Avatar Partners Inc of Boulder Creek, California signed Data Broadcasting Corp to market vrTrader, a software package enabling users to enter a virtual world of shares complete with sounds, colours and movement. It works by connecting an MS-DOS personal computer to a Data Broadcasting Signal Receiver, which brings in real-time data from a cable television connection, and FM radio signal, or via satellite. The shares are presented with graphics and text, each share as a colour-coded pole, which can grow, spin, blink or emit a sound that indicates the movement of that security. At present shares can be viewed but not bought from a choice of over 9,500 from the New York, American and NASDAQ exchanges. It is $2,000, with a Windows add-on at $700 to be available in February.
