Its developers have set up lists of on-line stores in ten shopping categories, from computer supplies to wine (with more to follow), and have taught the software how to make sense of the quirks of each one.

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Esplex, which supplies new and used computer parts to customers worldwide, is moving its spare parts operation from Plymouth to Poland.

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The company supplies components for Apple Computer's iMac, a hot seller in the U.S. But Bernard Tan of Merrill Lynch has downgraded NatSteel's short-term rating to neutral, although he still has a long-term buy on it.

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Potter also likes semiconductor assembler Hana Microelectronic and computer-monitor maker Delta, which supplies Fujitsu of Japan.

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Where workers work at home, the company can still be held to be their employer by providing them with a computer, internet access, telephone service, furniture, supplies, etc.

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Various Y2K experts predict that some of the nation's water supplies will fail when the clock strikes midnight because of computer problems, but the water utility industry strongly disagrees.

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