Our man is caught in the S-P-E-L-L of a 900 number; did you ever wonder how to win phone contests? Here's one b-a-d idea

Article Abstract:

A contestant on 900-SPELLIT, an audiotex spelling game, uses a microcomputer in order to increase his speed only to find that computer assistance is against the rules. Spellit, charged at $1.99 per minute, is played by having contestants spell spoken words by pressing buttons on a telephone touchtone keypad. To win a $200 prize, contestants must spell 21 words correctly in two minutes or less, and the fastest time during a four-month period earns a $5,000 prize. David Stipp, a journalist researching the audiotex game, attempted to improve his time by programming a microcomputer to emit multifrequency tones corresponding to spelling words. Stipp was an instant winner with a time of 93 seconds. Fifteen minutes after his winning game, Stipp received a phone call from Maynard Small, Spellit's owner and president of Creative Marketing Associates, who inquired whether or not Stipp used a computer to score his winning time. When he said yes, Stipp was informed that his win was invalid. Spellit contestants may only play by using their own fingers on a touch tone keypad; no other equipment is permitted.

Usage, Computers, Laws, regulations and rules, Digital computers, Contests, Spelling Skills, Regulation, Audiotex, Audiotext services, Spelling games, Computer systems

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Concerns seek U.S. aid in race for technology

Article Abstract:

An industry group proposes a five-year, $250 million program, to be funded by both the national government and private companies, for the development and commercialization of prototype superconducting generators. The proposal is a response to Sumitomo Corp of Japan's Jan 1991 announcement that it had already created a prototype of the technology. The US group is led by General Electric Co, Westinghouse Electric Corp and Du Pont Co, and counts universities and government laboratories as members. The proposal aims at developing materials that can use new superconductors that transmit electricity without resistance. The technology offers the advantages of cheap power generation and more efficient electrical devices. The industry group expresses concern that the US is falling behind Japan in superconductor development. A Japanese industry-government consortium for long-term superconductor research already exists.

Semiconductors and related devices, Research, Semiconductor industry, Finance, Industrial research, High technology, Product introduction, International competition (Economics), Superconductors, Superconducting devices, Consortia, Research and Development, Proposal, Japanese Competition, Government Funding, New Technique, Superconductive Devices, Government aid, Consortium

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