More Cannon Fire In The Modem War
The Age
Monday October 10, 1994
SALES and profits described as ``rising strongly" have enabled NetComm to fire another salvo in the long-running modem price war, the company says.
Price reductions ranging from 8 to 25 per cent have been announced for most items.
Chris Howells, managing director of NetComm, says revenue for the quarter ended 30 September, 1994, is over budget and 40 per cent above the corresponding quarter last year.
The SmartModem M11F has been cut from $999 to $849, while its counterpart for the Macintosh has gone from $1099 to $899. The biggest cuts have been made to the SmartModem M7F for Macintosh and SmartModem V8, both reduced 25 per cent to $749 each.
Other units now cheaper are the SmartModem M7F, down from $899 to $699 and the AutoModem E11F, slashed by 19 per cent to $649. For more information telephone NetComm on (02) 888 5533.
Warp to the Net.
GLOBAL Network is the name of an Internet access service that IBM is offering to users of its soon-to-be-released Warp OS/2 package. The service will operate via IBM's own gateway, with servers in each capital city.
IBM Global Network will open in Sydney and Melbourne on 1 November.
Other capital cities will be added in the following months. Users will have full access and be able to navigate their way across the Internet using a graphical communications tool provided with Warp.
Access charges will include an initial set-up fee in addition to an hourly rate, though the company plans to offer free access for a period. Telephone IBM on 132426 for information.
LANtastic for OS/2.
ARTISOFT has announced LANtastic for OS/2, a new 32-bit peer-to-peer network operating system. It will enable LANtastic network users to integrate OS/2 machines into their existing DOS and Windows networks.
It is expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 1994 in one, five, 10, 25, 50 and 100 user kits through Artisoft distributors.
Telephone Artisoft Australia on (02)8802688 for further information.
Laser/fax combo.
A NEW workgroup laser printer just released by Apple also doubles as a networkable fax machine. The LaserWriter 16/600 PS can print at up to 16 pages per minute at 600 dots per inch. It works with Ethernet, NetWare, AppleTalk and LocalTalk networks and has automatic emulation, protocol and port switching. An additional card, to be released early next year, will enable the printer to be used as a plain paper fax machine. The LaserWriter 16/600 PS will carry a price tag of $4995 when it is released this month.
Apple has also released the Color StyleWriter 2400, a color inkjet printer aimed at the SOHO market. It prints at up to 360dpi resolution and is priced at $995. The Color StyleWriter 2400 will be available locally in November. A LocalTalk connection will be available in January next year. For more information telephone Apple Computer on (02)4528000.
More printers.
ALSO entering the SOHO printer market is Lexmark, with its new ExecJet IIc and WinWriter 200. The ExecJet IIc is an entry-level color inkjet printer with an anticipated street price of $699. Printing speed is between two and a half and seven minutes per page in quality color mode.
For around $999 customers can pick up the WinWriter, a 300dpi laser printer that utilises the Windows Printing System (WPS). WPS is similar to the GDI (Graphical Interface) system in that it relies on Windows to print, but it is faster and more integrated, according to the company. The WinWriter is capable of four page per minute output.
For further information, telephone Lexmark on (02)9303500.
Samsung notebooks.
HOME electronics specialist, Samsung, has released a new line of color notebook PCs. The Samsung NoteMaster family offers a wide range of available configurations including the choice of two types of screens and four processors. Standard features include 4MB RAM, 8k internal cache and 1MB video RAM. Pricing ranges from $4259 for a 486SL 33MHz with CCFT color display to $7609 for a 75MHz 486DX4 with TFT active matrix display. Models equipped with Intel's 100MHz. The chip maker's 486DX4 processors will be available in the fourth quarter, though prices of these are yet to be announced. Telephone Samsung on (02)6385200 for further information.
Student computer.
EDUCATIONAL specialist, Acorn Computer, has released the Pocket Book II line of portable computers. The Pocket Book II combines a word processor, spreadsheet, database, diary, calculator, spellchecker, thesaurus, clock and alarm in a package that fits in a blazer pocket.
A number of other applications is available including drawing, personal organiser software and games. Prices for the original Pocket Book family start at $525 while the new Pocket Book II line, with larger screen, more software and memory, starts at $699. Telephone Acorn Computer on 008032604 for further details.
Symantec on the Net.
SOFTWARE giant, Symantec, has established its own World Wide Web server, to provide customers with product information, demonstration software, press releases and product updates. The server features full ftp capabilities and is available at http://www.symantec.com.
Telephone Symantec on (02)8796577 for further information.
Payroll software.
MELBOURNE software developer, Datascope Systems, has released Winpay, a Windows pay-roll/personnel system designed for businesses with 20 to 1000 employees. Winpay features a number of modules including leave management, rostered days off and earnings history. Prices begin at $495 and a free demo version is available. Telephone Datascope Systems on (03)5281755 for more information.
WHAT'S ON.
THE Victorian Macintosh Users Group will meet at 6pm on 17 October at the Apple office, level 2, 55 South Bank Boulevard, South Melbourne.
Calwell's Music will provide a demonstration of scoring, printing and musical instrument interfaces. Telephone (03)6547322 for more information.
On 24 October the Victorian Department of Business and Employment will hold a seminar on the interactive multimedia industry. The forum will examine the direction this new industry is taking and aims to facilitate networking and business development opportunities for the Victorian multimedia industry. For more information telephone Australian Business Theatre on (03)8276511.
FAX details of any forthcoming conferences, seminars or user group meetings to Computer Age on (03)8665486.
BSAA ups the ante for dob-ins.
THE BUSINESS Software Association of Australia (BSAA) is continuing on in its war against pirates, launching a new advertising campaign offering rewards of $2500 for information leading to successful action against software pirates.
Though the BSAA will no longer refer to them as pirates, saying that research indicates that piracy has a swashbuckling glamorised image and is not seen as a serious issue.
``We are calling the illegal copying of software what it is, theft," said Jim Macnamara, chairman of the BSAA. The advertisements are headed ``Software theft has its rewards" and will appear in daily state and national newspapers that publish computer sections.
When the BSAA last advertised rewards for information on software theft it received up to 100 calls per week. In the past 12 months the BSAA reward scheme has led to five legal actions, all of which resulted in ``substantial" out-of-court settlements, according to the BSAA.
© 1994 The Age