If only I had a pound for every time I have been asked to help solve a computer problem for a teacher. The fact is that computer manuals and busy teachers don’t mix too well, usually with the latter feeling inadequate at best, or totally frustrated at worst, with more heat being generated than light.

It is also a fact that there is precious little time for information technology co-ordinators to share knowledge, pass on skills and generally offer help where and when it is needed. Most problems people have are quite minor in terms of the solution or information required. However, if it is the lack of information which holds you back, then the problem is major.

That’s where The Acorn Companion steps in, providing a source of information which is digestible, accessible and lacking in the jargon so often associated with computer manuals in short, a lay-person’s guidetp Acorn’s Archimedes and A-series computers.

The 126-page guide groups its information in seven chapters, each of which provides different forms of assistance. “Getting Started” covers the initial stages of getting equipped and up and running. “Keeping it Going” explains disc and file management in such a way as to make operating the computer as trouble-free as possible. “Peripherals” and “CD-Rom” explain what other items are available to you to expand the computer and its uses, while the “Software Guide” offers a collection of introductory notes to many popular items of educational software.

Although not exhaustive, it should at least help you get to grips with the most commonly-used features of software like Ovation, Full Phase, My World 2, Notate, Revelation, Vision Digitiser, etc “When It All Goes Horribly Wrong” is a most welcome trouble-shooting section which will certainly help to quell the panic when you get one of those horrible error messages or the computer refuses to do something you expect it to. Lastly, Author Geoff Love offers a glossary to help decipher all those less than intelligible computer terms.

The book is clearly aimed at the non-specialist teacher and information technology co-ordinator who needs to know enough to use the computer, solve any problems encountered and keep things running smoothly. In this it succeeds well. I suspect that the section on software will prove a curate’s egg for most readers, for unless software you actually use is mentioned, it will be of limited value.

Having said that, are there any schools which do not use one of the Phases or else the excellent My World 2?

In my school I have compiled a self-help file of useful information technology aids which teachers can borrow as and when they require help. The Acorn Companion will without doubt prove an invaluable addition.

NW Semerc - stands SN12a, SN13