mikeh@lupine.UU.NET (Mike Harrigan) (02/10/90)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE UniForum `90 -- Booth #1252 NCD X WINDOW NETWORK DISPLAY STATION FAMILY ADDS COMPACT KEYBOARD GEARED TO UNIX USERS WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 23, 1990 -- A compact keyboard with key placement oriented to the special needs of UNIX users has been added by Network Computing Devices, Inc., as the fourth keyboard option available for its family of X Window network display stations. The new NCD 97-key UNIX keyboard is the first keyboard designed specifically for UNIX users based on feedback from those users, according to NCD executive vice president Judy Estrin. It was developed to address two problems often associated with standard keyboards -- large size and inconvenient key placement. "Certain keys -- e.g., ESCAPE, DELETE, CONTROL, ALT and TILDA -- that are used frequently in the UNIX environment are especially hard to reach on standard keyboards," Estrin said. "These keys have been strategically placed on our new keyboard to promote ease of use in such UNIX applications as the VI and EMACS editors." In addition, the UNIX keyboard, which measures 416 by 155 millimeters, takes up approximately one-third less desktop space than a standard PS/2-compatible keyboard. One of four keyboard options offered by NCD for its line of X Window displays, the UNIX keyboard joins a 101-key PS/2-style keyboard, a 105-key DEC LK201-style keyboard, and a 97-key Kana- character keyboard designed for Japanese users. Available 30 days after receipt of order, NCD's UNIX keyboard can be selected by the user at no extra charge as the keyboard bundled with any NCD X terminal. If bought separately the keyboard is priced at $150. Network Computing Devices, Inc., formed in February 1988, is a leading supplier of network display stations providing users simultaneous access to multi-vendor computers on a network via the industry-standard X Window System. The NCD16 (16-inch) and NCD19 (19-inch) monochrome displays, and the NCD17c (17-inch flat- screen) color display, offer workstation-style multi-user interfaces for users in the UNIX, VMS and ULTRIX operating system environments. A privately-held company, NCD has raised $17 million in two rounds of venture financing. Company Contact: Judy Estrin Network Computing Devices, Inc. (415) 694-0650 email: info@ncd.com Agency contacts: William Orrange Janis Ulevich Ulevich & Orrange, Inc. (415) 329-1590