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EDUCATION NEWS AutoSketch — a precision drawing package for craft, design and technology AutoS ketch for the Archimedes computer, significant figures; measurements of angle developed and ported by AutoDesk, was and the distance between any two points launched in March at CAD/CAM 88, are given to the same degree of accuracy where it aroused a great deal of interest. It and are updated when the object con- will be available for educational users at cerned is altered. £79.00 plus VAT. Part or all of a drawing can be printed out It must first be stated that this package has on one of a wide range of graphics printers nothing to do with sketching — it is and pen plotters supported by the program, intended primarily for the CDT depart- including plotters up to A0 size and ment, rather than the art department. Postscript and LaserJet laser printers. AutoS ketch is an inexpensive precision AutoSketch will also produce AutoCad drawing package that has been extracted slides, which can be used as templates or by Autodesk from their widely used pro- in a visual filing system. fessional CAD/CAM system, AutoCad. Thus it has most of AutoCad's basic The main advantage of AutoS ketch on the functions but includes none of the frills Archimedes computer is that it runs that customise the professional package to approximately five times as fast as on a a particular market (and can push its price standard PC-compatible machine. As is above £2500). This makes it an excellent usual for precision-drawing packages, all introduction to using CAD, and an ideal information about the points and lines stepping-stone for all students who are that make up a drawing are stored math- intending to work in a CAD design ematically, rather than as a screen map. environment: in engineering, in archi- Thus whenever a drawing is loaded from tecture, or as a draftsperson. disc, or the whole picture is 'zoomed out' to form a detail, the positions of the lines It is easy to start using AutoSketch: the on the screen must be plotted from pop-down menus offer all the options for scratch. The RISC-based architecture of drawing, editing, zooming in to a detail, the Archimedes computer is ideal for this setting the parameters and measuring task: the drawings appear in seconds distances from the drawing. (Some func- rather than minutes which PC users have tions are also accessible with the function come to expect. keys.) Lines, arcs, circles and curves can rs. Inside: be drawn in different colours and assigned For further details please contact: Simon to one of the ten drawing layers; text can Hodgson of Autodesk 01 928 7868 be added and objects can be measured and 1st Word Plus across the dimensioned automatically. The coordi- curriculum nates of a point may be displayed to 6 Networks in schools — the future Snaps and snippets Acorn's RISC technology gains The Archimedes Computer sounds third award Are you on the Econet news exciting — it's a MIDI instrument network? The BBC B Microcomputer is acknow- eight-voice digital stereo sound is accept- Dates for your diary ledged to be a tremendously successful able to even the most demanding teachers

music controller. However, now the latest of music; indeed, the sound is better than generation of BBC Micros Acom's RISC- that of many MIDI instruments. When based Archimedes 300 series open up new combined with the speed of RISC pro- opportunities for electronic music — the cessing, the possibilities are almost Archimedes range can act not just as a unlimited. music controller, it can also become a musical instrument in its own right. The Several music makers, already tuned in to will ultimately form a complete MIDI project is high on his list of priorities. the BBC micro environment, are now system. Soundsynth allows users to load, developing packages that exploit the edit, combine and save sounds. Sounds A completely different approach to music capabilities of the Archimedes range. can be entered directly by sampling the in the classroom is taken by Phil Ellis, With either Acorn's own MIDI upgrade, output from an instrument, or from a MESU Principal Research Fellow in Arts or the MIDI Interface Unit, designed for microphone, they can be drawn as a wave- Education at the University of Warwick. the BBC Microcomputer by Electromusic form on the screen with the mouse, or can He believes that the computer must Research Ltd (EMR), fitted onto the be expressed as a mathematical equation. enhance and take forward existing good Archimedes I/O expansion card, the com- Up to sixteen sounds can be combined to curriculum practice, rather than the music puter becomes a sophisticated MIDI con- form a complex wave-form which can be curriculum being formed by the latest troller — it is the only microcomputer with seen as well as heard. technology. His research has led to the all MIDI calls built into its ROM. production of Touching Sound, a fully Programs written by EMR for the BBC integrated suite of programs for the BBC Mike Beecher, the driving force behind Microcomputer can also be used on Microcomputer designed to give access to EMR, spent twenty years as a music Archimedes models, and there are already the exploration, creation and performance teacher and examiner before devoting many available for primary and secondary Df music for children in primary and himself full-time to his company. His pupils, and those with special needs. EMR secondary schools, and for those with mission in life is to help music teachers in is currently working with researchers at special needs. He sees the Archimedes schools spend their small capitation Cardiff University on a single-switch range as having exciting potential for allowance to best advantage; to achieve device that will provide the severely education. this he is prepared to give them the handicapped with a means of creating technical backup they need to use com- 16-track symphonic music. Both Mike Beecher and Phil Ellis will be puter music in education; he will also demonstrating their systems and approach advise teachers on the most effective ways Mike Beecher believes that the speed of to music in education at the British Music of expanding their music system when Archimedes computers should allow them Fair, held at the Wembley Conference they have more money to spend. to display the correct musical notation on Centre from 22-24 July. Acorn's own the screen as soon as notes are played at MIDI expansion card for the Archimedes EMR has already produced the first instal- the keyboard, enabling children who hear system will be unveiled at the same event. ment of a range of more than twenty a sound to identify with its written products for the Archimedes system that equivalent straight away. Realising this 1st Word Plus across the curriculum At Netherhall School in Cambridge, by pond dipping, counting pieces of litter, Moreover, the memory capacity of the Alastair Wells, the Head of Information testing the water and air temperatures, for computer is such that they don't have to Technology and Geology, is experimenting example — all of which must be collated, save data, swop discs, or perform many of with 1st Word Plus and an Archimedes 305 interpreted, and presented as part of their the other operations that caused problems computer, both for the production of his coursework. in the past. own worksheet and information sheets, and to assess the benefits to the students To guide their investigations Mr Wells "The demands of the pond project can when they write up their project work. produced a series of worksheets using his have spin-offs into information technology. Archimedes machine. "1st Word Plus is so For example, one student designed a easy! I don't have to type in any commands, program that analyses data from a tempera- and I can even include the pictures I ture sensor in the pond, and this counts create using Clares Micro Supplies' towards his GCSE in Technology. Artisan. Once a picture is safely on disc it can be used in many different applications." "From the organisational point of view the system has an additional bonus: it is so Using Presenter, a graph-drawing package light and compact it's easy to move around soon to be published by Lingenuity, pupils the school — even the wires are user- simply enter their data into the computer, friendly!" a bar chart, pie chart or graph is produced automatically and almost instantaneously. Other projects involving the Archimedes This representation can then be incorpor- system in the school stem from subject ated straight into the final documents they initiatives. They include: write up with 1st Word Plus. • termly news bulletins produced during Mr Wells describes the main advantages of media studies classes with the English the system: "The work the students pro- department, in conjunction with each duce is lifted into a different class by the pastoral head of year. The inclusion of quality of its presentation, an important graphics will add to their interest. consideration when so much of the course work counts towards their examination • a weather project using data collected In the past year the school has set up an results. Low-ability fifth years in particular from the school's own weather station environmental project centred around a have found Presenter invaluable: although and live pictures received from the pond on their school field. Funded by a they have difficulty in drawing the WSR weather satellite. The satellite grant from the Nature Conservancy diagrams themselves, they can interpret pictures can be copied using Artisan, Council, this cross-curricular project is the results that are displayed on the and a daily summary produced with 1 st integrated into lower school science, Archimedes machine. The program Word Plus. GCSE biology and environmental studies, releases the students from tasks requiring sixth form social biology, and art at all manual dexterity so they may concentrate levels. The pupils collect masses of data — on drawing conclusions from their data. Networks in schools — the future At the end of April Acorn held the second resources, teachers had found that what with technical knowledge to manage the in its series of termly meetings open to all each class really needed were a few software, storage and access aspects, and LEA advisers and inspectors in computing machines, each with local floppy disc to do some troubleshooting as well. Both and IT subjects. The purpose of this and storage and direct access to printing managers would receive central support future meetings is to discuss the perceived facilities — after all, the work in lessons is from the LEA. future for IT in schools over the next five produced by the pupils; they must be able years and by working together in partner- to keep their work over many months and Ian Laurence, Acorn's Sales and Marketing ship to ensure that Acorn provides the be able to print out graphics-based results Director, then took the floor. Before base that best meets the needs of the quickly without waiting in a queue. coming to Acorn Ian was a director of LEAs. The main theme of the forum on 20 However, the network was important for BICC Data Networks, the worldwide April was the evolution of networking in communication and in providing access to Ethernet specialists. He described the schools. software; it thus helped to integrate the different types of network that are avail- computer into the curriculum. able, explaining their main features and Roger Broadie, Acorn's Education the configurations that are possible with Adviser, introduced the day by focussing The second speaker was Brian Kennedy, each. He then embarked on a comparison on the partnership — between Acorn, advisory teacher from Dudley LEA, who according to cost and value for money. A LEAs, schools and software houses — told the story of his LEA's introduction of useful tip that emerged from his talk was necessary to ensure the effective use of Econet networks and the problems this that twisted pair wiring is satisfactory for networks in schools. He was followed by encountered and how they were overcome. both Econet and Ethernet systems, four speakers who discussed different The networks in his area vary between thus avoiding the termination difficulties aspects of the problems and prospects for 200 m and 1200 m in length and have and high cost of coaxial cable. Ian con- networks in schools. from 28 to 65 stations; however, he felt cluded that networking is rapidly evolving, that their management and central support as are the needs of its users. Only through Tim Hardingham, an advisory teacher requirements were consistent. His LEA partnership between the users and the from Warwickshire LEA, concentrated on believes that the ideal solution is to have hardware producers can the networks on the curriculum imperatives for network two network managers, one with deputy the market match those needs. use by all pupils. Although networks had head status to drive the curricular use of often been installed in schools to save the network and make sure that staff money by sharing facilities and centralising training and support is provided; the other Acorn's RISC Snaps and technology gains snippets third award The electronics industry has voted the Artisan hits hard! Turtles do it at speed! Archimedes system the 'best new tech- Chris Tandy of the BBC children's art Logotron's super-fast Archimedes Logo, nology application of the year' in the 1988 program Take Hart was visiting launched in January at the BETT Show, is British Electronics Week TOBIE Awards, Swadelands School at Lenham in Kent to now on general release at a cost of £60.00. sponsored by the industry's weekly paper take a look at their use of Art Plus Time on Review copies have been sent to all Electronic Times and its sister publications the Nimbus. He was impressed. But then Computer Resource Centres and to LEA What's New in Electronics and Electronic he was overwhelmed by another art program advisers in computing and information Enguneering. The nomination for the he had not seen before: Artisan running technology. award particularly praised Acorn for intro- on an Archimedes machine. As a result he ducing the 32-bit RISC-based machine at is sending a TV crew to the school in July a time when other manufacturers were to film the pupils using Artisan in the art playing safe by producing yet more IBM- MOM. compatibles. Artisan pictures on Epson printers Clares Micro Supplies have brought out an Artisan support disc with printer dump routines that will dump your Mode 12 For your free subscription to Acorn Education News simply fill in the coupon below and pictures onto Epson FX80s, RX80s and send to: Acorn Computers Limited, Department 2EN, FREEPOST 4335, BS1 3YX. EX800s (and their compatibles). There This is a new publication for computer users in education. Spread the 'News' by are also two further routines for dumping photocopying this coupon for completion by interested colleagues. onto an Integrex colour printer, one for high quality paper and one for standard Name paper. Also on the disc are a display utility Position which enables you to dissolve one picture into another, an editor for changing the School/College patterns shown on an Epson FX80 to LEA represent the range of colours, and a fast screen load module which increases the Address speed at which screens are both loaded and saved. The disc costs £19.95 in the UK. Postcode Telephone No. 2EN Are you on the Dates for your diary Econet news 13-15 July 12-13 September Information Technology in Econet '88: Econet Plus — network? Teacher Education educational computing for the The Econet User Group is an independent This third annual conference will be nineties body set up by users of Econet networks to opened by Angela Rumbold, Minister of Organised jointly by Acorn, Network enable them to share network innovations, State, Education and Science. User Magazine and RESOURCE. Lectures to solve problems, and to disseminate Christ's and Notre Dame College, and presentations will cover a wide range Econet news. Members must have a pro- Liverpool Institute of Higher Education of topics, including a review of the impact fessional interest in Econet as matters RISC technology on network systems, involving system security are freely 22-24 July with workshops, seminars and an exhi- discussed. Music 88 — The British Music bition of software and hardware. Fair Newman College, Bartley Green, NEUS, the group's quarterly newsletter, Billed as 'the most concentrated and Birmingham. passes information between members and comprehensive display of musical instru- carries reviews of Econet-related software ments, equipment, sheet music and tech- Acorn Computers are also supporting a and hardware. It caters for users with little nology to be seen in the UK in 1988'. series of events organised by dealers around technical knowledge so that they can get Mike Beecher of EMR will be demon- the country. For further information please the best out of their system, but it also strating his Arpeggio Soundsynth on the contact the relevant dealer for the event contains authoritative articles on tech- Archimedes computer. you are interested in. nical matters. All editions include Wembley Conference Centre members' questions and answers, latest 18 June Solihull Library Theatre Econet news and details of software com- 25-27 July Caroline Latif (Alpha patibility. NEUS is the only international MUSE Annual Conference 1988 Microtec) magazine specialising in in-depth reporting The languages session on 25 July will 021 745 8998 of all aspects of Econet-related matters. contain an introduction to Smalltalk on 30 June Redland College (Bristol) the Archimedes range, on the following Kay Crowe (CCE Catsoft) Membership of the Econet User Group morning Chris Dawkins will conduct a 0454 321088 ensures that you find out fast about workshop on Acorn's Econet networking 5 July Dartington Teachers Centre software upgrades and latest developments system. There will also be a presentation Exeter Golf & Country Club on the Econet front. For further details of the Volcanoes videodisc and the EMR Nova Fisher (Minerva please write to: music system. Computers) The Econet User Group Nottingham University 0392 37756 c/o Michael Ryan (NEUS Editor) 12/13 July The Cornish Computer Show Balkeerie Cottage 2-4 September Ocean Suite, Cornwall Eassie by Forfar British Logo Users Group Colosseum Angus DD8 1SR Annual Conference Chris Netherton (Microtest) Scotland Come and see Archimedes Logo in action. 0208 3812 College of St Paul and St Mary, Cheltenham continued from previous page In the general discussion that followed standard pupil workstation of the future there was agreement that the prime reason would have its own hard disc, were also The last speaker was Laurie Hardwick, for installing networks in schools is to raised, and advisers expressed a desire to Network Manager at Acorn. He reviewed promote communication and cross- continue and extend these discussions. the performance of the Econet system and curricular activities, and to enable pupils confirmed that it is an exceptionally cost- to access central resources. Some advisers Delegates and speakers left the meeting effective local area network. He looked at felt that Econet networks could be made satisfied that they had extended their possible ways of increasing the throughput to serve the needs of their LEA for some knowledge and consolidated their thinking on an Econet network, explored the years to come; others felt the need to move on the future of networks in schools, and natural limits of lower speed networks and to hybrid networks, using both Econet and Acorn has a clearer idea of the networking discussed the costs and possibilities of Ethernet protocol, while accepting that needs of its most influential market. providing interworking between Econet this would entail increased expenditure. and Ethernet systems. Conceptual issues, such as whether the

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this leaflet is true and correct at the time of printing. However, the products described in this leaflet are subject to continuous development and improvement and Acorn ACORN, ARCH1MEDES and ECONET are trademarks of Computers Limited reserves the right to change their Acorn Computers Limited, AutoSketch and AutoCad are specifications at any time, trademarks of Autodesk Limited. Artisan is a trademark of Acorn Computers Limited cannot accept liability for any Clares Micro Supplies. 1st Word Plus and Timeworks are loss or damage arising from the use of any information or trademarks of GST Holdings Limited. Ethernet is a particulars in this leaflet. trademark of the Xerox Corporation. System DeltaPlus is a trademark of Minerva Systems. Presenter is a trademark of Lingenuity. Soundsynth is a trademark of EMR.

In this leaflet the initals BBC refer to the British Education Hotline 0223 215453 Broadcasting Corporation. Need specialist advice? Copyright © Acorn Computers Limited 1988 Acorn Computers Limited Telephone (0223) 245200 Dial this number between 9.30-12 am Fulbourn Road Telex 817875 ACORN G APP145 SECOND ED1T1ON JULY 1988 Cherry Hinton Fax (0223) 210685 or 2 pm-4.30 pm for Acorn's hotline Cambridge CB1 411•1 Viewdata (0223) 243642 service, exclusive to educational users. This issue was researched and written by Deborah Ganz. England