AT&T
Beginning March 14, AT&T will offer five hours per month of free Internet access to its long distance customers. Additional time is $2.50 per hour or $20 per month for unlimited access. This offer is good for one year, after which it is expected that AT&T will charge $5 to $10 per month for the service. Users will be offered PPP or SLIP access at 14.4 k.p.s or 28.8 k.p.s. E-mail will be available although you will need to store your mail on your own computer.

To sign up for the service, call AT&T at 1-800-967-5363. AT&T will mail you a special version of Netscape's Navigator software (Windows 3.x). The Windows 95 version is in beta testing and the Macintosh version should be ready "soon". The system requirements are 8mb RAM and 11mb of hard drive space. (Source: Chicago Tribune; 3/3/1996).

PACKARD-BELL & ZENITH
Look for Zenith Data Systems to be merged into Packard-Bell creating the largest producer of personal computers in the US. The third party to the deal is Japan's NEC which is expected to infuse $238 million. NEC already owns 20% of Packard-Bell as well as 17% of Zenith Data Systems' parent corporation Cle. des Machines Bull. After the merger, Packard-Bell is expected to ship 2.9 million units and capture 13% of the US market. (Source: PC Week, 1/12/1996 and InfoWorld, 2/12/1996).

WORDPERFECT
Look for Coral to release Perfect Office version 7.0 for Windows 95 in April. Beta testers are pleased with the new 32 bit suite. The suite will include WordPerfect, Quattro Pro, Presentations, Info Center (a personal information manager), the document exchange program Envoy and Netscape's Navigator program. The professional edition will have the Paradox database and Groupwise e-mail. One of the new features include the ability to import and export Hypertext Markup Language to and from WordPerfect and the ability to link Quattro Pro to World Wide Web pages. (Source: InfoWorld; 2/12/1996).

WEB SITE OF THE MONTH
The "Wacky Patent of the Month" is a web site that should appeal to your lighter side. Each month, this site highlights a different U.S. Patent including the patent application and illustrations. The Wacky Patent of the Month is located at: www.colitz.com/site/wacky.htm"
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Technology Tidbits is published monthly by Jerry Price, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
© 1996 Jerry W. Price

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