A new breed of wildcatter for the 90's: with ideas as their grub stakes, Texans are striking silicon gold

Article Abstract:

Technology has overtaken energy as the largest employer in Texas since 1995. Investments in surging industries, including computers and electronics, have helped the state economy far outperform the US' economy. Industry payrolls are jumping twice as fast as the national average, while Compaq and Dell rank among the world's top three PC manufacturers. The city of Austin, which has grown faster in the 1990s that any major US city outside of Las Vegas, NV, boasts the highest American concentration of chip plants except Silicon Valley. By comparison, the stagnating oil industry experienced a boom in the early 1980s and low prices in the early 1990s. Many technology developers are young and educated California transplants who work long hours in hopes of attaining a share of the new wealth. The newcomers also are importing their inflated housing budgets and coastal tastes, such as brew pubs and bagel shops.

Computer industry, Forecasts and trends, Industry trend, Electronics industry, Texas

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Can E.D.S. remove that frown from a big investor's face?

Article Abstract:

Electronic Data Systems (EDS) has been named one of the worst corporate performers, according to the California Public Employees' Retirement System (Calpers), for its poor financial showings, poor shareholder returns and poor corporate governance. Calpers, which also owns 2.4 million shares of EDS, also has presented a shareholder resolution to remove Lester M. Alberthal from his position as EDS chmn and transfer that job to an independent director. EDS executives have blasted the Calpers list for blaming its past actions, but the largest US independent computer services provider is unlikely to improve its situation until at least later in 1998. The EDS peak share price of $63.375 in Oct 1996 has declined 25% to $47.25 as of Mar 13, 1998. Calpers, an institutional investor giant with a $128 billion stock portfolio, says five of the 11 EDS board members either work for or do business with the company.

Data processing and preparation, Computer Service Bureaus, Management, Computer services industry, Information technology services industry, Investments, Electronic Data Systems Corp., EDS, Investor relations, Alberthal, Lester M., Jr., California Public Employees Retirement System, Company Business Management

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F.B.I. set to open its DNA database for fighting crime; some fear privacy, others see efficient detection and fewer repeat offenses as records are unified

Article Abstract:

The Federal Bureau of Investigations will open a national DNA database tomorrow that advocates say could reduce the incidence of rape and other crimes by helping to catch repeat offenders earlier. The database, with new generation DNA techniques, promises to be so effective that some civil libertarians fear it will be expanded from people who commit crimes to include almost everyone, giving the Government inordinate investigative powers over citizens. The national DNA database consists of 50 databases run by the states but unified by common test procedures and software designed by the FBI. It will be possible to compare a DNA sample from a suspect or a crime scene in one state with all others in the system. But the system still faces many unresolved issues, which are likely to play out according to the reaction of the public and the courts.

Comment:

FBI will open a national DNA database

United States, Services introduction, New Products/Services, Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities, Police Protection, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Investigative Procedures, State & Local Government DP Services, Investigations, Government information technology services, Article

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