Dear Foundation member, News from RISC OS Ltd 14th November 1999 ===================== I hope this reaches everyone after the problems with anti-spam software halting a lot of the last newsletters. RISC OS 4 release ----------------- RISC OS 4 shipped on time on the 1st July 1999. Approximately the first 200 users got the FlashROM version with RISC OS 4.00. Due to supply problems there was then a gap until early September when we started shipping RISC OS 4.02 on OTP ROM. The only differences between 4.00 and 4.02 are to do with different settings for FlashROM or OTP ROM. There were only a very small number of bugs fixed between versions. If you are not having any problems with your machine then you do not need to upgrade from 4.00 FlashROM to 4.02 OTP ROM. You can however have your 4.00 FlashROM reflashed up to 4.02 standard by contacting the RISC OS 4 Helpline on the telephone number given at the bottom of this email. We will send out an exchange FlashROM and you send your original ROM's back to us, so that you are not left without a working machine. RISC OS 99 Show --------------- It was very heartening to see the large number of people who made the trip down to Epsom at the end of October. The sales of RISC OS 4 at the show were very good and consequently there will be a few days delay in shipping new orders as we have run out of some of the bits, due to demand at the show. RISC OS Manuals CD ------------------ Our team have been busy converting the original Unix based files into PDF and HTML files. The PDF version is an exact match with the original printed versions of the following manuals:- PRM Vol 1 - 5a, Basic V, Toolbox, DDE, C++ and ASM. The HTML version will be updated to include the known errata, and a RISC OS 4 supplement will be available next year. The CD costs £12.50 including delivery. However for a limited period Foundation members can obtain it for just £10. To order a copy email mailto:ro4orders@riscos.com with your Foundation number and Credit Card details, or send a Cheque payable to RISCOS Ltd to the usual address. If you are concerned about security, then send your Credit Card details attached as a Drawfile, with the text converted to a path. You don't need to send your address details, unless you have moved, since you first joined the Foundation. New Printer Drivers ------------------- We are working to produce a list of the currently supported Printers so that RISC OS 4 users will be able to choose suitable Printers from the 100's currently available. Please note that is impossible for us to provide drivers for every printer produced, but we are doing our best to support a range of printers that should cover most peoples needs. Commercial Printer Drivers are being produced by Spacetech and Explan for Canon and Epson printers, so please contact them for further details. The RISC OS World Wallchart -------------------------- The RISC OS World Wallchart is in the final proof stages and should be available before Christmas. The Wallchart will be provided free of charge to the first 100 members who applied to join The Foundation. The normal retail price of the Wall chart will be 4.50 UKP plus 1.50 UKP postage and packing. (incl VAT) Printed Newsletter and CD ------------------------- As most people are aware there was a lot of extra load placed on the admin staff at RISCOS Ltd to deal with the PACE takeover of Acorn. It has meant that the plans for The Foundation newsletter and CD have been delayed. We are now working hard on the first issues and we hope the wait will have been worthwhile. Your support has been invaluable, and I hope that you will agree that the completion of RISC OS 4 was of greater priority than producing glossy newsletters. Please remember that we have less than 4% of the staff of Acorn and consequently if more pressing needs take up our resources, something has to get delayed, with the CD and Newsletter having been the easiest items to delay. Acorn Advance Spreadsheet ------------------------- Clares Micro supplies have been good enough to release an updated version of the spreadsheet portion of the Acorn Advance package on their Web Site at http://www.claresmicro.com Future features for RISC OS 4 ----------------------------- If you have any suggestions for features you would like to see in the future versions of RISC OS then please send them to mailto:admin@riscos.com Foundation Private Area ----------------------- This area is now being populated and should be active before the Acorn Midlands Show on 20th November. The letter sent to you with your Membership form gives you details of how to access the area. The only change from that letter is that the password may be greater than or less than the 6 characters originally mentioned, so enter the full number. If you live abroad just enter the numbers. If you are having problems accessing the site then email mailto:foundation@riscos.com with the subject PRIVATE SITE ACCESS and quote your Membership Number and Name and we will email you the full access details. RISC OS 4 to ship with Risc PC's and A7000+ ------------------------------------------- Castle Technology have become the first company to licence RISC OS 4 for shipment with new machines. Demand for Risc PC's is very strong and Castle are building machines as fast as ever. Despite being 5 years old, the Risc PC is still very capable, and it is a vindication of the original design that it is used at the heart of systems ranging from generating the graphics on the hit quiz show - "Who wants to be a Millionaire" through ships pilot training for some of the worlds busiest harbours, in preference to rapidly obsolescent PC systems. Millipede - Imago ----------------- Millipede have now got very high resolution pictures running on their prototype machines, so make a date for the Acorn Midlands Show at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham on Saturday 20th November to see the results of the development work so far. Enquiries --------- The RISC OS 4 Helpline is only available on 02920 492326 from 4.00 pm to 8.00 pm Monday - Saturday. Enquiries for the Foundation and General Sales 02920 492324 from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday - Saturday. Fax for all enquiries 02920 440071 regards -- Paul Middleton RISCOS Ltd -----------------------------------------------------------------------