|-------------------------- Acorn News Service --------------------------|
| |
| http://www.acornusers.org/ans/ |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| The Acorn News Service is an independent service. |
| It is no way connected with, or supported by the Acorn Group Plc. |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| ISSUE 2 1ST MAR 1998 |
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| Editor:E.Abrahams - Proof Reader:J.Ward - Webmaster:R.Hesketh |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| To send in your news items please use the ANS website |
| Send comments directly to me at ans@acornusers.org |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Contents
--------
1) Editorial
2) General News
3) Commercial News
4) PD/Shareware News
5) Club News
Editorial
---------
Welcome to another issue of ANS. People are still subscribing every day,
but please do put the ANS URL on your Acorn Links page (if you have one),
and tell other Acorn users about it.
News is not being sent in in great quantities. So, next time you hear of
an upgrade, or just some interesting Acorn news, you know where to send it!
**** Please note our new e-mail and URL addresses mentioned above ****
Read and enjoy, and feel free to give us some feedback.
Eytan Abrahams,
Editor
General News
------------
1) The end of acorn.org.uk?
As many of you may have heard and read, James Sears, the man behind the
"acorn.org.uk" domain name, has stopped using it at Acorn's request.
But this does not stop a determined man like James. He has purchased the
"acornusers.org" domain name and is offering people an e-mail address,
which is forwarded to any account of your choice, and a web name i.e.
"http://www.acornusers.org/ans/" with forwarding to your own webspace,
anywhere!
He is charging very reasonable prices. For more information please go to:
http://www.acornusers.org/
If you do buy a name from seeing this article in ANS, please point out to
James where you saw the information. Thanks!
You may realise that the ANS URL at acornusers.org is actually being hosted
by "acornusers.org", this is by special arrangement with James. Thank you
very much James. If you purchase an "acornusers.org" name, then yours will
be a forwarding address.
2) Quality Hebrew Fonts?
I was recently contacted by an Acorn user in Israel concerning Hebrew
fonts for the Acorn.
Unfortunately, the Acorn platform does not have any accurate Hebrew fonts.
The gentleman in Israel had successfully converted fonts from Corel format
fonts that were supplied in Corel support pack 3. He touched them up
himself, and they are now very high quality and accurate fonts. He has
put together a little program to change the keyboard settings, so you can
type Hebrew with the keyboard, and at the click of a button convert back to
English.
He has finally received permission to distribute these 24 Hebrew fonts on
the Acorn platform. A couple of companies were contacted to distribute
these fonts, but none was interested. He has asked me to see if anyone who
reads ANS and is associated with an Acorn company to contact me if they
would like to distribute these fonts. Anyone who is just interested in the
fonts should contact me at ans@acornusers.org, and at a small charge I
can post the fonts out: the postage from Israel would build up a little so
I have offered to do it. This is on condition that no company decides to
distribute them.
3) The Acorn Emulation Page
The Acorn Emulation page...
http://www.cybervillage.co.uk/acorn/emulation/
...has once again been updated with all the latest news of emulation on the
Acorn, such as:
* New features of the Acorn Emulation page - chat room, last modified
listing and Acorn Emulation Archive
* fMSX and ColEm for pre-RiscPCs is on the way
* MESS multiple console and computer emulator update
* Java Colecovision emulator
* MAME v0.30.2 now available
* March 98 Acorn User emulation comments
* News of the new superfast Sega Master System emulator
* News source codes and documentation links for emulator programmers
* PC Pro's better than a real PC for emulation ;o)
* News of xNES
....and much more.
Commercial News
---------------
1) Phantasm
Full details of this software, which was just launched at the Acorn
Southwest show a few weeks ago, can be found on the Astute Graphics web site:
http://www.astutegrfx.demon.co.uk/
A new upgrade of Phantasm, the Artworks colour companion was released on
25th Feb. This new version will be able to import 'tints of tints' among
other modifications.
2) QuizMaster
Xavier Educational Software Ltd are pleased to announce
a new multimedia application for Acorn computers.
QuizMaster is intended for the creation of multiple-choice
quiz games for the testing of knowledge of National Curriculum
topics, but may be used for a variety of other purposes.
Further details from the Xavier Educational site at:
http://xavier.bangor.ac.uk/quizmaster/
3) WimpWorks v2 Released
Jaffa Software have just released the latest version of their highly
successful integrated development environment (IDE), WimpWorks, for RISC OS.
WimpWorks allows anyone with a simple knowledge of BBC BASIC to produce
stunning multitasking applications, which work with others in the Desktop,
such as simple clocks up to complete databases!
There is a free demonstration on the Jaffa Software website at:
http://www.cryogen.com/jaffa/
WimpWorks v2 is fully compatible with RISC OS 3.1 or above and requires only
1Mb of RAM, it costs (fully inclusive):
Full version 35.00ukp
Upgrade from WimpWorks v1 10.00ukp
[On receipt of original disk]
Upgrade from WimpBasic, 15.00ukp
HelixBasic, ArchWay or WimpGen
[On receipt of original disk(s)]
Please make cheques/postal orders payable to "Andrew Flegg".
If you have any further questions e-mail Jaffa Software at:
jaffa@cryogen.com
4) AJS Change of Address
Please note that from 2nd March, AJS Computers Ltd will be at:
Unit 28 East Hanningfield Estate
Old Church Road
East Hanningfield
Essex CM3 8AB
Sales: 01245 400066
Technical: 01245 400034
Fax: 01245 400014
PD/Shareware News
-----------------
1) Skullsoft Software - New and Updated Software
Skullsoft Software have released several updated versions of their software,
and one new program - SkullCrusher.
Arya: The Dragon's Quest:
Arya has been made easier to download by splitting the main game and the
in-games pictures into 3 separate archives. The current version remains 1.03.
You can download just the game, i.e. no pictures, or download a set of
graphics for either Mode 28 or Mode 15 (or both).
SkullCrusher:
This is an archiving program that utilises the Squash, LZH and Blowfish
modules. It provides compression/decompression, secure data encryption, file
splitting and more. This is a beta test version and everyone is encouraged
to report any bugs that they find. Please note that this requires the
WimpBasic module which is also available from the website.
AmnesFlags has also been updated quite a lot and Skullsoft have made
relatively minor changes to their freeware programs JPEGTrans, AddDOS and
WFRP that should improve their functionality.
Well, you know where you want to point your browser now!
http://www.eganc.demon.co.uk/skullsoft/
2) StrongBS
A new version of StrongBS, the best (IMHO) BASIC cruncher around has been
released and can be downloaded from the URL below:
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Heights/7423/
3) Gawk 3.0.3
Gawk 3.0.3 is a 'quick' RISC OS port of the most recent version of this well
known Unix text processing utility.
It is available from :
http://www.inter.nl.net/users/J.Kortink/
4) ArcLink5
ArcLink5, the Psion5<>Acorn transfer software by Paul Vigay is now available.
A number of bugs have been fixed and it has been speeded up, with a
number of new features also added.
ArcLink5 can now be downloaded from:
http://www.interalpha.net/customer/pvigay/shareware.html
5) !AutoCrypt 0.90
!AutoCrypt 0.90 is now available at:
http://web.bham.ac.uk/N.M.Queen/pgp/acorn.html
!AutoCrypt, by Tony Hopstaken, is a utility that facilitates the use of PGP
for users of the ANT Internet Suite. With a single mouse click, it is
possible to encrypt any selected outgoing mail messages in the queue, to
clearsign any selected outgoing mail or news messages (with a PGP digital
signature), or to decrypt all incoming PGP mail in the Inbox.
New features since the previous version include the following:
* Greatly improved manual
* Many more message types are recognised
* Option to select different key sizes for encryption and signing
* Option for automatic backup of mail boxes before decryption
* Selection of mail boxes that can be decrypted
* Popup boxes report progress and errors
* Automatic handling of multiple mail accounts
* Checking of signatures and decryption of messages from any source
* Pass phrase configuration
* !Installer application added
The PGP program required by !AutoCrypt can be obtained from the URL cited
above. General information about PGP for beginners can be found at:
http://web.bham.ac.uk/N.M.Queen/pgp/pgp.html
6) Newsbase v1.34c
A slight upgrade for Newsbase has been released, and can be downloaded from
the Messenger website at:
http://www.locutus.demon.co.uk/messenger/
I forgot to mention last time, that those of you who wish to receive the
latest version of !Messenger, every time it is released, can subscribe to
a mailing list that does just that. To subscribe to this list, send an
e-mail to:
maillist@locutus.demon.co.uk
With the subject:
SIGNON msgrbinary
7) POPstar
POPstar is a new POP3 mail fetcher (also incorporating SMTP sending) that
has just been released.
POPstar is compatible with standard Internet stacks (i.e. those except
KA9Q and Termite) and Newsbase.
People who will find POPstar useful are those who are using !POP and do
not need its ability to check large emails before downloading, but would
appreciate faster downloads.
POPstar is "giftware": users are under no obligation to pay for it, but
small donations will be appreciated. Download it now from:
http://homepages.tcp.co.uk/~tonyh/pop.html
8) CDViewer
CDViewer is a new program to replace CDFSFiler.
It has a number of advantages over CDFSFiler:
* Built-in CD player
* Recognises CDs when they are put in the drive
* Handles Dual format CDs
...and lots more.
You can download it from:
http://www.brunel.ac.uk/~cs97jjp3/Software.html
9) InterGif 6.03
InterGif is a freely distributable program for making GIF images from RISC OS
sprite files, or from Draw files, or from files produced with Iota Software's
"The Complete Animator". It can also convert from GIFs or Draw files to
sprites.
It can make interlaced GIFs, transparent GIFs, and/or animated GIFs. It runs
either on the desktop, or from the command line. It's compatible with
StrongARM and with any RISC OS from 3.1 to 3.7 (but probably not RISC OS 2).
A new release of InterGif is now available from the usual place:
http://www.ant.co.uk/~peter/software/intergif.htm
Improvements in version 6.03 include:
* Accepts deep sprites as input, and can choose optimal palettes
for them
* Can preprocess each frame using ChangeFSI (so, effectively,
many more input filetypes are supported)
* Has an icon bar icon!
* Comes with an animation viewer
* Plenty of bugs fixed
10) LongFiles 2 and VoiceCon
LongFiles 2 updates the surprisingly popular LongFiles, being completely
rewritten from scratch. The version that is available will automatically
convert LongFiles 0.10 and 0.11 format files to the new format, and also
should remove the orphan files. It also has a front-end to add/remove
LongFiles to filing systems.
VoiceCon is a voice recognition system for RiscPC and A7000(+) owners
with the VTi/Argo SoundByte recorder, or NorthWest SEMERC ReSound
sampler. This includes the sampler shipped with the Junior Toolbox. Note
that this is early software...
Both of these (with some documentation) are available from:
http://www.tribbeck.com/
This site is under construction, and the only two links available are
LongFiles and VoiceCon.
11) MavicaFS v1.00
MavicaFS v1.00 has been released now, without a manual, due to demand.
You can download your copy from:
http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/glover/
MavicaFS is a reader for floppies produced by the Sony Mavica digital
camera. This is needed because the JPEGs produced by this camera cannot be
read by !Paint, !Draw or !ChangeFSI.
It also allows you to batch convert the entire disc into standard JPEGs, or
RISC OS sprites. You can also preview images on the disc before you do
anything with them.
MavicaFS is shareware. A manual will be released at the above URL soon.
12) LongFS check 0.02
LongFsCheck is a program to remove those lost !!!!!!!Z! that exist without
any jpt(c)_'s files that are created by Jason Tribbeck's LongFS application.
These prevent some directories from being deleted and take up some hard
drive space.
Download it from:
http://www.statto.home.ml.org/ and follow the links.
13) Port of lcc 4.0 for RISC OS
lcc 4.0 is a retargetable ANSI C compiler which has been ported to run on
Acorn RISC OS systems, and produce ARM code output. It produces output
suitable for use with Q-System and can be linked with the port of UnixLib
3.7b provided.
lcc, Q-System (assembler & linker), UnixLibQ and more available from:
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lab/4330/
Features include:
* Full source code provided for all programs
* Fast and small - it runs and compiles all but the largest
files on my 2Mb A310
* Works with !Virtual
* Optimised code output
* Options for 'strict ANSI'
* All programs are free
Note that this code is still in development, and as such may
contain bugs. Known bugs are listed on the web page.
14) Socketeer 0.11 and XEarth port released
Socketeer 0.11 is now fitter, healthier and more productive - it now supports
PAP login (untested, mind), idle-outs and automatic connections and
disconnections at any time of day. It's a very user-friendly internet
dialler, for those who don't know. Just go see it if you're disillusioned
with other internet diallers... lots of people seem to like it ;)
XEarth is the sexiest backdrop program around - it displays a picture of the
Earth viewed from space, correctly shaded to wherever the sun currently is.
It also does things like Mercator projections, grids and, oh there's other
fun to be had. It's a crude port, and works for me (tm), but I'm very keen
for people to improve it so the source code is all there.
If either appeal to you, you can get them both for free from:
http://www.soup-kitchen.demon.co.uk/
15) Finger Server Upgrade (0.08) and Announcing Pager (0.12)
FingerD 0.08
------------
The Finger Server is a program to allow people to view information about
people on your computer. A new feature is that it can have extension
libraries written in BASIC to allow anything from seeing what tasks you
are running to how many Twixes are in a vending machine (if someone
wrote the program!). It also supports in-depth infomation about users
(/W command).
Pager 0.12
----------
This pager program is a new version of a program which was launched about
two years ago but has not been updated since. It allows quick messages
to be sent to people over the internet (like a pager, amazingly!).
You can download both programs from:
http://www.statto.home.ml.org/ and follow the links
You will also need a copy of Gerph's excellent JFshared library. This can
be downloaded from:
http://users.essex.ac.uk/users/gerph/
16) Port of CircleMUD version circle30bpl12 (Eh?!)
All the information necessary to port CircleMUD version circle30bpl2 to
RiscOS can be found at:
http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/wibble/
Follow the links to Gareth Duncan's homepage.
Club News
---------
1) Want to see the RPC2? Go to Southampton!
The next meeting of the Southampton Acorn Users Group will take place on
the first floor of Itchen College, Middle Road, Sholing, Southampton on
Monday 9th March 1998 from 19:00 until 21:00. All are welcome. Admission
is free.
The highlight of this meeting will be an appearance by Dave Walker and
Russel Scoates of Acorn, showing the RiscPC 2 prototype.
This meeting is likely to be very well attended. Could all those who are
likely to come please e-mail me (David Higton) straight away; this is so
that, if we have absolutely loads of people, we have time to book an
alternative room to accommodate you all.
For further information (and to let me know you're coming!) please contact
me, Dave Higton, via e-mail as davehigton@arcade.demon.co.uk, or by 'phone
on 01703 222312 (evenings), or on Arcade BBS as David Higton (#361); or
Ted Lacey, tedell@argonet.co.uk, 01703 325560.
2) Wakefield Spring Show
Acorn Computers, in association with the Wakefield Acorn Computer (User)
Group, are delighted to announce that the Wakefield Acorn Spring Show on
the weekend of 16/17 May will present the first preview for Clan members
of the exciting new Acorn Workstation codenamed "Phoebe" (aka RiscPC II).
In addition to displaying the long awaited machine, Acorn will be hosting
a special Preview Room, where some of the new workstations will be provided
for visitors to experience this exciting new product.
Pricing and the official name of the new workstation will be disclosed to
Clan members at the show, whilst Exhibiting dealers will be able to accept
orders for early delivery.
Dealers currently attending the show are:
Beebug
Castle Technology
CJE Micros
Cannon Computers
CTA Direct
Desktop Projects
Davyn Computer Services
Norwich Computer Services
Pineapple Software
Uniqueway
The Wakefield Acorn Spring Show will be held at the Thornes Park
Athletics Stadium only half a mile from the City Centre.
Opening times are:
Sat 16th May - 10:00 to 5:30 Sun 17th May - 10:00 to 4:30
Ticket Prices are:
Advance: On the day:
Adults 2.50 ukp Adults 3.00 ukp
Juniors 1.50 ukp Juniors 2.00 ukp
Advance tickets can be ordered from:
WACG Show98
95 Cumbrian Way
Lupset Park
WAKEFIELD
West Yorks
WF2 8JT
Cheques/Postal Orders to be made payable to “WACG SHOW” please.
WACG regret that they have no facilities for payment by credit or debit
cards.
Visit the Show website for all the latest news:
http://www.cybervillage.co.uk/acorn/wakefield/show98.html
3) Acorn's Preview RiscPC 2 at BAUG
Preview Acorn RiscPC 2 and Acorn NC
Acorn's Russell Scoates and David Walker to be at:
BAUG: (Bottisham Acorn Users Group) on Tuesday March 10th 19:30 Room 47
(provisionally - may have to have a larger one!) Lode Road, Bottisham,
Cambridge, approx 5 miles east of Cambridge, A1303 off the A14.
Here is a brief synopsis of what they cover in their talk:
* Russell's bit
- Changes within Acorn
- Xemplar and the education market
- Acorn's target markets
- New developments
- Acornsoft
- NCs
- Acorn gaming
* David's bit
- RiscPC 2 hardware, case, motherboard run through
- RISC OS - new filecore, performance enhancements
* Questions and Answers
Both Russell and Dave are prepared to answer questions during and after
their presentations, they are very frank about what Acorn will and
won't be doing. Obviously things covered by NDA's won't be answered. ;-)
It's also very useful from their point of view as they can get feedback
from the market at which RiscPC 2 is targeted.
Meetings so far have drawn record attendances from members plus
quite a number of non-members who also joined up at the meetings.
4) WACG meeting
A meeting of WACG is to be held on Wednesday 4th March, at 7:45pm.
(Doors open 7:15pm)
Aaron Trimbell of iSVProducts will be visiting for the first time,
showing a variety of their products plus, hopefully, a preview of a
couple of new software products.
Meetings are held at:
West Yorkshire Sports and Social Club
Sandal Hall Close, off Walton Lane
Barnsley Road (A61)
Sandal
WAKEFIELD
Map and directions on the WACG website. There is ample FREE car
parking at the venue, and there is also a bar for refreshments.
Visitors are charged an entrance fee of 1.50 ukp, and annual membership
(also available to postal members) is also available. Membership costs
10 ukp for Adults, with a reduced fee of 5 ukp for Juniors (under 18),
and Family Membership is 20 ukp.
Other forthcoming events:
Wednesday, Apr 1st - R-Comp/R-Comp Interactive
Wednesday, May 6th - Paul Beverley of Archive/NCS:
a personal history of Acorn
Sat/Sun, May 16/17th - 3rd Wakefield Acorn Spring Show
Wednesday, Jul 1st - Cambridgeshire Software House
Wednesday, Aug 5th - PD/Shareware Night
Wednesday, Oct 7th - Chris Cox returns!
Updated information on future events is posted regularly to the website.
If you require further information, please e-mail one of the following:
Chris Hughes: wacg@cumbrian.demon.co.uk Tel: 01924 379778
Mike Wilson : mike@barc.demon.co.uk Tel: 0113 253 3722
Or visit the Group's recently revamped website at:
http://www.cumbrian.demon.co.uk/wacg/
*** End of ANS - Issue 2 ***
*** Updated: Sun 1st March 1998, 22:20 ***