-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Q6dvCX5fUTrX3a3ENJaQ3gW48qVZj2+rmUcG2QZCXQEDGPMdgU8+R4CtZvHh/EOo hN4k/mMGaNuYrzDKaKnRqw== 0000935836-96-000030.txt : 19960910 0000935836-96-000030.hdr.sgml : 19960910 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000935836-96-000030 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 19960906 SROS: NASD SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NETCOM ON LINE COMMUNICATION SERVICES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000909624 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-COMPUTER PROGRAMMING, DATA PROCESSING, ETC. [7370] IRS NUMBER: 770317705 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-44683 FILM NUMBER: 96626619 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3031 TISCH WAY CITY: SAN JOSE STATE: CA ZIP: 95128 BUSINESS PHONE: 4089835950 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3031 TISCH WAY CITY: SAN JOSE STATE: CA ZIP: 95128 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WEST HIGHLAND CAPITAL INC/LHG/WHP/PB/BP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000904938 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: UNKNOWN SIC - 0000 [0000] IRS NUMBER: 680152277 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 DRAKES LANDING RD SUITE 290 CITY: GREENBRAE STATE: CA ZIP: 94904 BUSINESS PHONE: 4154619453 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 300 DRAKES LANDING ROAD STREET 2: SUITE 290 CITY: GREENBRAE STATE: CA ZIP: 94904 SC 13D/A 1 OMB APPROVAL OMB Number:3235-0145 Expires:October 31, 1994 Estimated average burden hours per form 14.90 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 13D Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. 2) Netcom On-Line Communication Services, Inc. (Name of Issuer) Common Stock (Title of Class of Securities) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 641081104 (CUSIP Number) Christopher J. Rupright, Esq. Shartsis Friese & Ginsburg One Maritime Plaza, 18th Floor San Francisco, CA 94111 (415) 421-6500 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications) May 21, 1996 (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement) If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box / /. Check the following box if a fee is being paid with the statement / /. (A fee is not required only if the reporting person: (1) has a previous statement on file reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class of securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.) (See Rule 13d-7.) Note: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be filed with the Commission. See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies are to be sent. * The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page. The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes). SEC 1746 (12-91) SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 2 of 12 Pages - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON West Highland Capital, Inc. - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) / X / (b) / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS* AF - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(E) / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION California - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER SHARES -0- BENEFICIALLY -------------------------------------------------- OWNED BY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER EACH 364,800 REPORTING -------------------------------------------------- PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER WITH -0- -------------------------------------------------- 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 364,800 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 364,800 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 3.2 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* CO and IA - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT! INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7 (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION. SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 3 of 12 Pages - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1NAME OF REPORTING PERSON SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON Estero Partners, LLC - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*(a) / X / (b) / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3SEC USE ONLY - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4SOURCE OF FUNDS* AF - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(E) / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION California - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER SHARES -0- BENEFICIALLY -------------------------------------------------- OWNED BY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER EACH 293,031 REPORTING -------------------------------------------------- PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER WITH -0- -------------------------------------------------- 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 293,031 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 293,031 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 2.6 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* OO - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT! INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7 (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION. SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 4 of 12 Pages - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON Lang H. Gerhard - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) / X / (b) / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS* AF - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(E) / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION United States - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER SHARES -0- BENEFICIALLY -------------------------------------------------- OWNED BY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER EACH 293,031 REPORTING -------------------------------------------------- PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER WITH -0- -------------------------------------------------- 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 293,031 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 293,031 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 2.6 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* IN - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT! INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7 (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION. SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 5 of 12 Pages - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1NAME OF REPORTING PERSON SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON West Highland Partners, L.P. - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*(a) / X / (b) / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3SEC USE ONLY - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4SOURCE OF FUNDS* WC - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(E) / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION California - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER SHARES -0- BENEFICIALLY -------------------------------------------------- OWNED BY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER EACH 241,613 REPORTING -------------------------------------------------- PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER WITH -0- -------------------------------------------------- 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 241,613 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 241,613 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 2.1 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* PN - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT! INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7 (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION. SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 6 of 12 Pages - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON Buttonwood Partners, L.P. - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) / X / (b) / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS* WC - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(E) / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION California - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER SHARES -0- BENEFICIALLY -------------------------------------------------- OWNED BY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER EACH 51,418 REPORTING -------------------------------------------------- PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER WITH -0- -------------------------------------------------- 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 51,418 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 51,418 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* / / - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0.5 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* PN - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT! INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7 (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION. SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 7 of 12 Pages ITEM 1. SECURITY AND ISSUER. This statement relates to shares of Common Stock (the "Stock") of Netcom On- Line Communication Services, Inc. ("NETC"). The principal executive office of NETC is located at 3031 Tisch Way, 2nd Floor, San Jose, CA 95128. ITEM 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND. The persons filing this statement and the persons enumerated in Instruction C of Schedule 13D and, where applicable, their respective places of organization, general partners, directors, executive officers and controlling persons, and the information regarding them, is as follows: (a) Lang H. Gerhard ("Gerhard"); West Highland Capital, Inc., a California corporation ("WHC"); Estero Partners, LLC, a California limited liability company ("LLC"); West Highland Partners, L.P., a California limited partnership ("WHP"); Buttonwood Partners, L.P., a California limited partnership ("BP"). (b) The business address of Gerhard, WHC, LLC, WHP and BP is 300 Drake's Landing Road, Suite 290, Greenbrae, California 94904. (c) Gerhard is the sole director and occupies all the executive offices of WHC, which is an investment adviser. Gerhard is the sole manager of LLC. WHC, LLC and Gerhard are the general partners of WHP and BP, which are investment limited partnerships. (d) During the last five years, none of such persons has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors). (e) During the last five years, none of such persons was a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws. (f) Gerhard is a citizen of the United States of America. SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 8 of 12 Pages ITEM 3. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION. The source and amount of funds used in purchasing the Stock were as follows: Purchaser Source of Funds Amount WHC Funds Under Management(1) $10,372,370 WHP Working Capital $ 6,878,366 BP Working Capital $ 2,025,182 (1) Includes funds invested by WHP and BP in Stock. ITEM 4. PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION. The sole purpose of the acquisitions of the Stock reported herein was and is for investment. ITEM 5. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER. The beneficial ownership of the Stock of the persons named in Item 2 of this statement is as follows at the date hereof: Aggregate Beneficially Owned Voting Power Dispositive Power Name Number Percent Sole Shared Sole Shared WHC 364,800 3.2 -0- 364,800 -0- 364,800 Gerhard 293,031 2.6 -0- 293,031 -0- 293,031 LLC 293,031 2.6 -0- 293,031 -0- 293,031 WHP 241,613 2.1 -0- 241,613 -0- 241,613 BP 51,418 0.5 -0- 51,418 -0- 51,418 The persons filing this statement effected the following transactions in the Stock on the dates indicated, and such transactions are the only transactions by the persons filing this statement in the Stock since March 12, 1996: Purchase Number Price Broker Name or Sale Date of Shares Per Share Used WHC S 4-02-96 8,000 25.3125 KALB BP S 4-02-96 9,000 25.3125 KALB WHP S 4-02-96 17,000 25.3125 KALB WHC P 4-30-96 10,200 35.8571 INST BP P 4-30-96 8,400 35.8571 INST WHP P 4-30-96 41,400 35.8571 INST (Table continued on Page 9) SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 9 of 12 Pages (Table continued from Page 8) WHC P 4-30-96 6,800 36.4844 ABSB BP P 4-30-96 5,600 36.4844 ABSB WHP P 4-30-96 27,600 36.4844 ABSB WHP S 5-17-96 5,000 41.0000 INST WHC S 5-17-96 17,850 41.0000 VOLP BP S 5-17-96 14,700 41.0000 VOLP WHP S 5-17-96 72,450 41.0000 VOLP WHC S 5-21-96 15,538 43.0897 WSLS BP S 5-21-96 12,796 43.0897 WSLS WHP S 5-21-96 63,066 43.0897 WSLS WHC P 6-24-96 5,950 28.9107 ABSB BP P 6-24-96 4,900 28.9107 ABSB WHP P 6-24-96 24,150 28.9107 ABSB WHC P 6-25-96 3,400 29.0000 ABSB BP P 6-25-96 2,800 29.0000 ABSB WHP P 6-25-96 13,800 29.0000 ABSB WHP S 6-26-96 24,000 28.1250 KALB WHC P 6-26-96 24,000 28.1250 KALB WHC P 6-26-96 2,550 28.8750 ABSB BP P 6-26-96 2,100 28.8750 ABSB WHP P 6-26-96 10,350 28.8750 ABSB WHC P 6-28-96 7,650 26.4166 ABSB BP P 6-28-96 6,300 26.4166 ABSB WHP P 6-28-96 31,050 26.4166 ABSB WHC P 7-01-96 1,785 27.2202 INST BP P 7-01-96 1,470 27.2202 INST WHP P 7-01-96 7,245 27.2202 INST WHC P 7-02-96 765 26.1250 INST BP P 7-02-96 630 26.1250 INST WHP P 7-02-96 3,105 26.1250 INST WHC P 7-18-96 12,000 22.2292 HRZG BP P 7-18-96 8,400 22.2292 HRZG WHP P 7-18-96 39,600 22.2292 HRZG WHC P 7-18-96 1,020 21.7500 INST BP P 7-18-96 714 21.7500 INST WHP P 7-18-96 3,366 21.7500 INST WHC P 7-19-96 900 22.2500 KALB BP P 7-19-96 5,000 22.2500 KALB WHP P 7-19-96 4,100 22.2500 KALB WHC S 7-24-96 12,600 18.2105 INST BP S 7-24-96 8,190 18.2105 INST WHP S 7-24-96 42,210 18.2105 INST WHC S 7-25-96 10,000 18.1250 HRZG BP S 7-25-96 6,500 18.1250 HRZG WHP S 7-25-96 33,500 18.1250 HRZG WHC S 7-25-96 2,600 18.5029 INST BP S 7-25-96 1,690 18.5029 INST WHP S 7-25-96 8,710 18.5029 INST (Table continued on Page 10) SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 10 of 12 Pages (Table continued from Page 9) WHC S 7-26-96 10,000 18.0000 HRZG BP S 7-26-96 6,500 18.0000 HRZG WHP S 7-26-96 33,500 18.0000 HRZG WHC S 7-29-96 2,000 17.5000 HRZG BP S 7-29-96 1,300 17.5000 HRZG WHP S 7-29-96 6,700 17.5000 HRZG WHC S 8-15-96 10,000 21.7500 HRZG WHC S 8-16-96 10,000 19.5000 HRZG WHC S 8-22-96 4,800 18.3750 HRZG BP S 8-22-96 4,200 18.3750 HRZG WHP S 8-22-96 21,000 18.3750 HRZG WHC S 8-23-96 3,200 18.0000 HRZG BP S 8-23-96 2,800 18.0000 HRZG WHP S 8-23-96 14,000 18.0000 HRZG WHC S 8-26-96 4,000 19.0625 HRZG BP S 8-26-96 3,500 19.0625 HRZG WHP S 8-26-96 17,500 19.0625 HRZG WHC S 8-27-96 16,960 20.7146 HRZG BP S 8-27-96 14,840 20.7146 HRZG WHP S 8-27-96 74,200 20.7146 HRZG WHC S 8-27-96 7,200 20.2318 INST BP S 8-27-96 6,300 20.2318 INST WHP S 8-27-96 31,500 20.2318 INST WHC S 8-28-96 4,800 21.1054 INST BP S 8-28-96 4,200 21.1054 INST WHP S 8-28-96 21,000 21.1054 INST WHC S 8-28-96 16,000 21.0313 ABSB BP S 8-28-96 14,000 21.0313 ABSB WHP S 8-28-96 70,000 21.0313 ABSB WHC S 8-29-96 2,400 20.5000 ABSB BP S 8-29-96 2,100 20.5000 ABSB WHP S 8-29-96 10,500 20.5000 ABSB WHC S 8-29-96 528 20.5795 INST BP S 8-29-96 462 20.5795 INST WHP S 8-29-96 2,310 20.5795 INST WHC S 9-03-96 6,560 19.0563 INST BP S 9-03-96 5,740 19.0563 INST WHP S 9-03-96 28,700 19.0563 INST WHC S 9-03-96 1,440 19.0000 MONT BP S 9-03-96 1,260 19.0000 MONT WHP S 9-03-96 6,300 19.0000 MONT ABSB - Alex Brown & Sons Incorporated HRZG - Herzog, Heine, Geduld, Inc. INST - Instinet Corporation KALB - Kalb Voorhis & Co. MONT - Montgomery Securities WSLS - Wessels, Arnold & Henderson, L.P. VOLP - Volpe Welty & Company SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 11 of 12 Pages ITEM. 6. CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER. Gerhard, WHC and LLC are the general partners of WHP and BP pursuant to limited partnership agreements providing to Gerhard, WHC and LLC the authority, among other things, to invest the funds of WHP and BP in Stock, to vote and dispose of stock and to file this statement on behalf of WHP and BP. Pursuant to such limited partnership agreements, the general partners of WHP and BP are entitled to allocations based on assets under management and realized and unrealized gains, if certain conditions are met. Pursuant to investment management agreements, WHC is authorized, among other things, to invest funds of its various investment advisory clients, and to vote and dispose of those securities. Such investment management agreements may be terminated by either party on notice as provided in such agreements and provide for fees payable to WHC based on assets under management and realized and unrealized gains. ITEM 7. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS. A. Agreement Regarding Joint Filing of Statement on Schedule 13D or 13G (including power of attorney). SIGNATURES After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. DATED: September ___, 1996. ___________________________________ WEST HIGHLAND PARTNERS, L.P. Lang H. Gerhard WEST HIGHLAND CAPITAL, INC. By: __________________________ Lang H. Gerhard, General Partner By: ______________________________ Lang H. Gerhard, President BUTTONWOOD PARTNERS, L.P. ESTERO PARTNERS, LLC By: ___________________________ Lang H. Gerhard, General Partner By: ______________________________ Lang H. Gerhard, Manager SCHEDULE 13D CUSIP No. 641081104 Page 12 of 12 Pages EXHIBIT A AGREEMENT REGARDING JOINT FILING OF STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 13D OR 13G The undersigned agree to file jointly with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") any and all statements on Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G (and any amendments or supplements thereto) required under section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in connection with purchases by the undersigned of securities of Netcom On-Line Communication Services, Inc. For that purpose, the undersigned hereby constitute and appoint West Highland Capital, Inc., a California corporation, as their true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority for and on behalf of the undersigned to prepare or cause to be prepared, sign, file with the SEC and furnish to any other person all certificates, instruments, agreements and documents necessary to comply with section 13(d) and section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in connection with said purchases, and to do and perform every act necessary and proper to be done incident to the exercise of the foregoing power, as fully as the undersigned might or could do if personally present. DATED: March 7, 1996. /s/ Lang H. Gerhard WEST HIGHLAND PARTNERS, L.P. Lang H. Gerhard WEST HIGHLAND CAPITAL, INC. By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard Lang H. Gerhard, General Partner By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard Lang H. Gerhard, President BUTTONWOOD PARTNERS, L.P. WEST HIGHLAND CAPITAL, LLC By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard Lang H. Gerhard, General Partner By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard Lang H. Gerhard, Manager C:\DMS\2463\019\0179145.WP -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----