F.C.C. moves to curb blab-o-matic sales pitches
Article Abstract:
The Federal Communications Commission is bringing in an array of regulations governing the use of automated telephone dialers. The regulations, which will go into effect in Dec 1992, apply to machines which automatically call telephone numbers, either sequentially or at random, and deliver a prerecorded message. Under the new law, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, telemarketers are prohibited from using recorded messages in unsolicited advertisements and consumers will be able to have their number excluded from those called by these autodialers. Also, companies must give their address or name immediately and release the line within five seconds of a customer's hanging up. Autodialers will be barred from calling emergency lines and those for which the party called can be charged, such as pagers or cellular telephones. However, tax-exempt organizations and survey researchers are not bound by the new rules, nor are companies with an established business relationship with the customer. The regulations are seen primarily as a threat to small telemarketers using inexpensive equipment. Larger operations that dial numbers automatically but switch to an operator when the line is answered are not affected.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1992
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New software for reading handwriting
Article Abstract:
Aha Software Corp introduces the $250 Inkwriter software that combines the ease and speed of handwriting with the processing power of hand-held computers. The product functions like a word processing program; it allows users to manipulate text via an electronic stylus and to store, print or fax the documents. Inkwriter also recognizes drawings and is able to work like graphics software to create basic graphs and charts, adjust the scale of drawings and move them across the screen. A similar product in the market is Ink Development Corp's $145 Notetaker but early users say that Aha's product seems to be faster than Notetaker. Inkwriter adds functionality to pen-based computers. The product will initially work with EO Computer Co's and Samsung's pen computers.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1993
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The games played for Nintendo's sales
Article Abstract:
Nintendo of America Inc is both revered and reviled for its marketing technique; it has almost singlehandedly revived the video game business into a $3.4 billion industry, but critics believe that the company is artificially controlling supply and increasing prices, on the way to becoming a monopoly. Peter Main, VP of marketing for the video game company, is in the forefront of the controversy. Using Main's strategies, the company is projected to have sold $2.7 billion in video game systems and cartridges in 1989, or 80 percent of the entire market. Success is quickly breeding imitation; as Nintendo positioned much of its initial product to attract Atari Corp's fans, NEC Technologies and Sega of America are seeking to convert Nintendo users.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1989
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