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My Hermetic font, available from, http://www.dacha.freeuk.com/free/, now has a new 'Stretch' style (double width) for Hebrew emphasis.
As well as 39 Hebrew characters, the font has 56 u.c. & l.c. Greek characters and an assortment of triangles, crosses, polygons, stars, planetary symbols, musical accidentals, zodiac symbols and gaming symbols.
Versions earlier than 1.14b of Pluto have a leap-year bug.
This has been fixed in versions 1.14b and later. Anyone still using the earlier versions should update their copy from the Pluto updates web page. Details are given in the ReadMe file which is inside the "Pluto" archive on the Pluto floppy disc.
Please email me if you are unsure about the procedure.
I emailed all registered users a while ago, but some people have changed their email addresses.
The effect of the bug will be that from 1st March until the end of the year, all messages that you send will have their Date: line showing one day early. This means that your messages will appear to have been sent a day before they actually were, often before the message which you are replying to :-)
The cause is a coding bug that affects the encoding of the date into Pluto's internal representation. Unfortunately it doesn't also affect the decoding. If it did, the effect would be restricted to just one day.
Pluto is a RISC OS News/Mail Reader and Text Database. Trial copy available from: http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/jsd/
CDViewer 2.01 has just been uploaded to my home page.
CDViewer is a replacement for CDFSFiler. It includes its own built in CD player with support for AcornCD, better support for dual format CD as well as other features.
What's new:
Also on my Web site is CDBase, the CD database behind CDViewer's audio disc player, can be downloaded for use in other applications.
Get it from http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/jeremy.poulter/Software.html
!Flash is a plugin for web browsers that enables you to view flash files. Many commercial sites use this format to make their site more attractive. Besides showing nice pictures and clips the flash object also allows you to navigate through a site, therefore, without the right plugin it was most times impossible to get past the "Get Shockwave" logo while running a web browser. Although we now have the capability to view flash files not all sites will allow us to enter because they test for other required features or do not detect the !Flash plugin.
!Flash has been tested on
The !Flash plugin is a port of the "Flash Plugin for Linux" which was developed by Olivier Debon and Fabrice Bellard. If you have any trouble with !Flash please do not contact them because they have nothing to do with !Flash.
We're posting this as a public announcement after taking many tech support calls about Mozart Sound cards running (or rather not working) with our software under RISC OS 4.
The Mozart 16 bit sound card is a Yellowstone product, and not connected with RCI, however we hope the following information will help Mozart users.
The version of the SharedSound module supplied in RISC OS 4 (0.58) does not work with the Mozart card. However, most versions prior to this do work (eg. 0.44, 0.26, 0.24 etc.), and you will most likely have such a version already in !System.
You can now reset your machine, and all should be well. Applications which need SharedSound will now load it from !System. If you have problems with applications not finding SharedSound, please contact us for assistance.
Finally, the Mozart !Boot.Choices.Boot.PreDesk folder should be added back in after installing RISC OS 4.
The following R-Comp/RCI products (and apps supplied with such) have problems (ie have no sound) unless the above fix is applied:
All other R-Comp/RCI should be OK as they don't require 16 bit audio. Once the fix has been applied, all the above applications work correctly.
We hope this is helpful.
Final Note:
WebChange2 v1.07
WebChange is a tool written to aid those who prefer to design their web pages by hand. It provides a number of functions that enable the user to make repetitive changes to the local copy of a site quickly and easily, ready for uploading, including find and replace, and date and size referencing (updates).
Version 1.07 has now been made available to users, and adds a very useful file insertion facility, similar to that offered by web servers supporting SSI.
This facility enables you to keep sections of your HTML, which might appear in more than one page in a separate file, with WebChange inserting it in the appropriate pages when run - such as a button bar, or a standard header or footer, for example. Thus, if you need to make a change to that section of HTML on all such pages, you now only change the separate file, and have WebChange reinsert it where necessary.
See the Web site (URL below) for more details.
Budget Price Version
In addition to the full price of 12ukp, for which you become a 'full' user, Soft Rock Software can now offer a budget option for WebChange2.
The budget price for WebChange2 is 4.50ukp. For this price, you receive the current (at time of purchase) full version, but cannot be offered any free upgrades or be added to the mailing list.
If, within 3 months of purchasing at the budget price, you decide you want to become a full user, you can do so by sending a cheque for the difference; 7.50ukp.
See the Web site (URL below) for more details.
Ordering WebChange 2
WebChange can be ordered by sending a cheque for the appropriate amount, made payable to Soft Rock Software, to:
Soft Rock SoftwareMore details and an order form can be found on:
either http://www.webchange.co.uk/ or
http://www.softrock.co.uk/webchange/
We are now making freely available a cut down version of our PowerZip product which allows RISC OS based computers to access parallel port Zip drives.
The 'lite' version will access Zip, Zip+ and Zip250 drives connected to the parallel port; but being a free 'lite' version, it will only allow read access (ie. no write operations), and it is supplied with no formatter or configuration software - thus may be used to read discs from other sources.
To download PowerZip-lite, go to www.partis.org.uk, select the 'Contents' page, and then select 'Free Power-tec Downloads'. The downloaded file needs to have its file type set to 'Archive' and then extracted using a compatible de-archiver (eg. !Spark).
A fully featured version, including comprehensive configuration/formatting software and full backup utility software, is available for 20UKP from Partis Computing and other stockists. The full version includes:
We aim to supply Grade-A products for realistic prices!
Louise & Gary Partis
Partis Computing
I've just finished !DiskBase version 0.80, a disk directory database program. The major change in this release is long filename support.
For more info see my Web site at http://home.wanadoo.nl/jan.ganzevles/ or even better, read the StrongHelp helpfile after downloading the program.
For all of you that never used the program, to get an impression of its possibilities, here is a short description of all available menu options:
On the printerpage you can:
The program is tested with release 3.1 and 4.02 (and although I haven't been able to test for some time now, it should still be compatible with RISC OS 2).
Version 1 of Reporter, written by Chris Morison (of Organizer fame), was a module that supplied the simple command "*Reporter <text>". Any <text> entered in the command is displayed in a list in a multi-tasking window.
This was very useful as a debugging tool, as programs could display information without interrupting the flow of the program with message boxes, but Basic Procedures were also required.
Version 2.00 of Reporter is now available, enhanced by Martin Avison (with permission from Chris) to make it much easier to use.
The main facilities are ...
Full details are available from http://www.avisoft.force9.co.uk/ and it can be downloaded from there as a zip archive file.
Reporter v2.00 will also be available from Chris Morison's web site at http://www.organizer.ukgateway.net/
Any comments on the web sites, or the application, always welcome.
Version 0.06 of RISCOS Samba Server is now available from http://www.merddin.demon.co.uk/riscos.html. This is a port of Samba which allows Windows and Unix machines to share RISC OS discs using the Microsoft File Sharing Protocol (now known as CIFS).
Please read and understand the instructions contained in the HTML documentation in !smbserver.docs for information on how to configure !smbserver.
This version of !smbserver has been tested running on RISC OS 4.02, RISC OS 3.70 and RISC OS 3.10 with the following clients: Windows 98, Linux (using smbclient, smbmount and smbumount), !Omniclient and !LanMan98 (running on a different Risc PC to the server).
What's new in this release:
Good luck!
I am pleased to announce the release of a new version of Zonk (version 1.35). This can be downloaded from http://www.theknow.co.uk/zonk/
For those that aren't familiar with it, Zonk is my program for building html files from plain text data files and templates, a highly specialised form of mail merge really. Further information can be found at the above address.
This version has a few bug fixes and quite a number of enhancements over the previous release (1.14). The Mac OS build of a slightly earlier version is the one that Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) now uses for its daily updates.
The Acorn version is released on a free limited licence. Commercial enquiries about the Windows (95/98/2000/NT) or Mac OS (7 and above) versions should be addressed to tim@theknow.co.uk
A year ago, the RISC OS Foundation was formed as a replacement for Acorn's Clan. The RISC OS Foundation is now delighted to announce that the first issue of the new CD magazine for Foundation members, Foundation RISC User, has gone gold.
This magazine has been produced by the Editor, Richard G. Hallas.
Foundation RISC User is the first in a series of quarterly magazines for Foundation members. Presented in a highly professional way, the new magazine represents the most authoritative source of information available to RISC OS users.
Here is a sample of what's on the first CD:
Editorial enquiries about the magazine itself should be directed to Richard Hallas at <mailto:Editor@riscos.com>. Please only contact Richard about matters relating to the magazine and its contents; he is not involved with processing subscriptions to the Foundation.
Gareth J. Dykes
Director, RISCOS Ltd
As a result of very lively discussion in the comp.sys.acorn.misc newsgroup about possible features for future versions of RISC OS, there is now a Web site available which lists all wishes.
The site already contains many ideas from the newsgroup, and you can vote for each item or add a positive or negative comment.
There is no connection to RISCOS Ltd. So don't think you will find ideas listed here in the next version of RISC OS, although it might be possible.
To set up the wishlist-Web site in such a short time was only possible with the help of James Sears who stored the site on acornusers.org and wrote the database.
You will find the RISC OS Wishlist on
http://www.acornusers.org/wishlist/
New version creates screen-based presentations quickly and now has sound!
OHP2 Spacetech's new version of the presentation package for RISC OS will be released at the Acorn South West Show on Saturday February 19th.
OHP2 lets the user compile Presentations comprised of a number of graphics files, which may be created using native RISC OS applications like Draw or Paint, or more sophisticated packages like Cerilica Vantage or Photodesk, and then show them on the computer's VDU as a full-screen presentation.
New features of OHP2 include the following enhancements:
OHP2 is available on CD-ROM for 39.95 inc.VAT and UK carriage. It requires RISC OS 3.5 or higher.
Upgrades from OHP to OHP2 cost 12.95 inc.VAT and carriage. (Please return old CD)
OHP_show and a demonstration presentation is available for free download from the Spacetech web site.
In its new home here at R-Comp, EasyClip 2 is now at v2.05, and upgrades are available for existing customers. The main enhancements are:
EasyClip 2 is a slick, powerful clipart/image management system, allowing you to easily group, catalogue, examine and select images held within.
EasyClip has many uses ranging from organising your DTP artwork, to cataloguing web site images. Using hierarchical trees of categories, it's easy to organise your images just the way you want them.
Pricing:
When upgrading, please include your EasyClip 2 serial number. You may be asked to return your disc, and this is recommended for minimum fuss.
We regret having to charge for the 2.x to 2.05 upgrade, but this is a new product for R-Comp, and we need to make this small charge towards our extra work, technical support and expense incurred in taking it on.
R-Comp and Fabis Computing today finalised the full transfer of the EasyClip 2 and AddressIt products from Fabis to their new home at R-Comp. This deal ensures that support and upgrades can continue to be offered by R-Comp for these products, and also allows for future development and sales.
Information/pricing on EasyClip 2 and AddressIt will be forthcoming, and various updates are planned, and several have already been completed.
Both products will be available at the SouthWest Show this weekend, and by mail order from now onwards.
We've just updated out site with some small updates to some of our programs. We've also improved the pages slightly and it should hopefully be a bit easier to browse. Let me know what you think.
Web site: http://www.eganc.demon.co.uk/skullsoft/
Notable updates include:
Please note: most of our programs require the WimpBASIC module, which is available from our site.
If you find any problems with our Web site or programs, or have any suggestions please get in contact with us and we'll try and help.
Chris Egan and David Taylor
The OSLib development team are pleased to announce that after a few months of relative inaction, OSLib, the free, type-safe and consistent API library for C, C++ and assembler under RISC OS, has now been updated with all the latest support for RISC OS 4, as well as a new Event Library.
Version 5.61 is now available at http://www.mk-net.demon.co.uk/oslib/ so point your browser there and download it straight away!
For those who don't know about OSLib, read about it at the same site.
The mail lists are once again active; the web site explains how to subscribe.
Version 0.12 (15 Feb 2000) of BeebIt has now been released. BeebIt is a freeware BBC Micro computer emulator for RISC OS versions 3.00 and above. It emulates an Acorn BBC Model B computer with 32K RAM.
The following improvements have been done since 0.10.
As always, you can get the latest version from <http://www.voyager.co.nz/~mikef/>.
It is with pleasure that I can announce the availability of RiscAction February 2000; now back from the printers.
We were aiming initially to have just a sample ready for the Southwest Show; but are pleased to say that the first edition feels more like a complete magazine. Do be aware, though, that it's about half the size of a regular issue.
This issue contains
The accompanying disc (included with this issue) contains
The price for the package - just ukp3, fully inclusive. To get your copy, visit our stand at the Southwest Show or just mail your details (no credit cards - we'll send them out and you can send payment by return).
Thanks for your time,
David Bradforth
Editor, RiscAction
Filetypes; mappings and new RO4 sprites. Also Primary Drawfile ClipArt.
New on our school Web site http://www.bablakejs.co.uk/ are the following archives available for download:
http://www.bablakejs.co.uk/download/sprite.zip
RISC OS 4 sprite sets for !ImageFS, !Translatr, and !Creator: !ImageFS is bundled with RO4, but unfortunately only with RO3 sprites, and then only in high-res format. Some, but not all, of these filetypes have new RO4-style icons posted elsewhere on the web. This archive provides a full set, and 2 further "coordinated" sets for John Kortink's excellent shareware file converters. Simplicity is the keynote. Only a few foreign bitmap files need distinctly identifiable icons, for selecting 'export as' conversions (e.g. BMP). For the majority of 'import only' filetypes, many existing icon designs are unnecessary and confusing, when conversion should be transparent anyway. (There is also BTW, a syntax error in the ImageFS MapTypes file, which this archive updates and corrects.)
http://www.bablakejs.co.uk/inout.htm contains an extensive table of RISC OS-convertible filetypes and DOS extensions, and the apps which can do this, at least on our network. It isn't comprehensive, but details the file conversions that are available with common, inexpensive, or free RISC OS software.
http://www.bablakejs.co.uk/download/maps.zip
Trying to keep conversion as consistent and transparent as possible, this archive contains a revised mapping file for !CDFix. There are also two additional commented sets of DOSMappings, which we have found useful to add to, or with, !Boot:Choices.Boot.Tasks.!Boot. More controversially, these extra extensions are included in a revised MimeMapping file for the !Internet application. Some of these mimetypes are "unofficial" but AFAICS do no harm and may be useful, until a better set is available; YMMV.
Last but not least, there is an extensive collection of Drawfile Clipart, drawn by some talented junior artists in our school. This may be of particular interest to Primary and Junior Schools, as our own pupils use these images a lot. (We have also converted them to WMFs for OS-challenged schools. The WMFs work fine, but I would welcome feedback about success or otherwise of the downloads; they are not ZIPped). You can access all the images from http://www.bablakejs.co.uk/work.htm.
Enjoy!
I have ported PHP 3.0.14 to RISC OS. It is available from http://www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/~ajw498/
PHP, which stands for "PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor", is an HTML-embedded scripting language. Much of its syntax is borrowed from C, Java and Perl with a couple of unique PHP-specific features thrown in. The goal of the language is to allow web developers to write dynamically generated pages quickly. The scripts are interpreted by the server, so it works with all browsers.
I have tried to make the minimum of changes whilst porting PHP, so it should behave very similar to any other platform. Thus a script written in RISC OS should behave the same when uploaded to a Unix web server, or vice versa.
PHP can be run on its own, and you only need a web browser to view the output, or it can be used as a CGI program for a web server.
There is more information about PHP in general at http://www.php.net/
PHP is distributed under the GNU General Public Licence
I have uploaded my site with information about:
My aim is to make more maps available for Risk fanatics, find the solution to the PCem cache iw problem ( wishful thinking I know) and provide spares for users with older cherished hardware. I will hopefully present a list of out of print Acorn related books too.
BTW don't expect fancy graphics..... the site was hand written using Acorn's Browse hotlist as a tutorial ;-)
Owing to the fact I no longer work for ECS, the utilities package otherwise known as ECS Utils (which is still available but now unsupported from the ECS site) is under renewed development by Tortoisesoft Enterprises - at least while I look for a real job :-)
Tortils can perform all the old tricks such as:
But can now also
...oh, just download it and read the help file. There will be more to come as and when I think of it or you ask for it :-)
Tortils lives on my home site's shareware page at:
http://www.torty.org.uk/sware.html
Please report back your thoughts, findings and such to mailto:tortils@torty.org.uk
A new update archive for users of my unusual graphics application is now available. Changelogs are on the Web site. Note that you must have version 1.15 or later for the update to work.
I've also taken the chance to redesign the site a bit and add a hints section which someone may find useful.
http://www.crosswinds.net/~rdavison/compo.htm
More updates to Compo will be appearing on the site over the coming (NZ) winter months which will take the program in a new and even more unusual direction.
Anyone interested in going along for the ride should check the site from time to time as I won't be making more news postings (of any sort).
Like a lot of things in life I find it is just not worth the hassle. :-(
The third release of PsiFS is now available for free download from:
http://www.thouky.btinternet.co.uk/software/psifs/
The most significant changes from version 1.10 are:
PsiFS is a freeware RISC OS file system that communicates with a remote SIBO or EPOC device via the Psion Link Protocol (PLP). Files can be manipulated as if they were on a local harddisc, alebit a slow one, so copying is simply a matter of dragging icons between filer windows.
A reasonably complete description of the Psion Link Protocol is also available from the same web site.
The existing phone number (0161 4298902) and fax number (0161 4290685) will remain the same, but may be unavailable for a short time.
We have a 'read-only' mailing list for all Power-tec users who do not want to subscribe to PowerChat.
This mailing list will inform users of any new products, features, updates and services.
To subscribe, send an email to mailserver@partis.org.uk with the subject:
SUBSCRIBE ANNOUNCE
Even if the user's technical support contract has expired, they are still permitted to have software updates, some of which contain fixes for different OSs and some will contain new features that are impractical warrant a support contract.
We can officially start 'trading' with Power-tec products from the 14th of Febuary 2000, and hopefully our web site will be ready to allow users to register their ownership of products. This will allow for automated reception of software updates.
Partis Computing automates most of its operation, with the exception of the accounting and administration functions which are handled by Louise Partis (louise@partis.org.uk). This allows us to keep down costs and thus pass the benefit to the customer.
Sales Email: power-tec-sales@partis.org.uk
Technical Email: power-tec-tech@partis.org.uk
Web: http://www.partis.org.uk
Fax & Voice Mail: +44 (0)870 131 8471
Louise & Gary Partis
Partis Computing
The following new programs are available for download from my software downloads page:
http://users.ox.ac.uk/~chri0264/software/
Telephone (7k)
A little program for users of the Impact database. If you have an internal modem you will find that Impact's "modem" script command assumes that the modem is connected to the serial port, and so the modem command is useless. This program allows you to get round this, and create action button scripts which dial a telephone number using the internal modem.
MEPtelnet (4k)
If you use Webster for web browsing and FreeTerm for telnet connections, then this program will allow you to set up Webster so that clicking on a "telnet:" URL will start up FreeTerm and connect to the given host.
Hyper Index (20k)
This program is for use with the Archive Magazine CD Volume 12. After performing a search in TextFind, drag the results to the Hyper Index icon, and it will produce an HTML file giving hyper-links to the HTML versions of the articles.
As of 1st Feb, 2000, Andrew Rawnsley, Technical Director and founding member of RISCOS Ltd will be leaving the company, to pursue his own RISC OS-based software development business. Commenting on his departure, Andrew said, "I have very much enjoyed working with the RISCOS Ltd team for the past year, helping to build the company from a seed of imagination into a healthy, growing business. When we started, none of us knew what to expect, and what has been achieved in such a space of time is a testament to us all. Now I have seen RISCOS Ltd through its fledgling period, it is time to step back and return to developing the software to run on RISC OS."
Paul Middleton, Managing Director said, "I'd like to thank Andrew for his hard work over the last year, and wish him all the best for his future software developments - no doubt we'll be hearing more on this soon!"
Paul Middleton, Andrew Rawnsley, Matthew Bullock and Justin Fletcher were the founding members of RISCOS Ltd in January 1999, licensing the RISC OS operating system from Element 14 of Cambridge (now Pace) in February of that year. Andrew will remain a director of the company, and continue with outstanding engagements such as user group meetings etc.
We have recently received quite a few emails asking why, as publishers of many of the leading RISC OS internet applications (HTMLEdit Studio, Messenger Pro, Webster XL, SiteSeer etc.), don't we do an "R-Comp Internet Suite"?
Well, it may come as a surprise, but for 6-8 months we've been selling a "Get online" pack, consisting of a 56k external modem, connection software, WebsterXL and Messenger Pro, plus an award winning FreeUK internet account, for just 105ukp including VAT! (Due to the hardware, this is an RCI product) Delivery is extra if not purchased at a show, due to the carriage costs of the modem etc.
That's right, for just 105ukp you can have a fast modem and all the software you need to get online! And since FreeUK is just that - an excellent Free ISP, you'll have nothing more to pay other than your local rate phone bill. And we even set the account up for you!
Why haven't you heard about this before? Well, doing a full "suite" requires specific support for the thousands of ISPs floating around, so in order to give best support, we've targeted this at new customers to provide them with a bundle of everything they need, coupled with a reliable internet account.
For other users, WebsterXL includes connection software in the pack, and Messenger Pro will integrate neatly with this, giving an excellent solution for 55ukp!
For more information, give us a call on 01925 755043.
Best regards,
Andrew Rawnsley
SESType v2.00 is now available at http://www.ee.ed.ac.uk/~pmh/ART/
SESType is a freeware touch typing course, that takes the user through a series of exercises to improve typing speed. It has graphic and text based statistics that show how accuracy and speed are improving, and which keys are causing most problems. It is possible to generate random exercises to practice particular letters.
Also included is an application that monitors typing performance in all WIMP programs by catching keypress interrupts and displaying timing in a window.
For the person that downloaded v1.00, version 2 has a better options setting, support for more than one person learning, 900+ exercises of words and sentences to improve speed, and a separate two player typing game.
(Also from the same URL is a centisecond clock with setting facility and a desktop animated GIF displayer)
A new name for the Belgian RISC OS User Group: RISCOS.be
The Belgian RISC OS User Group is pleased to announce its new name "RISCOS.be" to reflect the new exciting developments around the RISC OS operating system. Not wishing to deny their Acorn history and interest, they felt that a new name for the user group was necessary.
Since September 1988 the Belgian Acorn/RISC OS users had regularly two meetings per month, first as an independent user group in the Belgian HCC (Hobby Computer Club) organisation and since three years, as an user group in the ACC (Algemene Computer Club) organisation together with other user groups like the Linux User Group, PC User Group and the Tandy User Group.
Hi, The title says it all really :-)
This is the first source release of my GPL stronghelp CGI.
It is a program written in C to give a unix web server (tested on linux and solaris) the ability to serve an html conversion of normal RISC OS unmodified StrongHelp manual file.
I wrote it mainly for anyone who has access to a second (unix) machine near their RISC OS box and wanted to read StrongHelp docs while their RISC OS box re-booted again :-)
It can be fetched from http://www.inkvine.fluff.org/~vince
PS There is a new version of !XServer (v1.22) on the site too.
We are looking for owners of Destiny who have upgraded to RISC OS 4 to test the patch that should make it work again.
Contact: enquiries@acornuser.com
Please note that this patch will be sent by e-mail and will be about 300K.
(Destiny works on the RiscStation R7500 Lite and runs very smoothly and playably.)
Due to the changes in the Acorn marketplace over the past year, Alsystems Ltd have regrettably been forced to downsize the business with a consequent reduction in support staff. This change has implications with regard to the Power-tec range of products.
Following discussions with Gary Partis, the author of the Power-tec range of software, Alsystems Ltd is pleased to announce that from 14 February 2000, Partis Computing will take over responsibility for future development, distribution, sales & support of all Power-tec products. In addition, all existing Power-tec Technical Support contracts will be honoured by Partis Computing until their expiry dates. Subsequent contracts will be handled directly by Partis Computing which may be contacted at (gary@partis.org.uk).
After considerable thought, Alsystems Ltd has decided that the best course of action is to return the Power-tec Copyright to Partis Computing rather than cease development of the product altogether. In this way, Power-tec customers will continue to receive full support and software upgrades for the foreseeable future, including the F+ formatter, from the person best qualified to do it. Over the coming week, Alsystems Ltd will be transferring all the existing Power-tec Warranty Cards to Partis Computing. This will ensure accurate continuity of support.
Alsystems Ltd would like to thank its customers for their continued loyalty and support over the last 10 years and wish Gary every success with a great product.
On another positive note, Alsystems Ltd will continue to trade from smaller premises and will retain its normal telephone number (01420-561111) and e-mail address (sales@alsystems.co.uk) until further notice.
Keith & Caroline Faulkner
About a berjillion years after the last release of Delirium, and after a period of extreme laziness by Kulture, a new version is now available!
Delirium is a highly configurable screen saver with Demo-style effects. It has been designed to get the most out of high spec computers, and so a StrongARM Risc PC with VRAM is recommended. It won't run on anything less than an A7000, so don't even try it!
New in version 2.30:
I also have some new Third Party savers, which I hope will be going on the site in the next few days. More details as and when...
The NEW URL for Delirium is:
http://www.various-artists.freeserve.co.uk/delirium/
All Delirium related email should now go to:
delirium@various-artists.freeserve.co.uk
Thanks for being so patient!
Version 1.07 of the Messenger Pro IMAP/NNTP local network mail/news client is now available and has been sent to registered MP Online users. As usual, if you don't receive a copy within 24 hours, and think you should have done, then please get in touch.
Major enhancements in recent versions include much improved security (including SASL authentification systems) and server error reporting (passing messages back to the client). Various other changes make this an important update for MP online users.
For more information about Messenger Pro and MP Online, visit our web site at http://www.rcomp.co.uk/
Hi, i would like to announce the first public release of the RISC OS application SWL-Tools. (Short Wave Listeners Tools)
This program is the first of its kind on this platform and its main purpose is to support listening to weak and noisy radio stations from the far away parts of the world.
This application runs exclusively on StrongARM based Risc PC computers, needs ~16MB of free RAM, VideoRam and an Irlam 24i16 card. The audio source can be any but an AOR7030 radio is ideal.
The application offers:
I started this project more than 3 years ago and have spent a lot of time and effort on it. The fft and the dsp system have been my companions since two years and have proved to be of very high quality and stability. In fact one of the first things i did after writing the basic modules was to sell my audio filters i already had.
The application is available for nothing and can be downloaded from my Web site at http://pweb.uunet.de/schwalm.hb. You also find documentation and pictures from the program.
ARM Forthmacs letter, February 2000
current version: ARM Forthmacs 3.2/0.25
Hi, this Forthmacs release offers significant speed improvements of the WIMP interface due to a better character/string writing routine and a faster block copy optimized also for non-aligned memory borders. Together this results in a ~3-fold increase of speed. Kernel is faster and the object handlers optimizing is faster. Also some more minor things have been optimized.
Versions 0.24/0.25 have some minor bugs fixed and support multilingual menu help and action spot helptexts.
PLEASE UPGRADE via the Web site or the mailserver.
Anyone can post mails to this list by posting it to the above address after subscribing. To subscribe write a mail with the subject Subject: signon; to signoff, Subject: signoff; to get more information about the mailing list, Subject: info.
use the mail server:
mailto:server-forthmacs@schwalm.hb.uunet.de
The mailserver supports all Forthmacs users. You will always find the latest release here. Subj: info will give you information on how to use the server.
install Forth upgrades
All archives are ZIP deflated, just copy the inside !Forthmacs directory over your existing dir. You should quit the Forthmacs shell before doing so in case !Forthmacs:!Run wants to be changed.
get StrongED
http://login.eunet.no/~guttorvi/strong.html
See The HOW TO section at the end of this letter about the above services
I have completed my Psion S5 to RISC OS File converter !Psionconv V0.03. It is freeware and Open Source. You can download it from my Homepage:
http://home.t-online.de/home/thomas-milius/indexE.htm
It converts Word to HTML, Sketch/MBM to Sprite and Texted to Text files. I would be glad to hear about your advices/comments.
Best Regards
Thump users not subscribed to its mailing list may be interested in checking out the latest release (1.40) of Thump on its web page at:
http://members.xoom.com/rick_hudson/software/thump.html
Thump is an image thumbnailer and viewer which works in real time (sort of) by showing thumbnails of images by browsing the directory structure. It works best with JPEGs but many formats are supported (be sure to download the supplementary module archive). RISC OS 3.6 or higher is recommended though it works on older versions with decreased ability.
The reason this particular release is worthy of public announcement is because it has quite a number of new features giving it the most significant improvement in many versions. Lots of other smaller improvements have occurred in the other versions since the last public announcement but the main additions to this version are:
The first two items alone make Thump considering more usable than it has been before by dramatically increasing the speed at which thumbnail viewers are rendered (note that the cache is disabled by default).
Some other less significant housekeeping improvements in 1.40 are:
I have just started up a mailing list for PipeDream.
This is not an official mail-list, which is to say that Gerald Fitton of Abacus (who now owns the rights to and sells PipeDream) is not organising it and does not undertake to answer queries sent to it.
However it is an 'approved' mailing list, in that I have been in touch with Gerald and he knows of the list's existence.
I use PD4.5 very heavily for running 4QD. I (and hopefully other experienced users) should be able to answer lots of points, but it is a 'self-help' group.
To Subscribe:
send a blank email to PipeDream@4qd.co.uk with the subject: Subscribe.
<mailto:PipeDream@4qd.co.uk?Subject=Subscribe>
To unsubscribe from this list click on the link below: <mailto:PipeDream@4qd.co.uk?Subject=Unsubscribe>
New PhotoReal Printer Driver for Epson Stylus Photo 750 and 1200
To complement their existing range of PhotoReal Drivers, Spacetech have completed a new algorithm to drive the latest Epson Stylus Photo printers. This takes account of the variable dot pitch and six ink technology featured by these printers.
A colour calibration application, !PhotoReal is supplied for the experienced user who may want to vary the fixed printer calibration settings, as well as a distribution of the standard driver for plain paper printing at resolutions from 360 to 1440 d.p.i.
Printer features include:
Both printers are available from Spacetech, with the PhotoReal driver bundled. The A4 Epson Stylus Photo 750 is 209.95 ukp inc. VAT. The Espon Stylus Photo 1200 is 399.95 ukp inc. VAT. The driver on its own is available for 69.00 ukp inc.UK VAT. Please contact Spacetech if you would like to receive a sample printout.
DROBE LAUNCH PAD BECOMES THE FIRST RISC OS PORTAL TO OFFER FULL PERSONALISATION OPTIONS TO ALL USERS
Shrewsbury, 3rd February 2000. Drobe Launch Pad (http://www.drobe.co.uk), the most frequently updated RISC OS news site in the world has today launched a customisation system which allows every user to redesign the Drobe Launch Pad homepage to suit their individual needs.
It is now possible to customise Drobe Launch Pad's news content to the way you want it. Choose the number of headlines to view under each category, how often the page reloads and the orientation of the features on the page.
So far, options as complex as these have only been found on the larger, main stream portals and Drobe Launch Pad is delighted to bring this new technology to the RISC OS market.
We are confident that this advance in customisation makes Drobe Launch Pad the most technically complex RISC OS Web site in the world, as well as the most frequently updated.
Drobe Launch Pad are also pleased to announce a free prize draw in association with Dansoft Developments (http://www.dansoft.co.nz/), authors of the forthcoming SiteWriter webpage design program for RISC OS. Registering automatically enters new users into the draw to win a copy of WebFX3D, Dansoft Developments' advanced 3D graphics program for RISC OS.
To register just go to http://www.drobe.co.uk/
Drobe Launch Pad was established 5 months ago and has since undergone 3 major redesigns and at least 4 updates per day. We feel that this makes Drobe Launch Pad the most useful resource for RISC OS users looking for the latest RISC OS, technology, entertainment and science news headlines hand picked from over 20 of the Internet's largest news sites.
We are continually improving our services however please contact us if you have a suggestion or comment about our Web site http://www.drobe.co.uk/
For more information please contact:
Peter Price, The Beeches, Shelton Park, Shrewsbury, SY3 8BL.
Email: peter@drobe.co.uk or Phone/Fax: 0870 740 2734 (National rates apply)
Or visit http://www.drobe.co.uk/corporate/press.phtml
Peter Price, Editor, Drobe Launch Pad
Cerilica are pleased to announce that as of Tuesday 1st Feb, RiScript has been shipping to all customers who have already placed an order. We are hoping to satisfy all outstanding orders by the coming weekend (5th Feb).
We are very pleased with the response to Cerilica's latest product and have sold as many copies in a month as we estimated would be achieved within a year! Many thanks to all customers for helping to prove to us the state of the RISC OS market.
Some brief details about RiScript features:
More details may be found on the Cerilica Web site along with order forms.
Order forms may also be found in the latest issues of Archive and Acorn Publisher magazines, on the Cerilica advert.
Upgrade paths are available for Uniqueway-supplied customers. Order forms for upgrades are available on the Cerilica Web site.
RiScript is available for 59.00ukp in the UK which includes VAT, package and postage. The product comprises of an all-new 64 page printed manual and two 3.5" floppy discs within a case (one for the application, the other for support and example material).
Upgrades are 29.00ukp fully inclusive with the option to purchase the manual at a charge of 5.00ukp (when ordered with the upgrade).
For overseas customers, we are pleased to announce that amongst the Cerilica overseas dealers, Orcom (Germany), XAT (Netherlands) and The Image Factory (Australia) have expressed their interest in stocking RiScript. Please see the Cerilica Web site for further details, including pricing structures.
Cerilica are pleased to be able to accept credit card payments through our card vendor, the Wirral Champion Ltd, merchant number 737 55112.
Nicholas van der Walle
(Marketing Director)
Hello all,
Firstly, let's get the formalities over with.
Alsystems, contrary to popular belief, have not 'gone bust', but are changing their direction and market place.
They (Alsystems) have passed the name, sales and support of the entire Power-tec range of products over to us, trading as Partis Computing. As the developer of 90% of Power-tec products, we are best qualified to continue development of the product range.
All outstanding support contracts will be honoured, and we are awaiting the databases containing such information from Alsystems.
The PowerChat mailing list has been in-operative of late. It is now up and running again, but you will need to re-subscribe. To subscribe, send an email to mailserver@partis.org.uk with the subject heading 'subscribe power-chat' - without the quotes. To post to this mailing list, send messages to power-chat@partis.org.uk.
The PowerChat mailing list is free to all Power-tec product owners!
Additionally, technical support emails ought to be sent to power-tec-tech@partis.org.uk and sales to power-tec-sales@partis.org.uk.
Voice mail and fax is available on +44 (0)870 131 8471, which is a UK national rate number (and we don't get any kickback from BT!).
I apologise for the 'rushed' appearance of this email, but the acquisition has happened very suddenly!
Condenser is a filer-like ZIP file compressor/decompressor. It currently supports:
Apart from the file interpretation routine, Condenser uses the InfoZIP executables so most real ZIP files should be compatible.
Condenser is on it's first public release at 0.08.
----
JScript is a developmental javascript implementation. This version is the prototype version in BASIC.
JScript is 0.26 beta, and currently supports almost all javascript constructs. A real version in C is now a top priority.
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