According to a news item in Informationweek's Nov 15th issue, Powersoft
Corp has signed a letter of intent to acquire the outstanding shares of
Watcom Corp, a Waterloo, Ontario maker of application development tools.
Powersoft has been bundling Watcom's database engine in their Enterprise
series of application development tools. Now the two will further
integrate their products, as well as their distribution and marketing
capabilities. The deal should be completed early next year.

Apple is expected to introduce Macintosh PCs that run both Macintosh and
IBM compatible software. The machines will run Microsoft Windows and DOS
software on an Intel 486 microprocessor besides running Mac programs on a
Motorola processor. An add-on board with a crossover chip will let users
switch between processors without shutting off the machine. Sounds similar
to older Amiga Bridgboard capabilities.

Central Point Software is merging with XTree Co. according to reports in a
recent issue of Informationweek. XTree's products, including XTreeNet for
NetWare and XTree Tools for Networks, will be folded into Central Point's
new Network Product Group.

IBM PC Co. stopped shipments of its popular ThinkPad 500 monochrome
subnotebook in early November after customer reported technical problems
with the battery. Final decision on a resolution should be forthcoming in
a few weeks. Despite the malfunction, supposedly IBM PC says it has no
plans to discontinue the model. The ThinkPad 500 uses a lead-based battery
instead of the nickel metal hydride battery used in all other ThinkPad
models.

Computer Associates International Inc. unveiled the first major release of
Realizer since CA acquired the Basic language compiler in 1991. The new
Version 2 allows Windows applications writtin in Realizer to be recompiled
and run natively on OS/2 and vice versa. The new release is the only
product that is source-code-compatible between OS/2 and Windows, according
to CA. Realizer will become CA's cross-platform macro language, similar to
Microsoft's Visual Basic for Applications, and will be bundled into CA
applications Complete and Supercalc. CA-Realizer 2.0 will sell for $99
until April.

Children as young as pre-school can learn the basic principals of computer
programming by using one of their favorite toys: building blocks. A
well-known computer manufacturer has developed a set of blocks called
"Algoblock" to teach very basic programming principals. Children can
discuss the activity amongst themselves and execute commands by connecting
the blocks, which takes the place of typing commands into a keyboard. Each
block corresponds to a command of the program language and has a lamp that
flashes when a command is executed. The indication lamps enable learners
to trace programs. In addition, Algoblock has a feature that allows
children to trace the program step by step, which aids in understanding
how the program is built. Algoblocks have been "tested" by children in
Japan, who seemed immediately interested, trying them out without much
explanation.

Seymour Rubinstein, founder of MicroPro International (WordStar) and
developer of Quattro Pro, has announced his next project -- UDICO or User
Driven Interface Corp. The first new product WYSI-Help is a help authoring
system. With WYSI-Help, anyone can put together a comprehensive,
context-sensitive help system including hyperlinked text and external
program invocation for any application or application grouping. You can
generate customized help systems that are easy to understand and are ready
for immediate use. Additional ground-breaking products scheduled for
future release will be discussed in the coming weeks!

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