SOFTWARE SUITES
Don't count WordPerfect out. While the world was waiting for Microsoft to release its long awaited update to Office95, Corel's WordPerfect Suite almost tripled its market share. In 1996, Corel and Lotus increased their respective market shares to 35% and 6%. Microsoft continues to enjoy a significant lead in terms of revenue as its Office products are generally priced higher than its competitors. (Source: PC WEEK, 2/24/1997).

VIRUS UPDATE
McAfee Associates recently discovered a new virus, Sharefun.A., which inflects documents created with versions 6 and 7 of Microsoft's Word. While the virus does not destroy any data, it may launch MS Mail and attach infected attachments to outgoing mail sent to three randomly selected recipients. The infected document will have a subject line of "You have GOT to read this!" This is the same subject line used by the Good Time virus hoax. Damage to Word's macro template occurs when the recipient actually opens the document. McAfee offers a free beta version of VirusScan which can detect and remove the Sharefun.A. virus. The beta version of VirusScan can be downloaded from McAfee at www.mcafee.com. (Sources: PC WEEK, 3/3/97 and CommunicationsWeek, 2/24/1997).

GLOBAL 800 TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Later this spring, businesses will be able to establish toll-free phone numbers that will be accessible from at least twenty different countries. These new 800 numbers will allow businesses to have one world wide 800 number for use by their customers seeking technical support, product information or to place an order. Another benefit of these numbers is that their overseas staff will be able to call headquarters without incurring toll charges. So far, about 15,000 numbers have been reserved. The Global 800 numbers, formally known as Universal International Freephone Numbers, are assigned by the International Telecommunication Union. (Source: CommunicationsWeek, 3/17/97).

WEB SITES OF THE MONTH
Looking for an April Fool's joke to pull on a friend? You know, something harmless like a fake e-mail message or press release. If so, Aprilfools may be a site to check out www.aprilfools.com. Note: there is a small charge for some of the services offered. For more April Fool's ideas, the Archive of Internet April Fool's may be of interest. Its address is: 2meta.com/april-fools. (Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/31/1997). _________________________________________________________________
Technology Tidbits is published monthly by Jerry Price, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
© 1997 Jerry W. Price

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