Inside Nikkei PC 21, Intranet, and DOS/V

A more interesting article in the August issue is "¥100,000 PCs This Summer?" by Ken-ichi Miyasaka. This article investigates two sources of computers priced in the ¥100,000 to ¥200,000 range: "outlets" (stores that sell models left over from previous selling seasons) and "shop brands." Outlets enjoyed good sales in spring '97 because more buyers with an eye on their wallets came knowing "how good is good enough" for their needs. Also, disappointing 1996 sales of "new" computers put three "generations" (spring '96, winter '96, and then-current spring '97) of PCs on the shelves.

Miyasaka reasons that the price difference between MMX and non-MMX machines was large, and MMX software was not yet out in number. Also, the pre-consumption tax hike sales spurt helped drive outlet sales. However, the current selection at outlets may not be as attractive since the price differential between new and old models of MMX machines will be not so great as the MMX vs. non-MMX choices of the spring.

"Shop brand" computers in the ¥100,000 range are often bought as a second machine, writes Miyasaka. These units, marketed in limited quantity (a few thousand units) by major PC specialty stores, feature the latest Intel-compatible CPUs, plenty of RAM, and other new technology parts, putting them on par with units by major PC makers priced in the upper ¥200,000 range.

Other articles in the August Nikkei PC 21 include the results of an October 1996 MPT survey of over 1,500 companies regarding their data security and backup measures, and their Internet-related hopes. The business section reports on telecommuting in Hokkaido.

Intranet (¥980, from Softbank) is a relatively new monthly magazine chockfull of news, interviews, and corporate-oriented practical advice. Intranet has a technical tie-up with PC Magazine and Internet Business Advantage. The top story of the August Intranet discusses the form of the next generation of network computing architecture (NCA) and features comments by industry leaders Oracle, IBM Japan, Sun Microsystems Japan, Fujitsu, and NEC. Part two of the feature examines the steps being taken to introduce NCA, while part three looks at NC applications.

August's top story reports that Oracle sees the Network Computer's (NC's) ease of use as being an advantage, especially when introducing computing to managers who may not yet have had the chance to use computers in their work. The important points of NCA emphasized by Oracle are the capability to handle huge volumes of data that are simultaneously accessible by many users. Not surprisingly, Sun places importance on promoting the diffusion of Java applications, especially among ISVs (independent software vendors). Writer Hideo Kobayashi sums up his article by saying that Japanese computer makers like NEC and Fujitsu seem to see the network as a base for application development. He muses that although all the major industry players are looking into NCA, its shape will not be clear until "killer apps" surface for NCs.

The other major story of the August issue looks at how homepages for company intranets should be constructed and used. The article's focuses include what content to include, ten important basic tips, and pointers to resources on the Internet that offer free downloadable icons and CGI scripts to make chat boards, company schedules, surveys, etc. The article also offers several examples of site structures and talks with intranet administrators at three companies.

DOS/V Magazine (¥890, from Softbank), published on the 1st and 15th of each month, is a mainstay on Japanese magazine racks. The top feature in the July 15th issue considers the shape of computers in the year 2001.

The first section attempts to forecast developments for the year 2001 in the computing environment, user interface, role of cable TV in networks, and multimedia data distribution, as well as the main computer elements: processor, bus, memory, and storage. In part two, DOS/V constructs a computer to last into 2001 using currently available parts and components, while part three looks at current computer models and rates their "2001-ness." Most models score in the 80%-85% range.

Part one of the feature is perhaps the most interesting section, particularly regarding the computing environment of 2001. Writer Satoshi Yoneda sees a migration of computers into more specialized forms and a trend - especially in the office - toward greater ease of use (such as seen in the move toward network computers). Yoneda also hypothesizes the rise of the household network, where various appliances will each have their own IP address on the home network. This means, for example, that you could monitor the bath water you're heating while working on your computer.

DVD will become widely used, the writer hypothesizes, but will not replace hard disks because its access time is slower. In networking, analog modems will die out and fiber-optics or cable will be the replacements that enable high-speed 250K-bps bandwidth networks. As for the interface, Yoneda suggests that the keyboard and mouse will still be around in 2001 because alternatives such as voice input - while usable in some areas - will not be sufficiently fast.

Other top features in this issue include an examination of high-speed Internet connection possibilities: OCN, 56K-bps modems (the technology behind it, and what providers are doing to support it), and cable modems. Another story looks at the recent wave of handheld PCs and palmtops hitting the market: Casio's Cassiopeia, Fujitsu's INTERTop, and US Robotic's Palm Pilot. There also is a report on the Computex Taipei show, and a comparison of photo touchup programs (with visual comparisons of the result of various effects/functions applied to images by the various applications).