23/02/95
* May I start by saying how gratifying the response to my first column has 
been. However, I should take  this  opportunity to details Acorn's support 
strategy so that you know the best way to obtain technical & sales support 
from  us.  Comprehensive  support is regarded as  essential  and  embraces 
repairs and servicing, technical  help,  general  information, application 
information  and  training services, as well as  attention  to  individual 
problems. The Customer  Services  Department  is  staffed by technical and 
market specialists. The department provides a direct  support function for 
educational  customers  as  well  as end-user support through  the  dealer 
network.  For example, although written  enquiries  are  always  serviced, 
technical support by telephone is provided only for dealers or educational 
customers and  not  for  general  users.  As  a result of this policy, the 
company is able to offer an enhanced support  service for education whilst 
ensuring  that  other users receive a high level of  support  through  the 
dealer network. So,  if  you  have  a  query, please try your local dealer 
first. If this fails, then please feel free  to write to Customer Support. 
But please - DON'T RING US!

* As part of the  support strategy, the Customer Support Department issues 
application  notes on a wide range  of  subjects  from  merging  ViewStore 
databases to using the serial port on the Archimedes. However, it is often 
difficult to  know what a good topic is for a new application note. So, if 
you have any  suggestions  on what application notes you would like to see 
available, please write to me and I'll see what can be done about it!

* This month's featured application  note  -  "Using  the  serial  port" - 
covers most aspects of using this interesting device on the Archimedes. It 
details using the serial patch, wiring up a cable and writing  software to 
use  the  serial port. As usual, the application note is available free of 
charge on request  from  Customer Support. If you include a formatted 3.5" 
disc, we'll put the serial patch on it for you.

* Just a reminder about  writing  to  Customer Support. To ensure the mail 
reaches  us  quicker,  the  proper  address  is "Customer Support, Acorn 
Computers Ltd, Acorn House, Vision Park, Histon, Cambridge, CB4 4AE".