The 1997 Well-Connected Awards F or the third straight year, we present our Well-Connected Awards--the result of testing and analyzing products during 1996. A special thanks to editor Judy Biener, who organized and edited the selection of winners in 50 product categories. Our research staff, including Katy Hoffmann, Debbie Rizzo, Mona R. Litt and Nathalie Mendoza were also instrumental--if not jaded by the process. Debbie sent Judy the following message: "You know you have 'Well-Connected-itis' when you start appreciating the way vendors package their material. QUALCOMM's PR gets my vote for best packaging. The slides came neatly wrapped in plastic, and the fact sheet and disk were included in a lovely reflex blue, two-pocket folder. I really need to get a life!" Selecting a single software product of the year (Entrust Technologies' Entrust--a Well-Con nected Award winner in two categories) and a hardware product of the year (3Com Corp.'s AccessBuilder 5000) was also tough. And we know that some of you won't agree with our choices. You can debate the topics with us, and offer your own opinion of our Well-Connected products. Awards Table of Contents

Updated April 24, 1997