Lotus Development Corp, which sounds increasingly desperate these days – the sixth – out of its total of 17 – vice-president to jump ship this year left this week – is fighting harder to hang onto existing 1-2-3 users and to ensure a market when the hideously late Release 3 finally hits the street – at the end of the year, it now hopes. It is offering a free upgrade to 1-2-3 Release 3 to anyone who buys Release 2.01 from this week to 30 days after Release 3 shipment. After returning their registration card, users will receive an upgrade return envelope from Lotus. When Release 3 ships, US users can get the upgrade through resellers or by returning their Release 2.01 system floppy and proof of purchase direct to Lotus; similar arrangements will no doubt be made elsewhere. 1-2-3 1A users will be able to upgrade to 3 for $200, and users of 2.01 – which will continue to be marketed and supported after 3.0 comes out, will pay $150.