MICROSOFT'S OTHER LEGAL WOES
Microsoft is facing a number of legal problems in addition to the investigations by the Department of Justice and eleven state Attorney Generals.  On February 10, a federal magistrate granted Caldera, Inc. the right to introduce evidence that Microsoft illegally "tied" MS-DOS to Windows 95.  Caldera's suit originally focused on Windows 3.1.

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear Microsoft's appeal, thus upholding a lower court's ruling that Microsoft owned fringe benefits to freelance workers employed between 1987 and 1990.  Between 800 and 2,000 workers are affected.  Benefits in question include the 401(K) retirement plan and the stock purchase plan.  Since 1990, Microsoft has used staffing firms or has made sure it hired only those individuals it could certify as independent contractors.  (Sources:  Computerworld, 2/2/98 and PC Week, 2/23/98).

PERSONAL COMPUTERS FOR YOUR CAR
Sometime this summer, Clarion Corporation is expected to introduce its personal computer for your car.  With an expected list price of US$1,299, it will include a wireless modem and a voice recognition software and Microsoft's Auto PC software as the operating system.  The driver will be able to be able to make hands free cellular phone calls, download email, get digital directions as well as play music cd-roms. Ford and General Motors plan to introduce similar products in 1998.  To allow for Internet access, GM has developed a satellite dish that can be molded into the roof of the vehicle.

Johnson Controls and Highway Master have developed a rearview mirror that will respond to voice commands.  The mirror connects to a cellular phone network allowing for navigational assistance, roadside help, messaging and Internet access.  (Sources:  Computerworld, 2/16/98 and Wall Street Journal, 2/23/98).

ROBOTIC GOLF CADDY
GolfPro recently received a U.S. patent for its robotic golf caddy.  The self powered caddy will carry the golfer's clubs, respond to voice commands and calculate the distance to the hole.  It is able to avoid the hazards and navigate around the golf course using a digital map of the course and satellite signals.  GolfPro says the robotic caddy will observe proper golf etiquette.  (Source:  Computerworld, 2/23/98).

WEB SITES OF THE MONTH
The multimedia industry has their own awards for the best Web sites.  The Milia d'Or honors were awarded this month in Cannes, France.  Among the winners were Scoot best reference site, The (Virtual) Baguette www.baguette.com/cur/index best lifestyle and hobbies and News.com www.news.com best business and training site.  Scoot, an electronic yellow page directory, was selected for the simplicity that most other directories lack.  The (Virtual) Baguette is an on-line publication in both French and English.  News.com is a technology news site published by CNET, Inc.  (Source:  Wall Street Journal, 2/19/98).
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Technology Tidbits is published monthly by Jerry Price, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
© 1998 Jerry W. Price

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