Acorn smashes US sales target
THE BBC Micro is taking the United States market by storm with
more than $50 million worth of business being booked there in
less than six months of trading.
This means Acorn in the States has already beaten its target
figure for the first year by $10 million — with six months still
to go.
"We are progressing very favourably", Harvey Lawner,
Acorn's general manager in America told The Micro User from his
headquarters in Woburn, Mass.
"In fact, we have done far better than we believed possible
in the fiercely competitive education market here" he said.
The company demonstrated its capability of showing a clean pair
of heels to its rivals when it won its largest single order recently.
It beat both Apple and Atari in a public bid to provide 170
machines for a secondary school in Phoenix, Arizona.
And to cope with the ever increasing demand for the BBC Micro
in the USA, a shipment of 1,000 machines was despatched from the
UK last month.
Acorn got off to a flying start State-side by booking 8 million
dollars worth of business even before its official American campaign
was launched last September.
This was achieved despite jibes from United States experts that
the British company would end up with egg on its corporate face.
One of the prophets of doom, Clive Smith of Boston's Yankee
Group, a leading market research concern, was moved to say: "I'm
not sure why they've targeted the education market here. It seems
a shortcut to disaster".
Additionally some US analysts went on record as saying the BBC
Micro was overpriced.
But Acorn has proved them all wrong. So why has the machine
been so successful to date?
"One of the reasons is because of our track record back
in the UK", says Harvey Lawner. "Americans are still
aware of the quality of education to be found in Britain.
"So when we tell them that 80 per cent of all computers
in British schools are Acorns, they take notice. It's an excellent
selling point".
This has been reinforced by the fact that in America, Acorn
is offering up to 200 "schoolware packages", each including
its own lesson plan.
"What we are able to give them are total solutions the
like of which they have never seen before", claims Harvey
Lawner.
TELESOFTWARE 'PATCHED'UP
CONSIDERABLE improvements have been made to the BBC's Telesoftware
service, launched last September to provide free software over
the airwaves.
Previously there were problems in downloading some Basic programs,
but now a software patch broadcast over the telesoftware system
allows any BBC Basic program to be downloaded onto a BBC Micro.
Not content with this, they have also provided patches which
allow programs which make use of tokenised Basic to be broadcast,
allowing more efficient use of the micro's memory.
Finally, a method has been developed which allows the broadcasting
of machine code programs, considerably broadening the range of
software that can be broadcast.
Given this increase in the scope of the programs it can offer
and the rumours that the BBC is going to provide proper funding
from its software profits, the future looks set fair for the service.
Fibre optics network
SYMBIOTIC Computer Systems has announced the first "Symbnet"
local area network for the BBC Micro using fibre optics. Stations
up to 9km apart can be interconnected without electrical noise
problems, claims Symbiotic, and the modular design allows the
user to add stations wherever required.
Tube problems solved
PROBLEMS with the Tube have been delaying the second processor
add-ons for the BBC Micro, Acorn chief Chris Curry revealed in
a speech at the opening of the Acorn Information Centre in Brussels.
But he claimed the difficulties were now over and promised that
the Z80 second processor would be available in the spring, followed
by the NS16032 in the summer.
During his visit to Belgium he also released prices for the
Advanced Business Machine, due to be launched this summer.
Featuring an on-board Z80 and NS16032 second processor, prices
will range from £1,500 to £3,000.
Chris Curry also disclosed that Acorn plan to market two or
three of the more popular BBC Micro games on serial ROMs.
These plug into the "ashtray" on the micro, allowing
instant loading of games.
Five shows will be major draw
A SERIES of five shows devoted to the BBC Micro and the Electron
are expected to attract more than a quarter of a million people
this year.
Four of the shows are scheduled for London and one for Manchester.
Each will be held under the banner of "The Electron and
BBC Micro User Show" and all five events are being sponsored
jointly by The Micro User and its new sister publication, Electron
User.
The London shows are to take place from March 29 to April 1
at the Westminster Exhibition Centre; July 19 to 22 at Alexandra
Palace; October 25 to 28, also at Alexandra Palace; and from December
6 to 9, again at the Westminster Exhibition Centre.
Ambitious
UMIST in Manchester is to host the single show outside the capital
from August 31 to September 2.
"We are well aware that this is the most ambitious project
ever to be undertaken by the organisers of computer shows",
says Derek Meakin, joint managing director of Database Publications.
"But let us not forget we exist in a rapidly changing market.
As a result, we will be able to unveil a batch of new and exciting
products at each of the shows.
"The London shows in particular are to be held at around
three month intervals — which is a long time in the computer marketplace".
More micro aid for handicapped
A WEST Midlands man who pioneered the use of "talking"
BBC Micros for the blind is now looking at the problems of the
mentally handicapped.
Bob Hinds, of Shrewsbury, who has appeared on Pebble Mill with
his Dalek-voiced Beeb, is nearly blind himself.
He is two thirds of the way through an Open University computer
science degree, and the BBC Micro helps him with his studies by
telling him what is on the screen.
Now he wants to adapt one to help mentally handicapped children.
Last month Mr Hinds visited local sheltered accommodation for
the mentally handicapped, where he demonstrated his equipment.
"The effect was startling", he told Micro User.
Totally withdrawn patients with no speech ability responded
to onscreen colour patterns and to the sound of their names on
the speech synthesiser.
Some of them pressed the keys again and again to hear the machine
say their names.
Soon Mr Hinds is to meet parents of the handicapped children,
along with hospital administrators, to discuss setting up a scheme
for unlocking the hidden potential he believes the children possess.
He hopes to get the go-ahead this summer for a full-blown scheme,
possibly with official funding. Failing that, he hopes for donations.
Keith Waterhouse
THE more astute among our readers might have noticed that the
eminent journalist, Keith Waterhouse, has "joined" the
staff of Micro user writers.
The article "Impious Thought for the Day" was, with
only minor adaptions, Mr Water-house's own work.
When it was submitted - not by the author - we published it
in good faith, and now apologise without reservation for having
used it without permission or due credit.
Those of you who found Mr Waterhouse's style appealing will
be interested to know that his latest book, "Mrs Pooler's
Diary", is currently available.
Transfer program problem
THE recent controversy over software protection took a new turn
with the temporary withdrawal of Clare's cassette-to-disc transfer
program Replica.
Was this due to a previously undiscovered bug? Dave Clare said
firmly: "Definitely not".
Declining to elaborate, Dave refused to comment on reports that
a warning shot had been fired across his bow by one of the largest
producers of software for the BBC Micro.
"However", he continued, "we are glad to announce
that Replica is now back on sale and we have great plans for the
future".
In the meantime, Acornsoft have released further details of
their cassette-to-disc exchange service for Acornsoft products.
In exchange for the cassette, Acornsoft will supply a disc version
of the same title at 50 per cent discount.
Customers should return the cassette (without the outer box),
together with the money, to:
Disc Replacement Service, Acornsoft Ltd., c/o Vector Marketing,
Den-nington Industrial Estate, Wellingborough, North-ants NN8
2RL.
GAMES ON THE BOX
FOR the first time games for the BBC and Electron are being
advertised on TV, with Ocean Software promoting Mr Wimpy (BBC
Micro), Hunchback (Electron) and Chinese Juggler (both machines).
More micro TV is scheduled
THE BBC celebrated the second birthday of its Computer Literacy
project recently by publishing a book on its history and announcing
three new micro orientated television series for 1984.
The booklet, "Towards Computer Literacy", gives a
brief but thorough history of the project from its humble beginnings
to the money spinning giant it has now become.
Aubrey Singer, managing director of BBC Television, described
the project as "a story of success in high endeavour".
He felt that the project had resulted in the fact that "people
have stopped being afraid of computers. Computer anxiety has become
computer enthusiasm."
Evidence of this is shown by the three pro grammes planned for
BBC television this year.
The first, "Computers in Control", is a series of
five programmes giving an introduction to robotics, monitoring
and control applications using the microcomputer.
Practical
In addition the National Extension Col lege is producing a prac
tical course on control for BBC Micro owners and the BBC Buggy
will be available in kit form. The programme starts on BBC-2 on
March 2, with two BBC-1 repeats during the week.
April 12 sees the star. of the "Electronic Office".
a series of five programmes presented by the evergreen Ian McNaught-Davis,
who attempts to explain the revolution in office technology. BBC
Publications also plan a book to accompany the series.
The programme will be seen on BBC-2 on Thursday evenings with
a repeat on BBC-1.
Looking further ahead there are plans for a regular topical
television series for micro users to start in the autumn, a sort
of 'chip shop' for television.
1985 will see two further programmes. "The Learning Machine",
will be a series aiming to increase understanding of how the micro
can assist learning, while "Technology and the Handicapped"
will seek to explore the many possibilities of information technology
for helping handicapped people.
It's the cat's whiskers for Gemma
THE BBC Micro is kid's stuff for baby Gemma Smith at her home
in Grimsby.
For ever since her industrial chemist father Dennis devised
a program depicting a cat, he hasn't been able to drag her away
from the keyboard.
And that's much to the annoyance of the other three Smith children
— Wayne. aged 14, Andrew, 12, and Darren, 9.
"Gemma knows that when she presses the Escape key up pops
the cat, so we can't keep her off it," savs Dennis.
£5,000 BAIT TO BEAT PIRATES
A COMPUTER games company is offering £5,000 to anyone
who can beat the software pirates.
The directors of A & F Software - makers of the best-selling
Cylon Attack and Chuckie Egg games -say they are sick of having
their best games copied.
Now they want a foolproof way of making their tapes copy-proof.
Already, they've had several replies to their offer, including
one from a mystery sixth-former who insisted on a midnight meeting
in a carpark.
A & F director Martin Hickling told Micro User that some
computer club members spend hours every week duplicating tapes
for their friends -thereby risking hefty fines or jail sentences.
Now A & F are mounting a two-prong anti-pirate campaign.
They intend to prosecute every pirate they catch for copyright
infringement. And they plan to attack the problem at source by
manufacturing copy-proof tapes.
No BBC divorce, says Acorn
'Mischievous speculation' rapped
ACORN has hit out against "mischievous speculation"
over the future of its contract with the BBC to market the BBC
Micro.
The company has been particularly displeased by reports which
suggested it may lose out to a competitor when the agreement comes
up for renewal in August this year.
In the light of this, it has released an official statement
denying any rift exists and claiming that the two organisations
are "working towards the renewal of the marriage vows, not
a divorce".
The full text of the statement reads:
Some reports that Acorn Computer's three-year relationship with
the BBC could soon be terminated overlook some pertinent facts
which ought to suggest the opposite.
The alliance of the BBC and Acorn has been — and continues to
be — an outstanding British success story.
More than 250,000 BBC Microcomputers, which are designed and
marketed by Acorn, have been sold, with sales currently running
at 25,000 units per month; eight out of ten schools with microcomputers
have chosen the BBC
Microcomputer System; many hundreds of new jobs have been created
at Acorn and at its sub-contractors' plants.
The system has won international acclaim and is now making an
important contribution to the British export drive; and, last
but not least, the BBC has earned several million pounds in royalties
from sales.
Achievements
All these achievements in the most competitive of all technology
markets!
The BBC, surely, would have to have very strong reasons for
breaking off such a successful collaborative venture to enter
into a new partnership.
The more so, since educational establishments and viewers would
be less than pleased to discover that, having made a major financial
investment in the BBC Microcomputer System, subsequent computer
literacy programmes were to be based on a quite different microcomputer
system.
The facts are these:
• Acorn enjoys a close relationship with the BBC and is collaborating
with the Corporation on future computer literacy projects and
products.
• The present three-year agreement does not expire until August
1984 but, as is normal business practice, the terms of the new
contract are already being discussed.
• As is also normal business practice, other microcomputer companies
have approached the BBC.
• While the BBC did not seek tenders, we recognise that it is
obliged to give proper consideration to proposals put forward
by Acorn's competitors.
It is not true, incidentally, that if another manufacturer were
chosen to produce the next generation of BBC computers, Acorn
would be prevented from selling the present model altogether.
But that's hardly relevant. Contrary to mischievous speculation,
we - and the BBC - are working towards renewal of the marriage
vows, not a divorce.
Despite these words of assurance, it seems safe to speculate
that the contract is not yet cut and dried.
For over at the BBC it still appears to be "make your mind
up" time.
Aubrey Singer, managing director of BBC Television, let this
out of the bag when he acknowledged that the Corporation is discussing
new models with several manufacturers.
However he declined to say how many firms were involved.
Meanwhile other top sources in the Corporation are adamant that
there is no reason to talk to anyone other than the tried and
trusted Acorn.
BBC Soft sales top the £1m mark
BBC Soft has sold more than £1,000,000 of software since
the start of the Computer Literacy Project — and they plan to
sell a lot, lot more this year.
The list of proposed software releases by BBC Publications reads
like a beginners guide to software for the BBC Micro.
Three titles will be released this month.
The first is Structured Basic, a book exploring the role of
BBC Basic in writing well-structured programs. The book will be
accompanied by a software cassette.
Absorbing
There will also be Game Core, a utility which, it is claimed,
will aid the creation of simple and highly absorbing board games.
Finally there is War-games, intriguingly called "a family
computer activity".
As might be expected, education is not being neglected, advanced
music and science topics being among the further titles planned
for later in the year.
ACORN CHIEF WINS 'OSCAR
A COMPUTER industry Oscar has gone to Hermann Hauser, the Acorn
executive with overall responsibility for the company's research
and development.
The joint managing director of Acorn was recently named as winner
of this year's RITA (Recognition of Information Technology Achievements)
award as personality of the year.
As he is currently on company business in Japan, he was unable
to attend the presentation ceremony in Birmingham, so his wife
Pamela received the trophy on his behalf from Ian McNaught Davis,
who fronts the BBC Series "Make the Most of Your Micro".
Hermann Hauser holds a doctorate in physics from Cambridge where
he attended the world famous Cavendish Physics Laboratory.
It was while he was involved in post doctorate studies that
he met Chris Curry, his fellow joint managing director. As a result,
they eventually formed Acorn in December, 1978.
Another RITA went to Micronet 800, which received the award
for the most outstanding system innovation in 1983.
This is the first time that any part of British Telecom's Prestel
network has won an award for its service. It comes less than a
year after launching the telesoftware venture.
BARRY WOOD'S TAILPIECE
WE were chatting with one of those lovely people from Acorn
the other day, and the subject of naughty foreigners copying the
Electron came up.
"Oh I don't think there's much chance of that," commented
one of Acorn's best. "We can't even copy the thing ourselves
..."
* * *
OUR technical editor's wife rang up the other day to say he
was ill.
"He's sitting up in bed writing flow charts for his programs
- so he must be ill."
* * *
LOVELY little footnote at the end of a piece of software sent
in for review to the effect that "when you've completed your
review, please check up to see if we've released another version
of it before you publish anything". In other words, the product
supplied is fit enough to be sold to the public but not fit enough
to be discussed in public ...
* * *
A PROGRAMMER, selling his latest game to a leading software
house, asked for an advance of several hundred pounds for equipment
to develop his latest idea on.
When asked what he wanted to use the money for, he replied,
"I'm going to buy a piano".
Was his next program going to be musical then?
"No, it's for my wife — to keep her busy so I can get on
with my programming".
* * *
ACORNSOFT had to deal with one very irate customer, complaining
that their 'compute-a-mate' program. I Do, was grossly innaccurate
- it proved he was compatible with his wife.
* * *
IWAS admiring the matching case used by one company for their
latest BBC add-on.
"Acorn sold us some of their second processor boxes",
said the proud designer.
Well, Acorn aren't using them for much at the moment, are they?
