Discusses the marketing value and strategic necessity of planned and promoted customer education. The article examines customer training by the manufacturer as a definite trend in the microcomputer industry. Elements of a good customer training program are described along with suggestions for starting such a program. (CT)

A microcomputer fair held during homecoming and in conjunction with the opening of the ISU Microcomputer Learning Facility resulted in an unprecedented explosion of interest and buying. The store was also selling computer books, supplies, and software. (Author/MLW)

Lack of space became a problem when the university bookstore moved into its new quarters; more space was needed to meet the demand for clothing and secretarial supplies. A student record store was purchased and electronic gear including stereos, tape recorders, electronic calculators, etc., were added to the inventory. (MLW)

The Regional College Store Associations have been developing Master Textbook Lists, a program that compiles, at a central location, a master list of titles used at each store's school. Two benefits are: (1) needed books can be rushed from one store to another, and (2) reductions occur in inventory of nonreturnable books. (MLW)

Interviews with computer-company officials and a survey show that: despite higher education discounts, computer companies make money; colleges offer computer companies intellectual capital; students take hardware and software preferences with them into jobs; higher education influences computers built and sold; and higher education is a…