Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.tech From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: tech Mon, Mar 9 1992 Date: Mon, 9 Mar 92 05:46:24 EST Message-ID: 03-09 0000 DECISIONLINE: Technology USA TODAY Update March 9, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network VIRUS DOES LITTLE DAMAGE: The Michelangelo computer virus attacked some personal computers Friday, but most users had already discovered and eliminated the virus, averting a digital doomsday. One expert told the Associated Press there had been only about 2,000 reports of damage worldwide by late Friday. AP bureaus found few computers affected. (For more, see special Virus package below.) DATA RECOVERY AVAILABLE: Computer users who have suffered damage to their data due to an infection of the Michelangelo computer virus can be helped. A Minneapolis company, Ontrack Data Recovery, specializes in recovering lost data, and has the technology to restore data lost to the virus. Computer users who need additional information can call Ontrack's Data Recovery Hotline at 1-800-872-2599. `BRAIN DRAIN' TO BE DISCUSSED: Secretary of State James Baker will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Kosyrev in Brussels to tackle the "brain drain" of nuclear scientists from the former Soviet Union. They hope to establish a nuclear clearinghouse that will find work for Russian scientists who might otherwise be tempted by offers from nations such as Libya and Iraq. RUSSIA PROPOSES JOINT EXERCISE: The Russian Republic has proposed that its military space forces conduct a combined exercise this summer with U.S. Space Command, reports Aviation Week & Space Technology Monday. The proposed exercise is a space tracking test. It could serve as the groundwork for much broader future initiatives, such as a joint missile defense system. CHALLENGER REPLACEMENT UNVEILED: The space shuttle built to replace Challenger made its debut Saturday. While 1,200 shuttle workers and their families looked on, Endeavour emerged from its processing hangar for the first time and was towed to Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building, its last stop before heading out to the launch pad. The $1.8 billion shuttle was built by Rockwell International in Palmdale, Calif. BOEING TO BEGIN LAYOFFS: Boeing sent notice Friday to about 2,400 workers that they are likely to be laid off within two months unless new positions can be found for them in the company. The cuts are part of a previously announced reduction of 8,000 jobs. Boeing said another round of layoff notices may go out early next month. BANYON, MICROSOFT SIGN DEAL: Banyan Systems and Microsoft Corp. say they have signed an agreement to resolve technical support problems for customers who use products by both companies. The agreement also calls for Banyan and Microsoft to provide each other with technical training and share technical information databases. PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS BOOSTED: Federal Communications Commission Chairman Alfred Sikes is moving full-steam ahead with personal communication services, Network magazine reports. Microwave users are concerned that they will have to give up use of some radio frequencies to make way for the new wireless services. MICROGRAFX TO BUY ROYKORE: Micrografx Inc. said Friday it has entered into a letter of intent to purchase all of the outstanding stock of Roykore Inc. in exchange for 430,000 shares of Micrografx common stock. Roykore, founded in 1980, makes Windows graphics software. Roykore's flagship product is ABC Flowcharter. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON VIRUS: SOME COMPUTERS HIT: Although the Michelangelo virus did little damage Friday, some computers were hit. In South Africa on Friday, Mark Danton, director of the Computer Virus Helpline in Johannesburg, said some 1,350 computers had been hit. Investment-banking firm Drexel Burnham Lambert said two machines were struck Thursday - apparently because their internal clocks didn't account for Leap Year. ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE USED: Most personal computers had anti-virus software used on them. "If there's an upside to all this, it's greater awareness of the problem," says Pam Kane, an author on viruses and owner of a company that makes anti-virus software. "The downside is it's the boy who cried wolf." MORE VIRUSES TO FOLLOW: Still, more computer viruses will follow. This month alone, about 25 viruses are supposed to strike, according to Fifth Generation Systems, which makes virus-protection software. Friday the 13th is a big day, with viruses called Alabama, Frere Jacques, Friday the 13th, Hybrid, Jerusalem D, Jerusalem E, New Jerusalem, Westwood, RAM and Monxla all set to strike. (End of package.) Technology Editor: Ed Kelleher. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM