Compaq is the last big-name

Compaq is the last big-name manufacturer to drop out of the once massively overhyped market for network computers: it is not making any more of its current Internet appliances. Oracle boss Larry Ellison kicked off the original hype, and NIC, his internet appliance company, is continuing the struggle.with Senior Explorer, aimed at senior citizens. NIC sold almost 100,000 units last year, which compares with sales of about 128 million PCs.