False starts aside, virtual reality finds new roles

Article Abstract:

Virtual reality technology may fulfill its potential for business with Sun Microsystems' Feb 1998 acquisition of VPL Research's patent portfolio. Terms called for Sun to pay $4 million for settling debts in exchange for about 35 patent applications, 12 of them already granted, while other intellectual VPL's patents and intellectual property had been stymied in bankruptcy court since 1994. Sun has tightened patents that range from manipulating 3D environments by hand to operating first-person point-of-view games like Doom on the Internet, according to many observers. The now-defunct VPL Research introduced virtual reality in the 1980s. Greenleaf Medical Systems founder and Pres Walter Greenleaf, whose company holds VPL's rights to virtual reality medical applications, said the VPL Research patent portfolio probably will influence commercial and noncommercial computer use until 2008. Greenleaf's patent custody strategy prevented military contractor Thomson-CSF's move to seize all of VPL Research's patents.

Computer peripheral equipment, not elsewhere classified, Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing, Magnetic Card & Character Readers, Mergers, acquisitions and divestments, Company acquisition/merger, Equipment and supplies, Sun Microsystems Inc., SUNW, Virtual reality devices, Virtual reality, Virtual reality device, VPL Research Inc.

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Managing sales with software

Article Abstract:

The advent of sales-automation computer programs has made it possible for small businesses to concentrate on building up their client base rather than dealing with various administrative tasks. These small business are also able to cut costs and allows them more growth opportunities.

Computer Software, Innovations, Software, Small business, Sales management

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The perfect presentation

Article Abstract:

A simpler form of graphics software targeted to small business and consumers can help those not familiar with graphics software create material for presentations quickly and easily. Three programs are discussed: ClarisImpact ($149), Visio ($199), and ABC SnapGraphics ($99).

Graphics Software Pkgs (Micro), Usage, Graphics software

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