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 Wed, Apr 15 1992 Date: Wed, 15 Apr 92 05:42:41 EDT Message-ID: 04-15 0000 DECISIONLINE: Technology USA TODAY Update April 15, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network BIG BLUE BACK IN BLACK: IBM Corp. reported a surprisingly robust 7% gain in first-quarter earnings Tuesday, compared to the same quarter in 1991. It fanned hopes that the nation's battered computer industry has begun to climb out of recession. But some analysts pointed out that the results compared favorably only to a bad quarter in 1991 and did not signal a turnaround in the wake of major restructuring. (For more, see special IBM package below.) EX-IBM SALESMAN CHARGED: Ex-IBM salesman Leon Brown, 30, was charged in Los Angeles Tuesday with defrauding IBM of $5 million. IBM officials say he had been selling computer equipment below cost to small companies and then would receive kickbacks from the firms. ELECTRONICS TRADE DEFICIT UP: The 1991 USA:Japan trade balance in electronics products and services was negative for the 13th consecutive year, according to the American Electronics Association. It was the seventh year the USA:Japan deficit has topped $15 billion. The USA:Japan electronics trade deficit increased almost 5% in 1991 to $19.3 billion from $18.4 billion in 1990. COMPUTER TRADE FAVORS JAPAN: The USA had a $6.2 billion deficit in 1991 trade with Japan in computers and related products, according to the American Electronics Association. That is up from $5.7 billion in 1990. Japan also held a trade surplus in telecommunications of $3.7 billion up from $3.4 billion a year ago. ENDEAVOUR'S CARGO PUT IN PLACE: Kennedy Space Center workers have installed the shuttle Endeavour's cargo and the second of three Rocketdyne main engines should be replaced by early Wednesday, officials said Tuesday. The payload includes a 27,538-pound solid rocket motor and support equipment as well as a 4,400-pound structure for use in testing space station Freedom construction techniques. ISOFAX UPGRADE INTRODUCED: The Bristol Group Ltd., a developer of software solutions for electronic faxing for UNIX-based workstations, has introduced an advanced version of its IsoFax software-based fax package. It includes a direct inward dialing phone service which allows fax documents to be automatically routed to a particular workstation. Prices start at less than $2,000. ELECTRON LASER TO BE DEDICATED: A $4 million free-electron laser is set to be dedicated at Vanderbilt University Thursday. Unlike conventional lasers, a free-electron laser can be tuned to a variety of different wavelengths as well as produce particularly high-intensity light beams. SERVICE WILL HELP LOCATE AUTOS: METS of Indianapolis and Ameritech are working together to develop new vehicle locator services that use wireless data communications. The partnership, called MobileVision, will develop products that will allow motorists to get emergency roadside help and locate and assist in the recovery of stolen vehicles. Another application will let fleet operators monitor their vehicles. FRAME-NET CAN GO ON NETBULDER: The purchasers of 3Com Corp.'s NETBuilder products can now specify that they be hooked in with CompuServe's public Frame Relay network, FRAME-Net. "CompuServe's FRAME-Net service will help our customers build and maintain the most cost-effective global data networks," said Alan Kessler, vice president of 3Com's Network Systems Division. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON IBM: AKERS ENCOURAGED BY PERFORMANCE: After IBM reported a 7% gain in first-quarter earnings Tuesday, its stock rose 3:4 of a point to $88 1:4. "Although worldwide economic conditions remain unpredictable, we are encouraged by our improved performance, particularly in the U.S., and by the progress we're making in streamlining the company," IBM Chairman John Akers said in a statement. DOMESTIC REVENUE LEADS WAY: Some analysts were most impressed by IBM's disclosure that domestic revenue leaped 10% while overseas activity was flat. "We can probably say the U.S. computer industry is coming out of the recession," says Chicago Corp. analyst Rick Martin. IBM wasn't the only computer firm to see its stock go up Tuesday. Digital Equipment added 1 1:4 to $46 7:8. Apple surged 2 1:4 to $58 3:4. PC MAKERS HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING: Computer makers have been ravaged in the last year as the lingering recession depressed demand for the often high-ticket machines. The crowded personal computer market was especially hard hit by weak consumer spending and fierce price competition. (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