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Politics : RAMTRONIAN's Cache Inn -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Gutterball who wrote (7076)	4/30/1999 2:46:00 PM
From: Technored	Respond to of 14464

Thanks, Dan. I have some questions as well. It looks as if most of the investor interest has evaporated, but the superior technology still exists. At this time, for example, one would wonder if the zero-fatigue PZT formulation for FRAM has made any progress. Of course I sold when some time ago, but RMTR may be a buy if the capital structure problems can be worked out. The deathspiral tricks have torpedoed several small companies that were in a bind for cash. The crooks who run that racket have done very well indeed. It is easy to short anything from Canadian brokerages. So far I don't think there has been a real civil-RICO counterattack, but the legal tests of 'pattern' and 'enterprise' seem to be satisfied. Though a J.D., NightOwl has been psychologically defeated, and does not want to think about RMTR. Can't blame him. I still follow the story, but I don't exactly counsel anyone to run out and buy the shares. By now RMTR is like a biotech that is burning up remaining cash. Can they make enough from product sales to avoid going under? If there is a reverse split, the price might decline such that RMTR would be attractive as a severely undervalued situation... if the structural problems can be settled. And what about the Benton shares? Regards and Good Luck, Logan

To: Gutterball who wrote (7076)	5/10/1999 1:44:00 PM
From: Technored	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 14464

Ramtron Expands Memory Marketplace With High-Density, Non-Volatile FRAM FM1608 8Kx8 Bytewide FRAM Offers Alternative for Battery-Backed SRAM Users COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 10, 1999--Ramtron, Inc., a leading developer of memory products, today announced the market introduction and availability of the FM1608 8Kx8 Bytewide FRAM, becoming the first company to produce a commercial 64Kb FRAM product. Now developers of office equipment, industrial controls and telecom/datacom storage devices can leverage a high-density FRAM alternative to traditional battery-backed SRAM configurations to achieve high reliability, superior performance and lower costs. ''Ramtron is very excited about introducing the FM1608 because it marks the emergence of FRAM technology into the mainstream,'' said Michael Alwais, director of marketing at Ramtron. ''Ramtron's recent move to a fabless business model has allowed us to devote more resources to developing new technologies, such as high-density FRAM. The commercial availability of FRAM will inspire more demand in the memory marketplace and ultimately lead to further advances in memory technology and density.'' FRAM memory combines the high-speed and endurance of widely used dynamic and static random access memories and the ability to store information without relying on the power of read-only memory, or ROM. FRAM memory is ideal for a host of consumer and industrial electronics products, including communication products, industrial control and metering systems, palmtop computers and other applications where nonvolatile data storage is critical. The FM1608 provides operation comparable to battery-backed SRAM (BBSRAM) without the batteries. The product's superior write features provide new system capability for developers that can't employ BBSRAM. Furthermore, like serial FRAM-products, the FM1608 also replaces pin-compatible EEPROM-based products with no write delay and much higher write endurance. Product Features Using an advanced 0.5-m FRAM process, the FM1608 is the first truly nonvolatile RAM. No batteries are required, and the product is free from the limitations of shadow EEPROMs and so-called NOVRAMs. Read and write access times are equal, and the technology provides over 10 billion read/write cycles. Data retention meets industry expectations. The FM1608 features 120 nS read or write access time, 1e10 read/write cycles, 15 mA active current and a 10-mA standby current. Industrial temperature is -40C to +85C, 28-pin DIP or SOP. Compared to battery-backed SRAM, Ramtron's FM1608 offers superior reliability; battery-free handling; a true surface mount solution; and better performance in harsh environments such as humidity, shock and vibration. Since data loss due to battery failures can't occur, the product achieves high data integrity, and there are no environmental concerns over battery disposal. The FM1608 is more cost-effective than BBSRAM modules and much easier to use than discrete implementations. Pricing and Availability Soon to be in mass production at Ramtron's foundry partner, the FM1608 demonstrates the company's successful move to a fabless strategy. Samples of the FM1608 8Kx8 Bytewide FRAM are available immediately, with pre-production quantities available in 3Q99. Full production is set for 4Q99. The introduction price is $2.50 at 10K. About Ramtron Ramtron International Corporation (Nasdaq: RMTR - news) is dedicated to the design, development, and sale of ferroelectric RAM memory ''FRAM®'' products. The company also develops and markets high-speed enhanced DRAM ''EDRAM®'' products through its wholly owned subsidiary, Enhanced Memory Systems Inc. Both companies are headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Contact: Ramtron Michael Alwais, 719/481-7131 alwais@ramtron.com or Pacifico, Inc. Darlene Perry, 408/293-8600 dperry@pacifico.com