PC dictionaries full of features, win more users

Article Abstract:

An increasing amount of computer users need dictionaries to help solve problems that spelling checkers cannot catch. Users need to know the definitions of words as often as the correct spelling. Electronic dictionaries allow for speedy searches and fit on one floppy disk or on a CD-ROM. Dictionaries have typically been expensive at $60 or more per dictionary, which is more than a hardcover dictionary and thesaurus costs. As the size of the average hard disk increases, users feel more comfortable allotting space to dictionaries. The 180,000-word Random House Webster's Electronic Dictionary has not sold well despite the reduction in size to just 9Mbytes. The Oxford English Dictionary, Second Edition has 616,000 words and costs $895 on compact disk.

Book publishing, Usage, Product introduction, Product Announcement, Databases, Random House Inc., End users, Database, User Need, Dictionary, Word Processing Add-On, Word processing utilities, Spelling checkers, Spell checkers, The Random House Webster's Electronic Dictionary & Thesaurus College Edition (Electronic book), The Oxford English Dictionary (Electronic book)

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Bright outlook for artificial intelligence yields to slow growth and big cutbacks

Article Abstract:

Artificial intelligence is growing much slower than expected by industry analysts and companies are being forced to downsize and slash employment to remain profitable. Annual sales were predicted to reach $4 billion by 1990 but actual sales are near $600 million. Artificial intelligence systems mimic ordinary human abilities and include computerized vision systems, speech recognition systems, robotic systems and expert systems. Expert systems, which are software systems that mimic the reasoning and decision making of specialists, makes up the largest market for artificial intelligence systems. Analysts blame the inability of artificial intelligence companies to understand the markets for their failure.

Analysis, Economic aspects, Technological forecasting, Artificial intelligence, Expert systems, Forecasting, Market Analysis, Future of Computing

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D&B to change software design to use PC more

Article Abstract:

Dun & Bradstreet Software, Framingham, MA, will use software tools from Powersoft Corp, Burlington, MA, to create software modules that will work with existing mainframe programs, allowing programmers to distribute processing between mainframes and microcomputers. Dun & Bradstreet is responding to a trend away from mainframes and toward computing on networks of PCs. The software that is planned is known as 'client-server' application software, which functions to facilitate efficient operations between mainframes and PCs. Dun & Bradstreet expects to ship its new software by the start of 1992. The company will not comment on pricing.

Product development, Product information, MIS, Management information systems, Client/server architecture, Software Design, Distributed Processing, Computer Software Industry, Micro-Mainframe Communication, Dun & Bradstreet Software Services Inc., Powersoft Corp.

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