Hypochondria strikes in the world of software

Press, 26 January 1988, Page 26

Hypochondria strikes in the world of software

By

NEILL BIRSS

No need to panic about the computer virus. Your microcomputer probably has as much chance of “contracting” it as you have of catching A.I.D.S. Reports from Australia last week were that a case of computer virus had been reported in Perth. The virus is a Trojan Horse program from Israel that eats up data stored on hard disks of IBM PC and compatible microcomputers. Trojan Horse programs have been around for years, but this one has been spotted in January, a slack time of the year for news, and it is reported to have some spectacular refinements such as being activated only on days when the computer clock indicates it is a Friday or the thirteenth of the month. Earlier Trojan Horses vary in perversity. On the computer’s being fired up some would flash an insulting message then cause the computer to crash; others wouild format the hard disk, destroying all programs and data on it. The virus appears to be a Trojan Horse that changes the boot (start-up) sector of the hard disk. Mr Gordon Findlay, one of Christchurch’s most knowledgeable microcomputer users and software writers (and the computer scientist at the University of Otago Medical School post in the city), does not see the virus posing any great danger to users. The virus will enter the system only on publicdomain software or pirate programs. Bulletin boards have been a notorious spot for catching such disorders. On a stand-alone microcomputer the cure is simple: a format of the hard disk. Mr Findlay concedes the problem could be more complicated in a network with a link to a minicomputer or mainframe. There are many anti-Trojan Horse programs about, and one is bound to be developed soon for the computer virus. It is like waiting for an A.I.D.S. vaccine, but much easier to develop. In the meantime, if you have a hard disk don’t play around with free and loose software. Expert systems New Zealand’s third expert systems conference will be held in Wellington from May 11 to 13. Run by the expert systems special interest group of the Computer Society, the conference will include formal papers, user presentations, panel sessions, and suppliers’ presentations. The organisers hope to hold a series of one and two-day tutorials immediately before the conference. Topics being considered include: an introduction to expert systems; Prolog; knowledge engineering; development methods; and “reasoning with uncertain knowledge.” Details about papers are available from Peter Andreae, of the Computer Science Department, Victoria University of Wellington. Andrew Mason, of ICL N.Z., Ltd, Box 394, Wellington, has information about the conference. Microsoft C 5.0 Microsoft has released version 5.0 of its C compiler. It includes QuickC, which allows developers to prototype applications through an in-memory compiler, editor, program-maintenance system, and debugger. QuickC is available separately, and the New Zealand agent, Brimaur, says it is an ideal compiler for beginners. Applications under C 5.0 can be ported directly to OS/2, the emerging IBM microcomputer standard. Version s.o’s C compiler is said to be about 30 per cent faster than that of Version 4.0. The release also has an enhanced version of the Code View debugger, better documentation, and more than 100 new library functions, including a graphics library and BIOS and DOS calls. Wang result Wang New Zealand reports a strong final halfyear for the 1987 calendar year. Revenue, at $35.1M, was up 14 per cent on the last half of 1986, and bookings (orders) were up 31 per cent at $47.9M. Wang Laboratories, the parent firm in America, reports revenues for the quarter ended December 31 up 17 per cent at SUS7B4.7M. Orders were up 13 per cent. AWA and libraries AWA Computers, whose URICA library-manage-ment package is used in 50 Australasian libraries, has put up $12,000 which will help an additional eight New Zealand librarians attend the Sydney conference of the International Federation of Library Associations in August. ICL system The Ministry for the Environment has signed a contract for ICL’s Officepower system. This will comprise a Clan super-mini computer, at least 100 terminals, and the Unix-based Officepower software. The main system will be based in Wellington, with DRS3OOs in Auckland and Christchurch, professional work stations in Dunedin, and laptop units for field work in remote areas. Officepower includes word processing, office automation facilities, and time-management tools. (It will also allow interchange of electronic mail with the Parliamentary system.) Digital strong Digital Equipment has reported a 32 per cent increase in net profit to $U5599,474M for the six months ended December 26. Revenue was up 23 per cent at SUSS.3I billion. Digital’s New Zealand manager, Mr Chris Harker, said revenues in this country had increased in line with the international results. Hong Kong Commodores Some plaudits for Commodore from Hong Kong, one of the citadels of Cloneland. The Hong Kong Education Department has ordered 600 MS-DOS personal computers from Commodore for first-form to fifth-form pupils taking computer studies. Eleven computers will go to each of the 54 Government and partly Government-financed schools by April. For 29 of the schools it will be the first time microcomputers have provided for pupils; for the other schools the Commodore PCI 0-11 machines will replace other models. The total price is SHK3.2M, about $NZ640,000, or a little over $lOOO a machine.