWS

Need a high-powered Windows workstation'

BEST OVERALL

CompuAdd 466 DX2 Desktop Power

The CompuAdd 466 DX2 Desktop Power posted the second fastest ^&X\%r Windows performance score (behind the Comtrade VESA Local Bus <y^0^^£ Professional). Its fast graphics performance derives from the new Cj3|§jj5^ Diamond Computer Viper video card with the Weitek Power 9000

chip set and 2 MB of VRAM. The video is connected through a VL-Bus slot. The $4039 price includes a CompuAdd 14-inch monitor with a video adapter that can display resolutions of up to 1280 by 1024 pixels (noninterlaced).

BEST CompuAdd 466 DX2

RUNNER-UP Zeos 486DX2-66

RUNNER-UP Lightning Thunderbox II

RUNNER-UP Dell 466/ME

RUNNER-UP Tri-Star 486 VL Station

RUNNER-UP Comtrade VESA Local Bus

RUNNER-UP NEC Image 466

RUNNER-UP Gateway 4DX2-66V

Searching -for capacity as well as speed?

PROCESSOR

CASE

PRICE

SPEED EASE OF

BUS

DISPLAY

HARD DRIVE

RAM CACHE (KB)

INDEX

USE

(MAX. RES.)

STANDARD MAX.

486DX2/66

$4039

8.2

Excellent

VL, ISA

1280x1024

500-MB IDE

256

256

486DX2/66

$2993

7.7

Excellent

VL, ISA

1280x1024

340-MB IDE

128

256

486DX2/66

D

$3895

8.1

Fair

VL, EISA

1280"1024

520-MB SCS

1024

1024

486DX2/66

■

$3669

7.3

Good

EISA'

1024x768

320-MB IDE

128

128

486DX2/66

1

$3279

7.5

Good

VL, ISA

1280x1024

340-MB IDE

256

256

486DX2/66

0

$2695

87

Fair

VL, ISA

1280x1024

340-MB IDE

256

256

486DX2/66

$3499

7.2

Excellent

ISA'

1024x768

340-MB IDE

256

256

486DX2/66

_

$2995

7.5

Excellent

VL, ISA

1024x768

340-MB IDE

256

256

MOST EXPANDABLE

Lightning Thunderbox II

The graphics subsystem on the 66-MHz Thunderbox II is a Diamond Viper VL-Bus video card with 2 MB of VRAM and a Weitek Power 9000 chip set. The Diamond Viper supports modes of up to 1280- by 1024-pixel resolution. The Thunderbox has five available EISA slots and three available 5'/.-inch drive bays. The system's EISA-based SCSI controller supports up to 16 MB of cache and 1024 KB of secondary cache to boost performance (most other systems contained 256 KB or smaller cache).

PROCESSOR CASE PRICE

BEST Lightning Thunderbox II 486DX2/66 I $3895

RUNNER-UP Microtech MTA/LB 486DX2/66 486DX2/66 I $3099

RUNNER-UP P C Pros EISA VLB 5550T 486DX2/66 I $4721

RUNNER-UP Ariel 486/DX2-66EVS 486DX2/66 I $4995

RUNNER-UP B0SS466EV 486DX2/66 I $4495

RUNNER-UP Ares 486-66DX2-VL 486DX2/66 I $3519

SPEED EASE OF BUS DISPLAY HARD DRIVE DRIVE BAYS

INDEX USE (MAX. RES.) 3SS" Si"

8.1 Fair VL, EISA 1280x1024 520-MB SCSI 0 3

7.5 Fair VL, ISA 1280x1024 340-MB IDE 1 5 7.9 Fair VL, EISA 1280x1024 640-MB SCSI 3 3 8.1 Fair VL, EISA 1280x1024 877-MB SCSI 0 4 7.3 Fair VL, EISA 1024x768 340-MB SCSI 0 4

7.6 Fair VL, ISA 1024x768 525-MB SCSI 0 3

Want a low-cost, Windows-capable system?

LOW COST

High Definition HDVLB66

The $2400 High Definition HDVLB66 includes a 14-inch Amax Impression Plus monitor with a video adapter that supports noninterlaced resolutions of up to 1280 by 1024 pixels. The graphics subsystem is a VL-Bus Genoa WindowsVGA 24 video card with a Cirrus Logic GD5426 chip set. The system also has a VL-Bus UltraStor hard drive controller connected to a 340-MB Fujitsu drive.

PROCESSOR CASE PRICE SPEED EASE OF BUS

DISPLAY

HARD DRIVE

TECH.SUPPORT

BEST High Definition HDVLB66

RUNNER-UP Aetna 486/DX2-66 VESA

RUNNER-UP Bi-Link 486 VESA Local Bus

RUNNER-UP Image 486DX2-66VL

RUNNER-UP Eastern Tech ET 486VLB66

RUNNER-UP HiQ Super Power

INDEX

USE

(MAX. RES.)

486DX2/66

1

S2400

7.0

Fair

VL, ISA

1280x1024

340-MB SCSI

Lifetime

486DX2/66

1

S2595

7.3

Fair

VL, ISA

1024x768

360-MB IDE

12 months

486DX2/66

U

S2599

7.3

Fair

VL, ISA

1280x1024

360-MB IDE

Lifetime

486DX2/66

1

S2339

6.7

Fair

VL, ISA

1024x768

340-MB IDE

Lifetime

486DX2/66

1

S2595

7.3

Fair

VL, ISA

1024x768

340-MB IDE

Lifetime

486DX2/66

1

S2699

6.3

Fair

VL, ISA

1280x1024

340-MB IDE

Lifetime

1 Video is on proprietary local bus.

JUNE 1993 BYTE/NS1

.AB REPORT 171

0 Your Direct

BYTE introducesYour Direct Link - An enhanced service for BYTE readers that gives you free information on products faster and easier!

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Send for FREE product information by filling out Your Direct Link Card found in the back of every issue.

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From parallel 860s, to coprocessors and workstations

NDP" Fortran Drives Them All!

Microway's industry-leading 32-bit Fortran produces the highest quality numeric code and supports all x86 operating systems, processors and numeric devices. NDP Fortran was used to port industry standards like SRAC's COSMOS/M to the 486 and is required to use Aspi h's ASPEN

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compilers feature GREX, Microway's proprietary deviceindependent graphics library. To run large applications on DOS, our VCPI-based, demand paged virtual memory is superior to all alternatives. We also offer DPMI support for the OS/2 and the Windows DOS Prompt Box. The OS/2 compilers include support for OS/2's 32-bit graphics engine.

Microway's NDP Fortran 90 is a full implementation of the ANSI Fortran 90, which includes the entire array syntax notation, dynamic memory allocation, module definitions, and a complete library of intrinsics. Call for your free demo disk and white paper.

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Chips for Fast Graphics

With the battle of video-accelerator chips becoming more intense, we decided to see which chip sets performed the best in our BYTE Windows graphics tests. Our results showed that the Weitek Power 9000 graphics-coprocessor chip was the hands-down winner. Seven of the top 10 graphics performance systems contained a Weitek Power 9000 chip on the local bus. Of the next six top performers, three contained the S3-805 chip and three contained the ATI Mach 32. All 15 systems were of the same class: 66-MHz 486DX2 systems with all but two (the DECpc and the Unisys PW2) having the video adapter located on the local bus.

The Weitek Power 9000 chip was included primarily in Diamond Computer's Viper and in boards from Orchid. The Diamond Stealth 24 used an S3-805 chip, and the ATI Mach 32 was used only in the ATI Graphics Ultra Pro video board.

The following charts provide specifics on the graphics subsystems of all the BYTE Best and runner-up systems.

SYSTEM

VIDEO BOARD

CHIP BYTE WINDOWS SPEED INDEX

Ariel 486DX2-66EVS

SixGraph

Weitek Power 9000

7.3

Bi-Link 486 VESA Local Bus

Star 2000

Weitek Power 9000

6.9

Comtrade VESA Local Bus Professional

Diamond Viper

Weitek Power 9000

8.7

FutureTech System 462eV

Diamond Viper

Weitek Power 9000

8.4 7.7

HiQ Super Power 4DX2-66VLB

Diamond Viper

Weitek Power 9000

Lightning Thunderbox II

Diamond Viper

Weitek Power 9000

8.5

P C Pros/Touche 486/66 DX2 EISA VLB 5550T

Karros

Weitek Power 9000

7.3 8.2

Zeos 486DX2-66

Diamond Viper

Weitek Power 9000

CompuAdd 466 DX2 Desktop Power

ATI Graphics Ultra Pro

ATI Mach 32

8.3

CompuAdd MC 466EDX2

ATI Graphics Ultra Pro

ATI Mach 32

3.6

Gateway 4DX2/66V

ATI Graphics Ultra Pro

ATI Mach 32

5.1

Micro Express Micro Flex

ATI Graphics Ultra

ATI 38800

4.1 5.1 5.1 4.7

Microtech MT/VLB 486DX2/66

Tri-Star 486 VL Station

Unisys PW2 Advantage Plus 4666

ATI Graphics Ultra Pro ATI Graphics Ultra Pro ATI Graphics Ultra Pro

ATI Mach 32 ATI Mach 32

ATI Mach 32

Acma 486/DX2-50 ISA Workstation Diamond Stealth 24 Acma 486/DX2-66 VESA System Diamond Stealth 24 Ares 486-66DX2-VL Diamond Stealth 24 DECpc 466ST Appian Dell 466/ME Integrated Image 486DX2-66VL Diamond Stealth 24

S3-805 S3-805

4.4 5.5

S3-805 S3-925 S3-805 S3-805

5.6 4.5 5.4 5.3

AST Premmia 4/66d Model 343W

Boss 466EV

Computer Expo CompuEx 486VLB/66

Eastern Tech ET 486VLB66

High Definition HDVLB66

Key 486DX-50 VL-Bus Windowstation

Integrated

Genoa WindowsVGA 24

CompuEx LB

Genoa WindowsVGA 24

Genoa WindowsVGA 24

Genoa WindowsVGA 24

Cirrus Logic GL5422 Cirrus Logic GL5426 Cirrus Logic GL5426 Cirrus Logic GL5426

2.7 4.1 3.6 4.2

Cirrus Logic GL5426 Cirrus Logic GL5426

4.1 3.5

NEC Image 466

Xinetron X/LAN 486DX2 Workstation

Integrated Color Designer

Tseng ET4000W32 Tseng ET4000AX

4.0 2.1

Computer Sales Professional Pro-486DX2/66

Hertz 486/66Ei Swan 486/50ES Swan 486/66ES

Paradise Accelerator Card for Windows Integrated Integrated Integrated

WD 90c31

WD 90c30 WD 90c30

2.6

1.7

1.3

WD 90c30

1.6

JUNE 1993 BYTE/NS'I'L LAB RKPORT 175

A'

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More Driver Dilemmas

Every month we have a driver problem. Last month, Windows printer drivers gave us headaches. This month, Windows video drivers, SCO Unix disk drivers, and EISA configuration files all took their toll.

MISSING DRIVERS

It does you no good to spend extra money on an accelerated graphics card if the video driver doesn't support the accelerator. Make sure the system you purchase ships with the proper driver, and be sure the driver you receive is the latest. We had no less than three different versions of the video drivers for ATI's Mach 32 chip.

PLAN FOR UNIX

Be sure you have an SCO Unix driver that supports your drive controller card, or you won't even be able to install

Unix. SCO supports most IDE drivers and Adaptec SCSI adapters, but we had problems with other SCSI adapters.

EISA .CFG FILES

We were astounded by the problems we had with missing EISA configuration files. While not driver files, EISA .CFG files allow each system's EISA configuration utility to properly configure the system and the adapter. If you are purchasing EISA, make sure you get the appropriate configuration disk for all adapters shipped with the system.

BACKUPS

Be diligent about keeping a backup of all drivers and configuration files, as well as any EISA configuration or setup utilities. Also make sure that the vendor doesn't just install the drivers on your

Software Bundles

With the price of systems dropping significantly in the past year, it's now easy to have more money tied up in software than in hardware. Software bundles offered by systems vendors can be a significant savings that is often overlooked when purchasing systems. DOS and Windows were standard with most of the systems we reviewed. The vendors listed here offered much more. Also, you should make sure that you get original floppy disks for any preinstalled software, along with manuals and registration materials.

SYSTEMS VENDOR

SOFTWARE

Altec

Ariel

CompuAdd

Computer Sales Professional

Computers by Malone

Gateway 2000

Image

Keydata

NEC

QTech

Tandy

Zenith

Zeos

Choice of Turbo Pascal, Ami Pro, Lotus 1-2-3, Freelance Graphics, Turbo C++, or Paradox Choice of Borland C++, Quattro Pro, or Paradox NetWare Lite

PFS:WindowWorks and Quicken

SuperStor PE, Search and Destroy, and

Online Bible

Choice of eight applications or bundles

PFS: Window Works

Choice of Quattro Pro for Windows, Norton

Desktop, Object Vision, or Sidekick

Micrografx PhotoMagic

Quattro Pro for either DOS or Windows

America Online

Windows for Workgroups

Lotus Organizer and choice of 1-2-3 for

Windows, Ami Pro, or Freelance Graphics

system; insist on driver disks, too. That will help you avoid problems when reconfiguring. Dell's preinstalled Windows video driver was lost when we installed Unix. We had to retrieve the file from Dell's BBS to go back to running Windows in high resolution.

MADE TO ORDER

Buying a system is like ordering a meal at a fast-food restaurant—you can have it your way, if you know what to ask for. Before you order, ask yourself:

WHICH PROCESSOR DO I WANT? The systems in this review all contain 486DX2/66,486DX2/50, or 486DX/50 processors. For best performance, choose a 486DX2/66, which suprisingly doesn't command a huge price premium over a 50-MHz system.

HOW MUCH MEMORY DO I NEED? For DOS, get at least 4 MB; for Windows, 8 MB; and for Unix, 12 MB. More memory is always better, especially for working in multitasking environments.

WHAT HARD DRIVE IS BEST? For Windows users, 200 MB is probably the minimum; for DOS, at least 100 MB; and for Unix, where a full installation can take up about 170 MB, we recommend at least a 300-MB drive. IDE drives are often cheaper, but SCSI drives offer you daisy-chaining expandability.

DO I NEED A GRAPHICS ACCELERATOR?

The answer is yes, if it comes with drivers for the applications you run. In environments like Windows, speeding up your video will make more difference in performance than anything short of upgrading your processor.

WHAT KIND OF CASE SHOULD I CHOOSE?

Tower cases offer more expandability but can command a premium price. Slim-line desktop cases aren't as expandable, but they are good if desktop space is limited. New mini-tower designs are a good mix between desktops and towers.

JUNE 1993 UYTE/NSTL LAB REPORT 177

SYSTEMS FOR

T

o gauge Unix performance, we analyzed the BYTE Unix benchmarks and SPEC89. The file copy and the pipe elements of the BYTE suite gave us insights into hard drive speed. The SPEC tests run Unix applications to test system performance. The SPEC tests consist of computationally intense scientific and mathematical tasks such as simulation of electronic circuits and manipulation of complex math operations.

High scores in our Unix performance tests indicate systems with superior CPU speed and fast memory access times. All but two of our Unix-ranked systems relied on 66-MHz processors. The exceptions were the Swan 486/50ES, which posted the lowest speed scores in the two categories it appeared in as a runner-up: Best Overall and Most Expandable. Although this machine trailed in performance, its speeds were within 10 percent of the average, and the tower's design was one of the most flexible we saw, with eight free 3'/2-inch drive bays and six free EISA slots. The other 50-MHz machine, Micro Express's Micro Flex, ranked in the low-cost category on the strength of its acceptable performance, ease of use, and low $1999 price tag.

In addition to speed, each system's features score accounted for 30 percent of our final choice. High physical-memory capacity is an important criterion for multitasking environments like Unix. Accordingly, when we rated systems for features, we gave the most points to models with motherboards that could hold the most memory. All nine systems in the Best Overall category could handle 32 MB; the standouts, including systems from AST, CompuAdd, Hertz, Swan, and Unisys could accommodate 128 MB of RAM on the main memory board. All the systems in the Best Overall category contained 256 KB of secondary cache, except for the Unisys PW2 Advantage Plus, which comes with 128 to 256 KB of expandable RAM cache. The AST Premmia can handle a cache as large as 512 KB. A second processor cache is more beneficial for Unix operation than for DOS or Windows due to the large programs, multitasking, and heavy computational tasks involved in Unix.

Graphical environments such as the X Window System stress the video subsystem and make a system's video speed a performance bottleneck. Although our tests were not graph

DISK CACHES: WHERE TO PUT YOUR MEMORY

Almost everyone in the computer industry can agree on this: Disk caches speed performance. A disk cache can be maintained by software in a section of system memory or held in dedicated memory on the hard drive controller. Here's what we learned about this speed-enhancing technique.

A HARDWARE CACHE ISN'T NECESSARILY BETTER THAN A SOFTWARE CACHE. Vendors tout caches on the hard drive controller (or on the drive itself). We ran tests on the Micron Computer 486VL WinStation 466 with a Tekram local-bus IDE controller using both a 4- and a 1-MB cache on the drive controller. Next, we ran the same system using a 4-MB software cache under Windows 3.1's SmartDrive. The result: SmartDrive slightly outperformed the similar-size hardware cache.

There are several reasons why this may be the case. Even though the controller we used was in a VL-Bus slot, accessing the data cached in main system memory may have been faster than accessing the memory on the drive controller. Presumably, this difference may be even greater on traditional ISA or EISA systems. Also, SmartDrive may provide a better caching algorithm than Tekram hardware.

A SOFTWARE CACHE IS MORE FLEXIBLE THAN A HARDWARE CACHE. You can easily reconfigure a software cache. Changing the settings on a hardware cache often means rebooting and accessing the system setup utility or even using your EISA configuration software. Also, the memory dedicated to a software disk cache may be used as regular system memory when the cache is turned off, while the memory on a drive controller card is completely committed.

Hardware caches may have an advantage in data integrity. If your system happens to lock up as a software cache writes, you will likely lose data. With a hardware cache, that data is likely to be written out and not lost. Neither write-caching implementation will save you from losing data on a power loss, however.

In most cases, you're better off spending the money you'd have spent on a hardware cache on system memory instead. That way, you have the option to portion the additional RAM as cache or as main memory, whichever improves performance most.

178 BYTE/NSTL LAB REPORT JUNE 1993

ical in nature, users of concurrent windowing applications would benefit from the graphics accelerators used in all the ranked systems. Note: Make sure the version of X that you are running supports your video adapter or that the manufacturer supplies drivers; otherwise, you might be forced to operate in non-Super VGA video modes.

All the systems in our test sample supported displays of at least 1024 by 768 pixels; we gave extra points to AST's Premmia 4/66d and the CompuAdd 466 DX2 Desktop Power, both of which came with 2 MB of VRAM and supported display resolutions of 1280 by 1024 pixels (noninterlaced).

Although the floating-point operation of these high-end 486 systems lags behind that of RISC-based workstations, often the choice for Unix users, many of the 486s contained a socket for the addition of a Weitek math coprocessor that will help boost performance of floating-point tasks.

The large applications and data files common in the Unix world make storage expandability an important consideration. Our features ratings gave extra emphasis to the systems with the most drive bays. Similarly, we considered open drive bays important for CDROM—increasingly the delivery media of choice for Unix software vendors—or tape backup. Not surprisingly, 12 of our 17 ranked Unix systems were tower cabinets, while all five of the remaining ranked systems were mini-tower designs.

The remainder of our evaluation was based on ease of use. Here we rated each system for how quickly we could add hard drives and expansion cards, whether expansion areas were free of wiring and other obstructions, and how clear and comprehensive the accompanying users manuals were.

KEY

m Desktop I Tower D Mini-tower VL = VL-Bus

BYTE BEST

UNIX

Plan to run Unix on a desktop 486?

BEST OVERALL

Hertz 486/66E!

The combined BYTE Unix benchmark and SPEC benchmark results for this tSSSfS't tower were better than those of any system we tested. The Hertz system also %JP^^# offers a maximum of 128 MB of 32-bit memory on the main memory board (compared to 32 and 64 MB for the runner-up DECpc and the NEC Image 466, respectively). This, along with a maximum of 256 KB of secondary cache helps the Hertz system handle multiple sessions and large Unix applications. The system's Adaptec hard drive controller and Micropolis 1.2-GB SCSI hard drive recorded the fastest score overall on the BYTE Unix File Copy test—20 percent better than the Unisys PW2 Advantage Plus 4666, the second fastest Unix system overall.

PROCESSOR

CASE

PRICE

SPEED

INDEX

EASE OF BUS USE

DISPLAY (MAX. RES.)

HARD DRIVE

RAM CACHE(KB) STANDARD MAX.

BEST

Hertz 486/66Ei

486DX2/66

1

$5870

9.0

Excellent EISA

1024x768

1.2-GB SCSI

8 128

RUNNER-UP

Swan 486/50ES

486DX/50

1

$5969

8.2

Excellent EISA

1024x768

325-MB SCSI

16 128

RUNNER-UP

CompuAdd 466 DX2

486DX2/66

D

$4039

8.4

Excellent VL, ISA

1280x1024

500-MB IDE

8 256

RUNNER-UP

AST Premmia 4/66d

486DX2/66

0

$5090

8.4

Good VL, EISA 1280x1024

340-MB IDE

8 128

RUNNER-UP

DECpc 466ST

486DX2/66

1

$5449

8.8

Good EISA

1024x768

1-GBSCS!

8 32

RUNNER-UP

Unisys PW! Advantage Plus

486DX2/66

D

$6552

8.7

Excellent EISA

1024x768

1-GBSCSI

8 128

RUNNER-UP

NEC Image 466

486DX2/66

D

$3499

8.5

Excellent ISA'

1024x768

340-MB IDE

8 64

Need a Unix system with room for options?

MOST EXPANDABLE

Hertz 486/66H

In addition to excelling in Unix performance (see item above), the Hertz 486/66Ei stood out as an expandable system. The system can address a maximum of 384 MB of 32-bit memory. The tower case has eight available 3y2-inch hard drive bays and eight adapter slots. The drive bays are easily accessible and free from obstructions, such as wiring or adapters.

BEST RUNNER. RUNNERRUNNER RUNNERRUNNER'

Hertz 486/66Ei UP Swan486/50ES UP Boss466EV UP Microtech MT/VLB UP Lightning Thunderbox II UP Ares 486-66DX2-VL

PROCESSOR

CASE

PRICE

SPEED INDEX

EASE OF USE

486DX2/66

1

$5870

9.0

Excelle

486DX/50

1

$5969

8.2

Excelle

486DX2/66

1

$4495

8.3

Fair

486DX2/66

1

$3099

8.2

Fail

486DX2/66

1

$3895

8.2

Fair

486DX2/66

1

$3519

8.6

Fair

BUS DISPLAY HARD DRIVE RAM CACHE (KB)

(MAX. RES.) STANDARD MAX.

EISA 1024x768 1.2-GB SCSI 8 128

EISA 1024x768 325-MB SCSI 16 128

VL, EISA 1024x768 340-MB SCSI 8 256

VL, ISA 1280x1024 340-MB IDE 8 64

VL, EISA 1280x1024 520-MB SCSI 8 256

VL, ISA 1024x768 525-MB SCSI 8 64

Seeking power -for Unix at a bargain price'

LOW COST

High Definition HDVLB66

This $2400 tower system ran our Unix tests faster than any other low-cost system. To optimize graphics and hard drive performance, the system used the VL-Bus for its Genoa WindowsVGA 24 video card and the UltraStor SCSI drive controller. The HDVLB66 can hold a maximum of 1 MB of secondary cache RAM (most of the Unix-ranked systems topped out at 256 KB). The system can hold 256 MB of 32-bit RAM on the main memory board. The system also offers one free drive bay.

BEST High Definition HDVLB66

RUNNER-UP Computer Sales Professional Pro-486DX2/66

RUNNER-UP Eastern Tech ET486VLB66

RUNNER-UP Acma486/DX2-66VESA

RUNNER-UP Micro Express Micro Flex

RUNNER-UP Key VL-Bus Windowstation 1 Video is on proprietary local bus.

PROCESSOR

CASE PRICE

SPEED

EASE OF

BUS

DISPLAY

HARD DRIVE

RAM CACHE (KB)

INDEX

USE

(MAX. RES.)

STANDARD MAX.

486DX2/66

1

$2400

8.1

Fair

VL, ISA

1280x1024

340-MB SCSI

8 32

0-486DX2/6(

1

$2199

7.2

Good

ISA

1024x768

212-MB IDE

8 32

486DX2/66

1

$2595

7.9

Fair

VL, ISA

1024x768

340-MB IDE

8 32

486DX2/66

1

$2595

7.5

Fair

VL, ISA

1024x768

360-MB IDE

8 32

486DX/50

III

$1999

6.3

Good

ISA

1024x768

325-MB IDE

8 32

486DX/50

1

$2395

6.7

Fair

VL, ISA

1024x768

210-MB IDE

8 32

JUNE 1993 BYTE/NSTL LAB REPORT 179

'A . •

Introducing PacificPage 4. The latest addition to a very prominent family.

The latest member of the award winning PacificPage® family has arrived. Called PacificPage 4, it's designed just for the new LaserJet® 4 printer.

Like all of its earlier family members, PacificPage 4 provides full PostScript® language emulation. The same 35 Apple® LaserWriter® scalable typestyles. And all of PostScript's powerful graphics capabilities. It also accepts downloaded Type 1 and 3 font formats.

Just install the SIMM module into any of your printer's memory slots. With 4 MB of additional printer memory, PacificPage 4 can print your PostScript output at an impressive 600 dpi resolution. You'll get sharp, crisp output that you'd expect only from an expensive, high-end PostScript device.

And your PostScript files will be printed quickly because PacificPage 4 utilizes the i960™processor built into each LaserJet 4.

If your printer is on a network, you never have to worry about confusing the printer with PCL and PostScript files.

-^-*** PacMk Data Products, Inc., 9125 Rehco Ril., San DicRo, CA 92121. In Europe, call 1353) 61 375609. PacificPage is a trademark of V ^^^^ PhnenixPagc is a roistered ludemark of Phoenix Technologies Ud. All other brands ami product names are trademarks or registe phM-nnpngt- respective manufacturer, S 1993 Pacific Data Products, Inc.

PostScript

language

emulation for

the LaserJet 4

That's because PacificPage 4 fully supports the automatic language sensing and switching feature of the LaserJet 4.

Like all of the PacificPage products before it, PacificPage 4 is covered by a full lifetime warranty and is backed by a 60-day money back guarantee of satisfaction.

With all of these impressive features and capabilities, you'll be surprised to learn that PacificPage 4 is priced at a low $299. Although, if you're familiar with PacificPage 4's predecessors, you know that high quality and low price run in the family.

For the dealer nearest you or to order PacificPage 4, call (619) 625-3628, Fax (619) 552-0889.

Be sure to ask about Pacific 4 SIMM Memory" — 1, 2, 4, and 8 MB memory upgrades for the LaserJet 4.

PACIFIC DATA

PRODUCTS

HONORABLE MENTIONS

The Gateway 2000 manuals were

comprehensive, organized in a straightforward way, and easy to use. Most systems in the roundup supplied a different manual for each subsystem—one for the hard drive controller, one for the video card, two for the motherboard, and so on—but Gateway 2000 chose a better approach. Gateway's systems include a single, integrated manual with one index and one glossary. This one-stop documentation made it much easier to configure and work with Gateway's machines. And the glossary not only covers system components, but it also includes definitions of general computing terms (i.e., everything from open architecture and multitasking to hacker and nerd).

IBM Adapter-Card Connectors it's easy to put

adapter cards into the IBM PS/2 Model 77 DX2. Adapter cards are held down by a single thumbscrew at the bottom of the card instead of one at the top of the card. With other systems, you not only need a screwdriver, but the case and motherboard must be aligned precisely to make sure cards are seated.

Zenith Modularity The Zenith Z-Station system's modular design lets you quickly replace or upgrade every system component. The CPU, video adapter, Ethernet port, and SCSI port each are located on an easily removable card. The same motherboard can accept a proprietary EISA bus or ISA bus card that provides four horizontal slots. The hard drive and floppy drive come in a single chassis that require only one power connection and no data cables. Memory SIMMs are easily accessible, and there are six open banks for RAM expansion.

Dubious Achievements

CAF Parallel Port The CAF Technology Platinum 5B came to us with its parallel-port connectors inserted upside down into the port's metal faceplate. Consequently, the larger end of the connector (with 13 pins) was

aligned with the smaller end of the faceplate and vice versa. This must have been difficult to accomplish since both the case and port are designed to fit together one way only. As such, this parallel port is completely useless; no parallel-printer cable or any other device meant for this port can attach to it since the pin holes are facing in the opposite direction from the faceplate.

VL-BUS Connectors The VL-Bus specification defines a new card-edge connector. The connector adds a

short extension to standard ISA or EISA slots, making VL-Bus sockets more versatile. However, the extended

connector also means you must fit

almost 9 inches of card edge into a

socket when installing VL-Bus

cards. That makes it very difficult

to seat an adapter properly. One side

of the adapter will snugly snap into

place, but the other end will pop out,

making installing most VL-Bus

cards like riding a seesaw.

JUNE 1993 BYTE/NSTL LAB REPORT 181

ROLL CALL OF SYSTEMS TESTED

VENDOR

MODEL

PERFORMANCE

EASE OF USE

PRICE

PHONE

TOLL-FREE NO.

INQUIRY NO.

CAF Technology, Inc.

Gold 5T Platinum 5B

5.5

5.7

Fair Fair

$3049 $3149

(818)369-3690 (818)369-3690

N/A N/A

976

CAF Technology, Inc.

977

Deico Electronics

Predator-I

5.9

Excellent

$2995

(510)651-7800

(800)321-8990

978

Image Microsystems

Image 486DX-50

Key 486DX-50 VL-Bus Windowstation

Micro Flex (ME 486-50)

6.2 6.2 5.7

Fair Fair Good

$2189 $2395 $1999

(310)815-1000 (908) 755-0350 (714)852-1400

(800) 729-3400

979

Keydata International, Inc.

(800)482-7010

980

Micro Express

(800) 989-9900

981

PC Cratt

PCC 2804-50IS

5.7

Fair

$2099

(714)256-5000

(800) 938-4888

982

Swan Technologies, Inc.

486/50ES

5.4

Excellent

$5969

(814)234-2236

(800) 468-9044

983

Acma Computers, Inc.

486/DX2-50 ISA Workstation

6.1

Good

$2295

(510)623-1212

(800) 786-6888

984

American Mitac Corp.

LanMaster 6000E

5.4

Fair

$4795

(510)623-5300

(800) 765-6972

985

Compaq Computer Corp.

DeskPro 50M

5.6

Excellent

$3734

(713)370-0670

(800)345-1518

986

Compudyne Products, Inc.

486/DX2-50 VLB

6.1

Fair

$2439

(214)702-5600

(800) 932-2667

987

Dell Computer Corp.

450/L

6.0

Fair

$2919

(512)338-4400

(800) 289-3355

988

Dell Computer Corp.

450/ME

6.0

Good

$3569

(512)338-4400

(800) 289-3355

989

Digital Equipment Corp.

DECpc 450d2 MT

5.3

Good

$2899

(508) 493-5111

(800) 722-9332

990

Digital Equipment Corp.

DECpc 450ST

5.8

Good

$4849

(508) 493-5111

(800) 722-9332

991

Duracom Computer Systems

DeskSaver 486/50DX2

5.3

Fair

$2449

(214)518-1200

(800)551-9000

992

Duracom Computer Systems

DeskSaver 486/50DX2 E

5.3

Fair

$3149

(214)518-1200

(800)551-9000

993

Gateway 2000

4DX2-50E

5.0

Excellent

$3495

(605) 232-2000

(800) 523-2000

994

Gateway 2000

4DX2-50V MFP 450 Plus

5.8 4.8

Good

Fair

$2495 $4138

(605) 232-2000 (817)491-5200

(800) 523-2000

995

Grid Systems Corp.

(800) 934-4743

996

High Definition System, Inc.

HDEISA50

6.0

Fair

$2850

(408) 720-0493

(800) 347-0493

997

Lucky Computer Co.

LSI-486/50/VLB

6.2

Fair

$2395

(214)690-6110

(800) 966-5825

998

Micron Computer

486VL WinStation 450

6.5

Poor

$3349

(208) 465-3424

(800) 438-3343

999

Microtech Computer Corp.

MT486DX-50

6.1

Fair

$2699

(404) 345-6508

(800) 342-6508

1334

Sho-Tronics, Inc.

486 Tech DX2/50

4.7

Fair

$1978

(602) 780-5920

(800) 289-8881

1335

Tandy Corp.

450 DX2

4.9

Good

$2749

(817)390-3011

N/A

1336

Zenith Data Systems

Z-Station 450XEh

5.4

Good

$3549

(708) 808-5000

(800) 553-0331

1337

Zenith Data Systems

Z-Station 450Xh

5.1

Fair

$3249

(708) 808-5000

(800) 553-0331

1338

Acma Computers, Inc.

486/DX2-66 VESA System

7.4

Fair

$2595

(510)623-1212

(800) 786-6888

1339

Advanced Logic Research, Inc

. ALR Evolution IV 4/66d Model 240DW

6.7

Fair

$3211

(714)581-6770

(800) 444-4257

1340

Aims Information Systems

EISA-VLB486

7.6

Good

$3698

(408) 456-0111

(800) 697-2467

1341

Alpha Computer Concepts, Inc

. VL 486DX2 66 486DX2/66

7.0 6.0

Poor Fair

$2999 $2699

(404) 662-8776 (818)969-2988

(800) 682-5742

1342

Altec Technology Corp.

(800) 255-9971

1343

American Mitac Corp.

Ballistic 486/66

7.3

Poor

$2995

(510)623-5300

(800) 765-6972

1344

Ares Microdevelopment

486-66DX2-VL

7.2

Fair

$3519

(313)473-0808

(800) 322-3200

1345

Ariel Design, Inc.

486DX2-66EVS

7.3

Fair

$4995

(617)982-8800

(800) 882-7435

1346

Ariel Design, Inc.

486DX2-66VLS

6.9

Fair

$3895

(617)982-8800

(800) 882-7435

1347

AST Research, Inc.

Bravo 4/66d Model 213W

6.0

Excellent

$2880

(714)727-4141

(800) 876-4278

1348

AST Research, Inc.

Premmia 4/66d Model 343W 486 VESA Local Bus

6.6 6.7

Good Fair

$5090 $2599

(714)727-4141 (310)692-5345

(800) 876-4278

1349

Bi-Link Computer, Inc.

(800) 888-5369

1350

Boss Technology

466EV 466IV

7.5 7.0

Fair

Fair

$4495 $3995

(404)636-2126 (404)636-2126

(800)628-1787

1351

Boss Technology

(800)628-1787

1352

CAF Technology, Inc.

Gold 6D2 Platinum 6T2

6.2

6.2

Fair Fair

$3129 $3379

(818)369-3690 (818)369-3690

N/A N/A

1353

CAF Technology, Inc.

1354

Caliber Computer Corp.

SYS14

6.8

Fair Good Fair Fair

$2599 £2699 $3019 $2698

(408)942-1220 +44 81 813 8217 (713)370-0670 (713)370-0670

(800) 995-4594 N/A

(800)345-1518 (800)345-1518

1355

CIC Computers Ltd.

CIC-Sigma466DS

6.4 6.2 6.3

1356

Compaq Computer Corp.

DeskPro 66i

1357

Compaq Computer Corp.

ProLinea 4/66i

1358

Compaq Computer Corp.

ProSignia 486QX2/66-550

6.8

Fair

Excellent

Excellent

$5459 $4039 $6884 $2639 $2567

(713)370-0670 (512)250-1489

800)345-1518 800)627-1967

1359

i^CompuAdd Computer Corp.

466 DX2 Desktop Power

7.4 6.0

1360

CompuAdd Computer Corp.

MC 466EDX2

(512)250-1489

(214)702-5600 (713)531-0990

800)627-1967 800) 932-2667 800) 229-3976

1361

Compudyne Products, Inc.

486/DX2-66 VLB

7.3 7.0

Fair Fair

1362

Computer Expo

CompuEx 486VLB/66

1363

Computer Sales Professional

Pro-486DX2/66

5.8

Good

$2199

(908)560-1143

(800) 950-6660

1364

Computers by Malone

CBM 466

6.0

Fair

$2589

(402) 333-6783

(800) 842-0906

1365

CompuTrend Systems, Inc.

Premio VESA DX2-66

5.8

Poor

$2150

(818)333-5121

(800) 677-6477

1366

v|^ = BYTE Best. N/A =

■Jot available.

182 BYTK/NSTL LAB REPORT JUNE 1993

VENDOR

MODEL

PERFORMANCE EASE OF USE PRICE

PHONE

TOLL-FREE NO.

INQUIRY NO.

Comtrade

CoreMicro Systems

Data Storage Marketing, Inc.

Data Storage Marketing, Inc.

Deico Electronics

Dell Computer Corp.

Dell Computer Corp.

Digital Equipment Corp.

DTK Computer, Inc

Duracom Computer Systems

Duracom Computer Systems

Eastern Tech Corp.

Epson America, Inc.

First Computer Systems, Inc.

First Computer Systems, Inc.

FutureTech Systems Inc.

FutureTech Systems Inc.

Gateway 2000

Gateway 2000

Grid Systems Corp. ^^ Hertz Computer Corp.

High Definition System, Inc.

High Definition System, Inc.

HiQ Systems, Inc.

IBM Personal Computer Co.

Image Microsystems

Lapine Computer

Lapine Computer

Legacy Technology

Lightning Computers, Inc. i|j^ Lightning Computers, Inc.

Lucky Computer Co.

Micro Express

Micro Professionals

Micron Computer

Microtech Computer Corp. ^^ NEC Technologies, Inc.

P C Pros/Touche

Personal Computer Graphics

Polywell Computers, Inc.

Polywell Computers, Inc.

Quill Corp.

Santron Computer

Sho-Tronics, Inc.

Sirex USA, Inc.

Sirex USA, Inc.

Swan Technologies, Inc.

Swan Technologies, Inc.

Tandy Corp.

Transource Computers

Tri-Star Computer Corp.

Unisys Corp.

Vektron International, Inc.

Wyse Technology tjjji. Xinetron, Inc.

Zenith Data Systems

Zenith Data Systems

Zeos International Ltd.

Zeos International Ltd.

VESA Local Bus Professional

7.5

Fair

$2695

(818)961-6688

(800)969-2123

1367

Core VLB-66

7.5

Poor

$3295

(408) 452-2752

(800) 369-2783

1368

DataStor 486-66 DX2 EISA

6.6

Excellent

$3545

(303) 442-4747

(800) 543-6098

1369

DataStor 486-66 DX2 ISA/VL

6.6 6.6 7.2 7.1

Excellent Good

$3195 $2895

(303) 442-4747

(800) 543-6098

1370

Predator-ll 486DX2

(510)651-7800

(800)321-8990

1371

466/L

Fair Good

$3219 $3669

(512)338-4400

(800) 289-3355

1372

466/ME

(512)338-4400

(800) 289-3355

1373

DECpc 466ST

6.4

Good

$5449

(508) 493-5111

(800) 722-9332

1374

Feat-6630V

7.0

Fair

$3599

(818)810-8880

(800) 289-2385

1375

DeskSaver 486/66DX2 E

6.2

Poor

$3299

(214)518-1200

(800)551-9000

1376

FilePro 486/66DX2

5.9 7.7 6.0 7.2

Fair

$2699

(214)518-1200

(800)551-9000

1377

ET 486VLB66

Fair

$2595

(718)459-1407 (310)782-0770

(800)289-8128

1378

Progression 486DX2/66

Excellent

$3986

(800)922-8911

1379

FCS 486-66 P

Fair

$3099

(404)441-1911

(800)325-1911

1380

FCS 486-66 VLB

6.3

Fair

$2699

(404)441-1911

(800)325-1911

1381

System 462e

6.0

Fair

$3429 $3129

(201)488-4414 (201)488-4414

(800)275-4414

1382

System 462eV

6.9

Good

(800)275-4414

1383

4DX2-66E

6.1 7.1

Excellent

$3495

(605) 232-2000

(800) 523-2000 (800) 523-2000

1384

4DX2-66V

Excellent

$2995

(605) 232-2000

1385

MFP 466 Plus

5.7 5.9

Fair Excellent

$4167

(817)491-5200

(800) 934-4743 (800) 232-8737

1386

486/66Ei

$5870

(212)684-4141

1387

HDISA66

4.8

Fair

$1950

(408) 720-0493

(800) 347-0493

1388

HDVLB66

6.9

Fair

$2400

(408) 720-0493

(800) 347-0493

1389

HiQ Super Power 486DX2-66VLB

6.0

Fair

$2699

(408) 245-5836

(800) 827-5836

1390

IBM PS/2 Model 77 486DX2

5.5

Good

$4670

(914)766-1900

(800) 772-2227

1391

486DX2-66VL

6.7

Fair

$2339

(310)815-1000

(800) 729-3400

1392

4661

6.0

Poor

$2799

(818)884-3685

(800) 927-3772

1393

466VL

6.6

Poor

$2299

(818)884-3685

(800) 927-3772

1394

VESA 486DX2-66

6.8

—'

$2750

(818)854-8288 (415)543-3111

(800) 832-8883 (800) 347-4486

1395

Omniflex 66

Poor

$2495

1396

Thunderbox II

7.7

Fair

$3895

(415)543-3111

(800) 347-4486

1397

LSI-486/66/ELB

6.2

Fair

$2995

(214)690-6110

(800) 966-5825

1398

ME 486-VL/DX2/66

6.8

Good

$3480

(714)852-1400

(800) 989-9900

1399

Pro Series 486DX2/66LB

6.8

Fair

$2169

(708) 339-8398

(800) 800-8300

1400

486VL WinStation 466

8.0

Fair

$3549

(208) 465-3434

(800) 438-3343

1401

MT/VLB 486DX2/66

7.3

Fair

$3099

(404) 345-6508

(800) 342-6508

1402

Image 466

7.2

Excellent

$3499

(508) 264-8000

(800) 388-8888

1403

Touche 486/66 DX2 EISA VLB 5550T

6.9

Fair

$4721

(708)810-1010

N/A

1404

Turbo Max 80

8.6

Fair

$2895

(310)214-0550

(800) 255-9893

1405

Poly 486-66EV

7.3

Fair

$4300

(415)583-7222

(800)999-1278

1406

Poly 486-66VZ

7.4

Fair

$2800

(415)583-7222

(800)999-1278

1407

QTech 4D266-VL

6.2

Poor

$2299

(708) 634-6650

N/A

1408

Senior Partner 486

7.6

Fair

$2895

(415)571-1619

(800) 938-7555

1409

486 MAX DX2/66

6.3

Fair

$2355

(602) 780-5920

(800) 289-8881

1410

486DX2-66 EISA

4.5

Fair

$3299

(718)746-7500

N/A

1411

486DX2-66 ISA Local Bus

6.1

Fair

$3099

(718)746-7500

N/A

1412

486 DX2-66DB

6.3

Excellent

$3149

(814)234-2236

(800) 468-9044

1413

486/66ES

5.6

Excellent

$6069

(814)234-2236

(800) 468-9044

1414

466 DX2

5.6

Fair

$3264

(817)390-3011

N/A

1415

Verxion 486-66 VL-Bus

6.5

Fair

$2383

(602)997-8101

N/A

1416

486 VL Station

7.2

Good

$3279

(602)961-3401

(800) 800-7668

1417

PW2 Advantage Plus 4666

6.7

Excellent

$6552

(215)986-4011

(800)448-1424

1418

486DX2/66

7.4

Fair

$2199

(214)606-0280

(800) 725-0020

1419

Decision 486SE-66DX2

5.9

Excellent

$4381

(408)473-1200

(800) 438-9973

1420

X/LAN 486DX2 Workstation

6.6

Excellent

$2699

(408) 727-5509

(800)345-4415

1000

Z-Station 466XEh

6.3

Good

$3749

(708) 808-5000

(800) 553-0331

1001

Z-Station 466Xh

5.5

Good

$3449

(708) 808-5000

(800) 553-0331

1002

486DX2-66

6.9

Excellent

$2993

(612)633-4591

(800) 554-5226

1003

486DX2-66 EISA

6.3

Fair

$4390

(612)633-4591

(800) 554-5226

1004

1 Unable to run Ihe test suite; problem unresolved at press time.

JUNE 1993 BYTE/NSTL LAB REPORT 183

SEE US AT WINDOWS WORLD B00THW7214

Introducing Matrox MGA, the new series of 64-bit graphics accelerators for the PC Power User.

MGA's 64-bit graphics engine surpasses regular 32-bit technology to deliver workstation graphics performance for CAD and Windows professionals. MGA gives you up to 12 times more hardware performance and up to 60 million WinMarks. In real-life applications, MGA delivers speed with the highest display resolutions, true color, real-time 3D and the best productivity enhancing features.

For Windows users, MGA's Control Panel, lets you easily access features like hardware pan and zoom, virtual desktop, and on-the-fly resolution switching without having to 9j leave your application or restart Windows. MGA displays 1024 x 768 in full 24-bit color and up

Jusl a few of the 16.7 million .

colon to choose from. to 1600 x 1200 in near true color with QCDP, Matrox's exclusive color quality dithering process.

Attention CAD users. MGA comes bundled with DynaView, the most powerful interface to AutoCAD and Microstation. In a viewport, you can interactively render 3D models with highquality Gouraud shading. DynaView gives you the smoothest real-time pan and zoom in the industry.

MGA is the one-card graphics solution for Windows, CAD and

M

0 ^X

ER GRAPHICS

Multimedia. MGA's

Upgrade Options let you

capture broadcast quality video, output graphics to

standard video devices or increase your printing

speed up to 600%.

For the PC Power User on a budget, MGA starts as low as $599. Call us for more information 1-800-361-1408. Experience the performance of MGA, graphics designed for the Power User.

matron

©1993 All rights reserved. Matrox is :i registered trade

ark of Matrox Electronic Systems, I-id.; MGA and ClearTYPE arc trademarks of Matrox Electron

•Ziff-Davis WinMark 3.1, 486 DX 2/66, 4Mb memory, 1024 x 768 in 256 colors, 7211/.

a trademark of Microsoft Corporation;

Circle 110 on Inquiry Card.

Hands On

Under the Hood

The Multiprocessor Solution

New architectures overcome I/O performance bottlenecks

DICK POUNTAIN

Multiprocessor file servers are big business. Every major player in the PC market either has one of its own or is working furiously to develop one. But it was not always this way.

Four years ago, pundits dubbed the then-upcoming Intel 486 a "mainframe on a chip." Had this label been accurate, a single-processor 486 system could have served an entire corporate department. But it was only a halftruth. A single 486 might outpace an old mainframe in floating-point calculations, but the strength of superminicomputers and mainframes rests on a balance between great computing power and equally great I/O bandwidth. While PC computing power has grown 80-fold in 10 years—from 0.5 MIPS for the original IBM PC to 40 MIPS for a 486DX2-66 system—I/O performance has failed to keep pace. Even the Micro Channel and EISA buses offer a barely fivefold improvement.

Multiprocessor systems fill this performance gap. They use multiple CPUs to spread the I/O burden as well as to increase computational power, and their manufacturers are adopting architectures that are strongly influenced by superminicomputers, mainframes, and even supercomputers.

The Multiprocessor Defined

Systems designers have come up with many approaches to building a multiprocessor computer (see "All Systems Go," August 1992 BYTE). But here I'll focus only on shared-memory multiprocessor architectures, which connect several CPUs to a single shared-memory space.

The major alternative to the shared-memory multiprocessor approach is the message-passing multicomputer, in which each CPU has its own private memory space. Here, interprocessor communication lakes place by way of messages sent over a separate communications network. The high bandwidth available from a dedicated communications network lets designers combine hundreds—or even thousands—of CPUs in a single machine. That's why most massively parallel supercomputers are message-passing machines.

In contrast, shared-memory multiprocessor architectures are limited to at most tens of processors, and many commercial machines offer no more than four. It's difficult to design a bus that allows more processors to access

shared memory without creating a severe bottleneck. However, shared-memory machines have an enormous advantage: They can run, unmodified, software written for single-processor PCs. In contrast, message-passing machines impose completely new programming techniques and usually require custom software.

Shared-memory multiprocessors that are based on industry-standard CPUs such as the Intel 486 or the Sun SPARC make excellent fast file servers or database servers, running industry-standard operating systems like Unix and NetWare (and, soon, Windows NT) with multiprocessing extensions. They exhibit a coarse-grained form of parallelism in which a whole program or Unix process is the smallest unit allocatable to a different CPU, and the operating system performs this allocation automatically.

Currently, Intel-based shared-memory multiprocessors are not as effective as compute servers; they won't

accelerate recalculation of your Excel spreadsheets, for instance, because the code that calculates the cells is not multithreaded (i.e., divisible into units that can be allocated to more than one processor). This situation should change once Windows NT becomes established, since NT supports distribution of multithreaded applications over multiple processors. And NT will be similar enough to Windows to make multithreaded rewrites of key Windows applications, such as Excel, feasible.

continued

JUNE 1993 BYTE

Hands On

Under the Hood

NetFrame: An Asymmetric-Multiprocessor System

Administrative I/O-—»

Service processor

CPU

Cache

ASIC

MPSA ASIC

I/O processor

I/O processor

64-bit main bus

Shared

main

memory

MPSA ASIC

I I/O processor

I/O processor

MPSA ASIC

I/O processor

■SCSI-2 disk

■ Network

• Serial I/O

■ SCSI-2 disk

■ Network

■ Serial I/O

■ SCSI-2 disk

■ Network

■ Serial I/O

■ SCSI-2 disk

■ Network

■ Serial I/O

SCSI-2 disk

■ Network

■ Serial I/O

Application processor

MPSA ASIC

Application processor

Application processor

intelligent EISA I/O devices can transfer data to and from memory without involving the CPUs. These bus-master devices contend with the CPUs for a share of the memory-bus bandwidth, which makes scalability of the I/O system another top priority for the systems designer.

NetFrame Systems' asymmetric architecture uses one CPU to run the network operating

system while dedicated processors handle I/O tasks. The main CPU bus connects via custom ASIC bus controllers to MPSA buses, each of which can support two dedicated processor boards.

Scalability

The challenge for a shared-memory multiprocessor systems designer is to make the machine work faster as more processors are added—in other words, to achieve scalability. While multicomputers may approach the ideal of linear scalability, where twice as many CPUs give twice the throughput, shared-memory machines fall far short of this ideal: Adding a second processor increases throughput often by as little as 50 percent, and this number drops steeply as more processors are added, until adding an extra processor slows the system down. How soon the design reaches this point depends on the effective bandwidth of the bus connecting the processors to shared memory.

To avoid a bottleneck, a multiprocessor's memory bus must have a sustainable bandwidth that equals or exceeds the sum of the bandwidths of all the components connected to it. Sustainable bandwidth is the product of bus availability and peak bus bandwidth (i.e., how often you can get the bus, multiplied by how fast it is once you've got it).

The ISA bus, which is capable of 1.5-MBps throughput, is far too slow to serve as the memory bus even for today's uniprocessor desktop PCs, let alone for multiprocessor systems. Likewise, its 33-MBps successor, the EISA bus, has been rendered inadequate by rapid CPU evolution; a multiprocessor system using several Intel Pentium processors would need a memory-bus bandwidth measured in the hundreds of MBps.

Designers often use the EISA bus (or IBM's Micro Channel) as a supplementary I/O bus, although both are far too slow to serve as the memory bus in multiprocessor systems. Multiprocessor memory buses always support multiple mastering so that

Higher Bandwidth

The simplest route to obtaining a high peak bus bandwidth is to adopt a wide data path. Clocked at the 33 MHz that's typical of 486DX2-66 systems, a nonmultiplexed 64-bit bus—one with separate data and address lines—can carry a peak load of 267 MBps (33 million x 8 bytes). Electrical constraints place a performance ceiling on PCB-based (printed circuit board) buses, and to go much faster you have to move up to transmission-line technologies such as Apple's 350-MBps QuickRing (see "Fast Transit," October 1992 BYTE). However, further improvements to this theoretical peak bandwidth can come from splitting the bus into multiple parallel data paths.

The biggest boost to bus availability comes from large and efficient CPU caches, which can shield the bus from up to 90 percent of CPU traffic. While one CPU or I/O bus master has control of the bus for a lengthy transaction, the other CPUs can continue running at full speed from their caches.

A designer can also make the bus more available by increasing its internal concurrency and by distributing its workload more evenly. For example, separating the lines that carry bus-arbitration signals from the data lines enables arbitration to take place concurrently with data transfer—in effect costing nothing in terms of performance. Bus parking, another optimization, lets a bus owner keep the bus without arbitration if no one else has requested it. This speeds up burst transfers. A multiprocessor interrupt scheme should allow all the CPUs to interrupt each other for efficient arbitration, and I/O interrupts should be routable to any CPU to avoid swamping one CPU.

The new Intel 82489DX APlc (Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller) multiprocessor fulfills both of these requirements by automatically routing interrupts to the least-busy or lowest-priority processor. The APIC will soon replace the old 8259A (used in all PC compatibles since the original PC), which is slow and has no internal multiprocessor support.

The Write-Back Cache

Today's high-performance microprocessors all contain an onchip cache, but multiprocessor systems designers always supplement this with an external or secondary SRAM (static RAM) cache, which runs at the full bus speed of up to 40 MHz. The cache gets filled from memory in large (often 32-byte) chunks, or lines, using the CPU's burst-transfer mode. To simplify both PCB design and user upgrading, vendors segregate these fast circuits onto small, separate CPU-cache modules, which you can plug into a passive bus backplane. continued

186 BYTE JUNE 1993

"I couldn't find a powerful

CASE tool that was affordable. So I designed one."

JAN POPKIN, CHIEF SCIENTIST POPKIN SOFTWARE & SYSTEMS, INC.

"I'm an engineer. And I know what it's like to need a highperformance and easy-to-use CASE tool. One that I could afford to place on every project team member's desk, not just a select few. That's why I developed System Architect?'

As Chief Scientist at Popkin Software, my role is to bring the experiences of our developers to bear on the design of the best CASE tool possible. System Architect is the result."

Low Price. High Performance.

Since its introduction in 1988,

System A-chitect (SA) has proven

that many of the features

offered by more expensive CASE tools are available for a fraction of the cost. There are now more than 12,000 SA

copies in use at 3,000 installations worldwide.

Quick And Easy.

System Architect works on IBM® and IBM-compatible PCs running MS Windows'" or 05/2 PM®. It comes with an integtated data dictionary that users can customize to meet their needs. Project personnel can easily share information both on and off a network. It's so user-friendly that even from the first day you can sit down, get to work, and produce results.

Multiple Choice.

SA works with multiple methodologies: Yourdon/DeMarco, Gane & Sarson, Ward & Mellor (real-time), Shlaer/Mellor (OO), Information Engineering, SSADM, and ER diagrams.

MICROSOFT. WINDOWS.

▲ Bring existing SQL databases into a CASH environment for simple management and/ or forward engineering.

forporatui Hie System ArdtiiM It^i) !■ .1 irailenurk of I'l^kai Solisssue & Sy

The Power To Grow.

To respond to advances in technology such as Client/Server Architecture, SA continues to grow in functionality and productivity. A few optional modules now offered are:

SA Reverse Data Engineer: Provides reverse engineering of Windows dialogs/ menus and SQL databases, including DB2, Informix, Oracle, and SQL Server; provides generation of graphic screens and menus from .DLG and .MNU files; ensures new SQL database applications are built with the proper design integrity.

SA Screen Painter: Allows you to create GUI or character screens as well as to edit screens generated automatically from your SA Data Dictionary or captured from existing Windows applications; generates MS Windows dialogs, COBOL screen sections and associated data structures.

SA Schema Generator: Translates entity models from the encyclopedia into schema for DB2, Oracle, Ingres, SQL Server, Rdb, PROGRESS, Paradox, SQL Base, AS400 (SQL & DDS), Interbase, OS/2 DBMS, dBASE III, XDB,

, Ine. All oilier had fames ami produce are trademarks or registered trademarks afifc

SYBASE, and Informix. Generates Windows DLGs, and C type data definitions or COBOL data structures.

SA Object Oriented Analysis & Design (OOAJOOD): Supports Booch '91 and Coad/Yourdon.

SA Network Version: Diagram and data dictionary record locking allows multiple project members to work concurrently on die same project.

All The Tools You Need.

SA also has other features: automated documentation; extensible dictionary; normalization, rules and balancing; requirements traceability; import/expott; custom reporting; and CRUD Matrices.

Call Us ToU-Free Today At 800-REAL-CASE, xl09.

To find out how to qualify for your free 30-day evaluation copy, simply call us today or fax us at 212-571-3436.

SYSTEM ARCHITECT

Popkin Software & Systems, Inc.,

11 Park Place, New York, NY 10007

England 44-926-881186; Benelux 31-3406-65530;

Germany 49-6151 -82077; Italy 3949-8700366;

Switzerland 41-61 -6922666; Denmark 45-45-823200;

Australia 61-02-346499; Sweden 46-8-626-8100.

,-e holders. Specifications subject io dango m .he sole t&cjttjon ofthe company.

Circle 131 on Inquiry Card.

Hands On

Under the Hood

Caching a multiprocessor system raises tricky cache-coherency issues. For example, since several CPUs may hold a copy of the same variable in cache memory and since all of them may have modified its value, which is the correct value? The easiest way to maintain coherency is through a write-through cache design: Whenever a CPU writes to a cache line, the system immediately updates the value in main memory, too—the data is written through the cache.

Your desktop PC's cache is almost certainly a write-through design. Though easy to implement, such a design is inefficient in a multiprocessor system because it involves a main-memory access every time that a value changes. That soon saturates the bus and makes scalability beyond two processors impractical.

Instead, multiprocessor systems adopt the more difficult writeback technique, which writes modified data to main memory only when it's absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, this technique requires a complex scheme to maintain coherency.

The write-invalidate coherency protocol is fast becoming the standard for multiprocessor caches. It marks the state of every cache line (using 2 extra bits in the cache tag) as modified, exclusive, shared, or invalid. For this reason, the write-invalidate protocol is also called MESI. Each processor's cache controller monitors all bus activity, a task known as bus snooping, looking for attempts by other devices to read memory locations currently held in its cache.

A processor can write to any line that is exclusive (i.e., not held in any other cache). The controller then marks the line as modified, but it does not write it back to main memory. If the bussnooping controller discovers another processor requesting the now-out-of-date value from main memory, the controller traps the read attempt, places its own modified data on the bus to satisfy the request, and marks the line as shared—again without accessing main memory. A processor is not allowed to write to a shared line. Instead it must broadcast to all other caches holding that line, telling them to mark their copies as invalid (i.e., they must be reread from memory). The line then becomes exclusive again.

Under the MESI protocol, most processor reads and writes go to each CPU's local cache or between CPU caches, and the system updates stale values in main memory only when a cache is flushed. A write-back cache design is particularly effective when the interprocessor and memory buses are separated, as in Compaq's Triflex architecture (described below). This allows I/O bus masters to access main memory concurrently with the inter-CPU activity.

such as file access or memory allocation, so operating systems for symmetric-multiprocessor machines must be multithreaded right down to the kernel and the device-driver level. They must also provide secure locking mechanisms so that a CPU can lock onto the thread it is currently executing to prevent other CPUs from interfering with it (see "A Fearful Symmetry," May 1990 BYTE). This is necessary for critical sections of operating-system code that perform indivisible operations.

Such operating systems allocate new tasks to whatever processors are free by using a priority queuing system. Operating systems with these symmetric-multiprocessing features include SCO Unix System V release 3.2 with MPX (multiprocessor extensions), Unix System Laboratories' Unix System V release 4.0 MP V2, SunSoft's Solaris 2.0, the Mach-based NextStep, Banyan Vines SMP, and Windows NT. Many vendors also offer proprietary multiprocessing modifications to NetWare, and Novell will offer its own solution soon.

Symmetric systems vary in their degree of symmetry. Machines like the Tricord PowerFrame mix symmetric processors with dedicated I/O processors, while some older designs such as Compaq's Flex/MP are computationally symmetric but allow only the processor that booted the system to service I/O interrupts.

An asymmetric-multiprocessor system devotes each processor to a particular task. Normally, one processor runs the operatingsystem kernel while the rest service disk drives or networks or run a particular application. These dedicated I/O processors behave like the intelligent I/O channels in mainframe computers, which feed the CPU and main-memory data without bus contention.

Asymmetry confers several economic advantages. An asymmetric machine can run a conventional network operating system like NetWare 3.11 or LAN Manager. Since vendors don't have to wait for a multiprocessor port of the operating system or modify their application code, they can get usable applications to market faster. A systems designer can also tailor the cost and power of each CPU to its own task. But an asymmetric machine is good only for the job for which it's designed, usually as a file or database server. In contrast, a symmetric machine has the potential to fulfill any role (assuming application support is

available). continued

Symmetric vs. Asymmetric

Shared-memory multiprocessor systems fall into symmetric and asymmetric varieties. Symmetric systems treat all CPUs equally: Any processor is available to perform any task. Asymmetric designs dedicate each CPU to a specific task.

Each processor in a symmetric-multiprocessor system has equal access to I/O devices and main memory. All the CPUs cooperate in running a single stream of code; all run the operating system and application code concurrently. Any processor can perform any operating-system service,

A Generic Symmetric-Multiprocessor System

Serial I/O

I

SCSI

t

CPU

CPU

CPU

CPU

Cache

Cache

Cache

Cache

64-bit processor bus

Bridge

Shared memory

32-bit EISA I/O bus

EISA card

EISA card

A symmetric-multiprocessor system distributes workload evenly between processors, each of which has equal access to I/O devices and main memory. Here, a 64-bit processor-to-memory bus connects processor/cache modules to the EISA I/O bus via a bridge.

188 BYTE JUNE 1993

If you IBM to your computer with one of these,,,

now you canlMto your computer with THIS!

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for Sound Blaster compatible cards

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The DOS and Windows 3.1 voice recognition programs included allow you to add voice commands to popular education, business and entertainment programs such as WordPerfect, F117A, Lotus 123, Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe, DAC Easy, and hundreds more.

Easy to install and use, you will be up and running at the speed of sound in no time!

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The COVOX E/Q module and headset provided with VOICE BLASTER will improve your sound card's recording capability while giving you the best voice recognition possible. VOICE BLASTER will change the ivay you use your computer!

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and other fine computer retail outlets Call COVOX, INC. (800)733-0420 Dealer inquiries call (818) 446-9932

® Copyright 1993 COVOX, INC. All products and corporate names arc trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. All rights reserved. COVOX, INC. 675 Conger St- Eugene, Oil 97402 (503) 342-1271

Circle 82 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 83).

Hands On

Under the Hood

The Compaq Triflex Architecture

CPU

Cache

CPU

Cache

512-MB RAM

64-bit processor bus

128-bit memory bus

32-bit EISA I/O bus

EISA card

EISA card

Path of concurrent data transfer

Compaq's symmetric Triflex architecture uses both an interprocessor bus and a memory bus and connects both to the EISA I/O bus by way of Compaq's custom Dataflow Manager chip. This chip allows processors to access main memory concurrently with EISA bus-master devices more than 70 percent of the time.

Asymmetry in Action

An impressive example of a wholly asymmetric architecture is the NetFrame Systems design. It uses a single CPU—a 386, 486, or (as is planned) Pentium—that runs NetWare or LAN Manager from a main memory consisting of up to 256 MB. The main CPU bus connects via custom ASIC (application-specific IC) bus controllers to two or four I/O channels called MPSA (Multiprocessor System Architecture) buses, each of which can support two dedicated peripheral processor boards. These boards contain either Intel 376 (used in conjunction with the 386SX family) I/O processors or 50-MHz 486 application processors fitted with 4 to 128 MB of local memory.

All these peripheral processors can access the main shared memory, and the MPSA buses handle this traffic concurrently, with essentially zero contention. Each peripheral processor can handle 12.5 MBps, yielding a total I/O bandwidth of 100 MBps from four fully configured MPSA buses. That precisely matches the bandwidth of the 64-bit memory bus.

Multiple I/O buses provide a high degree of fault tolerance, and the NetFrame architecture also includes an Intel 80188 service processor that monitors system integrity (e.g., bus parity checking, ECC [error-correction code] memory correction, power supplies, and disk mirroring), permitting mainframe-style remote diagnosis and maintenance via a modem and telephone line.

Symmetric-System Architecture

The dual-bus architecture in the figure "A Generic Symmetric Multiprocessor System" could describe many of today's symmetric-multiprocessor systems. A 64-bit processor-to-memory bus accepts plug-in processor/cache modules and is bridged to an industry-standard (usually EISA) I/O bus that accepts off-theshelf network and disk controllers or other I/O cards. The bridging circuitry might be based on Intel's 82350 EISA chip set or a special ASIC designed by the system vendor. The system design usually implements basic PC motherboard functions such as keyboard and floppy disk support and VGA video. This basic architecture was pioneered by Corollary, whose C

Bus and XM multiprocessor board sets have been licensed by many OEMs. Corollary also helped develop the multiprocessing code for SCO MPX. Its latest-generation C-Bus II is a multiplexed 64-bit bus with a 267-MBps peak transfer rate, a 32-GB address space, and support for up to 14 CPUs. C-Bus processor boards may contain private I/O subsystems (e.g., SCSI2); this lets the designer build mixed symmetric/asymmetric systems. Corollary is also developing an implementation of CBus II, called SIMPL, for Intel's Pentium. Tricord's PowerFrame architecture is similar. Its proprietary 32-bit PowerBus reads its interleaved memory 128 bits at a time, giving a sustained bandwidth of 132 MBps or a burst rate of 267 MBps. The seven-slot PowerBus backplane accepts up to four symmetric 486DX2-66 CPU boards or up to six asymmetric I/O boards, called Intelligent SCSI Subsystems (ISSes). These bus-master boards each contain a 33-MHz 386SX I/O processor, an I/O cache, disk-handling firmware in ROM, and four SCSI controllers that can support up to 28 SCSI devices. The ISSes provide I/O transfer rates that are two to three times faster than those you'd get with the EISA bus. Like the NetFrame, the PowerFrame offers mainframe-style system management, diagnostics, and fault-tolerance features.

Several other symmetric-multiprocessor architectures would also fit the model shown in the figure "A Generic SymmetricMultiprocessor System" if you eliminated the asymmetric I/O. These architectures include AST Research's Manhattan SMP and its 64-bit nonmultiplexed Cupid-MPx bus (which can support up to six symmetric 486 CPUs), Olivetti's 64-bit OLIBus 4 (supports up to four CPUs), Acer/Altos's 64-bit FrameBus (supports four CPUs), Compaq's 32-bit Flex/MP (supports two CPUs), and Wyse's 64-bit Wyde Bus (supports three CPUs).

Split Bus

Compaq's new generation of Systempro/XL servers introduces the radical Triflex architecture, which increases concurrency by splitting the processor bus (see the figure "The Compaq Triflex Architecture"). Unlike Compaq's older Flex/MP, Triflex is now fully symmetrical, with 170 interrupts equally distributed among the processors. Triflex features a 64-bit interprocessor bus and a 128-bit memory bus, both connected to the EISA I/O bus by way of Compaq's custom Dataflow Manager chip. This chip contains multistage 256-bit buffers that can cache up to 16 EISA transfers or up to four processor transfers. This allows the processors to access main memory concurrently with EISA bus-master devices more than 70 percent of the time. Compaq claims Triflex has the same peak bandwidth (267 MBps) as other vendors' designs, but the extra concurrency should give it an edge in I/O-bound applications.

Compaq's new 64-bit ServerCache-2 snooping cache controller is designed specifically to exploit the Intel Pentium and its successors. Although the recently launched Systempro/XLs still offer only two 50-MHz 486 processors, it's no secret that future Triflex models will support up to four Pentiums.

continued

190 BYTE JUNE 1993

New Mathcad 4.0

is economically designed to

relieve pressure on the most

important part of your body.

For everyone with better things to do with their brains than punch calculators, scribble on scratch pads, build spreadsheets and transcribe equations, we present Mathcad® 4.0. It's the best way ever to do engineering and scientific calculations, because it's smarter than ever about the way you work.

As always, Mathcad lets you enter equations anywhere on the worksheet. Graph results in 2-D and 3-D. Change variables and instantly update answers. And print presentation quality documents with text, graphics and equations in real math notation. But now there's even more.

Like new Windows features that make Mathcad easier to use. Including die tool bar with mouse-click execution of file, edit, math and text controls. Aid full Windows DDE and OLE support that integrates Madicad with your Windows spreadsheet.

1 EUc Cdll T.Cxi Mali! G^hlcu Symbo

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Visualizing a Toroidal Surface with Parametric and Contour Plots...

vl'HHKH £

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All new SmartMadi knows when an equation is best solved numerically or symbolically, and hands off the work to die appropriate calculating engine. New live symbolic calculations automatically update just like numerical ones. And new symbolic optimization automatically

simplifies equations for faster, more concise results, hi addition to more tiian 200 built-in numeric and symbolic functions, you'll find enhancements like trailing zeros, extra unit and Nth derivative operators. As well as extended graphing capabilities with Polar and Contour plots.

Best of all, new Mathcad 4.0 runs twice as fast as before.

So why suffer through anodier day of calculators, scratch pads and spreadsheets? Get a load offyour mind with Madicad 4.0.

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© 1993 MathSoft, Inc. TM and ® signify manufacturer's trademark or registered trademark respectively. 'Electronic Handbooks require Mathcad 3.1 or higher.

.J

Circle 108 on Inquiry Card.

Hands On

Under the Hood

The Sun SparcCenter 2000 Architecture

256-MB RAM

-MB M

Network

Drive array

Serial I/O

Other

MB M

j\.

64-bit packet-switched bus

64-bit packet-switched bus

256-MB RAM

-MB M

w

-MB M

Sun Microsystems' SparcCenter 2000 uses two parallel packet-switched memory buses to double I/O bandwidth. The packet-switched architecture allows Sun to split the request/reply cycle into two transactions. While one processor waits for a reply, other processors can access the bus.

Split Transactions

One alternative multiprocessor bus design provides two parallel memory buses to double the bus bandwidth. NCR's System 3000, for example, uses twin 64-bit buses that each carry two or four 486 CPUs and use a dual-ported shared memory. Using this design, the System 3000 achieves a peak bandwidth of 400 MBps (225 MBps sustained).

Sun Microsystems' flagship multiprocessor, the SparcCenter 2000, follows the same route but uses packet-switched memory buses. All the multiprocessor systems I've described so far— and indeed, most computers—use circuit-switched buses, on which transactions are atomic, or indivisible, operations. Here, a requesting device arbitrates for the bus, gets control, places a target address on the bus, and then keeps control while it transfers the data to or from that address. For the duration of this transaction, other processors are denied bus access. Unfortunately, much of this time is wasted in nonbus activities like waiting for a RAM chip to deliver its data.

When a packet-switched bus is present, a device arbitrates for the bus, gets control, sends a request packet containing the target address, and then releases the bus. Later, the requester receives a reply packet on the bus. Under this asynchronous bus protocol, requests may be separated from replies by any number of other packets—hence the term split transactions.

Although it is more complex to implement, packet switching offers great benefits. It maximizes bus throughput by keeping the bus full of packets. It accommodates slow devices connected to the bus without compromising overall performance. And small, fixed-size packets guarantee short transactions, so you can adopt a simple nonpreemptive arbitration scheme. For example, the SparcCenter implements interrupts as packets, which are carried on the main bus.

The SparcCenter uses a parallel pair of 64-bit XDBuses (originally developed by Xerox), with memory addresses interleaved between the pair on 256-byte boundaries to give the effect of a single 128-bit bus. Its fault-tolerant design allows the system to remain operational should one bus fail, but with only half the bandwidth, shared memory space, and cache. Each XDBus has a peak

bandwidth of 320 MBps, and the sustained bandwidth is proportionally high at 250 MBps, which allows for 500 MBps of total sustainable bandwidth.

The SparcCenter can handle up to 20 SuperSparc processor modules, each holding a 40-MHz CPU, 1 MB of secondary cache, an MMU (memory management unit), and a SuperCache snooping cache controller chip. The latter offers three alternative writeback coherency protocols, which are selectable in software and optimized for different types of workloads: write-invalidate; write-broadcast, which is more efficient when many lines are shared; and competitive caching, a heuristic compromise between the first two.

You can expand the shared memory to 5 GB, and a programmable address space enables dynamic reconfiguration to fill "holes" in the memory map. I/O is provided by up to 10 of Sun's proprietary SBuses, each of which has four 50-MBps slots for SparcStation-compatible I/O cards.

Mainframe Challenge

It's difficult to verify vendors' scalability claims for their multiprocessor system designs, but vendors' figures suggest that CPU scalability was rather poor for first-generation symmetric machines (50 percent or less for a second processor). Right now, asymmetric and mixed symmetric/asymmetric architectures like the NetFrame and Tricord PowerFrame are probably the most cost-effective solutions for general file-serving applications. However, the more advanced architectures described here, together with improved operating-system support, promise realizable performance increases from up to four CPUs—more for the SparcCenter.

For most of the past decade, PC enthusiasts have been prematurely promising the death of the mainframe. But these new microprocessor-based architectures, when combined with new massstorage devices like erasable optical disks, just might make good on that promise. ■

Dick Pountain is a BYTE consulting editor based in London. You can contact him on BIX as "dickp. "

192 BYTE JUNE 1993

YOUR DIRECT LINK CARD

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A. What is your primary job

D. What operating systems are you

function/principal area of

currently using? (Check all that apply)

responsibility? (Check one)

12 Q PC/MS-DOS 15 Q Unix

1 Q MIS/DIP

13 Q DOS*Windows 16Q MacOS

; INrJMie

2 Q Programmer/Systems Analyst

14 Q OS/2 17 D VAOTMS

3 Q Adminstralion/Management

E. For how many people do you

: i me

4 □ SalBS/Marketing

5 G Engineer/Scientist

influence the purchase of hardware or software?

; Company

6 G Other

18 3 1-25 20 □ 51-99

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nt 19 Q 26-50 21 Q 100 or more

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June 1993 \869698\

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Circle the numbers below for

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34 Utilities 46

Hardware

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24 Mail Order

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2

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2g Miscellaneous Software 37 General

Bar Coding

3

Mailorder 14 CAD/CAM 26 On-Line Services

38 Books/Publications 49

Communications/Networking Computer Systems

4 5

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Data Acquisition

6

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90 Tools

40

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41

Inquiry Numbers 52-233

Inquiry Numbers 409-590

Inquiry Numbers 766-947 I

Inquiry Numbers 1123-1304

52 78 104 130 156

182

208

409 435 461 487 513

539

565

766 792 818 844 870 896

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BYTE

m

Hands Onli

eyond DOS

IBM Unleashes a New OS/2

Like RC-DOS 2.3., OS/2 2.1 could become a rock-solid winner

BARRY NANCE

Remember PC-DOS 2.1? Its features and reliability were exactly what most users needed—so much so that many people stuck with it when newer versions came to market. IBM and many OS/2 users would like history to repeal itself with OS/2 2.1. While it's not perfect, OS/2 2.1's overall quality and new features may well earn it the same reputation as its DOS counterpart. The IBM OS/2-support forums are CompuServe's busiest areas. People talk about the unwieldy number of installation disks, the sluggishness of Windows under OS/2 2.0, the need to run Windows software in enhanced mode, the lack of video drivers, the wish for more and faster printer drivers, the desire to run OS/2 on laptops and notebooks, and the dream of running CPU-interrupt-intensive multimedia software on OS/2. Version 2.1 resolves all these issues.

You can install OS/2 2.1 from CDs or floppy disks, and you can install portions of it on different logical drives. Version 2.1 supports Hitachi, IBM, NEC, Panasonic, Sony, Texel, and Toshiba CD-ROM drives connected through Adaptec, Distributed Processing Technology, Future Domain, and IBM SCSI controllers. It includes MSCDEX support in each DOS session via the VCDROM virtual device driver, and VCDROM lets MSCDEX-aware DOS and Windows multimedia applications process both audio and digital data concurrently.

Multimedia Supported Here

OS/2 now includes built-in multimedia support, in the form of MMPM/2 1.01. To allow DOS multimedia programs to run well in a DOS session, IBM has added dualthread DOS-session support. As a multimedia-based program reads from or writes to a disk file, the program needs to service sound-card interrupts on a timely basis. In effect, dual-thread support lets DOS applications run concurrently along two threads in a single DOS session. The second processing thread within the session lets the program handle sound-card interrupts while file read or write operations occur. Support is automatic; the DOS program doesn't have to do anything. The OS/2 settings notebook entry for a DOS session, INT_DURING_IO, enables the dual-thread feature.

Multimedia isn't the only software that must service interrupts during file read and write operations. You can use

INT_DURING__IO to accelerate the uploads and downloads you do with a DOS communications program. IBM also rewrote the VCOM.S YS serial-port handler, making it smarter and faster, to help DOS communications programs perform better.

Some of the biggest changes are in OS/2's WINOS2 (Windows within OS/2) area, which runs Windows 2.x, 3.0, and 3.1 applications, full-screen or on the OS/2 desktop. OS/2 runs Windows programs faster than DOS does. A Windows 3.1 session can run in enhanced or standard mode, and you can have several sessions. (You can't yet run Win32s or extended Windows applications, but support for Win32s applications may appear later this year.)

You can configure DDE and the Clipboard to operate in public mode, where PM (Presentation Manager) software can share data with Windows software through a global Clipboard, or in private mode. Windows 3.1 under OS/2 uses TrueType fonts, includes new printer dri

vers, offers OLE support, and uses the same display resolution as the OS/2 desktop.

OS/2 Acceleration

IBM's programmers used a variety of techniques to speed up Windows sessions and OS/2. IBM calls one technique page tuning. Each time IBM programmers installed new code in the operating system, performance experts used software- and hardware-monitoring tools to profile code

JUNE 1993 BYTE 193

Hands On f

eyond DOS

execution frequency and memory utilization. Because 16- and 24-bit ICEs (in-circuit emulators) weren't up to the task, IBM developed a 32-bit ICE called RTS (Real-Time Tracing System) to monitor OS/2's behavior. The programmers used this information to optimize and tune OS/2.

The process of page tuning is highly iterative. Each build of the operating system was followed by a detailed analysis of how the system behaves in a variety of situations, with each situation involving a given mixture of applications software activity and Workplace Shell activity on different hardware platforms.

I was amazed to discover that IBM used the Watcom C compiler, not the Microsoft C compiler, to compile the Windows components of OS/2. John Sierra, manager of OS/2 Systems Performance at IBM, says that the speed improvements in WINOS2 and in OS/2 were the result of a combination of factors: choosing the appropriate compiler, analyzing the page-tuning statistics, and simply using common sense and creative programming techniques to optimize the code. Using the Watcom C compiler was a low-risk way to speed up WINOS2.

IBM used its own 32-bit C Set/2 compiler for the base operating system, the 32-bit graphics engine, and many other parts of OS/2. Performance experts claim that the C Set/2 compiler lends itself nicely to the page-tuning process, letting programmers easily control and manage code tuning. The judicious use of assembly language in some modules accounts for further performance gains. IBM uses an internal version of MASM (Microsoft Macro

Assembler) 5.1 to produce object code for these modules.

IBM is in the process of producing the manual OS/2 2.1 Performance Tuning for End Users, which should be available soon after you read this. I found my alpha copy of it quite useful.

Windows Reworked

You can now start DOS and even OS/2 sessions from within a Windows session running within OS/2. IBM also rewrote the Windows Clipboard and the DDE and OLE modules to make them faster and more reliable. (PMCLIP.DLL, PMDDE.DLL, and VWIN.SYS replace CLIPOS2.EXE, DEEAGENT.EXE, and VDMSERVER.EXE, respectively.) The Clipboard now uses a form of shared memory, rather than named pipes, to transfer data. And since both DDE and OLE pass through the Clipboard, this speeds things up considerably.

IBM uses a technique called virtual clipboard rendering to postpone the rendering of Clipboard data until paste time. VWIN doesn't have to convert Clipboard data into every possible format Instead, VWIN.SYS looks at paste time for the requested format and renders in just that format.

You get the usual accessories that are found in Windows 3.1, including the following: Sound Recorder, Character Map, Media Player, Calculator, Calendar, Cardfile, Notepad, Object Packager, Paintbrush, and Windows Write. The Windows 3.1 File Manager and Print Manager are there, if you prefer to manage your computer through Windows. IBM also includes the system

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OS/2's memory management environment within DOS sessions includes DPMI (DOS Protected Mode Interface) 1.0. OS/2 previously supported DPMI 0.9. The DPMI support lets OS/2 run programs like AutoCAD.

The Driver Issue

The biggest complaint about OS/2 2.0 was the dearth of high-resolution video drivers. OS/2 now supports seven Super VGA chip sets in 800- by 600-pixel or 1024- by 768-pixel modes with 256 colors. The seven chip sets are ATI Technologies' VGA Wonder XL; Headland Technology's Video Seven HT209; Trident Microsystems' 8900; Tseng Laboratories' ET4000; Western Digital's Paradise WD90C00, CI 1, C30, and C31; Cirrus Logic's CL-GD542X; and IBM's 256c Super VGA chip. The drivers for VGA, XGA (Extended Graphics Array), 8514/A, and Super VGA are all 32-bit code.

You may even see seamless 8514/A and S3 Windows support in OS/2 2.1. IBM has written and was testing the code at press time.

IBM has optimized OS/2's 32-bit graphics engine. Its programmers replaced much of the graphics engine with faster code and used the 32-bit C Set/2 compiler to produce the DLLs and device drivers that make up the graphics engine. During the pagetuning effort, the programmers gave special emphasis to the Workplace Shell and graphics-intensive applications software.

OS/2 2.1 contains new and enhanced printer drivers. IBM programmers tuned and reworked both the printer drivers and the parallel-port device drivers to speed printing. OS/2 supports laptops and notebooks through APM (Advanced Power Management) and PCMCIA drivers. If your notebook is APM-aware, OS/2 will coordinate with its power-conservation features to make your battery last longer. You can double-click on the APM icon in the System Setup folder to see how much battery power remains or to turn power management functions on and off.

The Next Step

OS/2 2.1 isn't perfect. You still must boot up two installation disks to run CHKDSK against your OS/2 boot-up partition. A CONFIG.SYS editor doesn't yet exist. And 4 MB isn't really enough RAM to run OS/2. But IBM says it's working on these and other issues.

In the future, look for IBM to reduce the memory and disk space requirements for OS/2. IBM programmers will continue to work on the 32-bit graphics engine and WINOS2, page tuning as they go. IBM will develop more device drivers for more kinds of video, disk, and other adapters. You'll see many of the device drivers and enhancements appear as downloadable files in IBM's support area on CompuServe. Look for IBM to provide OS/2 migration paths to the PowerPC, IBM RS/6000, and other computers later this year or early next year. You'll also see the Workplace Shell user interface on more computers.

In the meantime, I'm using a native OS/2 word processor under OS/2 2.1, with 1024- by 768-pixel resolution, to write this. I'm downloading a file with my modem. And I'm compiling a program in yet another session. ■

Barry Nance is a contributing editor for BYTE. He is the author of Using OS/2 2.1 Special Edition (Que. 1993). and Networking Windows for Workgroups (Wiley, 1993). He is the editor for the IBM Exchange on BIX, where you can reach him as "harrvn."

196 BYTE JUNE 1993

Hands On

Some Assembly Required

Animation for Windows Applications

Use this C-n- class to add movement to your Windows programs

MICHAEL J. YOUNG

The ability to move a small image or sprite within a window, independently of the background graphics, can be useful in numerous types of programs, including computer games, tutorials, demos, and simulations. Even if you're not writing one of these special types of programs, you will find this ability to be useful for adding drag-and-drop capability to your Windows applications.

A C++ class is an ideal medium for encapsulating the data and functions needed to create animation. The C++ class CSprite lets you move a figure of any size or shape across a window containing any pattern of text or graphics. The class is designed to generate smooth, flickerfree animation.

Using the Class

To use the CSprite class, you would include the class header file SPRITE.H (see page 200) in your C++ source code and then link your program with the compiled version of the class implementation file, SPRITE.CPP. If you are using Microsoft C/C++ or Borland C++, you simply include SPRITE.CPP in the project file for your Windows program.

To create an object for animating an image, you can declare an instance of CSprite or use the new operator:

CSprite *PCSprite; PCSprite = new CSprite;

You can increase the efficiency of the animation by specifying the CS_BYTEALIGNCLIENT class style when you register your window class. This style allows the CSprite class to transfer blocks of graphics that begin on even byte boundaries, generating faster transfers.

Once you've produced an instance of CSprite, you can use the public member functions of this class to generate an animation sequence. I declared these functions in the CSprite class definition within the SPRITE.H header file. Note that all the member functions except GetCoord return TRUE if successful or FALSE if an error occurs.

Before you use any other member function, you will need to call Initialize, which has the following format:

BOOL Initialize HImage);

(HBITMAP HMask, HBITMAP

You pass the handles for the mask and image bit maps, which define the figure that you want to animate. In the mask bit map, the figure appears as black on a white background; the image bit map contains the normal color figure on a black background. When displayed, the figure appears in color, but the background is invisible. Only the X appears, surrounded by the existing screen graphics.

The easiest way to create the bit maps is to design them using a bit-map editor or drawing program such as Windows Paintbrush, save them in separate files, and incorporate them as program resources by means of BITMAP statements within the program's resource-definition file. You can then load the bit maps and assign

them to the CSprite object using statements such as these in the program source code:

HBITMAP HImage;

HBITMAP HMask;

HMask = LoadBitmap (HInstCurrent,

"Mask"); HImage = LoadBitmap (HInstCurrent,

"Image"); Sprite.Initialize (HMask, HImage);

PHOTOGRAPHY: MITCHELL RICE' ) 1993

JUNE 1993 BYTE

Hands On

Some Assembly Required

Mask bit map

Before your program exits, call DeleteObject to delete the two bit maps—neither Windows nor the CSprite class deletes them for you. If you later want to use the same CSprite object to animate another figure, you can call Initialize again, passing it the handles for different bit maps.

To display the object at its initial position and start an animation sequence, call the member function BOOL Start (HDC HDc, int X, int Y) ;, where HDc is the handle of the device context in which you want to display the image, and X and Y are the horizontal and vertical coordinates of the upper left comer of the area where you want the image displayed. Start saves the current graphics underlying the position where the image will appear and then draws the image at the specified coordinates. The following code displays an image at the upper left corner of the window:

HDC WinDC;

HWinDC = GetDC (HWnd);

// HWnd contains the window handle

Sprite.Start (HWinDC, 0, 0);

ReleaseDC (HWnd, HWinDC);

Note that the device context you specify when calling Start (or any other CSprite member function that receives a device context handle) must be in the MM_TEXT mapping mode, which is the default.

To move the object to each subsequent position in the animation sequence, call MoveTo, which has the following form:

BOOL MoveTo (HDC HDc, int X, int Y);

MASK AND EDIT BIT MAPS

The combined mask and image bitmap images allow animation to occur while preserving the background image (see the screen "Animation Demol").

H □

Image bit map

current position when redrawing the screen in response to a WM_PAINT message.

To erase the image, call BOOL Hide (HDC HDc) ;. The Hide function restores the saved screen graphics, erasing the image. The CSprite class saves the current position; you can call Redraw to view the object again.

Finally, you can obtain the current coordinates of the image by passing the address of a RECT structure to GetCoord, which takes the form:

void GetCoord (RECT *Rect);

The parameters are the same as those passed to Start. MoveTo restores the saved screen graphics at the prior image position, saves the current graphics underlying the new display position, and then draws the image at the new position. If, for example, a user is dragging the object with a mouse, the program calls MoveTo in response to each WM_MOUSEMOVE message to transfer the image to the current mouse-cursor position.

If you want to redraw the image at its current position (i.e., at the position specified in the most recent call to Start or MoveTo), you can invoke the call BOOL Redraw (HDC HDc) ;. The Redraw function, which draws the image without saving or restoring screen graphics, is useful for restoring the image at its

A C++ class is an ideal way to encapsulate the data and functions that you'll need to create smooth, flicker-free animation.

GetCoord assigns the coordinates for the upper left corner of the image to the structure's left and top fields, and it assigns the coordinates of the lower right corner of the image to the right and bottom fields. If you call GetCoord after calling Initialize but before calling Start, the top and left field values will be 0 and the right and bottom fields will contain the image width and

height (i.e., age).

the dimensions of the bit map used to create the im

Sample Programs

I wrote two sample programs, DEMOl and DEM02, that use the CSprite class to animate an X-shaped image, 52 pixels wide by 61 pixels high. In DEMOl, you move the image by pressing an arrow key or by dragging it with the mouse. In DEM02, the image moves automatically in a continuous circular path. Both programs display a checkered background to demonstrate that you can move the image over the background without disturbing the existing window graphics.

I used several techniques in DEMOl. I declared the CSprite instance Sprite as a global object. After creating the main program window, the initialization routine loads the bit maps and calls CSprite: : Initialize to initialize the object. On the first WM_PAINT message, the message-handling routine calls Start to position the image in the middle of the screen; on subsequent messages, the routine calls Redraw to restore the image at its current position. These functions are called after the messagehandling function draws the window background.

When the user presses an arrow key, the WM_KEYDOWN message handler calls GetCoord to obtain the current image position and calls MoveTo to move the image 4 pixels in the appropriate direction. When the user drags the image, the WM_MOUSEMOVE message handler calls MoveTo to move the image to each new mouse-cursor position.

DEM02 works the same way, but to move the image automatically, it calls the Windows API function SetTimer to start a Windows timer. This function causes Windows to send a series of WM_TIMER messages, with a specified time duration between each message. On the first WM_TIMER message, DEM02 calls Start to position the image at the starting point along its circular path. On each subsequent message, it calls MoveTo to move the image to the next position along the circle (it uses the C++ library functions sin and cos to calculate the coordinates for each point on the circle).

To make the automatic movement of an image as smooth as possible, set the duration of the tinier to the lowest possible value. Note that as you assign smaller values to the uTimeout parameter

198 BYTE JUNE 1993

Hands On

Some Assembly Required

Animation Demo 1

K

ff

In Animation Demo 1, the image bit map

creates the X; a mask bit map preserves the checkerboard background as the image moves across the screen.

passed to SetTimer, the time between WM_TIMER messages decreases; eventually, you reach a point where, because of the time overhead required to send and process the messages, passing smaller values does not decrease the actual time between these messages. The constant PERIOD contains the duration assigned to the uTimeout parameter.

You should then adjust the amount of movement on each WM_TIMER message to achieve the desired object speed. In DEM02,I use the constant DELTATHETA to determine the amount of movement. The constant is the value added, on each timer message, to the subtended angle that determines the position of the image on the circle.

You could increase the frequency of object movements by repeatedly calling MoveTo during the processing of a single message, rather than moving it each time the program receives a timer message. However, this practice blocks Windows message processing, which means that the user cannot enter commands or do task-switching.

How CSprite Works

The CSprite class has several member functions. Initialize uses the Windows API function GetObject to obtain the sizes of the mask and image bit maps that it receives (it returns an error code if the bit maps are not the same size). It then calls the API function CreateCompatibleBitmap to create a new bit map that is the same size as the mask and image bit maps. It uses this bit map to save the underlying screen graphics when it displays the sprite. Its handle is saved in the private data member mHSave. Initialize also saves mask and image bit-map handles.

Start calls the Windows API function BitBlt to save the underlying screen graphics in the mHSave bit map, passing it the raster-operation code SRCCOPY to perform a simple copy operation. It then uses BitBlt to draw the screen image (see the CSprite: :Start listing). Bit transfers are much faster than calling individual drawing functions, and you can easily create a complex drawing using a bit-map editor and simply load and copy the bit map to the window.

Unfortunately, BitBlt always transfers a rectangular block of graphics, so it overwrites the existing background when handling nonrectangular images. That's why I used two bit maps. When Start calls BitBlt to transfer the mask bit map, it assigns the value SRCAND to the raster code parameter. BitBlt then combines the bits in the bit map with the existing bits on the screen using the AND operator. Because | the background within the mask bit map is white (all Is), the existing screen graphics in the background area are unaltered. And because the figure within the mask bit map is black (all Os), the resulting figure on the screen is also black.

When Start then calls BitBlt to transfer the image bit map, it specifies the SRCINVERT raster-operation code, which tells BitBit to combine the bits in the bit map with the existing bits on the screen using XOR. Because the background within the image bit map is completely black, the existing screen graphics are again unaltered. However, because the existing figure on the screen is all black (due to the previous BitBlt call), the colors within the figure portion of the bit map are copied to the screen without alteration.

The final result is that the nonrectangular figure within the image bit map is transferred to the screen without disturbing the existing screen graphics surrounding the figure. (This is essentially the same method that Windows uses to draw icons.) After the image has successfully been drawn at its initial location, Start saves the image coordinates in the private data members mX and mY.

MoveTo begins by restoring the saved screen graphics at the previous image position. It does this by calling BitBlt to transfer the graphics saved in the mHSave bit map to the window coordinates stored in mX and mY, specifying the SRCCOPY raster-operation code. It then sa^es the screen graphics at the new position and transfers the image to this position.

If, however, MoveTo were to restore the previous graphics and then draw the new graphics directly on the screen, an annoying flicker would result as the image first disappeared completely and then reappeared. To prevent flicker, MoveTo first copies the entire affected portion of the window to a temporary bit map and then performs all the bit operations within the temporary bit map. When the bit manipulations are complete, it copies the temporary bit map to the screen. Only a single bit transfer is visible, which greatly minimizes flicker.

The temporary bit map has to be large enough to hold the entire affected screen area. The affected area is the smallest rectangle that bounds both the prior image coordinates and the new image coordinates. The coordinates of this rectangle are obtained

Source bit map

Raster-operation code

SRCAND

Existing graphics

SRCINVERT

Resulting image

■L,

i

The final result: Bi tBl t transfers only rectangular blocks and so lends to overwrite the background around nonrectangular objects. By assigning the raster-operation code value SRCAND to the mask bit map and SRCINVERT to the image bit map, the program cancels out the background colors, and the original background appears unaltered.

JUNE 1993 BYTE 193

Hands On

Some Assembly Required

The CSprite header file SPRITE.H.

class CSprite {

int mHeight;

HBITMAP mHImage;

HBITMAP mHMask;

HBITMAP mHSave;

int mWidth;

int mX;

int mY;

public:

CSprite (); CSprite 0;

void GetCoord (RECT *Rect); BOOL Hide (HDC HDc); BOOL Initialize (HBITMAP

HMask, HBITMAP HImage); BOOL MoveTo (HDC HDc,

int X, int Y); BOOL Redraw (HDC HDc); BOOL Start (HDC HDc,

int X, int Y);

using the Windows API function

UnionRect:

URECT RectNew; RECT RectOld; RECT RectUnion;

RectOld.left = mX; RectOld.top = mY; RectOld.right = mX + mWidth; RectOld.bottom = mY + mHeight;

RectNew.left = X;

RectNew.top = Y;

RectNew.right = X + mWidth;

RectNew.bottom = Y + mHeight;

UnionRect (SRectUnion, SRectOld, SRectNew);

MoveTo then adjusts the resulting rectangle so that it begins on an even byte boundary, to allow more efficient bit-transfer operations. (Windows can perform a block transfer more efficiently if the screen coordinate of the left edge of the block—in pixels— is a multiple of 8.)

This adjustment ensures that the client coordinate begins on a byte boundary; to ensure that the screen coordinate also begins on a byte boundary, you must make sure that the client area itself is aligned on a byte boundary by assigning the CS_BYTEALIGNCLIENT style to the window class. The temporary bit map is then created using the CreateCompatibleBitmap API function. To increase speed and ensure smooth animation, MoveTo performs minimal error checking.

Finally, Hide uses BitBlt to copy the saved graphics in the mHSave bit map back to the current image position, thereby erasing the image. Redraw simply displays the image using the same method as Start and MoveTo, without any transfers to or from

The function CSprite::Start.

BOOL CSprite::Start (HDC HDc, int

X,

X, int Y)

Y,

(

mWidth,

HDC HMemDC;

mHeight,

int Result;

HMemDC,

0,

0,

if (mHSave == 0)

return (FALSE);

SRCAND);

if (Result == 0)

HMemDC =

(

CreateCompatibleDC (HDc);

DeleteDC (HMemDC);

if (HMemDC == NULL)

return (FALSE);

return (FALSE);

}

// Save current window

// Display image bit map:

// graphics:

SelectObject (HMemDC,

SelectObject (HMemDC,

mHImage);

mHSave);

Result = BitBlt

Result = BitBlt

(HDc,

(HMemDC,

X,

0,

Y,

0,

mWidth,

mWidth,

mHeight,

mHeight,

HMemDC,

HDc,

0,

X,

0,

Y,

SRCINVERT) ;

SRCCOPY);

if (Result == 0)

DeleteDC (HMemDC);

1

DeleteDC (HMemDC);

if (Result == 0)

return (FALSE);

i

return (FALSE);

f

mX = X;

// Display mask bit map:

mY = Y;

SelectObject (HMemDC,

mHMask);

return (TRUE) ;

Result = BitBlt

1

(HDc,

the mHSave bit map.

Calling Hide and then Start would have the same overall effect as calling MoveTo, but it would result in flicker and would be less efficient than a single call to MoveTo.

Room for Improvement

You will probably think of many ways to use CSprite in your C++ programs. You can create instances of CSprite, or you can use it as a base for deriving new classes to perform specific types of animation.

You might also want to fine-tune the implementation of CSprite. For example, you might try to increase the efficiency of the MoveTo member function, which is the most performance-critical function. The faster it is, the more frequently the object can be moved and, therefore, the smoother the resulting animation can be made. ■

Editor's note: The complete listings for programs mentioned in this article are available electronically. See page 5 for details.

Michael J. Young is an author of programming books and a freelance Windows programmer in Mill Valley, California. His latest titles are Visual Basic—Game Programming for Windows (Microsoft Press, 1992) and Windows Programming with Microsoft C++ (Sybex, 1992). He can be reached on BIX do "editors" or on CompuServe at 75156.2572.

ZOO BYTE JUNE 1993

Pournelle

JERRY POURNELLE

Statistics Programs Help Businesses Work

his has been one heck of a month at Chaos Manor, what with work on a new novel and about a hundred book signings for The Gripping Hand. Alas, Larry Niven has back problems, so much of the publicity work fell on me, and all the travel gave me a cold.

Then there were conferences. Columnists have to go to lots of meetings and conferences. Most of them are worthwhile, and getting to major conferences is the only way I can keep up with what's new, but there are far too many. Some I like. My favorite is the annual meeting of the AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science), and that was this month, too.

At AAAS I get to learn about what's new in science and technology, both discoveries and policies. It's one of the few places where I can talk to both

scientists and policymakers.

One main concern is getting more women into the sciences. That used to be a problem of removing the glass ceilings. Now it's more one of getting girls to take science and math in the sixth grade; no easy task, but if they don't do that, they're not likely to be in science later. A science career is the ultimate deferred reward.

I'm also putting together papers on another problem of science policy, reviving the X programs. Between WWII and the end of the 1960s, the U.S. built a series of experimental aircraft. The best known was the X-l, in which Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier (and yes, that was first done by an American at Edwards Air Force Base, and no, he didn't have to reverse the controls to do it). There was also the X-l5, which flew into space and returned. Less famous X-airplanes were no less successful, and the technologies developed with X-airplanes enabled American aerospace firms to dominate world markets for decades.

The X programs were canceled in the name of arms control, but now there's some interest in re

viving them. I'd very much like to see that happen, and I don't see any reason why the X concept can't be employed to develop technologies in fields other than aerospace. X programs are a way for government to assume some technological risks and yet leave actual product development to private enterprise.

All in all, it was a busy month. Meanwhile, the stuff pours into Chaos Manor.

Systems analysis was the buzzword

when I was in the aerospace business, but what I actually did was what I had learned as operations research, or OR. There was a close-knit fraternity of OR people, and I always thought that OR was an accurate description of what we did, even if it didn't sound as impressive as systems analysis.

OR grew out of WWII, when some British mathematicians and scientists applied scientific method to military and industrial activities. One of the better-known results of that was victory in the Battle of the North Atlantic, when OR people developed new tactics for the RAF and the

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.IUNI2 1993 BYTE 201

Pournelle

Royal Navy, dramatically increasing the amount of cargo mat got through to Britain. It incidentally showed the RAF how to sink more German U-boats.

That last sentence was deliberate: while sinking U-boats sounds more dramatic than getting cargo ships through, it wasn't the primary goal. One of the most fundamental lessons in OR is that you must choose the right criterion. If the RAF had sunk every one of the German U-boats, but the subs had sunk all the cargo ships first, Britain would have lost the war. The

goal wasn't to sink U-boats but to gel the cargo through, and the latter was best accomplished by making it difficult for the U-boats to attack.

OR was successfully applied to some other parts of the war effort and became a pretty glamorous field for a while. In fact, you could get graduate degrees in it, even though no one had a real good definition beyond "operations research is what OR people do." When you come down to it, that wasn't a bad operational definition, except that it wasn't always easy to de

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scribe precisely just what we did.

In general terms, we'd go look at some ongoing activity to determine the goal of the activity in precise and quantifiable terms. This was known as criterion selection, and it was often the hardest part of the task. Asking the right question generally is. Then we'd study just what people did—not what they said they did, or what the organization charts said they should do, but what they did when they went to work. We'd then make up a mathematical model of the activities and play with that model to see if we could improve production or cut costs by having people do things differently. We'd test the new techniques and go back and work on the models some more.

For example, the original OR teams looked at aircraft search-and-attack patterns to determine which ones got the most cargo through; as you probably suspect from what I said before, this didn't turn out to be the same as the tactics that sank the most subs. Another OR discovery was queuing theory, which resulted in the development of "just-in-time" inventorycontrol methods. Other techniques included linear programming methods for finding solutions to allocation and assignment problems. We also did multiple regression analysis to derive methods for predicting such complexities as college GPA from data on students who are entering college.

It didn't work every time. However, application of OR techniques got some surprising and spectacular results, and there was a period when operations analysts— by then called by the more impressive term systems analysts—were the heroes of industry, and no consultant firm could do without a good OR team.

In my day there was one major

problem: while you might be able to devise a quantifiable criterion and build an accurate model of the activity, there was no guarantee that you could solve the model. For example, we could use matrixalgebra techniques to relate data on entering students to their eventual GPA, but solving that to yield useful equations required inverting a 75 by 75 matrix; and that task would take lifetimes if done by teams of graduate students punching Monroe calculators.

Enter the computer. When IBM gave the University of Washington a RAMAC 650 computer, the first task of the Grade Prediction Project was to teach it to invert matrices. The 650 had one 10-byte word of main memory and 5000 10-byte words of drum-storage memory. Everything had to

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be fed into it on punched cards, and there weren't any programming languages, so writing a matrix-inversion program was difficult and tedious. I left graduate school before that project was completed, but eventually it was done, and the project worked very well indeed, a spectacular testimony to the usefulness of matrix techniques.

Old OR people would have sold

their SOUls for techniques that modern PCs give anyone access to. Not only is it simple enough to write routines for doing matrix algebra, but many languages, including BASIC, have most matrix operations built into them; which naturally leads to the question, why isn't good OR more common now? It should be. The tools are available to almost anyone.

I suspect the reason has something to do with changing the name from OR to systems analysis, which sounds a great deal more complicated. OR was always done by interdisciplinary teams, and thus we had powerful incentives to keep the language simple so that we could talk to each other. Systems analysis seems to have developed a complex jargon that's in

comprehensible without a lot of specialized study.

I suppose that people who want fancy job titles like "systems specialist" have no choice but to learn the new jargon. Those more interested in getting the flavor of modern OR should get hold of Ian Bradley and Ronald L. Meek's Matrices and Society (Princeton University Press, 1987) and read that carefully. The information density is pretty heavy, but the book has almost no jargon and goes lightly over everything from multiple regression to Markov chains. It's not precisely light reading, but it's not beyond anyone who reads BYTE, either.

The next step may not be as easy. In my day, the beginning OR bible was Churchman, Ackoff, and Arnoff's Introduction to Operations Research (Wiley, 1957); doubtless there's something better out now, but I don't know what it is. The point is that this book is easier reading now than it was in my day, because many of the equations in the book can be set up and run in

something like Mathcad or Macsyma (see last month's column), or for that matter programmed in BASIC. It used to take years to learn how to do things like that. Now you just have the computer do it.

OR teams often made

forecasts that involved some pretty heavy-duty mathematics: as, for instance, the fire-control problem, aiming a gun to put a shell where the target will be when the shell arrives. Targets can be in any direction, moving along any azimuth, and need not be traveling in a straight line or at constant speed. This is known as a time series, and solving such problems was one of the first military uses of computers.

Stock-market analysts are frequently called on to make forecasts, often from no more real data than the stock's past performance; but that performance data may stretch back a long way in time, far enough to show cyclical behavior. Weather and climate also show cyclical activity, and climate is one determiner of crop—and thus

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Pournelle

commodity—prices. You might also want to predict export demand, consumption of some manufactured item such as O-rings or safety pins, credit demand, or whatever.

One method of forecasting is to look at things, think about the problem, and produce a forecast like Athena springing from the brow of Zeus. There are people for whom this works; however, this is a technique useful only to acknowledged experts with a track record. Anyone else will have to show how they got their answer.

The other method of forecasting is to

assemble the past history of everything you think relevant and look for patterns. You use those patterns to predict future behavior. With a great deal of luck, you'll recognize causative factors and be able to build a real predictive model. Usually, though, you won't know why certain patterns repeat, or why some things seem to predict others. You may have a good idea, but you can't really say you understand what's going on; it just happens that way. In those cases, you may also have some nagging doubts about whether you noticed

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all the patterns in your data.

All of which brings us to Forecast Pro from Business Forecast Systems. This program, available for DOS or Windows, does stochastic models for you. Feed it the data, and it will not only make a forecast, but also tell you what it based the forecast on. It will let you play about with the data and muck about with the models. You can unleash an expert system to recommend models, or you can tell the program how to go about its business. Either way, you get to see exactly what it did and get some explanation of why.

There's a tutorial to show you how to use Forecast Pro and a statistical reference section that explains what's going on. The tutorial uses supplied sample data sets that are pretty good for showing you what the program can and can't do and what kind of accuracy to expect from the results. It starts with the assumption that you don't know anything about what you're doing and walks you through. It won't make you a systems analyst or an expert on forecasting, but when you finish the tutorial, you'll know more about forecasting—including its limits—than most of your colleagues.

There are lies, damned lies, and

Statistics, as the old saying goes, but you can make the case that everything we know, including physical law, is probabilistic (i.e., based on statistical inference). I won't try to prove that, but clearly a lot of what we know does depend on probabilities, and those armed with a good understanding of probability and statistics are much better equipped to deal with the real world than those who are not.

For instance, suppose you have two mail-order ads. One is quite expensive to produce and mail, but it seems to be more effective than the other. You are also offered two mailing lists, one small but known to contain people very interested in your product, the other much larger and said to be "pretty good."

You want an optimum strategy. Clearly you need to do some tests, mailing each presentation to a sample of each list. Fine. How many of what do you mail to whom? What confidence will you have in the result?

Rather than make wild guesses, most people at this point will hire an expert, only how do you know the expert is any good? What you really need is some understanding of what statistics is all about.

A great deal of classical OR dealt with probabilities and statistics, and doing statistical analysis without computers was right up there with root-canal therapy for enjoyment. Because the mechanical work

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Pournelle

in statistics was boring and tedious, the whole subject got a lousy reputation; but it doesn't have to be that way. Now true, the American school system seems dedicated to the notion that self-esteem is more important than accomplishments, so studying math is discouraged lest the student find it too difficult and get a bruised ego; but the actual elements of probability and statistics aren't hard to understand. Manipulating the numbers can be tedious, but you don't have to do that. Use Systat.

I once pointed this out to a friend in the police department, and for some reason he believed me. He got Systat running on his home computer and began to analyze the crime data that floated around his precinct headquarters. The results were important enough to earn him two promotions in five years, and now he's teaching the subject to other detectives.

I can't promise that good a result to everyone, but I can say that I sure wish I'd had Systat in my early OR days. What with a matrix-manipulation language, a forecasting program, and Systat, I'd have been the greatest OR man alive; and indeed, if I ever get tired of what I'm doing, I know what I'll do.

Polysoft's PS-Plot 1.2 is no Systat, but it's a lot cheaper. Check it out if you already know about statistics and all you want is something that will accept your data, plot it, and crank out analyses. For many it will do the job, such as if you need to prepare a paper using correlations, T-tests, F-tests, and the other usual stuff.

The manual is best described as terse. There's a set of lessons, and the package as a whole is superior to the introductory statistics course I took at the University of Iowa. You can learn how to do statistical cookbook operations with this. You aren't going to learn why you do those things, but we didn't learn that in Introduction to Statistics; few do, especially in education and the social sciences.

Overall, PS-Plot is a satisfactory package with some spectacular graphical capabilities. It's more than satisfactory for people who pretty much know what they want to do and don't need all the capabilities of Systat.

Before the solar eclipse of 1991,

we drove down Baja California to a beach in Todos Santos to watch it on July 11. It's hard to believe that was almost two years ago. Anyway, watching the eclipse was certainly spectacular enough to make that rather grueling and very hot trip worthwhile. You can read all about it—including how we used the Magellan GPS NAV 1000 Pro system to access the global positioning satellites to tell us exactly where we were—in my November 1991 column.

However, if you have a Mac II and want to experience the eclipse, get Warner New Media's View from Earth CD-ROM. It's not like being there—nothing could be, not without shadow bands—but it's certainly an experience. With audio narration, tons of text, diagrams, simulations, and color photographs and illustrations, this will tell you as much about eclipses as you're likely to want to know. If you're into eclipses, or want to be, get View from Earth. Recommended, continued

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Pournelle

If you don't know about Battle

ClieSS, you should: it's pure fun. In theory, you can play Interplay's Battle Chess against your computer, or two humans can play against each other. In practice, you'll find yourself letting the computer play itself just so you can watch. The pawns attack or cringe away. Rooks turn into monsters; a rook taking a queen is a thing to see. The bishops use magic. Queens slink across the board. King takes queen is fascinating. There are sound effects, too. We have Battle Chess running on a CD-ROM with Sound Blaster Pro, and everyone loves to watch it.

They have a "futuristic" version of Battle Chess as well. Some like that better than the "classical" version. Both are extremely well done, with graphics and sound working together to produce real humor. (Now, for a matchup of the futuristic team against the classical one....)

Interplay also puts out a typing tutor, Mario Teaches Typing. Roberta reports: "The graphics are Interplay's usual high

quality. Mario is nothing if not colorful! Strictly speaking, this may not teach typing; it's really a game. If you can already type, it will drive you bananas to try to type just one letter at a time. Of course, Mario has to teach you about the home row, and his pudgy fingers are color-coded so that you will use the correct one to press the indicated key."

After you reach 10 words per minute, you can graduate to Water World. Roberta says it has a "Niven/Pournelle feeling of entering a castle or museum that has been magically waiting for you," and she really likes the images. All told, Mario teaches typing about as well as most programs do, and this one's pretty.

If you like the zoo, get

The Animals, a multimedia CD-ROM about the San Diego Zoo, designed by Arnowitz, Inc., and published by The Software Toolworks. It's got what you'd expect and a lot more. There's a map and interesting ways to get around. There's a children's level and an adult lev

el. People will read to you.

Roberta's reaction: "This thing is fun. The zoo staff tell stories and don't just present a page of facts. They tell you about the workers and veterinarians in the zoo. It makes you interested in their jobs and leads kids to want to know more about those science careers. And that's hot stuff. Catch those girls when they're five or six."

There's also full video with sound. The Windows version runs in a tiny window within the small window the whole program uses, which makes it small indeed, but it's visible. There's a short clip about a condor puppet mother (a hand puppet used to feed a baby California condor), clips about lions, elephants socializing— that sort of thing.

Roberta says, "This is like Wing Commander, only they're learning something real." I have to agree. Try this one; you'll love it. Highly recommended.

The African American Experience: A History is a middle-schoollevel history textbook put onto a CDROM. (I suppose in some areas this would be considered high-school level, but it would have been middle school when I

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Pournelle

was a lad in rural Tennessee.)

It's a very good book. It's straight history, emphasizing the achievements of Africans while embedding them into the history of America and Western civilization. It begins in the Bronze Age, and the authors understand the difference between Egyptian and sub-Saharan African peoples, telling of the interactions and accomplishments of both. It presents the Nubians and Kushites in a fair manner. Moving to American colonial times, it tells of an African-American soldier aboard the boat that carried Washington across the Delaware (and gives a black-andwhite rendering of that famous picture; I saw the original when we did our White House briefing on the SSX program). In other words, this is good American history with emphasis on AfricanAmericans.

The CD-ROM reader is a good one. It runs under DOS and gives an excellent VGA screen image in crisp letters of a

I've been running Windows for Workgroups for a couple of months now, and I'm pretty happy with it. I like being able to keep resources, like Corel's clip-art files, on the network, available when I need to use them but out of the way.

good font. The navigation tools work quite well. There's a decent search engine. Some words are highlighted, but there's no hypertext capability; however, there is a reference icon that will pop up quotes from people like Ralph Ellison, and there are some cross-references that work. It's a good textbook with good reading tools. Alas, it is not a good example of a multimedia CD-ROM. As I mentioned, there's no hypertext. There's very little sound, and what there is isn't very helpful. For example, there's a picture of slaves working in a cotton field. There's a sound button; press that, and a voice tells you that this is a picture of slaves working in a cotton field. That's pointless: there's no need to read you the caption of a photo. Why should the voice messages act as if you can't read?

And worse, there's no source data: is this a photo or a drawing? If a photo, when was it taken, by whom and where? And, alas, that's not uncommon. There are a lot

of unattributed illustrations.

What this needs is more multimedia. Go to Cal Arts, where they have a wonderful collection of African-American music, and get some clips of that. Add more color illustrations. There is an "art gallery," and some of it is pretty good, but there needs to be more, and it could be presented better. Add maps, and make it easy to get to the appropriate one.

Having said all this, let me emphasize again that this is a good textbook, with good and well-organized content. Moreover, it's easily as well done a CD-ROM as many I have recommended in the past. It's only by comparison with the new generation of CD-ROMs—such as The Animals—that this one is disappointing. Given some of the awful junk that's put out as history nowadays, this is wonderful.

Good content, well-written text, with plenty of illustrations. Recommended.

I've been running Windows for

Workgroups for a couple of months now, and I'm pretty happy with it. I like being able to keep resources, like Corel's clip-art files, on the network, available when needed but out of the way. I like

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Pournelle

having my Pioneer CD-ROM drive available in addition to the local Sound Blaster Pro multimedia CD-ROM drive. I like being able to send stuff off to the Pioneer read/write optical drive and knowing I can get it back when I want it; all this and, thanks to Quarterdeck's QEMM-386 6.0 memory management system, I still have DOS windows of 620 KB. I like having Niven's machine linked into mine, so I can move our current work files back and forth and at the ^^^^^|a same time send a copy off to a glass disk for archiving just in case.

Windows for Workgroups isn't the perfect network, but for a small operation like mine, it's sure neat. It was easy to set up, it's easy to add to, and it takes no work to maintain it.

Windows for Workgroups isn't the perfect network, but for my operation it's sure neat.

There's a simple explanation. We use QEMM—I still think it's the best memory manager available—and in the 486/25 we exclude A000-A7FF, while we don't do that with the 486/33. CGA text uses that area. I can't afford to exclude A000A7FF in my main machine.

I suppose that requires explanation. I use the network to access the Pioneer CDROM drive, and for that matter any CDROM drive on any machine on the neth^^^^^^^^^^h work, but I still need a local drive for quick CD-ROM changes. Until Microsoft builds CDROM access tools into either DOS or Windows for Workgroups, I have to run MSCDEX on my local machine. That takes a 15KB chunk of high memory; and if I exclude A000

If you use Windows and you've got a couple of computers, think seriously of networking them. You'll be surprised at the increase in productivity—and Windows for Workgroups is about as painless a way to set up a network as I know.

Some weirdnesses remain, not fatal, but annoying.

One is the very odd behavior of my Sound Blaster Pro. When I launch a program that uses it, I get an error message: "Unable to play sound—the Sound Blaster is in use by another application." It then iconizes whatever I launched and tucks that icon down at the bottom of the screen with the other background icons. If I double-click on that icon, the application launches. It may or may not have sound; usually it does. This happens only on my Cheetah 486/33.

Incidentally, when I talk about the Cheetah 486/33 and Cheetah 486/25, I really should say 486/66 and 486/50. We put Intel's OverDrive chips in both those machines. They work fine, caused no problems whatever, and speeded things up something wonderful. I wish Intel's prices on diose chips would come down, but I sure have saved time.

There's an oddness lo the video quality, but I understand that one. I've got ATI Technologies' Graphics Ultra Pro boards with the latest 8514/A drivers (downloaded from BIX; the ATI BBS is almost always busy) in the two Cheetah systems. Both machines show CGA graphics; but CGA text is mush on the 486/33, while it's fine on the 486/25.

A7FF, I won't have big enough DOS windows. Since some of my programs (and almost all my games) require big DOS windows, I have to live with the result.

One of these days, I'm going to bite the bullet: I'll back everything up on the Palindrome DAT (digital audiotape) drive (which continues to work wonderfully well; I love the Palindrome system, hardware and software), erase Windows entirely, and reinstall from scratch. Since this will take hours, and my problems are nothing I can't live with, I'm in no tearing hurry to do it. But I suspect that's what it's going to take. Oh, well.

If you need a loan-amortization

program and you use Windows, Winmortization Pro 2.1 is a good choice. Put in your loan data, whether this is a U.S. or Canadian loan or mortgage (the defaults are different for the different cases), and you get your answers. There's a little spreadsheet and a file-saving capability. You can build up a spreadsheet to let you compare different options of payment periods, payments, compounding periods, and suchlike.

All told, it's a neat little program that makes good use of Windows. It's simple to use and easy to install. If you don't have a loan-amortization calculator, I can recommend this one.

Alas, when I installed it, I got an odd error message: "! Invalid object use." I've never seen that particular message before, and so far I haven't found anyone who can explain it. The really weird part is that

JUNE 1993 BYTE 215

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Pournelle

everything worked fine on the Gateway 2000 4DX2-66V and the Cheetah 486/25; it was only the Cheetah 486/33 that gave me that message.

It doesn't matter. When I installed the current version (2.1) of Winmortization Pro, the problem went away; now the program runs on every machine in the house.

Windows is a big and complex

program, and I'm not sure anyone really understands it. Why else would I get weirdnesses that no one can explain?

One of the Windows mysteries is "resources," which isn't exactly the same thing as memory. You can seemingly have plenty of memory and still run out of resources. Worse, resources use a different kind of math from what you're used to. 1 am told that my system, which tends to operate with about 63 percent resources free, is running on the low side, and when you get down to 25 percent resources free, it's time to panic.

One way to free up resources is to remove needless fonts. If you ever installed CorelDraw on your system, I guarantee you will have some. Many other programs add fonts as well, and every font eats some resources (as well as adding to the time it takes for Windows to load up and initialize). Worse, there is an absolute limit to the number you should load, and Windows doesn't keep you informed.

I recently received a review copy of Windows Programmer's Guide to Resources by Alex Leavens (Sams, 1992), and I thought I'd try to learn more. Alas, while the book is thorough and complete, it's for programmers and makes few concessions to the rest of us. Windows programmers need this book. The rest of us will have to wait for something simpler to appear.

Want to see Princess Leia turn

into Chewbacca the Wookie? ASDG's Morph Plus for the Amiga will do it, and it's something to see. There's also Gryphon's Morph, a similar program for the Mac; you can use it to create QuickTime movies, add animations, or just plain have fun.

Kay Yarborough Nelson's The Little System Seven Book (Peachpit Press, 1992) is the book to give an end user who's familiar with System 6 and wanting to use System 7. The real computer book of the

One of the Windows mysteries is "resources," which isn't exactly the same thing as memory. You can seemingly have plenty of memory and still run out of resources. Worse, resources use a different kind of math from what you're probably used to. One way to free up resources is to remove needless fonts.

month is by Rich Heimlich, et al., and titled Sound Blaster, The Official Book (Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 1993). This will give users and programmers alike what they need to know about the most popular sound board, and it's selling like hotcakes.

The book of the month is Charles Pellegrino's Unearthing Atlantis: An Archaeological Odyssey (Random House, 1991), with an introduction by Arthur C. Clarke. This is the story of Spiridon Marinatos's excavations on Thera. I spent a fascinating few days with Dr. Marinatos on Thera in the 1970s, and I've always intended to write a book much like this one; maybe now I won't have to. If you get through that and need some light reading, try Terry Pratchett's Witches Abroad (Signet, 1993), one of his Discworld madnesses.

The game of the month is Empire Deluxe from New World Computing. This is an upgraded edition of the classic game Empire. It has much better graphics—switch between 640 by 480 pixels and 800 by 600 pixels on the fly! Nifty. It has several new units and a scenario editor. If you liked Empire, you'll love this. Lord knows the original ate enough of my time. I'm also playing Accolade's Star Control II, a galactic role-playing game with quite an elaborately worked-out story line. I guarantee you will not finish this one in a few hours. Meanwhile, there's a lot going on at Chaos Manor. I have Mobidem, a Radiomail system that lets me receive and answer my E-mail on a notebook-size system that includes an HP 95LX. People who travel a lot will find this extremely useful: it even works when you're sitting on the taxiway at the airport.

We've got a new Forminco computer desk and chair. The chair looks odd, but it's sure comfortable; a full report after I've had a chance to use them. We've also got a new IBM PS/2 with OS/2 and a CDROM drive. I'm sure you'll hear a lot more about that one.

There's a One Stop Music Shop sound board for the Amiga from Blue Ribbon Soundworks that has 32 true stereo voices and software to let you create music.

Next month, all the above, a lot more on networking—I intend to install Novell's NetWare—and Video Spigot from

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486 66MHz systems > EISA Ethernet cards • Pen systems • Mobile computers • Multimedia upgrades • Unix servers • High res monitors • Color notebooks • SCSI disk drives

• PostScript printers

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Creative Labs, which they licensed from SuperMac Technology. Then there's LapLink V from Traveling Software. Get it. I'll tell you why next month. ■

Jerry Poumelle holds a doctorate in psychology and is a science fiction writer who also earns a comfortable living writing about computers

present and future. Jerry welcomes readers' comments and opinions. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Jerry Poumelle, do BYTE, One Phoenix Mill Lane, Peterborough, NH 03458. Please put your address on the letter as well as on the envelope. Due to the high volume of letters, Jerry cannot guarantee a personal reply. You can also contact him on BIX as "jerryp."

For More Information

The African American Experience: A History is a very good electronic textbook on CD-ROM that tells African-American history, but it lacks multimedia embellishments. The $129 disc, for DOS systems only, is available from Computerized Educational Resources, Ltd., 1313 Fifth St. SE, Suite 227, Minneapolis, MN 55414, 1612} 379-3928. Circle 1146 on Inquiry Card.

The Animals CD-ROM takes you on a tour through the world-famous San Diego Zoo. You'll love it. DOS, Windows, and Mac versions sell for $119.95 from The Software Toolworks, 60 Leveroni Court, Novato, CA 94949,1800) 2343088 or (4151 883-3000. Circle 1147.

Battle Chess is a $79.95 Windows chess program on CD-ROM with spectacular animations. It's available from Interplay Productions, 17922 Fitch Ave., Irvine, CA 92714, (800) 969-4263 or (714) 553-6678. Circle 1148.

Empire Deluxe is an upgraded edition of the classic Empire game for DOS systems. Much better graphics. $59.95 from New World Computing, 20301 Ventura Blvd., Suite 200, Woodland Hills, CA 91364, (818) 999-0606. Circle 1149.

Forecast Pro (for DOS or Windows) is a business forecasting package for nontechnical users. It uses Al technology and built-in statisticalanalysis software to analyze data. It sells for $595 from Business Forecast Systems, Inc., 68 Leonard St., Belmont, MA 02178, (617) 4845050. Circle 1150.

The Graphics Ultra Pro is one fast video accelerator board, and the 8514/A driver software gives you a roomy display space. Prices start at $599 from ATI Technologies, Inc., 3761 Victoria Park Ave., Scarborough, Ontario, Canada M1W 3S2, (416) 756-0718. Circle 1151.

Mario Teaches Typing is a $39.95 interactive touchtyping tutor for DOS systems. It's available from Interplay Productions, 17922 Fitch Ave., Irvine, CA 92714, (800) 969-4263 or (714) 5536678. Circle 1152.

A big hit at last year's MacWorld Expo, Morph image manipulations only get better with time. It costs $149 from Gryphon Software Corp., 3298 Governor Dr., P.O. Box 221075, San Diego, CA 92122, (619) 536-8815. Circle 1153.

Morph Plus is a sophisticated morphing program that's available only for Amiga users. The package costs $295 from ASDG, 925 Stewart St., Madison, Wl 53713, (608) 273-6585. Circle 1154.

The Creative Labs Multimedia Upgrade Kit adds sound and CD-ROM capabilities to your PC with the Sound Blaster Pro audio card, a CDROM drive, and software. Kits start at $649.95 from Creative Labs, Inc., 1901 McCarthy Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035, (800) 9985227 or (408) 428-6600. Circle 1155.

If your system has an OverDrive socket, Intel's OverDrive processors will double the clock speed of the internal CPU core while maintaining the existing clock speed of the external system. Prices start at $449 from Intel Corp., 2200 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95054, (800) 538-3373. Circle 1156.

PS-Plot 1.12 is no Systat, but it gets the job done for just $299 and has spectacular graphics. It's available from Polysoft, P.O. Box 526368, Salt Lake City, UT 84152, (8011 485-0466. Circle 1157.

QEMM-3866.0 is still the best memory manager available for the PC. It sells for $99.95 from Quarterdeck Office Systems, Inc., 150 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405, (800) 354-3222 or (310) 392-9851. Circle 1158.

Star Control II is a $59.95 galactic role-playing game for DOS machines. It's available from Accolade, 5300 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 500, San Jose, CA 95129, (8001 245-7744 or (408) 985-1700. Circle 1159.

Systat is a professional statistical-analysis program that's available for DOS, Windows, and the Mac. All versions are $895 from Systat, Inc., 1800 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201, (708) 864-5670. Circle 1160.

The View from Earth CD-ROM for the PC and Mac tells you and shows you everything you ever wanted to know about eclipses. It sells for $79.99 from Warner New Media, 3500 West Olive Ave., Suite 1050, Burbank, CA 91505, (800) 593-6334 or (818) 955-9999. Circle 1161.

Windows for Workgroups provides workgroup applications and file services for creating a peer LAN. It even runs concurrently with NetWare. I'm pretty happy with it. Prices start at $249.95 from Microsoft Corp., 1 Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052, (800) 426-9400 or (206) 882-8080. Circle 1162.

The Winmortization Pro 21 amortization calculator for Windows is a neat little program that lets you quickly compare different payment periods, payments, and compounding periods. It sells for $99.95 from Etter Industries, Inc., 82 Shoreview Dr., Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada B4A 1V5, (800) 565-2662 or (902) 835-6060. Circle 1163.

218 BY'

E JUNE 1993

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

I

1

I

'

ft

i

f f!l .

Decider, decider, decider.

Down-sizing, upgrading, multi-platform environments. Today's computer hardware issues are more numerous, more difficult, more critical than ever. So how do companies make decisions?

According to a new IntelliQuest study, they turn to the only person qualified to decide. Someone like Bob Barrett. A person with 18 years in computers. Who oversees a technical staff of 75. And whose buying decisions and approvals affect nearly 3,000 users worldwide.

In other words, they turn to the BYTE reader. A full 92% of whom control the products and brands their companies buy.

If you want to reach an audience as influential as this, then yours is an easy decision—advertise in BYTE.

BYTE reader Robert N. Barrett, Vice President Management Information Systems, M/A-COM, Inc.

SMB.. '^iVwIHi''

^as*

It doesn't g

© 1992 BYTE, a McGraw-Hill publication. For a presentation of the Ma

BVTI

The pc Gets More

What's New

Hardware

PORTABLE PRESENTATIONS

The Demo Key Geni ($289) portable unit lets you display your computer-generated slide show presentations on a color TV. The device, from Arthur Krolman Enterprises (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), has a VGA output port and an external adjuster to sharpen NTSC output frequency. The unit is particularly geared toward programs such as

Harvard Graphics, Microsoft PowerPoint 3.0, CorelDraw Show, and Lotus Freelance Graphics. Phone: (800) 388-3639 or (416) 931-7039.

Circle 1135 on Inquiry Card.

NONNUMERIC COPROCESSOR

From Microway (Strommen, Norway) comes the MS 160 Search Engine ($1665; 238.76 kroner), a PC-based nonnumeric coprocessor board for text processing and fuzzy information retrieval. The MS 160 can search through unstructured text and identify words and sentences at a rate equivalent to 64,000 A4 pages per second, Microway says. The 10.5MB board is expandable to 320-MB of DRAM. Phone: +47 6 89 2020.

Circle 1138 on Inquiry Card.

Hybrid Notebook/Pen Computer

The PenExec ($3000) combines a traditional notebook with a keyboard and a pen computer in a 5.5-pound magnesium box. Based on the Grid Convertible, PenExec comes with DOS 6.0, Windows 3.1, and Windows for Pen Computing installed, as well as demo versions of PenWare's PenCell spreadsheet and Slate's AST Pen Essentials.

PenExec's hinged, backlit monochrome VGA screen hides a high-resolution, 400-dpi digitizer that is activated by the unit's cordless pen. The unit includes a 120- or 200-MB hard drive, a Type II PCMCIA slot, 2 or 4 MB of upgradable RAM, and AST's flash ROM BIOS.

Contact: AST Research, Inc., Irvine, CA, (800) 876-4278 or (714) 727-4141.

Circle 1131 on Inquiry Card.

MAC MAGNETO-OPTICAL

Two MO systems from Ricoh (San Jose, CA) are the 128-MBper-cartridge Transporter Mac (internal, $1795; external, $1995) and the external 600-MB-percartridge HyperSpace Mac ($3995). With Insignia's RapidTrak driver software, the units are System 6- and System 7compatible. Caching provides access times and read data transfer rates of 12.4 ms and 1572 KBps for the Transporter and 13.8 ms and 1966 KBps for the HyperSpace.

Phone: (800) 955-3453 or (408) 432-8800.

Circle 1145 on Inquiry Card.

MINI P0WERB00K ETHERNET LINK

The cassette-size, 12-ounce Mini EN/SC SCSI adapter ($459) links PowerBooks to lOBase-T and Thin Ethernet networks. Auto-sensing ports on this device from Asante (San Jose, CA) allow you to change from one type of network to the other without setting any jumpers or switches. The unit also provides Ethernet docking for closed desktop Macs such as the Classic. Phone: (800) 662-9686 or (408) 435-8388.

Circle 1144 on Inquiry Card.

HIGH-PERFORMANCE UPSES

The modular Matrix series of UPSes from American Power Conversion (West Kingston, RI) includes the 3000-VA Matrix 3000 ($3499) and the 5000-VA Matrix 5000 ($5199). The units' hot-swappable components, such as the SmartCell microprocessor-controlled battery packs, virtually eliminate downtime. Via peripherals, the UPSes provide support for SNMP and multiple server shutdown. Phone: (800) 800-4272 or (401) 789-5735.

Circle 1136 on Inquiry Card.

PORTABLE POSTSCRIPT

Portable and PostScript-compatible, the 6-ppm Mobile

WriterPS ($999) from Mannesmann Tally (Kent, WA) has 35 fonts as well as Centronics parallel and AppleTalk connectivity. A built-in nickel-cadmium battery supports 150 pages of printing per charge. An integrated fold-out sheet feeder holds 80 pages of letter, legal, or A4 paper.

Phone: (800) 843-1347 or (206) 251-5500.

Circle 1284 on Inquiry Card.

PCMCIA MEMORY

Epson's (Torrance, CA) creditcard-size SRAM cards (from

$169.99) are available in 512KB, 1-MB, and 2-MB capacities. JEIDA-/PCMCIA-compatible, the 200-ns cards incorporate a lithium main battery and a nonreplaceable, rechargeable lithium subbattery.

Phone:(800)922-8911 or (310) 782-0770.

Circle 1143 on Inquiry Card.

DOCK YOUR HP 95LX

A docking station for the HP 95LX palmtop, the SmartDock ComStation ($399.95) provides a built-in fax modem, a serial-parallel converter, DataExchange software for PCs or Macs, and rechargeable batteries. Sparcom (Corvallis, OR) also has available a SmartDock PrintStation ($169.95). Phone: (503) 757-8416.

Circle 1275 on Inquiry Card.

220 BYTE JUNE 1993

Hardware

CMOS BACKUP

The Clovis Point (Rochester, VT) CMOS backup battery CLife ($25) connects to the spare power source on your computer's power supply. The C-Life contains a nickel-cadmium power pack and a charging circuit with current derived from a drive power-output cable. The device has a nominal output voltage of 4.5 V. Phone: (802) 767-9292.

Circle 1283 on Inquiry Card.

LAN PRINT SERVER

TheLANpress 1+1 ($695) from Castelle (Santa Clara, CA) is a self-contained print server for NetWare lOBase-Tand lOBase2 Ethernet networks. Small enough to fit in your hand, the server has a parallel and a serial port and works anywhere on the LAN. You can optimize the speed of the server so that it is compatible with older, slower printers without compromising the performance of newer, higher-speed printers on the LAN. Phone: (408) 496-0474.

Circle 1.271 on Inquiry Card.

A BUDDY FOR YOUR LASERJET

Autotime's (Portland, OR) LaserBuddy ($249) is a label- and envelope-printing device that attaches to any Hewlett-Packard LaserJet or compatible printer. The LaserBuddy automatically scans any document sent to the printer and captures an address from within the document. You can then print the address on labels or envelopes with the push of a button. Phone: (503) 452-8577.

Circle 1272 on Inquiry Card.

A MONITOR FOR PCS AND MACS

The ViewSonic 17 ($1599), a flat-square, noninterlaced color monitor from ViewSonic (Walnut, CA), features a DQ-DAF (double quadrupole dynamic astigmatism focus) gun. The monitor also has an AIM Shad

Clean-As-a-Whistle Ink Jet

With a drop-on-demand, 128-nozzle thermal ink-jet print engine, the microMarc printer's ($419) extended-life ink-jet cartridge ($40) lasts for up to 1100 pages, Tl says. The 300dpi unit prints 300 cps in letter-quality mode. An automatic sheet feeder handles up to 100 sheets of letter, legal, and A4 paper in portrait and landscape format; a manual feeder handles envelopes. The microMarc includes PCL level 3 emulation, three built-in font families, and DOS and Windows compatibility. The acoustic noise level of the printer is rated at less than 46 dB; the unit weighs 12.1 pounds, is 15.7 by 13 by 5.6 inches, and includes a parallel port. Contact: Texas Instruments, Inc., Austin, TX, (800) 527-3500 or (817) 771-5856.

Circle 1132 on Inquiry Card.

ow mask, ViewMatch color control that matches printer color output, and a 1600- by 1280-pixel resolution. The drop-down control panel includes color tuning, moire on/off and tuning, video input voltage, and horizontal and vertical size and positioning.

Phone: (800) 888-8583 or (909) 869-7976.

Circle 1273 on Inquiry Card.

OPEN CLOSED CAPTIONS

The Closed Caption Decoder ($89) plug-in board and software reveals normally hidden TV closed captions and text. The International Computers (Wauwatosa, WI) package acquires the captions from a TV signal plugged into the FCC-approved

board via the supplied cable and .

displays the captions on your

computer screen. You can save

the captions to a file or print

them.

Phone: (414) 764-9000.

Circle 1274 on Inquiry Card.

ADDRESSING SYSTEM HAS NETWORK CONNECTIONS

Designed for stand-alone or network use, the Address Express (from $795) for PCs and Macs is an on-line addressing system from CoStar (Greenwich, CT). The 12-pound printer with its addressing software prints envelopes, postcards, and cut-sheet labels. The software manages its own mailing lists and prints lists from other programs. The sys

tem also prints U.S. Postal Service-approved Postnet bar codes for speedier mail delivery. Phone: (800) 426-7827 or (203) 661-9700.

Circle 1276 on Inquiry Card.

AUDIO/VIDEO COMPRESSION

An audio/video compression board that supports Microsoft Video for Windows, Video Wizard ($1950) from Advanced Digital Systems (Cerritos, CA) provides 30-frame-per-second real-time audio/video recording. You can display the captured video sequence full-screen or as a scalable, movable picture. An on-screen control pad, which simulates a TV/VCR remote controller, provides the user interface.

Phone: (800) 888-5244 or (310) 865-1432.

Circle 1277 on Inquiry Card.

A FLEXIBLE VIDEO CAMERA

FlexCam ($595), an integrated camera and microphone for desktop video and audio communications, produces color NTSC video and industry-standard, line-level audio output. From VideoLabs (Minneapolis, MN), the '/a-inch camera with two directional stereo microphones is compatible with most video-digitizing boards for Macs and with Microsoft Video for Windows. Phone: (612) 897-1995.

Circle 1141 on Inquiry Card.

5

JUNE 1993 KYXE 22a.

IVliBHUM Hardware

A TWO-NETWORK PRINTER

Completely transparent to the user, the Pacific DirectNet print server card ($699) allows NetWare and TCP/IP network users to access the same printer simultaneously. The Pacific Data Products (San Diego, CA) card can locate a LaserJet printer anywhere on either network, eliminating the need to attach the printer directly to the server. The card is upgradable via programmable flash memory. Phone: (619) 552-0880.

Circle 1139 on Inquiry Card.

ADD A DRIVE TO YOUR PS/2

The QED (Quick Easy Disk) Drive System (from $650) from Sigma Data (New London, NH) is an add-in drive for PS/2 Model 70 computers. The internally mounted drive and controller operate as a second hard drive. The QED disk controller card replaces the existing disk controller card, and the IDE drive mounts in the B drive bay. Phone: (800) 446-4525.

Circle 11.40 on Inquiry Card.

SIMPLIFIED NETWORKING

Available in configurations for lOBase-T or 10Base-2, the software-configurable TC5143 Ethernet adapter ($159) from Thomas-Conrad (Austin, TX) is an 8-/16-bit switchless adapter with four ICs and surface-mount technology. Based on National Semiconductor's AT/LANtic chip, the TC5143 is configured for plugand-play ease of use. The company's Ether Tools menu-driv

en setup and diagnostic utility and Quickset command-line utility are included with the board.

Phone: (800) 332-8683 or (512) 836-1935.

Circle 1282 on Inquiry Card.

COLOR PLOTTING

Encad (San Diego, CA) is shipping the Novajet II ($7995) wide-format plotter. A proprietary dithering algorithm produces a 300-dpi unidirectional color mode that runs four passes per line and minimizes bleeding and buckling by reducing the ink volume per pass. Enhanced black-and-white plotting is also provided.

Phone: (800) 356-2808 or (619) 578-4070.

Circle 1280 on Inquiry Card.

SMART CONNECTION FOR PORTABLES

A portable adapter for connecting notebook computers to token-ring networks, the Smart 16/4 Pocket Ringnode ($895) runs at either 4 or 16 MBps. The Madge Networks (San Jose, CA) adapter, which connects to your computer's parallel port, is available in two models to support UTP and STP cabling. Phone: (800) 876-2343 or (408) 955-0700.

Circle 1281 on Inquiry Card.

WORKGROUP PRINTER

The QMS 420 Print System ($1995) 600-dpi laser printer from QMS (Mobile, AL) is rated at 4 ppm. The printer's parallel, serial, and LocalTalk interfaces

Imaging System Cuts Paper Consumption

Paperless 1 ($6995), a complete document-imaging system that connects directly to your PC or Mac, lets you file your paper documents or images electronically. Novell- and AppleShare-compatible, the PI lets you share your data with others on your network so they, too, can scan, file, view, or send documents. The system includes a gray-scale 400-dpi PI scanner, a 650-MB PI optical drive, a 5'A-iiicli PI optical drive, and PI software. The four main functions of the software are scanning, retrieval, template design, and administrating. A password-protection window and a paperless print option are also included. Pinnacle Micro claims that the PI system will reduce paper consumption in the office by 50 percent.

Contact: Pinnacle Micro Imaging, Irvine, CA, (800) 5537070 or (714) 727-3300.

Circle 1133 on Inquiry Card.

are simultaneously active; each interface has a user-configurable input buffer. The system has a standard 6 MB of RAM, expandable to 10 MB via SIMM modules. QMS ESP technology provides printer-resident emulation-switching capabilities. Phone: (205) 633-4300.

Circle 1285 on Inquiry Card.

DOLBY SOUND FROM YOUR PC

A playback-only, digital audio card for Dolby AC-2 and other compressed audio formats, the

Antex SX-7 ($995) from Antex Electronics (Gardena, CA) provides real-time direct-from-disk decoding of files recorded using Dolby AC-2 bit-rate reduction technique. The Windows 3.1compatible board has playback sample rates up to 50 kHz. Phone:(310)532-3092.

Circle 1137 on Inquiry Card.

ACCELERATE IN WINDOWS

Diamond Computer Systems' (Sunnyvale, CA) latest accelerator cards, the ISA bus SpeedStar Pro ($169) and the VESA localbus SpeedStar Pro VLB ($179), provide driver support for Windows 3.1, OS/2, AutoCAD, Lotus 1-2-3, Microsoft Word, and WordPerfect. The boards include 1 MB of DRAM video memory and a menu-driven installation program. The SpeedStar Pro VLB comes with Halo Desktop Imager, Panacea's TurboDLD Deluxe, and Diamond's TurboWindows. Phone: (408) 736-2000.

Circle 1279 on Inquiry Card.

222 BYTE JUNE 1993

Now, creating a multimedia CD-ROM is as easy as point and click.

,

. Mulli-lreck Compact Disc Producllon

Multimedia Formattei

HUM 1 II HUM fun:): ) [ Add Hud in Track )

ELECTFIONIC

01 CD DA Tilt)

( ^ncel ] [j M..I.I )]

On the PC, simple point and click CDROM mastering with Sony's Multimedia ISO Formatter.

Multi-track disc mastering, by simple point and click mouse control on the Macintosh.

Multimedia Formatter available tor:

MS-DOS

Macintosh

If you demand a simple, comprehensive solution to creating multimedia CD-ROMs, here's everything you need. The Multimedia Formatter software series from Sony Electronic Publishing combined with the Sony CDW-900E CD-ROM write-once recording unit gives you the premier multimedia CD-ROM mastering system. Available for both PC and Macintosh, Multimedia Formatter software enables you to output a real or virtual ISO 9660 premaster image, CD-XA, CD audio, electronic book (8cm) or CD-I. Plus, it supports the new Sony MMCD. Engineered to support Red Book audio and Mode 1 and Mode 2 files, Multimedia Formatter doesn't require a huge hard disc and accommodates 2X speed recording. Plus you can master multiple discs simultaneously. So if you're in the market for a multimedia CD-ROM solution, choose Multimedia Formatter for PC or Mac. It makes mastering your next CD-ROM as easy as point and click.

The Multimedia Formatter software and the Sony CDW-900E are available through the PDSC division of Sony Electronic Publishing, which specializes in software development products, training and engineering.

For further information: TEL: (800)654-8802 FAX: (408) 372-9267

The Multimedia Formatter with the Sony CDW-900E CD-ROM recording unit, delivers a total CD-ROM mastering system.

SONY

Circle 177 on Inquiry Card.

ITOtcTO Hardware

VIDEO PROJECTION

An active-matrix LCD color projection panel, the PanelBook ($5995) is compatible with domestic and international video formats and power sources. The notebook-size panel from In Focus Systems (Tualatin, OR) projects full-motion video computer graphics.

Phone: (800) 327-7231 or

(503) 692-4968.

Circle 1142 on Inquiry Card.

PCMCIA LAN ADAPTER

The EthernetCard ($299) is a PCMCIA card from Linksys (Irvine, CA) that provides access to a standard Ethernet network. The credit card-size LAN adapter, with 16 KB of RAM, 128 KB of flash RAM, and automatic configuration, supports lOBase2 or lOBase-T networks.

Phone: (800) 326-7114 or

(714)261-1288.

Circle 1278 on Inquiry Card.

POCKET MODEM WITH FAX

General DataComm's (Middlebury, CT) GDC 914 Pocket ($725) is a full-featured V.32bis modem with integrated V.17 fax support and speeds as high as 14,400 bps. The unit measures 5 by 2.2 by 1.2 inches. Phone: (203) 574-11 AS'.

Circle 1286 on Inquiry Card.

TRUE-COLOR SCANNING

The Sagitta Color (US$299: NT$7714), a true-color hand scanner from Qtronix (Taipei, Taiwan), gives you access to unlimited dither patterns and independently controlled x and y axes. The 800-dpi scanner is Windows 3.x-compatible and

includes a TWAIN scanner driver, the Prolmage imaging utility, and the Perceive Personal OCR.

Phone:+8862 7163178

Circle 1325 on Inquiry Card.

ADD SPECIAL EFFECTS TO VIDEOS

The Screen Machine II video overlay board ($1203; £795) integrates live video in true color at a 1024- by 768-pixel resolution. The Magnifeye (London, U.K.) board supports Microsoft Video for Windows; its digital filtering while recording Microsoft Video Movies lets you play back the movies on any Windows PC without additional hardware. Phone: +44 71 221 8024.

Circle 1326 on Inquiry Card.

SBUS SPEEDSTER

A single-width SBus accelerator for Sun SparcStations and compatibles, the RM03 ($3837.50; £2500) from Riverside Machines (Cambridge. U.K.) is based on

the 860XR RISC processor. Available in speeds of 25, 33, and 40 MHz, the accelerator card has 2 or 8 MB of memory. The card's 64-bit floating-point coprocessor operates in parallel. Phone: +44 223 321083.

Circle 1327 on Inquiry Card.

COLOR ANIMATION

Commodore Business Machines (West Chester. PA) has added the Amiga 4000-030 ($2399) to its line of desktop computers. The unit comes with AmigaDOS release 3; 2 MB of chip (i.e., video) RAM: 2 MB of fast, standard 32-bit RAM; and a 120-MB hard drive. The AGA custom coprocessor chip set lets you display and animate graphics in multiple resolutions at up to 256,000 colors. Plume: (215) 431-9100.

Circle 1328 on Inquiry Card.

EXPANDABLE HUB

A miniature nine-port Ethernet hub that you can link with five

Modular Fault-Tolerant Subsystem for OS/2

Raidion LT (from $8960), a modular fault-tolerant disk array for OS/2 and LAN server-based systems, can be configured as a twomodule 500-MB mirrored system or as a 28-GB system, with various configurations in between. Each module has its own 3V2-inch drive, power supply, and cooling fan. The Raidion LT is hot

swappable in all configurations. Thus, you can replace a failed module at any time without interrupting array or host system operations. You control the system through a GUI directly from your workstation or console as you do any standard OS/2 application. Contact: Micropolis Corp., Chatsworth, CA, (818) 709-3300.

Circle 1134 on Inquiry Card.

other identical hubs, the Patlon Model 2108 ($425) from Patton Electronics (Gaithersburg, MD) lets you create a single repeater set of eight AUI connections and 48 lOBase-T connections. The 1.6- by 5.5- by 7.5-inch hub supports AUI distances to 165 feet and twisted-pair distances to 330 feet. Each lOBase-T port has an LED status indicator. Phone: (301) 975-1000.

Circle 1329 on Inquiry Card.

PCMCIA DRIVES

The MCDisk-1 ($675) PCMCIA memory-card drive from Gespac (Mesa, AZ) is designed to interface with any desktop PC or workstation through a SCSI connection. The external drive has a built-in power supply, SCSI address select, and two SCSI connectors. Phone: (602) 962-5559.

Circle 1330 on Inquiry Card.

Integral Peripherals' (Boulder, CO) PocketFile PCMCIA drives (from $495) are PCMCIA Type Ill-compatible. The drives, available in 42- and 85-MB capacities, have an average seek time of 18 ms and a 32-KB buffer. Phone: (303) 449-8009.

Circle 1331 on Inquiry Card.

PUT TV ON YOUR COMPUTER

TelevEyes/Pro ($799.95) from Digital Vision (Dedham, MA) features multiflicker filtering and genlock. The computer-to-TV video scan converter works with PC VGA and Mac output. Phone: (617) 329-5400.

Circle 1332 on Inquiry Card.

REMOVABLE MAC DRIVE

The hammerDiskl05 removable cartridge drive ($1299) from FWB (San Francisco, CA) has a 105-MB capacity, an average seek time of 14.5 ms, and a rotational speed of 3600 rpm. It ships with Hard Disk ToolKit SCSI utility software. Phone:(415)474-8055.

Circle 1333 on Inquiry Card.

224 BYTE JUNE 1993

It's fast. It's small. It's reliable. It's incredibly compatible.

Backpack is the best selling parallel port tape drive on the market. We'd like to tell you why.

With Backpack, tape backup is quick and simple. Just plug it into your printer port and it's ready to use. No hardware conflicts, no slots required. One model fits all IBM PCs, compatibles and portables, regardless of CPU speed.

Backpack can store up to 250MB on a tape using data compression, is completely QIC80 compatible, and reads QIC40 tapes. With its compact size

and I Mbps transfer rate, Backpack is the smallest and fastest parallel port tape drive you can buy.

Micro Solutions is dedicated to the perfection of backup technology,

CD-ROM, hard drive, and diskette Backpack drives are also available. Call today for ordering information and a dealer nearest you.

Telephone 815.756.3411 FAX 815.756.2928

MicrnEolutianS 32 West Lincoln Highway DeKalb, IL 60115

See us at Comdex, Booth #2348

Circle 114 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 115).

What's New

Software

TECHNICAL REFERENCES ON DISK

Three Electronic Handbooks from MathSoft (Cambridge, MA) provide interactive, easily accessible technical data when used with Mathcad 3.1. The three titles—Theory and Problems of Electric Circuits from Schaums' Outline Series ($69, McGrawHill). Topics in Mathcad: Advanced Math ($99, MathSoft), and Electrical Engineering ($99, MathSoft)—give you access to formulas, constants, and diagrams. You can change parameters and plots and watch Mathcad calculate answers in the handbook or save the answers for later reference.

Phone: (800) 628-4223 or (617)577-1017.

Circle 1305 on Inquiry Card.

MERGE FRAMEMAKER WITH YOUR RELATIONAL DATABASE

IXOS-FrameMerger ($2995) links Frame Technologies' FrameMaker desktop publishing software with most relational databases. The software, from 1XOS Software (Munich, Ger

many), is based on the company's IXView/SQL graphical query generator for Unix relational databases. Without any knowledge of programming or SQL, you can create mailmerged documents and make ad hoc queries of Oracle and Informix relational databases. Editing tools let you create customized communications and automate document production. You can view the results of IXOS-FrameMerger on the screen or save them to a file. Phone: +49 89 460050.

Circle 1292 on Inquiry Card.

ONGOING INFORMATION SHARING

OnGo Office ($70 per 100 users) and OnGo Write/Paint/Draw ($298 per 100 users) are the first components of the modular and scalable OnGo information-sharing software from Uniplex Integration Systems (Dallas, TX). OnGo Office is a native X.400 mail system that can transport documents over TCP/IP, OSI networks, and LAN networks such as NetWare and LAN Manager. The module includes E

Slide Through Your Spreadsheet Updates

Sliders & Dials ($79.95), a spreadsheet application for Excel for Windows, provides interactive tools for data analysis, forecasting, planning, and what-if analysis. The software lets you graphically manipulate data at predefined

increments while watching your worksheet or chart change to reflect the impact of your manipulation. You can assign as many as 14 virtual dials or sliders to worksheet cells and manipulate each cell's value by moving the position of the pointer.

Contact: Golden Technologies. Inc., Lake Oswego. OR, (800) 653-2201 or (503) 620-2201.

Circle 1287 on Inquiry Card.

mail, filtering, calendaring, routing, and directory and resource management. OnGo Write/Paint/ Draw is a document publisher for creating complex documents that include text, tables, graphics, and images. Phone:(214)717-0068.

Circle 1294 on Inquiry Card.

CREATE A HABITAT ON YOUR COMPUTER

A desktop manager for Windows, Habitat ($99.95) is also a network manager for LAN administrators (from $349). From Computer Knacks (Shrewsbury, NJ), Habitat supports data objects, custom and multiple desktops, group and ad hoc toll launches, and full drag-and-drop under Windows 3.1. You can configure Habitat to replace the Program Manager or to supplement it.

Phone: (800) 551-1433 or (908) 530-0262.

Circle 1296 on Inquiry Card.

VIEW YOUR DATA IN REAL TIME

The Windows-based application Realtime Vision ($395) collects and graphically displays constantly changing business and manufacturing data in real time. The Laboratory Technologies (Wilmington, MA) product lets you monitor your business activities by connecting the graphical display to business databases. The software also converts data into trend charts, digital readouts, analog meters, and dials to let you watch the data as it changes. Phone: (508) 657-5400.

Circle 1300 on Inquiry Card.

< 3-D MODELING

DesignWorkshop 1.0 ($895) from Artifice (Eugene. OR) is 3-D CAD software for the Mac. You can create, move, resize, and reshape models graphically with a 3-D crosshair in a live perspective-modeling space. The software uses a MacDraw-style interface. Phone: (503) 345-7421.

Circle 1295 on Inquiry Card.

PC TELECONFERENCING

An audio-visual PC teleconferencing package from Modus Software (Los Altos, CA). Synconference ($395) lets you present and discuss electronic documents on two remotely linked computers. Synconference is compatible with Windows 3.1 and works with a standard modem running at 1200 bps or higher. During a remote presentation, Synconference acts as two synchronized slide projectors; a special feature can exchange the roles of presenter and listener at any time. You can create and rearrange the slide stacks from various bitmap files and save images in bit formats such as BMP, GIF, TIF, and PCX. Phone: (415) 964-1936.

Circle 1302 on Inquiry Card.

DATA ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION

Research Systems' (Boulder, CO) IDL for Windows ($1500) is a software environment for application development, analysis, and visualization of any type of data. The software incorporates the features and capabilities of Unix-based versions, including a built-in GUI toolkit, 2-D and 3-D plotting, and state-of-the-art volume visualization. Phone: (303) 786-9900.

Circle 1298 on Inquiry Card.

226 BYTE JUNE 1993

Software

Present Projects Graphically

Flowchart ($59), a Windows business graphics program, lets you create and edit presentation-quality diagrams and flowcharts. You can customize charts, use automatic line routing between symbols, and incorporate special effects such as 3-D symbols and overlays. The program imports BMP and WMF files. Horizontal and vertical formats you can choose from include geometric shapes, straight and curved lines, and directional symbols.

Contact: Prisma Software Corp., Cedar Falls, IA, (800) 437-2685 or (319) 266-7141.

Circle 1288 on Inquiry Card.

ADD QC CHARTS TO YOUR

SOFTWARE

The QCTalk ($145) charting program from Omega Engineering (Stamford, CT) adds quality-control charts to existing software, produces X and R charts, calculates quality-control statistics, and captures data directly from other programs. The memory portion of the DOS- and Windows-compatible program reads numbers directly from the screen to other programs. Phone: (203)359-1660.

Circle 1299 on Inquiry Card.

FONTS FOR WINDOWS, MAC

A library of 303 fully scalable PostScript and TrueType fonts on a CD-ROM, Key Fonts Pro ($39.95) includes a single CDROM for Windows 3.1 and Mac use. Each font package from

SoftKey Software Products (Boca Raton, FL) contains 216 classic typefaces and 87 specialty display fonts usable in portrait or landscape mode.

Phone: (407) 367-0005.

Circle 1307 on Inquiry Card.

POP-UP DRAWING VIEWER FOR AUTOCAD RELEASE 12

RxEasyView ($195), from Norway's Rasterex, is available from Expert Graphics (Atlanta, GA). Viewing features of this utility for AutoCAD Release 12 allow you to search for any drawing on any specification, open a drawing or insert it into an existing drawing, view 16 drawings simultaneously,

and view small, quick-view, or full-screen displays. The utility works with any VGA and highresolution graphics board and supports DOS, Windows, and Sun operating systems. A version that uses AutoCAD Release 12's Proteus interface ($295) lets you run outside AutoCAD as well as inside. Phone: (800) 648-7249 or (404) 320-0800.

Circle 1291 on Inquiry Card.

CREATE APPLICATIONS FASTER

Sheridan Software Systems' (Melville, NY) 3-D Widgets ($109) lets you create applications for Windows that give Visual C++-based applications a state-of-the-art look and feel. With 3-D Widgets, you can apply prebuilt objects to dialogs in the Visual C++ AppStudio toolbox without needing extra coding. Phone: (516) 753-0985.

Circle 1301 on Inquiry Card.

SAFE MAC BACKUP

SafeDeposit ($99 through July, then $189) gives you automated backup for your Macintosh files. The application, from Dayna Communications (Salt Lake City, UT), creates a backup plan that determines which files to back up, as well as where, when, and how to back them up. Backup can occur continuously, on command, at system shutdown, when you insert a disk, or at a specified time.

Phone: (801) 269-7394.

Circle 1303 on Inquiry Card.

Software Update

The Mathcad 4.0 ($495) technical calculation program from MathSoft (Cambridge, MA) now offers the SmartMath intelligent interface. SmartMath's symbolic/numeric optimization feature uses Mathcad's symbolic processor to simplify expressions before they are computed. Version 4 also supports 32-bit processing using Microsoft's Win32s libraries.

Phone: (800) 628-4223 or (617)577-1017. Circle 1315 on Inquiry Card.

Modular Terminal Server 3.0

(8-port terminal server,

$1695) from Specialix

(Campbell, CA) adds Reverse

Telnet, SNMP, and multiple

printer support for up to nine

printers.

Phone: (800) 423-5364 or

(408) 378-7919.

Circle 1319 on Inquiry Card.

PackRat 5.0 ($395) from Polaris Software (San Diego, CA) adds customizable folders, forms and lists, and objects; the Instant Options menu; OLE objects; the PackRatBASIC macro language; scripts; and SmartStart. Improved functions are action-bar customization, data transfer, E-mail, and integration. Phone: (800) 722-5728 or (619) 674-6500.

Circle 1320 on Inquiry Card.

Tivoli Systems' (Austin, TX) Tivoli Management Environment Release 1.6 now has configuration and change services that simplify and automate setting up, maintaining, and changing enterprise-wide networks of client/server computers.

Phone: (512) 794-9070. Circle 1318 on Inquiry Card.

JUNE 1993 BYTE 22T

What's New

Software

Document Imaging

Watermark Discovery Edition - map2.tif

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Watermark ($149), a Windows document-imaging software package, uses OLE technology to enable Windows applications that previously were not image capable to manipulate, copy, store, and distribute images of incoming faxed and scanned documents. The software lets you integrate paper or fax-based documents as Image Objects into existing Windows applications such as E-mail and databases.

Contact: Watermark Software, Inc., Burlington, MA, (617)229-2600.

Circle 1289 on Inquiry Card.

GAIN BUSINESS STRATEGY INSIGHT

Focusing on nonfinancial factors that affect a business strategy, Business Insight for Windows ($495) provides graphical analyses relating to your business and marketing strategies. In addition to pointing out strengths, weaknesses, and inconsistencies, Business Resource Software's (Austin, TX) Business Insight provides hyperlinked text and graphics, a way to compare alternative strategies, and a tracing facility that lets you follow the program's logic in arriving at conclusions.

Phone: (800) 423-1228 or (512) 251-7541.

Circle 1297 on Inquiry Card.

UNIX DISK MIRRORING

A disk-mirroring product for SCO Unix and Open Desktop, VxMirror ($595) features full disk-mirroring functionality for standalone, networked, and replicated system configurations. The Veritas Software (Santa Clara, CA) product provides streamlined procedures for setting up mirrored configurations. Informational messages appear during installation, and messages that require reconfirmation appear if you try any action that might damage data. Phone: (408) 727-1222.

Circle 1306 on Inquiry Card.

STATISTICS AND GRAPHICS IN WINDOWS

Statistica/W (about $535; £790), is a Windows 3.1-compatible statistical data analysis and scientific graphics system from StatSoft (Old Hatfield, Herts, U.K.). The software maintains data files in spreadsheet format and lets you customize graphics images via drawing and scaling options. File import and export facilities are included. Phone: +44 462 482822.

Circle 1308 on Inquiry Card.

OPEN THE TRANSOM TO WINDOWS

Transom ($129), from Metro Software (Tucson AZ), creates a compatible pathway for DOS programs to gain the benefits of Windows-scalable TrueType fonts, print manager, and printer drivers. The DOS applications are automatically integrated into the Transom Launch Pad, from which you can open any DOS application into Windows. All Windows functions are managed in the Launch Pad, which remains in the background until needed.

Phone: (800) 697-6971 or (602) 292-031.1

Circle 3.309 on Inquiry Card.

EASY WINDOWS PROGRAMMING

The OptiScript developer's toolkit ($399.95) provides realtime PostScript display on your PC and output of PostScript code to any raster device, such as monitors, printers, and film recorders. From Postcraft International (St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada), OptiScript includes full bit-map manipulation and interfaces between the software application and the Windows graphics GDI, letting you program Windows graphics directly, without having to program the GDI. Phone: (416) 641-0768.

Circle 1304 on Inquiry Card.

Software Update

XRunner Release 2.0 (from $10,000 per floating license) from Mercury Interactive (Santa Clara, CA) now has an automated software-testing system that creates tests that adapt to changes in GUIbased applications without having to re-create tests each time a GUI element changes location in a new release. Phone: (408) 987-0100.

Circle 1321 on Inquiry Card.

Act for Windows version 1.1

($395) from Contact Software International (Carrollton, TX) adds data integration and portability, a point-andshoot import filter for dBase IV and ASCII files, and filters to import data from other contact managers and PIMs.

Phone: (214) 919-9500. Circle 1316 on Inquiry Card.

Biosoft's (Ferguson, MO) SolvEq 2.4 ($299; £149) includes improved editing functions, two-tiered success criteria for the solver, circular operation for constraining unknowns with MIN and MAX, scatter plot symbols added to graphics line styles, and increased maximum array size.

Phone: (314) 524-8029. Circle 1317 on Inquiry Card.

Carbon Copy for Windows 2.0

($199) from Microcom (Norwood, MA) adds LAN communication, Asynchronous Communication Server support, high-resolution video support, enhanced DOS support, enhanced data-compression algorithm, drag-anddrop file transfer, remote clipboard, and compatibility with Carbon Copy for DOS. Phone: (800) 822-8224 or (617)551-1000. Circle 1324 on Inquiry Card.

228 BYTE JUNE 1993

Software

OBJECT-ORIENTED INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

Object Graphics' (Mountain View, CA) TIMS Toolkit ($1000; with TIMS R12, $3500) lets you pro

gram and customize AutoCAD Release 12. An AutoLisp interface to a library of over 200 routines written in C provides flexibility, reducing the effort required to design and implement GIS and facilities management systems. Features include two-way linkage to outside databases; spatial relationship functions; organizational hierarchical chart buildup; and polygon overlays. You can also attach data to an existing AutoCAD entity or create a new one with attached data. Phone: (415) 968-1500.

Circle 1293 on Inquiry Card.

TALK TO YOUR COMPUTER

Telaccount Speech Recognizer (TSR) ($69) works in the background until it recognizes words or phrases from its vocabulary. When it recognizes a word, it types a series of keys associated with it as if you had typed them on the keyboard. The voice macro system from Telaccount (Narberth, PA) is compatible with Sound Blaster and features an API that lets Windows or DOS programs directly control the voice recognition system. You can train TSR to understand several people's voices at once. Phone: (215) 664-2410.

Circle 1312 on Inquiry Card.

Voice Blaster ($119.95) from Covox (Eugene, OR) adds voice recognition to Sound Blaster and compatible sound cards and keystroke-intensive applications. Running under DOS or Windows, the software's voice-command interface can be tied to

keyboard and mouse macros. The toolbox lets you record, edit, and play back sound; voice annotation software adds your spoken messages to documents. A high-fidelity headset is included with the program, which runs in the background. Phone: (503) 342-1271.

Circle 1313 on Inquiry Card.

Voice Command for Windows

($179) is a hardware-independent voice-input system from Command Corp. (Duluth, GA) that lets you bring a Windows application to the foreground by saying its name. You can also vocally call commands instead of using the mouse to navigate through hierarchical menus. Phone: (404) 925-7950.

Circle 1314 on Inquiry Card.

POINT, CLICK, AND ZIP

Zip Manager (from $19.95), a front-end interface to PKZip and PKUnzip for Windows and OS/2

users, lets you point and click and drag and drop to compress and uncompress PKZip and PKUnzip files. The interface, from Software Builders (Smyrna, GA), uses the Windows MD1 feature so that you can open and view more than one Zip file at a time. It can also convert Zip files to Self-Extract Zip files and run PKZipfix.

Phone: (800) 432-0025 or (404)319-9621.

Circle 1311 on Inquiry Card.

MULTIPLATFORM PRINTING

PowerPrint/NW ($499) allows Macs to share and print to over 1000 dot-matrix, ink-jet, and laser printers via Novell networks. The GDT Softworks (Burnaby, BC, Canada) software has built-in spooling and the capability to print labels and forms, ability to print labels and forms. Phone: (800) 663-6222 or (604)291-9121.

Circle 1310 on Inquiry Card.

Group Scheduler for Windows and Macs

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9PM

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-S^L2zi3ai5Jiapj.

A Windows and Mac group scheduler, Meeting Maker XP (from $695) provides seamless interoperability between Windows and Mac clients connected to a single Windows or Mac server. The scheduler lets you plan, schedule, and confirm meetings on either a Windows PC or a Mac. XP's portable client has full support for laptops and PowerBooks as well as the ability to automatically reconcile schedule changes.

Contact: On Technology, Inc., Cambridge, MA, (800) 548-8871 or (617) 876-0900.

Circle 1290 on Inquiry Card.

Software Update

AutoMate/Pro for Windows 2.0

($295) from Vermont Microsystems (Winooski, VT) displaces AutoCAD Release 12 for Windows' display list software with its own for a one-third memory saving and a three to five times speed increase. Phone: (802) 655-2860.

Circle 1322 on Inquiry Card.

Wildcat 3.6 BBS software (from $ 129) from Mustang Software (Bakersfield, CA) has added WcDraw for creating multicolored screens; an upgraded message-reading capability scrolls message text while the message header remains stationary. Now supports Fido Netmail messages. Phone: (805) 395-0223.

Circle 1323 on Inquiry Card.

ICAP/4M PreSpice Module 3.2M

($275), Intusoft (San Pedro, CA), now offers Monte Carlo statistical yield analysis, parameter sweeping, and circuit optimization. Phone: (310) 833-0710. Circle 1164 on Inquiry Card.

Mixer View, click-and-drag support, Undo editing options, wider range of time signatures, and Humanize control in Quantize are among the new features of Studio for Windows 3.10 ($249.95), Midisoft (Bellevue, WA). Phone:(206)881-7176. Circle 1165 on Inquiry Card.

Webcorp (Sausalito, CA) has added Windows and faster performance to WEB Parallel PairWare4.0($l29). Phone: (415)331-1449. Circle 1166 on Inquiry Card.

Roomer3 2 ($395), Hufnagel Software (Clarion, PA), now provides faster 3-D rendering and data handling. Phone: (814) 226-5600. Circle 1167 on Inquiry Card.

If your board doesn't say Quatech Inc., you may be missing something...

< ! %iUfi> ['OH'EK DEVICES

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Ask a Quatech sales Engineer to show yoi the value of quality, service and support.

•Quatech manufactures a complete line of data acquisition, communication, and Micro Channel boards for the PC AT/XT, PS/2 and compatible computers.

•Quatech's user friendly software drivers enable our full featured adapters to support most popular operating systems.

•Quatech's adapters are backed by our free on-line technical support.

Made

in U.S.A.

For a free catalog call: 800"553-1" 70

International: Australia/Interworld Electronics03-563-7066, Canada(Western)/lnterworld VCR 604-984-4171 (Toronto office 416-513-7027), England/Diamond Point International 634-722390, Finland/Lab Hitech OY358-0-804-2522, France/Elexo33-1 -69302880, Germany/Jupiter Electronic Systems 06181/75041, Israel/RCM Ltd. 972-03-5447885, Italy/N.C.S. Computer Italia0331/770-016, Netherlands/ACAL Auriema040-816565, Korea/Sam Boo Enterprise Co. 82-2-538-4001, Spain SANTA Barbara SA 34-3-203-9916, Singapore Bliss Services Pte Ltd (65) 338-1300.IBM PC-XT, AT, PS/2 and MicroChannel are registered trademarks of IBM Corp.

n QUATECH

662 Wolf Ledges Parkway

Akron, Ohio 44311 U.S.A.

216-434-3154

230 BYTE JUNE 1993

Circle 133 on Inquiry Card.

IT THROUGH BVTE

Mail Order Hardware/Software Showcase

The latest offerings from

vendors supplying

products of all leading

manufacturers at extremely

competitive prices.

232

ILLUSTRATION: SUSAN KINGSBURY

This categorized four-color display

section makes it easy to find

Hardware and Software products from

a wide variety of manufacturers

and suppliers.

252

Buyer's Mart

From Accessories to Laptops

to Word Processors, you can

easily find the dealers you are

looking for in this directory of

products and services.

262

wm HJUUDHVI

SALE

NIW RIDUCID MUCH

^Seagate

MODEL SIZE SPEED TYPE PRICE

ST225 20MB 65MS MFM5.25" $169

ST4096 80MB 28MB MFMFullHT 5389

ST2511 42MB 28M5 MFM5.25" $249

ST351AI'" n-'gh| 42MB 28MS IDE 3.5" $144

ST3120A[1" high) 105MB 18MS IDE 3.5" $209

5T3144A(rhigh) 130MB 16MS IDE3.5" $229

iT32S3A{l") MOMB 13MS IDI 3.9" $359

ST4766N 660MB 15MS SCSI/FH $899

ST41200N 1037MB I5MS SCSI/FH $1499

WfVffWEff

MODEL SIZE SPEED TYPE PRICE

CP3000|Phigh| 40MB 17M5 IDE $149

CP300&4E BOMB 17MS IDE $238

CP30104 (Thigh) 120MB 19MS IDE $259

CP30174A(Thigh) 170MB 17MS IDE $299

CP30254 209MB 15MS IDE $379

CP3544A 525MB 15MS IDE $899

CP3540 540MB 12MS SCSI $999

Mqpgor

MODEL SIZE SPEED TYPE PRICE

2585 (2 W "Dm*) 80MB 17MS IDE $249

7120A (Thigh) 130MB 15M5 IDE $228

73I3A(l-hI|h).... 313MB 1 SMS IH $399

72135 IT high) 213MB 15M5 SCSI $341

7245A 245MB 15MS IDE $34B

7345A 345MB 15MS IDE $549

LXT340S/A. 340MB 16MS IDE/SCSI $598

LXT535A 535MB 15MS IDE $999

PANTHER(FH) 1000MB 13MS SCSI $1389

PANTHER(FH| 1500MB 13MS SCSI $1648

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MODEL SIZE SPEED TYPE COST

2622A/S[3 5") . 330MB 12MS SCSI/IDE $799

2623A/S [3 5*] . 420MB 12MS SCSI/IDE $839

2624A/SI3.5"! 520MB 12M5 SCSI/IDE $879

2266S(FH] 1080MB 14MS SCSI $1449

2652S(FH1 . .. . 1750MB 1IMS SCSI $2499

2654SH 2000MB II MS SCSI $2489

MOOPfiLIS

1624 (HH) 640MB 15MS SCSI $1199

2112)3.5")..... 1050MB 10MS SCSI/IDE $1688

1598 [FH] 1050MB 14MS SCSI $1499

1548(FH). 174BMB 14MS SCSI $2049

1528-15{FH) 1350MB 14MS SCSI $1749

1924(FH| 2100MB 11MS SCSI $2895

M/2HAB0MUVU

FOR PS/2 50, 50Z, 55SX, 60, 70, P70, B0

Interne! compatible with DOS, OS2, Novel, Comes with SCSI or IDE Controller, Cables and Mounting Kit.

. 85MB 17MS IDE $429

. . 125MB 15MS IDE/SCSI $489

200MB 15MS IDE/SCSI $649

. ..340MB 12MS IDE/SCSI $899

500MB 12MS IDE/SCSI $1288

1.2GB 12MS SCSI $1789

PS/2 25, 30, 30-286 42MB W/ CONTROLLER $239 125MB W/ CONTROLLER $359

PUppy Drives

360K 5.25"

WHT

720K 3.5"

WHT

1.2MB 5.25"

WHT

1.44MB 3.5"

WHT

1.44/1.2 DRIVE SU9

ESS

4 Floppy $9

4 Floppy High Density $49

2 Hard Drives MFM $49

2 Hard Drives RQ $59

Hord Drive only - $24

Hord and Floppy 1 I Interface. .. ... $34

DTC-3280 (Support! 7 drives) $139

Adoptecl742A $429

Adoptee 1542E Bus Mastering .... $219

DTC6282-24 $149

Hord and Floppy $29

Hord and Floppy w/hO $39

Hord Drive $9

Hard and Floppy $14

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WQRDSrBVR, ™"tT"00

™ Thiiisnotomisprinl! Thesearelheexod

■ same ones selling For over $300.00 5 from our competitors. We have thouI sands in slock <o sale below dealer cosi!

■ Retail boxed and Factory sealed.

J $59

(100 FOR 555) EACH

NEVADA • Nevada's Largest Computer Wholesaler! computer - # we will try to beat all prices! • Corp. & Govt. P.O.'s Welcome!

In Touch with Tomorrow

in loucn wun lomomw —

TOSHIBA CD ROM'S

3401 INTERNAL 200MS .... $498 340IE EXTERNAL 200MS .. $584

Photo CD Software & One Caddy

PAX MODIM LIQUIDATION

9600 BPS Group III Fociimilo, 2400 BPS Hayes Compolible Modem,

True Background 5end and Receive, Menu Driven, Command Line,

Normal and Fine Modes, Half Card, One Year Worranly

IBM $40

Pocket PC or MAC $99

Laptop Toshiba or Compaq $148

9600 Baud Fax only cards $29

itfnrtfrm 386 A 486 Processor Upgrades

Now you can use Windows in enhanced mode, got Irue mullilosking & background operation For Windows 3.1, OS/2, & other 386 specific software. Processor upgrades offer dramatically increased system performance & easy installation & improves your systems performance by up to 3505=. Available for mosl machines.

5X Now! Supports IBM AT and others into a 386

20MHZ $209 33MHZ $2«

SLC Now! Support! 286 PS/2 into a 486 20MH2 $159

25MHZ $233 50MHZ $425

486 Nowl Supports PS/2 70, 80 & Compaq into 486

DX33MHZ $799 SX25MHZ $499

MicroMasler supports all MCA P5/2 into a 486 10-16MB memory!

486DX33 $1295 4B6SX25 $849

AT Master Supports 386SX systems from IBM & Compaq (0-16MB| 486DX33 $1293 486SX25 $849

SOW 8ASH) AWCHWE5: SOMtAS® MA0MS:

8087-3 5MHt. ... $48 80387- liMHi U9

8067-; (WHi $68 BQ3B7-IQMHi.. 55?

8087-1 lOMHi ... S6S B03B7-25MHi ...$69

mi8iSAWimMi: 803B7-33MHZ $79

80287 Mil $29 MMMXUlM

8)287 awi!. $39 80387-5X20.... SB?

80287- IDWfc ... $J9 80387a $9?

80287-a $74 /* •

80287-XLT $99 V<§rTfX.

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Plug compatible wild Intel, and faster! 83097-33/*! $88

83D87-40WJii $104

83D87-SX25Mhi / SX33 $88

CPU UPGRADE FOR 386'S

B0486DLC-25 $118

80486DLC-33 $149

80486DLC-40 $239

80486SIC-25 $118

■ntel

CPU1*

386DX

80386 DX/20 $39

80386 DX/25 $74

80386 DX/33 SB?

DX40AMD $99

486DX/SX

80486 DX/25 $299

804B6 DX/33 $369

80486 DX/50 $498

80486 DX-2/50 $478 80486 DX-2/66 . S599

80486 SX/25 $179

80486 SX/20 $149

80486 SX/33 $249

Largest selection of Memory! Call if you don't see it!

IMM PS/2 Memory

MODEL I MEMORY PARTS PRICE

PS/1 and 386/SX(2121} 2MB 92F9935 $78

4MB 92F9694 SI49

PS/2 30/286; Adpt Brd 1497259 512K 30P5348 $35

P5/2 30/286;25/286;Adpt8rd 1497259 ... 2MB 30F5360 $84 PS/2 35SX, LS, 40SX,70E61; 061; 121 Adpt 6rd 6450609; 34F3011; 34F3077

XSiation 120& 130 1MB 6450603 $49

2MB 6450604 $79

PS2 50, 50Z, 55SX, 60, 65SX 2-8MB 1497259 $259

2-16MB 6450609 $308 PS/2 50 & 60, 2MBS99, 4MB $159, 8MB S289 PS/1 Consullanl, Essenliols & Expert models x43, x44 & PS/Valuepoinl all models

except Cxx series 4MB N/A $159

16MB N/A $699 PS?2 70-A21;A61,821;B6I,PS/1 Consultant, Essenlial & Experl models x 1 1,

xl3&xl4,PS/Vo!uepoinlCxxseries 2MB 6450608 S79

PS/2 35SX; LS, 40SX, 55SX; LS, 65SX; LS, XStation, PS/Valuepainl Cxx series &

adopler board 34F3001 or34F3007 4MB 34F2933 SUB

PS/2 90 XP, 95 XP, P75 (Pairs), 56 57 (all) 87F9977

PS/1 Pro2123 2MB 6450902 $88

PS2 90, 95 XP, P75 (Pairs) 56, 57, (all) PS/1 Consultant, Essential, Expert xl 1, 5. xl 4, PS/1 Pro2123,RS/6000

r*mzu\

MODEL

Deskpro 386/16 1-2MB

2MB 4-8MB

Deikpro 286E; 3B6-20; 20E; 25; 25E 1MB

4MB

Deskpro386S 4MB Board

4MB Module

Deskpra 386-20E; 25E 4MB

Deskpro 386/33; 386/331; 486/25;

33L;50L. Systempro 2MB

8MB 32MB

Compaq "M" 2-64MB

Doskpro 286N; 386N; 386SX/20; 20N, Portable 486c, Deskpro M , Sysiampro LT Series 129160-001, Compaq Pro Sianio .. 1MB 2MB 4MB 8MB

2MB

8MB 2MB Module 4MB Module 8MB Module Compaq Pro Signio —. 16MB

Memory Laser Printer Memory

MEMORY PARTW PRICE 1MEG 2MEG 3MEG4MEG 5MEG8MEG

Broiher HL-8, 8E, 8D, 8V $99. $149 $249

Conon LBP4, A Lite & * $118. $164

Compaq Pagemork I 5 & 20 $319 $638

o4/25si, 4/33, 4/50..

Exp boards lor 50, 50Z, 55SX, 60,65SX

2-8MB 2MB 1497259 $258

PS2/2 35SX;LS;40SX 8MB 6450129 $289

PS2 70'sond80's 2-8MB 6450605 S249

32BITBOARDS 2-14MB 34F3077 $2B8 32BITBOARDS 4-16MB 34F3011 $348

PS/2 80-A21;A31;A61 4MB 6451060 $19B

PS/2 80-041 1MB 6450375 S6B

PS/2 80-111; 311; 121;321;0B1; 161 2MB 6450379 $89

BOCARAM/2 PLUS

For P5/2 16 Bil Memory lor dl IBM MCA Systems, DOS ona OS2 LIM

EMS 4.0 Support. 2-8MB (Uses 1MB Simms)

2MB-S'79 4MB-S245 8MB-S372

IBM Laptops

PS/2 MD CL57SX Color, Notebook,

Thinkpad 700, 700C, 300 2MB 07GI419 $168

4MB 07GI420 $239

8MB 07G1421 S389

2MB 92F8857 $98

2MB 92P8804 $98

2MB 07G1826 $88

4MB 07G1827 $158

8MB 07G1828 S308

2MB 79F0999 S88

4MB 79F1000 $168 79F1001 $388

Memory

PS/Note N45SL

PS/2 Model N51, N82, Notebook SLC, SX

3/25

141742001 $299 141683-001 $98 141684-001 $168 141685-001 $318 14932O-O0IS1295 32MB 149147-00IS2395 Systempro; Deskpro 6 SKT EXP BRD W/2MB 116569-001 $299

Compaq Laptop & Notebook Memory at&tw,

39497-001 39498-001 8MB

SLT/286 1MEGMOD

4MEG MOD

SLT386 1MEGMOD

2MEG MOD 4MEG MOD

Lte2B6 I MEG BSD

2MEGBRD 4MEG BRD

Lte3B6S/20 1MEGBRD

4MEG BRD

Lie Lile/20, 25, 25C 2MEG BRD

4MEG BRD 8MEG BRD I6MEGBRD LTE Lite/20 8.

Lire/25;25C 16MBCo.d

Compaq Lile 486/25C 4MB Card

8MB Card 16MB Card

108069-001 $248 108069W71 $348

108070-001 $398 Epson Action Loser II, 8000 ...$95 $163.

113131-001 $59 Epson +■ 6000 and many more $98 $168

113132-001 $178 Fujiisu 7100 & 7200 $199. $279

113634-001 $229 HP Deskjet 500. 500C ond 550C. $59 (256K)

112534-001 $179 HP2, 2D, $89 $146

113645-001 $239 3, 3D. 3P. 2P. 2P+ $103 $159

HPIIISI $50 $148

115144-001 $102 HP Loser Jet 4, 111S..XL300 $148..

116561-001 $369 IBMLoser 4019. 4019E [3 5MB1 $169

11656S-001SI478 IBM Loser 4029 $139

129160-001 $298 NEC 90. 290 $118

NEC 95 $128

OKI 400 $99

118688-001 $49 Packard Be'l PB9500 $125 ..

118689-001 $85 Panosonic 4410/4430 $119 ,.

118690-001 $158 Panoson.c 4420/4450: ... .$89 $108

128877-001 $318 Pannson,; 4450 $105

1738-001 $89 Panasonic 4455 $139

QMS410 $H9. $159 ..

StarLS04 $129. $179..

5lorScripl4 ... $128. $178 $258

Tosiba Page Loser 6 $119 $178

Tl XL/PS 17/PS35 $48

$229

$178 $1B8 $178

. $249 . $269

Major Laptop & Notebook Memory

139499-001 110235-001 110237-001 118303-001 118304-00) 118305-001 117081-001 117081-002 1170B1-003 121125-001 121125-002 129769-001 129769002 129769-003

N/A 142337-002 142337-003 142337-004

MODEL MEMORY

2MB

4MB

$168 BondwellB-310 1MB

$318 Dec pc 320 Notebook 2MB Mod

$79 $218

$175

$179 $138 $238

Loplop N33SX. L40SX & N82 ..

TOSHIBA Laptop

MODEL

& Notebook

MEMORY 2MB CARD

8MB CARD

2MB BOARD

T2000 SXE/T2200SX/T1800

4MB CARD BMB CARD

2MB MOD

4MB BOARD

4MB MOD

2MB MOD

4MB MOD 3MB BOARD

4MB CARD

T4400 SX, SXC, T6400 SXC, DXC .

WE BUY EXCESS

INVENTORY

For U.S. and Canadian

Orders Call Toll Free:

800-982-2925

HOURS: M-F 7AM*6PM / 5AT 10AM-3PM PST

TECHNICAL & CUSTOMER SERVICE CALL:

(703) 394-0204 FAX ORDER5, INQUIRIES, PO's &

INTERNATIONAL ORDERS TO: FAX (702) 294-1 168

6MB CARD 16MB CARD 2MB CARD 4MB CARD 8MB CARD 16MB CARD

| T5100 2MB BOARD

T5200/T5200C/T8500 2MB MOD

8MB MOD

PART0 PA8311U PA8312U PA8314U PA8315U PA8306U PA8302U PA2000U PA2001U PA2O02U PA7135E PAB341U PAB308U PA8310U PA8307U PA8309U PA83I8U PA8319U PA7137U PA2006U PA2007U PA2O08U PA2009U PA2003U PA2004U PA2005U PA2010U PA8301U PAB304U PA8313U

PHICE $B4

IImm Modules

Prices change up and down call. Sipp

modules, add $3.00 each

$99 $298

DESCRIPTION If

256X9

■ 1MEGX3

■ 1MEGXP I 4MEG X 9

■ 16MEGX9

" 256X36 1MEG (72 Pin) I 512X36 2MEG(72Pin)

■ 1X36 4MEG (72 Pin) Z 2X36 8MEG [72 Pin]

■ 4X36l6MEG(72Pin)

80N5 70NS

$11 $13

S32 $33

337 $39

$139 $149 $699 $50

$85 $95

$149 $159

3299 $318

$599 $649

4MB Mod

8MB Mod

Dell Laptop 212, 320N, 320NT iMBMod

2MB Mod

Dell 325N; NC; Nolebook P.C. 2MB Mod

Dell NL20 & NL25 NTBK 2MB Mod

$99 Epson NB 3 Notebook 4MB

5218 Epson NB SL/70 25 . 2MB Mod

"" 25C Notebook ... 4MB Mod

EvorexTe-poLX.lX20 2MB

Everex Corner 2MB

Gridl500 4MB

$398 Grid 1450SX 2MB

$1395 Goldstor GS520, 386SX16 1MB

4MB

$1045 NCR 3120Notebook 4MBMod

$198 NCR 3170 Nolebook 4MB Mod

5378 Packard Bell, Magnavox, Mitsubo .... 1MB $1198 4MB

HB Par,asonicCFI70/270/370 1MB

■ Samsung Notemasler 386S 2MB

I 4MB

Sanyo 17NB; 18NB&ZEOS 2MB

SWP6220 1MB

Sharp 6640 2MB

Sharp 4700M2-200 1MB

5harp8501 Colorsta' 2MB

Tl Travelmote 2000 1MB

Tl Travelmate 300CSX. WINSX 2MB

Tl Travelmole 4000,

WINDX/25SX/ 16,5X25 4MB

PfiILt

$128 $23B

$128 $149 $298 $345

PART0

37650

37651

23050-09100

FR-PCIM-BA

FR-PCIM-BB

FR-PCIM-BD

310-3203

310-3204

310-3210

310-3213

A808501

A808771

A808781

00160

0026300

52587

6200203

N/A

N/A

3120-K1O4

3123-K104

N/A

N/A

CF-BAI65

SNM002

SNM004

MBC-NBMEM2

CE-621B

N/A

CE-471

N/A

256B034-0011

2566996-0001

2581265-001 521E

$189 $379 3749

ZENITH MEMORY: CALL FOR ALL MODELS

yOST Memory

DESCRIPTION 64X4

256X1 STATIC 256 X 1 256X4 IMEGX 1 1MEGX1 STATIC 1MEGX4

D-Ram Chips

150NS 120NS 10ONS B0NS 70NS 60NS $1.95 $2.25 $2 45 $2.95

SI.

$4.45

$3.95

51.95 $2.00 $4.95 $4.75

$4,95

$2.25

S205 $2.20 $5.45 $5.95 $5.45 55.75 $5.25

_ MODElft ttfpfTil MEMORY

IN01EBOOK 236/12,3B6SX/20 4MB MOD NOTEBOOK EXEC SX/25; SX/25C 4MB MOD

J POWER EXEC 3/25SI, 3/25SL-C 4MB MOD

16MB MOD

AST POWER EXECL EL 2MB MOO

4MB MOD 8MB MOD 16MB MOD 8MB EXP KIT . 16MB EXP KIT

$17.00 £20.00 $24.00

PCMCIA MAM MIMORY

A$TPOWEREXEC,DECPALMTOP,DELl320SLi,GRIDGRIDPAD,HP 95LX IBM PC RADIO, MOMENTA PENTOP, NCR 3125 NOTEPAD, POQET, SHARP PC30O0/310O, SHARP PC-6700/6741/6781/ 6785, SHARP PC-6800/6B41 /68BI /6891, ZEOS POCKET PC. 512K $89.00 1MB $159.00 2MB $279.00

CACHE MEMORY

15ns

4.95 8.95

9.95 9 95 8.95

20ns

4.45 7.75 8.45 895 5.45 49.00

25ns

3.95

7.95 4.95 39.00

FOWER PREMIUM 486/500

4/33; 3/33,4/66D, PREMIUM II

366/25,33,486/33,5X20.... 4-32 MB EXP BRD

AST PREMIUM 386C/3B6-16 4MB KIT

AST PREMIUM 386 ..

PART# PRICE

500814-003 SI 48 500814-004 $148 500984-001 $168 $1298 500984-004 $99 500984-001 $169 500984002 $599 5009B4003 S1245 500780001 $279 $598 50081B-001 $298 500780-004 $148 500510-OOB $179 500510-004 $198

AST PREMIUM II, 386SX/16;

386SX/20, 48637 & 33T 4MBMOD 500780-004 S198

BRAVO LC 425S, 4/335,

4/50D.4/66D 2MB KIT 500987 001 $98

4MB MOD 500987-002 $148

BMB KIT 500987-003 $298

16MB S599

32MB $1200

INTEL MEMORY BOARD

For 286 and 386 s/tems. ASCI design gives tMS sijpporl in hardware for up lo 90X performance over software EMS. Up to 8MB using 1 MB SIMMS. Works in both 8 tr 16 bit expansion slots

OKMEGS88 2MEGS148 4MEG S208 8MEG S338

TERM51 5HIPPIMG: UPS (Min. 58.25} Shipping charges CONDITIONS: 20% Restocking Fee on refunds within 30 ffjjfl arenonrefundable.NET 10 an approval. Purchase orders days. No refundsorexchanges after 30days- WARRANTY \ \

from Universities, Fortune 2000 & Government Agencies, REPLACEMENTONLY. ALLPRICESFINAL PRICES SUBJECT COD add 55.00 (Cashiers check) TO CHANGE. Mfg. part #'s for convenience only.

We ship by Trademarks are registered with their respective Co.'s. 386,

UPS, DHL, FEDERAL EXPRESS AND PARCEL POST 387, 287, SX, are trademarks of Intel Corp. | 1*93

684 Wells Road Boulder City, NV 89005

NEVADA

COMPUTER j

Circle 190 on Inquiry Card.

USED BY NASA.

AND ITS UNDER

A MILLION

$695.00

When NASA went shopping for a printer buffer, they were looking for a flexible, high-powered buffer that was reliable. And don't think they weren't checking price tags, too.

Our top-of-the-line, Buffalo SL was their performance choice. It also just happens to be the best value on the market.

And although the SL is loaded with state-of-the-art features, including full Windows compatibility, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to use or install it. Now, does that mean it's better because it's easier? Or it's easier because it's better?

T°0-345^

Buffalo is a registered trademark of MELCO. Inc- Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the

Circle 184 on Inquiry Card.

Fax: 503-585-4505 Response Code: 63SL3

WINDOWS RTTHE SPEED OF THOUGHT

PLAIN TALK ABOUT YOUR NEED FOR SPEED

AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ISA, EISA AND VL-BUS

ISA transfers

data up to 3MBIsecond

on an 8 bit wide datubu

FHSTER:

EISA offers 32MBI second transfer rates on a 16 bit wide databus

MGA's VL-Bus" system is capable of transferring raw data on a 32 bit wide databus at the rate of 132MBIsecond

SVSTEM BOTTLENECKS CRUSE LENGTHV HEDHHWS

Redraws take u long time because data displayed on your monitor is bottleneched. The databus, peripherals and CPU aren't operatingon the same bandwidth—the number ofbits able to passthroughthesystemsnarmwest bottleneck-causingdelays.

Vou've looked at a zillion ads. It seems like everyone's selling the same thing. Yon want the fastest 486 or 386 available at the lowest price. And now, everyone's talking ISA, EISA and VL-Bus™. And how much more speed you need.

CflD. IMAGING OH

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS:

WOHH SO TIMES FOSTER

RND SMORTER.

For CAD, imaging or graphic design users. VL-Bus' speed advantages are incredible! Without all the wasted time spent waiting for screen redraws, you'll work up to 50 times faster—and smarter.

VESA1 VL-Bus, transparent to operating systems and software, is truly the new standard of performance—which more than 120 manufacturers of systems, chipsets and peripheral hoards have adopted for their most powerful products.

NRGR'S QUflUTY COMMITMENT TO YOO

2-Year Warranty mi ALL Components

Lifetime 800 Number for Service & Support FREE! 12-Month On-Site Service Contract" Next-Day Replacement Part Warranty

45-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee-No Questions

Asked

2'1-IIour BUS Technical Supjiorl

iNDOWS SOLUTION 486-VL

EXECUTIVE SOLUTION 48B-VL

Intel 80486 Processor

■ Intel 80486 Processor

4MB RAM (exp. to 32MB)

- 4MB RAM (exp. to 32MB)

128KRAM Cache (exp.to256K)

- 128K RAM Cache (exp. to 256K)

210MB <15ms IDE Hard Disk

- 130MB <15 ms IDE Hard Disk

TeaeL2&L44 Floppy Drive

■ Teac L2 & 1.44 Floppy Drive

32BitVUIDEI/0 Controller

- 32 Bit VL/IDE I/O Controller

32 Bit VL-Bus 1MB

- 32 Bit VL-Bus 2MB

15" Flat N/I SVGA (1280x1024)

- 14" Flat N/I SVGA (1280x1024)

101 Enhanced Keyboard

- 101 Enhanced Keyboard

Vertical Case with 250W Power & 2nd Fan

- Desktop Case with 200W Power Supply

MS DOS 5.0, Windows, Mouse

- MS DOS 5.0. Windows. Mouse

WINDOWS SOFTWARE BUNDLE

- WINDOWS SOFTWARE BUNDLE

486DX-3.H MHz $2,295 4S6DX2-50MHz $2,395 486DX2-66 MHz $2,595

ORDER TODAY TOLL FREE

1-800-5686242

Fax orders: 602/820-3153 Direct & international line:

602/820-3294

lIoiu-s7iuiLto7pdn.Mon.-Fri,

9ajato4pjn.Sat.&Sun_MST

Purchase orders

accepted from Fortune 1.000 Companies

& Universities. Commercial leasing availahle.

© . E!i Ml Ha

Um<i.UKU>»™T.tari-.jnLV«nlaiIl

486DX-25MHz $1,795 486DX-MHz $1,995 486DX2-50MHz $2,095

FREE! OVER R S1.200 WINDOWS SOFTWARE

BUNDLE WITH RNV WINDOWS VL SVSTEM!

NAGA gives you more value, more capability to start fast. Our WINDOWS VL-Bus systems include:

■ Norton Desktop fur Windows"

■ Lotus SmarlSuitr (includes Lotus 12!i with smartpak. AMI I'm 3.0 word processor package, Freelance Graphics presentation graphics package. Lotus Organizer and CC Mail Remote)

•Omuneiml fanug toad »n W'c potkax option ptm oppJKOolt nfcl lia. Imiinz llul available in tirtuin Jlrirn box i«rpv

"■L'-miml/liin-irL-yriiirmnv mill.'in.ziluMririiriNiiirr.mi.il l'» rtllrwi Jnl.'l i. (I [rirrlVrrmzf. u| (rrl.l Oirj.i.unW (Ml.T /iniziz!; /Vir.'r,r'ill/l^llr>lliliri.irilrrlriirrif*iri|r|ll.. r.-rrr/rrr.. >rrirj*'i I Irrr/lrrJI^'ir'/l/iiilll rirrlri'r'. Crn..! rirrrnr( illr lrrifc.r/rJ/i/irjl;'rir'rj^rlirilWr'.w/o I

NA7A

Systems Corporation

Smart Computer.

Smart Solution.

Smart Choice.

1520 West Mineral Road Tempe, AZ 85283

,i amijoite far Uemeaa lex thnn hat yean ubi mesmelaulemnrh '}f thmrei^l'nvromyanie\ c AutoCAD is u rrgislernl Imdemnri: ttf AulotliiL

MICROSOFTWINDOWS..,

COMiwnmj;

8 0 0

5 6 8

-6242

Circle 202 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 203).

Z zzz.

— 7 —

Notebook

Thinkpad 300 4/120

1730

Thinkpad 700 4/120

2699

Thinkpad 700 Color 4/120

3995

IBM ValuePoint (VESA LOCAL BUS)

486SX/25 4/120 MDLF30

1199

486SX/33 4/120 MDLK30

1399

486DX/33 4/120 MDLM30

1699

486DX/33 4/340 MDL 84M70

2109

486DX2/66 4/245 MDL W50

2359

486DX2/66 4/340 MDL W70

2545

486DX2/66 4/527 MDL W90

2995

Monitor Extra

BRAND NAMES

LOW

rn/vtO

LEADER

SINCE 1983 We export to Europe, Asia

Modems

ZOOM 14.4 EXT.S/R Fax

299

ZOOM 14.4 INT.S/R Fax

249

INTEL Satisfaxtion 400

439

INTEL Satisfaxtion 400E

479

TOSHIBA NOTEBOOKS

Toshiba 4400c, 120 meg 3625

Toshiba 6400MM, 200 meg CALL

Toshiba 4500,120 meg CALL

Call for pricing on other brand name models

Apple

Mac PowerBook

160, 40/80/120 MB

$2,230/2,540/2,860 $2150

Duo 210, 4/80 MB

180, 4/120 MB

$4,160

Mac Centrls 650, 6/230 MB Quadra 950, 8/0 MB

14" Mac Color Monitor

Extended Keyboard

LaserWriter III, 4 MB

$3080

$4390

$499

$159

1,795

comma

All ProLinea systems are Local Bus

Prolinea4/25s, 4/120 MB Win+

.1225

ProLinea 4/25S, 4/240 MB Wind+

.1425

Prolinea 4/33,4/120 MB Win+

.1625

ProLinea 4/25CDS, 4/120 MB Win+

.1665

Prolinea 4/50,4/240 MB Win+

..2055

Prolinea 4/66,4/240 MB Win+

.2255

DESKPR0 4/33M, 4/340 MB Win

.3125

DESKPRO 4/50M, 8/240 MB Win

.3075

DESKPR0 4/66M, 8/240 MB Win

.3305

Contura Notebook 3/25, 4/120 Win+

.1675

Contura Notebook 4/25 4/120 Win

.1995

Contura Notebook 4/25 color, 4/120 Win

.2695

Contura Notebook 4/25CX 4/120 Win

.3325

LTE Lite 3/25C, 4/120 MB Win

.3725

LTE Lite 4/25C, 4/209 MB Win

.4299

Portable 486DX2/66C, 4/210 MB Win

.6745

Portable 486DX2/66, 4/525 MB Win

.7755

Win+ MS-DOS 6, MS-Windows 3.1, Compaq Mouse

Win+, Win plus PFS; Works/Windows, 5.25" FDD, Modem

"Please call for updated prices*

CD ROM/Multi Media

Toshiba TXM3301 w/controller 520

NEC CD ROM 74 w/o controller ....605 Sound Blaster 16 ASP 245

AST

Power Exec 386SL/25,120 meg

2395

Power Exec 386SL/25C, 120 meg

3575

Power Exec 486SL25, 25C, 200 MB

4250

Call for all AST, Bravo and Premium

products

H N O V E L L SPECIALS

Authorized Dealer Netware 386 V.3.11

5 users 625 10 users 1395

20 users 1895 100 users 3795

NEW Netware 4.0

5 users 925 10 users 2125

25 users 3075 50 users CALL

Software From:

Adobe

Aldus

Borland

Central Point Corel IBM

Intuit

Lotus

Mathematica

MicroProse

Micosoft

Quarterdeck

Spinnakor

Symantec

WorkPerfect

Fonts From:

Adobe

IQ Engineering

MicroLogic

Made in USA

t4CSi Computers

486DX2/66, 4MB RAM, 200 meg HD 2195

486/50, 4MB, 200 meg HD Yi?* 1960

486/33, 4MB RAM, 120 meg HD L°^}. 1620

386/40, 4MB RAM, 120 meg HD ?"? 1390

All Systems Include:

•2 S/1P/1 Game Ports, 101 AT Enhanced Keyboard, Mouse •1.2 (5.25") & 1.44 (3.5") meg TEAC Floppy Drives •SVGA card w/1 meg & SVGA 0.28mm Monitor •MS-DOS 5.0 & MSWindows 3.1 (complete w/manuals) •One year parts and labour limited warranty

Tape Back-Up Drives

Colorado

Jumbo 120 Int....

....145

Jumbo250 Int....

...195

Trakker 120 Ext...

...355

Trakker 250 Ext..

...410

Syquest

88 meg kit Int

...425

88 meg Ext

625

Hard Disks Conner

CP30104H, 120meg 269

CP3204, 212 meg 349

Quantum (ELS/LPS)

ProDrive 170 meg 275

ProDrive 240 meg 395

ProDrive 525 meg 995

Maxtor

LXT340meg 619

LXT535meg 919

Micropolis (SCSI)

1624 670 meg 1195

1598 1GB SCSI2 1475

Fugica, Micronet, Seagate CALL FOR ALL MODELS

PRINTERS

Panasonic 2180

...289

Panasonic 2624

...390

OKIDATAML320

...315

OKIDATAML390

...460

HP DeskJet 500

...399

HP DeskJet 550c

...699

HP PaintJet

...705

Epson, Citizen

CALL

Video Boards

ATI Graphics

Ultra+, 1MB 295

Ultra Pro, 1MB 435

Ultra Pro, 2MB 515

Ultra Pro, 2MB EISA ...575 Diamond

Stealth 24,1MB 175

Orchid Fahrenheit

VESA Local Bus $235

SVGA Monitors

NEC3FGX, 14" 645

NEC5FG, 17" 1375

Viewsonic 4E, 14" 325

Viewsonic 8, 20" 1785

Aamazing, 14" 335

HP LaserJet 4SI HP LaserJet IV .... HP LaserJet HIP.. HP LaserJet 4P..„ HP Laser 4D

LASER PRINTERS

.3225 .1395 ..CALL .1188 ..CALL

OKI OL 400, 800.. OKI OL840 P.S....

Panasonic 4450 ..

NEC Model 95

NEC Model 97

CALL

1720

1295

1385

CALL

Compaq Pagemarq 20 4295

WE STOCK: CALCOMP CREATIVE LABS EPSON MOUNTAIN

ADAPTEC CITIZEN HOUSTON INSTRUMENTS HAYES KINGSTON

BOCA INTEL TEXAS INSTRUMENTS MAYNARD LOGITECH

Computerlane

inc.

Corporate Accounts Volume Discounts

And

Consultant Orders

Welcome

Outside California: 1-800-526-3482

Inside California: 818-884-8644 • FAX: 818-884-8253

7500 Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Canoga Park, CA 91303

Hours: Monday - Friday 9 -6, Saturday 10-5

TALLGRASS US ROBOTICS MEGAHERTZ

Compaq is a Registered Trademark of

Compaq, IBM is a Registrered

Trademark of International Business

Machines.

ALL QUOTED PRICES REFLECT A

5% CASH DISCOUNT

Visa, MasterCard and American Express

also accepted Prices subject to change without notice

Circle 185 on Inquiry Card.

JUNE 1993 BYTE 235

The Feather Weight

The New 386SL Sub-Notebook

BICOM SL

- Weight 2.2 lbs (Bicom & battery)

- Dimension 9.00" x 6.36" x 1.22"

- Intel 386SL/25MHz processor

- Support 387SX co-processor

- 2Mb Ram

- 80 Mb Hard Disk

- 5AA size NiMH Batteries

(3 hours operation with PM enabled)

- High Resolution (640X400) LCD screen

- 1 parallel (bi-direction), 1 serial port

- External 1.44 Mb FDD (optional)

- Multi-function port for external keyboard and extra serial port

- DR DOS 6.0. File Transfer software & serial Download cable

- Universal AC/DC adaptor

Option: External Floppy Drive, Mini-Track ball Multi function port cable, extra batteries.

30 day money back guarentee. Life-time technical support. DioriM SL

Ask also B280.

vllic 1-800-336-2280

$995 $795

U.S. Office: ABC Computer (U.S.A.) Corp.

2531,237th Street, Suite 122, Torrance. California 90505, U.S.A. Tel: 310-3254005 Fax: 310-3256369

Headquarters: ABC Computer Co. Ltd.

28/F Wyler Centre Phase II, 200 Tai Lin Pai Road Kwai Chung, N.T., Hong Kong. Tel: 852-481611 Fax: 852-4815836 Telex: 52178 ABCTC HX

g' l^ffit ' VISA

The Intel Inside Logo is a trademark of Intel Corporation All brand names are registered trademark of their respective owners.

Circle 178 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 179).

IRST SOURCE INTERNATIONAL PRESENT

Tfyi,ii.iiu-ji,i,i-ji',i.i'j

IBM

PS/1 280, 586SX 2MB 92F9955 Z. S8S 4MB 92F9694 SHIS

PS/1 Consultant, Essentia! & Expert models X43, X44 & 'PS/valuepolnt all models except cxx series

4M8 PN NA S1S9 16MB PN N« SS79

PS/2 25/236,50/286, & memorr adapter 1497259

2KB Kit 30F536O S79

PS/2 J5SX; IS, 40SX, 502, 55SX; CS, 65SX; 15,70, & XStatlon 1MB 6450SO3 $49 2MB E450E04 $79

PS/2 70 -A21; «61; B21; B61, PS/1 consultant, Essential s Expert models X11, X15 & X14, PS/ValuepoInt Cxx series

2KB 6450608 $79

PS/2 55SX; IS, 40SX, 55SX; LS, 65SX; 15, XStatlon, PS/

Valuepoint Cxx series & adapter board 34F3011 or 34F3077

4MB 54F2933 0187F9977 $149

PS/2 !5SX; LS, 40SX, PS/valuepolnt cxx series

BBS 6450129 $299

PS/2 90 XP, 95 XP, P75 Ipalrsl, 56, S7 lain, PS/1 Pro M2125

2MB 6450902 $89

PS/2 90 XP, 95 XP, P75, 56, 57 Mil), PS/1 consultant, Essential & Expert models K11, X13 & X14, PS/1 Pro M2123 lts/6000 POWERstation/POWERsereer 220 series

4MB 6450128 $149 8MB 6450150 $299

Expansion boards for 50,502, sssx, 60,65SX

2-BMB W/2MB 1497259 $269

Expansion boards for all models 70 & 80

2-14MB H/2MB 34F3077 $329

Compaq

Protlnen 5/25S; 5/25ZS

2MB 141738-001 .... $89 0MB 141742-001 .. $289 Proline;! 4/2SS, 4/33, 4/50

1MB 141632-001 .... $55 2MB

4MB 141684-001 .. $159 8MB BestPro 386-20,20! 8 25

4MB Module 113132-001 $179

DeskPro 386S/16

4MB Module 112534-001 $179

DeskPro I series, 286N; 38EN; 386SX/20; 20II

SystemPro it series, Proslgnia PC server 486/33; DX2/66 Portable 486c & M Series expansion boards

4MB 118690-001... S155 8MB 112877-001 ... $315

^roslgnla PC Server 486/33; DX2/66

19320-001.. S999 32MB 149147-001. 52439

SystemPro XI (486-50)

'gil 16MB 136816-001 .. $799 32M8 136817-001 . S1599 "" DeskPro 586-33,486-33, s SystemPro

2MB 115144-001 .... $99 8MB 116561-001... $289 DELL Power Desktop 325D, 32SP, 355D, 535P, 433P, 486P & 486D

1MB 310-2505 $59 4MB 310-2507 5149

PonerUne Workstation 420; 25; 35; 50; 450DE/2 & 466DE

2MB 310-2466 $99 4MB 310-2467 $179

8MB 310-2468 $319 16MB 310-2469 $629

141683-001 . 1416B5-001 ,

S309

1

»?5f or

zenith

2-300/400 Series 2-420/SX, 2-425/SX, 2-455/DX, Z-453/SX

4MB ME-100 $159 16MB ME-90 $599

2-Sener 425SE, 433DE, 450DE

4MB ME-452 S169 8MB ME-102 $319

2-Statlon 325SH; Sll, 420SFJ); Sh; SB; 25Sb; 330ell; Oh; 50XEI!

1MB ME-70 $49 4MB ME-100 $149

Zenltb 2-386/20; 25; 53 S 35E

1MB ZA3800ME $49 4MB 2A3800MK $149

Zenith 2-38ESX720, 286LP+, Z-LS

2MB Kit Z-605-1 $89

Zenitil 486/33ET; 25E

4MB ZA4200M2 $189 16MB ZA4200M8 $619

AST Bravo 5/255

2MB 500710-004.... $99 8MB 500824-002 .. $519 Advantage! PIUS 4S6DX733; DX2-50; DX2-66 $*Z 4MB $00510-008 .. $179 8MB 500824-001 .. $319

"" Advantage! 386SX/2C; 25. Advantage! Pro sx/25, Bravo 3/33S '^i^2MB 500962-001.... $75 8MB 500962-002.. $339 1 ""'Advantage! Pro 486DXV33; SX/25, BraiO LC 4/25S; 55; 35S; SOrl: 66d

4MB 500907-00:: .. $159 16MB 500987-004 . $499 Premium 386/25; 55; 55T, Premium II 5865X/16; 20; 25

1MB W/WP8 500780-003; 002 $59

Advantage! 486/25; 33; 33p; SX20, Bravo 4/33; 25;

Premium 4/25; 33TE, Server SE 4/33

2MB W/WPB 500718-004; 780-005 $119

Premium 386/35T, 386SX/16, Premium II 5865X720; 25 4MB W/WPB 500780-004 $159

Advantage! 486/25; 35; 33p; 5X20, Power Premium 5/33; 33;

33S, 4/50d; 66d, Premium 3B6/33TE, 486/25; 25E; 25TE; 55; 33E; 33TE, Premium II 586/25; 33, 486/33; SX/20

Premium server SE 4/33

SB? 8MB W/WPB 500780-001 $289

Hewlett-Packard

Vettra OS/165: 20PC, 85/20; 20C; 25, 25C

4MB Kit 01542 or 1642A $169

Vectra 386/16N, 3B6/20N, 386/2511 PC

2MB D2406A $79 8MB D2404A $279

Kectia 486PC; 486/25T; 486/33T; 486S/20; 486/25B; 486/ 33N; 486/50N; 486/66N

2MB D2381A S89 8MB D2152A $309

Vectra 386/25; 486/250; 486/530; 486/50U; 466/660

2MB D2381A $89 8MB D2152A $309

Vectra 486/25N; 486/33N; 486/50N; 48E/66N

16MB D2676A $579

NEC

PowerMate 286/12; SX716 e. SX/20

2MB Kit OP-410-8105 $99

PowerMate 386SX/20I; 2011; 161; 251; 485/501; 486/35!

8MB Kit OP-410-2101 S279

PowerMate 386/33E 8. 486/25E

2MB OP-410-5101 $199

Laptop & Notebook Memory

AST

Jcj^PowerExec 5/25SL, 5/25SL-C and EL 4MB $179

8MB S649

16MB $1249

Premium Exec 286,586SX/20; 25; 25C 4MB S129

Compaq

Contura 5/20, 3/25, 3/25C

Texas instruments

TravelMate 5000 (all models) 2MB ..

TravelMate 4000 (all models) rfJsV 4MB.. TravelMate wmsic/25 w» 2MB .. Toshiba

.... $79 .. $199 .... S79

LTE 5865/20

LTE Lite 20; 25; 25c, 25e

LTEUte4/25C^SiS*r'

SLT286 SLT5B6S/20

IBM

4MB $169

8MB $309

4MB $189

4MB $159

8MB $359

16MB $1299

4MB S219

8M8 $359

4MB $259

4MB $179

2MB $159

8MB $429

4MB $219

8MB 5369

2MB $179

4MB $249

4MB $13S

8MB $285

2MB $156

NEC

UltraLite & cellular Workstation 286F 4M8 $569

Durante s cellular workstation SX/20 2MB 5179

8MB $599

Oltralite III, SL/25C 2MB $119

4MB $199

UltraUte SL/20, SL/20P 2MB $119

6MB S2B9

Hewlett Packard LaserJet nisi, 4,4M & XL300

4M8 C2D65A $149 BMB C2D66A $299

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet IIP, III, nip, mid

2MB 55475B 595 4MB 334778 $159

Hewlett-Packard LaserJet ll & iid

2MB 53444B 5102 4MB 534458 $160

T1000SE/LE/XE; 2000, 2000SX; SXe, T2200SK and T1B0O Satellite Series

T1200XE, 1600, and 5100E

T3100SX, 3200SX, and sxc

ThinkPad 500

PS/2 C157SX, TtilnkPad 700 and 700C

1151 Notebook (All)

L40SX, N35SK and PS/Note 182 Laos); and PS/note 182

T3200 T3300SI

T4400 and T6400 (all models)

TS100

T5400, TS200; TS200C and T8500

2MB ... 4MB ... 8MB... 2MB.... 2MB.... 4MB ... 3MB ... 4MB ... BMB.... 16MB.. 4MB ... 8MB... 16MB.. 2M8.... 2MB.... BMB ...

....$79 ... $159 .. $289 .... $89 .... SB9 .. S149 .. $149 .. $169 .. 5469 .. $815 .. $169 .. $589 .. 5615

.... S89 .. $279

Ji&Jr PS/Note N45SL

520L, 520LD, 525L, 325LCJ^jjV 2™B *169

TJV-r BMB $369

Z-Sport428S, 42SS Z-Sport325S

4MB $189

2-6MB $139

4MB S249

2MB $99

2M8 $109

2MB S139

4MB $279

MastersPort386SL, slc, 5Le

MastersPort 386SX

supersPort SX; 286e; sllmsport

supersPort 286e; SlimsPort

We also carry a large Inventoryof memory upgrades for other

name brand laptop and notebook systems. Please contact

our sales staff for Information on your specific model.

IBM Laser 4029 All Models 4MB 1183335..

Canon LBP-4,4Ute, 4Plus

1MB S63-2250 $119 2MB rl/A $169

Canon 1BP-III t Bill Plus 2MB S65-2550 S249 3MB S65-2560 $299

CPU upgrades

Upgrade your system to 386 or 486 power!

Kingston processor upgrades Improve the performance of DOS 5.0, Windows, OS/2 and other business, graphic and CAD/CAM programs without purchasing a new system, look to Kingston Technology!

SX/Now!

25MHz I5X).. SLC/Now! fflk 20MHz ISLC) $129 SZ (SLC) .

.. $199 33MHZ (SX) 5219

.. S219

50MHz ISLC) $399

186/NOW!

25MHZ (SX! $429 33MHz (OX) $659

MicroMASTER

25MHZ (SXI $829 53MHz (0X1 $1299

With 4MB add $149 With 8MB add $289

ATMaster

25MHZ (SX! S999 33MHZIDX] S1439

With 4MB add 5149 Witt! 8MB add $289

Pax Modems

COMPWfflPERIPHERMS.INC:

yj PC Magazine says, "The Viva's dataLy transfer performance was excellent!"

PC MsgaHne December 8,1992

ViVa internal Modems l4,aoobps V.52/V.H2 modem, send & receive FAX.. $219 2a/9600bps with send/receive FAX $89

VIVa External Modems ia,400bps V.32/V.42 modem, send & receive FAX.. $279 24/9600bp5 with send/receive FAX $95

Mfe Meqahertz

"-^CORPORATION

For AST, Compaq, IBM, Sharp, Tl, Toshiba, Zenith and

many other Laptop and Notebook systems. PCMCIA 2.0 Internal FAX/Modems

14,400bps FAX/Modem, Autosync ■■s<^ttV $1g5

24/960Obps FAX/Modem

Internal FAX/Modems w/MNP-5 & V. 14,400bps FAX/Modem, Autosync

m

.42/V.42

.. $295

42015

.. S499

24/9600bps FAX/Modem $219

External Pocket Modems for any RS-25Z Serial Port

14,400bps FAX/Modem, Autosync $379

24/9600bps FAX/Modem $189

video Cards

Diamond Computer

stealth Pro 1MB $249 stealth Pro 2MB $359

Stealth 241MB S169 SpeedStar 24X 1MB ... S159

Viper VLB 1MB $519 Viper VLB 2MB $409

Stealth VLB 1MB S249 Stealh VLB 2MB $369

We also carry ATI, number Nine and Metheus cards.

Sack Guarantee

Buy with confidence!

100% compatible in form, fit, & function All products user installable Installation instructions included Toll-free technical support Thousands of items in stock Manufacturer's warranties Corporate PO's, APO/FPO's welcome Government and Educational pricing International orders welcome Special volume pricing 24-hour fax line Same day shipping Overnight delivery available F^^ No surcharge on credit cards

^* We stock upgrades for over 1700 *^ ., computers and printers «».

NOT V\^

H !■

ST

TOLL FREE PROM THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA

800/648-9366

INTERNATIONAL

714/588-9866

FACSIMILE

714/588-9872

Business hours:

Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm, P.S.T.

Saturday, 9am-3pin, orders only

e*Jg~£."«.

*>»>,.;„ Vf

■Hi.M,M,'.nrmrg

Industry Standard 50-pin SIMMs

1MB x 9-70 or 80ns, Fast Page Mode $55

4MB x 9 70 or 80ns, Fast Page Mode $129

56-Bit, 72-Pin SIMMS

512X X 56-70 or 80ns 12MB) $79

1MB X 36-70 or 80ns I4MB1 $149

2MB 136-70 or 80ns IBMBI $289

Mail or fax orders to:

First Source International, Inc.

7 Journey

AliSO ViejO, CA 92656

Terms and cendiiians: Memory products ire tnim party, manufacturer's numbers are for your convenience. Freight charges are non-refundable. A RMA number is required for all returns. All non-def ertrtre returns, unopened, refused, or cancelled orders, trill be subject to a ZQS restocking fee. Prices and avallablltly are sublect to change without notice. Purchase prices at the time or order are Anal. First source international cannot be responsible for errors In typography or photography. We Mill beat any advertised price valid only on Identical brands, offer not good For SIMMs or dram. Trademarks and registered trademarks are of their respective companies.

we'll meet or beat any advertised price!

CALL THE UPGRADE EXPERTS TOLL FREE 800/648-9866

:ircla 188 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 189).

We Carry

ALPS

BASF brotfiSr. Canon

CEFlTROniCS

#cmzEN" caaawBt

CREATIVE LABS INC. CLRT1S Dataproducts

HBBDBHD Dyson

EPSON" EXABYTE PACIT *Sfe FUJITSU

GRAHAM MAGNETICS

3ENKDM Stilus

PflnACKABO ISM

wwsac i^KarxB?a

3M M. TALLY maxelL MICROSOFT Nashua SEC

OCLI OKjDATA olhrettl OLYMPIA

OTC PACIFIC DATA

Panasonic SPolaroid QMS QukkShot Quma KDCBCDer

^Seagate

SKTKOSHA corona

SONY.

SYQUEST ftTDK

TEAGBHffinS

bSSaaiKi. TOSHIBA TRIPPLITE

\ferbatim GZS3

and many more OEM supplies!

ALL LOGOS ARE THE PROPERTY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE COMPANIES

P.O.S./ATM SUPPLIES RIBBONS, ROLLERS AND OTHER CHECK PROCESSING SUPPLIES FOR DIEBOLD, IBM, ICL, TEC, EPSON, OMRON, SWEDA AND NCR, (TO QUOTE PRICES, WE NEED PART NUMBERS)

ATTENTION!!!

WHOLESALE DEALERS

& VOLUME BUYERS

SAVE $$$

DISKETTES (10 per box)

DESCRIPTION 5'A-DS/DD 5V<" DS/HD 3Vi" DS/DD 3V;" DS/HD

TDK

$2.75 5.25 4.35 6.95

BASF MAXELL 3M 3.15 3.45 3.75 5.15 5.45 5.75 5.15 5.35 5.35 7.85 8.15 8.95

BULK DISKS (Inc. Sleeves & Tabs) DESCRIPTION FORMAT UNFORMAT OEM GRADE

6WDS/DD

5VDS/HD 3'/!"DS/DD 3WDS/HD

$0.20 0.29 0.34 0.51

0.19 0.27 0.31 0.47

0.32 0.30 0.36 0.54

DATA CARTRIDGES

DESCRIPTION 3M_ MAXELL DYSAN

DC-2120 $13.95 12.95 11.95

DC-6150 15.25 13.95 12.95

DC-6250 20.95 17.95 16.95

DC-6525 24.95 21.95 19.95

STREAMER CASSETTES

MAXELL TEAC

CS-600 HD .$11.25 I 60 MB I CT-600H. .$ 11.75

CS-600 XD ..12.25 150 MB CT-600N. . .16.75

CS-600 SX ...19.25 I 600 MB I CT-600F .. 23.75

4 MM & 8 MM CARTRIDGES

DESCRIPTION TDK SONY EXABYTE

4MM 60 Meter $ 6.75 8.95 —

4MM 90 Meter 8.75 10.95 Call

8MM 112 Meter 6.75 10.25 12.25

OPTICAL DISKS

DESCRIPTION MAXELL BASF SONY

372" 512/128 MB $36.00 35.00 39.00

SW 512/600 MB 76.00 75.00 86.00

5V<" 1024/650 MB 76.00 75.00 86.00

HEWLETT PACKARD

INK JETS

TRANSPARENCY/PAPER

HP51604A HP51606A HP51606C HP51625A HP51626A

$ 7.65 HP51630Z .

. 19.65 HP51630S

. 22.65 HP51636G

. 22.65 HP92261K

. 20.65 HP17703T .

14.95 42.95 36.95 48.95 34.95

LASER TONERS RIBBONS

HP92275A ..$54.95 HP92151H ...4.25 69.95 HP92155A .. 12.25 96.95 HP92155L ... 13.95 68.95 HP92156S ... 8.45 89.95 HP92154B . 109.00

We carry a complete line of HP Products

Please call for the lowest prices.

HP92285A HP92291A HP92295A HP92298A

PANASONIC

KX-P115 RIBBON $ 6.59

KX-P140 RIBBON 8.59

KX-P4450 TONER KIT 25.99

KX-P4450 DRUM KIT 105.99

(CALL FOR OTHER PANASONIC ITEMS)

RICOH

TONER 6000 + $ 12.95

TONER 80 PLUS 27.95

TONER 150 PLUS 27.95

OPC KIT 80 96.95

OPC KIT 81 96.95

OPC KIT 150 93.95

KYOCERA^^"*""*"

TONER $ 25.00

DEVELOPER 106.00

DRUM 111.00

FUSER 156.00

DIGITAL™*

LN03X-AC TONER KIT $ 32.75

LN03X-AD OPC KIT 104.75

TK-50 TAPE CARTRIDGE 16.75

TK-70 TAPE CARTRIDGE 26.75

TK-85 TAPE CARTRIDGE 27.75

RA60-P DISK PACK 595.00

Dec Ribbons & other supplies Please call for the lowest prices.

IOMEGA (Bernoulli Cart)

5 V." GOLD 20MB $ 53.00

5 W GOLD 44MB 83.00

5 W GOLD 90MB 124.00

5 V«- CLEANING KIT 30.00

SyQUEST (Removable Disk Cart.)

88MB DISK 1-YR WARRANTY $ 89.00 88MB DISK 5-YR WARRANTY . 94.00 44MB DISK 1-YR WARRANTY . 62.00 44MB DISK 5-YR WARRANTY . 64.00

CANON

BC-01 INK CARTRIDGE ... $ 15.95

BC-02 INK CARTRIDGE 18.95

BJI-481 INK CARTRIDGE 10.95

BJI-642 INK CARTRIDGE 14.95

BJI-B01 INK CARTRIDGE 8.95

EPS/SX TONER HP 92295A . . . 67.95 EPL/IIP TONER HP 92275A .. . 54.95

KODAK

MICRO GRAPHICS FILM

DA CO-DL FILM

105 X 125M $215.00

DACOMATIC FILM

16MM X 170M 57.00

THERMAL PRINT FILM

16MM X200O 16.00

IMAGE LINK FS

16MM X 1025' 32.00

EPSON

RIBBONS

7753 . . $ 3.45

7754 7762 8750 8755 8762 8763 8764 8766 8767

. 3.85 . 5.85 . 3.05 . 3.45 . 5.85 . 4.25 . 9.05 17.75 11.45

LASER

SO50002 .$ 71.95

SO51005 . . 106.95

SO51009 . . 139.95

SO51011 . . 112.95

INK JETS

7750 46.95

7760 16.95

SO20002 . . . 18.95 S020025 . . . 12.95

COPIER TONERS CANON

F41-2302-100 $ 75.00

F41-4102-710 100.00

F41-4214-700 89.00

CANON COLOR

F41-6811-000 $ B3.00

F41-6B21-000 83.00

F41-6801-000 83.00

KONICA

946-181 $ 9.25

946-241 12.25

947-376 31.25

MINOLTA

8915-743 $ 12.90

8915-348 27.90

8931-202 76.90

MITA

37037011 $ 12.25

37041011 5.25

37042011 27.25

RICOH

887051 $ 5.75

887132 6.75

887143 17.75

SHARP

SF-730MTI $ 16.50

SF-830MTI 14.50

SF-980MTI 33.50

TOSHIBA

T-220P $ 17.80

T- 61P 7.80

T- 68P 8.80

XEROX

6R-229 $ 27.90

6R-244 51.90

6R-257 41.90

IBM

RIBBONS

1040150 .

1040282 ,

1040440 .

1040930 .

1299095 .

1299790 .

1299845 .

1299933 .

1319308 .

1337765 .

1361195 .

1380999 .

6295158 .

6328829 .

6845100 .

7034437 .

7034640 .

7819690 .

$ 8.20 45.30 11.40 . 7.50 . 1.70 . 9.90 . 3.90 13.80 11.30 . 2.70 . 1.50 . 3.40 2B.40 . 5.30 28.90 27.50 . 5.40 12.50

LASER

1348330 1348331 1348347 1348349 1380200 1380520 1669113 1669115 1669151 70X7001 70X7002 70X7003 70X7280 70X7281 70X7243 70X7244 70X7285 70X7286

520.00 295.00 170.00 . 37.00 143.00 160.00 . 15.00 . 60.00 . 60.00 . 71.00 175.00 . 17.00 . 33.00 121.00 363.00 276.00 . 83.00 379.00

Sgn

ius

CLIXes ERGONOMIC STREAMLINE MOUSE 350-4200 DPI $12.75

MouseOne SERIAL - STARTER MOUSE, 350-1050 DPI 9.95

HiTrak-SPACE SAVER MOUSE, 350-1050 DPI 38.85

GS-4500A FOR WINDOWSBLACK & WHITE HAND HELD SCANNER. 100-400 DPI 84.25

GS-B105A FOR WINDOWS 256 GRAYSCALE HAND HELD SCANNER, 100-400 DPI 139.00

GS-C105 FOR WINDOWS COLOR HAND SCANNER, 100-400 DPI . 270.00

STARTECH &deMtoUotuU

COMPUTER SUPPLIES

5575 Magnatron Blvd., Suite G San Diego, CA 92111 USA

TEL: 619-278-2600 FAX: 619-278-2780 TLX: 415779 ANS: STARTECH

WE BEAT ANY PRICE!!

TERMS: C.O.D., BANK DRAFT, WIRE TRANSFER OR L/C AT SIGHT. P.O.'S ACCEPTED FROM RECOGNIZED INSTITUTIONS ON NET 30 DAYS. MINIMUM ORDER $3000.00 PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. WE CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS.

Circle 191 on Inquiry Card.

Rack Mount Computers - Motherboard or Passive Backplane

Use external monitor Up to 6 drives

l_ '■«*BJH : i I?

KL_J I

3.75" high

Mono or color monitor Up to 5 drives

gqu: t»Q I

8.75" high

14" color monitor Up to 3 drives

12.25" high

Rack Mount Monitors

10" mono or color monitor

i b=i

8.75" high

14" mono or color monitor

Pv.;: m

12.25" high

|

Enclosure for most desk top monitors

C

,/

14.0" high

Rack Mount Keyboards

Drawer mounted keyboard

Wlffh

1.75" high

Drawer for desk top keyboards

3.5" high

Vertical-mount, sealed membrane keyboard

5.25" high

Rack Mount Printer

Dot matrix printer with industrial rating

12.25" high

Call for our other Rack Mount computer and "enclosure only" product offerings.

RECQRTEC, INC.

1290 Lawrence Station Road, Sunnyvale CA 94089 Tel. [408] 734-1290 Fax: [408] 734-2140

1-800-729-7654

Circle 193 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 194).

JUNE 1993 BYTE 233

KeyPro...

A Legend in Software Protection

Just as the legendary Chinese warrior god Zhong-Kui had the reputation of a fearsome warrior who easily fended off evil spirits, KeyPro has established its reputation as a dependable means of guarding programs against unauthorized copies. Zhong-Kui enslaved and ate ghosts, but KeyPro employs a much more useful and appealing method to protect your software.

While designing the KeyPro software protection device, our engineers considered not only the need of software developers but also the convenience of users. Software developers enjoy KeyPro's protection capability, while users can forget the key after installing it.

The KeyPro Family

Outstanding Features

KeyPro II : for PC environments Net-KeyPro: for Netware environments

/ / / %

Unbreakable Electronics An ASIC-based hardware and a proprietary encryption algorithm are used to prevent code tracing by the most persistent software pirates.

Compatibility

KeyPro is transparent to the computer and other peripherals that are attached to it. It works on every computer it has been tried on without interfering with computer's normal operations.

Cascadability

KeyPro can cascade on the printer port with any other KeyPros or the keys manufactured by other companies. Because KeyPro's both sides are transparent, it can sit in any position in the cascade chain.

Runtime Reprogrammability

A buffer with read/write runtime memory inside the hardware allows developers to protect and write into multiple software programs using only one key

• Virus Dectection

KeyPro provides the protected program a virus detection option to check whether it is infected.

> User Limit

KeyPro allows programmers to designate up to 100 workstations using one software in Netware environment.

> Driver/External Protections

Two protection methods provide the security for a software with or without its source code.

Regional Distributors Welcome!

■ KeyPro is a registered trademark of Transcend Information Inc. * All other trademarks are registered by their respective owners.

Transcend

Your Supplier, Your Partner, Your Friend.

Transcend Information Inc.

U.S.A.

104 Exchange Place, Pomona, CA 91768 TEL: (909) 598-5500 FAX: (909) 598-5050 (909) 598-6050

Taiwan

3FI., No. 465, Chung Hsiao E. Rd. Sec. 6, Taipei, Taiwan TEL: (886) 2-7881000 FAX: (886) 2-7881919 (886) 2-7889191

Germany

Transcend Information Trading GmbH

Lademannbogen 45a,

2000 Hamburg 63

TEL: (49) 40/538 81 37

FAX: (49) 40/538 17 81

Circle 200 on Inquiry Card.

HP Connectivity

More Affordable, Faster Performance

Printer Sharing 8 Serial Ports $695.00

Network Print Servers For HP LaserJet MIO

Bay Tech has combined performance and affordability in the new Ethernet print server card. The LaserShare® PSMIO easily installs into the MIO slot of your HP LaserJet Series 4, IHSi and 4Si laser printers.

The three key advantages LaserShare PS-MIO has over standard network printing are: speed, printer location, and congestion reduction. The fast throughput speeds allow downloading of large text and graphic files at the speed of your network. It increases file server efficiency by assuming the printing functions of the file server. You can locate your laser printer anywhere on the Novell Netware® 3.x compatible network by using either 10BASE2 or 10BASE-T connections.

For only $395.00 it is the best low cost, high performance print server available.

8 Can Share Your LaserJet

BayTech is pleased to offer a more diverse LaserShare product line with the inclusion of MIO expansion cards.

Ethernet Netware® Print Server $395.00

Printer Sharing 4 Serial Ports $549.00

Printer Sharing 4 Parallel Ports $549.00

$50.00 Rebate on LaserShare® MIO

Purchase a LaserShare before August 31, 1993 and receive a $50.00 rebate.

LaserShare allows up to 8 users to connect simultaneously to the MIO expansion slot of your HP LaserJet laser printer. LaserShare models are available with 4 parallel ports, and 4 or 8 serial ports. LaserShare's standard 1MB buffer is user expandable to 4MB. The LaserShare 4A-MIO is the only 4 parallel port card available for HP LaserJet MIO products.

Parallel input speeds of 70Kcps are the fastest in the industry. Use Bay Tech's Tran-x® for parallel printing, with serial port models, for distances more than 1,000 feet and speeds to 46Kcps.

Experience & Reliability

For 17 years, BayTech has been a leader in the design and manufacture of Circle 182 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 183).

data communication products including: Network Print Servers, Printer Sharing Solutions, Statistical Multiplexers and Data Acquisition Controllers. Call tollfree today to learn more about BayTech connectivity products.

All product or company names art respective holders.

trademarks of their

Because Resources Should Be Shared

BayTech

Data Communications Products Division

200 N. 2nd St, PO box 387, Bay St Louis, MS 39S20

Fax: 601-467-4551 Phone: 601-467-8231

or toll-free

800-523-2702

Micro-International Inc.

since 1984, world-wide distribution of quality computer systems and components

Intel CPU

486SX-25

486DX-33

486DX2-50

486DX2-66

Monochrome

$2,090

$2,240

$2,480

$2,720

Color

$2,890

$3,040

$3,280

$3,520

Don't be misled by cheap, low-performance 486SLC designs. With the real Intel 486 power, this notebook computer is the only system you'll ever need in the office or on the road.

HCP Power Notebook Standard Features

VGA graphics with CCFT backlit LCD screen

Mono - 32 gray scale

Color- 256 colors 4 MB RAM installed (16 MB capacity) 120 MB hard disk, 1 5 ms access time 1.44 MB floppy drive

Nickel-cadmium quick-rechargable battery Carrying case

Built-in trackball (COLOR System Only) Serial mouse (MONO System Only) Licensed Microsoft Windows 3.1 Licensed DR-DOS 6.0 One parallel and two serial ports External VGA and keyboard connections External numeric keypad AC adapter/charger included

Optional Features

Docking station with 2 x 16 bit slot $ 160

Auto cigarette adapter $ 40

Memory upgrade to 16 MB $500

Memory upgrade to 8 MB $ 160

Upgrade hard drive to 320 MB $400

Upgrade hard drive to 210 MB

Upgrade hard drive to 450 MB

Additional battery

Battery charger

Additional AC adapter/charger

$200 $600 $ 90 $ 30 $ 50

Micro-International, Inc.

10850 Seaboard Loop Houston, Texas 77099 National Sales 800/967-5667 Houston 7

3/495-9096

Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday (Central Time)

All systems and components include a one-year warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee.

Price reflects cash or credit card payment. Major corporation purchase orders accepted.

242 BYTE JUNE 1993

Circle 197 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 198).

CONTROL UP TO 96 PC

FILE SERVERS WITH 1 KEYBOARD

AND MONITOR USING...

COMMANDER

• Select via Keyboard

• Dual access up to 250 feet away (optional)

• No external power

• Mix PC, PC/XT, PC/AT

and PS/2

• "AutoBoot™" Feature boots attached computers without operator intervention

• Able to Broadcast to all attached computers

Z£>

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

gggggi

wirawOTioj

tossaematm

kaaBBtaaam

■MKBaoUBnaj

KJHHEIEEHJra

^

^y.yy^yy-yy^y.yyy.y

• PS/2 and Serial Mouse support available

• Each unit accommodates from 2 to 8 PCs

• Up to 12 units can be cascaded

• Mounting kit available for 19" and 24" rack installation

See us at COMDEX Booth #N5353 Dealer Program Available

Circle 186 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 187).

2800-H Bob Wallace Ave. Huntsville, Alabama 35805

(205) 534-0011 - Fax (205) 534-0010

PC, PC/XT, PC/AT and PS/2 are trademarks of International Business Machines Corp.

JUNE 1993 IiVTE 243

%&

upgrade to MultiMedia atACP Superstore!

Hard Drives

Western Digital

High performance "Caviar" series with 1" height, Cache Flow,AI and 32K buffer.

AC2120 120Mb 1" 3.5" 13ms IDE ....Call

AC1190 170Mb 1" 3.5" 13ms IDE....Call

AC220O212Mb 1" 3.5" 13ms IDE....Call

AC2250250Mb 1" 3.5" 13ms IDE....Call

AC2340340Mb I" 3.5" 13ms IDE ...Call

Maxtor

7080A 80Mb 1" 3.5" 15ms IDE....Call 7120A 120Mb 1" 3.5" 15ms IDE....Call LXT213A213Mb 1" 3.5" 15ms IDE ....Call MX1240 1.2Gb 1" 3.5" 15ms IDE....Call Panther 1.2Gb SCall Panther 1.7Gb Call

Conner Peripherals

CP3000 42Mb 3.5" 28ms IDE ....Call

CP30084 84Mb 3.5" 19ms IDE ....Call

CP30104 120Mb 3.5" 19ms IDE ....Call

CP30204 212Mb 3.5" 12ms IDE ....Call

CP30254 250Mb 3.5" 12ms IDE ....Call

CP30124E 170Mb 3.5" 12ms IDE....Call

Hard Drive Specials

Seagate ST3283 249Mb IDE 499.95

Samsung 100Mb IDE 249.95

Call for Quantum, Micropenis, Seagate. Controllers from Ultrastor, Always, WD etc.

Backups

Colorado

DJ10 120Mb Tape Drive internal.. 149 DJ20 250Mb Tape Drive internal-229

Trakker 120/250 Tape Backup 349/419

PowerTape 2Gb/4Gb 999/1599

Syquest (with cartridge)

44Mb kit SQ555,SQ400,SQ01(16bit) .419

44Mb external 499

88Mb kit SQ5110, SQ800, SQ0K16bit) 529 88Mb external 629

GrassRoots Floptical

Floptical 21 Mb int/ext Call

Floppy Disk Drives

Toshiba

ND04DG 360K 5.25" HH PC/XT 59

ND08DEG 1.2Mb 5.25" HH PC/AT ....72 ND3561GR 1.44Mb 3.5" HH w/ATKit..72

ACP

1.2 Mb 5.25". 66 2.88Mb 3.5" 1491

1.44Mb 3.5".... 67 All in One 3.5/5.25 149

Input Devices

Advanced Logitech

3-button Mouse 15 Mouseman 75

101 Keyboard ..58 Mouse (OEM) ....35

Mouse+Windows 88 Cordless Mouse . 88

Microsoft Trackman 78

Serial Mouse 69 Trackman Port. ..94

Ballpoint 98 Scanman 32 ... 128

Ballpt+Windows 148 Scanman 256 .. 258

Microspeed CH Products

PC Trac 78 FlightStick 49

PC Trac bus vers 88 Joystick Machlll call

IBM Compatible Cards

Advanced Monochrome ...38

Color Card 48

EGA Card 48

Windows

1 MbAccelerator 149

Interface

Parallel Card ....29

Serial Cara 35

Mufti I/O 59

IDE 16-bit 19

IDE Multi I/O 69

VGA

512K. 800x600 ...53 512K, 1024x768.68 1Mb, 1024x768 .88 Modems

2400bps internal. 39 2400bps external.69 Memory

AT0-8Mb(simm) 99 XT 0-8Mb(IC's) ...99 Call tor your special needs...

Canon

Authorized Reseller NEW LOW PRICES

BJ10ex/BJ20ex Portables Call

BJ200 Inkjet Call

LBP-4SX/LBP-8SX Laser Printers ... Call

BJ330 Printer (B/W) Call

BJC800/BJC820(Color) Call

BJ 300 BubbleJeKB/W) Call

SHARP |

ic^*^

Color NEW!

386SL/20 NoteBook MM

!^*r

•Only 4.9 LBS.!

•2Mb RAM • 80Mb *™

^Sv

PC6881C Color Notebook..

Call

PC6785 LCD Notebook

Call

95

ACP SPECIAL!

Modem Bundle

2400 Baud, FREE Prodigy Software

$39

Chips ana SIMM's

dRAM Qtvi 25 SIMMs otvi 12

256x1-100 .. 1,49 ..1.35 lMbx9-80 .. 35....34 256x1-100 .. 1.59 .. 1.45 lMbx9-70 .. 36 ....35

256x4-80 4.79 ..4.59 1MDX8-80 .. 32 ...31

lMbxl-100..4.05 ..3.95 4Mbx8-70 129 ..126 IMbxl-80....4.49 ..4.39 4Mbx9-70 139 ..135 Call for VIDEO RAMS & CACHE RAMS Over 20,000,000 IC's in-stock including We Specialize in Memory Modules

Math Coprocessors

Intel Cyrix

387SL Mobile 78 387SX(16-25) 73

80387DX (all) 85 387DXG0-33) 88

80387SX (all) 78 387DX/40 108

RapidCAD 248 80287(011) 78

8087 29 Intel Overdrive

80287-10 89 486DX-33 649

80287-20 89 486SX-25 489

Memory Upgrades

Notebooks/Laptops

ASTPowerExec 4Mb.s178 AST PowerExec 16Mb , 1325 Compaq Contura 4Mb... 169 Compaq Contura 8Mb... 369 Compaq Lite4/25C 4Mb ... 239 Compaq Lite4/25C 8Mb... 399 HP95LX Palmtop 2Mb .. call

Tl TravelMate3000 2Mb 87

Tl TravelMate4000 4Mb..218 Toshiba T4400/6400 4Mb ... 187 ToshibaT4400/6100 8Mb...388 Zenith 2-Note 2Mb... 168

Call for all Notebook Memory Upgrades!

Laser Printers Can tor "0"K Boards

Canon LBP-4,4Lite,4Plus 1Mb, 118 2Mb 168 Canon LBP-8III, 8111 Plus 2Mb , 169 3Mb 199 Compaq PAGEMAPQ15/20 8/16Mb„299/599

Toshiba

T4400/16Mb

*799

Apple

Powerbook 140/170-6M'

s249

IBM ThinkPad 2Mb„s158 8Mb..s449

Epson ActionLaser II HPU lllsi, 4, 4M, XL300 4Mb. HP LaserJet IIP.Ill,HIP,HID 2Mb. HP LaserJet II, IID 2Mb.

Panasonic 4410/4430 2Mb Panasonic 4420/4450i 2Mb OkiLaser400 1Mb

Tl MicroLaser Turbo, XL 1Mb

2Mb 138 148 8Mb 298 98 4Mb 158 .98 4Mb 158 118 4Mb 188 118 4Mb 188 ..78 2Mb ..98 ..69 4Mb 269

Computer Memory Upgrades

AST Bravo 4/33,486/25 2/8Mb 88/299

Compaq ProLlnea 3/25s, 25zs 2/8Mb 88/288

ProLinea 4/25s, 4/33, 4/50 2/8Mb 88/308

IBM ValuePoint except Cxx 4/16Mb 158/578

IBM PS/2 Model 90, 95 2Mb 88

Call for all Computer Memory Upgrades!

Micronics

Motherboards

486DX/33 ISA... Call 486DX2/50VL.. Call 486DX2/50ISA . Call 4000LB Video .. Call 486DX2/66 ISA. Call 486DX/33 EISA . Call 486DX2/66VL..Call 486DX2/50 EISA Call

'"'■■■■

Advanced"

Motherboards

80286/12MHZ ..Call 486DX/33MHz .Call 386SX/25MHZ ..Call 486DX/50MHZ .Call 386DX/40MHZ . Call 486DX2/50MHZ Call 486SX/25MHZ ..Call 486DX2/66MHZ Call

PC Special § 286/12MHZ

1269

Call ACP for Notebook Deals!

comma

ProLinea 3s/25 w/84Mb Call

ProLinea 4/25s w/240Mb Call

Contura 3/20 w/84Mb Call

Contura 3/25 w/84Mb Call

Contura 3/25 w/120Mb Call

Contura 3/25c w/84Mb Call

Contura 3/25cw/120Mb Call

Compaq LTE Lite/25c w/84Mb Call

Compaq LTE Lite/25c w/120Mb Call

TOSHIBA

T1800 Satellite 60Mb Call

T1850 Satellite 80/120Mb Call

T1850C Satellite w/120Mb Color Call

T3300SL 80/ 120Mb Call

T4400SX LCD/Plasma 120Mb Call

T4400C Color 120Mb Call

T4500 80/120Mb Call

T4500C Color 120Mb Call

T6400DXC Color 200Mb Call

Advanced Computer

486 High Performance CPU's • Plus MultiMedia Upgrades

486 SuperVGA System

Includes:

• 486DX/33 w/256l< Cache •

• 4Mb RAM

• 1Mb SVGA Card ■ •120Mb HardDrive

1.2Mb 5.25" Floppy

1.44Mb 3.5" Floppy

IDE Controller

101 Keyboard

14" SuperVGA .28

Color Monitor and more!

ACPs Sale Price

?tfe

$1399

3rei m^m m M^„

photo '

may!

local Bus (add $75.), and 486DX2!50, 486DX2/66 and 486DX/50 varv

iftgu. 2/51

Multi-Media upgrade

SOUND BLASTER™ Discovery CD-16 upgrade Kit

£-"«

$498

s599

Creative Labs-New for '93! Latest 16-bit technology includes: SoundBlaster 16, Stereo oW"*"^ *- J»*^ Speakers, Hi-Performance CR-ROM Drive (int.) MPC 'x>--.ma>. and Photo CD compatible, 390 ms, ACP's Sale Plus Software Toolworks, MultiMedia ^ Encyclopedia, San Diego Zoo Animals and Lemmings

MENU Efi VISION Fusion CD-16 Upgrade Kits

E531

FUSION CD 16-E SSSES

ACP'S Sale • NEC DRV 25J(ext) 650ms/150KD Audio Spectrum 16-SCSI LAB TECH Speakers Software-Free CD Titles included photo may vary ...where in the World is Carmen

San Diego, Civilization and Mantis by Microprose, Compton's Family Encya, BattleChess by Interplay FUSION CD 16-1 Sony31A(int)490m5/150KD, a_ ^^^

ProSpectrum 16-bil SLCD-IDE. LAB 1LCH Speakers, Great Software ?K "/ O (same as above), see line listings for more MediaVision products... "w m m

TE=g><5EL_ "Double-speed" CD-ROM Kit

For Maximum Performance! ...experience the

difference with a Double Speed Drive. Includes: DM3024 drive (int), 265ms, Double Data Transfer for 300KB/sec, MediaVision Spectrum 16, interface kit, Microphone, Compton's MPC ACP's Sale

Encyclopedia, Carmen San Diego, National Parks, PC Library, Nautilus Mag, GamePak, Music CD, MPC Wizard, Mediaclips, King's Quest V.etc.

CD ROM Drives • CD Bundles

$995

con W <

CD Bundle #1, Ret. Val. $604.

Software Toolworks Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, World Atlas Multimedia Ed., US Atlas w/Automap, Reference Lib. Microsoft Works for Windows-Multimedia Edition CD Bundle #2, Ret. Val. $1013. $AAQ Reference Library, Family Doctor, &ww US History, Animals, Software Du Jour, Grolier's Illustrated Encyclopedia

MITSUMI CD-ROM Drive

265ms, MPC Interface Crd, MS Ext,

SW, BONUS OFFER w/Drive Purchase CD Bundle #3, Ret. Val. $519. $1 7Q

Loom, CD Game Pack II, Secret of 1/1

Compton's Family Encyc, World Atlas, Webster's Die, $39.95

• Family Choice's 15 Ed. $29.95

• Lucas Games "Loom" $19.95

Monkey Island, Sherlock Holmes Cons. Detective, Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe, Wing Commander w/ Ultima VI

ADS

PC Prime Time

122 channel cable-ready TV-Tuner with scalable windows and complete software kit. 4watt stereo 359

ADS Video Clipper

Capture motion from hard disk ....399

ADS VGA TV Elite

Converts VGA to Big Screen TV ... 349

Video Graphics cards

ATI

Graphics Ultra Pro 2Mb 495

Graphics Plus 2Mb 315

Graphics Vantage 1Mb 285

Diamond -New for '93

SpeedSTAR24X 1Mb 154

StedlthlMb 210

Stedlth 24 ISA/VESA 165/169

Stealth Pro lMb/2Mb 239/349

Stealth Pro VESA 2Mb 335

Viper VESA Local Bus 2Mb 389

Sigma Designs

Windstorm MM Display Card 335

Orchid Fahrenheit 1280w/lMb ... 189

More MultiMedia...

Creative Labs

New for '93 -Upgrade Kits

Edutdinment Kit (jupgrode kit) Call

Discovery Kit (upgrade kit) Call

Sound Blaster Deluxe/Pro 88/149

Video Blaster 338

Sound Blaster 16 ASP Call

Video Spigot/Windows 399

MediaVision

Pro 16 MultiMedia System 899

Fusion CD 16 int/ext 499/549

CDPC XL Subsystem 1169

Pro Movie Spectrum 289

NEC -New Multispin!

CDR84-1 (int) 74-1 (ext) 535/595

MultiMedia Gallery w/Multispin 869

CDR 38 Portable CD 459

Turtle Beach

Multi-Sound Upgrade Kit 1289

Texcel

MultiMedia Bundle 16-bit with

10 Software Titles int/ext 995/1095

Home Bundle Double Speed 665/765

DM3024 DoubleSpeed CD int/ext 399/499 8-bit Kit w/Transfer I/O int/ext 485/575

Sigma Designs

Windstorm CD-RDM Kit 24 bit 1039

Toshiba

XM43018 Double Speed (int) 485

Gravis Ultra-Sound-New! 169

Advanced Computer Products,

1310 b. Edinger, Santa Ana, CA 92705 • FAX 714-558-8849 • Toil-Free 1-800-FOIME ACP • Sales 714-558-8813 MMC]

Prices subject to change without notice. No surcharge on credit card. Credit cards not charged unlil we ship. 100% risk free return guarantee! If you are nol 100% satisfied just return insured within 15 days complete with all materials in new resaleable condition with original invoice. ACP will immediately exchange product or issue ACP credit less shipping tor future purchase. No Returns on software Special Purchase

Circle 180 on Inquiry Card.

The difference between their prices and ours is simply too great to ignore. No wonder we've been around

(AND WHAT AUDACITY THE COMPETITION HAS TO CLAIM THAT THEY WON'T BE UNDERSOLD)

CONTROL memory upgrades "experts in portable intelligence"

TOSHIBA MEMORY

T2200SX, T2000SXE, T2000SX, T2000. T5100, T3200SX, T3100SX, T31006, T1600, T1200XE,T1000XE/SE/LE, andT1800,T1850, andT1850C

2MB..$ 78 4MB..$158 8MB..$286

*ALL CARDS ARE FAST 70ns

LASER PRINTER MEMORY

WE OFFER MEMORY FOR ALMOST ALL BRANDS AND MODELS OF

LASER PRINTERS AT ROCK-BOTTOM PRICES. JUST CALL OR FAX

YOUR REQUIREMENTS, AND WE WILL RESPOND IMMEDIATELY WITH

OUR BEST PRICES. (HP LASERJET 4/4M 2MB MODULE ONLY $72.)

PCMCIA SRAM MEMORY

AST PoworExoc, AST PenExoc, AT&T NCR Safari, CANON Nolo(ol. DAUPHIN 6500 Color Ponlop. DECpo 325SL, DELL 320SU , EO 440, FUJrTSU 325 Poinl, FUjrTSU Poqot PC. FUJTTSU PoqolPad,

GRID GriofjaoTHD, GRID ConveftiMo, GRID Palmpad, HP 95LX, HYUNDAI Courier. IBM ThinkPad

710T, IBM PC RADIO, MEMOREX Commuler, MOMENTA Ponlop, NCR 3130, NCR 3170. NEC UltraBlo

Autograph. NEC Ultralllo Versa, OLIVETTI Quadomo, OMRON Toucan. PI InfoDo. SAMSUNG

PenMaator, SHARP PC-3000y3100/6700*741/6781/8765/6800/ea41/e8BI/r3891,

TOSHIBADynapadTlooX.ZENrTH Z4.Ho 320U ZEOS Pockol PC

512K $87 1MB $135 2MB $244

r

PCMCIA V2.0 96724 FAX/MODEMS

$259

MORE LAPTOP/NOTEBOOK

AST PENEXEC 2MB/4MB/6MB

AST POWEREXEC/386 4MB/8MB

AST PREMIUM EXEC/ADVANTAGE 4MB

COMMODORE CLT286/386 2MB

EVEREX TEMPO/LX 2MB/4MB

— GRID CONVERTIBLE 2MB/6MB ™

GRID 1720/1750 2MB

GRID 1660/1755 2MB/4MB/6MB

NEC ULTRALITE III/SL25C 2MB/4MB/BMB

NEC ULTRALITE SL20/20P 2MB/6MB

NEC ULTRAUTE VERSA 4MB/8MB

PANASONIC CF170/270/370 1MB/2MB

PANASONIC CF-470/480 2MB/6MB

SANYO MBC-17NB/1BNB 2MB

SHARP PC-6200/6220/624(VTI TM2000 1MB BOARD

SHARP PC-6600/6640/6661/T1 TM3000 2MB UPGRADE

SHARP PC-7700/7750 4MB MEMORY BOARD

SHARP PC-8041/8081 1MB MODULE

SHARP PC-8501 COLORSTAR 2MB

TANDY I500HD/2810HD/3810HD 1MB/2MB

TANDY 2820/3820/3830 2MB/6MB

Tl TRAVELMATE 4000 4MB

ZEOS 2&67386SX NOTEBOOK 2MB

ZENITH MASTERSPORT SX/SL/SLE /SLC 2MB

ZENITH Z-NOTE/386 2MB/8MB

ZENITH Z-UTE 2MB/4MB

MEMORY

SI 16VS207/S284

$I70/S654

$120

$93

$93

$158/$413

$98

$158/$263/$358

$105/$173/$303

$105/$244

$OALL S58/$98 $I56V$385 $93 £68 $72 S389 $53 $119 $58/$98 $158/$385 $180 $93 $96

$113/5311 $163/$306

OP/WORKSTATION MEMORY

APPLE MAC llfx 4MB $151

APPLE MAC+/SE/S1/II7CI/CX 4MB $150

AST BRAVO LC 3/33S 2MB/8MB $767317

AST BRAVO 486/25 & 4/33 2/8MB $102/$330 AST BRAVO LC486 4/8/16MB $153/$307/$585 AST CUPID-32 2/4/8MB $102/$165/$330

AST PREMIUM 3867486 4MB/8MB $165/$330 AST PREMIUM 386/25,331 MB/2MB $51/$102

AST PREMIUM 386C 4MB

$156

AST PREMIUM II 4MB/BMB

$165/$330

AST PREMIUM SE 4/50 32MB

$1352

ATST 6386 2MB/4MB

$70/$141

IBM34F2933 4MB

$153

IBM 6450128 4MB

$153

IBM 6450129 8MB

$325

IBM 6450130 8MB

$325

IBM 6450603 1MB

$48

IBM 6450604 2MB

$79

CPQ DESKPRO 4MB/8MB

$135^260

CPQ DESKPRO 3B6s 4MB

$153

CPQ PROLINEA 4/33 8MB

$294

CPQ PROLINEA 4/33 4MB $146

CPQ PROLINEA 3/25 8MB $281

CPQ SYSTEMPRO 2MB/BMB $98/$377 CPQSYSTEMPRO/LT4/BMB $153/$325 DECpc 433 & 433 PORTABLE 8MB $281 DELL 316SX 2MB $78

EPSON 366/33 4MB/8MB $146/$291

EPSON EISA SERIES 2/8MB $87/$325

EPSON EQUrTY486Plus 4MB $156

HP 700/RX TERMINAL 4MB/BMB$153/$325 HP XSTATION 700/RX 8MB $325

HP VECTRA TAJ SERIES 4/BMB $153^325 NCR 386SX/1S & 466/MC 8MB $281

NEC POWERMATE 386/253 6MB $312

SUNX104C/IPC/1/1+4MB $156

SUN ELC 4MB/16MB $153/$585

SUN SLC 4/20 4MB $153

SUN SPARCSTATION 16MB $595

ZENITH 366 1MB/2MB $48/$79

ZENITH Z-STATION4MB/16M8 $153/$5B5

COMPAQ LAPTOP MEMORY

CONTURA 2MB/4MB/8MB $98/$145/3268

LTE386S/201MB/4MB $86/$156

UTE/486 4MB/BMB/16MB $189/$332S946

LITE/20 & LITE/25 1MB/4MB/BMB $B8/$156/$299

PORTABLE 486 & 486C 2MB/4MB/8MB $79/$153/S325

LTE/2881MB/2MB/4MB $45/$91«150

SLT386S/20 4MB $163

FULLY-CONFIGURED NOTEBOOKS

AST PREMIUM EXEC 386SX/20 200MB LCD W/ 8MB $1923

AST POWEREXEC EL 3B6/25SL 60MB LCD W/ 10MB $1603

AST POWEREXEC EL 366/25SL 80MB LCD W/ 10MB $1779

AST POWEREXEC EL 386/25SL120MB LCD W/ 12MB $2131

AST POWEREXEC 3/25SL 60MB LCD W/ 12MB $2131

AST POWEREXEC 3/25SL 80MB LCD W/12MB $2395

AST POWEREXEC 3/25SL 120MB LCD W/ 12MB $2571

AST POWEREXEC 3/25SL 80MB ACTIVE COLOR W/12MB $3275

AST POWEREXEC 3/25SL 200MB ACTIVE COLOR W/ 12MB $3715

AST POWEREXEC 486/25SL 80MB LCD W/12MB $2562

AST POWEHEXEC 486/25SL 120MB LCD W/ 12MB $2736

AST POWEREXEC 486/25SL 200MB W/12MB $3002

AST POWEREXEC 486/25SL BOMB ACTIVE COLOR W/ 12MB $4058

AST POWEREXEC 486725SL 120MB ACTIVE COLOR W/ 12MB $4234

AST POWEREXEC 486/25SL 200MB ACTIVE COLOR W/12MB $4498

•••— GRID CONVERTIBLE 125MB W 8MB """ $3505

IBM THINKPAD/300 386SL/25 80MB LCD W/ 12MB $2094

IBM THINKPAD/300 3B6SL/25 120MB LCD W/ 12MB $2282

IBM THINKPAD/700 486SLC/25 60MB LCD W/ 16MB $2967

IBM THINKPAD/700 486SLC/25120M8 LCD W/ 16MB $3154

IBM THINKPAD/700C 486SLC/25120MB ACTIVE COLOR W/ 16MB $4461 NEC ULTRAUTE VERSA 486SU20C120MB ACTIVE COLOR W/ 12MB $4325

NEC ULTRAUTE VERSA 486SU25 120MB LCD W/ 12MB $3374

NEC ULTRAUTE VERSA 486SU25 1 BOMB LCD W/ 12MB $3623 NEC ULTRAUTE VERSA 486SU25C 120MB ACTIVE COLOR W/ 12MB $4492 NEC ULTRAUTE VERSA 486SL/25C 180MB ACTIVE COLOR VII12MB $4741

PANASONIC CF-370 386SX 60MB LCD W/ 5MB $CALL

SHARP PC-6340 386SX 386/20 40MB LCD W/2MB (CLOSEOUT) $1000

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS TM3000/120MB LCD W/ 6MB (CLOSEOUT) $CALL

TOSHIBA T1800 386SX/20 80MB LCD W/ 10MB $1433

TOSHIBA T1850 386SX/25 BOMB LCD W/ 12MB $1693

TOSHIBAT1850 38BSX/25 120MB LCD W/ 12MB $1921

TOSHIBAT1B50C 3B6SX/25 80MB PASSIVE COLOR W/ 12MB $2386

TOSHIBA T1850C 366SX/25 120MB PASSIVE COLOR W/ 12MB $2539

TOSHIBA T3300SL 366SL/25 120MB LCD W/ 18MB $2740

TOSHIBA T4400SX 486SX/25 120MB LCD W/ 18MB $3007

TOSHIBA T44O0SX 486DX/25120MB LCD W/18MB $3368

TOSHIBA T4400SX 486SX/25 200MB LCD W/ 18MB $3485

TOSHIBA T4400SX 4B6DX/25 200MB LCD W/ 18MB $3847

TOSHIBA T440OC 486SX725 120MB ACTIVE COLOR VW 20MB $4049

TOSHIBA T4400C 486SX/25 200MB ACTIVE COLOR W/ 20MB $4527

TOSHIBA T4400C 486DX/25 120MB ACTIVE COLOR W/ 20MB $4411

TOSHIBA T4400C 466DX/25 200MB ACTIVE COLOR W/ 20MB $4745

TOSHIBA T4500 486SX/20 60MB LCD W/ 12MB $2826

TOSHIBA T4500 486SX/20120MB LCD W/ 12MB $3002

TOSHIBA T4500C 486SX/20 120MB ACTIVE COLOR W/ 12MB $4223

TOSHIBAT5100 386/DX-18 100MB GAS PLASMA W/4MB $1968

TOSHIBA T6400 486/DX2-50 200MB GAS PLASMA W/ 36MB $5171

TOSHIBA T64O0C 486/DX2-50 200MB ACTIVE COLOR W/ 36MB $7149

ZENITH NOTEBOOKS (ALL MODELS) $CALL NOTE: Please call tor models not listed.

TOSHIBA T4400/T1800

INTERNAL 14400B FAX with 14400B MODEM $493.00

MATH COPROCESSORS

80287-10/12 $64

80387SX-25 $80

B0387DX-33 $ 81

SHARP PC-6700, 6741, 6781, 6785, 6800, 6881, 6891 RAM UPGRADES 2MB/4MB SLOW

We are listed in the TOSHIBA TECHNICAL INFORMATION GUIDE

as "the (east expensive memory

manufacturer approved for Toshiba

laptops and notebooks."

TOSHIBA T1200XE /T3100SX

2MB $79 4MB $168

TOSHIBA T4400/T6400

2/4AV16MB $95/$156J$28a$S38

TOSHIBA T5200/T5200C/T8500 2MB/BMB S98/S315 TOSHIBAT3300SL

2/4/6716MB $88/$156/3221 ($638

APPLE POWERBOOK MEMORY

2MB 4MB 6MB 8MB 10MB 100 $94 $169 $247 X X

140

145

170

160

m.

210

230

$94 $143 $228

$94 $143 $228

$94 $143 $228

$182 $260 $338 $416

$182 $260 $338 $416

$182 $273 $338 $442

$1B2 $273 $338 $442

tote-a-lap

550 Pilgrim Drive, Ste.F, Foster City, CA 94404 PHONE : (415)578-1901 FAX: (415)578-1914 ORDERS ONLY : 1-800-9-LAPTOP

(PRIOR APPOINTMENTS ARE NEEDED FOR WILL-CALLS, PLEASE)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: All Gales final. Wo chargo a 25% re-Blocking tee on ell refused shipments end pre-approved returns. Prices aro subject to change without notice, end reflect ell cash discounts. Warranty on oil merchendise, except memory upgrades, Is thru the original manufacturer only, unless previously agreed upon and stated on our Invoice. All software, plus ell merchandise that include a rom bios, are not returnable for credit, and are subject to an even exchange only. Wo accept purchase orders from creditworthy Institutions, although prices may be slightly higher on some Items. We will not ship to any account with on overdue balance. Purchase prices at the rime of sale are final. Memory upgrados guaranteed 100% compatible or your money back. You have NO RISK buying our CONTROL memory upgrades. ALWAYS INSIST ONconTKOL.

ALL MEMORY UPGRADES COME WITH A LIFETIME

WARRANTS A 48 HOUR EXCHANGE GUARANTEE!

IBM LAPTOP MEMORY

CL57SX 2MB/4M&/BMB $168/$! W/J344 L40SX/N33SX 2MB/4MB/BMB 72-3153/5276 N61SX/NS1SLC4MB/BMB $1539278

THINKPAD 300 2MB/6MB $H3/$311

THINKPAD 7OG/7O0C4MB/fiMB $l«/$3+* THKKPAD70OT/710T4MB/BMB $I03/S27B PC RADIO PCMCIA SRAM 512K TO 2MB

SEHABLAESPANOL pregunte por Hector

TOSHIBA T1100

213MB INTERNAL HARD DRIVE UPGRADE KIT IN STOCK !!!

EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE KITS

(19 OZS. BATTERY-POWERED)

20, 40,60, 80, 130, AND 213MB

SIZE-PERFECT FOR LAPTOPS

TOSHIBA T5200 486 CPU UPGRADE

NOW IN STOCK.

Circle 192 on Inquiry Card.

M£MOM I! MeMOM II M£MOM II

ACER 486SX - 16MB SIMM «m x 36)

$

599.00

32MB SIMM(8MX36>

$

1,399.00

AMI El-FLEX - 64MB KIT<4simms)

$

2,699.00

AMIGA 2000 - 16MB SIMM

$

539.00

AST BRAVO 486LC - 16MB SIMM

$

539.00

COMPAQ SystemPro - 32MB MODULE

$

1,199.00

DELL 486's - 16MB KIT <2 simms>

$

538.00

32MB KIT (2 simms)

$

1,088.00

MAC llfx - 16MB SIMM

$

479.00

MAC QUADRA 950 - 16MB SIMM

$

479.00

MAC llci,llcx,llsi,QUADRA 900 - 16MB SIMM

$

479.00

MAC QUADRA 700 & SE/30 - 16MB SIMM

$

529.00

NeXT TURBO - 16MB SIMM

$

529.00

SUN IPX,ELC - 16MB SIMM

$

549.00

SUN SPARC SERVER - 256MB KIT

CALL

^Kj

'HER MEMORIES AVAILAB

131

IBM

COMPAQ

HP

LAPTOPS

PS/1 - 2MB

S 68

DP 386/20.20E.25 - 1MB

$

66

Vectra QS-16 - 2MB KIT

$ 129

AST EXEC. NB - 4MB

$ 119

4MB

$ 149

4MB

$

159

4MB KIT

$ 229

COMPAQ LTE386 - 4MB

$ 209

M30 - 2MB

$ 79

DP 386S/16 - 1MB

S

66

Vectra 486 - 2MB

$ 79

SLT386 - 4MB

$ 168

M50Z.55sx.65sx.70 - 1MB

$ 45

4MB

$

159

4MB

S 135

DELL 316,320 LT - 2MB

$ 99

2MB

$ 79

DP 286N.386N.S/20 - 4MB

s

135

8MB

$ 269

EVEREX TEMPO - 2MB

$ 78

M55sx,65sx,70 - 4MB

S 135

M-SYSTEMS - 2MB

s

79

X-Statlon 700 Ser. - 2MB

$ 89

IBM L40sx - 4MB

$ 135

M70-A21A61.121 - 2MB

$ 79

4MB

$

13b

4MB

$ 149

MAC POWERBOOK - 2MB

$ 104

M40sx,35sx - 8MB

$ 269

8MB

$ 299

8MB

S 299

NEC PS. 286.386SX - 4MB

$ 200

M57sx.90.95 - 4MB

$ 135

DP 386/33,486/25 - 2MB

$

96

9000/400t.425t - 8MB KIT

$ 495

P.S, 386 - 8MB

$ 429

8MB

$ 269

SystemPro - 8MB

$

269

16MB KIT

S 999

P.S. SX/20 - 4MB

$ 200

M80-041 - 1MB

$ 65

OK Exp Brd DP 386S/16 1MB Exp Brd

s

335

32MB KIT

SI 869

PANASONIC CF170 - 1MB

$ 55

M80-111,121,311 - 2MB

$ 99

$

lUb

9000/425e - 8MB KIT

S 428

T.I. TRVL-MT 3000 - 2MB

$ 80

M80-A21.A31 - 4MB

S 180

DP 386/20,20E,25,25E

16MB KIT

5 828

TOSHIBA 1000 - 2MB

$ 108

16-BIT OK Exp Board

$ 128

1MB Exp. Board

s

105

2000SXE - 8MB

$ 388

32-BIT OK Exp Board

$ 128

APPLE

3200SXC - 4MB

$ 160

AST

DELL

II.SE,SE/30 - 1MB

$ 32

5200 - 8MB

$ 315

325D,P;333D,P - 1MB

s

41

Classic - 1MB Exp. Board

$ 54

PRINTERS

PREM. 386/20C - 1MB KIT

S 65

4MB

$

135

SE/30,llcl,llcx,llsl,LC &

PREM. 386/25 - 1MB

$ 45

420,425,433 - 2MB KIT

5

82

Quad. 700,900 - 4MB

$ 115

EPSON 6000 - 4MB

$ 229

PREM. 486/25 - 1MB

$ 45

4MB KIT

S

158

Quad. 700,900 - 32MB KIT

$1120

HP IIP.III.IIID.P - 2MB

$ 108

PREM. II 486 - 1MB

$ 41

8MB KIT

s

2/0

llfx - 16MB KIT

S 499

Ills! - 4MB

$ 135

4MB

S 139

450DE.450SE - 2MB KIT

s

82

llfx - 32MB KIT

$1156

IBM 4019,4029e - 3.5MB

$ 129

8MB KIT

S 278

4MB KIT

s

158

Quddra 256K V-RAM

$ 27

4029 - 4MB

$ 135

PREM. II 1MB Exp Board

$ 469

8MB KIT

$

270

LC 512K V-RAM

$ 44

OKIDATA 400 - 2MB

$ 129

PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

OTHER MEMORIES FOR:

ACER. ALTIMA, APPLE, AST, CHAPLET, COMPAQ, DELL, EPSON, EVEREX, HP, LEADING EDGE, IBM, NEC, NCR, OKIDATA, PACKARD-BELL, PANASONIC, PHILIP, SAMPO, SHARP, SILICON GRAPHICS, SUN MICROSYSTEMS, TANDON, Tl, TOSHIBA, TULIP AND ZENITH.

m ^on mm ©ampuMm CAmtom

TERMS: C.O.D. CASH, VISA OR MASTERCARD.

COMPANY AND UNIVERSITY P.O.'S ACCEPTED UPON CREDIT APPROVAL.

414 CLOVERLEAF DR., UNIT B, BALDWIN PARK, CA 91706

TEL (818)855-5688 FAX (818)855-5687

Circle 196 on Inquiry Card.

ALL PRODUCT NAMES. TRADEMARKS AND REGISTERED TRADEMARKS ARE THE PROPERTY OF THEIR REPSECTTVE COMPANIES.

WIRELESS NETWORKING BY MOTOROLA

Users roam the nation and stay in the loop

Portability doesn't have to mean isolation from important, timely information, thanks to EMBARC wireless networking. In over 200 cities in the U.S. and Canada, you're connected—to E-mail from the office and news and weather briefs from USA TODAY, as well as optional services such as sports, key market and financial developments, and HeadsUp™ targeted industry news briefs from INDIVIDUAL, Inc. You can even have your important databases routinely updated—automatically! All you need is EMBARC's compact, powerful NewsStream receiver (it plugs directly into most laptop, palmtop and notebook computers) and the simple software package that drives it. Pay as little as $395, install it in minutes and you're ready to go—without wires, faxes or phones.

Equip your whole team to receive memos, documents and file updates for pennies per recipient. You'll find EMBARC so cost effective you'll communicate more.

Our corporate trial program lets you try it virtually risk-free. Sign up right now by phoning 1-800-EMBARC4, Ext. 350. Give your team the homefield advantage... even when they're

on the road. EMBARC service is available

for DOS-based laptops and notebooks, HP 95LX palmtops and Macintosh Powerbooks.

^Y Motorola and NewsStream are trademarks

i AA) of Motorola, Inc. EMBARC is a servicemark

—' of Motorola, Inc. S Motorola, Inc. 1992

Circle 204 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 205).

TWXTiJil

LIFETIME^ WARRANTY!

100% i

EMEU SUPER SOU

MATH CO-PROCESSORS

HARD

DRIVE

SUPER

PRICES

SCALL

Q

Quantum FUJ?TSU

Maptjor

^Seagate

MICROPnLIS

CONNER

WESTERN DIGITAL

\ Apple

MHO. 115 HO 4MB MOO M1033U A IM

:«■ u.T' •. ■■

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C0NVEH1IONAL ISTAHOAROI

MSE-WILLACCEPIIUPORAM MODULE

4MB HOD N A 300

iimsmooha 195

iMUUI tMTtU l!« THE USE MODULES ■;«!! Willi N A ItS

MAC PORTABLE BJ

.■«■■. F,'-l' 111 ,Vi- ".'.'I1. Ij:

IT MCI2707 131

IITSA 510

kit mm; in

[ MD375UA 115

RCE

1x9 $36

70 NS

4x9 $145

FAST DELIVERY, GREAT SERVICE

AND LOW PRICES

m: 5MHZ MEL

S&7-2 SWiZ I'JltL 50B7-1 10MUZ INTEL 80287-6 6MHZ inia 50287-8 BMHZ INTEL 80287-10 1QMKZINTR B0237XL 10MHZ INTEL B0787XLT T2MHZ INTEL 60337SX-I6 16MHZ INTEL 6O3B7SX-20 JO HZ INTEL E0337DX-16 16MHZ JMTEL 8M87DX-20 20MHZ INTEL ?.;.s;Ci.'v:;:LVH/:Mi 8Q3B7DX-33 J3MHZ INTEL 8Q4B7SX-25 IMTE OVERDRIVE SXVDX33 0VEFTDRLVE SXDX25 OVERDRIVE SXDX20 RAPID CAD

49.00

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74.00

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69.00

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69.00

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749.00

3167-25MHZ V/EITEK

SIS IK)

3167-33MEI2 WEITEK

MR III

4167-25MHZ WEITEK

MS IKI

269 00

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695.00

2C87-B 8MHZ IIT 2CB7-1C 10MH7 IIT 2C8M2 12MH? IIT 2C8720 20MHZ IIT 3C37-16 16MHZ JtT 3C87-2O20MHZIII 3CB7-25 25MH2 IIT 3C87-33 33MHZ IIT 3C87-40 40MHZ IIT 3SB7SX-I5 15MP2 II! 3S67SX-2D 20MHZ IIT 3SB7SX-25 25WHZ IIT 3SE7SX-33 jjMHZ in

54 00 » DO MOO 64.00

SJ.G0

84.00 8100 64.M M.00 70 00 70 00 70.00 00 00

SIMM-SIPP MODULES

4MB X 9-BONS SIMM-PC 4MB X 9-70NS SIMM 4MB X 9-60NS SIMM 1MB X 9-1O0NS 9 CHIP SIMM 1MB X 9-BONS 3 CHIP SIMM 1MBX 9-BONS 9 CHIP SIMM 1MB X 9-70NS 3 CHIP SIMM 1MB X 9-70NS 9 CHIP SIMM 1MB X 9-60NS 3 CHIP SIMM 1MB X9-60NS 9 CHIP SIMM 1MB X9-53NS 3 CHIP SIMM 1MB X9-53NS 9 CHIP SIMM 16MB X 9-70NS SIMM

135 256K

145 256K

155

33 Z5BK

32 256K

;\!R

35 33

36 IMD

35 4MB

38 4MB

X 9-10DNS SIMM X 9-S0rJSSIMM X 9-70NSSIMM X 9-60NS SIMM X 8-aONS SIMM X 8-70fJS SIMM X 8-BONSSIMM X 8-70NS SIMM X 9-100NS SIPP X 9-80NS SIPP

1MB X9 1MB X9256K X 9 256K X 9

256K X 9 256K X 9 256 X 36 512X36 1 X 36 2X364 X36

70NS SIPP 60NS SIPP 100MS SIPP

80NS SIPP 70NS SIPP 60fJS SIPP

- 1MB

- 2MB 4MB

CALL CALL CALL CALL

CALL CALL

32MB KI1 NA IB!

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QUADRA VIDEO li.d S1ZK Kir M593LLA

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386/486

ONE BOARD SOLUTION

386/486-64K Cache no CPU $200 386/4BS-256K Cache no CPU $250

'^■:llkl,MiitiNil:|iT:1:liH

3B6DX-33-64K CACHE W.'CPU . 386DX-33-256K CACHE W;CPU 3B6DX-4064K CACHE W(CPU . 386OX-40-256K CACHE VWCPU 486SX-25-64K CACHE WCPU 486DX-33-64K CACHE W.'CPU ■1860X-33-256K CACHE W/CPU 486OX-50-256K CACHE W/CPU

■■ I IIIIIMI I

RAMpAT! " uas!ip»t6MBclrn*ii»ij-16-liillM[PCAl| ■asSjilii; v. '.-■:.:■'.',-:- aviwj1!',-.'.:) ■?».■'-: :„;fo1nilnt]!3 memoiymaJe (< $108

RAMpATI-Wm™ Uploi6UBolmirtKitv HUt-u.'O pJui; inlo 1-ca 0' itj-m LSA iifjnsMi ibis Hrdmrt '■.[;■■" ':' 1 iu if. '.ipmiM mtm- cue

Div-SeK nitiHing so(T*»re ■ l4a

AST Rampage Plus/2MB $169

mm?

HEIEB

1MB X I 1MB X I IMBX 1 1MB X 1 ;»:ji;k x 1 255KX

■I00NS BONS TONS

60NS

I'jUNS I20NS

I (SUMS

3.95

4.211 4.25 ■1.70

256 X I-SONS 256K X I-70NS 256K X 1-60 NS 256K X -1-I00NS 256K X 4-BONS 256K X 4-70NS 256K X 4-60NS

2.20 4 35 4.45 4 50 4 75

64KX 4-120NS

1.75

64K X 4-100NS

2-10

64K X 4-80NS

2 25

64KX 1-15DNS

1.5Q

64KX 1-I2QNS

1.75

64K X MOONS

1.95

CACHE

, mbm FOR MEMORY PRODUCTS NOT LISTED, CALL FOR PRICES AND AVAILABILITY

i..c..»! \m* I PURCHASE ORDERS FROM GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - UNIVERSITIES - FORTUNE 2000 FIRMS - CALL 1-215-922-4650

S^LS!!!!SLmmmmmm NEVER A SURCHARGE ON CREDIT CARDS OPEN SATURDAY 10-6 - «™>

TECHNICAL SUPPORT ORDERS ONLY TOLL FREE FAX

-215-922-4*340 1 -800-457-6937 1 -215-922

0116

ALL CREDIT CARDS ARE VERIFIED FOR FRAUDULENT USE. ORDER TOLL-FREE FROM ANYWHERE IN THE USA OR CANADA. CALL FOR CURRENT PRICES AND VOLUME DISCOUNTS. PRICES AND AVAILABILITY SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ORDER LINES OPEN 6 DAYS

MINIMUM ORDER 50 0O*USA SHIPPING & HANDLING: AIR S12.O0-AIR OVERNIGHT S18.00-COD ADD $4.00«FA RESIDENTS ADD 7% SALES TAX*PREPAID ORDERS CALL FOR CONFIRMATION«ALL RETURNS REQUIRE RMA# AND ORIGINAL INVOICE CANCELLED ORDERS AND RETURNS TOR CREDIT SUBJECT TO 25% RESTOCKING CHARGE«RETURNFD MERCHANDISE MUSI [IE IN NEW CONDITION AND RECEIVED WITHIN 14 DAYS FROM INVOICE DATE SORRY NO REFUNDS AFTER 14 DAYS SHIPPING AND HANDLING CHARGES NOT REFUNDABLE-INTERNATIONAL ORDERS WELCOME-APO-FPO ORDERS WELCOME PO.'S ACCEPTED FROM GOVERMENT AGENCIES UNIVERSITIES/FORTUNE 2000 COMPANIES-SUBJECT TO APPROVAL' ALL MEMORY PRODUCTS ARE THIRD PARTY ALL TRADEMARKS ARE THE PROPERTY OF THE RESPECTIVE OWNERS * ALL WORLDWIDE TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS ARE 100% GUARANTEED AND COME WITH LIFETIME WARRANTY EXCEPT

30 DAY WARRANTY ON CPU CHIPS AND 1 YEAR WARRANTY ON MOTHER BOAHDS i

WORLDWIDE TECHNOLOGIES

437 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 Customer Service 215-922-4640

248 BYTE JUNE 1993

Circle 195 on Inquiry Card.

/

X

DEDICATED

OUTSTANDING

LEADERS

HEWLETT-PACKARD & MANCHESTER

INTRODUCING THE

NEWEST

INNOVATIVE PRINTER

THE

HEWLETT-PACKARD

LASERJET 4Si PRINTER

FAST, EXPANDABLE LASER PRINTER

IDEAL FOR MULTIPLE USERS

Fast Printing at 17 Pages Per Minute High Quality 600dpi output High Volume 75,000 Page Per Month Duty Cycle 2 MB RAM Standard, Upgradeable to 34MB Expandable and Flexible - Excellent for Networks High Volume Dual-Bin Paper Handling Optional Adobe PostScript Level 2, Automatic Language Switching, and Resource Saving Optional Duplex Printing, 1,500 Sheet Paper Feeder, 2,000 Sheet Output Stacker and Power Envelope Feeder

SYSTEMS INTEGRATION

NETWORKING ^ CONNECTIVITY

CAD/CAM ^g=rf=^ RISC/UNIX

tl

HEWLETT

PACKARD

Authorized Dealer

MANCHESTER EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC.

"The Computer Supply and Equipment Experts" 50 MARCUS BLVD. ■ HAUPPAUGE, NY 11788 ■ (516)435-1199 ■ (212)629-6677

New York City: (212)629-6969 ■ Boca Raton: (407)241-7900 ■ Tampa: (813)888-8809 ■ Boston: (617)455-8300

Circle 537 on Inquiry Card.

JUNE 1993 BYTE 248NE-1

IF YOU READ THIS AD

ffWM*™

BYTE'S 500,000 READERS

INFLUENTIAL AUTHORITATIVE TECHNICALLY-ADVANCED KNOWLEDGEABLE

INNOVATIVE AND MOST OF ALL... BUSY!

mnmtoWiimm°H 4:M¥mTOT»Hii

te| access to buying direct from reputable suppliers. From computers to CAD, notebooks to networks, memory to mathematics, you'll find it in the BYTE Buyer's Guide.

PC-UNIX Connectivity from UniPress Software

XVision • Tens of Thousands Sold!

Inexpensively Add X Windows to your MS Windows PC

Best selling Microsoft Windows X server! Less expensive and better than an X terminal - run X and DOS applications simultaneously. Even run X applications over serial lines with XRemote. Support for MS Windows 3.1, X11R5, DECnet. up to 16 million colors, and 2-way copy-and-paste of graphics and text between X and DOS. Can be combined with PC-Connect for full desktop integration. Supports a wide variety of networks: PC/TCP. Chameleon. PC-NFS. Novell. DECnet and others. Price $449. 5-pack $1,800. FREE PHONE SUPPORT!

DOS X Server - XoftWare - Turns your DOS PC into an X Windows terminal. $395.

Mac or NeXT X Servers - eXodus - Add x windows to your Mac or NeXT. $295.

Mail-it • NEW!

MS Windows Access to UNIX e-mail

WITHOUT Gateways

Mail-it is a Microsoft Windows application that allows users on PCs to link straight into the UNIX e-mail network. Mail-it is superior to other e-mail products because it doesn't require expensive and inefficient gateways, and uses standard UNIX mail messaging protocols. Mail-it allows users to connect transparently from their familiar Windows environment to the more than 30 million Internet mailboxes worldwide. Mail-it Remote serial line version is also available for remote dial-up access. Priced from $140 per user.

PC-Connect

Integrate UNIX with MS Windows

Run local PC and remote UNIX or VMS applications simultaneously by clicking on MS Windows icons. Extensive terminal emulation, copy-and-paste, remote printing, file transfer, and Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE). Full support for VMS hosts, Dynacomm and CrossTalk, dynamic keyboard mapping, streamlined installation and enhanced 3-D look-and-feel. Can be combined with XVision. Uses either serial connection or Ethernet. Priced from $445 for one user. $205/user for a ten-pack.

SOL-Retriever Option - ms windows access

to Oracle. Informix, Ingres. Interbase, etc. Price$2,295 for unlimited users.

Chameleon

Smallest, fastest TCP/IP Networking for MS Windows

The only TCP/IP networking package implemented as 100V. DLL, making it the smallest and fastest TCP/IP networking package for MS Windows. Fully integrated TCP/IP applications for Windows are provided, including telnet, ftp and tftp file transfer. NFS option allows DOS disks to be attached to UNIX systems and UNIX disks to be attached to DOS systems. You can even back up your whole DOS network on high-capacity UNIX tape drives. Super easy Windows installation takes just minutes. Ideal for use with XVision and PC-Connect. Priced from $400.

SoftNet • NEW!

Novell UNIX Server

Enables Sun, HP and SGI computers to act as Novell NetWare 2.2 or 3.1 servers, providing file and print sharing, and more. UNIX disk partitioning is not required; NetWare clients map UNIX directories directly. SoftNet gives you everything you need - no additional purchases are required. Priced from $1,295 for 16 concurrent NetWare connections.

Novell UNIX Client

Allows your Sun. HP and SGI computers to access and mount NetWare servers as NetWare-compatible clients. Single-user $395: 5-pack $1,495.

Stand-alone SoftNet Print and SoftNet Term also available.

MS Windows Display on your UNIX Workstation

Run your MS Windows/DOS computer from your UNIX workstation. Ideal for network management, central helpdesks, remote access to your PC applications and as a migration path. Protects PC hardware investment. The DOS computer displays in an X window. PC applications run without slowing your workstation. Run several PC2X windows to work on multiple PCs simultaneously. Copy-and-paste between DOS and UNIX applications. Supports TCP/IP or serial. Starter pack $695.

PC/TCP

Comprehensive TCP/IP Ethernet Software for PCs

Provides DOS-DOS or DOS-UNIX networking. Runs under DOS or Windows. Includes over 30 TCP/IP applications - ftp. telnet, rlogin and many more. Remote printing: print DOS files on your UNIX printer and UNIX files on your DOS printer. Includes Interdrive support so DOS files can reside on large UNIX disks. Ideal for XVision. PC-Connect, XoftWare, PC2X. Mail-it. Price $400.

UniPress. fl tradition of UNIX software, support sod service sioce 1983. 800-222-0550 • 908-287-2100

2025 Lincoln Highway, Edison. New Jersey 08817 Fax: 908-287-4929 • e-mail: info@unipress.com

All product names are trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective companies.

S O F T W A R

Buy with

Confidence

In an effort to make your telephone purchasing a more successful and pleasurable activity, The Microcomputer Marketing Council of the Direct Marketing Association, Inc. offers this advice, "A knowledgeable buyer will be a successful buyer." These are specific facts you should know about the prospective seller before placing an order:

Ask These Important Questions

• How long has the company been in business?

• Does the company offer technical assistance?

• Is there a service facility ?

• Are manufacturer's warranties handled through the company?

• Does the seller have formal return and refund policies?

• Is there an additional charge for use of credit cards?

• Are credit card charges held until time of shipment?

• What are shipping costs for items ordered?

Reputable computer dealers will answer all these questions to your satisfaction. Don't settle for less when buying your computer hardware, software, peripherals and supplies.

Purchasing Guidelines

• State as completely and accurately as you can what merchandise you want including brand name, model number, catalog number.

• Establish that the item is in stock and confirm shipping date.

• Confirm that the price is as advertised.

• Obtain an order number and identification of the sales representative.

• Make a record of your order, noting exact price including shipping, date of order, promised shipping date and order number.

If you ever have a problem, remember to deal first with the seller. If you cannot resolve the problem, write to MAIL ORDER ACTION LINE, c/o DMA, 6 E. 43rd St., New York, NY 10017.

This message is brought to you by:

the MICROCOMPUTER

MARKETING COUNCIL

of the Direct Marketing

Association, Inc.

6 E. 43rd St.,

New York, NY 10017

MMC

MICROCOMPUTER MARKETING COUNCIL

of the Direct Marketing Association, Inc.

© Direct Marketing Association, Inc. 198K

tAt ccr«f witfc

Circle 199 on Inquiry Card.

You Can Rely on Ralin For all Your PC System Upgrades!

]^fODEM UPGRADES

Zoom Telephonies

All Zoom modems are backed by a 7-year warranty and are made in the USA.

2400 bps w/ v.42bis and MNP 2-5

(AMC) (AMX)

internal external

2400 bps w/ v.42bis and MNP 2-5 9600 send & 4800 receive Fax

(AFC) (AFX)

internal external

$ 49.95 $ 69.95

9600 bps modem w/ v.32, v.42bis, MNP2-5

(VP-V32) (VX-V32)

internal external

$185.00 $199.00

14,400 bps modem w/ v.32bis, v.32, v.42bis, MNP 2-5 and 9600 bps send/receive Fax

(VFP-V32bis*) (VFX-V32bis*)

internal external

$194.00 $244.00

2400 bps modem W/.42 bis and MNP 2-5, 9600 bps send and 4800 bps receive Fax

PKT Pocket/Fax Modem

$ 89.95

•WINFAX Lite software option available for $12 if purchased with VFP-V32bis or VFX-V32bis modem.

Call a corporate sales expert today and find out how Ralin can maximize

your purchasing dollars by upgrading your existing computer equipment.

Ralin stocks: • Motherboards • SIMM Memory • Controllers • Printers • Monitors

Hard Drives • MPC Products • Computer Cases • Keyboards and much more

CALL 1-800-752-951

Ralin Policies

■ Prices and availability subject to change.

• Purchase orders are accepted, subject to approval.

• We do not charge your card until order is processed.

Incomplete returns are subject to a service charge. All returns other than exchanged items incur a 10% re-stocking fee.

To insure your shipment arrives when you need it, Ralin uses only the most reputable modes of transportation available:

]\/|pC UPGRADES

Philips CM20S

■ 680 Meg MPC CD-ROM

■ Kodak "Photo CD" compatible. CD-ROM XA upgradable.

■ Made in the USA

CD Bundle

Compton's Family Choice • Toolworks Encyclopedia • Mammals

Internal External

v

■11Jl,li

•

«r

„

CD-ROM w/controller card With CD Bundle

'265 '325

'375 '449

Multimedia Upgrade Kit

FREE INSTALLATION 1

■ Philips CM20S 680 Meg internal CD-ROM drive

800*( Tech S

upport

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Pro 16 Speakers/headphones/microphone ■ CD Bundle: Wing Commander/Ultima VI only $475

The Animals/Loom/Atlas Pack

Toolworks Encyclopedia

nomjjwtx acfvf£is ■

^fLCO^

WHOLESALERS, INC.

P.O. Box 450, Orchard Park, NY 14127 Hours: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Mon-Fri Customer Service: 716-674-6267 Fax: 716-674-2108

AMT International

(COMPUTERS & PERIPHERALS)

3074 LANDESS AVENUE • SAN JOSE, CA 95132 TEL: (408) 942-9695 • FAX: (408) 942-5509

VISA

LOWEST PRICES SAME DAY SHIPPING

*Prices subject to change

COMPAQ MEMORY

DeskPro 1MB 4MB

DeskPro 2MB 4MB

DeskPro 1MB 4MB

DeskPro 2MB

286-E, 386-20/20E/25

113131-001 S7500

113132-001 $169 00

296H. 336N and 386SX

11B689-001 S135.00

118690-001 S230.00

386S

113646-001 - $99.00 112534-001 S195.00

3B6-33. 486-33 & SystemPro 115144.001 $185,00

AST MEMORY

Bfavc-286. Workstation 512K Kit 500510-010 2MB Kit 500510-002

Premium 3B6-16/20C 1MB Kit50051O-0O3 4MB Kit 500510-OM .

Premium 386-20

1MB Kit50051O-003 . 4MB Kit 500510-004..

Bravo-366SX

4MB KH500510-008

Premium 386-SX/25/33 & 48

1MB 500718-002

4MB 500-780

S59.00 S150 00

S7500 $185.00

S7500 S185.00

. S60.00 S195.00

2MB Kit 30F5360 S95 00

Models 70-E61/121, 55SX, 65SX

1MB6450603 $59.00

Models 70-E61/121.' SOZ, 55SX. 65SX

2MB6450604 S99O0

Models 55SX, 65SX. 34F3077 & 34F3011

4MB34F2933 Models 70-A21

2MB6450608 Models 60-141

1MB6450375

Models 80-111/311

2MB6450379

All Models 70 and 60

2-14MBw/2M34F3077

4-16MBW/4M34F3011 Models 50. 50Z, 55SX & 60

2-8MB 1497259 .

S149.00

S290 00 S350 00

HEWLETT-PACKARD MEMORY

Vectra QS/16S

1MB $65.00

4MB $185.00

Vectra QS/20PC, RS/25PC and 20C

1MB D1640A $65,00

4MB D1642A $17000

Vectra 466PC

1MB D2150A S75.00

4MB D2151A S165.00

IBM PS/2 MEMORY

Models 30-2136, Exp. Board 1497259 512KKH 30F5348 $54.00

LASER PRINTER MEMORY

Hewlett-Packard Laser Jet IIP, III & MID

1MB334748 $70.00

2MB33475B $99.00

4MB33477B S185.00

Hewlett-Packard Laser Jet IIP & IID

1MB33443B $75 00

2MB33444B SI 10 00

4MB33445B S175.00

IBM Laser 4019 and 4019e

1MB 1039137 S95 00

3.5MB 1038675 . S195 00

CansonLBP.811.6l1R, 611T 2MBS63-1880 $129.00

TOSHIBA MEMORY

1MB Model 1000SE/XE $110.00

2MB Model 1000SE/XE . ..S99.00 2MB ModelT1200XE .. ..$9900

2MB ModelT1600 S99 00

2MB ModelT3100E $99.00

2MB Model T3100SX S99.00

4MB ModelT3100SX $195.00

2MB Model T3200SX $99.00

4MB Model T32O0SX $195.00

LAPTOP AND PORTABLE MEMORY

2MB Model 5100 $99.00

2MB ModelT5200.T8500.. $110.00 8MB Model T5200.T8500 . S299 00

ZENITH MEMORY 1MB SuperSpart 286 & 286ES135 00 2MB SuperSport 286 & 286ES140.00 2MB SuperSportSX/Alpha. $140.00 2MB SuperSport SX/Beta $140 00

COMPAQ MEMOHY 1MB Portable LTE 286 . $125.00

2MB Portable LTE 286 S150.00

1MB SLT-286 $140.00

4MB SLT-286 $350.00

NEC MEMORY

1MB Prospeed266 SI7000

2MB Prospeed386 . S240 00

ZENITH MEMORY

Zenith Z-386/20/25/33 & 33E

1MB ZA36/3800ME $9000 2MB ZA36O0MG ... S140.00 4MB ZA3800MK $205.00

Zenith Z-366 SX

2MB Z-605-1 S125.00

MATH COPROCESSORS

Overdrive Mathco CALL

INTEL

8087-5 MHz S50.00

8087-2 8MHz S60.00

8087-1 10MHz $99.00

80287-6 6MHz $50.00

80287-8 8MHz $55.00

80287XL 8/10MHZ S59.00

80287XLSSLT $89.00

80287-1010MHz $59.00

80C287-12 12MHz $69.00

80387SX-16 S85.00

80387SX-20 $85.00

B0387DX-20 $89.00

80387DX-25 $89.00

80387DX-33 $89.00

804S7SX-20 $435.00

WEITEK

3167-20 20MHz $80.00

3167-25 25MHz S135.00

3167-33 33MHz $240 00

4167-25MHZ $350.00

4167-33MHZ $585.00

CYRIX

82S87XL S59.00

83D87.16 . S59 00

83D87-20 S75 00

83D67-25 S75.00

83D87-33 S75.00

83D87-40 S89.00

83S87-16»p*w S65.00

83S87-20 IS X S65.00

63S87-25 y*"x $65.00

IIT

2C87-8 $49.00

2C87-10 $59.00

2C87-12 $59.00

2C 87-20 S59.00

3C87-20 S69 00

3C87-25 S69 00

3C87-33 S79 00

3C87-40 $89.00

3S87-16 )/-(W $65.00

3S87-20 }SX $69.00

3S87-25 I $69.00

ULSI

US83587SX25/33 $59.00

USD8387-33-40 $79.00

IBM TYPE ADD S2.00 FOR SIPPS

4Mx9-80 $138.00

4Mx9-70 $140.00

4MX9-60 $143.00

1MX9-10 S30.00

1MX9-80 S35.00

1MX9-70 S36.00

256x9-70 $1000

256x9-10 $9.00

256x9-80 S1000

256x9-60 S1200

APPLE-MAC

1Mx8-70 $32.00

1MX8-10 $30.00

1MX8-80 $3200

4Mx8-80 $118.00

SIMM MODULES

■fg SffffTTa Bi

DRAMIMGX1

1MGX1-120NS

S3.00

1MGX1-100NX

-S3.50

1 MGX1-80NX

....$3.60

1 MGXI-70NX

S3.65

1 MGXI-60NX

$3.75

DRAM 64X1

4164-150

$0.85

S0.95

4164-100

SI.50

$2.00

DRAM 64X4

4464-15

S3.99

4464-12

S4.50

4464.10

S4.75

ORAM 256X1

255XM50NS

S1.25

255XM20NS

S1.50

256X1-100NS

SI.60

2S6XI-80NS

S1.75

256XI-70NS

256XI-6CNS

S1.85

DRAM 256X4

256X4-IO0NS

S3.99

256X4-80NS S4.50

256X4-70/60NS S4.75

256XI-STATIC COL

51258P-10 S1.50

AAA 2800-08 S1.75

AAA2800-07 S1.85

AAA 2800-60 S1.95

1X4-80 ZIPP $16.00

1X4-80STTZIPP $18.00

1X4-70STTZIPP S19.00

486 DX-33 w/ 64k cache

• 4MB RAM • 1 2S 1.44 • 130MB HD

• SVGA Montor • 101 Key Board

• Mini-Tower Case • DOS 5.0

• IDE With I/O

$1369.00

310.00

VIEWSONIC

CALL

NEC

CALL

VGA 0.41 14p $215.00

SVGA 0.28 14' $259.00

N-1 0.28 14- 3

SONIC

wnsmmm

486 DX-50 w/256k cache ....$600.00 486DX-33 w/128k cache ....$450.00 386/486 DX-40 AMD

(upgradable) $230.00

486SX-25/20 $279.00

386 DX-40/64k cache $169.00

386SX-33 $125.00

386SX-25 $110.00

486VL-50/33/256k cache ....$195.00

IDE with I/O $22.00

Trident w/1 MB $69.00

Orchid Pro IIS w/IMB $139.00

Diamond Stealth W/1MB $235.00

NESA IDE Controller S80.00

—s—

RampatAT $95.00

Rampat Plus XT. AT $119.00

Simmply Ram PS/2-16 $149.00

IBM PS/2 50. 50Z, 55, 60. S5 or

any MCA System Simmply Ram PS/2-32 $169.00

PS/2, 70, 80 S 90 32 Bit MCA

System

CP3000• CP3000I CP3000

CP3000:

CP3000 340MB $595.00

CP3000 520MB S890.00

CH ^/"jTy^Til^flHHPjBlil

Modem 2400 Bps $40.00

96/24 Bps lot $60.00

96/144V.32 Bps/y.42 Bps . ..S220.00

^fl ~ H)

S215.00

CP3000 210MB

$360.00

Circle 181 on Inquiry Card.

JUNE 1993 BYTE 243

Circle 201 on Inquiry Card.

Printer Sharing & Memory

I/O = input/output O = serial □ = parallel

LCX-IOOO(lMb) S495

8 ports; 4 serial I/O; 57,600 bps 2 parallel in, 2 parallel out

LC-256 (256Kb) $375

LC-512(512Kb) S425

8 ports; 4 serial I/O; 19,200 bps 2 parallel in, 2 parallel out

LXFR-ETC $49

Windows & OS/2 File Transfer

4 user license, for LC or LCX

PB-42PP-256Kb $199

PB-42PP-1Mb $249

6 parallel ports; 4 in / 2 out Upgradable to 4Mb; 25,000 cps

LC-41PAS $69

5 parallel ports; 4 in /1 out Smart-switch; 25,000 cps

LC Jr.-256 (256Kb) $199

LCJr.-512(512Kb) $249

5 ports; 4 serial in, 1 parallel out Up to 115,200 bps

SPPS $49

9600 bps to 115,200 bps Serial / Parallel Converter

PB-11PP-1Mb $199

2 parallel ports; 1 in /1 out Upgradable to 16Mb; 75,000 cps

800-238-9415

PCMCIA 2.0 SRAM Cards:

512Kb-$120, 1Mb-1175,2Mb-S295

Toshiba:

WOOXBSE/LE, 1800, 1850,

2000.2000SX/SXE, 2200SX 2Mb- S90, 4Mb- $150, 8Mb-$275

3300SL 4Mb-S150, 6Mb-S225

4400SX 4Mb-$150, 8Mb-$275

Powerbook & MAC:

100/140/145/170/160/165/180 6Mb-S250, 8Mb-$310,10Mb-S390

DUO 210/230: 6Mb - S260, 8Mb - $320, 10Mb - $410

Cent.610/650, Quad.800, LCIII 4MB-$145. 8Mb-$260

MAC SIMMs (70ns.)

$32, 4x8-$124, 16Mb-$495

LOGICAL CONNECTION, 4660 Portland Road NE #108 Salem, OR 97305-1658 Tech.: (503) 390-9375 FAX: (503) 390-9372

BYTE BACK ISSUES FOR SALE

1990 1991

1992

1993

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Special Issues

IBM

Outlook '<)2

Windows

Windows ■<J3

Portability

Windows '93 U.S. Delivery $4.00 Foreign S5.00 Windows-Portability '92 U.S. Delivery $3.00 Foreign $4.00 1990-91-92-93 U.S. Delivery $6.00 Foreign $8.00 Canada & Mexico $6.50

The above prices include postage in the US. European customers please refer to Back Issue order form in the International Advertising section of the book

Please indicate which issues you would like by checking(V) the boxes. Send requests with payment to:

BYTE Back Issues, One Phoenix Mill Lane, Peterborough, N.H. 03458, (603)924-9281

□ Check enclosed Card#

Charge: □ VISA □ MasterCard

Exp. Date . Signature

Name

Address,

City.

State

.Zip

Issues Available

All orders must be prepaid. Please allow four weeks delivery

250 BYXE JUNE 1993

SefUACHf tUMl

1979

BUY WITH CONFIDENCE FROM JDR!

30-DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE • 1 YEAR WARRANTY

TOLL-FREE TECH SUPPORT

MOTHERBOARDS

VESA LOCAL BUS 486DX

$599 0

33MHz 804H6DX

1 2HKb cache expandable to 256Kb

Uses 256K, 1M or 4M x 9 80ns SIMMs (0K

Two VL Bus/16-bit slots and six 16-bit slots

Advanced AMI BIOS with shadow RAM

MCT-486VL-33 33MHz VESA Local Bus

MCT-486VL-66 66MHz VESA Local Bus

MCT-M486-50E 50MHz EISA w/cache

MCT-M486-50 50MHz cache 486

MCT-M486-33 33MHz cache 486

MCT-M486SX-25 25MHz cache 486SX

MCT-C386-40 40MHz cache 386

MCT-C386-33 33MHz cache 386

MCT-M386SX-33 33MHz 386SX

$599.00 $899.00 $999.00 $799.00 $549.00 $399.95 $299.95 $249.95 $169.95

486 COOLING FAN

Make your CPU run cooler! Easy snap-in installation.

486-FAN $29.95

486-FAN-R Above fan w/electronic refrigeration .

$49.95

POST CODE DISPLAY CARD

H-bit 286/386/486 PC compatible card Displays power on self-test code Works when software won't even boot Supports AMI, Award, Phoenix and IBM AT BIOS PC0DE $49.95

L0GICLAB EXPLORER

Transforms your PC into a complete environment for testing l^ simulating digital logic circuits Library includes most common 74LS and CMOS ICs Logic analyzer includes 16 logic probes 10GICUB $49.95

WIRE-WRAP PROTOTYPE CARDS

JDR-PR2 8-bit with I/O decode layout $29.95

JDR-PR10 1 6-bit with I/O decode layout $34.95

S0LDERLESS PROTOTYPE CARDS

PDS-601 8-bit breadboard-on-a-card +/IO decode . $79.95 I PDS-611 16-bit breadboard-on-a-card +/IO decode $89.95 I

EPROM PROGRAMMER

• Programs devices up to 512K bits, plus 27C100, 27C101, 27C501, 27C1000, 27C1001, 27C2001, 27C4001 and mote

• Includes dedicated 8-bit 8088 and 286/386/486 PC compatible card

M0D-MEP-1A

M0D-MEP-4A As above with 4 ZIF sockets

$199.95 $269.95

UNIVERSAL PROGRAMMING SYSTEM

• Programs EPROMS and CMOS

• Tests TTL & CMOS devices, Static & Dynamic RAM

EPROM ERASER $3995

• Quickly and simultaneously erases up to 4 standard EPROMs LRASE II $39.95

FAX/MODEM/PHONE SWITCH

• Save phone line charges! "**w£i?» ■

• Supports fax, modem, phone and ■,,.__■ ■^***'- ■■/ answering machine from 1 phone line *<4:

FAXMSWITCH $89.95

FAX-SWITCH Without modem connection $59.95

2400 BAUD MODEM $4995

• Internal data modem

• Hayes AT command-set compatible

• Configure as COM 1 -COM2 MCT-241 $49.95

14,400 BPS INTERNAL FAX/M

• 14,400/9600/4800/2400/300

• Hayes AT command set, V.42bis/ V.42/V.32, Group III fax compatible

MCM44IF $199.95

MCM44IF+ Above with 16550 UART $229.95

VIVA-144EF 14,400 baud external version $299.95 _

LOW-COST WINDOWS ACCELERATOR

• 286/386/486 PC compatible §149^

• I280x 1024 in 16 colors 1024 x768 in 256 colors

• 1 Mb DRAM installed

• Automatic video mode switching

• 16-bit bus

MCT-VGA-5000 Windows Accelerator $149.95

MCT-VGA-1000 800x600, 256Kb DRAM $49.95

MCT-VGA-3000 1024x768, 51 2Kb DRAM $89.95

, MCT-VGA-4000 1024x768, 1Mb DRAM $129.95

■BPSEB

#e$i4«

3-BUTT0N MOUSE

• Accuracy 290-1450 DPI

• Opto-mechanical design

• Windows 3.1 compatible ^^T^~" ~'~"-^,;.;.

JDR-M0USE-3 $14.95 ^L—M

MOUSE-PAD $4.95

MCT-GAME Dual port game port $29.95

JSTK-300 Joystick $9.95

JSTK-500 Pilot-style joystick $19.95

250MB TAPE DRIVE $19995

■ 250Mb with DC2120 tape -»<*'-.'

(using data compression) *Si^ ~.

• Translers up to 6.7Mb/minute ^^si^i^fc^ ' ■•'

• 8088 and 286/386/486 compatible "*C*8l^ '

• 5-1/i" internal half-height coioHjno

DJ-20 '............ $199.95

DJ-10 120Mb capacity tape drive $179.95

DC2120 Extra tape cartridge $19.95

S0UNDMACHINE

• 8088 and 286/386/486 compatible card

• 2 shielded speakers & joystick

• 3-5mm microphone

• Built-in 4W amplifier SOUNDMACHINE $119.95

INTERNAL CD-ROM DRIVE $24995

• 350ms access time

• MPC and PhotoCD compatible

• 150Kb-175Kb/second transfer

• With 286/386/486 compatible card

CDR0M-I $249.95

CDR0M-E External version $349.95

OVEH 70 CD TITLES IN STOCK FROM $19.95!

CALL FOR YOUR FREE JDR CATALOG TODAY! CALL 800-538-5000

DYNAMIC RAM

PART#

41256-80

414256-80

1MB-80

1MB-60

41256A9B-80

41256A9B-60

421000A9B-80

421000A9B-60

424000A9B-80

424000A9B-60

SIZE

256K x 1

256K x 4

lMxl

1M x 1

256K x 9

256Kx9

1Mx9

IMx9

4Mx9

4Mx9

SPEED

80ns 80ns 80ns 60ns 80ns 60ns 80ns 60ns 80ns 60ns

TYPE

DIP

DIP

DIP

DIP SIMM SIMM SIMM SIMM SIMM SIMM

PRICE

1.95 5.49 4.99 5.49 14.95 16.95 39.95 45.95 149.95 159.95

MATH CO-PROCESSORS

PART# SPEED PRICE

8087-2 8MHz 129.95

8087 5MH2 89.95

80287-XL 12MHz 74.95

iny

PART#

80387-SXP 35MHz 74.95 80387-DXP 33MHz 79.95 80487-SX 525MHz 369.95

OVERDRIVE CO-PROCESSORS

iny

0DP486-SX20 $329.95

For 20MHz 4865X OverDrive socket

0DP486-SX25 $459.95

For 25MHz 486SX OverDrive socket

0DP486R-DX25 $459.95

Replace 25MHz 486DX with 50MHz DX2

0DP486R-DX33 $589.00

Replace 33MHz 486DX with 66MHz. DX2

0DP486-DX33 $589.00

66MHz 486DX for OverDrive socket

MULTI I/O CARD WITH IDE FLOPPY/HARD CONTROL

• 16-bit 286/386/486 compatible

• Supports 2 IDE hard drives & 2 floppy drives (360Kb-1.44Mb)

• 448bps max baud rate MCMDEI0+ With 16550-com. serial I/O ports.... $99.95

MCT-IDEIO With 16450-com. serial I/O ports $69.95

MCT-CIDEIO Cache IDE and I/O controller $199.95

MCT-IDEFH IDE Floppy/Hard Controller $29.95

MCT-AI0 Serial/parallel/game port card $49.95

MCT-AI0+ Two N516550 serial/par/game port . $89.95

SOUNDBLAST-PD SoundBlaster Pro Deluxe $139.95

MCT-SOUND 8-bit sound card $49.95

TEAC COMBO DRIVE fC^

• 5-1/4" and 3-1/2" half-height, ^kt^' .-;- ■ J supports 360Kb-1.44Mb diskettes. ^|>—--*^~~^

FD-505 Beige $149.95

FDD-1.44A 1.44Mb, 3.5", Beige $79.95

FDD-1.44X 1.44Mb, 3.5", Black $79.95

FDD-1.2 1.2Mb, 5.25", Beige $89.95

FDD-360 360Kb, 5.25", Black $89.95

FDD-2.88A 2.88Mb 3.5" drive, Beige $149.95

120MB DISK KIT

• CP-5010-i 120Mb, 19ms IDE hard drive, 16-bit floppy/bard disk controller, cables and instructions

HDKIT-120 $279.00

IDE HARD DRIVES

PART*

BRAND

CAP.

SPEED

TYPE

PRICE

CP-30084

Conner

84Mb

19ms

3-1/2" IDE

S229

ST-3096A

Seagate

88Mb

16ms

3-1/2" IDE

S259

CP-30104

Conner

120Mb

19ms

3-1/2" IDE

S259

ST-3144A

Seagate

131Mb

16ms

3-1/2" IDE

S289

CP-30204

Conner

212Mb

12ms

3-1/2" IDE

S399

VISA

MosKrCard] 24 HOURS

A DAY!

800-538-5000

TERMS: For shipping & handling include $5.00 for ground & $7.50 for air. Orders ove lax. Prices subject to change without i jed to prior sales. A full copy of our terms is trademarks of JDR Microdevices, Inc. Modular

w

ufyJi) ftjfiw

11

mmgmmw

1/1/1 Toll-free Fax Ordering '(/(/ 800-538-5005

' require additional shipping charges—contact our Sales Dept. for tl

local 408-559-1200 BBS 408-559-0253

^BMggii

JUNE 1993 BYTE

s

$

Add-In Boards

SCSI IDE FLOPPY

HOST BUS ADAPTER/CONTROLLER

STANDARD FEATURES

• Drivers for Fixed, Optical and Removable Drives

• Internal and External SCSI Connectors

• SCSI and IDE Cables

• On-Board Diagnostics

• Complete Documentation

• Lifetime Warranty

• 30 Day Return Policy

• Made in the USA

$150.00

SUPPORTS

• Up to 7 SCSI Devices

• Up to 2 IDE Drives

• Up to 4 Floppy Drives

• 7 ROM Addresses

• 2 I/O Addresses

OPTIONS

• CD ROM & UNIX Drivers

• ASPI Manager

• 3rd & 4th Floppy Driver

$175.00

(16-Bit HBA/Cntl w.-Option Pkg.)

CONTROL CONCEPTS INC. (703) 876-6444 •(703)876-6416 Fax

Government. Educational and Corporate Discounts Available Dealer Inquiries Welcome

Circle 253 on Inquiry Card.

MIRRORING- CACHING- SCSI

HOST BUS ADAPTER/CONTROLLER

FEATURES: Transparent disk mirroring for all operating systems. No special drivers required for ANY operating system.

Supports 2 to 16 Megabytes of user installed cache memory. SCSI interface supports up to 7 devices including tape, CD-ROM, WORM and R/W OPTICAL devices. PC/AT compatible floppy disk interface.

The LDP CACHE IV provides unequalled performance in systems requiring data redundancy. The LDP CACHE IV provides data redundancy through disk mirroring (RAID 1) support built into the controller. For systems only requiring high performance, the LDP CACHE TV provides outstanding performance with its disk caching. LOMAS DATA PRODUCTS has 13 years experience designing high performance disk controllers for micro computer applications. Buy the best, buy the LDP CACHE IV.

ODUCTS, INC. aple Street, #2 Marlboro, MA 01772

508-460-0333 508-460-0616 FAX

Circle 221 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 222). 232 BYTE JUNE 1993

Add-In Boards

ROMDISK

Solid State Disk and Drive Emulators

•Proven Performance!

For OEM/Military, Embedded Systems, Diskless/High Performance PC's, CAD/CAM, Industrial Control, Medical, POS, LAN's, etc.

•High Capacity Models (PCF/PCM)

•Low Cost Models (FERO.E/2SR/Special OEM)

• Dual Mode Emulation Models (PCF, PCM/2, PCE/2)

•Autoboot Capabilities, all

models

•MS DOS/DR DOS/E-Venix OS Support

'NEW! PCMCIA models (PCM, PCM/2) and accessories

CURTIS, INC.

Industry Leader in Disk and Drive Emulation Products

41BW. County Rd. D 612/631-9512 St. Paul, MN 55112 FAX 612/631 -9508

DR DOS is a trademark

ol Digilal Research

MS DOS is a trademark of Microsoft

Circle 208 on Inquiry Card.

Call us for

Unsurpassed

Choices...

MULTIPORT SERIAL I/O CONTROLLERS

I tut tut

Multiple Benefits:

•2 to 128 serial ports on a single PC •Standard or high performance communications •Support for a broad spectrum of interfaces

and operating systems •Ideal for office automation, factory automation

or P.O.S. applications

• Benefit from Star Gate's total value: a synergy of Product-Price-Service-Support

• Compatibility: ISA, EISA, MCA; RJ-12, DB-25, DB-9; RS-232, RS-422, RS-485; speeds up to 115.2 Kbaud; Unix, Xenix, DOS, OS/2 and Windows.

Call now: 1-800-782-7428

m

I

XTAXlGATE

People and products you can depend on.

Star Gate Technologies, Inc. 29300 Aurora Rd., Solon, OH, 44139-(216) 349-1860 FAX: 216-349-2056

Circle 243 on Inquiry Card.

Direct Stepper Drive from PC

• No external DC supply or translators required SA703 $249

• Free 2D/3D interpolation software Drives lw0 1/2 amp motors

• Free HPGL converter SA704 $995 c. 7{)4 Drives two motors up to 6 amps

Htew J -.-Call (613)359-1029

FAX (613)359-1147

Bar Coding • Communications/Networking

Portable Bar Code Readers

TimeWand I

Dura Wand

TimeWand II

Data collection is fast, easy, and extremely accurate when using Videx portable bar code readers. Cordless operation, compact size, and light weight allow you to take the wands wherever the work needs to be done. Call Videx today for your free information kit: 503-758-0521. Prices starting at:

/^m^mm mH\ TimeWand i S29S

\^Fa\ DuraWand $495

^™"**gjg^ TimeWand II $698

See us at COMDEX Spring, booth #M5540

1105 NE Circle Blvd., Corvallis, OR 97330-4285 503-758-0521 • FAX 503-752-5285

TimeWand, DuraWand, and Videx are registered trademarks of Videx, Inc. GC0355

Circle 236 on Inquiry Card.

New for Windows

It's Fax-on-demand. It's an Applications

Generator. It's $495 for board

and software. It's PhoneOffice.

Phone£)ffice application window running in Window s 3,1. Configure for Auto-Attendant, Message Center, Fax-on-demand. Message Fonvarc Voice/f

VMS Manner

|S| • \w\

pDENS

Call our demo line 309-862-1804 to get more information by fax-on-demand.

Tel: (309)862-1704 Fax:'(309)862-1804 H 309 W. Beaufort. Suite 8. Normal. IL 61761 Dealers, call us about our specially discounted promotional units.

Circle 251 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 252).

Let your "true colors shine

through" when you advertise your

computer products in BYTE's

HARDWARE/SOFTWARE SHOWCASE

our newest, affordable, 4-color advertising section!

Call for more details: (603) 924-2695 or (603) 924-2598

Communications/Networking

Light-Speed Serial Communications

PCSS-8FX Intelligent Serial Coprocessor

• Better than /> 1 Mbyte/second /»■' transfer rate. eg? gst*

• No load'on Host. ' Jk* f-"W^ Processor! £ ■'* "■ ^

• I/O Mapped - N<T _ host memory used.

• NEW - Supports DMA transfer. Faster than Dual Ported Memory!

• Looks like IBM Uart with Huge QUEUE!

• 8 ports per card. RS-232,422,485.

GTEK, INC. • DEVELOPMENT HARDWARE & SOFTWARE • P.O. Box 2310 Bay St. Louis, MS 39521-2310 USA • Mississippi & Technical Support 601-467-8048 Fax: 601-467-0935 • OEM & Dealer Inquiries Welcomed!

Circle 213 on Inquiry Card.

ORDER TOLL-FREE

800-282-4835

TEK

COSTS

WS DBSiQN TQ SUIT YOUR NSBOS!

asiffii!«Kf5»;«'.(«fwf (>;■?:■': :Sft Ave N'fjrp: Cliftisster. F:.8«£ife'.t (5S3J73/M5?*!

Circle 257 on Inquiry Card.

FREE CATALOG

Contains 284 pages of quality tools and tool kits, service diagnostics and test equipment for maintenance of computers and communication systems. Also LAN products: cables, taps, connectors, transceivers, repeaters, assemblies, and more. Free shipping, free technical support, 100% guarantee.

jeNseiM

Jensen Tools Inc.

781 5 S. 46th St., Phoenix, AZ 85044 (602) 968-6231 • Fax (8001 366-9662

Circle 217 on Inquiry Card.

V^C

oicelesponse/CalierlD for Windows.

Would you like to develope multi-tasking multi-line non-blocking Interactive Voice ffesponseapplications for Windows?

PIKA offers the developer the high quality, feature rich AVA-B Series 1, 2 & 4 line voice cards with hardware voice compression.

Also, the new PIKA IdR 1,2 & 4 line Caller Id aids are the answer to many new and exciting Windows server applications.

All PIKA cards are available (at affordable prices) with Windows DLL & DDE developer toolkits.

Inquire about developer toolkits for NT, DOS, UNIX & QNX.

155 Terence Malthews Cres. Kanala, Ontario K2M 2A8, Canada Tel: 1-613-591-1555 Fox: 1-613-591-1488

m

Circle 258 on Inquiry Card.

JUNE 1993 BYTE 253

Communications/Networking • Computer Systems

Computer Systems • Data Acquisition

LET YOUR COMPUTER DO THE TALKING!

Integrated Voice/Fax Mail

integrates major voice/fax applications plus program control into one full-featured high performance software. PC-AT/386/486 based. Menu driven. Easy to use. Full support for Rhetorcx, New Voice, Dialogic, TTI and Intel voice and fax hardware. Supports up to 24 voice lines and up to 8 fax lines. Hardware + Software Kits £ /I ff f\

2 voice lines kit starts at V " J "

24 hours free info: 818-368-4566 or 818-368-8848

SigmaTech Software

Tel: (818) 368-6132 Fax: (818) 368-7859

10801 Bismarck Ave., Nonhridge, CA 91326 USA (Resellers/Dealers/OLMs/Privare labels are welcome)

■ Auto-Attendant

■ Unlimited Audiotex I Voice Mail

I Call Processing

■ Telemarketing

■ Fax Mail

■ Fax-on-Demand I Fax Broadcasting I Party/Chat lines

■ Talking Yellow pages

Circle 245 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 246).

Multi-Line Voice Mail Plus.,

■-- i

FAXON DEMAND/

FAX ON DEMAND • VOICE MAIL CALL PROCESSING • TELEMARKETING

V/S PLUS gives you professional VOICE MAIL & AUTO TRANSFER while it pounds out Fax'd Hard Copy non-stop 24-hours a day. Give it to them - NOW! Complete Package with Hardware and FAX Software. 2 year warranty. Requires PC/AT/386/486. For Sa|Bs and |nformation Ca||:

V/S PLUS onlyS699 -| -800-685-4884

MULTI-LINE HARDWARE fromS299 510-522-3800.FAX:510-522-5556

(Develpef/OEM package specials) (VISA-MC-AMEX-COD)

TALKING TECHNOLOGY, INC,

1125 Atlantic Ave., Alameda, CA 9450

w=

Circle 231 on Inquiry Card.

486 Computers

486-33 64K Cache $1599

Intel 486DX 33 MHz Processor 4Mb SIMM Memory 1.2Mb, and 1.44Mb Floppies 120Mb Hard Disk Drive @ 15ms 2 Serial, 1 Parallel, 1 Game Port Tower Case with 230Watt PS SVGA Card - Trident 8900 w/IMb 1024 x 768 .28dp SVGA Monitor Keytronics 101 Keyboard, Mouse

486-66DX2 256K Cache S1749

486-50DX 256K Cache $1699

486SX-33 8K Cache $1379

350 VA Upsonic UPS only $90 w/486 Purchase!

NoteBook Computers

386SX/25 $1229

60Mb Hdd. 2Mb RAM. 64 Gray VGA 1 ser, 1 par, 1 PS/2 Mouse port 86 Key, 12 Function Kbd. 6 Lbs

486SLC/25 $1579

80Mb Hdd, 4Mb RAM, 64 Gray VGA 1 ser, I par. 1 PS/2 Mouse port 86 key. 12 function Kbd. Case, Universal Power Supp.. 6 Lbs.

Call or Fax for More Great Prices

BS L^L; COD & Company POs accepted

911 N. Edgefield Dallas TX 75208

386 Computers

386DX 40 128K Cache $1199

Intel 386DX 40Mhz Processor 4Mb SIMM Memory 1.2Mb, and 1.44Mb Floppies 120Mb Hard Disk Drive @ 14ms 2 Serial, 1 Parallel, 1 Game Port Tower Case with 230Watt PS SVGA Card - Trident 9000 w/512Kb 1024 x 768.28dp SVGA Monitor Keytronics 101 Keyboard

386DX-33 l28KCache $1189

386SX-33 $999

Free 3 Button Mouse w/386 Purchase

Components

I Mb SIMMS® 70ns $33

250 VA Upsonic UPS $99

213 Mb Hdd $329

Internal FAX modem 96/24 $72

250 Mb Colorado Tape Back-up.,$239

Internal CD ROM $229

Creative Labs Multi-Media Kit ....$529

3 Button Mouse $21

Monterrey Spill-Proof 101 Kbd $26

International

Ph. (214) 948-3155 FAX (214) 942-8360

Member: Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Dallas Better Business Bureau

Circle 215 on Inquiry Card.

AT Systems in ROM

Ij Single Board Computers l_J Run DOS code from ROM

□ PC Code compatible

□ Large Memory space

□ Backplane systems

G Develop code on a PC. Run on our

CPU cards with DOS and code in ROM, Use off-the-shelf expansion cards.

Q KS6: NEC V53 CPU (286eq), 5 serial, 2 Par, Clock, AT bus, Max4M Ram, 2M Rom, 512K NV Sram. $299 (ql-oem ver).

Q KS3: V40 CPU, 3 Serial, 2 Par, Clock, Flop, Kbd. $224 (ql).

303-444-7737 Fax 303-736-9982

655 Hawthorn Ave,. Boulder CO 80304 U.S.A.

KILA

Circle 218 on Inquiry Card.

Rackmount Solutions

RACKMOUNT COMPONENTS - QTY 25 PRICING Rackmount Chassis 19"x7"x17" $183

Rackmount VGA Monitors $531

Rackmount Monitor Shelf $113

Rackmount Keyboard Shelf $88

RACKMOUNT PLATFORMS - Qty 1 Pricing RMS486-33EISAS1799 RMS386-40 S814

RMS486-33 $1443 RMS386SX-25 S693

System Platforms incluOe 7" Rackmount Chassis, 200W Power Supply, Motherboard, 1.0MB Memory, IDE. FDC, 2-Ser, Par, 1.2MB or 1.44MB Floppy Disk Drive, 1 Year Warranty

RACKMOUNT CHASSIS - 15 Models up to 20 Board Slots SLOT CPU BOARDS - 486, 386, 386SX RACKMOUNT MONITORS - Super VGA and Monochrome RACKMOUNT CABINET - Modular from 21 ■ to 96" high

Ml

TECHNOLOGY

2468 Armstrong Street, Livermore CA 94550 (510) 447-2030 FAX: (510) 447-4559

\fAUEY

INC.

Circle 240 on Inquiry Card.

The Intelligent Solution For Data Acquisition

DAP2401k'" Data Acquisition Proas

ANALOG I/O

DIGITAL I/O

• Inputs to 3 L2K samples per second

■Outputs to312K samples per second

■Simultaneous fast input/output

CPU:il86orl486

KFTand FIR-niterinK at 16 MIPS 20 MHz CPU with DRAM to 1024K 32 MHz DSP with SRAM to 96K DAPL™ Operating System • 100+ standard command •Custom commands in C

Send for FREE catalog and demo diskette. Or call us at (206) 453-2345.

MlCROSTAI^^^

Laboratories;/

2265116th Avenue NE Bellevtie, WA 98004 FAX (206) 453-3199

Circle 256 on Inquiry Card.

Circle 223 on Inquiry Card.

254 BYTE JUNE 1993

Disk & Optical Drives

HARD DISK DRIVE DX-3120A/3060A

Higher reliability for lower price

Finally discover the difference total dedication to Key features reliability and cost can make. Unlike most hard disk manufacturers, we manufacture higher reliability but lower cost drive to sell. DX-3120A and 3060A are new version of hard disk drive that was developed, tested and proven by a team of engineers with sophisticated experience in the hard disk drive industries. If you are ready to take these new products for your system, please call us.

■ 3.5" Winchester disk drive

■ 120MB/60MB Capacity

■ 1 inch Height

■ AT/IDE Interlace

■ 64KB/32KB Buffer

■ 1,7 RLL Code

■ 19 msec Avg. access time

■ 100,000 hours MTBF

DAEYOUNG

ELECTRONICS IND. CO., LTD.

Korea H.0.352, Dangjeong-dong. Gunpo-si, Kyoungkkto 435-030, Korea Tel; (021864-1661 Fax. (02) 864-4479

Sales Div. 185-4, Seobinggo-dong. Yongsan-ku, Seoul 140-240, Korea Tel: (02) 790-6873 Fax: (02) 790-6878

In the U.S.A. and Canada, address your inquiries to Mark Weslec Corp.

780 Montague Expressway #104. San Jose, CA 95131. U.S.A. Tel: (408) 456-2660 Fax: (408) 456-0828

Circle 260 on Inquiry Card.

J

Oil

PS/2 50 50z 55sx 60 70 80 P70

INTERNAL DRIVES - May be used as a high performance replacement or to co-exist with original IBM drive. Compatible with DOS 3.3. 4.01. 5.0. OS/2 2.0 and Novell. Includes IDE or SCSI-2 microchannel controller, hard drive, mounting kit. ribbon & power cable, manual, and hardware. 85mb, 15ms, Internal Seagate IDE Drive Kit S439

125mb, 15ms, Internal Maxtor IDE / SCSI Drive Kit $494/5504 200mb, 15ms, Internal Seagate IDE/Maxtor SCSI Drive Kil S623/S649 340mb. 13ms. Internal WD IDE/Maxtor SCSI Drive Kit $837/$933 512mb. 12ms, Internal Fujitsu IDE / SCSI Drive Kit SI,289/$I299 1.2gb, 12ms, Internal Toshiba SCSI Drive Kit $| 794

PS/2 Model 25, 30, 30-286

[-■>iV.',\',!.' ft:,9.< dm^ ,?:-,-;,,'/.:,-';,,> 110m I25mh to !.75gb. Includes SCSI-2 conlrolles, external l'JSi" :v;;/i ilir.'i' imnlk^i .mil iiiiiliiiiun! 6 SOS) udlii:' 11,':! ijii'^is i:U CDSuini/iMi'5 01 ijm'll SSii \ j,',Y:

*r:il TorTmu's

1 s i • Lk l M km

1 -800-.487-2538

Tel: (516) 981-9473 '!S a Fax: (516) I

Circle 250 on Inquiry Card.

Breaks the 4-Color Price Barrier with the Hardware/Software Showcase

See how affordable it is to advertise to BYTE's 500,000 computer professionals in this section!

■ Call for more advertising information:

(603) 924-2695 or (603) 924-2598

Disk & Optical Drives

DISTRIBUTORS WANTED OEM WELCOME

"SPEEDY" 'RELIABLE' 'DURABLE'

SILICON DISK EXW- MODELS

• Access Time: 0.3ms

• Interface:SCSI II (Fast SCSI)

• 6 models (40MB-500MB) available

"KEEP YOUR PRICELESS DATA SAFE"

MIRRORING HARD DISK SYSTEM EXM-MODELS

• High performance at simultaneous writing

• Interface:SCSI II (Fast SCSI)

• 4models(300MB~lGB)available

Contact:

KAKIUCHICo.,Ltd.

System Equipment & Materials Group

FAX:81-3-3273-8474 TEL:81-3-3273-8431

No. 5-4, Honcho 1-chome, Nihonbashi, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo 103, Japan

Developed by : WIN SYSTEM CORPORATION

Circle 265 on Inquiry Card.

The Parallel Solution

PSS Portable Tape Backup System Combined Backup/Verify At True 11MB/Min Rate

250MB-2GB capacities in native mode. QIC industry standard format. Features unique BUSS (Back Up Supervisor Software) program. Compatible with MS DOS, Windows, OS2, Novell, SCO UNIX, and SCO Xenix.

PARALLEL STORAGE SOLUTIONS is the pacesetter in parallel to SCSI technology. Full line of tape backup, optical, removable media and CD-ROM devices. PSS offers you reliable, cost effective and professional data storage solutions.

Call for information: 1 •800*998*7839

^^^H^H'"P A R A L L E L fl^^W^^ STORAGE VV SOLUTIONS 116 South Central Avenue • Elmsford, NY 10523 1 •80O998-7839

Circle 262 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 263).

JUNE 1993 BYTE 255

I

s

Disk & Optical Drives»Graphics Tablets/Mice/Pen InpufcKeyboards I I Laptops & Notebooks

High-Performance Parallel-to-SCSI Adapter

7

Transform Your Parallel Port

Connect up to 7 SCSI devices to your parallel port and still use your printer!

Up to twice as fast as our original MiniSCSI, the MiniSCSI Plus

lets you run a CD-ROM, tape backup, SyQuest, Bernoulli or other SCSI device from almost any parallel port. For most notebook users, it's the only way to use SCSI devices. Plus, an integrated cable makes it a snap to share SCSI devices with desktops and other notebooks.

Call Today For Details!

800-372-6867 • 800-TRANTOR

Trantor Systems, Ltd. 5415 Randall Place • Fremont, CA 94538-3151 EL: (510) 770-1400 • FAX: (510) 770-9910

D I'm TnmtorSystem ltd MiniSCSIend MiniSCSI Plus ws

lruilriiiii'1' ami trantnr ;,s n nyhtrnil trtlili-illilrt: nf I miliar ,V|.»/iw.i / ■ill ullvr jirmlm-l nana-* nw Irailaiiutik tifll.vir n^fvrlllr aiiiljmillt''

"This product... is darned near perfect." -Jerry Pournelle, Byte Magazine March 1993

"Thisyear, the company outdid itself...

The MiniSCSI Plus is even more elegant than

its predecessor and almost twice as fast."

-Jim Seymour, PC Magazine December 1992

Now you can connect your desktop peripherals in one easy step while reducing wear and tear on your interface ports. The CableMate Plus option provides bus expansion lor low cost ISA compatible Lapstation expansion systems and both versions are available for Compaq LIE, Toshiba T2200-T6400 and other popular Notebook models. CableMate and Lapstation are available from Axonix direct, and from Authorized Axonix dealers worldwide.

1214 Wilmington Avenue ^_ Salt Lake City, Utah 84106

Tel: 801-466-9797 / Fax: 801-485-6204

Call Toll Free for Nearest Dealer 1-800-866-9797

Circle 239 on Inquiry Card.

Circle 206 on Inquiry Card.

EasyMount TOUCHSCREEN kit includes:

■ A transparent flat touch plate, sensitive to pressure.

■ A controller card, 4*x4" in size, fits into PC bus slot.

■ Diskettes provide educational programs, demos, C-callable routines, keyboard and mouse emulators, calibration and coding examples.

■ Mounting hardware allows touch screen to be used with most monitors.

H Manual contains Instructions for hardware Installation, touch screen mounting, library function calls. Hi-Tech Instruments, Inc., P.O.Box 1509, Stafford,

TX 77497-1509 Pti: 713 - 980 - 9040 Fax: 713 - 980 - 4251 ^

Circle 214 on Inquiry Card.

Money Back Guarantee & 1 Yr. Warranty

Popular

Space-Saver

Keyboard

$98.00

Saves 60% desk space. Footprint 27.3 x 15.2 cm. 100 fulltravel tactilly responsive keys. Standard left-right spacing for easy touch typing. IBM XT/AT PS 2 compatible. Many language versions available.

Call Toll Free To Order: 1 -800-DATALUX

ff^*^ L= I^ 155 Aviation Dr. •Winchester, VA 22602 Tel 1-703-662-1500-FAX 1-703-662-1682 Auto-FAXed Specs FAX 1-703-662-1675

■ VISA, MC, AmX

Boost data entry speed, accuracy and convenience with Genovation's Micropad,™ the innovative numeric keypad for portable computers.

TO COMPUTER

A

T TO PRINTER

(800)822-4333

17741 Mitchell, North Irvine. CA 92714 USA TEL (714) 833-3355 FAX (714) 833-0322

Is the unhandy numeric section of your portable computer's keyboard dragging you down?....Give your productivity a boost by using our Micropad. The economically designed Micropad is ideal for spreadsheet and accounting applications that require fast and accurate entry of numeric data.

The Micropad attaches to the parallel port of any MS-DOS computer while providing a clean pass through connection to the printer. Power usage is negligible. Lightweight and compact, the Micropad is fully programmable and is also available with connectors to lit keyboard and serial ports.

GENOVATION

u

■z.

Circle 210 on Inquiry Card.

236 BYTE JUNE 1993

Circle 212 on Inquiry Card.

Memory/Chips/Upgrades • Monitors & Terminals • Multimedia | | Multimedia

Portable Hard Disk

Fast and rugged from 20MB to 300MB

BVTE

IIMJifeW!MMJ

Easy to use, plug into the parallel port, includes extra port and internal batteries only 1.51b! Recommended by Toshiba, NEC, Sharp, Poqet, Atari, and many others. Use with any PC using DOS 3.0 or above. Complete systems from $299. Mention this ad for a $10 discount. Satisfaction Awarded May 1992 Guaranteed! Awarded Again May 1993

The BSE Company 602-527-8843 FAX 602-527-1540

Circle 241 on Inquiry Card.

STAND-ALONE LCD MONITOR New Touch Screen Option Available

MQ J™ I This 10" black on white monitor is easy-to-read, yet

/ «7v | compact. Resoludon is 640x480 for sharp, flicker-free image. Fast response, high refresh rate twisted nemauc technology with backlighting provides a bright low radiation screen with a wide viewing angle. The adjustable monitor base is only 29x14 cm. It lets you mount the LCD monitor on vertical surfaces or fold for nansport. Comes with 1.5 m cable and controller card. No external power required. IBM AT compatible.

K I ^Z\/V/ I Touch Screen Version. Capacitive technology I » ^~ w w | from MicroTouch™. Provides high resolution, fast response, all glass scratch proof optically clear touch sensor. Complete with controller and software. DOS, Windows compatible.

To Order Call Toll-Free: 1-80O-DATALUX

155 Aviation Drive • Winchester, VA 22602

Tel: 1-703-662-1500 FAX: 1-703-662-1682 AutoFAXed Specs: 1-703-662-1675

Circle 209 on Inquiry Card.

IMAGING CARDS K\ 4J£M«92'1160

-512/24 512x480x24 - New Full 24 bit color board, mult, in, 24 bit RGB out $795

-512 512x480x8 -Advanced grayscale board. Multi res/multi image, 4 inputs, in/out LUTS, dual ping-pong buffers, RGB out $795

-02 256x240x8 Workhorse 8 bit grayscale. 2 inputs, 24 bit RGB out, cursor $495

-03 256x240x6 Economy 6 bit version of -02 above $395

MC/VISA/COD ft.

Control Vision^w

Box 596 Pittsburg, KS 66762 316-231-6647 Fax: 231-5816

Video Framegrabbers for the XT/'AT/386

• Real time grab/display

• Complete with software

• 60 & 50 Hz. Video

• Quality since 1987!

• Money back guarantee

With VGAVTV Elite,

any color TV can be your

computer monitor!

Supporting 640 x 480 resolution in 32,768 colors, the VGA-*-TV Elite provides Flicker free high quality video conversion. Rock solid and easy to use, the portable VGA->-TV Elite is a true savior to the

Presentation professional. Convert your computer presentation or Animation to show on TV or record to your VCR. Even play computer games on big screen TV! Supports RCA and S-Video Inputs to T.V.s and VCRs.

*399.

VGA-»TV ELITE

m

B

rcnwt

MioSMMEoail TigerSoftware fCDW]

ca„ 800-888-5244

(8 am - 6 pm, Mon.-Fri. Pacific Time)

MM (310)865-1432 • (310)809-6144Fax Advanced Digital Systems • 20204 State Road, Cerritos, CA 90701

Circle 261 on Inquiry Card.

I

Circle 207 on Inquiry Card.

Circle 259 on Inquiry Card.

JUNE 1993 OYTE

I

s

3

Printers/Plotters

PRINTER BUFFER

for automatic sharing of printer(s) by several computers,

Nobody waits!

•Simultaneous input on all ports •Compatible with all printers, Lasers and CAD plotters •Pop-up Menus

• Free Technical Support

• 30 day money-back guarantee & full-year limited warranty

• Full Windows® Support

STANDARD 1 MB memory • memory sizes thru 8 MB

• Fast - data rates to 75 KB/S • multiple copies • multiple outputs

1 MB 6-Port Parallel $1 QQ95

199

9-Port Parallel $259.95

15-Port Parallel $379.95

4-Serial + 5-Parallel $269.95

16-Serial + 3-Parallel $399.95

Single User Parallel

$gg95

512 KBytes-unit is expandable to 4 MB

Serial or Converting butters available

Other Models also available - Call!

Extra Memory: S50 per Megabyte

^^^n

VISA'

S Y S T E l\/I S

513-644-2230 • fax 644-22

204 EAST FOURTH STREET, MARYSVILLE, OHIO 43040

Receive FAX Info On-Demand: (805) 650-3299 - Item # 700

Circle 232 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 233).

Don}t Move

without telling

BYTE

Clip out form below and mail to:

BYTE Magazine

Subscriber Service

P.O. Box 555

Hightstown, NJ 08520

i 1

At least 8 weeks before you move, please give us your new address and/or name change. (Please Print)

New address, name

Name

Address_

City

State

_Apt.

_Zip .

Print current name and address (or affix the mailing label from your current issue of BYTE here)

Current address, name Name

Address

ADt.

City

State

Zin

Programmable Hardware

JA

"High speed scan rate at a fraction of the cost'1

HARDWARE:

DIGITAL CONTROLLER • 3 optically isolated digital inputs at 12 io 24 VDC • 8 isolated relay

raled up to 3A continuous at 120 VAC with a 10 A surge • timers ■ counters • pulsars • data i

• sequencers • serial communications optional RS485 or RS232 • up to 1 ms per K ol Boolean.

• ANALOG CONTROLLER • 8 10 bit analog inputs • 4 analog outputs • 2 digital inputs • 2 reby outputs

* 2 transistor outputs • RS4B5 on board • PID loops * 8K RAM • OPERATOR INTERFACE • 24 character by 2 line display • 4 by 4 keypad • SK RAM ■ easy to use keyboard and display functions • RS485 on board SOFTWARE: • programmable with IBM XT/AT/386/486 compatible and EPR0M programmer

* easy to use ladder logic compiler with text annotation and integrated editor • Software package includes functions for all systems.

DWC LtPLC Digital controller $139.00 DWC jiFIC RS485 interface $59.00 DWC Analog conkolter $269.00 DWC liPLC RS232 interface $59.00

DWC Operator Interface $259,00 DWC Network Node $199.00

DWC Ladder Logic Compiler software $99.00 DWC EEPR0M programmers development adapter $18.00

;:SjMCiat offer for first time buyers software $49.00 with any purchase of above.

1-800-668-2707 tel: (519)850-0637 fax:(519)660-1602

lAVISON - WORTH

Circle 248 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 249).

LOW COST

m

COMPACT

Ln

PIC

ONE OF

THE CHEAPEST

PLCs IN THE WORLD!

HARDWARE: »I6 opto-isolated digital inputs. •r? relay outputs SI25 VAC, tl/O status indicator LED's. •Watch-dog and power failure circuits, tslandard RS232 interlace, •single 5/12/24 VAC/VDC power supply (under 3W). •24 Kb battery back-up SRAM. 'IIOxl/O mm. PROGRAMMABLE with any compatible PC thru RS232 in ladder logic using our powerful remoTER program. 'Real time variables de

bug. »C, BASIC compilers and assemblers available. SOFTWARE DRIVERS enable your PC applications to remote conlrol PICOIOG I/O thru RS232. EXTENSION MODULES AVAILABLE.

\AEkhLi

Phone 39 142 451987 ITALY

Fax 39 142 451988 BBS 39 142 453165

Circle 247 on Inquiry Card.

• Attaches to the PC's parallel printei

• Controls up to 14 IEEE instruments

• Transfers data at up to 170 Kbytes/sec

• Includes DOS or Windows software drivers

• Graphics & analysis software available

• Allows parallel & IEEE devices to connected simultaneously

Call or fax for more information:

ax (216)-439-409

U_/ l\-/V_l I the smart approach to imtrui

Zleveland, Ohio 44146

.

Circle 216 on Inquiry Card.

UNIVERSAL PROGRAMMER, EMULATOR, & TESTER TUP-400 $745.00 NEW

TUP-300 $575.00

■ New Improved hardware and software.

■ The most complete PC-based Universal Programmer, Programs PLD (PAL, GAL, FPL, EPLD, PEEL, MAX, MACH...), E(E)PROM, (up to 16Mbit), Flash EPROM, BPROM, Special PROM, MPU (87XX, 68XX, Z8, PSD301, PIC16XX,TMS320EXX, UPD75PXXX, HD637XXX...).

I Covers DIP, PLCC, QFP, SOP, and PCA with 8 to 84 pins. Gang Progamming adapters available also.

■ EPROM EMULATION capability.

I Tests digital ICs and DHAMs (SIMM/SIP adapter available).

■ Free soltware updates and new device added upon request.

■ IC Manufacturers' approval.

■ Tyear warranty, 30-day money-back guarantee.

CALL TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION. Distributors are welcome!

FLEX-700 SOT5.00 UNIVERSAL PROGRAMMER SYSTEM NOW AVAILABLE. CONNECTS TO ANY PC )tt/AT/386/486/UrTOP THRU THE PARALLEL PRINTER PORT

258 BVTK JUNE 1993

Tribal Microsystems Inc. Tel (510) 623-8859

44388 S. GRIMMER BLVD., FREMONT, CA 94538 FAX (510) 623-9925

Circle 234 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 235).

Programmable Hardware • Security

SUP6RPRO $549 SUP€RPRO/em $399

Universal Programmers

• Programs E(E)PROMs, Flash EPROMs to Mbit & Bipolar Proms.

• Microcontrollers from INTEL, MOT, NSC, PIC, SIG, MICROCHIP, etc.

• PLD. GAL. MACH, MAX (not included in

SUPEHPRO/EM)

• Tests TTL/CMOS and Memory.

• New parts added upon customer request and tree updates on BBS. (24 hrs)

• Online technical support and hardware warranty for 1 year.

ROM MASTER $129

• Universal E(E)PROM programmer to 4-Mbit

ROM MASTER/4 $199

• Universal E(E)PROM programmer 4 Gang Version

XELTEK

(408)524-1929

(408) 245-7084 FAX • (408) 245-7082 BBS 757 N. Pastoria Avenue, Sunnyvale. CA 94086

Circle 237 on Inquiry Card.

C-PLC $28?'

• New C Programmable Miniature Controller

• Seven 10-bit analog inputs ,

• Seven digital inputs

• 10-bit DAC: voltage or current output

• Twelve digital/relay driver outputs

• RS-232/RS-485 serial ports

• Enclosure with LCD/Keypad available

• Expansion bus for additional, low cost I/O

• Easy to use Dynamic C™ development software only $195!

Z-World Engineering (916)757-3737

1724 Picasso Ave., Davis, CA 95616 • Fax: (916) 753-5141 24 Itr. Information Service: (916) 753-0618, Call from your fax and request data sheet #24.

Circle 238 on Inquiry Card.

Now you can take it with you. The Kablit

VANGUARD

PORTABLE

COMPUTER

SECURITY

Physical Security for

NOTEBOOKS LAPTOPS PORTABLES

Pat Pend

• Installs in seconds...as easy as installing a computer cable.

• Attaches to any unused 9 or 25 pin port screws.

■ Fits all computers except Macintosh.

List Price - $49.95

Call Tor complete details.

800-451-7592

18 Maple Court

East Longmeadow, MA 01028

JSecure-lL

413-525-7039

Circle 229 on Inquiry Card (RESELLERS: 230).

Tape Drives

9 Track/3480 Tape Subsystems

1/4" DAT 8mm Optical New Windows Software Available

• Best Quality

• Lowest Prices

800/1600/3200/6250 BPI

CALL1-800-938-TAPE

'^^^S i VISA

f' Laguna Data Systems

7340 Smoke Ranch Road, Suite C, Las Vegas, NV 89128 Tel: (702) 254-2648 • Fax:(702)254-0910

Circle 220 on Inquiry Card.

9-Track for PCs

Mainframe to PC data interchange

Rock solid solutions, rock bottom prices.

Direct from the manufacturer. 1600 & 6250 bpi.

Subsystems include* drives and software.

/ 800-729-8725 OVERLHtlD DHTH

Since 1980

Tel: 619-571-5555 ■ FAX: 619-571-0982 le: Tel: (+49) 6172-35027 • FAX: (+49) 6172-35028

3480 Now with IDRC!

Ask about 3480 tape drives too

Circle 225 on Inquiry Card.

Desktop 9-Track Tape Subsystem #1-selling 9-track system on desktop.

Qualstar's low cost 1/2-inch 9-track Streaming tape systems bring full ANSI data interchange to IBM AT, PS/2 or Macintosh, giving your micro the freedom to exchange data files with nearly any mainframe or minicomputer in the world.

Systems include DOS or Xenix compatible software, coupler card and cables. High reliability 1600 or 6250 BPI capability may be used for disk backup as well as data interchange.

HURLSTRRl

9621 Irondale Ave.

Call us today! For details and to order: Fax (818) 882-4081 Phone (818) 882-5822

Chatsworth CA91311

©1989 Qualstar Corp.

All product and company names and trademarks are the exclusive properly of their respective owners.

Circle 227 on Inquiry Card.

9 TRACK MAGNETIC TAPE SYSTEM

FOR IBM PC/XT 286/386/486

> Mainframe to PC Data Xfer to 24MB/min i Complete Software Packages

1 Ready to Operate Systems

i Service and Support, Easy Installation

1 No. 1 In Customer Satisfaction

> SCSI Buss Interface, UNIX Compatible

> 3480, Cartridge, Tape Duplication Systems ' Data Conversion /Duplication Services

> New/Unused, Reconditioned, Used MTUs

call (919) 763-8400 or write to: 4304 Market St., Wilmington, NC 28403

PC|| ■ m I m m ■ m • ■_» -m »

Circle 254 on Inquiry Card.

JUNE 1993 B YXE

Business • CAD/CAM

Data Acquisition • Graphics

ture for your Enterprise!

Knowledge Based Systems, Inc. leads the way in integration technology. We offer a variety of products that support successful re-engineering and application design. KBSI customers report measurable improvements not just in productivity, but in end-user satisfaction as well.

KBSI is the IDEF authority

activity based costing

process analysis

database design

consulting

training

Call KBSI today to receive

information or a free

demonstration of our programs.

Circle 219 on Inquiry Card.

PCB Design The Easy Way

EAGLE 2.6

Schematic Capture, Layout Editor, 100% Autorouter, DRC, ERC: All In One Program

There are many powerful programs out there, but what good is il if they are too complicated to use. They are wasting your time, your money, and your nerves.

With EAGLE you will be productive Irom day one. and you will save time again and again, because EAGLE is easy to learn and easy to use. EAGLE is a very powerful tool. You will discover features which even many high-priced programs could only dream of.

However, the best thing is still to come: Our prices are simply unbelievable. Even with the Layout Editor alone, you get all of the drivers and libraries; no extra charges for anything. What you see below, is all you can spend,

Thumbs up, Overall, I was impresses!.., EAGLE i.<< is easy to kam and easy i<> use. EAGLE 2.6 has the capabilities and. periormaiuv that most designers would expect in n higher priced package."

Off the Shelf Review, PRINTED CIRCUIT DESIGN magazine, March, 1993.

: ha

rodui

AS SEEN ON.

BUSINESS TODAY

the CNBC Television series "State of the An of Technology Design", The produces; have selected EAGLE as one of the best and must interesting K: Hoard Design Packages on the US market,

Call 1-800-858-8355

EAGLE Layout Editor Schematic Module Rlpup Autorouter Module DEMO with Original Manual

S 399 S 399 $ 399

(3

CadSoft Computer, Inc. B01 South Federal Highway Delray Beach, FL. 33483 Hotline: (407)274-8355

Fax: (407)274-8218

DOS Software for Instrumentation Systems

The free eight-page LabWindows® 2.0 brochure describes the dramatically enhanced instrumentation software used by QuickBASIC and C programmers for test and measurement, data acquisition, and instrument control applications. With the new LabWindows 2.0 User Interface Library, programmers can easily create and control graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for their application programs. LabWindows 2.0 features an Instrument Library of drivers for over 150 GPIB, VXI and RS232 instruments. A free demo disk is available.

National Instruments

6504 Bridge Point Parkway, Austin, TX 78730

(512) 794-0100

(800) 433-3488 (U.S. and Canada)

Fax (512) 794-8411

Circle 224 on Inquiry Card.

FLOW CHARTING 3

Powerful new features - for greater speed, flexibility, and ease-of-use! •Single-page, multi-page or canvas charts - portrait or landscape •Custom fonts support high resolution laser and 24-pin dot matrix printers •35 standard shapes, 10 text fonts •Suggested retail price: only $250 See your dealer today! or, for a "live" interactive demo disk, call: 800-525-0082, ext 1218 International: 408-778-6557, ext 1218 fax: 408-778-9972

PATT0N&PATT0N

Software Corporation

Circle 226 on Inquiry Card.

Let your

"true colors shine through"

when you advertise your computer products in

BYTE's

HARDWARE/SOFTWARE SHOWCASE

our newest, affordable, 4-color advertising section!

Call for more details: (603) 924-2695 or (603) 924-2598

Circle 242 on Inquiry Card.

260 BYTE JUNE 1993

Mathematical/Statistical

MPm Statistical Discovery Software

Coll nnn!ijj!i> tuuli Wmcluili

"JMP, from the SAS

Institute, is the most surprising Mac

product in years...with the most helpful

Mac interface of all the statistics programs and one of the best interfaces ever produced for scientific software. It's nothing less than dazzling."

MACWORLD

Call today for a free demo disk and Points of Interest from the leading name in data analysis software...SAS Institute Inc. 919-677-8000. Fax 919-677-8166.

JMP is a registered trademark of SAS Institute Inc. Copyright© 1992

Circle 228 on Inquiry Card.

Subscription Problems?

We want to help!

T f you have a problem with your BYTE sub

I "4" scription, write us with the details. We'll do JL JL. our best to set it right. But we must have the name, address, and zip of the subscription (new and old address, if it's a change of address). If the problem involves a payment, be sure to include copies of the credit card statement, or front and back of cancelled checks. Include a "business hours" phone number if possible.

BITE Magazine

Attn. Subscriber Service, P.O. Box 555 Hightstown, NJ 08520

Programming Languages/Tools • Security • Utilities

^^ P J^ Complete APL system $60.

J Ken's new APL for teaching and research. Shareware and documentation $24. Source $90.

NEW! True Windows 3.1 versions. GUI programming for APL and J

Iverson Software Inc.

33 Major St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2K9 Phone (416) 925-6096 Fax (416) 488-7559

s

Circle 244 on Inquiry Card.

FingerCheck fingerprint verifier includes:

a. Fingerprint Reader

b. H/W Interface « PC AT-Buk

* KS-232

c. S/W Application Interface

* Inuttfe Capture

* enrollment

* matching Application Area:

• Computer access or transaction control.

* Computer database security control.

* l'liyxii'iu access control by connecting FingerCheck fingerprint verifier with control circuitry to actirate door locks (stand-alone system)! The Stand-alone system can be connected to a computer network to perform other functions such as event recording and communications for management (network type system).

• For law enforcement applications the FingerCheck fingerprint verifier can work with card systems, such as smart cards and optical cards to perform Identity verification. It provides social welfare security by using cards such as ID card, drivers license, passport, credit card and so on.

tgSSS*

Distributors, OEM & ODM art welcome! P_

STARTEK ENG, INC.

3F. 54 Park Ave II Science-Based Industrial Park Hsmchu. Taiwan 300 R.O.C Tel. 886-35-785388 Fax 886-35-787089

Circle 255 on Inquiry Card.

PC Diagnostics and System Information

QAPIllS" Over 3 Million users

□ New Version 4.7 now includes Reachout" Host remote control software

□ Both novices and expert PC users can quickly solve common computer problems

Q Reports hardware configuration, interrupts, performance benchmarks and more

□ Includes LAN features for networked PC support and management ' ,/. ' '•;" §§•&'?

For More information call: 1-800-DIAGSOFT

Also from DiagSoft: QAPhis/WIN" for tuning and troubleshooting Windows' and QAPhis/FE" for power-users and service/support professionals.

Available from ligejiead Discount Sot'lwaiv, Comp USA, Biz Marl, Fry's Electronics and oilier fine resellers.

,\ mJS.' ■ IWL-I-J t-IUHH I *UR IBWI .Wffftf^WEW HI, BJ8B I MA

California 95066 - 1-408-438-8247- FAX 1-408-438-7113 Suggested Retail: $159.95

Circle 211 on Inquiry Card.

JUNE 1993 BYTE 261

THE BUYER'S MART

A DIRECTORY OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

THE BUYER'S MART is a unique classified section organized by product category to help readers locate suppliers. Each ad has Inquiry numbers to aid readers requesting information from advertisers. AD FORMAT: Each ad will be designed and typeset by BYTE. Do NOT send logos or camera-ready artwork. Advertisers should furnish typewritten copy. 2"x1Vb" ads can include headline (23 characters maximum), descriptive text (300 characters is the maximum recommended) plus company name, address, tele

phone and fax number. 2"x27a" ad has more space for descriptive text (850 characters is the maximum recommended).

DEADLINE: Ad copy is due approximately 2 months prior to issue date. For example: November issue closes on September 8. Send your copy and payment to: THE BUYER'S MART, BYTE Magazine, 1 Phoenix Mill Lane, Peterborough, NH 03458. For more information call: Margot Gnade at 603-924-2656. FAX: 603-924-2683.

RATES (.

an.1993)

3-5

6-11

12

13

issues

issues

Issues

Issues

2"x1'/."

1 ad

$663

$636

$557

$530

2 ads/issue

530

504

3 ads/issue

504

477

2"x2s/,"

1 ad

$1,326 $1,2' -;

$1,060

2 ads/issue

1,060

1,008

3 ads/issue

1,008

954

ACCESSORIES

BAR CODE

BAR CODE

RADIOACTIVE?

Plot it on your PC with The RM-60 RADIATION MONITOR Serial or printer port. Detects: ALPHA • 8ETA • GAMMA • X-RAY.

MicroR, 1000 times the resolution of standard geiger counters.

Excellent for tracking RADON GAS, Find sources. New: Version 2.9

+ WINDOWS, Plot: • Background«Cosmic Rays ■ Clouds • Foods

Call/Write tor PC MAGAZINE review. • TSR • GM Tube

VISA/MC/EURO Phone orders. Not satisfied? Full refund,

800-729-5397 or Tel/Fax: (302) 655-3800 Aware Electronics Corp.

P.O.Box 4299, Wilmington. DE 19807 $1 49.50

KEYBOARD, VIDEO, MOUSE, AUDIO

Extend signals from PC with EXTENDER Split signals with COMPANION/PC EXPANDER Switch signals among PCs with COMMANDER

Boosts signals up to 600 feet. Control up to 96 PCs

with one keyboard, monitor and mouse.

CYBEX CORPORATION

2800H Bob Wallace Ave., Huntsville, AL 35805 Phone: 20S-534-0011 Fax: 205-534-0010

Inquiry 651.

PROGRAMMABLE FUNCTION KEYPAD

The Function Keypad 35 features a 7 by 5 matrix of releqendable keys, programmable under both DOS and Windows 3.1. Define up to 11 macros per single or double key. Passthrough connection to parallel port allows concurrent use of standard keyboard. $160

GENOVATION, Inc.

17741 Mitchell North, Irvine, CA 92714 (800) 822-4333 (714) 833-3355 FAX (714) 833-0322

Inquiry 652.

ARCHIVAL UTILITIES

RawCopy

PC

TM

The Best Archival Utility,

Removes all the things

you HATE

to look up & plug in

CALL US TODAY

$79.95

FREE SHIPPING

Micro Systems International™

1-800-944-3410

Portable Readier

Simple, Powerful, Easy-to-use

* AA Battery Operated, with backup coin battery

* 2 x 16 Supertwist LCD Display

* 32 Raised Rubber Keys

* Real-time Clock Built-in for Date/Time Stamps

* 2 Built-in Inventory Programs

* 3 User Defined Programs, & 3 User Data Files

* Wand, CCD, or Laser Scanner Input

* Doubles as Non-Portable Reader

* Serial Interface and Keyboard Interface

* Reads 2of5, UPC/EAN, 128, Code 39, etc.

* Uploads with furnished Programs or Xmodem

* 64K Complete with Steel Wand - $799

Worthington Data Solutions

Swiss Office 3004 Mission Street

Rutistrasse 6 Santa Cruz, CA 95060

CH 9050, Appenzell Switzerland 408-458-9938 071 87 51 17 FAX

071 87 51 15 Phone 800-345-4220

Bar Code Readers

For PC, XT, AT, PS/2, Macintosh and Serial Terminals

* Attaches as 2nd Keyboard or to any ADB port

* Reads 2of5, 128, UPC/EAN, Code 39, etc.

* External or internal attachment on PC

* Wand, CCD, Slot Badge, Magstripe or Laser

* Two Scanners per Reader

* 100+Configurable Options

* 2 Year Warranty, 30 Day $ Back Guarantee

* Direct From Manufacturer

* Top Rated by Independent Review

* Complete with Laser Scanner-$1399

* Complete with Stainless Steel Wand - $399

Worthington Data Solutions

Swiss Office 3004 Mission Street

Rutistrasse 6 Santa Cruz, CA 95060

CH 9050. Appenzell Switzerland 408-458-9938 071 87 51 17 FAX

071 87 51 15 Phone 800-345-4220

Labeling Software

On EPSON, IBM, OKI, or LaserJet. Easy WYSIWYG design. Any format/size. Up to 120 fields per label. 18 text sizes to 3" -readable at 100', AIAG, KMart, Sears, MIL-STD, Pennys, 2of5, 128, UPC/EAN, Code 39. File Input & Scanned PCX graphics - $279. Other programs from $129.

Worthington Data Solutions

(408) 458-9938 800-345-4220

Thermal Printer Package

Allegro Thermal Transfer Printer—2" per sec speed. Up to 4" label width-Only 20 lbs. weightPrints UPC/EAN, 2of5, UCC-128, Code 39, 128—Prints scalable text and PCX graphics with bar codes-Packaged with LabelRIGHT Software, serial cable, ribbon and labels-Complete-S1895

Worthington Data Solutions

(408) 458-9938

(800) 345-4220

Portable Bar Code Reader

>- Use as a PORTABLE, WEDGE, or SERIAL >■ 9V Battery Operation with Lithium Backup >- 2x16 Supertwist LCD Display >- 54 Key Keyboard with Separate Numeric Keys

> Real-time Clock Supports Date & Time Stamps >■ Reads all Popular Bar Codes (16 types)

>■ Wand, CCD, Laser, or Serial Input Devices

>- Built-in Program Generator

>■ Create Your Own Custom Programs

> 6 Built-in Inventory Programs

>- Up to 250 Programs Can Reside in Memory >■ Create up to 250 Data Files per Program

> Up to 250 Look-Up Files in Memory >- Built-in Calculator

>■ Supports HAYES Compatible Modems >- 64K Memory with Data Compression >- 30-day $$ Back Guarantee - 1 Year Warranty >- Complete Unit with WAND Scanner- $795

AMERICAN MICROSYSTEMS

2190 Regal Parkway, Euless, TX 76040 (800)648-4452 (817)571-9015 FAX (817)685-6232

BAR CODE READERS

For PC, XT, AT, PS/2, & Serial Terminals

>- Emulates Keyboard: Works With Any Software >- Data Appears as Keyboard Input >■ Uses Enhanced Decoding Algorithms >- Accepts Wand, Slot/Badge, CCD, Laser,

Magnetic Stripe Reader, & RS232 Serial Input >- Reads All Popular Bar Codes (16 types) >- Reads HIGH, MEDIUM, & LOW density codes >- Auto-Discriminates Between Bar Code Types >■ Easily Programmed with a Bar Code Menu >- Over 140 User Configurable Options >- Daisy Chain Up to 96 Readers >- Supports NOVELL Networks >- Supports US & INTERNATIONAL Keyboards >- Direct From Manufacturer > 30-day $$ Back Guarantee, 1 Year Warranty V Complete Unit with LASER Scanner-$1095 >- Complete Unit with WAND Scanner - $395

AMERICAN MICROSYSTEMS

2190 Regal Parkway, Euless, TX 76040 (800)648-4452 (817)571-9015 FAX (817) 685-6232

Inquiry 653.

262 BYTE JUNE 1993

BAR CODE

BAR CODE

CD-ROM

Bar Code Printing Software LabelWorks for Windows

> Prints all Popular Bar Code Types (19 Types)

>- Desktop Publishing Features: WYSIWYG, Scalable Fonts, Rulers, Guides, Lines, Shapes, Page Zooms (25%-400%)r Templates

> Rotates Text, Bar Codes, and Graphics

> Supports Windows Compatible Fonts

> Choose From Over One Hundred Popular Label Formats or Design Your Own

> Rich Text Support: Mix Styles, Types, & Sizes

> Automatically Prints Serial Numbers

>■ Imports & Exports Graphic Files:

TIFF, GIFF, BMP, PCX, WPG, WMF, TARGA

> Supports Virtually all Windows Compatible Printers (PostScript, Laser, & Dot Matrix)

>- 30-day Money-Back Guarantee, $295

***CALL FOR FREE DEMO SOFTWARE***

AMERICAN MICROSYSTEMS

2190 Regal Parkway, Euless, TX 76040 (800)648-4452 (817)571-9015 FAX (817) 685-6232

DATA INPUT DEVICES

Bar Code, Magnetic Siripe Readers & SmartCard Encoder/ Reader for microcomputers & terminals, including IBM PS/2 & others, DEC, Macintosh, AT&T, CT, Wyse. Wang. All readers connect on the keyboard cable & are transparent to all software. UPC & 39 print programs, magnetic encoders. & portable readers are also available.

TPS Electronics

4047 Transport, Palo Alto, CA 94303 415-856-6833 Telex 371 -9097 TPS PLA 1-800-526-5920 FAX: 415-856-3843

Inquiry 657.

VARIANT MICROSYSTEMS BAR CODE READERS DELIVER

WAND/LASER/MAGNETIC CARD CONNECTIVITY

• Keyboard wedges (Internal/External) for IBM PC/XT/AT, PS/2, and portables

• RS232 wedges for WYSE, Link, Kimtron terminals

• Bar code and label printing software

• Full two-year warranty

• 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

• Extensive VAR/Dealer Discounts

46560 Freemont Blvd., Suite 206/Freemont. CA 94538/(510) 440-2970 800-666-4BAR FAX: (510) 440-2873

CD-Link'-DOS/Windows CD-ROM Driver

Completely replaces MSCDEX and uses space on your hard disk as a very large cache to dramatically improve CD-ROM performance, while reducing RAM requirements. $79.95 introductory special! Includes reporting of usage statistics. Download a free demo version from our BBS! OEM & dealer pricing available.

Intellectual Products Corporation

Voice: (404) 992-5327 BBS: (404) 640-5017

Inquiry 663.

OPTI-CD<*M*e™

Improve CD-ROM workstation performance!

Only $89! OPn-CDcaobe™ takes advance of Extended Memory (XMS) to Cliche CD-ROM data. Retrieve data from a lii(ili speed cache Instead Of directly from the CD-ROM drive and Significantly improve your CD-ROM workstation performance! Ask for our free catalog of exciting CD-ROM products including the markct-leatling OPTJ-NET' CD-ROM networking software!

ONLINE COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC.

A member of the Reed Elsevier group.

800-922-920-i or 301-428-3700

FAX us at 301-428-3700.

Inquiry 658.

Inquiry 664.

CREATE BAR CODE SYSTEMS

Data Harvester Developer's Version can put handheld portable bar code data collection in your application. Generate system to scan, validate entries (lengths, types, etc.) and communicate data to PC. Format data for your software. Easy to use. No programming. Supports many portable terminals. DOS & UNIX.

AccuScan, Inc.

PO Box 80037, Conyers, GA 30208 (404)922-1220

Inquiry 654.

BEST BAR CODE VALUES

• PC/MAC/RS232 Wedges w/wand & print, utility $249+

• Portables w/wand (64K+) $750+

• Mag Stripe Encoder/Reader (1, 2or3tracks) $1200+ ■ Mag Stripe Readers (TTL, wedge, RS232) $89+

• Bar Code Printing/Reading Software w/HP $149+

• Lasers/CCDs/Badge Slot/POS Products' 1-5 YR WARRANTY

• Dist/Dealer Discounts * SPANISH Dept. avail.

BARCODE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEMS (BIS)

9190 Palm Canyon Drive, Corona, CA 91719 (800) 653-4252 • (909) 277-1917 ■ FAX (909) 277-1005

Inquiry 655.

TERMINATOR • • -Super high density rouler--(Complete with schematic & PCB Editor) This lolally inlegralcd CAD software otters superior functionality at competitive prices. DC/CAD packages include: •Rip up and retry router w/via minimization «No copy protection available •ASCII lile w/aulomatie procedure recording "Auloplacer "WINDOWS Dos task "Gerber and DXF •Oplional Automatic Copper plane w/:ross hatching • Optional simulation & enhanced mode (or 386 users

Price from $195 "Call for current offer

•EXPEDITED PCB LAYOUT SERVICE AT LOW COST

DeSign Computation, Inc. 1771 Hlghway34. Fanningdale. MJ 07727

Phone: (908) 681-7700 Fax: (908) 681-8733

DC/CAD- The performance value leader lor the demanding entrepreneur

Inquiry 659.

ELECTRONICS CAD

Schematic Capture & PCB CAD

Analogue Simulation, Digital Simulation, etc.

Prices from $195. Credit cards welcome.

For brochure use Inquiry # or contact us at:

NUMBER ONE SYSTEMS

Harding Way, ST. IVES, Cambs, UK, PE17 4WR

Tel: 011-44-480-461778 Fax: 011-44-480-494042

Inquiry 660.

CICA MS Windows Shareware, 640 Meg, thousands of new programs, BBS ready, made April 93 $24.95

Simtel MSD0S Shareware CDR0M, 640 Meg, BBS ready, huge selection of software, made April 93 $24.95

Hobbes OS/2 Shareware CDR0M, 550 Meg, Nov. 92 S24.95

Source Code CDR0M. Full source, mostly C, over 15,000 programs. Over 600 Meg ....$39.95

X11/GMUCDR0M. Full source to X11 and all the GNU programs. ANSI C/C++ compiler, ghostscript, etc $39.95

C Users Group Library CD-ROM. Up through vol, 364 $49.95

CDR0M Caddies $4.95

Full Money-Back Guarantee

WALNUT CREEK CDROM

4041 Pike Lane, Suite E, Concord, CA 94520

(800) 786 9907

(510) 674 0783 Fax: (510) 674 0821

Inquiry 665.

CAD/CAM

COMMUNICATIONS

NEED A ONE STOP SOURCE FOR YOUR BAR CODE SOLUTIONS?

NO PROBLEM! WE OFFER Quality • Performance • Value

A full line of READERS • PRINTERS • PORTABLES • BAR CODE READERS FOR NOTEBOOKS • HEWLETT-PACKARD SCANNERS • MAGNETIC STRIPE READERS. Our readers plug and play with your existing system without additional software. 30 DAY GUARANTEE • LIFETIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT • NEXT DAY DELIVERY • VARIETY OF PAYMENT OPTIONS • OEM/VAR DISCOUNTS. CALL US.

INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES & SYSTEMS

Eastern USA (800] 826-1688 Western USA (800) 228-9487

Inquiry 656.

PC BAR CODE SPECIALISTS

Bar code readers designed for fast, reliable, costeffective data entry. They emulate your keyboard, so data looks just like it was typed in! Choose from stainless steel wand, laser gun, CCD, and magnetic stripe scanners. Also, powerful label printing software. Great warranty. Generous reseller discounts. 30-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE.

Seagull Scientific Systems

15127 N.E. 24th, Suite 333, Redmond, WA 98052

1 -800-758-2001 206-451 -8966

CONTOURING MOTION CONTROL

FROM A PRINTER PORT! ^

Indexer LPT" software vf>24y

NEW VERSION 3 visa/mc

• Controls up to six step motors simultaneously.

• Linear and Circular Interpolation.

• New features to accommodate machine control.

• Easy-to-use DOS device driver. Super Manual.

• CAD-CAM interface available.

,.,.,, _ Corporation, 1422 Arnold Ave.

Ability Systems Rosiyn.pa 19001 (215)$57-4338

1 ' FAX: (215) 657-7815

Inquiry 661.

Parametric MultiSurr Surface Modeler

Object oriented, PC-based. Complex models with accurate surface-surface joins. 16 surface types, including lofted, developable, blended, foil, NURBS. 2-D and 3-D DXF output. $1,975.

AeroHydro, Inc.

PO Box 684, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679 USA 207-244-7347 FAX: 207-244-7249

Inquiry 662.

HOMOLOGATION IN ITALY

All TELCOM devices

♦ POS Terminals

♦ Modems

WE PROVIDE

• PTT Ministry Request submittal

• TRANSLATION Documents and Manuals from English and French to Italian

• VERIFICATION of PTT Ministry rules

• PTT test assistance

• American references available

I.LUBE MILANO - ITALY

TEL/FAX: 39-2-95358815

Inquiry 666.

JUNE 1993 BYTE 263

THE BUYER'S MART

COMMUNICATIONS

CROSS ASSEMBLERS

DATA/DISK CONVERSION

X.25, HDLC, SDLC, BSC

SDLA card and software provides 'plug-in' synchronous link support for PCs which is inexpensive, easy to use and robust.

♦ Up to 180kbps under any PC operating system

♦ Extensive utilities plus third party support under DOS, Unix, OS/2. Windows

♦ CCITT 1988 X.25, many variations of SDLC and HDLC and V.25 bis. dial supported

♦ Full function SNA emulation packages also available

Sangoma Technologies Inc.

Tel. (416) 474-1990 1-800-388-2475

FAX (416) 474-9223

Inquiry 667.

Cross Assemblers $50

Simulators $100 Disassemblers $100

PseudoCorp

716 Thimble Shoals Blvd. Newport News, VA 23606

(804) 873-1947 Fax (804) 873-2154

BBS (804) 873-4838

Inquiry 673.

THE #1 CHOICE in disk & tape conversion

for many leading corporations, government agencies, law firms, and companies in every industry-world-wide.

Free test • Satisfaction guaranteed

Graphics Unlimited Inc.

3000 Second St. North, Minneapolis, MN 55411

(612) 588-7571 FAX: (612) 588-8783

1-800-745-7571

Inquiry 679.

COMPUTER BOOKS

COMPUTER BOOKS at a discount

We specialize in ADVANCED books for developers, programmers, computer professionals, and academics. 15% discount. Latest books from over 50 publishers. Free catalog. UPS & international shipping. Personal service. MC/VISA/AMEX. CompuServe" 70007,1333. GO CBK Windows, C++, O/S 2 2.0, UNIX, Mac, OOP

CompuBooks

Rt. 1, BOX271-D 512-321-9652

Cedar Creek, TX 78612 Fax 512-321-4525

800-880-6818

Inquiry 668.

COMPUTER INSURANCE

ECAL UNIVERSAL ASSEMBLER

170 + processors supported.

User control of syntax and instructions.

Integrated linker/loader.

Trace and I/O windows.

Monitor and RS-232 windows.

Single micro versions available.

Demo version available.

VAIL SILICON TOOLS (305) 570-5580

Inquiry 674.

CONVERSION SERVICES

Convert any 9-track magnetic tape to or from over 5000 formats including 3'A", bV", 8" disk formats & word processors. Disk-to-disk conversions also available. Introducing CD-ROM conversions. Call for more info.

Pivar Computing Services, Inc.

165 Arlington Hgts. Rd., Dept. #B Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 (800) Convert

DATA ANALYSIS

DATABASE

INSURES YOUR COMPUTER

SAFEWARE Computerowner's coverage provides replacement of hardware, media and purchased software. As little as S49 a year covers accidents, theft, power surges and more. One call does it all.

TOLL FREE 1-800-848-3469

SAFEWARE, The Insurance Agency Inc.

PO Box 02211. 2929 N, High St., Columbus, OH 43202 Now available in Ontario, Canada

Inquiry 669.

YOUR SALES MESSAGE

about Ihe special computer product or service thai you provide belongs in print

THE BUYER'S MART

can help you reach computer professionals and produce valuable inquiries for your company!

Call Mai'gOt Gnade for more information

603-924-2656

or

Fax: 603-924-2683

Inquiry 670.

ADVANCED DATA ANALYSIS... at a click!

CLICK-X™ software, the most user friendly data analysis - ever! ■ Edit Graph/Data • Analyze • Advanced Math / Regression / Engineering / Statistics • Import/Export. FREE demo disk. Custom software available.

SoloSoft

P.O. Box 2548, Stamford, CT 06906-0548 Phone: (203) 977-8161 Fax: (203) 977-8237

Inquiry 675.

DATA RECOVERY

On track

DATA RECOVERY

•Professional service recommended by major hard

drive manufacturers • Expertise in virtually every

operating system & media storage device • 24-hour

support with weekend, priority, & on-site service

available • For fast, successful results, call:

MN:1 -800-872-2599 • CA: 1-800-752-7557

UK: 44-81-974-5522 • GERMANY: 0130-815-198

Corp. Headquarters: 6321 Bury Drive, Eden Prairie MN 55346

Inquiry 676.

Which Windows database is the best?

The best?

We recommend SUPERBASE 2

We build vertical applications with it,

train end-users and developers on it,

and make it available to others

who want the best Windows relational database

Superbase 2 for $189 (list $795)

Superbase 2 Developers Edition $650.

Superbase 2 Developer class,

4 days for $995.

Consulting and on-site training available.

^£RD

<> 800 448 NERD ^

%

Inquiry 680.

COMPUTER SYSTEMS

DIAGNOSTIC

LOW- LOW- LOW

Computer Systems/Notebooks/Network Solutions IBM- Apple -Compaq- AST- ALR-Everex-&others SURAH 386/486 ISA/EISA-AMI/Mylex Motherboards

• CD ROMS • Tape Backup • Pocket FAX Modem LAN Cards • Hard Drives/Floppy Drives • Memory/upgrades

• DRAMS. SIMM Modules • Laser Printers/Scanners

• Plotters & Digitizers • Software

CMDAU in/t 44912 Osgood Road. Fremont CA 91539 USA OUriMn InC. Phone: (510) 651-5101 Fax:(510)651-5241

1-800-543-1001 Nationwide Orders

Inquiry 671.

CROSS ASSEMBLERS

Dr. Solomons Data Recovery Service

NO FIX-NO FEE

High Success Rate Fast Turnaround

Unique Technical Expertise Free Diagnosis

S & S International

Tel +44 (0)442 877877 Fax +44 (0)442 877882

Inquiry 677.

DATA/DISK CONVERSION

"..PINPOINT ANY PC FAILURE."

John C. Dvorak, PC Magazine 6/30/92

Top-rated PocketPOST Power On Self-Test card with diagnostic software for ISA/EISA/MicroChannel. 180-page book. Hones your trouble shooting skills. CALL NOW.

DATA DEPOT, Inc.

1710 Drew Street #5, Clearwater, FL 34615

1-800-275-1913

813-446-3402

FAX 813-443-4377

Inquiry 681.

EDUCATION

PC BASED DEVELOPMENT TOOLS

We offer low-cost efficient CROSS ASSEMBLERS and a superb line of SIMULATOR-DEBUGGERS with full built-in DISASSEMBLERS for Intel's MCS-48, 51, 85 and 96, and

for the Z80 families of embedded controllers. Our new simulators for Ihe 80C196KB and 80C196KC are unique in the market, and have been received with rave reviews. The price of our software includes unlimited free upgrade privileges!

Lear Com Company

2440 Kipling St.. Ste. 206, Lakewood, CO 80215 (303) 232-2226 FAX (303) 232-8721

Inquiry 672.

264 BYTE JUNE 1993

DATA CONVERSIONS

DISK/TAPE/CARTRIDGE DUPLICATION CD-ROM DUPLICATION & MASTERING

2500 Word Processor & Computer formats, 3 %", 5V", 8" DISKS, MAG TAPES, 3480 TAPES, Syquest, Bernoulli, Colorado, Mountain, Emerald, Sytos, Maynard, 4mm DAT, 8MM, DC2120, TK50 tapes, V CARTRIDGES, Mag Cards.

OCR SCANNING SERVICES TOOt

Quickest turnaround Quality Media Guaranteed Satisfaction

COMPANY COMPENDIA, INC., 55 E. Washington St.,f,237

Chicago, IL 60602 TEL: 1-B0O-374-DISK FAX: 312-419-1390

Inquiry 678.

B.S. & MS. in COMPUTER SCIENCE

The American Institute for Computer Sciences offers an indepth home study program to earn your Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Computer Science at home. B.S. subjects covered are: MS/DOS, BASIC, PASCAL, C, File Processing, Data Structures & Operating systems. M.S. program includes subjects in Software Engineering and Artificial Intelligence.

AMERICAN INST, for COMPUTER SCIENCES

2101-BY Magnolia Ave. South, Sle. 200, Birmingham, AL 35205 800-767-2427 205-323-6191

DIAGNOSTIC

GRAPHICS DATA CONVERTER

LANS

FREE NEWSLETTER OFFER

THE PC TROUBLESHOOTER

Learn all the latest PC troubleshooting tips and tricks from the pros. Covers PCs, networks, Windows and more. CALL NOW for a FREE sample issue.

USA: (800) 683-6696

Int'l: (813) 443-1331, FAX: (813) 443-6603

Landmark Research Int'l Corp.

703 Grand Central Street Clearwater, FL 34616

Inquiry 682.

OPTICAL GRAPH RECOGNITION (OGR) SOFTWARE

SCAN-X'" software imports, converts and manipulates data from scanned plots, pictures, graphs on paper, or captured screens into data files for comparing/analyzing/plotting/exporting. FREE demo disk. Service available.

SoloSoft

P.O. Box 2548, Stamford, CT 06906-0548 Phone: (203) 977-8161 Fax: (203) 977-8237

Inquiry 684.

HARDWARE

Let US Meet Your Hardware Needs

•Complete Systems-Starting ® $895 w/SVGA monitor

• For 486 DX50 from $895-$1795 •Motherboards, Memory

• Software

Call for information or catalog. MC & VISA accepted

Kings Computer Technologies

311 North Gray 01^ CKM r n *. n

Killeen, TX 76541 Ol7-554-54o4

Inquiry 685.

The $25 Network

Try the 1st truly low-cost LAN

• Connect 2 or 3 XTs, ATs,386s, 486s

• Uses serial ports and null modem cable

• Runs at 115K baud - approx 8500 bytes/sec

• Runs in background, totally transparent

• Share disks and printers, etc.

• Needs only 15Kof RAM

Little Big LAN

The most flexible network

• Peer to Peer LAN to 250 nodes

• $75 total software cost, not per node!

• Link via serial, parallel, or Arcnet

• Link via Ethernet or Modems soon

• Mixed mode routing

• Typically only 35K of RAM

Skeptical? We make believers!

Information Modes

P.O. Drawer F, Denton, TX 76202

Tech 817-387-3339 Orders 800-628-7992

Hours 1-5 Mon/Wed, 9-5 Tue/Thu/Fri CST

Inquiry 690.

FLOW CHARTS

LAPTOP COMPUTERS

WINDOWS FLOWCHARTER $129

RFFlow 2.0 is a professional drawing tool for flowcharts & org. charts. Requires Microsoft Windows. 100 shapes auto adjust in size. Diagonal lines and curves. Auto line routing and re-routing. Click on a shape to bring up a sub-chart. Move charts to other apps. via the Clipboard. Call for free trial disk.

RFF ELECTRONICS

1053 Banyan Court, Loveland, CO 80538 Phone: (303) 663-5767 FAX: (303) 669-4889

Pre-0wned Electronics, Inc™

THE Independent Provider, serving the Dealer,

Professional, Corporate, Government, and Educational Buyer since 1985

APPLE II- & MACINTOSH8

SYSTEMS' PARTS • EXCHANGE REPAIRS

Call for a Catalog...800-274-5343 INT'L: 617-275-4600 • FAX: 617-275-4848

205 BURLINGTON ROAD • BEDFORD, MA 01730

Inquiry 686.

USED COMPUTERS

MAJOR BRANDS - WIDE SELECTION IBM - COMPAQ & OTHERS

Computers from S99 Color Printers S199

Mono Monitors from S25 CGA Color Monitors S129

IBM 5140 LAPTOP S349

IBM PCjr 8, CONVERTIBLE PARTS & ACCESSORIES

HARD-T0-FIN0 ITEMS FOR OLDER PCS

FREE CATALOG COMPUTER RESET

P.O. Box 461782, Garland, TX 75046

Phone (214) 276-8072 & FAX BBS (214) 272-7920

FRAMEWORK/FRED

Inquiry 691.

LAPTOP PERIPHERALS

NEW

Selections & Functions, Inc.'s FRAMEWORK UPGRADE

Hundreds of new menus hypertext-documentation

Includes OS C0MMAND.COM

with process swapping

dBase file indexing. Auto

querying, filtering, reports.

Framework FRED EMail support

Incl. The Framework Magazine

$ 140.00 (617)826-1553

25 Washington Street, Hanover, MA 02339

HEWLETT PACKARD

Buy - Sell - Trade

LaserJet ColorPro

DeskJet DraftPro

RuggedWriter DraflMaster

Electrostatic Plotters

• Monochrome and Color

HP 9000 Workstations and Vectras also available.

T. E. Dasher & Associates

4117 Second Ave., S. Birmingham, AL 35222

Phone: (205) 591-4747 Fax: (205) 591-1108

(800) 636-4833

Inquiry 687.

HARDWARE/COMPUTERS

ISIEW/ 20MHz 16-bit FORTH Single Board Controller with Sen 10-bit A/0, 3ch 8-bit D/A

TDS2020 FORTH CONTROLLER AND DATA-LOGGER-4'x3" board uses Hitachi 16-bit H8/532 CMOS >iP. Screams alcno at 3MIPS. bu: runs en only 30ma. On-boarrl high-level easy FORTH language and assembler-no need lor in-circuil emulation! Up to 512K NVRAM, 45K PROM A::aci keyboard, led, 12C peripherals. Interrupts, multi-tasking, watchdog timet, editor. 33 I/O, 2xRS-232, 6-16v 300uA data-logging! Free ready-made software solulions. Program wilh PC. Use for machine control, data-logging, ispechon. robotics, remote monitoring, etc. S299 (25s). STARTER PACK $499. CALL HOW FOR DETAILS! S3le-or-retuw

Saelig Company tel: (716) 425-3753

European Technology fax: (716) 425-3835

Inquiry 688.

Toshiba Serial Cards

• D and E modem slots, DB9 or RJ11/12 connector, RS232- S199: RS422 - S249. Options: 0550 UART. MltllOIHS

• A slot. DB9 with 2400 bps modem, RS232 -S199; RS422 - $249

• A slot, Dual BS232 - S249

• A slot.SCSI host adapter - S249

• Designed and made in USA!!

Custom design capability. Also Auto adapters for various laptops, notebooks, and printers.

Empire Engineering

California USA tel 605/543-2816 fax 605/543-2820

Inquiry 692.

MEDICAL SOFTWARE

INTELLIGENT MEDICAL SYSTEM

Distributors required for English, French, German & Spanish Market

Horizon Integrated Intelligent Medical System for International use in multilingual environment (HIMS) is a "slate of the art" system for Doctors & Hospitals. Developed in conjunction with World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

HORIZON SOFTWARE LTD.

27 East Street. Leicester. LE1 6NB, U.K TEL: (44) 533-556550 FAX: (44) 533-470942

Inquiry 693.

PC PRODUCTS WANTED

Digital Quad Maps

Local Street Maps, State Maps, and World

Maps in DXF, PCX, PICT, PIC or TIF Formats. Gigabytes of Map data available.

M krp_MaB&_CAD_™ (303) 988-4940

Inquiry 683.

SC/FOX™ EMBEDDED COMPUTERS

PC Parallel Coprocessor Plug-in Boards; 15 MIPS avg 50 MIPS burst,

using the SC32 32-bit CPU or the 16-bit Harris RTX 2000™.

VME Master/Slave System Controller SBC; 18 MIPS avg 70 MIPS burst.

uses RTX 2000 cpu, SCSI, 2 ser, 1 plr ports, to 640K bytes.

Stand-Alone Single Board Computers: 18 MIPS avg 60 MIPS burst, 3U

or 100x100mm Eurocard-size using either SC32 or RTX 2000.

Ideal lor embedded real-time control, data acquisition, robolics, and signal

processing. OEM software development syslem included,

SILICON COMPOSERS INC wa mt-ens

655 West Evelyn Ave. #7, Mt. View, CA 94041

Inquiry 689.

PC Products Wanted

Leading PC Network software vendor is looking for "cutting edge" products to be distributed through its world wide distribution channels. If you have a product or product idea, and need sales or distribution we can help you pave the way to quicker profits. A.C.P. provides national distribution through Tech Data, Merisel, Ingram, and our U.K. and Australian subsidiaries. A.C.P. also offers a well established engineering and marketing force. For more information call A.C.P. at 800-959-2556 or (508) 486-4367, or send inquiries to: A.C.P., P.O. Box 1490, Littleton, MA 01460.

Inquiry 694.

JUNE 1993 BVXE 265

THE BUYER'S MART

PROGRAMMERS TOOLS

SECURITY

SOFTWARE/ENGINEERING

SHARE YOUR MODEMS FOR $149

using Connection Manager Lite Full featured modem server for IPX or NetBIOS networks.

• Non-dedicated server shares two modems at data rates to 155,200 bps using standard serial ports or multiport boards.

• Up to eight clients. Supports NASI or Interrupt 14 interface.

• Outbound and inbound calling.

• Compatible with Windows 3.1.

• Includes reduced price upgrade to standard version.

• 30-day money-back guarantee.

SOFTWAREHOUSE CORPORATION

326 State Street, Los Altos, CA 94022 (415) 949-0203 FAX: (415) 949-0208

STOP UNWANTED USERS!

with Easi-Lock™ Software Security Add Software Security Without Programming • No Hardware Add-Ons or Changes • Block Intrusions and Snooping • Locks Any .EXE or .COM file under DOS • Works with Windows • Locked Files Work Only With "Run" Utility • Tests for Virus Before Executing Any File • Renders Pirated Software Useless • Activity Logging in "Plus" and "Super" versions ■ Optional (free) Audible Intrusion Alarm

Prices S69 - 3169 + s/h. Visa, Mastercard Accepted

Easi-Logic Software

div. of CDS GROUP Inc. P.O. Box 449 Paoli IN 47454 800-243-4964 - 812-723-4595

Inquiry 700.

Cop's CopyLock II

The professional software protection with TRUE Machine Install. Option Board safe. OS/2, Networks, Windows, and Trace 3020.

LINK Computer

Int'l: + 45 31232350 Fax: + 45 31238448

US/CAN: 408-729-8162 FAX: 408-923-7061

Circuit Simulation

Electrical Engineers!

Now you can run Analog/Mixed Signal

Simulations on your PC or Mac with the

Affordable and Powerful

ICAP/4 Simulation System

includes:

• IsSpice3; Mixed Mode SPICE Simulator

• Integrated Schematic Entry

• Extensive SPICE Model Libraries

• Waveform Graphics and Analysis

Full SPICE programs starting at $95. Complete systems with schematic, lsSpice3 simulation, models, and waveform graphics only $1575.

Call or Fax for your Free Demo and information kit.

P.O. Box 710 San Pedro, Ca 90733-0710 Tel (310) 833-0710 FAX (310) 833-9658

intusoft

Inquiry 695.

Inquiry 704.

Structograms

Software Documenlalion made quick and easy with PANORAMA

■ Structograms (Nassi-Shneidermann) automatically from the source code in a flash

■ Hierarchie-trees of modules, procedures

■ Headers of modules, procedures

■ Software-Metrics: McCabe complexity, LOC and more Available for: Turbo Pascal, C, Modula-2, Fortran-77, PL/M, dBase PANORAMA Standard (Pascal, C, Modula-2): $495

panorama Lite: S295 Wuest Informatik AG

Schuetzenstrasse 11; CH-8245 Feuerthalen; Switzerland Int'l (+41 53) 29 31 32 FAX: (+41 53) 29 31 43

Call or Fax for information and free demo.

Inquiry 696.

PROJECT BILLING

KEY-LOK SECURITY

Piracy survival over 10 years proves effectiveness of powerful multilayered security. Algorithmic response. Programmable memory. Very economical. Device transparent to PARALLEL/SERIAL port, Counters/RealTime-Clock. Multi-product/feature licensing. DOS/UNIX/ VMS/etc, Also, access control system and diskette drive locks.

MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

3167 E. Otero Circle, Littleton, CO 80122 (303)770-1917

Inquiry 701.

SOFTWARE WANTED

SAUNA: 3D THERMAL ANALYSIS

• Models: PCBs, plates, heatsinks, enclosures, multiboard enclosures. • All heat transfer modes: convection, radiation, conduction • Interactive menudriven • Thermal parameters library • Fast "what if": dimension, mat'l, finish, analyses • Easy to learn & use • IBM PC & Macintosh II

Call for free evaluation program

Tatum Labs, Inc.

1287 N. Silo Ridge Drive, Ann Arbor. Ml 48108 313-663-8810

Inquiry 705.

SOFTWARE/GRAPHICS

Client Project

A Time and Billing System that accounts for charges to over 100,000 projects (or matters). Regular price $299, limited time discount available; send $10 tor demo.

Micro Billing Systems, Inc.

117 W. Harrison, Ste# 624M, Chicago IL 60605 Tel: (312) 939-1869 Fax: (312) 939-1351

Inquiry 697.

Publish Your Program!

Young, enthusiastic and successful software publisher looking for PC Windows productivity add-on and utility software to acquire or publish. For a confidential review of your software product, send information to Software Publisher, 2210 Wilshire Blvd., #836, Santa Monica, CA 90403 or circle our number on the Direct Link Card in the back of this issue. We will contact you promptly.

SECURITY

Inquiry 702.

SOFTWARE/ACCOUNTING

TIFF. PCX, TARDA, GIF. DIB. BMP, OCX, EPS, WMF, WPG, PICT, JPEG

AccuSoft Image Format Library 3.0

"The most comprehensive raster support library on the market" Import, export, convert, display, and print all above formats! DOS & Windows versions included in one package. No royalties. Includes several sample programs with source code. Supports all languages. Format compatibility guaranteed! G3, G4, TIFF-F, multi-page images etc. Rotate, scale, color reduction, sharpen etc. 30 day satisfaction guarantee. $495

AccuSoft Corporation

160 E. Main St., P.O. Box 1261. Weslboro, MA 01581 (800) 525-3577 (508) 898-2770 FAX (508) 898-9662

Inquiry 706.

FIGHT PIRACY!

• EVERLOCK3.0 •

SOFTWARE COPY PROTECTION

New Option Board Safe-New Remote Registration

New CPU LOCK-CD ROM LOCK and more

• EVERKEY HARDWARE LOCKS •

Az-Tech Software, Inc.

Call for a 201 East Franklin, Richmond, MO 64085

FREE (816) 776-2700

Demo (800) 227-0644 FAX (816) 776-8398

Inquiry 698.

dBASE BUSINESS TOOLS

•GENERAL LEDGER

PURCH ORD/INVNTORY

•ORDER ENTRY

ACCOUNTS RECVABLE

•JOB COSTING

JOB ESTIMATING

• BILL OF MATLS

SALES ANALYSIS

• PAYROLL

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

S99/S198ea.+ S&H

dATAMAR SYSTEMS

Cred. Card-Check-COD

6969-D Corte Santa Fe, San Diego, CA 92121

(619) 452-0044

(800) 223-9963

Inquiry 703.

"The Ultimate CAD/CAM/CAE Programming Engine" Slash your development time, with your CAD programming companion, TG-Protessional v.4.0, the most complete C/C++ toolbox of 2D S 3D geometric routines available today! Over 800 routines including NURBS, DXF, Graphics, Surfacing, Hidden Line, Transforms, Perspectives, Polygon (Inl/Union/Diff), Clipping, Tangents and more. Routines for drawing using BGI or MSC Graphics. Full source & 30 day guarantee, USA $500.00. Use MSC, Borland C/C++, WATCOM C/386 or Melaware High C/C++. Call 1-800-635-7760 or Fax/Phone 214423-7288 for free 30 page technical paper.

Disk Software Inc.

109 S, Murphy Rd., Piano, TX USA 75094

Inquiry 707.

SOFTWARE/BUSINESS

THE ULTIMATE SOFTWARE SECURITY

• STOPCOPY family - UNCOPIABLE copy protection

• STOPVIEW software encryption

• NETLIMIT network license metering

• DOS, Windows, Macintosh, OS/2, support

• No source code changes required - for ANY of our products in ANY environment

• Our products destroy ALL of our competition

• Call for FREE demo disk, or to discuss our products'

MANY options

BBI Computer Systems, Inc.

14105 Heritage Lane, Silver Spring. MD 20906 800/TRY-ABBI • B00/879-2224 • 301/871-1094 • FAX:301/460-7545

Inquiry 699.

266 BYTE JUNE 1993

DATA ENTRY SOFTWARE

Full featured, heads-down data entry

with two-pass verification, edit language,

operator stats, much more! Designed for

the PS/2', PC, XT, AT or compatibles.

PCs from $395 LAN version available

FREE 30 day trial

Computer Keyes Tel: 206/776/6443

21929 MakahRd., Fax: 206/776-7210

Woodway, WA 98020 USA: 800/356-0203

Sirlin's CAD ++ ENGINE

■ Read and Write AutoCAD DWG and DXF files.

■ Object oriented, modular, database-like access to CAD data.

1 View, Print (rasterize), Plot (vectorize), and Pick (interact) modules.

■ Available for C/C++ for DOS, Extended DOS. Windows, Sun and other Unix systems.

Sirlin Computer Corporation

25 Orchard View Dr., Ste 14, Londonderry, NH 03053 Phone: (603) 437-0727 • Fax: (603) 437-0737

Inquiry 708.

SOFTWARE/GUI

GUI TOOLKIT ONLY $249

Full source code included

TEGL Windows Toolkil lets you create DOS based GUI apps that are completely standalone. Over 500 (unctions. Menus, mouse & keyboard support, dialogues, and more. Includes TEGL graphics interface which has drivers for most popular video modes. Supports most C and Pascal compilers. Protected mode version is only $499. No royalties.

TEGL Systems Corporation

P.O. Box 580, Stn. A, Vancouver B.C. V6C 2N2 (604) 669-2577 FAX (604) 688-9530

Inquiry 709.

SOFTWARE/SCIENTIFIC

Weather Monitor & Weatherlink!

The ultimate in weather monitoring systems! A state-ofthe-art weather station and a PC link allow you to view, record, summarize, and graph weather information. The perfect marriage of computer and weather technology.

DAVIS INSTRUMENTS

3465 Diablo Avenue, Hayward, CA 94545 1-800-678-3669 FAX 1-510-670-0589 nvso

Inquiry 710.

Volume Visualization

VoxelBox is a volume Tenderer for Windows. Volume rendering is the most direct method of visualizing 3D data. VoxelBox is fast, powerful and easy to use. It features raytracing, color/alpha mapping, lighting, keyframe animation support and much more. Price $495

Jaguar Software, Inc.

573 Main St. Suite 9B, Winchester, MA 01890 (617) 729-3659 FAX (617) 729-2750

Inquiry 711.

VTEX Scientific Desktop Publishing

• Equations • Tables • Graphics ■ Scalable Fonts • Supports most printers • WYSIWYG previewer • Foreign Languages • Special Symbols • Font Effects • Indices • Only $299 TeX of Tomorrow'-Notices of AMS, March 1991. CaJI now for a FREE DEMO DISK

MicroPress, Inc.

68-30 Harrow Street, Forest Hills, NY Tel (718) 575-1816 Fax (718) 575-8038

Inquiry 712.

SOFTWARE/VOICE/FAX

MULTI-VOICE® TOOLS

Multi-Voice Tools is a complete development Toolkit for Pascal or "C* to access all the features for most speech processing boards available today. It helps you write MULTI-LINE VOICE APPLICATION systems in minutes. A number of programming examples are provided. All programs and libraries are delivered with source code. Dialogic, Rhetorex, Pika, VBX: S599. Watson (Single Line): S99. ALSO AVAILABLE: Fax Programmer's Toolkit ($199). Based on CAS specifications. Visa/MC;

ITI Logiciel

4263 Cristophe-Colomb, Montreal, Quebec, Can. H2J 3G2 TEL (514) 597-1692 FAX (514) 526-2362

Write your own Voice Mail software

Create advanced, multi-line voice/fax mail systems with VOS™, the Editors' Choice. Complete language for computer/telephone integration. Call for free booklet "Get Into Interactive Voice".

Parity Software

25 Stillman St. #106, San Francisco, CA 94107 415 931-8221 (fax 415 546-7329)

Inquiry 713.

_

UTILITIES

SOFTWARE PACKAG NG

FREE SOFTWARE PACKAGING CATALOG

Everylhing you will need to Package, Distribute, and Ship Your Software!! From manuals and binders to mailers and shippers

LABELS • LABELS • LABELS

For your diskettes, plain or custom printed dot matrix or laser printer... free samples

•••FREE CATALOG-" Hice & Associates

8586 Monticello Dr., West Chester. OH 45069

Phone/Fax: 513-777-8586

ICSMENU

The menu for users without Windows

Runs any program or series of up to four DOS commands with a single key stroke. Chain as many menus as desired. Never fumble again trying to remember a directory name. Low system overhead. $50.

Integrated Custom Software, Inc.

701 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury, CT 06033 (203) 657-3339 FAX (203) 657-8150 MC/VISA

Inquiry 714.

nquiry 720.

WINDOWS

NEW! STATIC SAFE

3 1/2" and 51/4" rigid disk envelopes with graphite coating for extra protection

firtHHV FREE SAMPLES fcftfra

MAIL SAFE

Division of Chicago Packaging

4340 W. 47lh St.

Chicago, IL 60632

CALL 1-800-848-6552

HyperVhoto A Hyperlinage & Document Management System for Windows Attach too and data to Images. Author HyperLinked applications and navigate from image to image. Graphically design your own custom image database. .Search S(X)k scanned documents in seconds. Navigate Hyperlinks through .successive levels of detail. Display 64k stamp images tin image spreadsheet. Create stamp albums. Associate text or images to any image pixel. PCX, BMP, 'HI", GIF, EPS zoom and color matching. Network &JPEG available Imaging power for $225 1 Friendly Information Systems

552 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 CALL 80055HYPER FAX (617) 492-8525

Inquiry 715.

nquiry 721.

GENETIC ALGORITHMS

STOCK PACKAGING

to help you

market your software

ask for catalog 92 S

call 708 390-7744

or fax 708 390-9886 PolyQuick Co.

1243 Rand Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016

NEURAL NETS + GENETIC ALGORITHMS =

LOGIVOLVE™

THE F/RSTNEUROGENETIC TOOLKIT

Through genetic algorithms, LOGIVOLVE™

solves complex problems that no other technology can. evolve complex systems containing neural net as well as parameter-based components that provide the needed solutions. Powerful, fast, easy-touse. Available for "C", Visual Basic

(WINDOWS DLL), AND OTHER LANGUAGES.

Runs on 386/486S, Hyperspeed

PARALLEL 860S, AND MlCROWAY 860

SUPERCOMPUTERS. ALSO AVAILABLE: N-TRAIN™ Neural Net Development Shell, as well as pre-trained and pre-evolved systems for the financial markets.

SCIENTIFIC CONSULTANT SERVICES

(516)696-3333

Inquiry 716.

STATISTICS

NCSS 5.x Series - $125

Easy-to-use menus & spread sheet. Multiple regression, T-tests. ANOVA (up lo 10 factors, rep. measures, covariance). Forecasting. Factor, cluster, & discriminant analysis. Nonparamelrics. Cross Tabulation. Graphics: histograms, box, scatter, etc. Reads ASCII/Lotus. Many new add-on modules.

NCSS

329 North 1000 East, Kaysville, UT 84037

Phone: 801 -546-0445 Fax: 801 -546-3907

Inquiry 717.

Inquiry 722.

UTILITIES

SPECIAL WINDOWS DECK

FastTrax the best disk optimizer

• Defragments any size DOS disk incl. >2 Gb

• No limits on directories, files or clusters

• Unique in-cylinder method reduces seeks

• MakeTrax (incl.) for custom file placement

• Batch operation, power failure protection

• $70, or $40 for competitive upgrade, + S&H

FastTrax International

880 Ensenada Avenue, Berkeley CA 94707 24-hr Sales and Tech support (510) 525-3510

Coming This FALL!!

BYTE

INTRODUCES THE

WINDOWS CARD DECK

Mailing: September '93 Circulation: 100,000 targeted Windows Users

For advertising info, call

603-924-2596

or

603-924-2533

Inquiry 718.

PEN PLOTTER EMULATOR

FPLOT turns your printer into an HP pen plotter. Fast hi-res, no jagged lines. Vary line width, color. Screen preview - zoom, pan. Works with most CAD programs. Supports most printers. Requires DOS 2.1 or higher. $119+$3 S&H. VISA/MC/Chk/MO.

FPLOT Corporation

24-16 Steinway St., Suite 605, Astoria, NY 11103 71 8-545-3505

Inquiry 719.

Inquiry 723.

JUNE 1993 BYTE 267

r

YOUR DIRECT LINK

ADVERTISER CONTACT INFORMATION

To order products or request FREE information, call advertisers directly or send in the Direct Link Card by mail or fax. Let them know you saw it in BYTE.

Inquh

y No. Page No

Phone No.

Inquiry No.

Page No

Phone No.

Inquiry No. Page No

Phone No.

A

204-20E

EMBARC/MOTOROLA

247

800-EMBARC4

108

MATHSOFT INC

191

800-628-4223

61-62 ABACUS SOFTWARE

178-179 ABC COMPUTER

180 ADVANCED COMPUTER PROD

50 236 244

800-451-4319 310-325-6369 714-558-8813

539 507

ESP/CTC

EUTRON

248SO-3 48IS-3

ext. 350

800-933-4CTC

+39-35-692-229'

110 111 548

MATROX VIDEO PRODUCTS GRP 184 MEDIA CYBERNETICS 212 MEGADATA 220IS-2

514-685-2630 800-992-HALO 516-589-6858'

261

ADVANCED DIGITAL SYS

257

800-888-5244

F

112

MEGADRIVE SYSTEMS

81

800-322-4744

63

ALADDIN KNOWLEDGE SYS

83

800-223-4277

87

FARALLON (N.A.)

33

800-998-7760 4

512

MICRO DESIGN INTL

48IS-1

407-677-8333

64 181

AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION AMT INTERNATIONAL

122 249

800-800-4APC DPT.A2

408-942-9695

508 521

FAST ELECTRONIC GMBH FIRST INTL COMP

126IS-3 112IS-3

+49-89-539800-20 +886-2-717-4500'

114-115 MICRO SOLUTIONS

COMPUTER PRODUCTS

197-198 MICRO-INTERNATIONAL, INC

225 242

815-756-3411 800-967-5667

543-544 APPRO INTI INC 248SO-1 65 ATI TECHNOLOGIES INC 140

408-732-6091 416-756-0718

188-189 88

FIRST SOURCE INT'L FRAME TECHNOLOGY (N.A.)

237

35

714-588-9866 800-U4FRAME

113

MICROPOLISCORP MICROSOFT CORP

105 16-17

800-395-3748 206-936-8661

206

AXONIX CORP

B

256

801-466-9797

169 509-510

FUNK SOFTWARE FUTURESOFT ENGINEERING

207 112IS-2

617-497-6339 713-496-9400

MICROSOFT CORP MICROSOFT CORP

30-31

67

800-468-8899

ext. JC2

800-228-7007

G

ext. RX3

182-18!

BAY TECHNICAL ASSOC

241

800-523-2702

.

GATEWAY 2000

CII.1

800-846-2058

*

MICROSOFT CORP

69

800-228-7007

450

BIX

273

800-695-4775

.

GATEWAY 2000

64A-L

800-846-2058

exl. RX3

66-67

BORLAND INTERNATIONAL

11

800-336-6464 exl. 5818

250

GENERAL TECHNICS

255

800^187-2538

MICROSOFT CORP

123

800-126-9400 ext. JK8

68

BRITISH AIRWAYS

120

212

GENOVATION, INC

256

800-822-4333

*

MICROSOFT CORP

125

800-126-9400

184

BUFFALO PRODUCTS

233

800-345-2356

89-90

GLENCO ENGINEERING

126

800-562-2543

ext. JK8

BYTE SUB MESSAGE

c

215

76-77 511

GREENVIEW DATA GREY MATTER LTD

135 128IS-1

800-458-3348 +44-0364-53071'

223

MICROSOFT CORP MICROSTAR LABORATORIES

127 254

800-426-9400 ext. JK8

206-453-2345

256

GSQUARED COMPUTERS

254

214-948-3155

MICROWAY

174

508-746-7341

*

C USERS JOURNAL 128IDRC1-2

913-841-1631

213

GTEK INC

253

800-282-1835

•

MICROWAY

196

508-746-7341

242

CADSOFT COMPUTER, INC

260

800-858-8355

H

520

MINICOM LTD

112IS-2

+972-2-637576'

259

CALPAC COMPUTER CORP

257

800-800-7222

513

MINOLTA

70

CENTRAL POINT SOFTWARE

44-45

800-967-9251

91

HEWLETT PACKARD

12-13

800-LASERJET ext. 7299

GMBH (PAN EUROPE)

200IS-1

+49-511-77000

501

CHERRY MIKROSCHALTER

.

HEWLETT PACKARD

26-27

800-SCANJET

123

MINUTEMAN

75

800-238-7272

GMBH (INTL) 214-215

+49-964-3180

ext. 7365

540

MKS/MORTICE KERN SYS

112IS-1

519-884-2251

528

CHICONY (INTL)

111 +886-3-323-5743"

257

HI-TECH ELECTRONICS

253

800-723-9402

529

MULTIVENTURE

200IS-4

+886-2-703-1380'

166

CIMMETRY SYSTEMS

152

514-735-3219

214

HI-TECH INSTRUMENTS

256

713-980-9040

•

MULTIVERSE

196

CITITRONICS

246

818-855-5688

273

HONEYWELL KEYBOARD DIV

162

800-445-6939

COMMUNICATIONS USA

128IS-2

212-580-0541

71-72

COLORADO MEMORY SYS

39

800-451-4523

1

N

74

COMPAQ COMPUTER

20-21

800-638-8258

CORP (N.A.)

ext. 45

*

IBM DIRECT (N.A.)

112A-D

202-203 NAGA SYSTEMS CORP

234

800-568-6242

502-50C

COMPEX INC (INT'L)

15

714-630-7302

94

IBM PERSONAL S/W PROD

40-41

407-982-6408

116-117 NANAO USA CORP (N.A.)

15

310-325-5202

*

COMPUSERVE

I44A-B

800-848-8199

93

IBM PERSONAL SAN PROD

115

800-IBM-30S2

118

NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS

209

800-433-3488

75

COMPUSERVE

145

800-848-8199

215

INES GMBH

254

+49-221-491621

224

NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS

260

800-433-3488

78

COMPUTER ASSOCIATES

47

899-CALL-CAI

95

INTEGRAND RESEARCH

62

209-651-1203

.

NATIONAL

80

COMPUTER ASSOCIATES

86-87

899-CALL-CAI

97

INTEL CORP

48A-D

800-538-3373

INSTRUMENTS 128IDRC1-2

512-794-0100

ext. 176

96

INTEL CORP

118-119

800-538-3373

119

NEC - SYSTEMS

36-37

800-NEC-INFO

79

COMPUTER ASSOCIATES

99

899-CALL-CAI

NETWORK

174-175

INTELLIGENT SECURITY SYS

196

800-237-4774

504

COMPUTER QUICK

48IS-3

415-861-8330

98-99

INTERGRAPH (N.A.)

128A-F

800-345-4856

COMPUTING DEV (N.A.)

111

800-800-9599

185

COMPUTERLANE UNLTD

235

800-526-3482

216

10 TECH

258

216-439-4091

190

NEVADA COMPUTER

232

800-654-7762

253

CONTROL CONCEPTS

252

703-876-6444

100

IOMEGA

155

800-777-4045

120

NEXT COMPUTER

166

800-TRY-NEXT

207

CONTROL VISION

257

316-231-6647

524

ITALIANS* AGENCY

200IS-3

+39-323-925208'

121

NSTL

211

215-941-9600

81

COREL SOFTWARE

43

800-836-DRAW

159-160

ITERATED SYSTEMS

54

800-4FRACTL

0

82-83

COVOX INC

189

800-733-04200

244

IVERSON SOFTWARE, INC

261

416-925-6096

268

CREATIVE LABS INC

29

800-998-LABS

122

OKIDATA

79

800-OKI-TEAM

84-85

CTX INTERNATIONAL INC

164

714-595-6146

J

exl. 261

208 CURTIS INC 252 186-187 CYBEXCORP 243 545-546 CYBEXCORP 248SO-2

612-631-9512 205-534-0010" 205-534-0010"

101 522

JAMECO ELECTRONICS JDR MICRODEVICES JEN ELECTRONICA

93

251

48IS-2

800-831-4242

800-538-5000

+39-73-3224035'

523

ONTIMEMKT/ KARSTEN PETERSEN

OSBORNE MCGRAW-HILL

128IS-2 213

+49-40-437472

505-506 CYBEX CORP (INTL)

CIV

205-534-0010"

217

JENSEN TOOLS

253

602-968-6231

225

OVERLAND DATA INC

259

800-729-8725

515

OXFORD

JNL OF OBJ ORIENT PROGRAMMING 128IDRC1-2

212-274-0640

ELECTRONIC PUBL (INTL)

33

+44-865-56646'

D

K

P

260

DAEYOUNG ELECTRONICS

255 +82-02-790-6878"

265

KAKIUCHI

255

•

PACIFIC DATA PRODUCTS

180

619-625-3628

170

DALLAS SEMICONDUCTOR

52

800-258-5061

102

KEA SYSTEMS LTD

202

800-663-8702

167-168

PACIFIC GOLD COAST

94

516-759-3011'

210

DATALUX CORP (N.A.)

256

800-DATALUX

218

KILA

254

303-444-7737

262-263

PARALLEL STORAGE SOLU

255

800-998-7839

210

DATALUX CORP (INT'L)

256

800-DATALUX

103-104

KINGSTON TECHNOLOGY

19

714-435-2600

226

PATTON & PATTON

260

800-525-0082

209

DATALUX CORP (N.A.)

257

800-DATALUX

219

KNOWLEDGE BASED SYS

260

409-260-5274

ext. 112

209

DATALUX CORP (INTL)

257

800-DATALUX

L

*

PC DIGEST

216A-B

800-232-29283

248-24E

DAVISON-WORTH CORP

258

800-668-2707

69

PC DIGEST

217

800-232-29283

534

DEC

12IS-4

220

LAGUNA DATA SYSTEMS

259

800-938-TAPE

124-125

PC POWER & COOLING

89

800-722-6555

*

DELL COMPUTER CORP (N.A.)

cm

800-626-8260

272

LAHEY COMPUTER SYSTEMS 112

800-548-4778

126

PERSOFT INC

203

800-368-5283

*

DELL COMPUTER CORP (N.A.)

CIV

800-626-8260

141-142

LANDMARK RES INTL CORP

153

800-683-6696

127

PHAR LAP SOFTWARE INC

91

617-661-1510

211

DIAGSOFTINC

261

800-DIAGSOFT

201

LOGICAL CONNECTION

250

800-238-9415

516

PHILIPS MONITORS (INTL)

76-77

+31-40-73-39-83'

173

DIGISPEECH INC

168

916-621-1787

221-222

LOMAS DATA

252

508-460-0333

258

PIKA TECHNOLOGIES

253

613-591-1555

E

INI

128-129

PINNACLE MICRO

8-9

714-727-3300

130

PKWARE INC

194

414-354-8699

251-252

EDEN'S TECHNOLOGY CORP

253

309-862-1704

274-275

MACRONIX INC

210

800-858-5311

131

POPKIN S/W S SYSTEMS INC

187

212-571-3434

86

EUASHIM MICROCOMPUTERS

54

+972-4-528613"

*

MANCHESTER EQUIP CO

248A-B

516-435-1199

107

PROGRAMMER'S PARADISE

55-57

800-145-7899

*

ELONEX (INTL)

20-21

+44-81-452-6422"

537

MANCHESTER EQUIP CO

248NE-1

516-435-1199

•

PROGRAMMER'S SHOP

200A-D

800-421-8006

247

ELSIST

258

+39142 451988"

*

MARK WILLIAMS CO

195

800-627-5967

161-162

PROXIMA CORP

53

619-457-5500

268 BYTE JUNE 1993

YOUR DIRECT LINK CARD

For free product information, mail your completed card today. For quicker response, fax to 1-413-637-4343!

1. Circle the Numbers on Your Direct Link Card

Circle the numbers which are found on ads and articles in this issue or circle the product category number and receive information on all advertisers listed in that category.

2. Print Your Name and Address

Answer questions "A" through "E" and mail or fax card to 1-413-637-4343.

3. Product information will be rushed to you from the selected companies!

BYTE m

n the f

Fill out this coupon carefully. Please Print.

Company

City

Zip

Phone

A. What is your primary job function/principal area of responsibility? (Check one)

1 Q MIS/DIP

2 G Programmer/Systems Analyst

3 G Adminslration/Management

4 G Sales/Marketing

5 G Engineer/Scientist

6 G Other

B. What is your level of management responsibility?

7 G Senior-level 9 G Professional

8 G Middle-level

C. Are you a reseller (VAR, VAD, Dealer, Consultant)?

10 Q Yes 11 G No

D. What operating systems are you currently using? (Check all that apply)

12 G PC/MS-DOS 15 G Unix

13 G DOS + Windows 16 G MacOS

14 G OS/2 17 G VAX'VMS

E. For how many people do you influence the purchase of hardware or software?

18 G 1-25 20 0 51-99

19 G 26-50 21 □ 100 or more

June 1993

79699}

Product Category

Disks & Optical Drives

7

Multimedia

19

Educational

30

Shareware

42

Information

Diskettes/Duplicators

e

Printers/Plotters

20

Engineering/Scientific

31

Software Duplication

43

Fax Boards/Machines

9

Programmable Hardware

21

Entertainment

32

Spreadsheets

44

information on the entire category

Graphics Tablets/Mice/

Sea nners/OC Ft/Digitizers

22

Graphics

33

Unix

45

of products you're interested in.

Pen Input

10

Tape Drives

23

Macintosh

34

Utilities

46

Keyboards

11

UPS

24

Mail Order

35

Windows

47

Accessories/Supplies 1

LAN Hardware Laptops & Notebooks

12 13

Software Business

?5

Mathemalical/Statistical Miscellaneous Software

35 37

Word Processing General

48

Bar Coding 3 Communications/Networking 4

Mail Order

14

CAD/CAM

?B

On-Line Services

38

Books/Publications

49

Memory/Chips/Upgrades

15

Communications/Networkinq 27

Operating Systems

39

Recruitment

50

Computer Systems 5 Data Acquisition 6

Miscellaneous Hardware Modems/Multiplexors Monitors & Terminals

1b

17 18

Data Acquisition Database

28 29

Programming Languages/

Tools Security

40 41

Miscellaneous

51

Inquiry Numbers 52-233

52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63

70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77

104 130

105 131

106 132

107 133

108 134

109 135

110 136

111 137

112 138

113 139

114 140

115 141

156 182 208

157 183 209

158 184 210

159 185 211

116 117

160 161

162 163 164 165 166 167 168 163

118 144

119 145

120 146

121 147

122 148

123 149

124 150

125 151

100 101 102 103

128 154

129 155

186 212

187 213

188 214

189 215

190 216

191 217

192 218

193 219

194 220

195 221

170 196 222

171 197 223

172 198 224

173 199 225

174 200 226

175 201 227

176 202 228

177 203 229

178 204 230

179 205 231

180 206 232

181 207 233

Inquiry Numbers 234-408

234 259

235 260

236 261

237 262

238 263

239 264

240 265

241 266

242 267

243 268

244 269

245 270

246 271

247 272

248 273

249 274

250 275

251 276

252 277

253 278

254 279

255 280

256 281

257 282

284 309

285 310

286 311

287 312

288 313

289 314

290 315

291 316

292 317

293 318

294 319

295 320

296 321

297 322

298 323

299 324

300 325

301 326

302 327

303 328

304 329

305 330

306 331

307 332

258 283 308 333

334 359 384

335 360 385

336 361 386

337 362 387

338 363 388

339 364 389

340 365 390

341 366 391

342 367 392

343 368 393

344 369 394

345 370 395 396 397

348 373 398

349 374 399

350 375 400

351 376 401

352 377 402

353 378 403

354 379 404

355 380 405

356 381 406

357 382 407

358 383 408

346 371

347 372

1 Inquiry Numbers 409-590

409

435

461

487

513

539

565

410

436

462

488

514

540

566

411

437

463

489

515

541

567

412

438

464

490

516

542

568

413

439

465

491

517

543

569

414

440

466

492

518

544

570

415

441

467

493

519

545

571

416

442

468

494

520

546

572

417

443

469

495

521

547

573

418

444

470

496

522

548

574

419

445

471

497

523

549

575

420

446

472

498

524

550

576

421

447

473

499

525

551

577

422

448

474

500

526

552

578

423

449

475

501

527

553

579

424

450

476

502

528

554

580

425

451

477

503

529

555

581

426

452

478

504

530

556

582

427

453

479

505

531

557

583

428

454

480

506

532

558

584

429

455

481

507

533

559

585

430

456

482

508

534

560

586

431

457

483

509

535

561

587

432

458

484

510

536

562

588

433

459

485

511

537

563

589

434

460

486

512

538

564

590

1 Inquiry Numbers 591-765

591

616

641

666

691

716

741

592

617

642

667

692

717

742

593

618

643

668

693

718

743

594

619

644

669

69J

719

744

595

620

645

670

695

720

745

596

621

646

671

696

721

746

597

622

647

672

697

722

747

598

623

648

673

698

723

748

599

624

649

674

699

724

749

600

625

650

675

700

725

750

601

626

651

676

701

726

751

602

627

652

677

702

727

752

603

628

653

678

703

728

753

604

629

654

679

704

729

754

605

630

655

680

705

730

755

606

631

656

681

706

731

756

607

632

657

682

707

732

757

608

633

658

683

708

733

758

609

634

659

684

709

734

759

610

635

660

685

710

735

760

611

636

661

686

711

736

761

612

637

662

687

712

737

762

613

638

663

688

713

738

763

614

639

664

689

714

739

764

615

640

665

690

715

740

765

Inquiry Numbers 766-947

766 792

767 793

768 794

769 795

770 796

771 797

772 798

773 799

774 800

775 801

776 802

777 803

778 804

779 805

780 806

781 807

782 808

783 809

784 810

785 811

786 812

787 813

788 814

789 815

790 816

791 817

818 844

819 845

820 846

821 847

822 848

823 849

824 850

825 851

826 852

827 853

828 854

829 855

830 856

831 857

832 858

833 859

834 860 835 836 862

870 896 922

871 897 923 924 925

872

873

874 900 926

875 901 927

876 902 928

877 903 929

878 904 930

879 905 931

880 906 932

881 907 933

882 908 934

883 909 935

884 910 936

885 911 937

886 912 938

887 913 939 914 940

837 863 889 915 941

838 864 890 916 942 917 943

944 945

894 920 946

895 921

839 865

840 866

841 867

842 868

843 869

891

892 918

893 919

947

Inquiry Numbers 948-1122

948 973

949 974

950 975

951 976

952 977

953 978

954 979

955 980

956 981

957 982

958 983

959 984

960 985

961 986

962 987

963 988

964 989

965 990

966 991

967 992

968 993

969 994

970 995

971 996

972 997

998 1023

999 1024

1000 1025

1001 1026

1002 1027

1003 1028

1004 1029

1005 1030

1006 1031

1007 1032

1008 1033

1009 1034

1010 1035

1011 1036

1012 1037

1013 1038

1014 1039

1015 1040

1016 1041

1017 1042

1018 1043

1019 1044

1020 1045

1021 1046

1022 1047

1048 1073 1098

1049 1074 1099

1050 1075 1100

1051 1076 1101

1052 1077 1102

1053 1078 1103

1054 1079 1104

1055 1080 1105

1056 1081 1106

1057 1082 1107

1058 1083 1108

1059 1084 1109

1060 1085 1110

1061 1086 1111

1062 1087 1112

1063 1088 1113

1064 1089 1114

1065 1090 1115

1066 1091 1116

1067 1092 1117

1068 1093 1118

1069 1094 1119

1070 1095 1120

1071 1096 1121

1072 1097 1122

I Inquiry Numbers 1123-1304

1123 1149

1175

1201

1227 1253 1279

1124 1150

1176

1202

1228 1254 1280

1125 1151

1177

1203

1229 1255 1281

1126 1152

1178

1204

1230 1256 1282

1127 1153

1179

1205

1231 1257 1283

1128 1154

1180

1206

1232 1258 1284

1129 1155

1181

1207

1233 1259 1285

1130 1156

1182

1208

1234 1260 1286

1131 1157

1183

1209

1235 1261 1287

1132 1158

1184

1210

1236 1262 1288

1133 1159

1185

1211

1237 1263 1289

1134 1160

1186

1212

1238 1264 1290

1135 1161

1187

1213

1239 1265 1291

1136 1162

1188

1214

1240 1266 1292

1137 1163

1189

1215

1241 1267 1293

1138 1164

1190

1216

1242 1268 1294

1139 1165

1191

1217

1243 1269 1295

1140 1166

1192

1218

1244 1270 1296

1141 1167

1193

1219

1245 1271 1297

1142 1168

1194

1220

1246 1272 1298

1143 1169

1195

1221

1247 1273 1299

1144 1170

1196

1222

1248 1274 1300

1145 1171

1197

1223

1249 1275 1301

1146 1172

1198

1224

1250 1276 1302

1147 1173

1199

1225

1251 1277 1303

1148 1174

1200

1226

1252 1278 1304

1 Inquiry Numbers 1305-1479

1305 1330

1355

1380

1405 1430 1455

1306 1331

1356

1381

1406 1431 1456

1307 1332

1357

1382

1407 1432 1457

1308 1333

1358

1383

1408 1433 1458

1309 1334

1359

1384

1409 1434 145!

1310 1335

1360

1385

1410 1435 146C

1311 1336

1361

1386

1411 1436 1461

1312 1337

1362

1387

1412 1437 1462

1313 1338

1363

1388

1413 1438 1463

1314 1339

1364

1389

1414 1439 1464

1315 1340

1365

1390

1415 1440 1465

1316 1341

1366

1391

1416 1441 1466

1317 1342

1367

1392

1417 1442 1467

1318 1343

1368

1393

1418 1443 1468

1319 1344

1369

1394

1419 1444 1469

1320 1345

1370

1395

1420 1445 1470

1321 1346

1371

1396

1421 1446 1471

1322 1347

1372

1397

1422 1447 1472

1323 1348

1373

1398

1423 1448 1473

1324 1349

1374

1399

1424 1449 1474

1325 1350

1375

1400

1425 1450 1475

1326 1351

1376

1401

1426 1451 1476

1327 1352

1377

1402

1427 1452 1477

1328 1353

1378

1403

1428 1453 147E

1329 1354

1379

1404

1429 1454 1479

YOUR DIRECT LINK CARD

For free product information, mail your completed card today. For quicker response, fax to 1-413-637-4343!

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Circle the numbers which are found on ads and articles in this issue or circle the product category number and receive information on all advertisers listed in that category.

2. Print Your Name and Address

Answer questions "A" through "E" and mail or fax card to 1-413-637-4343.

3. Product information will be rushed to you from the selected companies!

BYTE m

YOUR DIRECT LINK

ADVERTISER CONTACT INFORMATION

Inquiry No. Page No.

Phone No.

Inquiry No. Page No.

Phone No.

Inquiry No.

Page No.

Phone No.

Q

243

STARGATE TECHNOLOGIES

252

800-782-7428

'

UNIXWORLD

176A-B

800-257-9402

191

STARTECH INT'L

238

619-278-2600

ext. 29

133 QUA TECH INC

230

800-553-1170

255

STARTEK

261

+886-35-787089'

*

UNIXWORLD

176

800-257-9402

227 QUALSTAR CORP

259

818-882-5822

140

STATSOFT

205

918-583-4149

exl. 29

525-526 QUANTUM CORP (INT'L)

218

+41-38-337722

.

STRADA AUTOTECH, INC

252

613-359-1029

V

541-542 QUANTUM CORP (INTL.)

219

+41-38-337722

535

SUNRACE

128IS-4

+886-2-2181562'

132 QUARTERDECK OFFICE SYS

131

310-392-9851

1o3

SUNSOFT

2-3

800-227-9227

151 152

VALITEK INC VERBATIM CORP

208 117

413-549-2700

R

157 143-14*

SYMANTEC SYSTATINC

139 124

800-228-4122 708-864-5670

236

VIDEX, INC

253

503-758-0521

RAIMA CORP

58

800-327-2462

153-154

VIEWSONIC

85

714-869-7976

134-135 RAINBOW TECHNOLOGIES

61

800-852-8569

T

276

VIRTUAL REALITY LABS

216

800-829-8754

199 RALIN WHOLESALERS

249

716-674-2108'

193-194 RECORTECINC

239

800-729-7654

231

TALKING TECHNOLOGY INC

254

800-685-4884

w

136 ROSE ELECTRONICS

204

800-333-9343

232-233 TECHNOLOGIC SYSTEMS

258

513-644-2230

155

WATCOM

25

800-265-4555

s

519

TECHPOWER COMPANY LTD

112IS-2

+886-2-753-1940'

254

WILTEC, INC

259

919-763-8400

145

TEKTRONIX

63

800-835-6100

195

WORLDWIDE TECHNOLOGIES 248

800-457-6937

530-531 SAMTRON

48IS-4

+82-2-774-6659'

146

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS

7

800-527-3500

228 SAS INSTITUTE INC

261

919-677-8000

147

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS

95

800-527-3500

X

171-172 SCEPTRE TECHNOLOGIES

107

800-788-2878

241

THE BSE COMPANY

257

602-527-8843

237

XELTEK

259

408-524-1929

229-230 SECURE IT INC

259

800-451-7592

148

TOSHIBA AMERICA INC

70-71

800-457-7777

164-16E

XLI CORP

108

617-932-9199

517 SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO LTD

112IS-4

+81-6-365-4375'

192

TOTE-A-LAP

245

800-9-LAPTOP

137 SEQU1TER SOFTWARE INC

132

403-437-2410

200

TRANSCEND

z

INFORMATION INC

240

909-598-5500

245-246 SIGMA TECH SOFTWARE

254

818-368-6132

239

TRANTOR SYSTEMS LTD

256

800-872-6867

238

2-WORLD ENGINEERING

259

916-757-3737

176 SOFTARC

116

416-754-1856'

240

TRI VALLEY TECHNOLOGY INC 254

510-447-2030

527

2ECKS

128IS-2

+886-2-280-1351'

518 SOFTLINE CORP (INT'L) 138-139 SOFTWARE

SECURITY INC (INTL)

cm

718-438-2315'

234-235 TRIBAL MICROSYSTEMS

258

510-623-8859

156

ZEOS INTERNATIONAL

160-161

800-554-5226

206

203-329-8870

149-150 TRIPP LITE

64

312-329-1777

269-27C

ZYXEL USA

101

714-693-0808

271 SONY (N.A.)

76-77

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177 SONY - ELECTRONIC PUBL

223

800-654-8802

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532-533 SPEA SOFTWARE AG (INTL)

35

+49-8151-21258'

*

UNIPRESS

248NE-3

800-222-0550

" Indicates FAX Number

BYTE ADVERTISING SALES STAFF

Liz Coyman, Inside Advertising Sales Director, One Phoenix Mill Lane, Peterborough, NH 03458, Tel. (603) 924-2518

NEW ENGLAND

ME, NH, VT. MA, HI, CT, ONTARIO CANADA S EASTERN CANADA David Richardson (617) 860-6344 Patricia Payne (603) 924-2654 McGraw-Hill Publications 24 Hartwell Avenue Lexington, MA 02173 FAX: (617) 860-6899

EAST COAST

NY, NYC. NJ, DE. PA

Kim Norris (212) 512-2645

Jonathan Sawyer (603) 924-2665

McGraw-Hill Publications

1221 Avenue of Americas—28th Floor

New York. NY 10020

FAX: (212) 512-2075

SOUTHEAST

NC, SC, GA, FL. AL, TN, MS, AR, LA,

KY, DC, MD, VA, WV

MaryAnn Goulding (404) 843-4782

Barry Echavarria (603) 924-2574

McGraw-Hill Publications

4170 Ashford-Dunwoody Rd., Suite 520

Atlanta, GA 30319

FAX: (404) 252-4056

MIDWEST

IL, MO, KS, IA. ND. SD, MN, Wl, NE, IN, Ml, OH Kurt Kelley (312)616-3328 Ed Ware (603) 924-2664 McGraw-Hill Publications Two Prudential Plaza 180 North Stetson Ave, Chicago, IL 60601 FAX: (312) 616-3370

SOUTHWEST, ROCKY MOUNTAIN

CO, OK, TX

Jennifer Walker (214) 701-8496

Brian Higgins (603) 924-2651

McGraw-Hill Publications

14850 Quorum Dr., Suite 380

Dallas, TX 75240

FAX: (214) 991-6208

SOUTH PACIFIC: Los Angeles, CA

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, AZ. NM. Alan El Faye (213) 480-5243 Brian Higgins (603) 924-2651 McGraw-Hill Publications 3333 Wilshire Boulevard H500 Los Angeles, CA 90010 FAX: (213) 480-5249

NORTH PACIFIC

NORTHERN CA, OR, ID. MT, WY, UT Roy J. Kops (415) 513-6861 Joseph Mabe (603) 924-2662 SILICON VALLEY, HI, WA, AK, W, CANADA

Bill McAfee (415) 513-6862 Jonathan Sawyer (603) 924-2665 SILICON VALLEY, NV Barbara Holmes (415) 513-6945 Barry Echavarria (603) 924-2574 McGraw-Hill Publications 1900 O'Farrell Street, #200 San Mateo, CA 94403 FAX: (415) 513-6867

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FAX:+49 69 71407 147

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FAX:+44 81 5456294 TELEX: 892191

ITALY

Zena Coupe, Amanda Blaskett

A-Z International Sales Ltd.

70 Chalk Farm Road

London NW1 SAN

England

Tel:+44 71 2843171

FAX:+44 71 2843174

ISRAEL

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FAX: +972 52 585685

AUSTRALIA

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Australia

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JAPAN

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KOREA

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SINGAPORE

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HONG KONG

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MALAYSIA

Servex (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.

H.K. Lin

5th Floor, Bena Tower

160. Jalan Ampang

50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Tel: +60 3 2624592

FAX: +60 3 2624591

THAILAND

Pisuth D. Ratanachai

A.R. Information & Publication

Co., Ltd.

27 Charoen Nakorn 14 Rd.,

Klongsan, Bangkok 10600,

Thailand

Tel: +66 2 4394600

FAX: +66 2 4394616

TAIWAN

Liwen Lee

Third Wave Publishing Corp.

2nd FL. No. 19-1, Lane 231

Fu Hsing North Road

Taipei 10445, Taiwan

R.O.C.

Tel:+886 2 7136959

FAX:+886 2 7151950

INDIA, INDONESIA, PAKISTAN, PHILIPPINES,

OTHER ASIAN AND PACIFIC COUNTRIES

K.T. Wu

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R.O.C.

Tel:+886 2 7136959

FAX:+886 2 7151950

JUNE 1993 JBYXK 263

YOUR DIRECT LINK

PRODUCT CATEGORY INDEX

For FREE product information from individual advertisers, circle the corresponding inquiry numbers on Your Direct Link Card!

Category No. Inquiry No.

HARDWARE

Page No.

1 ACCESSORIES/SUPPLIES

527 ZECKS 1281S-2

ADD-IN BOARDS

ATI TECHNOLOGIES INC

COMPEX INC (INT'L)

CONTROL CONCEPTS

CURTIS INC

DEC

EDEN'S TECHNOLOGY CORP

INTEL CORP

JAMECO ELECTRONICS

JEN ELECTRONICA

LOMAS DATA

MATROX VIDEO PRODUCTS GRP

QUA TECH INC

SPEA SOFTWARE AG

STARGATE TECHNOLOGIES

STRADA AUTOTECH, INC

TALKING TECHNOLOGY INC

65

502-503

253

208

534

251-252

96

101

522

221-222

110

133

532-533

243

3

236

182-183

534

251-252

204-205

213

257

217

548

520

258

136

245-246

243

231

232-233

543-544 74

256 215

97 218

537

197-198

202-203

119

121

124-125

193-194

519

240

156

BAR CODING

VIDEX, INC

COMMUNICATIONS/ NETWORKING

BAY TECHNICAL ASSOC

DEC

EDEN'S TECHNOLOGY CORP

ELONEX

EMBARC / MOTOROLA

GTEK INC

HI-TECH ELECTRONICS

JENSEN TOOLS

MEGADATA

MINICOM LTD

PIKA TECHNOLOGIES

ROSE ELECTRONICS

SIGMA TECH SOFTWARE

STARGATE TECHNOLOGIES

TALKING TECHNOLOGY INC

TECHNOLOGIC SYSTEMS

COMPUTER SYSTEMS

APPRO INTERNATIONAL INC

COMPAQ COMPUTER CORP (N.A

DELL COMPUTER CORP (N.A.)

DELL COMPUTER CORP (N.A.)

ELONEX (INT'L)

ESP/CTC

GATEWAY 2000

GATEWAY 2000

GSQUARED COMPUTERS

INESGMBH

INTEL CORP

KILA

MANCHESTER EQUIPMENT CO

MANCHESTER EQUIPMENT CO

MICRO-INTERNATIONAL, INC

NAGA SYSTEMS CORP

NEC - SYSTEMS

NSTL

PC POWER & COOLING

RECORTEC INC

TECHPOWER COMPANY LTD

TRI VALLEY TECHNOLOGY INC

ZEOS INTERNATIONAL

260

140

250

15

100

252

265

252

112

112IS-4

512

253

114-115

118-119

113

93

262-263

48IS-2

128-129

252

525-526

184

541-542

230

191

35

239

252

252

8

254

271

152

241

112IS-4

253

20-21

247

253

253

253

220IS-2

112IS-2

253

204

254

252

254

258

248SO-1 ) 20-21

cm civ

20-21

248SO-3

CII.1

64A-L

254

254

48A-D

254

248A-B

248NE-1

242

234

36-37

211

89

239

112IS-2

254

160-161

Category No. Inquiry No.

Page No.

6

223

214 273

11

501

210 210

12

DATA ACQUISITION

MICROSTAR LABORATORIES 254

NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS 128IDRC1-2

QUA TECH INC

DISK & OPTICAL DRIVES

DAEYOUNG ELECTRONICS

GENERAL TECHNICS

IOMEGA

KAKIUCHI

MEGADRIVE SYSTEMS

MICRO DESIGN INT'L

MICRO SOLUTIONS COMP PROD

MICROPOLISCORP

PARALLEL STORAGE SOLUTIONS

PINNACLE MICRO

QUANTUM CORP (INT'L)

QUANTUM CORP (INT'L)

STARTECH INTERNATIONAL

TRANTOR SYSTEMS LTD

DISKETTES/DUPLICATORS

SONY (N.A.) 76-77

VERBATIM CORP 117

GRAPHICS TABLETS/MICE/ PEN INPUT

HI-TECH INSTRUMENTS 256

HONEYWELL KEYBOARD DIV 162

MICROSOFT CORP 16-17

KEYBOARDS

CHERRY

MIKROSCHALTER GMBH (INT'L) 214-215

DATALUX CORP (INT'L) 256

DATALUX CORP (N.A.) 256

230

180

196

188-189

255

97

255

101

155

103-104

255

241

81

200

48IS-1

195

225

105

16

255

180

8-9

181

218

95

219

161-162

238

517

256

191

LAN HARDWARE

182-183 BAY TECHNICAL ASSOC

505-506 CYBEX CORP

186-187 CYBEX CORP

545-546 CYBEX CORP

534 DEC

201 LOGICAL CONNECTION

520 MINICOM LTD

124-125 PC POWER & COOLING

241

CIV

243

248SO-2

112IS-4

250

112IS-2

89

13 LAPTOPS & NOTEBOOKS

178-179 ABC COMPUTER

206 AXONIX CORP

528 CHICONY (INT'L)

521 FIRST INTERNATIONAL COMP

212 GENOVATION, INC

* JDR MICRODEVICES

197-198 MICRO-INTERNATIONAL, INC

529 MULTIVENTURE 535 SUNRACE

146 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS

148 TOSHIBA AMERICA INC

192 TOTE-A-LAP

156 ZEOS INTERNATIONAL

14 MAIL ORDER

196 CITITRONICS

185 COMPUTERLANE UNLTD

IBM DIRECT (N.A.)

101 JAMECO ELECTRONICS

190 NEVADA COMPUTER

PC DIGEST

69 PC DIGEST

236 256 111

112IS-3 256 251 242

200IS-4

128IS-4

7

70-71

245

160-161

246

235

112A-D

93

232 216A-B

217

Category No.

Inquiry No. Page No.

191 STARTECH INTERNATIONAL 238

15 MEMORY/CHIPS/UPGRADES

ADVANCED COMPUTER PROD 244

CITITRONICS 246

FIRST SOURCE INT'L 237

INTEL CORP 48A-D

JAMECO ELECTRONICS 93

KINGSTON TECHNOLOGY 19

THE BSE COMPANY 257

TRANSCEND INFORMATION INC 240

WORLDWIDE TECHNOLOGIES 248

MISCELLANEOUS HARDWARE

ADVANCED COMPUTER PROD 244

AMT INTERNATIONAL 249

INTEGRAND RESEARCH 62

PROXIMACORP 53

SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO LTD 112IS-4

STARTECH INTERNATIONAL 238

17 MODEMS/MULTIPLEXORS

274-275

MACRONIX INC

210

269-270

ZYXEL USA

101

18

MONITORS & TERMINALS

84-85

CTX INTERNATIONAL INC

164

209

DATALUX CORP (INT'L)

257

209

DATALUX CORP (N.A.)

257

*

ELONEX (INT'L)

20-21

116-117

NANAO USA CORP (N.A.)

15

516

PHILIPS MONITORS (INT'L)

76-77

530-531

SAMTRON

48IS-4

171-172

SCEPTRE TECHNOLOGIES

107

153-154

VIEWSONIC

85

19

MULTIMEDIA

261

ADVANCED DIGITAL SYSTEMS

257

259

CALPAC COMPUTER CORP

257

207

CONTROL VISION

257

82-83

COVOX INC

189

268

CREATIVE LABS INC

29

84-85

CTX INTERNATIONAL INC

164

173

DIGISPEECH INC

168

96

INTEL CORP

118-119

272

LAHEY COMPUTER SYSTEMS

112

167-168

PACIFIC GOLD COAST

94

161-162

PROXIMACORP

53

177

SONY - ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING

223

145

TEKTRONIX

63

20

PRINTERS/PLOTTERS

182-183

BAY TECHNICAL ASSOC

241

184

BUFFALO PRODUCTS

233

91

HEWLETT PACKARD

12-13

201

LOGICAL CONNECTION

250

537

MANCHESTER EQUIPMENT CO

248NE-1

513

MINOLTA GMBH (PAN EUROPE)

200IS-1

122

OKIDATA

79

*

PACIFIC DATA PRODUCTS

180

199

RALIN WHOLESALERS

249

232-233

TECHNOLOGIC SYSTEMS

258

145

TEKTRONIX

63

147

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS

95

164-165

XLI CORP

108

21 PROGRAMMABLE HARDWARE

248-249 DAVISON-WORTH CORP 258

86 ELIASHIM MICROCOMPUTERS 54

2TO BYTE JUNE 1993

YOUR DIRECT LINK

PRODUCT CATEGORY INDEX

For FREE product information from individual advertisers, circle the corresponding inquiry numbers on your Direct Link Card!

Category

No.

Category No.

Category No.

Inquiry No.

Page No.

Inquiry No. Page No.

inquiry No. Page No.

247

ELSIST

258

31

ENGINEERING/SCIENTIFIC

501

CHERRY

508

FAST ELECTRONIC GMBH

128IS-3

98-99

INTERGRAPH

128A-F

MIKROSCHALTER GMBH (INT'L)

214-215

216

IO TECH

258

159-160

ITERATED SYSTEMS

54

170

DALLAS SEMICONDUCTOR

52

*

JDR MICRODEVICES

251

141-142

LANDMARK RESEARCH INT'L CORP 153

86

ELIASHIM MICROCOMPUTERS

54

234-235

TRIBAL MICROSYSTEMS

258

108

MATHSOFT INC

191

507

EUTRON

48IS-3

237

XELTEK

259

523

ONTIMEMKT/

508

FAST ELECTRONIC GMBH

128IS-3

238

Z-WORLD ENGINEERING

259

KARSTEN PETERSEN

128IS-2

89-90 174-175

GLENCO ENGINEERING INTELLIGENT SECURITY SYS

126 196

22

SCANNERS/OCR/DIGITIZER

33

GRAPHICS

134-135

RAINBOW TECHNOLOGIES

61

86

ELIASHIM MICROCOMPUTERS

54

81

COREL SOFTWARE

43

138-139

SOFTWARE SECURITY INC

206

*

HEWLETT PACKARD

26-27

84-85

CTX INTERNATIONAL INC

164

255

STARTEK

261

161-162

PROXIMA CORP

53

111

MEDIA CYBERNETICS

212

45

UNIX

116-117

NANAO USA CORP (N.A.)

15

52

SECURITY

167-168

PACIFIC GOLD COAST

94

88

FRAME TECHNOLOGY (N.A.)

35

229-230

SECURE IT INC

259

226

PATTON & PATTON

260

76-77

GREENVIEW DATA

135

532-533

SPEA SOFTWARE AG (INT'L)

35

*

MARK WILLIAMS CO

195

23

TAPE DRIVES

145

TEKTRONIX

63

540

MKS / MORTICE KERN SYSTEMS

112IS-1

71-72

COLORADO MEMORY SYSTEMS

39

*

NETWORK COMPUTING DEVICES

111

220

LAGUNA DATA SYSTEMS

259

35

MAIL ORDER

163

SUNSOFT

2-3

114-115

MICRO SOLUTIONS COMP PROD

225

504

COMPUTER QUICK

48IS-3

*

UNIPRESS

248NE-3

225

OVERLAND DATA INC

259

107

PROGRAMMER'S PARADISE

56-57

227

QUALSTAR CORP

259

•

PROGRAMMER'S SHOP

200A-D

46

UTILITIES

151

VALITEK INC

208

518

SOFTLINE CORP (INT'L)

cm

63

ALADDIN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS

83

254

WILTEC, INC

259

166

CIMMETRY SYSTEMS

152

36

MATHEMATICAL/STATISTICA

211

DIAGSOFT INC

261

24

UPS

228

SAS INSTITUTE INC

261

87

FARALLON (N.A.)

33

64

AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION

122

140

STATSOFT

205

141-142

LANDMARK RESEARCH INT'L CORP 153

123

MINUTEMAN

75

143-144

SYSTAT INC

124

130

PKWARE INC

194

124-125

PC POWER & COOLING

89

157

SYMANTEC

139

149-150

TRIPP LITE

64

37

MISCELLANEOUS SOFTWARE

523

ONTIMEMKT/

47

WINDOWS

KARSTEN PETERSEN

128IS-2

61-62

ABACUS SOFTWARE

50

SOFTWARE

276

VIRTUAL REALITY LABS

216

70 511

CENTRAL POINT SOFTWARE GREY MATTER LTD

44-45 128IS-1

38

ONLINE SERVICES

98-99

INTERGRAPH (N.A.)

128A-F

25

BUSINESS

450

BIX

273

102

KEA SYSTEMS LTD

202

169 219

FUNK SOFTWARE KNOWLEDGE BASED SYSTEMS

207 260

75

COMPUSERVE COMPUSERVE

144A-B 145

141-142 116-117 515

LANDMARK RESEARCH INT'L CORP 153 NANAO USA CORP (N.A.) 15 OXFORD ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING 33

111

MEDIA CYBERNETICS UNIPRESS

212 248NE-3

39

94

OPERATING SYSTEMS

IBM PERSONAL SAW PRODUCTS

40-41

126 532-533

PERSOFT INC

SPEA SOFTWARE AG

203

35

26

242

98-99

CAD/CAM

CADSOFT COMPUTER, INC. INTERGRAPH (N.A.)

260 128A-F

93

IBM PERSONAL SAW PRODUCTS MARK WILLIAMS CO MICROSOFT CORP

115

195

67

48

88

WORD PROCESSING/DTP

FRAME TECHNOLOGY (N.A.)

35

*

MICROSOFT CORP

69

MICROSOFT CORP

30-31

27

COMMUNICATIONS/ NETWORKING

120

NETWORK COMPUTING DEVICES NEXT COMPUTER

111 166

•

MICROSOFT CORP MICROSOFT CORP

123 125

132

QUARTERDECK OFFICE SYSTEMS

131

*

MICROSOFT CORP

127

204-205

EMBARC/MOTOROLA

247

«

MULTIVERSE

87

FARALLON (N.A.)

33

40

PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES/

COMMUNICATIONS USA

128IS-2

169

FUNK SOFTWARE

207

TOOLS

515

OXFORD ELECTRONIC

509-510

FUTURESOFT ENGINEERING

112IS-2

66-67

BORLAND INTERNATIONAL

11

PUBLISHING (INT'L)

33

520

MINICOM LTD.

112IS-2

78

COMPUTER ASSOCIATES

47

126

PERSOFT INC

203

79

COMPUTER ASSOCIATES

99

176

SOFTARC

116

76-77

GREENVIEW DATA

135

28

DATA ACQUISITION

511 244

GREY MATTER LTD IVERSON SOFTWARE, INC

128IS-1 261

GENE

215

INES GMBH

254

*

MICROWAY

174

118

NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS

209

•

MICROWAY

196

49

BOOKS/PUBLICATIONS

224

NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS

260

540

MKS / MORTICE KERN SYSTEMS

112IS-1

61-62

ABACUS SOFTWARE

50

120

NEXT COMPUTER

166

C USERS JOURNAL 128IDRC1-2

29

DATABASE

523

ONTIMEMKT/

JNL OF OBJ ORIENT

80

COMPUTER ASSOCIATES

86-87

KARSTEN PETERSEN

128IS-2

PROGRAMMING 128IDRC1-2

524

ITALIAN SOFTWARE AGENCY

200IS-3

127

PHAR LAP SOFTWARE INC

91

*

OSBORNE MCGRAW-HILL

213

*

RAIMA CORP

58

131

POPKIN S/W & SYSTEMS INC

187

*

UNIXWORLD

176A-B

137

SEQUITER SOFTWARE INC

132

155

PROGRAMMER'S SHOP WATCOM

200A-D 25

UNIXWORLD

176

30

EDUCATIONAL

51

MISCELLANEOUS

61-62

ABACUS SOFTWARE

50

41

SECURITY

68

BRITISH AIRWAYS

120

167-168

PACIFIC GOLD COAST

94

63

ALADDIN KNOWLEDGE SYS

83

"

BYTE SUB MESSAGE

215

JUNE 1993 BYTE 271

EDITORIAL INDEX

For more information on any of the companies covered in articles, columns, or news stories in this issue, circle the appropriate inquiry number on Your Direct Link Card. Each page number refers to the first page of the article or section in which the company name appears.

Inquiry No. Page No.

Inquiry No.

Page No.

Inquiry No.

Page No.

Inquiry No.

Page No.

A

1279

Diamond Computer System,

65, 222

981,

Micro Express

156

Silicon Graphics

34,65

1230

Abacus Software

148

1332

Digital Vision

224

1399

1411

Sirex USA

156

1159

Accolade

201

1375

DTK Computer

156

999,

Micron Computer

156

Silka

65

Acer America

72,185

992,

Duracom Computer System

156

1401

1307

SoftKey Software Products

227

Acius

Acma Computers

65,96 156

993, 1376, 1377

1400

Micro Professionals

156

1311

Software Builders

229

984, 1339

E

1162, 1227,

Microsoft 38, 42, 46, 48, 51,65,72,96,109,

1316

Software International Software Publishing

65, 228 65

Adobe Systems Advanced Digital Systems Advanced Logic Research Aims Information Systems Aldus 3E Alpha Computer Concepts Altec Technology American Mitac

28,65

221

1378

Eastern Tech

156

1229

121,133,136,197,201

1147

The Software Toolworks

201

1277

1280

Encad

222

1334,

Microtech Computer

156

Software Transformations

72

1340

156

1143,

Epson

141,156,220

1402

Sonix

48

1341

156 ,65,129 156 156 156

1379 1163

Etter Industries

201

1138 1165

Microway Midisoft

220 229

1275

Sony

Sparcom

72,193 220

1342 1343 985,

1291

Expert Graphics

F

227

1302 1323

Modus Software Motorola Mustang Software

226

24,46

229

1319 1308

Spatial Technology

Specialix

Statsolt

72 227

228

1344

1233

Fifth Generation Systems

148

N

1226

Staz Software

143

1136

American Power Conversion

220

1380,

First Computer Systems

156

Sun Microsystems

38, 72, 96,

1231

Amish Software

148

1381

Nanao USA

65

113,185

1137

Antex Electronics

222

1292

Frame Technology

65, 226

National Semiconductor

48,222

SunSoft 72

96,113,185

1221

Apple Computer 24, 28. 38.46.

1382,

Future Tech Systems

156

NCR 5S

,72,96,185

SuperMac Technology

65

59, 65,

129,185

1383

1403

NEC Technologies

65,156,193

983,

Swan Technologies

156

1345

Ares Microdevelopment

156

1333

FWB

224

Next Computer

96

1413,

414

1346, 1347 1232

Ariel Design

156

G

Novell 38, 46, 65, 72,

0

96,113,185

1239

Sybase

Symantec 65,

65,96,109 29,143,148

Ark Interface

148

994,

Gateway 2000

65, 156

Syntha-Voice

59

1135

Arthur Krolman Enterprises

220

995,1384, 1385

1293

Object Graphics

229

1160

Systat

201

1295

Artifice

226

1310

GDT Softworks

229

Olivetti

185

T

1144

Asante

220

1286

General DataComm

224

1299

Omega Engineering

227

1154

ASDG

201

1330

Gespac

224

1290

On Technology

229

Tadpole Technology

46

1131,

AST Research 72,156,

185, 220

Go

24,72

Oracle

65,72, 96

1336,

Tandy

24,72,156

1348,

349

1287

Golden Technologies

226

p

1415

AT&T

38,59

996,

Grid Systems

156

1312

Telaccount

229

1151

ATI Technologies 65, Autodesk

193,201 65

1386

Gupta Technologies

109,113

1139

Pacific Data Products Panasonic

222

193

1132

TeleSensory Texas Instruments

59 141.221

1272

Autotime

221

H

1329 982

Patton Electronics PC Craft

224 156

1282

Texel Thomas-Conrad

193 222

B

1234

hDC Computer

148

1238

PC-Kwik

148

Thomson-CSF

46

Banyan

Bi-Link Computer

Biosoft

72,185

1387

Hertz Computer

156

1404

PC Pros/Touche

156

1318

Tivoli Systems

227

1350

156

1224,

Hewlett-Packard

24, 38, 65,

Penril Datacomm

48

1240

Too! Technology Publishing

148

1317

228

1235

72,

113,141,148

PeopleSoft

96

Toshiba

72,193

1228

Borland International

65, 109,

997,

High Definition Systems

156

Performance Computing

96

1416

Transource Computers

156

133, Boss Technology

136, 197 156

1388,

389

Performance Semiconductor

72

Tricord

185

1351, 1352

1390 1167

HiQ Systems Hufnagel Software

156 229

1405

Personal Computer Graphics Phone-TTY

156 59

1417

Trident Microsystems Tri-Star Computer

193

156

1150 1297

Business Forecast Systems Business Resource Software

201 228

Hurwitz Consulting Group

109,121

Pilot Software Pointer Systems

121 59

Tseng Laboratories 193 Tucker Network Technologies 113

1

1320

Polaris Software

65, 227

u

e

1391

IBM 49,

59, 65, 72, 96,

1157

Polysoft

201

976, CAF Technology 977 11M 1SMH

156

1236

109,113 Icom Simulations

156,185,193 148

1406, 1407

Polywell Computers

156

Ullratec Uniface

59

109

1355 1271 1356 1283

Caliber Computer

Castelle

CIC Computers

Clovis Point

156 221 156 221

979, 1392

1142

Image Microsystems

InfoCorp

In Focus Systems

156

42 224

1304

Portfolio Technologies Postcrafl International Practical Peripherals Prentke Romich

96 226

65 59

1294 1418

Uniplex Integration Systems

Unisys

Univel

Unix System Laboratories

226

156

72

96. 185

1314

Cognos Command

96, 121 229

1331

Informix

Integral Peripherals

65,96 224

1288

Prisma Software Proactive Software

227 96

V

1328

Commodore Business Systems

224

1156

Intel 10,65,72,185,201

Programmers Workbench

133

1419

Vektron International

156

986, 1357,

Compaq Computer 65, 72 1358,1359

156,185

1274 1148,

International Computers Interplay Productions

221 201

Proxim

Q

QMS

96

1306

Ventura Software Veritas Software

65

228

1360, 1361

987, 1362

CompuAdd Computer

156

1152 1164

Intusoft

229

1285

222

1322

Vermont Information Processing 121 Vermont Microsystems 229

Compudyne Products

156

K

1325

Qtronix Quadbase Systems

224 96

1141 1273

VideoLabs ViewSonic

221

65, 221

Computer Associates 65. 72.109

980

Keydata International

156

Quark

65

w

International

1223

Kodak

129,147

1158

Quarterdeck Office Systems

201

1363 1146

Computer Expo Computerized Educational

156 201

L

1408

Quill

R

156

1161 1289

Warner New Media Watermark Software

201 228

Resources

1300

The Laboratory Technologies : \-v.

1166

Webcorp

229

1296 1364

Computer Knacks Computer Sales Professional

226

156

1393, 1394

Lapine Computer

156

Radius Reactor

65 129

Western Digital WordPerfect

193

42,65

1365

Computers by Malone

156

1395

Legacy Technology

156

1298

Research Systems

226

World Institute on Disability

59

1366 1367

CompuTrend Comtrade

156 156

1396, 1397

Lightning Computers

156

1145

Revelation Technologies Ricoh

96 220

1420

Network Wyse Technology

72,156,185

1368

CoreMicro

156

1278

Linksys

224

1327

Riverside Machines

224

X

1276

CoStar

221

Lotus Development

23, 38, 42, 65

Rochester

121

1313

Covox

229

998,

Lucky Computer

156

s

Xerox

165

1155

Creative Labs

201

1398

Xerox Imaging Systems

59

The Santa Cruz Operation

72

1000

Xinetron

156

D

M

1409

Santron

156

X/Open

109

1369,

Data Storage Marketing

156

1281

Madge Networks

222

Save the Planet Software

38

1241

XTree

148

1370

1326

Magnifeye

224

Sequent

72

z

1303

Dayna Communicalions

227

1284

Mannesmann Tally

220

Sharp Electronics

24,65

1222

DayStar Digital

129

1305,

MalhSoft

72, 226, 227

1301

Sheridan Software Systems

227

1225

Zedcor

129, 143

990,

DEC 59,72

113,156

1315

1335,

Sho-Tronics

156

1001,

Zenith Data Systems

156

991,1374

1321

Mercury Interactive

228

1410

1002,

1337,1338

978,

Deico Electronics

156

1309

Metro Software

228

Siemens Components

72

1003,

Zeos International

156

1371

1237

Metz Software

148

Siemens Nixdorf

24, 32,72

1004

988,

Dell Comouter

65,156

1324

Microcom

228

1140

Sigma Data

222

Zortech

65

989,1372,1373

Silicon Beach Software

96

2T2 BYTE JUNE 1993

Ho hairstyling tips.

No garbage. No noise.

No irrelevant clutter. BIX has the best "signal-to-noise" ratio and the highest quality content in the industry. For serious computer programmers and developers, BIH is the most

5Jmrs forts

exclusive online club in town. BIH now offers Internet mail (10 million bytes per month, at no charge). Windows users order BIKnav, a graphic front-end for BIH. Give BIK a try with our new 5 for ?5 Offer! Join BIK today and get 5 hours of evening and weekend access for just ?5! Use the rest of the calendarmonth to explore BIX, with the option of continuing for only ?13 per month. Further details and complete rate information are provided during registration. Using any communications program, dial 1-800-695-4882. fit the "logon" prompt enter bin. Then at the "name1?" prompt enter bix.byte36. Questions'? Call us at 1-800-695-4775 (voice). Or fax to 617-491-6642. Send Internet mail to bix@genvid.com.

BIX

Under the 5 for $5 plan, daytime surcharges l$9/hr.) apply (or access dining prime lime hours. The 5 lor S5 oiler is valid lor first-lime members only. Unused hours do not accrue to subsequent months. The S5 charge is a non-refundable flat lee and is charged regardless ol use.

Circle 450 on Inquiry Card.

If you can hack it

Commentary

Clifford Stoll

The Cuckoo's Egg Revisited

Five years ago, a hacker broke into a computer at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and changed the computing world -forever

I'm an astronomer. Five years ago, I found a 75cent accounting error in my computer. It's curious how trivial errors are often ripe grounds for research. I traced it back to a programmer in Germany who broke into computers, stole data, and sold it to the KGB. Zooks—I'd stumbled onto a spy.

What's happened since then? The cold war has ended, the KGB dissolved, and Germany reunited. That computer spy, since convicted of espionage, has returned to programming. I told my story in The Cuckoo's Egg—perhaps the first book to combine espionage, computing, and chocolate chip cookies.

Meanwhile, the Internet has thrived. Five years ago, I counted 60,000 nodes; today, it's more like a million. Happily, worries of spies, viruses, and worms haven't hindered its growth: It doubles every year. It now transfers data and E-mail for academics, commercial groups, and, well, ordinary people. It taps a vast resource of software archives and passes thousands of messages an hour.

Our Internet has grown far beyond the cables that carry data. It's a worldwide community, a neighborhood built on ether. Can it ever go back to the tight-woven neighborhood it once was? No more than a city can return to its rural roots.

Events have conspired to create national policies that are confused, pulling at once toward privacy, openness, and secrecy. The holes in system security that intruders exploited in 1987 have long since been corked. In their place, new problems have arisen. Brute-force password decryption once took a week on a VAX; today's optimized cracking programs might take an afternoon. PC LANs create insecure environments that go undetected until they're tied to nationwide networks.

Meanwhile, the National Security Agency, trying to control cryptography, discourages companies from creating better locks for data. The Secret Service, under the computer security laws, has raided small-time computer hackers. A steady stream of break-in reports keeps the Computer Emergency Response Team hopping, one of the important results of the Internet Worm of 1988.

And the hacker underground has grown. Cyberpunks, often taking aim at phone systems and computer networks, have tweaked noses but haven't become the menace predicted five years ago. Break-ins are now routinely tracked across national borders. Curiously, the vims fad is fading. Hard to say why: It might be due to better antivirals, smarter users, or fewer scare stories.

The Cuckoo's Egg has been misused to justify busts of innocuous BBSes, restrictive legislation, investigations into networked activity, and who knows what monitoring by Big Brother. It's also been misused as a cookbook and as a justification by bad guys to break into computers. I disagree with all of these. I strongly disagree.

I've repeatedly testified before Congress and state legislatures. I don't want to lose the friendly sandbox that our networks have become. Our civil rights—including free speech and privacy—must be preserved on the electronic frontier.

Our computers show the tension between privacy and openness. Each of us wants governmental data to be public and open—there's no reason why we shouldn't be able to search governmental databases electronically. Yet we want data about ourselves—medical, financial, and personal records—to be kept secret and unavailable.

At the same time, we must respect each others' rights to privacy and free speech. This means not writing viruses, breaking into another's computer, or posting messages certain to cause flame wars. Just as important, it means treating each other with civility, respect, and tolerance. Our networks are communities, neighborhoods built on mutual trust.

Me? Oh, I'm now returning to astronomy and writing a book about telescopes—back to my roots. I subscribe to BYTE and pay all my shareware fees. You'll find me on CompuServe, AOL, GEnie, BIX, Usenet, and the Internet... often reading, occasionally posting.

And if someone breaks into my computer again? Oh, I doubt I'll bother. The first time it's research. The second time is just engineering. ■

Clifford Stoll graduated from Buffalo Public School #61 with a blue star for good attendance. Later, he repaired pinball machines, printed T-shirts, and received a Ph.D. in planetary science. In his spare time, he bicycles, makes plum jam, and squeezes lumps of bituminous coal into diamonds. You can contact him on BIX as "c/iff'sloll" or on the Internet at stoll@ ocf.berkeley.edu.

274- BYTE JUNE 1993

MAKIN THEY'RE CHECK

DELL

425s/L

COMPAQ

ProLinea 4/25s

UPGRADEABLE TO PENTIUM TECHNOLOGY

•

FLASH ROM BIOS

•

FLASH ROM EMBEDDED DIAGNOSTICS

•

128KB EXTERNAL CACHE OPTION

•

MODULAR CHASSIS DESIGNED FOR EASY SERVICEABILITY

•

64MB MAXIMUM RAM ON SYSTEM BOARD

•

LOW PROFILE CHASSIS WITH 3 DRIVE BAYS AND 3 ISA EXPANSION SLOTS

•

•

GUARANTEED' NEXT-BUSINESS-DAY ON-SITE SERVICE

•

UP TO 1MB VIDEO RAM

•

•

*(]ttaruntees mailable in USA only for registered owners of Dell Performance Scries systems purchased after 7/1/92. For a complete copy, please call vur TechFiec™ line at 1-S00-950-1329 or im-ite Dell USA L.P., 9505 Arboretum Blvd., Austin TX 78759-7299. Attention guarantees. 'Source: Dotaai«, Inc.. 1992. 'Prfces valid m U.S. only. Sow products and promotions not available in Canaan or Mexico, 'leasing arranged by Leasing Grouji, Inc.'On-site sertfa provided by BancTec Service Corporation. On-site serufce may not be available In certain remote areas. The Intel Inside logo k a registered trademark and (386, i486 and Pentium are trademarks of Intel Corporation. MS-DOS and Mtcraso/t are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Deli disclaims proprietary interest in the marks and names of others. ©1993 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved.

G A LIST AND 1NG IT TWICE

4^^Vare"

Buy any Dell system and we'll install your software Just order MS-DOS 6.0, Microsoft ^g Ware"

right at our factory. It's called Dell ReadyWaref With Windows 3.1 (for Windows applications),

20 diskettes and 2 hours to load and configure just one and your ReadyWare choices when you order your

system, imagine the time you'll save and the hassles Dell Performance Series system.

you'll avoid. In fact, we have over 50 competitively We'll install as many applications as you need for

priced popular software applications to choose from. just $15. So make a note of it.

THEDElL333s/L 586™SX33MHz SYSTEM

$999

BUSINESS LEASE: $37/MO.

2MB RAM

80MB (17ms) HARD DRIVE

3 ISA EXPANSION SLOTS

256KB VIDEO RAM

VGA COLOR PLUS

(14; 640x480, .31mm)

ONE DISKETTE DRIVE

(3.5" or 5.25")

MS-DOS 6.0

MICROSOFT WINDOWS 3.1

MOUSE

•WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.

THE DELI 450/L i486 DX2 50MHz SYSTEM

$2,299

BUSINESS LEASE: $85/MO.

4MB RAM

230MB (17ms| HARD DRIVE

FLASH ROM EMBEDDED DIAGNOSTICS

3 ISA EXPANSION SLOTS

UPGRADEABLE TO

PENTIUM TECHNOLOGY

ACCELERATED LOCAL BUS

VIDEO WITH 1MB VIDEO RAM

ULTRASCAN 14C MONITOR

(14') 1024x768, .28mm, Nl)

ONE DISKETTE DRIVE

(3.5" or 5.25")

MS-DOS 6.0

THE DELL 450/M i486 DX2 50MHz SYSTEM

$2,499

BUSINESS LEASE: $92/MO.

4MB RAM

170MB (17ms) HARD DRIVE

128KB EXTERNAL CACHE

FLASH ROM EMBEDDED DIAGNOSTICS

6 ISA EXPANSION SLOTS

UPGRADEABLE TO

PENTIUM TECHNOLOGY

ACCELERATED LOCAL BUS

VIDEO WITH 512KB VIDEO RAM

ULTRASCAN 14C MONITOR

(14; 1024x768, ,28mm, Nl)

ONE DISKETTE DRIVE

|3.5"or5.25")

MS-DOS 6.0

THE DELL 466/ME i486 DX2 66MHz SYSTEM

$3,599

BUSINESS LEASE: $130/MO.

8MB RAM

450MB (12ms) HARD DRIVE

128KB EXTERNAL CACHE

FLASH ROM EMBEDDED DIAGNOSTICS

2 ISA EXPANSION SLOTS

4 EISA EXPANSION SLOTS

UPGRADEABLE TO

PENTIUM TECHNOLOGY

ACCELERATED LOCAL BUS VIDEO

WITH 1 MB VIDEO RAM

ULTRASCAN 14C MONITOR

(141,1 1024x768, ,28mm, Nl)

ONE DISKETTE DRIVE

(3.5" or 5.25")

MS-DOS 6.0

THE DELL 425s/L i486 SX 25MHz SYSTEM

$1,599

BUSINESS LEASE: $59/MO.

4MB RAM • 170MB (17ms) HARD DRIVE • FLASH ROM EMBEDDED DIAGNOSTICS

• UPGRADEABLE TO PENTIUM TECHNOLOGY ■ ACCELERATED LOCAL BUS VIDEO

WITH 512KB VIDEO RAM • ULTRASCAN 14C MONITOR |14',' 1024x768, .28mm, Nl)

• DUAL DISKETTE DRIVES (3.5" AND 5.25") • MSDOS 6.0/MICROSOFT WINDOWS/MOUSE

PROMOTIONAL PRICE: OFFER EXPIRES 7/31/93

D0LL

800-553-6046

WHEN CALLING, PLEASE REFERENCE #11E98.

HOURS: 7AM-9PM CT MON-FRI, BAM-4PM CT SAT, 10AM-3PM CT SUN.

IN CANADA; CALL 800-668-3021.

MANY OTHER CONFIGURATIONS AVAILABLE. CALL YOUR DELL REPRESENTATIVE FOR DETAILS.

COMPAQ'S

AND IBM'S

VIDEO IS

TIMES.

WINDOWS VIDEO PERFORMANCE

DELL

466/M and 466/ME J

i

i

IBM

PS/2 Model 77 486DX2 iH^^^B^^^B

COMPAQ

DeskPro 66M ft *

i i

OM 5M 10M

15M

20M

Per/ormarlce measured by running WINBENCH wrston 3.1 at 640 x 480, -'56 colors. Results measured in millions o/WINMARKS. Results far IBM

anil Compaq as published by PC Magajtne in issue dateijmwry 26, 1993. Results /or Dell 466/M and 466/ME provided by Dell Performance

Measurement Lab, January 1993. DeskPro 66M configured tw'tft 8MB HAM. 210MB IDE HD, QVision 1024/E controller leith 1MB VRAM. PS/2

mode! 77 486DX2 configured with 8MB RAM, 400MB SCSI HD, XGA-2 with 1MB VRAM and 256KB cache. 466/M and 466/ME both

configured with 8MB RAM, I70MB IDE HD, local bus video with 1MB VRAM, and 128KB cuclte.

■". st#- - ■ •»■• - W'

' ■

.,*._.+#»"'

'" '#«" ' .ija,,*':'"''^'''''''-'''^!!*

Our Dell 466/M and 466/ME with over 19 million WINMARKS, outran the Compaq DeskPro 66M with QVision and IBM PS/2 Model 77 486 DX2 with XGA-2.That means we're up to 57% faster than QVision and up to 174%

THE DELL 466/M i486'" DX2 66MHz SYSTEM

in

itel

in:

M

faster than XGA-2. Thanks, of course, to our accelerated local bus video and fast drivers for Windows applications. Both help put the Dell' 466/M a little ahead of its time.

$3,149

BUSINESS LEASE : $117/MO.

8MB RAM • 230MB (17ms) HARD DRIVE • 128KB EXTERNAL CACHE

■ FLASH ROM EMBEDDED DIAGNOSTICS • 6 ISA EXPANSION SLOTS

• UPGRADEABLE TO PENTIUM™ TECHNOLOGY • ACCELERATED LOCAL BUS VIDEO

WITH 1MB VIDEO RAM • ULTRASCAN" 14C MONITOR (14',' 1024 x 768, .28mm, Nl)

• ONE DISKETTE DRIVE (3.5" OR 5.25") • MS-DOS* 6.0

OR CHOOSE THE 466/ME EISA SYSTEM FOR ONLY $200 MORE

D^LL

800-433-2312

WHEN CALLING, PLEASE REFERENCE #11EF3.

HOURS: 7AM-9PM CT MON-FRI, 8AM-4PM CT SAT, 10AM-3PM CT SUN.

IN CANADA,' CALL 800-668-3021. IN MEXICO CITY,* 228-7811.

$9991

ITS NOT

(SORRYCQMPAQ.)

SAVE $200

DELL PERFORMANCE SERIES 333s/L BUSINESS LEASE: 137/MO.

Contrary to many systems you see advertised for under $1,000, ours comes complete with a VGA color monitor (14" 640 x 480, .31mm). Plus an 80MB hard drive. Plus 2MB RAM. Plus one diskette drive. Plus MS-DOS, Microsoft* Windows 3.1, and a mouse. Plus 3 ISA expansion slots. Plus 256KB video RAM. Quite a few pluses, wouldn't you say?

CALL AND ORDER TODAY. OFFER EXPIRES 6/30/93.

There's no mistake about it. For a limited time only, you can get the fastest Dell 386SX made for under $1,000. (That means you'll save up to

$200.) And it comes complete with a VGA color monitor.

What's more, you also get guaranteed on-site servicef and technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week-with guaranteed telephone response in under five minutes! All of which shouldn't surprise you since we were the winner of the latest Dataquest8t Customer Satisfaction Survey, helping us to become the world's third largest industry-standard PC company.

Speaking of fast, take advantage

of our quick shipment program. That way you can receive your new system within three days of ordering it.

So call and order today. Offer expires 6/30/93. Which is one thing in this ad Compaq will be happy to hear.

DOLL

800-553-6039

WHEN CALLING, PLEASE REFERENCE #11E97.

HOURS: 7AM-9PM CT MON-FRI,

8AM-4PM CT SAT, 10AM-3PM CT SUN.