The news is organised in chronological order, with the most recent stories at the top. Choose the month you require, then click on a topic heading to jump to the associated announcement.
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The IRMan driver software has been updated. This is mainly due to a couple of problems with the driver concerning repeated presses of the same key.
The software now includes a timestamp and a sequence number, allowing the use of continuous and "one-shot" codes, and preventing false triggering.
All changes are fully documented. Full programmers' information is supplied with the software.
The latest version can be downloaded at:
http://www.squirrel-net.co.uk/software/irman/
For those that missed the first posting, the IRMan is a small commercially available decoder for infra-red remote control of a desktop computer. The IRMan software provides a facility for any RISC OS application to take advantage of infra-red remote control. Obvious applications include CD and MP3 players, but we would be interested to see what other uses are found.
!Teletext, my free software for use with the Ground Control teletext receiver has been updated.
http://www.heyrick.co.uk/software/ttx/
From the Versions file (edited for space):
Tuning was okay, page header fetches were okay, but for some reason it crashed (BASIC's corrupt R13 error) upon transferring the page.
So instead the page transfer code is 'wrapped' in a simple piece of assembler code which stores R13 prior to the SWI, and restores it afterwards. Problem solved. :-)
One final thought:
MP3ID3 1.09 can now be downloaded from:
http://www.movspclr.co.uk/software.html#mp3id3
MP3ID3 is a tool for editing ID3v1.1 tags on MP3 files. These tags provide additional information about the track which can be read by most players these days.
Features:
If you have many MP3s, tagging them can be awkward. Using the 'guessing' facilities of MP3ID3 takes a lot of work out of ensuring that they are all correct. If you have, for example, 9000 files, tagging each one individually would be somewhat tiresome - MP3ID3 simplifies this. Even if you've only a few, it's still a nice tool to have.
ID3CSV 1.05 can now be downloaded from:
http://www.movspclr.co.uk/software.html#id3csv
ID3CSV is an tool for generating CSV (comma separated values) files detailing a directory of MP3s.
Features:
Generating a list of the albums that you have is tiresome, so this tool takes the hassle out of it. Run it over your collection, copy the file to your Psion 5mx and import into the database. Well, that's what I do. You might want to use it with any of the other databases around.
Addr 0.09 can now be downloaded from:
http://www.movspclr.co.uk/software.html#addr
The oft talked about, but seldom seen, addr tool has (finally) been released! Addr is a debugging tool for identifying the location of an address. Given the address, the program will describe where the address lives and attempt to localise it to a module, dynamic area, heap block or whatever is known about on the system.
Features:
Because the tool relies on parts of the OS that it ought not to to do its magic, it is not guarenteed to run on all OS versions. It has been tested on RISC OS 4 and Select release 1, issue 1.
TalkerD 1.05 can now be downloaded from:
http://www.movspclr.co.uk/software.html#talkerd
TalkerD is a very simple application for allowing users to talk to one another through a 'talker' interface. It was intended as a very simple example and test application for EasySockets, but it's a reasonable application in its own right.
Features:
It's unlikely you'll ever need to run a talker on RISC OS, unless you're a school or some other strange organisation with large numbers of machines. But if you do, you might find it useful.
RExec 1.06 can now be downloaded from:
http://www.movspclr.co.uk/software.html#rexec
RExec is an insecure protocol which is used to run commands on a unix box. This client allows you to run commands on a linux box and get back the output.
Features:
If you have a linux box and just want to run things quickly without opening telnet clients or messing about switching keyboards/monitors, then this could be useful. I originally wrote it so that I could do automated checkouts under linux, but I've not used it for that really. Mostly I use it to trigger dialups, or start X applications.
You will need a suitable rexec daemon to be running on your unix box for this to function. Please ensure that you have a suitable firewall between the outside world and your machine; if you've disabled telnet, you hardly want to give everyone free access to the machine with rexec!
JFinger 1.06 can now be downloaded from:
http://www.movspclr.co.uk/software.html#jfinger
JFinger is an application for 'fingering' - getting information using the finger protocol - users at remote sites. I was fed up at the time with the pathetic finger clients around, so I wrote my own.
Features:
You probably never need a Finger client. But if you do, this one has silly bells and whistles that you'll never use.
Following last year's successful show near Birmingham, The ARM Club will once again be running a show at The National Motorcycle Museum near Birmingham this coming Saturday, 1st December 2001.
This is just off junction 6 of the M42, at the junction of the M42 and the A45. A free minibus service will run from Birmingham International station for anybody coming by train.
Along with all the usual services provided by The ARM Club, the following companies and organisations have confirmed that they will be exhibiting:
AAUG
Acorn User Magazine
Akalat Publishing
APDL
Archive Magazine
Castle Technology
Cerilica
Clares Micro Supplies
CJE Micro's
CTA Direct
DARC
Fortran Friends
Icon Technology
ITC
Kudlian Soft
NetBSD
Photodesk
PHR Computers
R-Comp and R-Comp Interactive
RISCOS Ltd
RiscStation
Serious Statistical Software
Surftec
Full details of the show can be found on our web site, which will be kept up to date with any last minute changes.
I've just put an update to !PDF on my website: http://www.pdf.iconbar.com/. It has the following changes:
!PDF is a public domain PDF (Adobe Acrobat) file viewer for RISC OS
We are pleased to announce that RISC OS now has support for Evation.com's IRMan infra-red remote control receiver.
RISC OS software for the IRMan can be found on our web site:
http://www.squirrel-net.co.uk/
And the best part is that it's free. In return we would only ask that anyone wanting to support the IRMan does so using the API provided.
Full programmer's information is supplied with the software, so you can get your applications running with infra-red.
I've just uploaded !Swish 0.12 to my site:
http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/lenny/soft/index.html
Swish is a SWI listing utility.
Output can be in a number of different formats : plain text, C header (RISC_OSLib or DeskLib), or Gnat Ada header. In addition to modules in the RMA, it can also provide a SWI listing of a module on disc (without having to load it into the RMA).
This version extends the range of SWI chunks covered - now the full 24-bit range. So it now picks up modules that aren't (strictly speaking) RISC OS modules, eg ToolAction and TextGadgets.
Image Software is proud to announce the release of its latest offering to the RISC OS market, in its continued support for the platform.
Money Manager 2001 (Personal Edition) is a personal accounts package, aimed at the home user. This application provides an ideal way to monitor, analyse and control your personal income and expenditure.
Facilities provided include:
Money Manager 2001 is under constant development with work currently under way on powerful report and graph generation tools and QIF file importing (for downloading bank statements). Upgrades are supplied as/when they are made available, free of charge to existing users.
Money Manager 2001 (Personal Edition) is available now, complete with printed manual for 29.99UKP fully inclusive of VAT and UK P&P.
For more information, and a quick tour of the application please visit the software section of our website at http://www.imagesoft.co.uk/
Announcing LanMoC
Version 0.2
http://melhuish.info/simon/projects/index.html#lanmoc
LanMoC works with the 3-Com LAN Modem (TM). It provides similar facilities to 3-Com's Desktop Manager (for MS Windows), such as connecting / disconnecting, seeing how long the connexion has been up, &c.
The LAN Modem is an ISDN TA / router (with NAT) + 4-port 10baseT hub, that I reviewed for AW a couple of years ago. There's also a 56k analogue version, but I haven't tested LanMoC with that.
OSLib, the type-safe API library for all of RISC OS, has been further enhanced, and a number of minor bugs have been fixed. The library is now at version 6.30.
The Changelog is too long to include here; but it's available in HTML on the web site, and in text form in the distribution archive.
The OSLib home page is at <http://www.mk-net.demon.co.uk/oslib>
Intelligent Interfaces have updated their Web Site:
http://www.intint.demon.co.uk/
This gives details of their range of serial, parallel and IEEE488 interface expansion cards for RISC OS-based computers and their Desktop Fortran compiler.
A7000+ Odyssey computers in Risc PC cases are available from Intelligent Interfaces. These computers are the ideal replacements for older RISC OS-based computers used for I/O applications in laboratories or factories eg A300 series, A400 series, A540 and A5000.
The Web Site also gives details of the Kinetic Risc PC's, Risc PC's and A7000+ Odyssey computers available from Intelligent Interfaces.
http://www.heyrick.co.uk/assembler/
Read http://www.heyrick.co.uk/assembler/news.html to keep up to date with new additions and developments.
!Teletext is free, nice (I would say that!) and it incorporates a scripting language to aid in retrieving information from teletext frames. It is designed for use with the Ground Control (Octopus) receivers, and it seems like it may work with Morley units as well.
http://www.heyrick.co.uk/software/ttx/
I would be happy to implement an interface to other teletext boards if you can lend me the hardware and the driver specifications...
...and as my teletext receiver is non-functional, I would appreciate it if anybody has an old receiver they no longer want...? Please? I would prefer a Ground Control unit, but I'm not fussy, I'll have a go at making anything work. :-)
http://www.heyrick.co.uk/willow/
Please, please, /please/, if you write to me and you are asking something, please _include_ your email address!
That's all folks!
You can go home now.
Go on! The movie's over. Go home!
:-)
A new and greatly enhanced version of !Spook is now available from my privacy/security site at
http://web.bham.ac.uk/N.M.Queen/pgp/acorn.html
!Spook enables you to generate random phrases containing 'trigger words' to frustrate Echelon and other intelligence-gathering systems which indiscriminately intercept everyday private electronic communications.
New features:
Spellings Computer Services Ltd, the premier RISC OS domain name registrar and web hosting providor, in association with AAUG are pleased to announce we are now able to offer registrations for the recently announced new global Top Level Domains (TLDs) .INFO and .BIZ
These two new TLDs open up millions more domains available for registration, and make an ideal way to promote your business, product or organisation.
We can also register family or personal domain names in any of the existing TLDs (.COM, .ORG, .CO.UK etc)
Our full portfolio of domains is now:
Global domains (1 to 10 year registrations)
.COM, .ORG, .NET, .INFO, .BIZ
UK domains (2 year registrations)
.CO.UK, .ORG.UK, .NET.UK, .LTD.UK, .PLC.UK
UK Centralnic domains (2 year registrations)
UK.COM, GB.COM, UK.NET, GB.NET, EU.COM
Other Centralnic domains: (2 year registrations)
US.COM, DE.COM, RU.COM, CN.COM, BR.COM
QC.COM, NO.COM, SE.COM,SE.NET, HU.COM
SA.COM, UY.COM, ZA.COM
We also offer competatively-priced web hosting solutions ranging from a basic 1Mb HTML-only budget package to a fully-featured ecommerce-enabled site with CGI, PHP4, MySQL databases and more.
Visit our website to check whether your domain name is available to register under any of the above TLDs. You can also buy online using credit or debit cards from our secure online shop. (Note you will need a 128-bit SSL module for credit/debit card transactions)
Our online shop has recently been updated to support registrations of the global domains from between 1 and 10 years.
Dont worry if you dont have a website, we can register your domain now, and "park" it until you are ready to use it for no additional cost. This way you can ensure you register the domain you would like before someone else does!
Web design, hosting and domain registration
http://www.spellings.net/
Association of Acorn Usergroups (AAUG)
http://www.aaug.net/
AAUG Online - Free ISP for RISC OS users
http://www.aaugonline.net/
This is to announce the second beta release of version 0.27 of Director.
Several bugs have been removed since the previous beta release and some functionality has been added. All those who downloaded the beta release should upgrade to this release.
Like the last release there are two archives available for download. One contains the main Director programs and associated utilities and menus. The other also contains the source code and CVS information.
Both archives can be downloaded from:
http://www.sourceforge.net/projects/director/
Since the last beta release of Director, the following changes have been made:
Since the pre-beta release of Director, the following changes have been made:
Since the last stable release of Director, the following changes have been made:
Then default choices are kept in !Director.Menus.Internal.Choices.menus.AutoRun . The file that has been updated is called !!SetVars . This file should be installed into either Choices:Director.Menus.AutoRun or !Director.Menus.AutoRun depending if you are using the 'new' !Boot sequence or not. Any changes you may have made to the installed version will need to be merged with the update.
Director also allows an alternative and faster view onto files in the form of directory menus and allows these menus to be attached to other menus also.
Director has some other useful features such as remembering the most recently used files, the ability to add key strokes into the keyboard buffer and the ability to produce directory menus over drive icons.
Director is fully customisable by the user, and can do many or all of the functions of Pinboard+, TreeMenu (AKA DirMenu), Filer-, QuickDir, DeskUtils, Memorizer, Menon and some of the functions of Filer+.
Melotech is delighted to announce the immediate availability of EasyGCC, a freeware GCC compiler.
EasyGCC has been designed to help people with programming on the RISC OS platform. EasyGCC is designed to make programming in C under RISC OS that much easier. You create a project using drag'n'drop. Fill in details about your source and start editing. No hard questions or technical terminology.
At the moment, this application is aimed squarely at those new to GCC. It features:
Melotech's Managing Director, Michael Stubbs, commented: "I am delighted that Melotech has gained the exclusive rights to distribute EasyGCC online. Development is continuing with EasyGCC and there are some fantastic features on the way."
The software is available now from http://www.melotech.co.uk/downloads/
Version 0.32 of WebJames, an HTTP server for RISC OS, is now available from my website: http://www.alexwaugh.com/. This fixes a bug that could cause a request with a zero length URI to crash WebJames.
I recommend that anybody using WebJames upgrades as soon as possible. The example filer script supplied with WebJames has also had its security improved.
Also included is an updated C cgi-lib with support for POST data. Thanks to Michael Curtis for adding this.
I've just uploaded the first public beta version of my RISC OS MSN Messenger client to:
http://www.phardy.karoo.net/MSNMess/
I've just uploaded !RiscSearch V0.75ß to its site at www.riscsearch.de!
The changes are the following:
For all of you, who don't know about !RiscSearch: !RiscSearch is meant to be a meta-search engine, and AFAIK it is the only one available for RISC OS anywhere. It helps you to find web-pages about a certain topic by asking different search engines about the keywords you supply. It collects results from (at the moment) 10 different engines, filters out duplicate matches and then presents all links in a window of your web-browser.
NetWatch 1.55 (14 November 2001) is now available:
NetWatch is a program which (automaticly) checks for updates on the web. The program allows URLs to be added, by typing them or dragging a URL-file. For every URL some choices have to be made. eg. the frequency the URL has to be checked. Now NetWatch will check these URLs and warn the user when the page (or image) the URL point to has changed.
The main updates are:
For every URL a checksum is calculated instead of keeping the whole page.
The ProgInfo webbutton now works (bug in Toolbox I suppose...)
All writable icons (in NetWatch) support pasting from the clipboard not coping since this isn't needed as far as I can imagine. Handy to copy an URL instead of retyping it.
For other changes check the NetWatch page or the !Help file.
Version 1.55 can be downloaded at:
http://home.student.utwente.nl/m.m.bezemer/netwatchuk.html
Acorn Gaming
After two months without an update, Acorn Gaming has now been brought back up to date with 19 new game and emulation news stories, detailing three new ways of playing games under RISC OS.
Also at Acorn Gaming are all the regular features, including:
Acorn Gaming - online since 1993
http://www.mikejs.com/riscos/amplay.html
The main download includes the app itself and text documentation. HTML documentation and the (WIMPBasic) source are also downloadable.
This release fixes two serious bugs in the way AMPlay handles ID Tag information if it is using tags rather than a playlist for information about the tracks. (It uses the playlist by default). This release also fixes a couple of other, more minor issues. See the site for more information.
I knew I should have waited longer before uploading 1.31...
For those who don't know, Pic_Index is a thumbnail-indexing program for JPEG images which is under constant development. The albums produced are equally suitable for CD storage or web site use, and an imminent associated-development is a key-word-picture-finding utility which will be extremely useful for prodigious digital camera users whose libraries extend to many tens of megabytes.
Current versions are shareware, but allow a limited trial use before registration.
I have placed version 1.11g on the Pic_Index web site - accessible from <http://www.picindex.ukgateway.net/>. The main new feature over 1.11f is the ability to add logo-links to your index page if you wish.
Those provided are a Pic_Index logo/link, and the W3C links for HTML 4.01 Transitional and for CSS validation, to which the albums now conform.
Other additions during 1.11 development include the ability to specify the order of image, comment and tools on the image pages and greater flexibility in positioning these on the page. Also image dimensions are now calculated using a versatile third party utility, and this has allowed all image dimensions to be specified, not just those of the JPEGs. This additionally gives greater 3.1x compatibility.
It is possible with later 1.11 versions to batch-process collections of albums using a simple text script, useful for those with slower processors like me!
Rudimentary checks are made first to help spot possible problems, and then Pic_Index can be left to do its work unattended, perhaps overnight!
A statistics window provides details of the number of images/albums processed with a timing for those who are interested.
It is now possible to predetermine the order in which images appear by editing the jpegs file in an album and setting its filetype to text. This prevents it being overwritten when Pic_Index is subsequently run.
To assist those with unreliable download connections, I have separated the large Manual download from the program application download itself, and I have prepared a much shorter download to just upgrade those features of an existing 1.11 version-with-manual which need it. I intend to follow this procedure from now on where practicable.
I hope that you will continue to find Pic_Index useful, and that those who have not yet registered will be encouraged to do so by this evidence of ongoing development.
As an additional incentive to register, I will NOT be making the forthcoming key-word picture-finding utility available _at_all_ to non-registered users, even on a trial basis.
As usual, please contact me with any problems, criticisms, compliments or suggestions - or to ask for registration conditions and details. It gets very lonely here without feedback!
I've just put an update to !Pdf on my website: http://www.pdf.iconbar.com/. It has the following changes:
!Pdf is a public domain Pdf (Adobe Acrobat) file viewer for RISC OS.
I have just uploaded a port of ScummVM to my site.
ScummVM is a SCUMM interpreter by Ludvig Strigeus, which enables you to play classic LucasArts adventure games such as Monkey Island, Day of the Tentacle and Indiana Jones 4.
The RISC OS port is bang up to date and just lacks a few features, which are mainly developer related. The following games are playable:
Monkey Island 1 (CD)
Monkey Island 2
Indiana Jones 4 and the Fate of Atlantis
Indiana Jones 4 and the Fate of Atlantis (Demo)
Day of the Tentacle
Day of the Tentacle (Demo)
Sam and Max
Sam and Max (Demo)
Currently only Sam and Max and DOTT have sound support. Development is progressing very quickly and bugs are being resolved swiftly. So sound support for the other games won't be far off.
You will need a machine with around 10MB of RAM free (games may use less... I went by the size of the data files) for Monkey Island and up to 16MB free for Day of the Tentacle. The memory usage is configurable via a textfile (like RiscCPS) if you use the frontend, which is again like the one supplied with RiscCPS (hmm I wonder why...).
BTW all credit for this awesome piece of software should go to Ludvig, I merely ported it across to RISC OS!
URL for my website is: http://www.acornemus.freeserve.co.uk/
If you have any problems feel free to mail me, but please read the !Help file first!
It is with regret that I have to announce that I will not, after all, be editing Acorn User magazine. When it was announced that I would edit the magazine a group of us were at an advanced stage of negotiations with a director of Tau Press to purchase Acorn User magazine. We understood that it had been agreed that two of our group would work on the magazine for a limited time prior to purchase. Soon after the announcement was made it became clear that Tau Press no longer had any interest in such an agreement. They were no longer willing to sell the magazine.
In our opinion Acorn User has a future if substantial changes are made in addition to changes to its editorial content. We were prepared to make those changes but could do so only if we owned the magazine.
I have to apologise to a number of people: those who may have made a decision based on our changing Acorn User; those who may now feel they wasted their time in preparing ideas for me; those who spent time providing us with copy for our intended January issue of the magazine.
If anyone has provided ideas or copy to me at my demon address they should note that this may not have been received by the current Acorn User editor. I will forward such items if so instructed or they may choose to send them direct to editor@acornuser.com
I have supplied the Graphics and News columns for Acorn User (without payment) throughout the last year; in the present circumstances I am no longer willing to continue with that task.
We have put a great deal of thought and work into preparation of a rejuvenated Acorn User magazine and we are disappointed that we will be unable to put our ideas into practice. Thank you - all of you - who were supporting us in our venture.
Melotech has announced that it is now selling the full range of RISC OS computers from Castle Technology (Acorn) and RiscStation.
Michael Stubbs, Melotech's Managing Director commented: "Melotech signed up to become authorised Castle Technology and RiscStation resellers several weeks ago. We've spent the time since then carrying out the appropriate preperations here at Melotech. Now RISC OS users are witnessing the entry of a new, RISC OS-dedicated dealer in to the market."
The Melotech Web site has been updated and now offers fully comprehensive information on RISC OS computers, accessories and software. The site will be continually updated to reflect development from Melotech and others in the market. Melotech's MD continued: "The presence of two manufacturers of quality RISC OS machines in the marketplace, combined with the fast-changing nature of computing, means that users require comprehensive and fully up-to-date information. The vast majority of RISC OS dealers neglect to address this issue: our Web site will always be up-to-date, providing users with the very latest specifications and pricing on all of the products we sell."
A wide range of RISC OS computers, accessories and software is available now from Melotech.
For further information, please contact:
Michael Stubbs
MelotechEmail: sales@melotech.co.uk
The package consists of a RiscStation computer (16MB, min 2GB hard disc), complete with 15" monitor and Cannon Bubble Jet printer, bundled with EBMS (our business management package) and Money Manager 2001 (accounts module for EBMS), both pre-installed.
The price of the package is 999UKP fully inclusive (of VAT and UK P&P). (Bought separately the package would cost over 1400UKP, making a saving in the region of 400UKP).
The idea behind the package is to produce a competitively priced alternative solution (from a Windows based PC) for the small business, in a bid to secure more ground for RISC OS in the business IT market.
More information can be found on our new website at www.imagesoft.co.uk or by contacting sales@imagesoft.co.uk
http://www.mikejs.com/riscos/amplay.html
The main download includes the app itself and text documentation. HTML documentation and the (WIMPBasic) source are also downloadable.
This release is a minor update to the recently announced v1.30, fixing a few minor bugs, and adding one new option. See the web page for more information.
A new version of GedcomWeb is now available for download from
http://www.sinenomine.freeserve.co.uk/software/
The new version works much faster than previous versions and allows you to preview and save your choices of colours, filenames etc. Trees can be produced in English or French. Currently registered users should already have received this upgrade.
GedcomWeb is a program for genealogists. It converts GEDCOM files (as exported from Family, Roots, Ancestor etc.) into JavaScript-based Web pages.
Even if you don't want to display your family tree on the Web, the output is still very useful for sending to relations who may not have genealogy software, as it will work with any modern web browser on any type of computer. It's also very handy for printing family trees.
The download version is restricted to GEDCOM files containing up to fifty people. The registered version costs just five pounds (or six pounds via credit card). Full ordering instructions are included with the download version.
An example of the output obtainable from GedcomWeb can be seen at
http://www.sinenomine.freeserve.co.uk/software/gedeg/ftdisp.htm
Note that at present Oregano is the only RISC OS browser supporting enough JavaScript to view the output from GedcomWeb.
I now have available for download for free various translators, including a demo of a BBC BASIC to Acorn ANSI C translator (suitable for the Acorn C compiler). Also the library of extra C functions needed for the compilation and linkage supplied.
On my web site I offer an on-line manual for the translator and also a downloadable Impression Manual.
Translation also available from BBC BASIC to a Draw File Jackson structure diagram and two applications that go from commma separated values file to BBC BASIC Data File format and vice versa.
Similarly from GW-BASIC to QBASIC and an application that turns HTML tags in an HTML file from upper to lower case. Some small applications for fractals including Bifurcation Diagram, Lorenz Attractor, Strange Attractor and Hennon Attractor. Contact me for web site address.
Acorn RISC OS RISK boardgame clone website:
http://www.casa1.demon.co.uk/
New contributor, Martin Dann supplying _the_ most challenging game of late, and an improved help system via the !Help utility shipped with RISC OS.
Thomas Rankin's been busy with a game I have been eagerly anticipating: !UK, together with a method to allow more complex maps to work.
Also the Acorn RISC OS software PCemulator website and books and spares etc. for older Acorn kit. See if there's anything new!
CackFile 0.02 is now available from <http://homepage.eircom.net/~lrtc>.
It now supports generation of tagline-friendly cacks for ready use with Messenger Pro or something like that.
CackFile is a modified version of Doggysofts Cack application. The main purpose is to output the generated whacky sentences to a file at great speed.
Version 0.02 includes support to create tagline-type cacks (e.g. Cacks no longer than 80 characters - the limit before a wrap occurs)
!NurseW is a macro inserter for the Dr Wimp programming library.
Enter functions and procedures at the click of a button. Saves time, effort and spelling mistakes. Now updated to complement Dr Wimp v3.61. The % symbol is now automatically added to window and icon handles if omitted. A couple of minor bugs in the output have been fixed and the parameter handling routine has been tidied up. And it`s got a new icon, wow!
http://www.greywall.demon.co.uk/genealogy/index.html
If you have one of these cards, it is probably gathering dust. ZIDEFS is a no-frills, but otherwise completely up to date filing system for this card, which makes it possible to put it to good use once more.
Compared to the last version of ZIDEFS, 0.90 (from 1994, pre Risc PC!) the following has happened:
Compared to the original IDEFS supplied with the IDE interface, ZIDEFS has offered and ZIDEFS 1.00 still offers:
ZIDEFS 1.00 is available now, from:
http://http://web.inter.nl.net/users/J.Kortink/software.htm
Note that ZIDEFS is freeware.
Announcing Oww 0.66.1
[Dallas / AAG One-wire weather station program for Linux and RISC OS]
This is a minor bug-fix release, with improved socket error handling, so that RISC OS users without TCP/IP configured won't get continuous error messages.
[New features in 0.66 -
New Web site -
www.simon.melhuish.net now points to a new, more reliable, site. You can also go there directly:
http://melhuish.info/simon/projects/oww/
A new version of Zip 2000, my RISC OS Z-code interpreter, is now available.
For the uninitiated, Z-code is the crossplatform virtual machine created by Infocom for their 1980s adventure games. It is now used by many contemporary interactive fiction authors, thanks to the Inform compiler.
Features include:
The major new features in version 1.40 are:
There have been many other improvements and bug fixes, too numerous to mention. This release has been prompted by the Interactive Fiction Competition 2001, which is under way as we speak.
For more details, see:
The Zip 2000 home page:
http://www.bracey-griffith.freeserve.co.uk/Zip2000/
The Interactive Fiction Archive:
http://www.ifarchive.org/
The Inform home page:
http://www.gnelson.demon.co.uk/inform.html
The Interactive Fiction Competiton 2001:
http://ifcomp.org/
http://www.mikejs.com/riscos/amplay.html
The main download includes the app itself and text documentation. HTML documentation and the (WIMPBasic) source are also downloadable.
Being a frontend for the AMPlayer module, you need to have a version of AMPlayer installed on your system. AMPlayer can be downloaded from http://www.armware.dk/files/amplayer/. AMPlayer is not included in the AMPlay download.
Note that AMPlay will not play anything other than the mp3 formats that the AMPlayer module supports.
You will also need !WBModules v2.09 or greater on your system. This can be downloaded from http://www.mikejs.com/riscos/wbmodule209.zip
The LibXML & LibXSLT tools xmllint and xsltproc, as well as the RISC OS source for libxml 2.4.8 have been updated at:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/justin.fletcher/XML/
This update follows todays release of the libxml 2.4.9 sources.
XML is a structured description format used in many modern applications. XSLT is a mechanism for transforming data in XML-based formats to other formats (most usually HTML or some similar markup).
This release fixes certain faults with catalogs. Apologies for the multiple announcements, but I'm only releasing in-line with the core updates. And I said I'd keep up the updates within 24 hours of release. If I'd been more lazy, we'd only have had one :-|
More information about libxml2, libxslt and the related tools can be obtained from http://xmlsoft.org/.
As in the past, I intend to keep RISC OS libxml2/libxslt releases within 24chours of the base unix source release.
Unfortunately, their was no one else from MicroDigital available who could take over at this short notice, so we are planning an alternative off the cuff event! (possibly a PD night and other things!)
David Atkins sends his apologies, because he was looking forward to the meeting to be able to show off the new computer and answer questions.
The LibXML & LibXSLT tools xmllint and xsltproc, as well as the RISC OS source for libxml 2.4.8 have been updated at:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/justin.fletcher/XML/
This update follows todays release of the libxml 2.4.8 sources.
XML is a structured description format used in many modern applications. XSLT is a mechanism for transforming data in XML-based formats to other formats (most usually HTML or some similar markup).
Changes over the previous versions (from the release note by Daniel Veillard, edited for relevance):
XSLT:
More information about libxml2, libxslt and the related tools can be obtained from http://xmlsoft.org/.
As in the past, I intend to keep RISC OS libxml2/libxslt releases within 24chours of the base unix source release.
It is with very great sadness, I have to announce that Mike Wilson (aged 78) tragically died on Saturday evening - November 3rd as a result of House fire.
Mike had been a very enthusiast member of the Wakefield User group for 15 years, being on the committee and co-organiser of the Wakefield show.
Some of you may well have seen some details of the event on the local news or on teletext in the Yorkshire. The exact cause of the fire is not yet known, it is still being investigated by the authorities.
We do not yet have any details regarding the funeral. If anyone wishs to have details when known please contact me.
A brief pause will be called at Wednesday's User Group meeting as a mark of respect.
God Bless Mike
On behalf of the Wakefield User Group committee
Now that Olympus have discontinued their serial port cameras and replaced them with a new series of USB port cameras, Photodesk have reviewed their camera strategy.
We now offer a wider range of cameras whose price includes either a Smartmedia or Compact-Flash reader complete with RISC OS compatible software. Each bundle comes with SmartFS from Surftec as well as our Photolink-like front end, PHOTOSHOW. Like PhotoLink, Photoshow allows management of the camera contents in a clipboard of thumbnails, as well as detailed information about each photograph extracted from the EXIF format. This information not only shows time and date but also picture resolution, exposure information and so on.
Our new range of cameras and prices include:
Olympus C1 1.3Mpixel 299.00
Olympus C2 2.1Mpixel p.o.a
Olympus C1Z 1.3Mpixel optical zoom 399.00
Olympus C200Z 2.1Mpixel optical zoom 469.50
Olympus C2040Z 2.1Mpixel
Olympus C700UZ 2.1Mpixel 10x optical zoom 750.00
Olympus C3040Z 3 Mpixel optical zoom with serial and USB 790.00
Olympus C4040Z
Olympus C40Z 4 Mpixel optical zoom compact 850.00
Canon Powershot A10 1.3Mpixel optical zoom 440.00
Canon Powershot A20 2.1Mpixel optical zoom 495.00
Canon Ixus300 2.1Mpixel optical zoom 690.00
Canon Ixus V 2.1Mpixel optical zoom video 599.00
Canon Pro90 3.3 Mpixel 10x optical zoom 900.00
Canon G2 4 Mpixel 3x optical zoom 850.00
Casio QV2900 2.1MPixel Bestshot technology 8xZoom (32x possible) 540.00
Casio QV3500 3.1MPixel Bestshot technology 3xZoom 580.00
Casio QV3500+ 3.1MPixel Bestshot technology IBM Microdrive included 3xZoom 775.00
Casio QV4000 4 Mpixel optical zoom Microdrive compatible 775.00
All the above cameras include VAT and PhotoShow software as well as SmartmediaFS or CompactFlashFS and the appropriate parallel port reader.
When USB is available it is not envisaged that the prices of these cameras bundled with USB hardware will be significantly different.
Olympus, being primarily an optical company, make cameras with very good optics but are a little light on expensive accessories such as mains adaptors and rechargeables. Canon although slightly more expensive have stacks of accessories included. The style-conscious amongst us will die for the digital Ixus! Casio are good value and have Canon lenses (and can take Canon accessories) being an electronic company they are packed with electronic goodies such as the superb best shot technology. Style-wise they are a bit clunky but who cares?
I have purchased some more Olympus C960 cameras with serial port. These are ex demo, refurb or box damaged but are going at the superb price of 230.00. The have 1.3 Mpixel and a 3x optical + 2x digital zoom. I will be taking these to the Birmingham show but will be able to take orders now. At times I can get other offers so please call if you are interested. These cameras have PhotoLink bundled and are fully RISC OS compatible.
NetWatch 1.53 (02 November 2001) is now available:
NetWatch is a program which (automaticly) checks for updates on the web. The program allows URLs to be added, by typing them or dragging a URL-file. For every URL some choices have to be made. eg. the frequency the URL has to be checked. Now NetWatch will check these URLs and warn the user when the page (or image) the URL point to has changed.
The bugs, some people reported, are now removed. Users who also had/have problems with version 1.52: please read, after downloading version 1.53, the !Help file instructions to remove/fix your choices file.
It's now also possible to fetch an URL at once... and when it gets aborted for some reason. It's possible to continue downloading at the same position it got aborted! (resume) This is quite handy with large files or a bad connection!
And ftp URLs will work again (It contained some bugs...) it's now possible to fetch directory listings a well.
So you won't miss any news or updates anymore!
Version 1.53 can be downloaded at:
http://home.student.utwente.nl/m.m.bezemer/netwatchuk.html
As requested by a few people, a front-end to GNU Grep is now available from my servers @ <http://homepage.eircom.net/~lrtc>
For those who don't know, Grep searches for a pattern in multiple files.
Also, a quick little proggy, !CackFile is also available. CackFile is a modified version of DoggySoft's !Cack which outputs cack's to a file. I've got it to output 5786 cack's :-)
If you're looking for instruction manuals, you might try http://www.instruction-manuals.co.uk/
At the moment, they have (under "Acorn") an Electron manual!
http://www.instruction-manuals.co.uk/category/computer/acorn.htm
I've had them add a link to Castle and RISCOS Ltd, but others of you might like to have links added to your own "Acorn" manuals online, or even software - as there is a computer "software" section at:
http://www.instruction-manuals.co.uk/category/compprog/acorn.htm
where I've had them put a link to the RISC OS 3.7 user guide.
Updated the FP information.
Revised the info on APCS.
Added some info on hardware access, and some rudimentary examples.
Added a page for pseudo-instructions (like, OPT and EQU).
Added a bit about processor setup (via CP15).
Alternative method of hand-unsqueezing.
Added a bit on "How to write assembler code in BASIC". How did I manage to forget that?!?
http://www.heyrick.co.uk/assembler/
Basically:
Help now built into the 'browser', invoked by page number 000. No more silly menu options.
+ and - now skips hex page numbering.
Cache revamped.
More printout options.
Colour lookup tables, so you can alter the options as you see fit!
Palette twiddler fixed to only alter the palette in 16 colour modes, as >16 colours will have a magenta and <16 won't anyway...
Uses system variables, so you can stick the config in Choices; netsetup does this for you. [read the online Versions file for the full report]
And, saving the best for last, a script interpreter! :-)
PS: Development on this is suspended due to a power surge taking out the main TTX chip in my decoder. If anybody has an unwanted Ground Control teletext receiver, email me. For interests sake, if you have an Acorn/Morley/etc unit, also contact me. I'd be interested to see if one of these can be made to work.
http://www.heyrick.co.uk/software/ttx/
One of the more interesting things, I think, is the page on the history of the name Richard; it now includes the Lord's Prayer as written in stages in recent history. The English language, in 1000AD (old english) looks nothing like English; and it is pronounced totally differently.
http://www.heyrick.co.uk/ricksworld/
http://www.heyrick.co.uk/ricksworld/richard.html
Coming soon:
QuickVoy is Open Source.
http://www.heyrick.co.uk/voyager/quickvoy/
http://www.heyrick.co.uk/voyager/quickvoy/opensource.html
http://www.heyrick.co.uk/assembler/
I will keep the website as up to date as possible, and I'll let you know when I'm back on-line. I plan to keep going with Acorn software development, and info on my website, so I'm not so much "going" as "relocating".
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