Delrina, maker of the popular PC fax program WinFax Pro, has released a new network product: WinFax Pro for Networks. Local Area Network users can send and receive faxes without leaving their desks. The software supports multiple fax servers. It also includes Optical Character Recognition (OCR) of incoming faxes, thereby translating them into text documents for flexible storage.

Word for Windows 6.0 (and the recently-released version 6.0a) includes an AutoCorrect feature to automatically correct common typing errors. The feature also "learns" from your habits and gets better through use. Word for Windows also includes AutoText, which replaces keywords with commonly-used passages, as you type.

Windows 3.11 is now available. This new version replaces device drivers to improve operating reliability. However, no performance-related changes were made to this version.

Excel 5.0 includes support for Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) 2.0. This long-awaited OLE upgrade allows Windows users to more easily share information between multiple software programs. A portion of an Excel worksheet can now effectively be embedded within a word processing document.

Intel Corporation has released the DX4 chip. Based on the popular i486 microprocessor, the DX4 is available in a 100MHz configuration. At this speed, it rivals the capabilities of the more expensive Pentium processor. The Pentium chip is more efficient at floating point math operations; however, most office tasks are not math intensive.

A proficient computer user will see significant productivity boosts by using the new 100MHz chip. Database and spreadsheet users should take a close look at the new microprocessor options when selecting their next PC.

While not a new technology, Thomas-Conrad's TCNS adapter is leading the market for top-speed network interface cards. Using a token-passing scheme, the TCNS cards offer 100Mbit/second performance, over 10 times faster than most Ethernet connections. Server to server connections as well as heavy database management workstations run at full speed using these cards. For most applications. The cards use standard Thomas-Conrad device drivers, and are compatible with Novell NetWare.

If you're a Windows user, consider a 17" or larger monitor. Most large-size monitors also support 1028 x 1024 resolution. The combination of larger viewable screen area and higher resolution allow multiple windows to be displayed at the same time. VeiwSonic manufactures a 17" monitor that recently won high-performance and low-price awards from a nationally-recognized computer magazine.

Accountants and lawyers have discovered the benefit of researching technical documents on CD-ROM. Keyword and context searches make short work of an otherwise tedious process.

NEC now offers a triple-spin CD player that is setting speed records for information retrieval. Even if you're not an accountant or lawyer, professional societies in your area of expertise probably offer CD-based documentation as an alternative to bound documents.

All of the products mentioned are available from your computer dealer. If you would like more information about how these, or other products that you're considering, can improve your productivity, drop me a line. I'm always available via electronic mail.

David Stephen Murphy is President and CEO of Damar Group, Ltd. which presents computer training classes, publishes computer learning guides, and helps organizations do business on the Internet. The website is http://dgl.com, and Mr. Murphy may be reached at dave@dgl.com or 410.567.5366.

updated November 2, 1996
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