SID Closure :-

In order to meet the requirements of the largest possible population of
Archimedes users, Acorn has successfully set up a number of "Acorn Areas" on
Bulletin Boards around Britain containing all Acorn's latest release s/w
modules and Acorn product news. In addition, Acorn are providing technical
support through the Archimedes Echo on Fidonet by  monitoring the
conversations and stepping in where necessary.

These initiatives have been very well received in the Archimedes community
in the UK and usage of the facilities has been high. Fidonet is an
International network and offers users the potential for support and
discussion with the widest possible range of enthusiasts. 

Because of the overwhelming success of the Acorn Areas on other BBs, Fidonet's
international potential and the declining usage of SID over the past year, 
SID will be closed at end of Oct. 

Guest users will be able to access SID until 30 Sept
Fastrack users can continue until 30 Sept. 
Prestel users can continue  until 30 Sept

Thereafter all registered users can continue via the three PSTN lines until
31 Oct.

The BBs currently operating an Acorn Area are :-

TUG II     0905 775191          W. Midlands
Enigma     0905 795002          W. Midlands
Arcade     081 654 2212         London SE
PowerHouse 0829 782676          NE
Noah       0272 572322          SE
DarcWorld  0867 577724          E. Mids
ICON       0103531 971660       Ireland


The benefits of independent BBs and Fidonet are :-

Fido user base much wider than SID's and Acorn's Support still available 

Acorn Areas strategically placed, most of Britain can access within B
rate call. 

Much better data transfer speeds up to 14400 (SID is 2400 PSTN/Prestel,
12/75 Fastrack)

Wider choice of download protocols

ANSI emulation

Worldwide support growing

Much larger pd software base


Micronet's executive editor Paul Needs said :-

"Acorn have done an excellent job in widening the number of Archimedes
 users they provide with support"

"Although SID is closing, Micronet will continue to work with Acorn in
 providing a top class level of support for our Archimedes Customers via
 Micronet's Acorn Magazine and Telesoftware databases."


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