It isn't often that we're able to give Britain's premier computer company, ICL, a patriotic plug. Last week it looked as though the chance might have come, when an ICL press release dropped through the letter-box - but all it contained was a blank sheet of paper.

After a few moments' thought it dawned on us that the fact that there was nothing on the paper might not be an accident. Could this be ICL's projected profits for the coming year? Or its plans for pulling the rug out from underneath the IBM PC?

It makes you wonder how seriously the company takes its own advertising slogan: "We should be talking to each other."

Every so often a PCN journalist has to step back from the job in hand, the hurly-burly of the UK micro scene, in order to attend a press conference.

At these events companies assemble the press and tell them stories, with blandishments like drinks and lunch. Next week a free-ranging PCN hack will be present at such a gathering, organised by the British Egg Industry Council.

This will apparently involve two computer programs. It also involves, at 1.00pm, 'sandwich lunch'. The British Egg Industry Council? We'll let you know what's in the sandwiches next week.

Thanks to Kate Harris for her letter last week on the exotic subjet of a Caribbean trade show. Miss Harris addressed her letter 'for the attention of Ms. Evelyn House' and began it "Dear Ms. House, I refer to your telephone call yesterday afternoon..."

But Miss Harris should note that Evelyn House is the name of our building, not a member of the tireless staff of PCN. It may have been said that talking to PCN is like talking to a brick wall, but four brick walls, several floors, internal partitions and a sub-tropical climate? No.

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