~04/1995
* 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".