===================================================================== DIGITAL FUTURE NEWSLETTER (formerly FYI) Abridged Edition Information Media and Technology News Published online every Saturday Volume 1, Number 20 / Saturday, November 12, 1994 CIRCULATION: See list at end of this newsletter ===================================================================== Copyright 1994 by John Hart & Hart Publishing. NOTE: This abridged version of Digital Future Newsletter may be freely duplicated and/or uploaded to BBS's and online host systems, providing that the entire contents remains unchanged. Except as permitted herein, unauthorized duplication is a violation of Pan-American & International Copyright Conventions. Any and all parties found guilty of infringement will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. ==================== EDITOR AND PUBLISHER ==================== John Hart 767 South Xenon Court, Suite 117 Lakewood, CO 80228 Voice/Fax: 303-987-3246 CIS: 71044,2446 Internet: fyi@marketplace.com (Please send press releases and other news to jhart@csn.org.) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * STORIES IN DIGITAL FUTURE NEWSLETTER... 1. From the Editor 2. AOL Agrees To Buy Two Innovative Internet Companies 3. Newsweek Scopes Out Internet Piracy 4. Pioneering Effort By League Of Women Voters Education Fund 5. GSA Launches "TELECONX" Telecommuting BBS 6. Cash Checks By Fax--New NetBank Payment System 7. Internet Survey Reaches 3.8 Million Internet Host Level 8. New Brochure About Online Dangers To Children 9. Cybernautics Digest Newsletter Launched 10. New Host For Internet Commercial Site Index 11. Microsoft/Visa To Develop Card Transaction Security 12. FCC To Pocket $395 Million From Paging Auction 13. Agfa Expo - Content Is Key For The Info Highway 14. Lexis/Nexis Unveils Voice Recognition Interface 15. MicroNet Ships Internet Chameleon 4.1 16. Computer Paper Launches Internet Version, Radio Show 17. New Online Service In UK 18. Upcoming Conferences and Workshops 19. What I Want From The Digital Future * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * FROM THE EDITOR OF DIGITAL FUTURE NEWSLETTER (formerly FYI)... A new guide to avoiding viruses... 3M, in conjunction with the National Computer Security Association, has published a 20-page, pocket-size guide titled "How To Avoid Computer Viruses." It's written for all levels of experience, and presented in a Q & A format. The brochure can be ordered by sending a $2.00 check or money order with a return address printed on a 3 x 5 card to: 3M Virus Brochure, PO Box 8031, Young-America, MN 55551-8031. Personal computer sales greater than color TV sets? The Electronic Industries Association says that PC sales to consumers will be $8 billion for 1994, more than a half a billion greater than color TV sales for the same period. (Of course, we already have a TV in every room of the house!) What's that mysterious black truck doing parked outside your office? According to the newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications in Japan discusses how local area networks and even printers emit radio waves that can be inter- cepted and decoded. That means the data in LANs at large corporations or military sites is vulnerable to espionage. In the U.S., Winn Schwartau has been giving demos on radio-wave interception since 1990. At last, we are all immortal... One byproduct of the information explosion is the loss of privacy. According to The Futurist, information about our finances, family makeup, and other personal details is moved from one computer to another an average of five times a day. Privacy advocates call for a new information code of ethics and responsibilities protecting individuals from misuse of personal information. Siemens, Sun, and Scientific-Atlanta form multimedia alliance... Siemens, Sun, and Scientific-Atlanta have formed an alliance to produce interactive multimedia systems to provide movies, games, banking, and educational services. Siemens will be systems integrator, Sun will provide programs and network hardware, Scientific-Atlanta will produce set-top boxes. Parle vous Compuserve?.. CompuServe is experimenting with software that would translate messages posted in French and German into English. --JH * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AOL AGREES TO BUY TWO INNOVATIVE INTERNET COMPANIES America Online, Inc. has announced that it has agreed to acquire two innovative Internet companies, BookLink Technologies, Inc. and NaviSoft, Inc. The move is expected to strengthen America Online's strategic initiative in popularizing the Internet for publishers, as well as for consumers. In addition, David C. Cole, Chairman and CEO of NaviSoft, Inc., has been named President of America Online's Internet Services Company. [Details in Expanded Edition of Digital Future] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NEWSWEEK SCOPES OUT INTERNET PIRACY Some $2 billion worth of software was stolen over the Internet last year, according to the latest issues of Newsweek. The news magazine looks at software theft on the Internet in the wake of the discovery that pirates on the "Net" were downloading versions of Windows 95 and OS/2 Warp, prompting Microsoft to post a $10,000 bounty for information. [Details in Expanded Edition of Digital Future] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * PIONEERING EFFORT BY LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS EDUCATION FUND Project Vote Smart Declared `Major Success,' Public Libraries Used to Make Internet Riches Available to All Citizens. Using computers in public libraries to make non-partisan political information accessible via the Internet to typical citizens is a big hit, according to the preliminary results from a trial effort by the League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF) and Project Vote Smart (PVS). [Details in Expanded Edition of Digital Future] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GSA LAUNCHES TELECONX TELECOMMUTING BBS The US General Services Administration (GSA), convinced at least at higher levels that telecommuting is a good idea, has established a new BBS (dial-up bulletin board system) to promote discussion and help distribute information. GSA sources said they hope the new BBS will be only the first of a network of public and private telecommuting information BBSes. [Details in Expanded Edition of Digital Future] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CASH CHECKS BY FAX--NEW NETBANK PAYMENT SYSTEM Software Agents, Inc. has announced several enhancements to the NetBank Payment System. The NetBank, which has been in operation since May of this year, is the company's online payment service that allows computer users to exchange money electronically. In this system, electronic money, called NetCash, is sent from one person to another via electronic mail (e-mail) messages. [Details in Expanded Edition of Digital Future] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * INTERNET SURVEY REACHES 3.8 MILLION INTERNET HOST LEVEL 3rd Quarter 1994 Growth Is 21 Percent The latest results from the Internet's most basic and longest continuing measurement of it's size were just released by Mark Lottor of Network Wizards of Menlo Park CA USA. The Domain Survey attempts to discover every host on the Internet by doing a complete search of the Domain Name System. The latest results were gathered during late October 1994. The data is available in the zone directory on ftp.nw.com, or http://www.nw.com. [Details in Expanded Edition of Digital Future] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NEW BROCHURE ABOUT ONLINE DANGERS TO CHILDREN The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has teamed up with members of the Interactive Services Association (ISA) to release "Child Safety on the Information Highway," a new brochure written by Los Angeles Times syndicated columnist Lawrence J. Magid, to educate families about the benefits and risks of the Online Services. [Details in Expanded Edition of Digital Future] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CYBERNAUTICS DIGEST NEWSLETTER LAUNCHED Noting that "the "printed page is still the best user interface around," Editor Terry Hansen and KFH Publications of Seattle have launched Cybernautics Digest. The monthly newsletter focuses on "converging information technologies," Hansen said. [Details in Expanded Edition of Digital Future] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NEW HOST FOR INTERNET COMMERCIAL SITE INDEX Open Market Inc. (OMI) is the new host of Internet's Commercial Sites Index, a listing of businesses and organizations with Internet connections. As businesses continue their gold rush onto the Internet, OMI says it will enhance the Index to help users find information more easily and quickly. [Details in Expanded Edition of Digital Future] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * MICROSOFT, VISA TO DEVELOP CARD TRANSACTION SECURITY Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) announced its first step towards the online service it will unveil at Comdex next week when the software giant said it will join with Visa International to develop a standard, convenient and secure method for executing electronic bank card transactions across global public and private networks. [Details in Expanded Edition of Digital Future] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * FCC TO POCKET $395 MILLION FROM PAGING AUCTION The Federal Communications Commission will net $395 million following the two-week-long auction of six advanced paging licenses in each of five regions of the country. Bids for the 30 licenses totaled more than $490 million, but the amount will be reduced after allowing for credits given to firms operated by minorities and women. [Details in Expanded Edition of Digital Future] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AGFA EXPO - CONTENT IS KEY FOR THE INFO HIGHWAY Regardless of what shape the "info highway" ultimately takes, the road needs to be paved with plenty of content, agreed speakers from GTE, AT&T, Belcore, and an online service called "Printer's Periscope" in a panel discussion at the Agfa Technology Expo in Boston. [Details in Expanded Edition of Digital Future] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * LEXIS/NEXIS UNVEILS VOICE RECOGNITION INTERFACE Mead Data Central has announced a voice recognition interface for its Lexis and Nexis online information services. Mead said the $995 package will let people use Lexis and Nexis by speaking commands into a microphone attached to a personal computer. [Details in Expanded Edition of Digital Future] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * MICRONET SHIPS INTERNET CHAMELEON 4.1 NetManage Inc. (NASDAQ:NETM) has released version 4.1 of its popular Windows-based Internet access package, the Internet Chameleon. Version 4.1 adds a five-minute "Instant Internet" hookup feature plus a Web surfer, an Archie file locator, and faster data transfer rates. [Details in Expanded Edition of Digital Future] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * COMPUTER PAPER LAUNCHES INTERNET VERSION, RADIO SHOW Almost immediately after launching a second monthly computer tabloid in its home city, publisher Canada Computer Paper Inc., has announced availability of its flagship publication on the Internet and begun a computer-oriented radio show on a Vancouver radio station. [Details in Expanded Edition of Digital Future] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NEW ONLINE SERVICE IN UK A new online service, UK Online, has announced plans to open for business some time during the second quarter of next year. According to Roland Perry, the new company's business development manager, the idea behind the service is to deliver an easy-to-use consumer- oriented online service. [Details in Expanded Edition of Digital Future] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UPCOMING INFORMATION MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY RELATED CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS NOVEMBER 1994 COMDEX, November 14-18, 1994, Las Vegas, NV, Contact Registration Dept., 300 First Avenue, Needham, MA 02194-2722, or fax 617-449-2674. Supercomputing '94, November 14-18, 1994, Washington D.C. Convention Center Contact: Linda Callahan, 607-254-8609; fax 607-254-8888. Computer Security Conference & Exposition, November 14-16; Washington Hilton, Washington, DC. Contact: 415-905-2626. New York Virtual Reality Expo 94, November 29-December 2, New York. Contact 800-632-5537 or 203-226-6967. E MAIL World--The Mail Enabled Technologies Conference & Expo, November 29-December 1, 1994, Boston, MA. Contact 508-470-3880. Convergence IV: Opportunities On The Information Superhighway, Washington, DC. Contact: 303-393-7449. DECEMBER 1994 Electronic Learning Fair, December 2-4, 1994, San Jose, CA. Contact: 408-271-3797. Telecommunications Policy and Regulation, December 5-6, 1994; Washington, DC. Contact 800-260-4PLI. Internet World 94, December 6-9, Washington Hilton & Towers, Washington, DC, contact 800-632-55337 or 203-226-6967. Interactive Information Expo, December 6-8, 1994, New York, NY. Contact: 201-346-1400. Wireless Datacomm 94, December 6-8, 1994, Washington, DC; Contact: 203-847-5131. Workshop on Mobile Computing Systems and Applications, December 8-9, 1994, Dream Inn, Santa Cruz, CA, contact 313-763-4413. JANUARY 1995 MacWorld Expo, January 4-7, Moscone Convention Center, San Francisco, CA. Contact: 617-361-8000. 2nd Annual Mobile Communications '95 Conference, January 18-20, 1995, Westin Hotel, Dallas, TX, Contact 800-256-1076. Lotusphere '95, January 22-26, 1995, Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, Orlando, FL, contact 617-894-5326. ComNet '95, January 23-26, 1995, Washington, DC. Contact 800-225-4698. NATPE, January 23-26, Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas, NV. Contact 800-628-7346. Information Superhighway '95, January 24-27, 1995, Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara, CA, Contact Charles Van Horn, ITA, 505 Eighth Avenue, New York 10018; Tel: 212-643-0620; Fax: 212-643-0624. FEBRUARY 1995 Wireless '95, February 1-5, 1995, New Orleans, LA; Contact: 202-463-7905. InterMedia '95--The International Conference and Exposition on Multimedia February 7-9, 1995, Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA. Contact: 203-840-5634. Client/Server Conference & Exposition, February 14-17, 1995. San Jose Convention Center, San Jose, CA. Contact: 516-733-6770. Networks Expo Boston '95, February 14-16, 1995, Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA. Contact 800-829-3976. Inter Comm 95, February 20-23, 1995, Vancouver, Canada, contact 604-669-1090. SALT -- The Society for Applied Learning Technology, February 22-24, 1995, Orlando, FL. Contact 800-457-6812 or 703-347-0055. High Tech Direct 2000, February 27-March 1, 1995, Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara, CA, Contact 800-808-3976. MARCH 1995 IEEE INFOCOM'95 -- The Conference on Computer Communications, April 2-6, 1995, Boston, MASS., USA, contact 816-235-2361. JUNE 1995 INET'95, the 5th Annual Conference of the Internet Society focusing on worldwide issues of Internet networking, June 28-30, 1995 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Contact: 703-648-9888. Fax: 703-648-9887. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ===================================================================== INTRODUCTORY SUBSCRIPTION FOR EXPANDED EDITION OF DIGITAL FUTURE NEWSLETTER! The expanded edition of DIGITAL FUTURE NEWSLETTER is available only by subscription and delivered electronically to e-mail addresses. Limited offer: 26 weekly issues of the expanded edition of DIGITAL FUTURE, uploaded to your e-mail address, are $25.00; 52 weekly issues are $40.00. SPECIAL OFFER EXPIRES 12/31, 1994. NAME________________________________________________________________ COMPANY_____________________________________________________________ ADDRESS_____________________________________________________________ CITY/STATE/ZIP______________________________________________________ EMAIL ADDRESS FOR NEWSLETTER DELIVERY_______________________________ VOICE PHONE_________________________________________________________ FAX PHONE___________________________________________________________ Print the above coupon and mail it with check or money order in U.S. funds on a U.S. bank, to: John Hart, 767 South Xenon Court, Suite 117 Lakewood, CO 80228 USA CIS: 71044,2446 INTERNET: fyi@marketplace.com ===================================================================== * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * WHAT I WANT FROM THE DIGITAL FUTURE by John Hart This week, this is what I want from gamemakers of the world: a game for young people that looks like a game but really is an education. Wall Street. Its perspective is from down on the floor, where the trading takes place. Point and click to change views. Buy and sell stock. Watch your portfolio increase or decrease in value. Smile at the good news streaming across your screen. Moan at the bad news. The sound track is just like the real place. A talking video pops on the screen--it's your broker with bad news. Do you want to sell your shares in IBM? The catch is, the game logs on to AOL or Compuserve, downloads real stock prices for your picks and manipulates the prices and the news. It has a built-in glossary. Click on any word and get the simple definition. It has built-in competing players if you want to find out how the big boys do it. Play against them. Play against your friends. It's just like the real NYSE, only the IRS never knocks on your door. Where is this game? C'mon guys, let's get these kids on the road to wealth-building. --JH * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ========================== DIGITAL FUTURE CIRCULATION ========================== DIGITAL FUTURE NEWSLETTER (abridged edition) is available every Saturday by one of these methods: 1. Internet, gopher Marketplace.com 2. E-mail. Submit your email address for free delivery every Saturday 3. CompuServe at these locations: IBM Communications Forum, Library 6, Hot Topics Internet Forum, Library 1, General Information PR & Marketing SIG, Online Newsletters Telecommunications Forum, Library 14, Internetworking Work At Home Forum, Library 1, General Information BBS Sysops worldwide are welcome to make this abridged version of DIGITAL FUTURE Newsletter available to callers. ========== DISCLAIMER ========== DIGITAL FUTURE Newsletter publishes the information herein with the understanding that it is accurate and reliable, however, it can not be guaranteed. Although every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy of the data contained herein, the publisher cannot accept liability for misstatements. Furthermore, the views represented herein do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or the publisher. =================================================================== END DIGITAL FUTURE Volume 1 Number 20 / Saturday, November 12, 1994. ===================================================================