We were more than pleased at the response to our Reader Survey included with the April issue of RISC User (Volume 2 Issue 7). Not only did over 500 members take the time and trouble to reply, but many included additional and constructive comments as part of their response, and several readers even wrote separate letters with further comments and suggestions.
We have now completed a preliminary analysis of the responses, and are already using the information obtained in planning this and future issues of RISC User. For example, a majority of readers were positively in favour of reducing the number of long listings in the magazine, which supports the moves in this direction which we had already begun to make.
Another interesting snippet from the statistics is that over 70% of readers claim to have purchased some item as a result of an advert in RISC User, indicating both the dedication to the Archimedes of our readership, and the value of the advertising to our readers.
We should have completed our analysis in time for the October issue.
Now that the RISC OS upgrade is available from stock (and at the time of writing still at the special low price of £33.35 inc. VAT (plus postage - category D, see Retail Catalogue) we will in future concentrate solely on RISC OS when it comes to writing, editing and checking programs for RISC User. RISC OS is THE Archimedes operating system, and turns the machine into the sophisticated but easy-to-use system we all hoped it would be.
You may already be aware that BEEBUG has been developing a number of new products for the Archimedes. First to be available are Hard Disc Utilities providing sophisticated backup, archiving (file compression) and file finder for approximately £35 to members, and Scavenger, a scanner system for the Archimedes which will offer a resolution of 400 dots per inch at prices from just under £200. Full details of both products are in the Retail Catalogue.
Acorn has announced a joint scheme with selected Acorn dealers (including BEEBUG) to offer the A3000 at a reduced price to teachers. Full details are available from BEEBUG.