|-------------------------- Acorn News Service --------------------------|
| http://www.acornusers.org/ANS/ |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| The Acorn News Service is an independent service. |
| It is in no way connected with, or supported by the Acorn Group PLC. |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| ISSUE 19 1 November 1998 |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Editor: E.Abrahams ------ eytan@acornusers.org |
| Sub-Editor: J.Sears ------ james@acornusers.org |
| Webmaster: R.Hesketh ------ richard@acornusers.org, |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| To send in your news items or comments, use the ANS website, |
| or e-mail them to ans@acornusers.org. |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| > Random site pick this issue: http://www.tristone.co.uk/davespace/ < |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Nearing the 500 subscribers mark! |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Contents
--------
1) Editorial
2) General News
3) Commercial News
4) PD/Shareware News
5) Club News
6) ANS information
Editorial
---------
Eytan has been experiencing problems with e-mail via his ISP, he would
like to apologise for the delay in this issue of ANS, and to anyone who
has been waiting for a reply - he will catch up as soon as possible. --JS
General News
------------
1) Phoebe Feedback required
Stuart Halliday has been contacted by people interested in launching the
Phoebe computer but is there a large enough demand for it? Anyone who is
seriously interested in purchasing a Phoebe computer, and has not yet
completed the Acorn Cybervillage form, should fill it in now at
http://acorn.cybervillage.co.uk/hotnet/acorn/acorn_85.stm
Also remember ANS and Convergence International are providing coverage of
events at http://www.acornusers.org/phoenix/
2) RC5Save: distributed.net RC5 cracking screen saver
RC5Save version 1.10 for AlphaSave has recently been uploaded to the
Acorn->AlphaSave section of http://www.alphapro.demon.co.uk/
RC5Save is a screensaver which loads the single tasking version of the
distributed.net RC5DES client. In this version the option '*RMKill
SoundDMA' has been replaced by the more stable '*Audio Off'.
As part of a competition distributed.net is organising a collaborative
effort on the Internet to crack a message encrypted with RSA's 64bit RC5
algorithm. RSA have set the competition to prove to the US and other
governments that standard 56bit encryption is too week, and that stronger
encryption should be permitted. See http://www.distributed.net/ and
http://www.alphapro.demon.co.uk/Acorn/rc5des.html for details.
People participating in the effort can join teams to advocate a platform,
geographical area etc. Teams include the Acorn Users team (#4266) and the
ant.org Cambridge Cracking Collective (#553).
3) Impact database mailing list
John Skingley of Circle Software has set up a private email mailing list
for users of the Impact database. The list is for submission of queries,
help, and general info which is connected with the use of Impact, and
which may be of use to other users.
If you would like to join send an email to command@circlesw.demon.co.uk
with the command 'subscribe impact' in the BODY of the message. You will
receive an automated acknowledgment.
4) New Acorn related newsgroups
Two new Acorn related newsgroups have recently been created in the alt.*
hierarchy.
alt.acorn.adverts is for Acorn related adverts, eg for sale/wanted ads.
alt.acorn.demos is for discussion of demos which run on Acorn computers.
If you news server does not carry these groups, either e-mail your
provider and ask them to add the groups to their server, or use Dejanews
(http://www.dejanews.com/).
Commercial News
---------------
1) Insight Training
Acorn Support and Servicing course (2 days)
===========================================
Insight Training courses 'General Support and Servicing' and 'RiscPC and
A7000 Support and Servicing' have been merged to form a single course
covering most Acorn machines. The redesigned course now covers support and
servicing of all Acorn computers from the A3000 to the RiscPC and A7000+.
After two intensive and practical days, delegates leave with a
comprehensive pack of service information and test software. The course
will be running in Cambridge on 10-11 November and again on 10-11
December. The course fee is GBP320 excl VAT.
Datapower 2 course (1 day)
==========================
Another new course is Datapower 2, which introduces the main features of
Datapower 2, including its powerful relational capabilities. The course
aims to provide the skills necessary for creating efficient and user
friendly database solutions. It also serves as a starting point for those
wishing to explore further the complex subject of relational database
design. The course runs in Cambridge on 26 November and again on 14
December. The course fee is GBP110 excl VAT.
For further information or for a list of other Insight training courses,
contact Insight on 01223 812927, email insight@argonet.co.uk, or see
http://www.argonet.co.uk/business/insight/
2) News from PEP Associates
PEP Associates remains committed to supporting and developing for the
RISC OS platform for the foreseeable future, and is pleased to announce
the following news:
CD-Net
======
There is now a private area on the PEP Associates web site for registered
owners of CD-Net, the award-winning CD-ROM networking product. The area
includes access to the latest version of CD-Net and the opportunity to ask
for features you would like to see in the next version of CD-Net.
For those who haven't tried CD-Net out, an evaluation copy is available
for download from the web site, where you can also find details of dealers
who supply the product.
VirtuaCD
========
VirtuaCD allows you to create disc-based compressed copies of CD-ROMs and
use them as if the real discs were still present. Version 1.04 is now
available on the PEP Associates web site, both for existing owners and for
those who want to evaluate this product. This version now captures CD-ROM
images in roughly twice as fast as the previous version.
CDFSFiler
=========
CDFSFiler is an advanced drop-in replacement for Acorn's CDFSFiler. Beta 5
is now available and includes fixes for a number of problems that users
have been having, including cacheing issues on large drives and problems
with unpausing audio discs.
More details on all PEP Associates products can be found at
http://www.pep-assoc.co.uk/
3) Innovative Media Solutions Stock Clearance
The following items are available in limited quantities:
* Kiyeko GBP 10
* PB Bear GBP 20
* Ultimate Human Body GBP 20
* The Way Things Work GBP 20
* Dangerous Creatures GBP 20
* Ancient Lands GBP 20
* Musical Instruments GBP 20
* MS Dinosaurs GBP 20
* Mustek VDC100 Digicam GBP110
All items are for suitable for RISC OS 3.1 and later (CD titles need a
multisync monitor and at least ARM3). Prices /include/ VAT and postage.
This could be the last chance to buy many of these products. To order
e-mail sales@ims-bristol.co.uk.
4) Issue 55 of Dream magazine
Issue 55 of Dream Magazine, a non-Wintel magazine which has covered
RISC OS since Issue 42, is now available. This month's issue includes:
news, tests, virtual video meeting, and translating RISC OS into French.
The magazine comes with a CD, containing more than 93Mo of RISC OS
software.
Other topics covered include Amiga, Atari, Linux, BeOs, OS/2, Apple,
Alpha, Sun Object programming, Perl, C, and Java, but no Windows!
Subscription for 1 year is FFR419, one old issue is FFR45. Contact
dfeugey@worldnet.fr or yserra@posse-press.com.
5) Price reduction on i-cubed Ethernet cards
As part of a review of their Acorn-related operations i-cubed have reduced
the prices of their EtherLan Ethernet cards, and simplified the pricing
structure. Also, as not all customers are within easy reach of a dealer,
i-cubed will now accept orders directly. However, i-cubed do not have
credit card facilities, and so customers without an account will need to
pay by cheque.
Card prices are now:
* 10BaseT or 10Base2 only, without Access+ GBP 94
* Combo 10Base2/10BaseT, without Access+ GBP 99
* 10BaseT or 10Base2 only, with Access+ GBP 100
* Combo 10Base2/10BaseT, with Access+ GBP 105
Carriage is GBP4.50 on a single card, GBP8.00 on larger orders. VAT must
be added to the total order value (inc. carriage charge). For sales
enquiries contact sales@i-cubed.co.uk.
6) Convert Acorn fonts to PostScript
iSV Products is delighted to announce that they can now convert Acorn
format outline fonts into Type 1 PostScript fonts for use with Adobe Type
Manager running under Microsoft Windows.
The font conversion process is designed to produce the highest possible
quality. The scaffold translation system allows all the fonts existing
hints to be converted, resulting in superb reproduction both on screen and
on paper. All the fonts kerning information is also converted.
iSV can also convert fonts from one encoding scheme to another, for
example from Acorn Latin 1 encoding to Adobe Latin 1 encoding.
As an introductory offer conversion is available at only GBP10 per weight.
For example a family of four fonts can be converted for only GBP40 (plus
p&p of GBP1.50). Contact iSV Products on +44 (0)1344 455769 or
atimbrell@aol.com for further details.
7) Scottish Acorn Show
The Scottish Acorn Show is still on for Sunday 8th November 10am - 5pm.
Please come along and support the show. Venue is Glasgow Marriott Hotel.
Some space for exhibitors still available, contact Robert Todd
(rtodd@tecs.co.uk) for details.
8) Heroes of Might and Magic 2 now available
R-Comp Interactive are pleased to announce the immediate availability of
Heroes of Might and Magic 2, on of 1997's best strategy/RPG games. Still
regarded as the best fantasy/strategy game of all time (on a par with
Civilisation 2 as best overall strategy game ever!), HoMM2 is by far the
most significant release from RCI so far (even more so than Quake). Why?
Because HoMM2 is still the current top dog in it's field, with HoMM3 not
due for release until next year.
Best described as a cross between Civilisation, WarCraft 2 and an RPG,
HoMM2 will appeal to everyone who has even the vaguest interest in
strategy games, roleplaying games or adventures!
Featuring up to 6 player multiplayer on the same machine, HoMM2 avoids the
usual problems of complex rules, and is instantly playable without even
needing to refer to the (supplied!) manual or reference card!
Acorn HoMM2 requires a RiscPC or A7000 with 8MB of RAM or more. The game
will take advantage of any extra RAM available, and VRAM is a bonus.
You'll need 70MB of disc space and a CDROM drive.
The Acorn version of HoMM2 costs GBP35, comes on 2 CDs and 2 Acorn
floppies, and is available now from RCI. Contact rci@rcomp.co.uk, order
online at http://www.rcomp.co.uk/ or phone +44 (0)1925 755043.
9) Eurisko Software closing
Due to pressures at university and recent changes at Acorn, Eurisko
Software will no longer be developing Acorn software. Due to the sale of
his RiscPC Matthew Willcock will no longer be able to provide support, and
so he is looking into ways of allowing another company to support both
IRMouse and SpkPhone. If anyone would like to take over either program
contact mwillc@essex.ac.uk.
10) FontFX Version 6.02 now available
FontFX version 6.02 is now available. All new purchasers will receive this
version automatically from now on, registered owners of v6.00 or v6.01 can
e-mail DSS@datstore.demon.co.uk for an update. Owners of v5.07 or earlier
should post the original disc back to The Data Store along with a cheque
for GBP26.95.
Contact details and a list of the new facilities in version 6.02 are
available at http://www.datstore.demon.co.uk/fontfx.htm
Also note that due to unavoidable commitments The Data Store will be
closed from 1300 on Tuesday 3rd November until 0930 on Thursday 5th.
11) Astute Graphics limited print offer
Deviating completely from the norm at Astute Graphics, is the decision to
give people an opportunity to purchase a very special framed limited
edition print.
'Convergence', as featured on the front cover of Acorn User issue 201, was
designed from scratch to give Spacetech's Photodesk 3 a new image.
However, one very hard month of work later, the image somewhat took over
and became the star piece at Astute.
In the past few days the original high resolution image was printed at the
local printers on a large-scale inkjet and framed as present. However, the
result was so surprisingly striking that a number of professionals took
note as well as the general public, and there was an unplanned exhibit of
the artwork.
If upon visiting the updated website (http://www.astutegrfx.demon.co.uk/)
you feel that you would like a special print of an image completely
generated on a RiscPC, then please fill in the web form to allow Astute
Graphics to assess the feasibility of committing this work to hand litho
printing. For users of Photodesk there is also the opportunity to read the
on-line tutorial of how the image was created.
This is a one-off opportunity and also announces the effective hold on
further commissions that will be taken by Astute Graphics due to Cerilica
Ltd's activities.
12) Acorn User Magazine distribution
The Acorn User website (http://www.acornuser.com/) has been updated to
include more up to date information on subscriptions, back issues, and
obtaining the magazine in particular countries (Germany, the Netherlands,
Australia and New Zealand).
PD/Shareware News
-----------------
1) Long filenames - raFS 1.14
The latest version of the excellent raFS filing system, v1.14, can now be
downloaded from http://home.augsburg.baynet.de/richard.atterer/
The major new features in this release:
* raFS discs can now be verified, incorrect discs are detected and the
errors repaired.
* 'Lock' files ensure correct operation on write-protected discs.
* The RISC OS 3.1 version can also use the RMA for its heap, instead of
the sprite area.
* A number of small improvements and bugfixes.
raFS allows you to have filenames and disc names of more than 10 letters
in length, and there is no limit for the maximum number of files that can
be stored in a directory.
2) Zap v1.40 released
Zap v1.40 is now available from the Zap web site at the new address
http://www.zap.uk.eu.org/
Zap is a text editor for RISC OS, with a comprehensive, programmer
oriented feature set, which is also ideally suited to performing more
everyday editing tasks.
Zap v1.40 contains a number additions over the last release (v1.35),
prominently:
* Many options originally provided by extensions have been moved into
the core. Many useful options like 'Window wrap' and 'Soft wrap' are
now much more widely available.
* Automatic 'plug-n-play' style installation of extension modes avoiding
editing of configuration files.
* Better and more extensive syntax colouring in BASIC and other modes.
* Java, C and C++ now have separate modes.
* Improved 'Code' mode, integrated with external (dis)assemblers.
* Spell-checking is available with throwback and spell-as-you-type.
* A transformed e-mail mode, with a very extensive feature list.
3) For programmers: The KeyExtend module
The first alpha release version of the new KeyExtend module has been
uploaded to generate feedback from programmers.
The module buffers the ctrl/shift modifiers for each key in the keyboard
buffer, and gives you the correct one back together with the WIMP keypress
poll code.
The module itself, its source, and an example BASIC program, are available
from http://home.eunet.no/~guttorvi/strong.html
4) Compact But Bijou - Plea For Assistance
"Compact But Bijou" (http://www.ndirect.co.uk/~mrdalliard/) is a website
focused on the non-wintel demo scene, providing a place where people
interested in graphical demos can have a base to find out about the latest
news, gossip and locations of new releases. The Acorn and Apple hardware
platforms are supported.
Of course, the "News Page" is only as good as the sources and information
that are available and this is where Compact But Bijou needs your help.
Should you be aware of or belong to an Acorn demo crew, Mr Dalliard would
like to hear from you about what your current projects are.
The site also contains "The Demo Vote", where you can vote for your
favourite demo and demo crew. League tables of votes will be made in about
a months' time for the first league table.
5) Infestation updated
Infestation, a top view four player game by David Stubbs announced in the
last issue of ANS, has been updated. Infestation is sort of a cross
between moon/marsquake, bubble-bobble and a few other games. Version 3.31
has many new features and bug fixes, and is available from:
http://www.fen.bris.ac.uk/students/as6966/programs/Infestation.html
6) Rename v2.00
Rename is a smart file renamer that uses Edit-like wildcards to allow
complex renaming of multiple files. The latest version is now available
from http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/tigger/programs/progs.html
The latest version includes directory-tree recursion, so the same rename
instruction can be applied to all files below a selected directory. This
version is notionally a beta-test, but it seems to be robust.
7) ADSP2181 <--> RISC OS download/monitor
EZ2181 is a RISC OS WIMP program that allows the user to talk to the
Analog Devices ADSP2181 EZ Kit lite board, via serial link. The hardware
is a demo board costing about GBP80, which consists of a DSP (Digital
Signal Processor) and stereo audio codec, and is ideal for the DSP
beginner. It connects via serial port to a host computer for downloading
files, and comes with a DOS assembler, linker and a couple of other tools.
For details see http://sun1.bham.ac.uk/i.v.mcloughlin/mysoft.html
8) BBC Ticker v0.24
BBC Online news ticker is a small application which fetches regularly
updated news from the BBC servers and scrolls them across your desktop.
Each item is a 'hyperlink' and clicking on it will open your web browser
and fetch the full story for you. It is highly configurable with many
options and features to suit your setup.
This is a small change from 0.23e and fixes one bug which has caused
crashes from time to time for apparently no reason. Download from
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Lights/7724/
9) AcornICQ v0.11 uploaded
Version 0.11 of AcornICQ is now available. AcornICQ is an ICQ Internet
messaging/chat client for the Acorn. It can be downloaded from
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Hills/5544/
Please note that the status of the program is changed. It is now charity
ware, see the help file or text on the web page for details.
10) CDViewer v1.00b3
The new version of CDViewer, a replacement for CDFSFiler offering
enhancements such as a built in CD Player, is now available from
http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/jeremy.poulter/
New in this version:
* CDDB support (Thanks to John Baranek's Acorn CDDB Server)
* Programmable memory
* Autoplay/Resume modes
* Lots of other enhancements/bug fixes
11) Megumi v2.00 image decoder
The latest version (v2.00) of Megumi, a fast image decoder for RISC OS,
can now be downloaded from http://www.os.rim.or.jp/~sira-m/megumi.html
Megumi's main scope is to operate on computer generated data - images and
animations. Megumi supports a lot of formats not covered by other programs
like ECC, MAG or MSL, and can also handle standard formats PNG, JPEG
(JFIF) and (animated) GIF.
Club News
---------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Brought to you with The Association of Acorn User Groups*
The AAUG website provides details of all the user groups worldwide, and
how you can benefit from becoming a member. For more information, visit:
http://www.argonet.co.uk/scs/AAUG/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) New club oriented IRC channel
The Welwyn and Hatfield Computer Club (WHCC) and The Suffolk Acorn Risc
Club (SARC) are pleased to announce the creation of a new Club oriented
IRC (Internet Relay Chat) channel.
The new channel called #AcornClub, is hosted on the Wolfchat.org server
and went live on 1st November 1998.
#AcornClub is intended to complement the existing Acorn related channels
on Wolfchat by acting as a communal area for #WHCC and #SARC and any
future club channels. There is no fixed subject for the channel, it is
just a general area for Acorn enthusiasts to meet and discuss whatever
takes their fancy. Note that you do not have to be a member of an Acorn
club to visit these channels, EVERYONE is welcome.
#WHCC meets on IRC every other Friday from 2000 (UK time) onwards. #SARC
meets on IRC every Tuesday from approx 2000 (UK time) onwards. Many of the
regulars are online at other times as well, especially over the weekends.
If you do not have any IRC software a copy of Tom Lawtons' iChat program
can be obtained from the download page at (http://www.wolfchat.org/) or
from (http://www.klmc.demon.co.uk/). Once you have some suitable IRC
software just connect to server wolfchat.org, port 6667.
2) WACG Meeting 4th Nov - Clares
The next Wakefield Acorn Computer Group meeting will take place on
Wednesday 4th November, and will include a visit by Clares Micro Supplies,
with a look at the latest developments in WimpBasic 2, Rhapsody 4 and the
part of NC work done by them, plus possibly a look at CDR.
Meetings are held at the West Yorkshire Sports and Social Club, Barnsley
Road, Sandal. Details and a map and directions are available on the user
group website at http://www.cumbrian.demon.co.uk/wacg/
3) North Kent Amateur Computer Club meeting
The next NKACC meeting takes place on Thursday 12th November, at the
Memorial Hall, Petts Wood. The meeting will start at 8.00pm, with the
doors opening at 7.30pm.
Richard Nevill will be talking about Computers & Video, including video
editing using Videodesk, a look at the history of video recording,
non-linear video editing using computers, and how Eidos Optima compares
to Videodesk.
For details see http://www.humperdink.demon.co.uk/nkacc/ or contact
Richard Nevill (ricnev@argonet.co.uk).
ANS information
---------------
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