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Microcap & Penny Stocks : Patriot Scientific - PTSC -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: BEACHCOMBER who wrote (4661)	4/2/1998 12:39:00 AM
From: bob	Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 8581

ALL, Here's an item of interest to all of us. We might still have a shot at some of this business: TCI keeping Microsoft at arm's length By Jim Davis Staff Writer, CNET NEWS.COM April 1, 1998, 4:45 p.m. PT True to earlier promises to limit Microsoft's clout in the emerging market for next-generation TV set-top cable boxes, Tele-Communications Incorporated is expected to use operating system software from Sun Microsystems and possibly Sony. In what was seen as a surprise development, in January TCI reached an agreement to use Microsoft's Windows CE operating system in up to 5 million interactive TV set-top boxes. But TCI is not playing favorites with the software giant: The cable TV operator has told analysts that it intends to use other OS software technology as part of a plan to offer a variety of digital set-top boxes with different levels of features. "TCI is increasingly interested in a real-time operating system [from Sun and Sony]. They are better for telephony and gaming because of latency issues," said Michael Harris, president of Kinetic Strategies, making an observation confirmed by others who attended a recent meeting at company headquarters in Englewood, Colorado. A "real time" system differs from that used in typical desktop PCs because the operating system tasks are handled within strict time constraints. High-tech heavyweights such as Microsoft and Sun are interested in getting their products into the boxes that sit atop tens of millions of TV sets because they provide a valuable growth opportunity as demand in traditional PC desktop and server markets levels off. TCI executives did not return phone calls today, but the company has already indicated that some of its boxes will use PersonalJava--which is not an OS but a middle layer of software. In the meantime, there is a protracted, deafening silence as TCI and Microsoft continue to negotiate over financing the deployment of Windows CE-based set-top boxes, as CNET's NEWS.COM first reported in February. Contemporary cable set-top boxes now do little more than change TV channels, but in the future they will be able to offer services such as electronic programming guides, video on demand, email service, Internet browsing, telephony, and more. The Sun operating system that TCI is considering is called JavaOS for Consumers, a hybrid of PersonalJava and Chorus, a real-time operating system that Sun purchased last year. JavaOS for Consumers is designed to take up less memory, and technology acquired from Diba allows for the support of different display resolutions and fonts without using a separate graphics chip like other technologies require, said Troy Toman, group marketing manager for embedded systems with the SunSoft unit at Sun. While avoiding talk of possible deals with TCI, Toman coyly noted that "announcements are interesting, but what is most interesting is what's in the box when TCI starts shipping," referring to TCI's intention to favor the most practical OS and not perpetuate the Microsoft-centric paradigm of the PC world. Sun isn't the only option to Microsoft's Windows CE that TCI is exploring. Sony has an operating system called "Perios" that the cable company is looking at, according to analysts. Separately, Sony has been working with set-top box maker General Instrument, the company which is manufacturing TCI's set-top boxes, to develop devices that would serve as a hub for PC and consumer electronics devices in the home, all linked together by FireWire technology. "There is a predilection on the part of TCI and many others to [use] many operating systems in addition to or in lieu of Windows CE but with Java running on top," says Cynthia Brumfield, an analyst with Paul Kagan Associates. "I don't think cable has it all parsed out on how everything will fit together," she cautions. "This is the last critical step in forming how these boxes will look." But focusing on the operating system could be missing the point, according to Brumfield. "To some extent, the OS is irrelevant. In terms of what developers will write to, [the application programming interfaces (APIs)] will create the incentive for people to create applications," she said. APIs go hand-in-hand with the OS in the PC world, she said, but cable industry executives are trying to ensure that this isn't the case with regard to set-top boxes, so as to not give any one company too much power. An API helps separate the application and the OS to make it easier for programs to be reused on other platforms. A formal industry initiative called the OpenCable project is also going to address the issue of defining this middle layer of software. The project is being headed by the CableLabs, a research and development consortium of cable television system operators. As part of its attempt to develop a set of hardware and software standards for digital set-top boxes, CableLabs is expected to publish a specification for APIs by May which will include a mixture of technologies from Microsoft and Sun, among others. Cap

To: BEACHCOMBER who wrote (4661)	4/2/1998 2:55:00 AM
From: Timezone	Respond to of 8581

Beachcomber, I have read your previous posts and understand now that you have had a bit of an education by fire on this thread. If you don't mind my asking though, what is your position in the company and have you been adding recently? I am a trial member with an ADGI addiction. I like this company but am extremely cautious about getting in because of the potential of larger firms to roll over PTSC, or lower their price temporarily (picojava) to drive the schboom into oblivion. The fact that PTSC is now the only chip on the merchant market makes the stock very tasty though. Your rumour adds to the calorific value. Interesting...

To: BEACHCOMBER who wrote (4661)	4/3/1998 1:32:00 AM
From: cksla	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 8581

beachcomber- ran across this article and thought of you: MGM to Release New and Library Titles on Divx SANTA MONICA, Calif. and HERNDON, Va., March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Expanding the platforms for its 4,000-title film library and new films, Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer Inc. (NYSE: MGM - news) today jointly announced with Digital Video Express that a multi-year agreement had been reached between the companies under which MGM titles will be available on Divx discs. In addition to an array of library titles, all new MGM video titles will be released on Divx concurrent with video rental releases. The Divx system is an enhanced DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) model that provides digital-quality picture and sound and significant anti-piracy protections, as well as greater consumer convenience. ''For MGM, the Divx concept simply expands the venues for our product and, as a new means to reach the consumer marketplace in a quality format, is consistent with our strategy of maximizing our library assets,'' said David Bishop, President, MGM Home Entertainment. ''With its new paradigm for delivering feature films into our homes, Divx has the potential to grow the digital marketplace, to attract new DVD followers, and to enhance the quality of the home theater experience.'' ''We believe that many home video consumers will appreciate the opportunity to purchase and view MGM titles -- including the newest and most successful of our James Bond series, Tomorrow Never Dies -- through the Divx system,'' he added. ''We are pleased to have earned the support of this venerable studio,'' said Richard L. Sharp, chairman and chief executive officer of Digital Video Express, developer of the Divx system. ''MGM's support for Divx helps build momentum for the launch of Divx in two cities later this spring and expands the number of feature titles available in this convenient and economical digital format.'' Divx is a revolutionary new system for watching feature movies at home. Consumers purchase a special encrypted movie disc that contains a two-day viewing period. The 48-hour viewing window begins not when consumers leave the store, but only after they begin playing the disc for the first time, either on the day of purchase, the following week, or months later. Because the disc never has to be returned, consumers incur no late fees and can economically build a home video library. Additional viewing periods, including the option to convert the disc to unlimited play, can be purchased through the Divx player. Divx also expects to make ample supply available so consumers can easily find the movies they want to watch. Divx-equipped DVD players will play all basic DVD discs, but the lower-cost Divx discs cannot be played on basic DVD players. Following a two-city introduction this spring, Divx discs and players will be available nationally beginning in late summer. Five other studios have long-term agreements with Divx. Digital Video Express is a partnership between Richmond, Virginia-based Circuit City Stores, Inc. (NYSE: CC - news, KMX - news), the nation's leading retailer of name-brand consumer electronics, and a prominent Los Angeles entertainment law firm. For more information, visit Divx on the Internet at www.divx.com Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of entertainment product, including motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, licensed merchandise, a 4,000-title film library, a 6,700-title home video library, and a significant television library. The company's operating units include MGM Pictures, United Artists Pictures, Orion Pictures, Goldwyn Films, MGM Worldwide Television Group, MGM Distribution Co., MGM Home Entertainment and Consumer Products Group, MGM Music, and MGM Interactive, among others. For more information on MGM, visit the MGM Online mgm.com. This announcement contains forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks associated with the development of new business concepts. Additional discussion of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management's projections, forecasts, estimates, and expectations are contained in the companies' SEC filings.