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ELECTRONICSTALK
The Independent Weekly Product Information Guide
for Electronics Design, Development and Manufacturing Engineers
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ISSN 1475-2913 - Free subscription
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 131: 16 September 2003
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12665 product announcements and technical articles
on our web site, all fully searchable at
http://www.electronicstalk.com/ - take a look!
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In this issue:
* Editor's Message
* Our Top Ten new Products Selection
[1] Top performance from 8051 microcontroller
[2] Beta scheme gives early access to new Linux kernel
[3] Budget intro to C-based system-level design
[4] Lead-free paste set to clean up
[5] SBC runs cooler with latest Celeron processor
[6] Soft basestation extends to 3.5G for faster data
[7] Plasma panel range expands to jumbo size
[8] Speedy samplers aid mixed-signal testing
[9] Lasers integrate optics and single-mode fibre
[10] Analyser puts PCI Express to the test
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* ...And take a look at these stories too...
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
I guess it's one of those good old chestnuts - "a problem is just a solution that hasn't happened yet" - or words to that effect. But it wasn't all that long ago that the press was full of stories concerning the abuse (or potential abuse) of the current generation of camera-equipped wireless devices.
Now, two UK companies have come up with an elegant solution, and are busy canvassing both operators and manufacturers to adopt the new technology, known as Safe Haven.
The announcements from both Iceberg Systems and Sensaura are detailed below, but the crux of the system is a transmitter that establishes the so-called Safe Haven by sending a disabling signal to any device that comes within its range.
The limiting factor to Safe Haven is that it can only work if all parties subscribe to the technology - which would be excellent news for Iceberg Systems and Sensaura - as it would surely require complete unity between all network operators for Safe Haven to be adopted as a standard.
Certainly, any further scare stories in the media about industrial espionage, paedophilia, invasions of privacy and the like will only help the cause.
I hope you find this issue of our weekly newsletter useful. In addition to the new products, news and ideas featured here, there are hundreds more on our website and dozens more being added daily, so do take a look if you can.
Alternatively, the full stories behind all the summaries and headlines in this newsletter can be retrieved by email alone: see details below.
In the meantime, if you have any suggestions as to how we might make the site or the newsletter better, email me directly.
Best wishes
Laurence Marchini, Editor
mailto:ne[-email removed-]nicstalk.com
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THIS WEEK'S INDUSTRY NEWS
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To read more, use the web links. Or get the full stories emailed back to you: just send a blank email to the address shown. It's a free service. Try it! It works!
INCREASED BOOKINGS REVISE Q3 GUIDANCE
ON Semiconductor has upgraded its forecast for third-quarter revenues.
ON Semiconductor, 10 September 2003
mailto:onw1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/onw/onw119.html
SENSOR BUSINESS UNIT TO RELOCATE
Allegro MicroSystems is to relocate its Sensor Business Unit to a facility adjacent to the recently expanded Municipal Airport at Manchester, New Hampshire, USA.
Allegro MicroSystems Europe, 10 September 2003
mailto:alb1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/alb/alb153.html
REDUCED COSTS PAY OFF FOR FARNELL
Premier Farnell has published its results for the second quarter and half year.
Farnell, 10 September 2003
mailto:far1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/far/far129.html
RELOCATION TRIPLES SPACE FOR CROSS LINK
Electronics components specialist the Cross Link Group has relocated across the M3 into premises three times the size of its former home.
Cross Link Group, 12 September 2003
mailto:cos1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cos/cos101.html
CHELTON ACQUIRES ERA TECHNOLOGY
ERA Technology has reached agreement to sell its entire issued share capital to Chelton in a transaction scheduled for completion this month.
ERA Technology, 11 September 2003
mailto:era1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/era/era110.html
FAB CONSOLIDATION COMPLETED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
Bookham Technology has completed a major cost reduction initiative in the consolidation of its two main wafer fab facilities.
Bookham Technology, 15 September 2003
mailto:boo1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/boo/boo134.html
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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1. Top performance from 8051 microcontroller
The C8051F120 microcontroller family combines a 100MIPS (peak) 8051 CPU with a two-cycle 16x16 MAC unit, setting a new standard for 8051 computation capability. C8051F120 family devices include 128Kbyte Flash memory, 8448byte RAM, and are packaged in either 100- or 64-pin TQFPs. On-chip peripherals include a 12bit 100Ksample/s ADC, two 12bit DACs, a 2% internal oscillator, temperature sensor, voltage reference, two UARTs, and much more. C8051F120 family devices start at $9.44 in 10,000-piece quantities.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/cyg/106/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cyg/cyg106.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cyg1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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2. Beta scheme gives early access to new Linux kernel
LynuxWorks has begun a public beta testing programme for the latest version of its embedded Linux operating system (OS), BlueCat Linux 5.0, based on the Linux 2.6 kernel. BlueCat Linux 5.0 represents a single source of stable, commercial-grade embedded Linux technology that provides the flexibility and cost benefits of open-source software. BlueCat Linux 5.0 beta is now available for developers who are interested in testing the Linux 2.6 kernel for a wide range of development applications from small consumer-type devices to large-scale systems.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/lyn/146/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lyn/lyn146.html
or send a blank email to mailto:lyn1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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3. Budget intro to C-based system-level design
A new C synthesis tool package provides a low-cost entry point into C-based system-level design. The Celoxica PDP platform developer's package allows engineers to target C algorithms to off-the-shelf development boards or evaluate C-based design methodologies. The PDP provides cycle-accurate design simulation and C-based synthesis to FPGA logic and is an entry-level version of Celoxica's DK Design Suite of system design tools. PDP also includes a board support package for targeting designs to one of several supported development boards.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/cel/146/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cel/cel146.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cel1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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4. Lead-free paste set to clean up
Soldering specialist Cobar has developed a novel lead-free no-clean solder paste. Available in the UK from Parkheath, the new 325-Xm3S solder paste with S9M alloy has been specifically developed to meet the demands of lead-free manufacturing. It not only delivers optimum solder joint quality, but it possesses an amalgam of alloy ratios that eliminate "tombstoning" and greatly reduce solder balling and mid-chip beading - defects that are more likely to occur when reflow soldering at the higher temperatures demanded by lead-free alloys.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/pkh/100/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pkh/pkh100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pkh1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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5. SBC runs cooler with latest Celeron processor
The CoreModule 600 is a single-board computer designed to drive the next generation of rugged embedded applications, operating from -40 to +85C without a fan. The PC/104-Plus CoreModule 600 is a full-featured embedded computer using Intel's ultralow voltage (ULV) Celeron processor with 256Kbyte internal L2 cache. System OEMs who require 5- to 10-year product availability, extended temperature, and/or conformal coating for their rugged application now have a migration path from their earlier 486 and Pentium PC/104 modules without having to sacrifice reliability by adding a fan to their system.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/apr/104/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/apr/apr104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:apr1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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6. Soft basestation extends to 3.5G for faster data
The industry's first high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) solution has been added to the novel "3G basestation on a CD" reference design from picoChip Designs. HSDPA, also referred to as 3.5G, is a packet-based mode for WCDMA Release 5 which increases datarates to up to 14Mbit/s for intensive multimedia services, and has been heralded as the future of 3G.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/pco/107/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pco/pco107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pco1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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7. Plasma panel range expands to jumbo size
Fujitsu Hitachi Plasma Display (FHP) has released an enhanced A1 range of 42, 37 and 32in plasma display panels (PDPs) and has added an all-new 55in high-definition model. The new 55in WXGA plasma display panel is the first to use Fujitsu's newly developed e-ALIS (extended alternate lighting of surfaces) technology, which features progressive display and a high brightness of 1000cd/m2.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/fuj/149/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fuj/fuj149.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fuj1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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8. Speedy samplers aid mixed-signal testing
A new suite of 100Msample/s PXI instruments increases flexibility and system performance for rapid prototyping and test of mixed-signal devices and systems. This modular instrumentation suite is matched in frequency and capability and includes four new instruments built on common hardware architecture. The suite includes: 100 and 50MHz digital waveform generator/analysers; a 100Msample/s, 16bit arbitrary waveform generator; a 100Msample/s, 14bit high-resolution digitiser; a 100MHz clock and frequency generator; a 500MHz switching module; and a timing and synchronisation module.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/naa/128/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/naa/naa128.html
or send a blank email to mailto:naa1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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9. Lasers integrate optics and single-mode fibre
The FiberTEC line of fibre-coupled lasers combines Blue Sky Research's high-performance laser modules, which include integrated control, monitor and drive electronics and the company's award-winning, patented microlens optics technology, with a single-mode fibre pigtail. The first high-volume products available are the FiberTEC 405, a 405nm violet laser with up to 15mW output power, and the FiberTEC 635, a 635nm red laser with 25mW output power. Additional wavelengths and configurations of 440, 473, 658, 690 and 785nm are available in sample volumes.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/bes/104/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/bes/bes104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:bes1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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10. Analyser puts PCI Express to the test
The VertEX PCI Express analyser is the latest addition to the family of analysers from Vmetro. Designed for debugging, testing and validating next-generation PCI Express platforms, the VertEX analyser allows testing of x1, x2, x4 and x8 PCI Express links with bidirectional support. The Vmetro VertEX PCI Express analyser is operated via a USB connection from a PC while running an advanced GUI on Windows 98SE, Me, 2000 or XP platforms.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/vme/104/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/vme/vme104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:vme1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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DESIGN PLATFORM SPEEDS NETWORK PROCESSOR TAPE OUT
(Synopsys, 11 September 2003)
Agere Systems has used Synopsys' Galaxy design platform to tape out its 5G APP550 network processor in a 0.13-micron process.
* Free brochure on Galaxy:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/syn/195/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/syn/syn195.html
(or email mailto:syn1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
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...And take a look at these stories too...
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FPGAs GO TO INDUSTRIAL EXTREMES
(Actel Europe, 10 September 2003)
High-performance nonvolatile field-programmable gate array (FPGA) devices are now available qualified to industrial specifications.
* Free brochure on Industrial-grade Axcelerator:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/act/152/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/act/act152.html
(or email mailto:act1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
8BIT MCU SPEEDS LINBUS DEVELOPMENT IN NEW CARS
(Motorola SPS, 10 September 2003)
Motorola has expanded its 8bit HC08 "Q-LIN" family with a LIN-slave device, the 68HC908QL4.
* Free brochure on 68HC908QL4:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/mot/177/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mot/mot177.html
(or email mailto:mot1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
PROCESSORS PREPARE FOR DIGITAL IMAGING PRODUCTS
(Intel Corporation, 11 September 2003)
Two new high-performance programmable digital media microprocessors are optimised for the document imaging market segment.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/iel/iel117.html
(or email mailto:iel1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
MIXED SIGNAL PROCESS RUNS BEYOND 1.5GHz
(PolarFab, 15 September 2003)
PolarFab has published a new datasheet on its RFBC 6in wafer process, a 0.8-micron complementary BiCMOS process that is ideal for high speed/high frequency analogue and mixed-signal applications.
* Free brochure on RFBC 6in wafer process:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/pgt/115/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pgt/pgt115.html
(or email mailto:pgt1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
TRANSCEIVERS SWITCH BETWEEN 3.3 AND 5V LOGIC
(Pericom Semiconductor Corp, 15 September 2003)
The new PI74LVC logic family provides bidirectional 3 to 5V voltage translation.
* Free brochure on PI74LVC logic family:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/pom/102/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pom/pom102.html
(or email mailto:pom1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
WIRELESS CHIPSETS BOAST BOOSTED RANGES
(Philips Semiconductors, 16 September 2003)
Philips has developed highly integrated, high-performance two-chip solutions for 802.11a/g and 802.11g wireless LAN applications.
* Free brochure on 802.11a/g and 802.11g chipsets:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/phi/226/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/phi/phi226.html
(or email mailto:phi2[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
FLASH MCUs CUT PIN COUNTS AND COSTS
(Renesas Technology Europe, 16 September 2003)
The R8C series is the first low-end low-pin-count Flash microcontroller family from Renesas Technology Europe.
* Free brochure on R8C series:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/ren/110/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ren/ren110.html
(or email mailto:ren1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
FLOORPLANNING AIDS FPGA DESIGN
(Hier Design, 10 September 2003)
PlanAhead hierarchical floorplanning and analysis software from Hier Design offers full support for the latest version of the Xilinx Integrated Software Environment 6.1i (ISE).
* Free brochure on PlanAhead:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/hie/108/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/hie/hie108.html
(or email mailto:hie1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
RISC AND DSP WORK TOGETHER IN GATE-FRUGAL CORE IP
(Cambridge Consultants, 12 September 2003)
Cambridge Consultants has developed a ready-integrated combination of its lean RISC and DSP cores, providing a time saving solution for ASIC and SoC applications involving data-intensive processes.
* Free brochure on Lean RISC+DSP core:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/cbr/106/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cbr/cbr106.html
(or email mailto:cbr1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
NOVEL SOLUTION TO CAMERA PHONE PRIVACY ABUSE
(Sensaura, 12 September 2003)
Two UK companies claim to have solved the issue of misuse of camera phone technology.
* Free brochure on Safe Haven:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/ssa/101/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ssa/ssa101.html
(or email mailto:ssa1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SOFTWARE PROVIDES A HAVEN FROM PRYING PHONES
(Iceberg Systems, 16 September 2003)
Safe Haven is a novel system for controlling the use of camera phones to ensure privacy.
* Free brochure on Safe Haven:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/ieb/100/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ieb/ieb100.html
(or email mailto:ieb1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
UPGRADE FOR FREE PCB DESIGN SUITE
(Zuken, 16 September 2003)
Zuken has released a new version of Cadstar Express, the free web download of its desktop PCB design solution, Cadstar.
* Free brochure on Cadstar Express:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/zuk/124/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/zuk/zuk124.html
(or email mailto:zuk1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SHIPPER SAVES DISKS FROM CONTAMINATION
(Entegris, 12 September 2003)
Entegris reckons it can answer the latest demands from the consumer electronics industry with its 1in, 27mm conductive disk shipper.
* Free brochure on 27mm conductive disk shipper:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/eeg/100/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/eeg/eeg100.html
(or email mailto:eeg1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
POTTING COMPOUND IS TRANSPARENT TO RF
(Intertronics, 12 September 2003)
Dymax Trigger Cure is a novel potting compound available from Intertronics.
* Free brochure on Dymax Trigger Cure:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/ind/129/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ind/ind129.html
(or email mailto:ind1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
FLEXIBLE SWITCHERS COVER MANY DEMANDS
(XP, 11 September 2003)
The JPP series of 130W AC/DC switching power supplies from XP not only offers high power density at 7.2W/in3 but comes in a choice of 24 models with between two and five outputs.
* Free brochure on JPP series:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/xpp/122/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/xpp/xpp122.html
(or email mailto:xpp1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
ANTENNA INTEGRATES GPS RECEIVER
(Sarantel, 10 September 2003)
The SmartAntenna F02 is an integrated antenna-receiver for global positioning applications.
* Free brochure on SmartAntenna F02:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/sab/116/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sab/sab116.html
(or email mailto:sab1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SERIAL CARDS HAVE ALL PCI SPECS COVERED
(Digi International, 12 September 2003)
All Digi International asynchronous multiport serial cards have been enhanced to support the latest PCI standards, including PCI-X compatibility.
* Free brochure on PCI serial cards:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/dii/102/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/dii/dii102.html
(or email mailto:dii1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
PROBES COVER WIDE FREQUENCY RANGE
(Multi-Contact (UK), 15 September 2003)
Actiprobe comprises a new range of "active" safety test probes for high-frequency engineering applications.
* Free brochure on Actiprobe:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/mti/105/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mti/mti105.html
(or email mailto:mti1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
OPTIONS WIDEN SCOPE OF BUDGET INSTRUMENTS
(Tektronix, 15 September 2003)
New options for the popular value families of digital oscilloscopes from Tektronix include a software package and CompactFlash mass storage.
* Free brochure on Value oscilloscopes:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/tek/184/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tek/tek184.html
(or email mailto:tek1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
PCB-MOUNTING CURRENT TRANSDUCERS RUN UP TO 400A
(LEM UK, 15 September 2003)
The HTB series of PCB-mounting current transducers provides current measurements from 50 to 400A RMS.
* Free brochure on HTB series:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/lmu/120/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/lmu/lmu120.html
(or email mailto:lmu1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
SOFTWARE SPEEDS ATE DEVELOPMENT
(National Instruments, 16 September 2003)
A new version of the TestStand test management software package is designed to help engineers build and deploy automated prototype, validation and manufacturing test systems 75% faster.
* Free brochure on TestStand 3.0:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/naa/129/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/naa/naa129.html
(or email mailto:naa1[-email removed-]ctronicstalk.com )
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Have you seen our other newsletters?
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We also publish other professional technical newsletters like this once a week. All are free, so take a look:
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Engineering vacancies on the internet
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There are many recruitment websites out there, but Electronicstalk can recommend the following as we have had a relationship with them for some time:
Engineers Online: http://www.engineers-online.co.uk/
GoJobsite: http://www.gojobsite.co.uk/
Jimfinder.com: http://www.jimfinder.com/
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Browse the Electronicstalk archive by email!
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There are hundreds of recent stories in the Electronicstalk database, and you can browse them all by email. Send a blank email to:
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...and our automated system will send you a contents list back by email. Try it!
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