ORANGE COUNTY EARNINGS

General Automation Inc.: The Irvine computer company posted a net loss of $478,000, or 5 cents a share, for the first fiscal quarter, contrasted with net income of $136,000, or 1 cent a share, for the same period last year. Revenue for the quarter ended Dec. 31 dropped 12% to $8.8 million from $10 million. The company attributed the loss to the revenue decline. General Automation said administrative costs rose 40%, while sales expenses were off 30%.