Archive Magazine CD 1995/Archive Magazine CD 1995.iso/text/magazine/volume_8

Text File | 1995-08-02 | 3.2 MB | 68,262 lines

Making Archive (and NCS) better
8.1
We have lots of good articles again. Many thanks to all our keen
contributors. Also, the response to the questionnaire has been wonderful
again − lots of good ideas for making Archive (and NCS) better. I have
only managed to work my way through the first few hundred responses but,
from them, I have written up five pages of ideas, comments, questions,
challenges, etc (see page 51). We have even implemented some of the
suggestions in this issue of Archive!
8.1
Re-vamped Price List
8.1
We have also revamped the Price List which has just grown and grown,
over the years. We hope you find it easier now to find the items you
need. If you can think of ways of making that better, please let us
know.
8.1
Archive BBS on line
8.1
Thanks to some hard work by Andrew Garrard during his summer vacation,
the Archive BBS is back on line. For more details, see the article on
page 24. Why not give the BBS a ring on 0603-766585?
8.1
Archive/NCS Open Day postponed
8.1
Unfortunately, we found that the date of our Open Day (12th November)
clashed with three other events around the country. This meant that
about half the exhibitors that came to our last Open Day would not be
able to come. So we decided to postpone it and try to find a better date
in the new year.
8.1
Risc PC supplies?
8.1
How are the supplies of Risc PCs going? Not too well, I’m afraid. We
still haven’t supplied all the ACB45s that were ordered in the first
month after launch. Come on, Acorn − this is getting silly!!! We have
ACB25s in stock and can probably get ACB15s but the top end machines are
like the proverbial hen’s teeth.
8.1
What about the PC cards?
8.1
We are waiting with eager anticipation to see whether the latest
iteration of the ASIC chip for the PC second processor card is going to
work properly. If it does, there will be some to sell at Acorn World 94
but if not, there will be some very disgruntled Risc PC owners.
8.1
Cold Turkey
8.1
I’ve done it! I’ve gone cold turkey! I haven’t time to report on my
findings but will do so next month. Done what? Oh, sorry, changed to
Publisher − This is the first issue of Archive to be produced on
Publisher.
8.1
More and more people were sending me Style and Publisher files and I was
getting fed up loading Publisher, scraping out the text, saving it and
loading it back into Impression 2.19. I knew that once I made the move
there was no going back because of the lack of backwards file
compatibility. The difference in key short-cuts − which are so important
to someone spending all day, every day, using a package − is driving me
slightly bonkers. If I hit <ctrl-A> one more time and have to re-paste
all the text in a story, I’ll scream!
8.1
And finally...
8.1
As most of you will have gathered by now, I really enjoy producing
Archive month by month. The feedback we get from yourselves is so
satisfying. OK, the questionnaires contained some brickbats. There were
bits of Archive that you would rather be without but when you get more
than a few comments like, “It’s the best of all the Acorn magazines. I
pounce on it and devour it as soon as it drops through the door.” I
begin to think that maybe we’ve got some things right!
8.1
Happy reading!
8.1
Products Available
8.1
•  200Mb Syquest removables − Syquest have released a new 200Mb 5¼“
removable hard disc. The new drive can read and write the old 44Mb and
88Mb format cartridges as well as its own 200Mb format, and offers a
speed and size advantage over the older drive types while maintaining
backward compatibility. The drive comes with one free cartridge and, as
with all removable drives, it has an effectively infinite storage
capacity by simply replacing the cartridge. The external SCSI version
which can be used on any Acorn machine with a SCSI interface costs £570
through Archive, the internal version (which is only really of interest
to Risc PC owners) is £490. Each comes with one cartridge and extra
cartridges cost £90 through Archive.
8.1
•  Acorn Enthusiasts’ Scheme − We stated in Archive last month that
Acorn were going to allow “Enthusiasts”, who are not actually ordering a
Risc PC to register as such. However, they have decided that this scheme
will be launched properly at Acorn World 94.
8.1
• Alpha Tracks − Silicon Vision have released a new Electronics Teaching
Course based on the ArcPCB design software, combined with the Unilab/
Testbed Alpha System modules. Designed by teachers, the system allows
students to explore electronics prototyping and computer aided design of
the PCB on any RISC OS machine. The design can be output to Artwork for
PCB production or directly onto copper clad boards with a plotter using
spirit-based pens for direct etching in Ferric Chloride solution. The
course has been designed for use with students or teacher training from
Key Stage 3 (age 13+), and includes notes and assignment sheets intended
to minimise teacher participation. The price is £75 +VAT from Silicon
Vision.
8.1
•  Archiboard − Supreme Software have officially launched Archiboard, a
‘network Email and conferencing system’. The system has been developed
over the last four years and is aimed at educational users. By means of
client software (provided), users can log on to the central server, and
there leave mail messages for each other, contribute to conferences and
use the server as a means of transferring files. The system is quick to
set up in its default state, and is highly configurable by means of text
files and a script language − plug-in modules can be used to add to
functionality. Working across Ethernet and Econet (without the need of a
file server), Archiboard also provides for connection to FidoNet™ and
Internet to extend Email facilities world wide. The Network version of
Archiboard is available from Supreme Software fo £89 (£79 to educational
establishments) + £2 U.K. postage. Supreme Software Ltd. can be
contacted at [phone].
8.1
•  ArcPCB range expands − Silicon Vision have expanded their range of
electronic design automation tools. ArcPCB version 1.9, for digital PCB
layout, is now priced at £99.95. ArcPCB professional version 3.3 at £195
is aimed at both analogue and video PCB layout. ArcPCB Schematics
version 5.2, at £275, is for combined Schematic and PCB layout.
PowerRouter v1.6 at £59.95 provides full 100% rip-up retry routing.
GerberPLOT v2.1 for Photoplotting and ExcellonDRILL v2.1 for NC
drilling, both at £39.95, are also available from Silicon Vision. All
these prices exclude VAT.
8.1
•  “Autumn windfall on A3020s” − Acorn are doing a special promotion on
A3020s during September and October. For every A3020 that schools buy
from Authorised Education Dealers, Acorn will give the school (or
college) a £50 cash-back. Buy the computer(s), fill in the form(s), send
them to Acorn before 30th November and, within 28 days, Acorn will send
you your £50 cash-back(s).
8.1
•  CD-Net − Cumana have taken over the CD-Net software from PEP
Associates, reviewed in the June issue of Archive. The system provides
fast access to a number of CDs across an AUN or SJ Nexus network, using
a two-stage cache (utilising both RAM and hard disc) to allow multiple
users access to a number of CD-ROMs, often faster than if the drive were
local to the machine. CD-Net is now priced at £150 +VAT & delivery from
Cumana.
8.1
•  CD-ROM networking − To complement their CD-Net software, Cumana have
launched a tower of six Panasonic SCSI CD-drives. Multi-session, double
speed and PhotoCD compatible, the tower is priced at £1499 +VAT. Cumana
feels that single drive units with automatic disc changing are not
suitable for large network use where several users may wish to access
different CD-ROMs, and this tower is their solution.
8.1
•  CD-ROMs − From our survey of “who is selling what for RISC OS
computers?”, the following CD-ROM titles have come to light: “Art in the
National Curriculum (KS 1 & 2)” (AVP) − resources related to topics and
artists in the N.C., aimed to contain a number of images not readily
available in the home or classroom environment. “The Horizon Report”
(Hampshire Microtechnology Centre) − resources from the combined efforts
of over forty Hampshire schools and colleges investigating the uses of
multimedia for sharing and presenting information, covering topics such
as ‘IT in the high street’, ‘Rainforests’ and ‘Hitler’. With the
“Karaoke Macbeth” (Animated Pixels Publishing Ltd − available from
Cumana) you can choose your favourite part or parts from the Scottish
play and read them yourself or with your friends, with the other parts
read for you; other plays will follow. “Kingfisher Children’s
Micropedia” (ESM) − reference resource for Primary children, containing
1,300 entries accessed alphabetically or by topic, and the package comes
with curriculum activity ideas. “Land and Air: Environmental Series”
(Interactive Learning Productions and Academy Television) − an analysis
of environmental issues using data from governmental sources.
“Picturebase − Victorian Britain” (AVP) − materials relating to
Victorian times and their relation to the present day. “Semerc Treasure
Chest” (NW Semerc) − huge library of resources for key stages 1, 2 and
3. “Oxford Reading Tree” and “Sherston Naughty Stories” (Sherston) −
both popular RISC OS talking books are available on CD-ROM. “Woodland
Birds” (APA Multimedia Ltd) is a subset of the Woodland CD, and contains
details of approx. 50 birds and their calls.
8.1
•  Colour printing bonanza − For those who want high quality colour
printing, there are two new ink jet printers on the market. Integrex,
who have provided colour printers to the Acorn market for years, have
released the Colourjet 600, capable of 300×600dpi and of emulating the
HP Deskjet 500C. The printer comes with suitable RISC OS 3.1 printer
drivers and costs £239 +VAT from Integrex. The second new printer is an
offering by Epson − the new Stylus Color (sic). This printer is capable
of 720×720dpi on suitable coated paper, offering a substantially
improved picture when compared to most ink-jet printers which have only
half the resolution. It can also produce 360dpi on normal paper.
Unfortunately, at the time of writing there is no RISC OS printer driver
for it which can produce more than 360dpi, although one is being worked
on. The Stylus Color has an r.r.p. of £639 +VAT and is available through
Archive for £590 inclusive.
8.1
•  DiskCat update − Oregan Developments have released a new version of
their automated disc cataloguing system. The new version has many
enhanced features and is compatible with the Risc PC. The package is now
£19.95 inc VAT from Oregan. Existing users can upgrade for £5 with the
return of their original discs to Oregan.
8.1
•  Duplex − Mijas Software have produced a shareware application
designed to enable full duplex printing of a wide range of DTP documents
on a Hewlett Packard (or equivalent PCL emulation) Laserjet printer that
has a full duplex option. The program is on the monthly program disc but
for a registered copy plus manual, send £10 (cheque or PO) to Mijas
Software.
8.1
•  Earth Warp − This is a program from Longman Logotron based on the
BBC’s Look and Read, Earth Warp series for 7-9 year olds. It costs £24
(+VAT +p&p) from Longman Logotron or £27 through Archive.
8.1
•  EPROM programming and emulation − Octopus Systems of Ipswich have
launched new control software to enable the Dataman Softy S3 and S4
EPROM programmers to be controlled from the RISC OS desktop via the
serial port. Files can be programmed into an EPROM or the system can be
used as an emulator with a flying header plugged into an EPROM socket.
This aids software development as it enables new software to be
downloaded and used immediately, without programming a new EPROM every
time. The control software and lead costs £39 +VAT from Octopus Systems
who also offer a fast EPROM programming service from Acorn format discs.
8.1
•  Game On! − The ARM Club have released a new application for the Risc
PC to help all those users whose games do not work on the new machine.
Game On! allows games such as Chuck Rock, Saloon Cars Deluxe, Chocks
Away, Gods, Lemmings and SWIV to work on the new machine, together with
applications such as FasterPC, Tracker, Coconizer and Digital Symphony.
A database is included showing which products have been tested for
compatibility with and without Game On! The price is just £10 fully
inclusive from The ARM Club.
8.1
•  Idek Iiyama have a new 21“ monitor which will be in full production
by the end of September. The MT-9121 uses a Diatron tube (Trinitron
look-alike) with a 0.30mm dot pitch and handles line rates of between
23.5 and 92kHz, with frame rates between 50 and 160Hz. The monitor can
support a 200MHz dot clock, allowing displays of up to 1600×1200 at 72Hz
or 1280×1024 at 80Hz with better convergence, distortion and contrast
than the other Idek Iiyama 21” monitors. The controls are available from
an on-screen menu using a remote control! The idea is that you sit back
in your usual operator position when making adjustments rather than
being forced to be within arm’s reach of the front of the monitor. The
MT-9121 has the usual range of controls, and also features auto power
down and a motorised tilt-and-turn stand. It is priced at £1649 +VAT
from Idek or £1884 through Archive.
8.1
• Idek Vision Master17 − We have been able to improve the price of the
Idek Iiyama 17“ monitor. It is now available through Archive at £694 inc
VAT and carriage or £400 extra if bought on the Acorn Enthusiasts’
Scheme with a Risc PC.
8.1
•  Letraset fonts − The Datafile have announced a reduction in the price
of their packs of Letraset and URW fonts. Their Pick ‘n’ Mix service now
charges £5 for the first weight and all others £3 each plus £1.50 p&p
inc VAT, with a minimum order of £20. This offer does not apply to their
ITC fonts (which are still £7.50 for the first weight and £5 for others
+VAT). The Datafile aim to release a new font pack each month now that
they have access to more fonts from other companies.
8.1
•  Longman Logotron CD-ROMs − Longman Logotron are now distributors of
software by the American multimedia company 7th Level and sole
distributors of the UK-based Software Toolworks. New packages include
Photobase Decades, which contains around 2,500 images per CD-ROM, each
illustrating historical events and everyday life of one decade from 1920
to 1960; the discs can be bought separately or as a set in Acorn and PC
formats. The Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia is now available on a
single CD-ROM capturing all 21 volumes, and containing 33,000 articles.
The Multimedia World Atlas, designed for both home and school, features
350 maps and 1000 high resolution colour photographs, including video
and audio clips for selected countries and 300 topics of information for
every country. Prehistoria spans 500 million years of dinosaurs and
other prehistoric animals. Finally, TuneLand is an ‘interactive musical
cartoon’ for children of 3 years and up, enabling the children to direct
the action in eight screens and with 60 animated cartoon characters and
objects; the CD-ROM can also be used as a normal audio CD, with 43 well-
known nursery rhymes and tunes. Educational users ordering from
Longman’s catalogue before Christmas are offered a free CD-ROM worth
£49.
8.1
•  Look! Hear! − Sherston Software have recently announced their first
series of talking topics aimed at infants. The series uses digitised
human speech and animations to bring the information to life, and the
first volume covers Land Transport, Dinosaurs, The Seaside, Pets, Homes
and The Body. Each pack includes two discs, a guide for parent or
teachers and worksheets for use at home and at school. Each pack is
£11.95 +VAT from Sherston Software, or all of Volume One (six packs) may
be purchased at £59.75 +VAT. The six pack is available through Archive
for £65.
8.1
• Morph − A new morphing packing is now available for Acorn machines.
Mycroft Software have released Morph which can work in single or multi-
tasking mode, handles from 16 greys up to 24-bit colour images, supports
OLE, allows colour and movement control during morphing, has manual or
automatic mesh creation and allows output of single frames or groups of
frames. Morph costs £15 all-inclusive from Mycroft Software.
8.1
•  OakPCB II − Oak Solutions have updated their design processor
package. New features include improvement of the user interface, options
to align tracks at 45 degree intervals, and improved facilities for
attaching tracks to pads. PCBDrill, a utility which allows automatic
creation of circuit boards on Roland CAMM2 and CAMM3 and on Boxford
milling machines, is included. The user interface is still based on Draw
for ease of use. The package can handle boards of up to four layers, and
comes with extendible libraries for PCB and schematic work. OakPCB II
costs £70 +VAT from Oak Solutions (or £76 inc VAT through Archive), and
upgrades cost £35 +VAT inc p&p from Oak Solutions only.
8.1
•  Paper Saver − is a new product from PTW Software for network use. The
package works with any network shared printer driver, allocating page
quotas to individuals, groups or classes and limiting the amount of
printing which they can do. Transparent in operation, the software will
help reduce the problem of individuals printing unauthorised output
which may make running costs for the printer excessive. The package
costs £17.95 inclusive from PTW Software.
8.1
•  Pocket Book II − If the Pocket Book was a cut-down Psion Series 3,
the Pocket Book II is a Psion 3a plus some!!! The details are on page 11
but basically, there are two versions: 256Kb for £269.95 and 512Kb for
£329.95 inc VAT. (£270 and £330 through Archive including carriage!)
8.1
•  Product UNavailable − Basic WIMP Programming by Dabs Press which had
such a good review last month is sadly now out of print! Has anyone got
a copy they DON’T want that they would be prepared to send us for the
charity sales? (You could put it in the Small Ads if you can’t afford to
give it away − the second hand value has probably risen!)
8.1
•  Professional colour scanning − Computer Concepts have a new
‘Professional Colour Scanner Pack’ consisting of a Canon colour flatbed
scanner with drivers and PhotoDesk by Spacetech, which CC considers to
be the application best matched to the scanner. The scanner itself, the
IX-4015, is an A4 24-bit device capable of 800dpi, or 1200dpi in
monochrome, and is noted by CC as being particularly fast, and can be
connected to all fully Acorn compatible SCSI cards. The drivers are
specially customised for it and include full Twain support. The package,
including SCSI cable, is available from Computer Concepts for £749 + £10
p&p + VAT.
8.1
•  Risc Developments Ltd − The publisher of Risc User, Acorn Action and
Beebug magazine (which ceased publication in April this year) and
developers of Acorn hardware and software, ceased trading on 8th August
1994 and went into voluntary liquidation. The reason for the liquidation
was stated to be “losses associated with the production of our Beebug
magazine”. Adrian Calcraft, director of Risc Developments said, “We are
very sorry to have to take this action which has been brought about by
the high costs of finishing the Beebug magazine.”
8.1
The Acorn dealership company, Beebug Ltd, under its directors Sheridan
Williams and Adrian Calcraft is continuing to trade. Adrian Calcraft
added, “Beebug Ltd are not greatly affected by the closure and will take
over the products from Risc Developments, including the Risc User
magazine. Customers will be supplied and supported as previously” Risc
Developments’ press release also stated that, “Beebug will be at the
Acorn World exhibition in force and will be demonstrating some new
products and enhancements to existing software.”
8.1
We have not yet been able to find out whether Acorn Action is to
continue but Beebug said they were going to honour the £100,000+ worth
of pre-paid Risc User subscriptions, so existing Risc User subscribers
should not lose out.
8.1
•  Sibelius 6 and 7 − Sibelius Software now have site licence prices
available. The basic single-user prices are Sibelius 6 at £159 +VAT
(£175 through Archive), Sibelius 7 (for amateurs, schools, etc) £499
+VAT (£545 through Archive), and Sibelius 7 (for professional users)
£795 +VAT (£865 through Archive). If you need a site licence, there is
one for Sibelius 6 at £636 +VAT (£691 through Archive) with a special
price for primary schools of £318 +VAT (£345 through Archive). There is
also a site licence on Sibelius 6 which includes a single copy of
Sibelius 7 (good thinking!!). This costs £999 +VAT or £1085 through
Archive.
8.1
•  Tabby graphics tablet − The Tabby graphics tablet (previously only
available on PC and Atari machines) has now been made available for RISC
OS 3 Acorn machines, and plugs into the serial port. The price is £68.08
+VAT +delivery from First Computer Centre, with special prices available
to Schools and Colleges.
8.1
•  Teletext adapters − Octopus Systems, the new Acorn dealer in Ipswich,
is selling Ground Control adapters with enhanced control software. These
external adapters can be used with any Acorn desktop computer including
the A3010, A3020 and A4000, but not the A4. The new software supports
page cacheing and automatic keyword searching of pages, as they are
received. Only a few of these adapters are available, and the adapter
with software costs £130 +VAT from Octopus Systems.
8.1
•  The Times Table − Hazelnut Specialist Educational Software have
produced some multimedia software aimed at providing a fun way to learn
your tables − from ×2 to ×12. Six discs and an explanatory leaflet will
cost you £30 + £2.50 p&p (no VAT) from Hazelnut Software.
8.1
•  Trellis − a new adventure interpreter from Soft Rock Software, using
the TScript adventure description language designed for text-based
adventures and intended to provide an easy way for people to write their
own adventure games. Trellis costs £7.99 inclusive from Soft Rock
Software.
8.1
•  Windows 3.1 − If you need Windows 3.1, we can supply it for £110 inc
VAT or, if you don’t mind an OEM version, we have one for £70.
8.1
Review software received...
8.1
We have received review copies of the following: •Beethoven Browser
Egmont (e), •ImageFS (u), •LjDuplex (u), •Landmarks Britain since the
’30s (e), •Lots More Fun & Games (age 5-9) (e), •Morph (u), •MouseTrap
(u), •Nstore v4.0 (e), •The Times Tables (e).
8.1
e=Education, b=Business, bk=Book, g=Game, h=Hardware, l=Language,
u=Utility, a=Art.  A
8.1
Paul Beverley
8.1
Fact-File
8.1
(The numbers in italic are fax numbers)
8.1
4Mation    14 Castle Park Road, Whiddon Valley, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32
8PA.
8.1
  (0271-25353) (0271-22974)
8.1
Abacus Training    29 Okus Grove, Upper Stratton, Swindon, Wilts, SN2
6QA.
8.1
Academy Television   104 Kirkstall Road, Leeds, LS3 1JS. (0532-461528)
(0532-429522)
8.1
Acorn Computers Ltd    Acorn House, Vision Park, Histon, Cambridge, CB4
4AE. (0223-254254) (0223-254262)
8.1
APA Multimedia   Unit 8, Henley Business Park, Trident Close, Medway
City Estate, Strood, Rochester, Kent, ME2 4ER. (0634-295222) (0634-
710193)
8.1
APDL    39 Knighton Park Road, Sydenham, London, SE26 5RN.
8.1
Apricote Studios (p19)   2 Purls Bridge Farm, Manea, Cambridgeshire,
PE15 0ND. (0354-680432)
8.1
AVP   School Hill Centre, Chepstow, Gwent, NP6 5PH. (02912-5439)
8.1
Colton Software (p20)   2 Signet Court, Swanns Road, Cambridge, CB5 8LA.
(0223-311881)
8.1
  (0223-312010)
8.1
Computer Concepts (pp14/23)   Gaddesden Place, Hemel Hempstead, Herts,
HP2 6EX. (0442-63933)
8.1
  (0442-231632)
8.1
Cumana Ltd   Pines Trading Estate, Broad Street, Guilford, GU3 3BH.
(0483-503121) (0483-503326)
8.1
Datafile   71 Anson Road, Locking, Weston-super-Mare, Avon, BS24 7DQ.
8.1
  (0934-823005)
8.1
Design IT    15 Woodlands Road, Wombourne, South Staffs, WV5 0JZ. (0902-
894775) (0902-894775)
8.1
ESM   Duke Street, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE13 2AE. (0945-63441)
8.1
First Computer Centre   Unit 3 Armley Park Court, Stanningley Road,
Leeds, LS12 2AE.
8.1
  (0532-319444) (0532-319191)
8.1
GamesWare   Unit 26, The Bartletts, Hamble, Hants., SO35 5RP.
(0703−456523)
8.1
  (or 0243-531194) (0703−456523)
8.1
Hampshire Microtechnology Centre,   Connaught Lane, Paulsgrove,
Portsmouth, Hants, PO6 4SJ.
8.1
  (0705-378266) (0705-379443)
8.1
Hazelnut Software   197 Blackshots Lane, Grays, Essex, RM16 2LL. (0375-
375514)
8.1
Hodge Electronic Services    16 Mold Road, Mynydd Isa, Clwyd, CH7 6TD.
(0244-550803)
8.1
Integrex Systems Ltd   Church Gresley, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11
9PT. (0283-550880)
8.1
  (0283-552028)
8.1
Kudlian Soft (’til 8.12)  8 Barrow Road, Kenilworth, Warwickshire,
CV8 1EH. (0926-851147)
8.1
Longman Logotron   124 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge
CB4 4ZS.
8.1
  (0223-425558) (0223-425349)
8.1
Mijas Software (p8)   Winchester Road, Micheldever, Winchester, SO21
3DJ. (0962-774352)
8.1
Mycroft Software   53 Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, AL1 2ER.
8.1
Northwest SEMERC   Fitton Hill CDC, Rosary Road, Oldham, OL8 2QE. (061-
627-4469)
8.1
Oak Solutions (p10)   Dial House, 12 Chapel Street, Halton, Leeds, LS15
7RN (0532-326992) (0532-326993)
8.1
Octopus Systems   9 Randwell Close, Ipswich, IP4 5ES. (0473-728943)
(0473-270643)
8.1
Oregan Developments   36 Grosvenor Avenue, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield,
B74 3PE.
8.1
PTW Software   72 Frosthole Crescent, Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 6BG.
(0329-281930)
8.1
Quantum Software (p13)  35 Pinewood Park, Deans, Livingston, EH54 8NN.
(0506-411162 after 6)
8.1
S&S Solutions   8 Anchor Close, Hathern, Leicestershire, LE12 5HP.
(0509-842670)
8.1
  (0509-842670)
8.1
Sherston Software   Angel House, Sherston, Malmesbury, Wilts. SN16 0LH.
(0666-840433) (0666-840048)
8.1
Sibelius Software   4 Bailey Mews, Auckland Road, Cambridge, CB5 8DR.
(0223-302765)
8.1
  (0223-351947)
8.1
Silicon Vision Ltd   Signal House, Lyon Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1
2AG. (081-422-3556) (081-427-5169)
8.1
Software 42   109 Ferry Road, Hullbridge, Essex, SS5 6EL.
8.1
Soft Rock Software   FREEPOST (BS7978), Westbury-on-Trim, Bristol, BS10
7BR.
8.1
Supreme Software Ltd.   21 Courtenay Close, Chapel Break, Bowthorpe,
Norwich, NR5 9LB.
8.1
The ARM Club   Freepost ND6573, London, N12 0BR. (0171-624-9918) (0181-
446-3020)
8.1
W. C. Smith & Associates (p22)  40 Royal Oak, Alnwick, Northumberland,
NE66 2DA., (0665-510682)
8.1
  (0665-510692)
8.1
Archive Monthly Program Disc Contents
8.1
•  Program from Paul Hobbs’ article on advanced Basic programming − page
21.
8.1
•  Programs from James Riden’s article on assembly language programming
− page 35.
8.1
•  Programs from Cain Hunt’s article on programming for DTP applications
− page 29.
8.1
•  Factfile − latest version of the full list of Acorn-related companies
on the Archive database.
8.1
•  Programs from Matthew Hunter’s article on graphics − page 75.
8.1
•  Hard drive speed test programs from Dave Holden’s article on page 63.
8.1
•  Capslock disabling module − see H & T page 15.
8.1
•  IDE drive power-down utility − see H & T page 15.
8.1
•  LjDuplex − full duplex printing on an HP Laserjet printer − shareware
from Mijas Software − see page 77.
8.1
•  Files from Gerald Fitton’s PipeLineZ article − page 69.
8.1
•  Makemodes utility for Risc PC from Acorn − see Andrew Garrard’s
article on page 41.
8.1
•  Files from Paul Hooper’s Multimedia article − page 73.
8.1
•  Risc PC compatibility list from Keith Hodge − page 39.
8.1
•  Risc PC keys − If you don’t like having a PC compatible keyboard on
your Risc PC, Nick Craig-Wood’s patch will restore your sanity.
8.1
New Archive Special Offers
8.1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
8.1
Archive Back Issue Sets
8.1
The first special offer is on back issues of Archive. There is a huge
amount of information in these magazines and so, if you have only
recently joined, you could be missing out. We need space urgently in our
warehouse facility (for a reason which I hope to be able to announce
next month) and we want our magazine stocks depleted rapidly − hence
these very special, almost give-away, prices...
8.1
Volumes 4, 5 and 6 (36 magazines) − £9 (or £4 if collected from NCS)
8.1
(Yes, that really is £9 for 36 magazines, not £9 per volume!)
8.1
Volumes 4, 5, 6 and 7 (48 magazines) − £14 (or £9 if collected from NCS)
8.1
N.B. This offer is STRICTLY only for two months. It will cease on the
day of publication of the December issue of Archive − cuurently
scheduled for 15th November.
8.1
WorldPort 14,400 Sportster FaxModem
8.1
The second special offer is a free copy of ArcFax with every Sportster
modem. This is not the old Class 1 modem but the new specification Class
2.0 version. The price of the higher specification modem is still £230
through Archive, but we have worked a deal with the modem company so
that, for two months only, we can offer a FREE copy of ArcFax 1.1 (worth
£35) with every Sportster modem.
8.1
Last Acorn Mice at £18
8.1
This is a sort-of-new offer. We have had a supply of Acorn mice at £20
and so, as a final stage of the offer, to clear the last mice, we are
reducing the price to £18 − no time limit, just “while stocks last”.
8.1
Taxan 1095 20“
8.1
We have one Taxan 1095LR 20“ monitor that has been used very briefly for
demonstration purposes. The normal price is £1995 but this is available
for £1690 (or £1440 if bought with a Risc PC). This is a Trinitron
monitor especially suitable for use with the Risc PC on which it can
display 1600×1200 (with 2M VRAM). It comes with full 12 month warranty.
8.1
Continuing Archive Special Offers
8.1
Keystroke
8.1
For one more month only, Keystroke is on special offer for Archive
subscribers. The normal price is £29.95 but he is prepared to offer it
at £19 through Archive. (See page 5 last month for more details.)
8.1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
8.1
Personal Accounts
8.1
For one more month only, Personal Accounts is on special offer for
Archive subscribers. The full price is £49.95 and the special Archive
price is £35. (See page 5 last month for more details.)
8.1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
8.1
Archive Subscriptions
8.1
• Free Archive Mousemat (worth £5) − If you renew your subscription
before 30th September 1994 you will receive one of our new high-
specification mousemats. This offer is available to anyone, regardless
of when your renewal date is.
8.1
• Renew early and save £3 − We’ve held the price of the magazine at £19
for the last two years and will continue to do so until the end of 1994.
So this is advance warning that, from issue 8.4 onwards, the new Archive
price will be £22 a year. If you would like to beat the price increase
and renew in advance, regardless of when your subscription expires, you
should send in your renewal before the end of the year. Renewals
received after 1st January 1995 will be at the new price of £22.
8.1
• £10 voucher for any Archive member who gets a friend or colleague to
subscribe to Archive. See the special order form on the back of this
month’s Price List for details.
8.1
Government Health Warning − Reading this could seriously affect your
spiritual health.
8.1
Why do they do it? Why do athletes take drugs or cricketers tamper with
the ball or rugby players indulge in foul play in the scrum? In order to
win, of course − silly question really.
8.1
“Winning is all-important.” No-one loves a loser.
8.1
Why did she do it? A girl in our local secondary school hanged herself
last month when her exam results came through. Why? I don’t know why −
but I think I could make a shrewd guess.
8.1
“Success is all-important.” No-one loves a failure.
8.1
How do they sell it? “Use Brute aftershave* − all the girls will fall in
love with you.” (*or drive a particular car, or eat a particular brand
of margarine, or smoke a particular cigar, or ...) Why do we use
physical attractiveness to advertise any and every item of consumer
goods?
8.1
“Physical attractiveness is all-important.” No-one loves an ugly person.
8.1
What standards does society have to offer to our young people? Nothing!
Well, not unless we can show them what is really important in life −
relationships. If I’m ugly and a failure and yet someone really loves me
then life can be worth living.
8.1
As I have mentioned in the last couple of issues, a growing number of
people around the country are discovering for the first time that there
really is a very big Someone who does love them, no matter much (or how
little) they’ve messed up their lives.
8.1
If you are happy and contented and feel life is wonderful and none of
the above problems worries you in the slightest then you are very
fortunate... err, well at least, I think you are.
8.1
If, however, you are prepared to face up to some of these difficult
questions rather than burying your head in the sand, why not try to find
out if God really does exist and really does love you?
8.1
This is exactly what the Alpha course is designed to help you think
through. Why not find out if there is one happening near you? It won’t
cost you anything and I’m sure you’re not the kind of person to be
easily brainwashed (or you wouldn’t be reading Archive magazine). Why
not give it a go? You’ve got absolutely nothing to lose and, I believe,
you have absolutely everything to gain. If you have the courage to face
up to the most important question in life, ring 071-581-8255 and find
out if there’s an Alpha course near you − trust me, you won’t regret it!
8.1
P.B.
8.1
Mijas
8.1
From 7.12 page 20
8.1
The Composer & his Computer
8.1
Oak Solutions
8.1
From 7.12 page 31
8.1
Pocket Book II
8.1
Matthew Hunter, NCS
8.1
Most Archive readers will be aware of the Acorn Pocket Book which Acorn
launched nearly two years ago. Aimed at the education market, it offered
a full range of applications (wordprocessor, database and spreadsheet),
in a very convenient size. It was based on the Psion Series 3 but, due
to the ROM space restriction, some of the Series 3 software was dropped
to make room for the spreadsheet. Last year, Psion released the Series
3a, which had some major improvements, including a larger, higher
resolution LCD display and a faster processor.
8.1
Now Acorn have announced the Pocket Book II which, as anticipated, is
based on the Series 3a. However, but unlike the Pocket Book, it has not
had any software removed. Indeed, it has had extra software added − a
spell-checker and thesaurus and a graph-plotting application.
8.1
One of the ideas behind the Pocket Book range is to bring the ideal of
“one per child” within the reach of cash-limited schools, ensuring each
school child has access to a personal computer. Many schools use them on
a class basis, handing them out at the start of a lesson, and retrieving
them afterwards, ready for the next class. The Pocket Book is ideal for
recording data on field trips, or in the class (how much easier my
physics practicals would have been...), and is increasingly used by
teachers to record pupil progress and achievement, plan lessons and
timetables and so on. Its compact and strong design makes it resilient
for everyday use and it can be carried in a bag or blazer pocket from
lesson to lesson, or school and home. Another advantage is the quality
and ease of use of the software, which is menu driven, and has many
features. The word processor, for example, has effects for underline/
bold/etc and you can also set up styles for combinations and repeated
use.
8.1
The Pocket Book can be connected to a desktop computer − an Acorn RISC
machine via the A-Link or other links are available for PCs and Apple
computers. PocketFS, the software for the RISC OS end, gives either
direct copying of files or file translation for files on the Pocket Book
to ease the transference of files between applications. More information
on PocketFS II was given in Archive 7.5, page 71.
8.1
Pocket Book II − The Specification
8.1
Size:  165mm × 85mm × 22mm
8.1
Weight:  275g including batteries
8.1
Screen:  480 x 160 graphics screen, up to 80 characters by 25 lines
8.1
Internal ROM memory:  2Mb containing multitasking, windowing operating
system and software applications
8.1
Internal RAM memory:  256Kb or 512Kb
8.1
External expansion:  Two Solid State Discs (SSDs) 63mm × 43mm × 6mm
8.1
  Flash SSDs require no battery backup; capacity up to 2Mb
8.1
  RAM SSDs have their own lithium battery; capacity up to 1Mb
8.1
Processor:  16 bit NEC V30H (80C86 compatible), 7.68 MHz
8.1
Sound:  Loudspeaker, with DTMF auto-dialling and digital sound playback
Microphone for digital sound recording
8.1
Power:  Two AA size alkaline batteries, giving approximately 80 hours of
use (without expansions), or 2 to 4 months of typical usage. Standard
lithium backup battery protects RAM while main batteries are changed.
8.1
  Optional external AC Mains adapter (AHA35)
8.1
Keyboard:  58 key, QWERTY layout, computer-style keyboard
8.1
  8 touch-sensitive buttons for application selection
8.1
Operating temperature:  0-50 degrees Centigrade
8.1
Communications options:  Fast serial interface (1.536 Mbits/sec)
accepts:
8.1
  Desktop links to allow communication and provide direct file access
with Acorn, PC & Mac computers
8.1
  Printer lead (AHA31) to allow direct printing to most parallel
printers
8.1
Manual:  Comprehensive, easy to use user guide. Optional programmer’s
(OPL) guide
8.1
Built-in applications:  Cards − flat form database for storing addresses
and other data
8.1
(* New with Pocket Book II)   Write − fully featured word processor with
outlining, variable font sizes, page layout support, and partial WYSIWYG
8.1
  * Schedule − a personal organiser to manage appointments, diary &
anniversaries
8.1
  Time − gives local time & date
8.1
  * World − world times, atlas, dialling codes, distances, etc
8.1
  Calc − a scientific calculator
8.1
  Abacus − a fully featured spreadsheet with graphing facilities,
compatible with Lotus 123
8.1
  Spell − a spell-checker, dictionary, and thesaurus* (also accessible
from within Write)
8.1
  * Record − a sound and voice recorder
8.1
  * Plotter − to plot and trace mathematical equations (cartesian,
polar, parametric, etc)
8.1
  * OPL edit − to edit and run OPL programs. OPL is a Basic-like
language built into Pocket Book II
8.1
  * JP150 printer driver
8.1
  All the Psion Series 3a software will work on the Pocket Book II and
so there is also a considerable amount of software available in areas
such as: personal organisation, timing (& billing), telephone call
costing, games & leisure, business, finance, languages translators,
health & nutrition, paint & graphics.  A
8.1
Matthew very nobly, and rapidly, put this information together from
Acorn’s press releases on the day Archive was due to go to the printers.
Unfortunately, the press releases didn’t get sent to us when they were
supposed to − we read about it first in Archimedes World and Acorn User.
I was not amused! All being well, we’ll get hold of one of these little
beasties before too long and give you some first-hand views rather than
second-hand information. Ed.
8.1
Quantum
8.1
From 7.12 page 7
8.1
CC
8.1
From 7.12 page 36
8.1
Hints and Tips
8.1
•  Disabling capslock − It has been pointed out that the capslock key is
not used very often, and usually only causes confusion when you hit it
accidentally. (This is a polite way of saying that there had been
another emission of blue smoke from the Editor’s desk as I HAD JUST HIT
<CAPSLOCK> ACCIDENTALLY AGAIN!!! Ed.)
8.1
To solve this problem, a short module was written to disable the
capslock key. When the module is loaded, the key will act as a Caps key,
but will not lock, i.e. it acts like a shift key but only affects
letters − the numbers and symbols are unchanged. If you need to re-
enable the capslock function, press <f12> and type *rmkill disablecaps.
8.1
The module, which works on all Archimedes and Risc PC machines, is on
the monthly program disc.  Matthew Hunter, NCS.
8.1
Peace has now been restored in the Editor’s office! As far as I’m
concerned, this module is the best thing since sliced bread. Thanks,
Matthew!!  Ed.
8.1
•  Risc PC hard disc power-saving – Since the advent of RISC OS 3, there
has been an option in the IDEDiscs section of Configure for setting the
spin down delay on the hard drive − similar to the screen blanker. This
is almost always greyed out, preventing it from being used, the
exceptions being the A4 portable and some A3020s. (Some third party
interfaces also support the option, but this hint does not apply to
them.) This makes sense since, with portables, the battery life needs to
be preserved. This is less important on a desktop machine and, also,
there is some question as to the long term effects of spinning the drive
up and down more than necessary.
8.1
It is possible, however, to control the drive in this way even if you
have a different machine, providing that the drive supports the
powersave IDE commands. On the monthly program disc is a command line
program “powersave”. Double click on “!SetDir” which will make sure you
are in the correct directory, press <f12> and type “powersave 4”
<return>. This will give you the list of options and the current spin
status for drive 4 (which will be meaningless if you are not using ADFS
to control the drive). There are three control options detailed below.
8.1
“powersave spindown <drivenumber>” will spin down drive <drivenumber> (4
or 5) immediately. If the drive is not spinning and you try to access
it, there will be a pause while the drive is spun up before the access
takes place (occasionally you can open a directory without spinning up
the drive since it is cached in memory and the drive is never accessed).
8.1
“powersave spinup <drivenumber>” will spin up drive <drivenumber> (4 or
5) immediately.
8.1
“powersave delay <drivenumber> <delay>” will set the power-saving delay
for drive <drive number> to <delay> seconds − note that it is rounded
down to 5-second accuracy but the timing is not particularly accurate
anyway. This will not be configured, so if you want to use this feature,
you will need to run powersave during the boot sequence. It is worth
making the delay longer rather than shorter since continually spinning
your drive up and down could reduce your drive’s life expectancy – you
do this at your own risk.
8.1
One area where this does have a major impact is on the Risc PC − most of
the noise comes not from the fan but from the hard drive, so if you spin
down the drive, you can hardly hear the machine at all.  Matthew Hunter,
NCS.
8.1
•  Splitting Impression documents over several floppy discs − Over the
past six months, I have spent a lot of time working with Tony Tolver of
T-J Reproductions and one thing that always amazed me was the number of
methods used by people to split an Impression document over two or more
discs − after all, how do you get a quart (or 10Mb) into a pint pot (or
800Kb/1.6Mb)?
8.1
The methods I have seen include: PacDir, ArcFS, CFS, Squash and breaking
down the document and moving the contents of Chapter2 onto further discs
and then compressing them all.
8.1
All of these are relatively time-consuming, particularly the last one. I
was sure there ought to be a better way and then I found it by accident
after upgrading to Hard Disc Companion v2.50 from Risc Developments. I
read the manual and found that it was easy to back up just one file or
directory, so here is an easy way for you and for the recipient of your
file to split Impression documents.
8.1
1  Install Hard Disc Companion on your iconbar in the usual way.
8.1
2  Single click on the icon which opens a window.
8.1
3  Click <menu> and choose Destination, Floppy0 and 800K or 1.6M as
appropriate.
8.1
4  Under Preferences, you can select how you wish to make the backup,
i.e. Very Quickly but with no compression or relatively slowly but with
maximum compression. The choice is yours.
8.1
5  Under Files, choose Backup and a window opens onto which you drag
your Impression document.
8.1
6  Finally, click on Start on the main window and simply follow the on-
screen prompts.
8.1
7  Send your file to the destination address.
8.1
Upon receipt, all that needs to be done is to insert the last disc (so
it helps if you label them, 1,2. . . etc) and open the window. Two files
are seen: !Restore and Data. Double click on !Restore to install it on
the iconbar and drag Data over the icon. Click again on Restore and a
new window opens. Simply drag the icon to a new directory or the root
and follow the on-screen prompts. The document will be fully rebuilt on
the recipient’s computer.
8.1
It may interest you to know that I created a dummy Impression document
to test this. It was 20Mb long and I used Hard Disc Companion v2.50 to
split onto six 800Kb floppies at maximum compression − it worked
faultlessly.
8.1
Hard Disc Companion v2.50 costs £45 +p&p +VAT from Risc Developments or
£52 from NCS.  Keith Parker, Southall.  A
8.1
With Risc Developments going into liquidation, we aren’t sure about the
availability of Hard Disc Companion but, presumably, Beebug Ltd will be
taking it over.  Ed.
8.1
Small Ads
8.1
(Small ads for Acorn computers and related products are free for
subscribers but we reserve the right to publish all, part or none of the
material you send, as we think fit. i.e. some people don’t know what
‘small’ means and there are certain things, as you can imagine, that we
would not be prepared to advertise as a matter of principle. Sending
small ads (especially long ones!) on disc is helpful but not essential.
Ed)
8.1
•  A3000, 2Mb RAM, 20Mb HD, RISC OS 2, colour monitor, boxes, manuals,
dust cover, games £350 o.n.o. Phone Liam on 0457-766498 evenings.
8.1
•  A3000, 2Mb, RISC OS 3.1, AKF12 monitor + plinth £310 o.n.o. HCCS
100Mb SCSI hard drive £170 o.n.o., PipeDream 3 £25, PC Emulator £20.
Whole lot £510. Call Philip on 0945-772085.
8.1
•  A3000, 4Mb RAM, ARM3, FPA, RISC OS 3.1, 200Mb SCSI drive, colour
monitor, stand, ext. 5¼“ and 3½” drives, loads of software £700 o.v.n.o.
Eureka, Wordz, S-Base, etc also for sale. Phone [phone] for details.
8.1
•  A3000 LC, 4Mb RAM, ARM3, RISC OS 3.1,  5¼“ disc drive in PRES housing
with PSU and provision for HD, ICS IDE interface, BBC B compatible with
PRES disc buffer and DFS filer, good software inc. PC Emulator v1.8 + DR
DOS 6, manuals and boxes, £575 o.n.o. Brand new Conner 213Mb HD £175.
Colour Card Gold iss. 2 for A3000/5000, £150. PRES double podule
expansion for A3000, £50. Phone [phone].
8.1
•  A3000 power supply, new £22.50, A310 twin floppy drive upgrade with
front panel £50 o.n.o., Acorn AKF11 colour monitor £75, two Logitech
Archimedes mice, new £15 each, Epson FX80 9-pin printer v.g.c boxed with
manual and two spare ribbons £65 o.n.o. PC Emulator v1.34 with DR DOS
3.41 & PC DOS 3.30 £15 o.n.o. All plus p&p. Phone Neil Walker on 0953-
604255.
8.1
•  A310, Taxan 770 multisync, 4Mb RAM, ARM 3, 44Mb IDE hard drive, RISC
OS 3.1, Memc1a, Vision Digitiser, 4-layer backplane, lots of software
and manuals.  £495 o.n.o. Phone Vincent on 0508-493517 eves or 0603-
223309 day.
8.1
•  A310 with ARM 3, RISC OS 3.1, 4MB RAM, NEC II 14“ multisync, £750
including: Oak SCSI interface and Quantum 105MB SCSI hard drive,
Atomwide VIDC Enhancer v1.61, CC battery-backed ROM/RAM board, Watford
2-slot backplane, 5¼” floppy drive interface and external drive, PC
Emulator v1.82,  and software. A further £225 will get you: Canon BJ200
and Turbo Driver. Phone Rob on 0895-423179 or 0705-631747.
8.1
•  A310 with monitor, 4Mb RAM, ARM3, 42Mb SCSI hard disc, 4 slot IFEL
backplane, RISC OS 3.1. £600 or sensible offer. Also FaxPack with
manual, £200. Phone Christine Shield on 0661-843259 daytime, fax 0661-
844413.
8.1
•  A310 with RISC OS 3.10, RGB colour monitor, keyboard, ARM3, 4Mb RAM,
100Mb SCSI hard drive £700. Morley CD-ROM drive £200. Scanlight Plus
£40. Irlam JX 100 scanner + I-Mage driver £200. Artworks £100,
Impression Publisher £100. Star LC10 colour printer + cartridges £80.
Phone Jonathan on 081-451-0471.
8.1
•  A4 for sale, 4Mb, 60Mb HD with original carrying case, manuals etc.
£900. Phone [phone].
8.1
•  A4 portable , 4Mb RAM, 60Mb HD, PC Em., Genie Trackerball, original
packing and manuals, £1100. Phone Derby 0309-641386.
8.1
•  A410/1, 4Mb RAM, RISC OS 3.10, 105Mb internal HD, SCSI interface,
colour monitor, top condition, PRM’s, enhanced desktop, 30 font
families, PC Emulator v1.82, plus lots more software. Boxed as new. All
manuals. Shipping + insurance included. £800 o.n.o. Contact Philip any
time of day on ([phone] (Ireland).
8.1
•  A410/1, 8Mb RAM, 30MHz ARM3, RISC OS 3.10, 20Mb hard disc, excellent
condition, £500. State Machine G16 graphics accelerator, £160.
Intelligent Interfaces dual serial port, 38400 baud, £60. Phone Thomas
in Denmark on ([phone], evenings.
8.1
•  A410/1 4Mb, 50Mb HD, ARM3, RISC OS 3.1, AKF11 monitor, PC Emulator
v1.86, external 5¼“ disc interface and some software. £550 o.n.o. Phone
0926-492334 evenings.
8.1
•  A410/1, RISC OS 3.1, 4Mb, 35MHz ARM3, 228Mb SCSI HD, 60 & 50Mb ST506
HD, State Machine G16 graphics card, HCCS 16-bit SCSI card, HiFi audio,
Multipod Professional audio/video digitiser, EMR Midi 4 interface, PC
Emulator, multisync colour monitor, loads of Arc and PC software. £750
o.n.o. Phone [phone] eves.
8.1
•  A420, 2Mb RAM, 20Mb hard drive, RISC OS 3.1, PC Emulator, colour
monitor, £499. Phone [phone].
8.1
•  A440, 35MHz ARM3, RISC OS 3.1, two 20Mb HDs, Taxan 775 multisync,
VIDC enhancer, external FD interface, £700 o.n.o. Phone [phone]
eves.
8.1
•  A440/1, 4Mb RAM, 30MHz ARM3, 57Mb HD, Colour Card Gold, Mode
designer, Acorn I/O podule with Midi, keyboard extension cable,
Armadillo sound sampler, Black Angel, Chopper Force, Gods, Lemmings,
Chocks Away Compendium, £830 o.n.o. (may split). Phone Mark after 6pm on
0905-754277.
8.1
•  A440/1, 8Mb RAM, 40Mb HD, ARM3, RISC OS 3.1, 14“ colour monitor,
manuals and welcome discs, boxed £850. Archimedes A310, 1Mb RAM, 4-slot
backplane, 5¼” floppy drive, RISC OS 2, PRMs, boxed £200. Phone John on
0707-320723 after 8pm.
8.1
•  A5000 210MB disc, 4MB RAM, RISC OS 3.1, £725. Phone Paul on 0473-
728943.
8.1
•  A5000, 4Mb, 40Mb HD, Eizo multiscan, RISC OS 3.11, Learning Curve
software. All manuals. Ex cond. £900. Phone [phone].
8.1
•  A5000, 4Mb RAM, 40Mb hard disc, AKF18 multisync, RISC OS 3.1 only
£950 o.n.o. Cumana CD-ROM drive with SCSI card with CDFS 2.21,
PhotoView, PC Emulator 1.83, Hutchinson’s Encyclopedia and Replay CD’s
only £200 o.n.o.  Quick sale wanted, all boxed good condition.  All for
£1050 o.n.o.  Telephone [phone] after 4pm.
8.1
•  A5000, 4Mb, RISC OS 3.11, 40Mb and 160Mb IDE hard discs, multisync
monitor, 1stWord+, PC Emulator, Genesis Plus, assorted PD software, all
manuals, v.g.c. £900. Phone [phone].
8.1
•  ARCticulate £10, Enter the Realm £10, Diggers £15, magazine binders
“Micro User” and “Acorn Computing” £2 each. All +p&p. Contact Jon
Aylwin, 4 St Margarets Close, Hemyock, Devon, EX15 3XJ.
8.1
•  Armadillo A616 sound sampler, best suited for A300/400 series with
ADFS. £100 (originally >£1000). Phone Germany ([phone] evenings.
8.1
•  Cased 5¼“ disc drive, with interface for Archimedes, power pack and
manual, £50. CC ROM/RAM board with 32Kb RAM and manual, £25. Phone 0727-
861835.
8.1
•  CC Colour Card Gold with documentation and support discs £120. Look
Systems Font Directory £15. Phone Geoff on 0925-811420.
8.1
•  Conner 125Mb SCSI hard drive in external case with PSU, £140.
Pineapple RGB to PAL encoder £50. All include p&p. Phone Mark after 6pm
on 0905-754277.
8.1
•  Eizo 550i multisync colour monitor. As new. Offers. Phone 0603-
484577.
8.1
•  Hewlett Packard 500C colour printer as new, two new cartridges (1
black, 1 colour). Offers. Phone [phone].
8.1
•  Hybrid Music System 5000, keyboard 4000 (4 octave, full size) with
sustain pedal, Ample programmers manual, £95 + carriage. Phone Jim Brook
on 07683-51300.
8.1
•  Impression Publisher £130, Scanlight 256 £140. Turbo Driver (Stylus
800) £35. Phone [phone].
8.1
•  Interdictor 2 £10, Fun School 2 under 6’s £5, Arcade Soccer £5, !Help
Companion £3, Freddy Teddy £5, Apocalypse £10, Superior Golf £5, ArcScan
III £5, Droom £10, Detour £5, Personal Accounts £5, Talking Pendown £30,
First Impression £10. All originals with manuals. Phone Dave on 0983-
864337.
8.1
•  OPL and User Manual for the Series 3, (useful for the Psion emulator
or Pocket Book) £7 the pair. Phone Mark after 6pm on 0905-754277.
8.1
•  Psion 3a with original packaging and manuals and a protective case −
3 months old. A-link with latest version of PocketFS 2 months old. £280
o.n.o. Phone [phone].
8.1
•  Scanlight Professional 256 grey-scale flatbed scanner £350 incl.
Morley SCSI card. Phone [phone] after 6pm.
8.1
•  State Machine ColourBurst graphics card for A5000, £225. EMR Micro
Studio £40, EMR Story Book with Set 1 Stories £25, (Both packages
unregistered.) All complete with packaging and manuals. Phone G Rhodes
on 0302-722781 eves.
8.1
•  Various hard drives from 80 to 400Mb 5¼/3½“ all HH, SCSI, good
condition. 5½” SCSI 20Mb removable with five discs (not as good as
SyQuest but cheaper). Marconi tracker ball. State Machine Colourburst
card. Enter the Realm, Herewith the Clues, Atelier, Beebug 5¼“ drive
interface & buffer, 1Mb serial printer buffer. A5000 LC with 4Mb memory,
A5000 second floppy disc drive, Two 40Mb IDE hard disc drives. Details
from D G Carton, 14 Handcross Grove, Green Lane, Coventry, CV3 6DZ.
8.1
Charity Sales
8.1
The following items are available for sale in aid of charity. PLEASE do
not just send money − ring us on 0603-766592 to check if the items are
still available. Thank you.
8.1
Software: First Word Plus £5, Leading Edge Midi Tracker £9, Bubble Fair
£2, Spellmaster (disc) £5, Blaston £2, Pysanki £2, Blowpipe £2, Rotor
£2, Apocalypse £3, DrawBender, Fontasy and Placard £5, Turbo Driver for
HP Deskjet £18, Datavision database £10.
8.1
Hardware: Floppy discs as new £15 per 50, A3000 1Mb RAM £20, Pace modem:
ring Jim on 07683-51300 and suggest donation.
8.1
(If you have unwanted software or hardware for Archimedes computers that
you could donate in aid of charity, please send it to the Archive
office. If you have larger items where post would be expensive, just
send us details of the item(s) and how the purchaser can get hold of
them.)  A
8.1
Apricote
8.1
From 7.12 page 11
8.1
Colton
8.1
From 7.12 page 24
8.1
Advanced Basic Programming − OLE
8.1
Paul Hobbs
8.1
An interesting − and extremely useful − aspect of Impression Style and
Publisher is the OLE system whereby a drawfile (for example) can be
effectively edited ‘in place’ without dragging a file icon to Draw and
back again. OLE, by the way, stands for ‘Object Linking and Embedding’
which is a typical piece of PC jargon which seems designed to make
things sound more complicated than they really are.
8.1
Impression includes a module (OLESupport) to make things easier but,
unfortunately, an enquiry to Computer Concepts as to how it might be
used by other programs brought the response that the module is for
internal use by Computer Concepts programs only and may not be
distributed separately − understandable really.
8.1
However, it is possible to deduce how OLE can be implemented in Basic,
which would potentially be very useful. For example, a database type
program could include free-form text in the records which could be
edited using Edit, DeskEdit etc, instead of writing special editing
routines. The Shareware database application PowerBase already uses a
similar scheme, and it has the considerable advantage that the amount of
coding is reduced, and that no new commands need to be learned by the
user. Apart from this, it is a rather satisfyingly elegant solution to
the problem.
8.1
The proper (in Acorn terms) place for temporary files is within a
directory with the same name as the application (but without the ‘!’
character) inside !Scrap. Expressed in pseudo-code the steps are as
follows:
8.1
On application startup
8.1
IF Wimp$Scrap is not defined THEN
8.1
  complain bitterly
8.1
ENDIF
8.1
IF temporary directory exists THEN
8.1
  delete any existing files
8.1
ENDIF
8.1
On starting OLE operation
8.1
IF temporary directory doesn’t exist THEN
8.1
 create temporary directory
8.1
save data to temporary file (check name is
8.1
 unique)
8.1
set filetype appropriately
8.1
read and store datestamp of file
8.1
send dataload message to force file to be
8.1
 loaded by editor
8.1
WHILE OLE transfer is active
8.1
  IF datestamp changes THEN
8.1
    reload file, display, process etc
8.1
  ENDIF
8.1
ENDWHILE
8.1
On application closedown
8.1
IF files are still being edited THEN
8.1
  notify user (otherwise edited data could
8.1
 be lost)
8.1
ELSE
8.1
  Delete temporary directory and all
8.1
 temporary files
8.1
ENDIF
8.1
There is no reason why more than one file could not be externally edited
at any one time, although your application would need to keep a record
of filenames that have been exported for editing and perform the
appropriate actions when an edited file has been saved.
8.1
The monthly program disc contains a smallish WIMP program to demonstrate
how a text buffer (actually in this case the text of an icon to keep
things simple) can be edited externally by a text editor. Before you all
get too excited though, the simple OLE scheme used here has some
drawbacks. For instance, there is no way of knowing when the OLE edit
has finished, so the program has to continually check the datestamp of
the file being edited. In order to minimise the impact on the rest of
the desktop, this is only done every two seconds using the Wimp_PollIdle
call instead of Wimp_Poll. The code to do this is as follows:
8.1
REM before the main poll loop..
8.1
SYS “OS_ReadMonotonicTime” TO earliest_time%
8.1
increment% = 200 :REM time between null event calls in centi-seconds
8.1
earliest_time% += increment%
8.1
:
8.1
REM main poll loop..
8.1
WHILE NOT quit%
8.1
  SYS “Wimp_PollIdle”,0,bk%,earliest_time% TO reason%
8.1
  CASE reason% OF
8.1
   WHEN  0   :PROCbackgroundtask
8.1
   WHEN  2   :SYS “Wimp_OpenWindow”,,bk%
8.1
   REM other action codes here....
8.1
  ENDCASE
8.1
ENDWHILE
8.1
DEF PROCbackgroundtask
8.1
LOCAL newtime%
8.1
REM perform whatever background task needs
8.1
 doing..
8.1
REM get time of next null event..
8.1
SYS “OS_ReadMonotonicTime” TO newtime%
8.1
WHILE (newtime% − earliest_time%) > 0
8.1
  earliest_time% += increment%
8.1
ENDWHILE
8.1
ENDPROC
8.1
This technique is useful where you need to respond to null event codes,
but not necessarily every single one. A clock, for example, only needs
to update its display every second (or even every minute).
8.1
Another snag is that only 77 files can be edited at one time (as only 77
files can appear in each directory) but I don’t think this is going to
be much of a problem. In practice, I would allocate one word of memory
to use as 32 flag bits and disallow attempts to edit more files.
8.1
Solving the problem of how to implement OLE (in a rather crude form!)
has proved quite entertaining, but I can’t help thinking that it should
be included in RISC OS. We don’t need a whole new set of OS ROMs, we
only need a new Acorn supported module along the line of the drawfile
module described by Hugh Eagle in the last issue. I can understand that
Computer Concepts wishing to keep their OLE code to themselves as it
gives Impression an advantage over other DTP systems but if I can make
it work in Basic, I am sure that Risc Developments can easily add it to
Ovation.
8.1
And finally
8.1
Having just finished the OLE demo program and patted myself on the back
that it actually worked, (I wrote the column first and then the demo
program!) I was rather disconcerted to discover in the excellent
DataFile PD catalogue an OLE module (disc UT156 by ‘Mike’) which seems
to go a bit further than my version. Rats! I’ve ordered it and, if it’s
any good, I’ll rewrite the demo program to use it.
8.1
If you have any suggestions for topics that could be covered in future
issues, I would be pleased to hear from you. My address is Paul Hobbs,
Rheinpfalzstrasse 2, 85049 Ingolstadt, Germany.  A
8.1
CC
8.1
From 7.12 page 32
8.1
The Archive Bulletin Board
8.1
Andrew Garrard, NCS
8.1
Archive has, over the years, had a bulletin board system working on and
off several times. This summer, I was brought in as a temporary system
operator (sysop) to get Archive BBS up and running in its latest
incarnation. So here’s what happened, what Archive BBS is, and a bit
about Archiboard − the package on which Archive BBS is now based.
8.1
What is a bulletin board?
8.1
A bulletin board is a system consisting of a computer, a modem which
links the computer to the telephone network, and some suitable software.
People can ring up the bulletin board (the modem answers the call) and
connect their own computers to the bulletin board by means of their own
modems. While connected, the user can send messages to other users of
the bulletin board (which they will get when they next log on), read and
contribute to discussions which have been taking place on the board, and
transfer files to and from the board, allowing people to share software.
8.1
There has been a lot of media interest in the internet − the network of
computer networks which spans the world and can allow these kind of
facilities on a global scale. Bulletin boards came first; they offered
these facilities but instead of having thousands of simultaneous users
world-wide, bulletin boards tended to be run by individuals who simply
provided a service by letting people ring up their computer, and they
can only handle a few people at a time.
8.1
The Archive bulletin board is very much a small-scale venture, although
there may, in the future, be the opportunity for users to connect to
Fidonet™ and the internet in order to share discussion groups with a
world wide audience. However, since it is often simpler for people to
connect to a bulletin board than to access the whole internet − only a
modem, a computer and a bit of software is needed − bulletin boards are
still very much a useful way of transferring information between
computer users.
8.1
The Archive board allows for the standard conference, file transfer and
electronic mail facilities as found on many bulletin boards. It also has
a facility for ordering from Norwich Computer Services, and some
recreational facilities − well, we all have to have some fun, don’t we?
8.1
How it started
8.1
When I began work at Norwich Computer Services, I was given instructions
to look at any other bulletin boards I could find, and to choose between
the two bulletin board packages which could be used to implement the new
board.
8.1
Having given a number of bulletin boards a trial run, I found quite a
variety of approaches used. Although most offered the facilities which I
have mentioned and a few offered games (including quite impressive
versions of Tetris and a blocks-style game), one point of variability
between boards was the user interface: how friendly they were.
8.1
One board went to great lengths, having the system set up as a slightly
contrived ‘virtual world’ with animations between facilities and a
narrator. Although user-‘friendly’, I felt this may have impeded the
speed with which the board could be used. At the other end of the
spectrum were the plain text boards, often using garish colours, which
looked anything but friendly.
8.1
Most board systems are based around a menu structure. Choosing options
from menus seems to have been obscured in the interests of a gaudy
display in some cases; often it takes more than a quick glance to
determine how to choose a given option. With exceptions, there also
seemed to be a noticeable lack of help available on most boards.
8.1
Having established these points, I decided that the Archive board would
be:
8.1
i)  Friendly − it would include pictures with each menu and be neatly
laid out rather than being plain lines of text. Recreation of some kind
is nice to have too.
8.1
ii)  Clear − choosing menu options should be a simple task, given that
it has to be done so often.
8.1
iii)  Efficient − it should be possible for experienced users to
manipulate the board as they wish as quickly as possible.
8.1
iv)  Tasteful − the use of colour (on ANSI terminals) makes the board
look more friendly, but if used excessively it can look awful. The board
should have a consistent colour scheme, and save further colours for the
graphics.
8.1
v)  Helpful − wherever possible, the board should provide a facility for
someone working out what to do next.
8.1
Whether I succeeded or not in these aims is a matter of opinion, but I
tried.
8.1
The two packages I was offered were ArcBBS (The Serial Port), which had
been used by a number of the boards I saw and seems to be a popular
choice, and Archiboard (Supreme Software Systems Limited). The old
version of the bulletin board was written on ArcBBS, but since there had
been problems with that, it did not seem that resurrecting the old board
was worth the effort.
8.1
ArcBBS is the better known package and has a wider user base; countering
that was the fact that Archiboard offers considerable assistance from
the author, who lives locally in Norwich. Although both systems provided
a default set-up which could be installed quickly and easily, I felt
that ArcBBS was more restricted in what could easily be done with it,
especially compared to the additional facilities in the script language
in Archiboard. Since I am, at heart, a programmer, and since I wanted to
have a good play at customising the board, I picked Archiboard; ArcBBS
may have been better for someone else, but from what I saw of the two
packages and from what I produced with Archiboard, I am happy with my
decision.
8.1
Archiboard
8.1
The original version of Archiboard which was available came with
somewhat rough and ready packaging and documentation; since then, I
received a number of updates (including better documentation) which
makes up for some of the deficiencies in that area. Even now, my copy of
the manual has pencil corrections all over it − although, to be fair,
quite a few of those are due to amendments which have been provided
since the manual was produced. A new version of the manual will be
coming soon, but it wasn’t available in time for this article.
Fortunately, soon after starting to use the package, the author of the
software came to the rescue and answered most of my questions. Even more
helpfully, Archiboard Central (the author’s own bulletin board) has been
a convenient place to contact him and obtain updates without the need
for the transfer of discs.
8.1
Although the software was found lacking in a few facilities and a little
temperamental in a few others, this was more than made up for by the
support which was received − which was often able to correct any faults
soon after they were reported. I don’t think that there have been any
problems with the board since it started running − the software is so
intelligent that it can make running repairs to its database, so I don’t
expect there to be much trouble. However, getting the system set up
exactly as wanted is not something to be done in a hurry.
8.1
I’m extremely grateful to the author for implementing features which I
wanted and fixing the bugs which were found so quickly. Having said
that, Archive BBS is a very different system to Archiboard Central, and
because of the large amount of non-mutual ground, it is probably
forgivable that features which are my idea of what should be in a system
may be missing, simply due to them never being needed before.
8.1
Archiboard stores the graphics for all its menus in text files; in this
way it can implement dumb, vt52, vt100 and ANSI terminal types easily by
having separate files for each type, each with their own suitable
control codes. It is also handy that the system can connect not only to
a modem, but also to another computer via the serial ports or an AUN
style network − a fact which Supreme Software Systems is very keen to
promote. This allowed for considerable testing to be carried out; in
fact, it wasn’t until very recently that the board was tested via a
modem (especially since I didn’t know how to set up our modem, being no
expert at comms; fortunately, the author again came to the rescue).
8.1
The menu options and other system functions are implemented via script
files. The script language bears some resemblance to C, with a few
anomalies to catch out the unwary programmer. Since it doesn’t have
user-definable functions or arrays (both being worked on and available
soon), and works only with string and integer data, programming it is an
experience; there is an implementation of the game ‘minesweeper’ on the
board, which was quite a challenge to produce. On the other hand, since
the system is so programmable, I suppose I am a perfectionist to miss
some of the facilities which a proper programming language would
provide.
8.1
Anybody who has used both Archiboard Central (or another board based on
Archiboard) and the Archive bulletin board will notice that the systems
have a great deal in common, but also some major differences. The
conference, file and electronic mail systems are almost identical, since
these facilities are more or less standard to the system, and are based
on a standard arrangement. In contrast to this, the user interface −
although still based on a menu structure − is radically different and
hopefully more friendly.
8.1
Archiboard’s facilities for customisation came in extremely useful −
different sysops will want to provide facilities in different ways − but
the backbone of pre-defined functions means that not too much work is
needed to achieve this customisation. That the board can be installed in
a default working form (with suitable default facilities) is a great
help, since this means that sysops do not have to work from scratch, and
can customise individual parts of the board as they see fit. Archiboard
is now even more flexible since I first used it, with requests for ways
to customise facilities being satisfied impressively quickly by the
author; I wish more companies were able to provide this level of
customer support.
8.1
Although the system is not terribly user-friendly to the prospective
system operator, it could have been much worse, and I am glad that
functionality has been the first concern. In my opinion it is usually
better for a package to be capable of as much as possible than for it to
be easy to use, especially in the realms of something like this, where
the system needs to be as flexible as possible in order to meet the
requirements of the sysop. Many sysops will be quite computer literate
anyway, and are likely to be able to cope with the way the system works;
especially once improvements to the manual have been made.
8.1
I can definitely recommend Archiboard to anybody wishing to set up a
bulletin board, so long as they are warned that it is not a task for
someone new to computers and that it is likely to take quite some time
to get the system set up as required.
8.1
Welcome to Archive BBS
8.1
So how do you use the Archive bulletin board?
8.1
You will need a computer − this is unlikely to be a problem for most
readers of Archive. You will need a phone line − again, this shouldn’t
be a problem for most people. You will need some communication software
− I mostly used ArcTerm 7, but any of the relevant packages in the comms
packages section of the Archive price list ought to work successfully.
The board works independently of what kind of machine it is running on,
so if you wish to dial up from a PC, Mac or other system you should be
able to do so without trouble − so long as you have a suitable comms
package.
8.1
Finally, you will need a modem, and to spend a little while getting the
modem to work with your software; many popular types of modem are
supported by the software anyway. The faster the modem, the faster you
will be able to send and receive information − the Archive board can
support up to 9600 baud, which allows for a reasonable rate of transfer
between the bulletin board and your computer. Although you can log on to
the bulletin board at slower speeds, you will have to wait longer for
the menus to be displayed and for the screen to fill up with information
− and so you will be on the phone for longer. Since the decrease in
phone charges often pays for the difference in the cost of a faster
modem, slower modems can be a false economy.
8.1
Most software can handle several kinds of terminal. If you can, choose
the ANSI terminal type for the Archive board; this will allow the
display to use some graphical characters and colour. Failing that, try
to choose a vt100 or vt102 terminal type (which are effectively the
same). As a last resort, the board will work with a dumb terminal (i.e.
one without control codes) or a vt52 terminal. Most systems can do
better than this, but the options are there as a last resort.
8.1
When you have the modem working with your computer, you will get to the
important bit − you need to ring up our bulletin board. The number is:
8.1
0603 766585
8.1
Give the board a few seconds to respond. The system has to load parts of
itself from disc when you log on, and there may be a slight delay. Some
packages may not allow sufficient time before they decide that there is
no reply, and hang up. If this happens, try typing:
8.1
ATD0603766585<return>
8.1
On many modems, this will make the modem ring the bulletin board; it
should then not hang up until you tell it to.
8.1
You should be presented with a welcome screen, and be prompted to log
on. If this is your first visit, type:
8.1
NEW<return>
8.1
You should then be able to follow the prompts to create an account. One
point of note is that, if you are unsure of whether you need line feed
and carriage return (which you will be asked about), answer yes; a
display which is double-spaced is easier to read than one which is
wrapping strangely if you get it wrong. If you have any problems with
your display, you should be able to change your set-up once you have
logged on by choosing the Tools menu option and then Terminal options.
8.1
When you have finished creating your account, you will be again prompted
with the opportunity to log on. You should now be able to type your name
(or at least the pseudonym which you are told) and enter your password,
after which you will be in the board proper.
8.1
I won’t say much about the board, since that would take the fun out of
exploring it. To choose menu options, press the number or first letter
of the choice; there are a range of options at the bottom of each menu
which are constant for each menu option. Especially important amongst
these are <?>, <M>, <P> and <return>. Pressing <?> will give you help on
the current menu. <M> and <P> move you to the main menu and your
previous menu respectively − which is helpful if you get lost. <return>
will redisplay the screen, so if you cannot read the menu for some
reason, try pressing it.
8.1
There is a log off option on the main menu − when you have finished
using the board, choose this option and the bulletin board will hang up
for you.
8.1
If you get a chance to use the bulletin board, I hope you enjoy the
experience − especially if you are new to bulletin boards. If you have
any comments or suggestions, please send a message to the sysop, and we
will try to implement any changes as soon as possible. Although the
bulletin board is not the highest priority facility of Norwich Computer
Services, I hope it will prove to be a useful one.  A
8.1
Thanks Andrew for getting the BBS going again. We’ll do our best to keep
it up and running.  Ed.
8.1
Amstrad NC100 with Acorn Machines
8.1
Charles Woodbridge
8.1
I have been using the NC100 for over 18 months now and I feel able to
give a view on its value to education and to the individual.
8.1
Being an ardent Acorn fan, it went completely against the grain to buy a
different brand − especially Amstrad!
8.1
I currently have a Risc PC 610 with CD-ROM drive fitted and, prior to
that, I had an A5000 with a 120Mb hard disc and I have always been
delighted with Acorn machines − right back to the first A3000 I bought
second hand from a good friend. Also, in my previous job as Advisory
Teacher for IT within Kirklees LEA, I had access to all manner of Acorn
machines; A4000, A3020, A3000, A400, A310 series etc, as well as the
Acorn Pocket Book.
8.1
Let’s put the use of the Amstrad NC100 into context by describing the
use to which it will mainly be put. It has seemed to me, and probably
many others, that tying up the incredibly powerful Acorn processor, to
the mundane task of typing in text is not the best use of its time and
abilities − after all, most classrooms will only have one Acorn and if
we are really going to let children use the computer for ‘real’ word
processing, we simply need more fingers on the keyboards!
8.1
This is where a machine such as the Amstrad NC100 comes into its own. A
child or, preferably, group of children can work on the Amstrad together
to type in their text − and due to its portability this work can be done
anywhere. The finished work can be printed off using the built-in fonts
of the attached printer (and the Amstrad NC100 gives full control over
bold, italic, enlarged text, etc) or, more importantly, the text can be
transferred to the Acorn computers via the serial port using some
excellent software produced by S&S Solutions (Risc PC compatible!). The
software does, of course, allow data to be loaded from the Acorn to the
Amstrad as well. I have also been able to backup my address book, using
the data mode and Basic programs (written in BBC Basic 3.1).
8.1
The text can be transferred in a number of formats − straight ASCII,
Protext format (where it can be transferred with styles such as bold,
italic, etc), First Word Plus format, or plain data format. The software
also includes a Protext loader for Impression − this also works with
Style, etc.
8.1
The most important thing about this transfer software is that it is easy
to use and that it works every time without problems. I have tended to
use it in the plain text mode but I have used it in the Protext and data
modes and have had no problems at all. The accompanying manual is very
well written and even staff with little IT technical ability should be
able, by carefully following the manual, to make the software connect
first time.
8.1
I have not tried this yet but it is perfectly feasible that the Amstrad
NC100 could be used to enter data for a database/spreadsheet. The data
could be entered with commas to separate the fields. It can then be
transferred into one of the main databases on the Acorn (Pinpoint
Junior, Junior Database, or the new Advance database), after setting the
filetype to DFE(!), i.e. CSV file.
8.1
The software costs about £40 and includes a cable. You will also need a
machine with a serial chip in (like the newer machines from Acorn).
8.1
Some of the features of the Amstrad NC100:
8.1
•  Super twist LCD display: 80 characters by 8 lines
8.1
•  Mains adapter and four batteries (offering up to 40 hours of portable
power) with a lithium battery offering the necessary backup power.
8.1
•  Built-in full feature word processor − Protext
8.1
•  Spell checker − which is, to quote my colleague, ‘....very good at
picking up the sort of mistakes children make.....’
8.1
•  Simple name and address database − this allows for mail merging if
you wish.
8.1
•  Very large simple calculator with twelve large digits
8.1
•  Time zones
8.1
•  Simple diary function
8.1
•  Several alarms − repeating, or once only, etc.
8.1
•  BBC Basic (version 3.1) built in.
8.1
At the show in Harrogate 1993, I met up with someone who was in the
process of writing a program to allow the Amstrad and Acorn to connect.
He was planning to put this software into the public domain. I have not
heard from him yet but I am sure he will be near completing this
program.
8.1
I have also transferred text using ArcComm and HearSay II but had no
success with David Pilling’s older terminal programs − admittedly these
were very old.
8.1
The children in my class (Year 6) love using the A4000 system but are
equally keen to use the Amstrad for composing their work and then
transferring it to the A4000 or even printing it on the Canon BJ10sx
directly. Only once have we lost any data and that was because I use
rechargeable batteries in the Amstrad (or the mains adapter) which tend
to ‘die’ rather than ‘fade away’. The children kept switching the
Amstrad back on not realising what the problem was and it finally beeped
a warning that it had had enough! So be warned, care is needed if using
rechargeable batteries.
8.1
As Deputy Head, I have found it invaluable for working at school away
from the classroom and then transferring notes, letters, reports, etc.
It has a very useful facility − not unlike the abbreviations dictionary
in Style − which can save a great deal of unnecessary typing by allowing
you to set up ‘macros’ − sentences/words which can be retyped by the
computer at the touch of two keys.
8.1
I know that a lot of readers will be shouting − or at least thinking −
“What about the Pocket Book?” Well, the main problem for me is the size
of my fingers − I simply cannot type in any meaningful way on the Pocket
Book. The Amstrad supports a full-size keyboard.
8.1
Don’t get me wrong, I am convinced that the Pocket Book is an excellent
machine for many things − spreadsheet work, database work, even making
notes, but I don’t think it can be used seriously for word processing.
Well, not by anyone with medium (or larger) size fingers.
8.1
There is one other important consideration and that is the price of the
Amstrad NC100. At present, it is retailing at around £100 +VAT,
depending upon where you buy it. Tandy, for example, are selling it at
£117 inclusive.  A
8.1
Programming for Non-Programmer
8.1
Cain Hunt
8.1
Why bother programming?
8.1
Most people use ready-made applications (e.g. Impression) as tools which
allow them to do complicated jobs more easily. In DTP, for example, the
computer allows designs to be instantly revised and altered in a way
which would take many hours with glue and scissors. However, this misses
one of the key features of computers which is that they can follow
instructions in sequence to produce complex results. Simple programs
which don’t take long to write can often produce startling results.
8.1
Quick and dirty
8.1
Apologies to all the serious programmers who read this! Unless you are
writing programs for someone else to use, there is no point in writing
wonderful RISC-compliant programs. Get your commercial software to do
all the donkey work. Most of the programs that I write use the powerful
formatting and printing routines in Impression, Draw and PipeDream.
Write the program in the quickest way possible and don’t worry if your
solution is messy − as long as it works! However, I would commend the
use of structured programming (FOR... NEXT, REPEAT...UNTIL etc.) and
meaningful variable names so that you can still understand your work in
a couple of years time.
8.1
How to use CalMaker
8.1
I wanted a simple printed calendar with the minimum of effort so I wrote
CalMaker. If you have the monthly program disc, you can just double
click on the Obey file CSD=Here so that the output file is generated in
the correct place, double click on the Basic program CalMaker and type
in the year (e.g. 1994) and the day of the week on which 1st January
falls (e.g. 6 = Saturday). The program will run and generate a text file
called CalOutput. Open the Template Impression file Template and drag
the file CalOutput to the topmost frame (1) in the document. Hey Presto,
there’s your calendar!
8.1
You can use Acorn’s Alarm or Alex Hopkins’ Calendar to find out what day
the 1st of January is.
8.1
If you don’t get the program disc and therefore don’t have the template
file here is how you create your own:
8.1
Make a page with four columns and link them as in the diagram below.
8.1
Alter Normal style so that it is Homerton.Medium, 10pt with no space
above or below paragraphs but a 150% line spacing. Place seven “centre”
tabs so they are evenly spaced in the narrow columns (frames 2, 3 & 4).
8.1
Alter Main Heading style to Bold, 40pt, centred.
8.1
Alter Sub-Heading style to Bold, 16pt, centred.
8.1
These are really just suggestions: play around with the design to find
one that you like.
8.1
How it works
8.1
The program counts through the year from 1st January printing each date
under the right day of the week. At the beginning of each month it
leaves a space and prints the month name followed by the days of the
week as column headings.
8.1
Public Domain
8.1
This little program is yours to do with as you wish − no copyright etc.
It should be fairly easy to modify it for use with other DTP programs.
8.1
Calmaker program
8.1
REM >CalMaker
8.1
REM by Cain Hunt
8.1
REM USE AT YOUR OWN RISK - no guarantee that
8.1
 it will work!
8.1
DATA Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,
8.1
 Friday, Saturday, Sunday
8.1
DATA January, 31
8.1
DATA February, 28
8.1
DATA March, 31
8.1
DATA April, 30
8.1
DATA May, 31
8.1
DATA June, 30
8.1
DATA July, 31
8.1
DATA August, 31
8.1
DATA September, 30
8.1
DATA October, 31
8.1
DATA November, 30
8.1
DATA December, 31
8.1
DIM day$(6), month$(11), len%(11)
8.1
FOR X% = 0 TO 6
8.1
  READ day$(X%)
8.1
NEXT X%
8.1
FOR X% = 0 TO 11
8.1
  READ month$(X%), len%(X%)
8.1
NEXT X%
8.1
PRINT “Calendar Maker”’
8.1
INPUT “What year”, year$
8.1
year% = VAL(year$)
8.1
IF (year% MOD 4 = 0) AND ((year% MOD 100 <>
8.1
 0) OR (year% MOD 400 = 0)) THEN len%(1) = 29: REM if leap year then
February has 29 days
8.1
PRINT
8.1
FOR X% = 0 TO 6
8.1
  PRINT ;X%+1; “. ”; day$(X%)
8.1
NEXT X%
8.1
PRINT ’“What day is 1st January ”; year$;
8.1
“ (0 to 6)”;
8.1
INPUT day%
8.1
day% -= 1
8.1
*SPOOL CalOutput
8.1
PRINT “{heading”“ }”; CHR$10; year$; “{heading”“ }
8.1
”;: REM all
8.1
 the text in  is Impression commands
8.1
FOR month% = 0 TO 11
8.1
  PRINT “{sub -Heading”“}”; month$(month%);
8.1
 CHR$10; “{sub -Heading”“}”;
8.1
  FOR X% = 0 TO 6
8.1
    PRINT CHR$9; LEFT$(day$(X%),3);
8.1
  NEXT X%
8.1
  PRINT CHR$10;
8.1
  REM A new line in Basic e.g. using PRINT
8.1
 generates CHR$10 and CHR$13 both of which cause a new line when
imported into
8.1
Impression and make the text double spaced, so PRINT CHR$10; is used.
8.1
  REM Tab along the first row to the correct
8.1
 day-of-week column
8.1
  IF day% > 0 THEN
8.1
    FOR X% = 1 TO day%
8.1
      PRINT CHR$9;
8.1
    NEXT X%
8.1
  ENDIF
8.1
  row_count% = 0
8.1
  FOR X% = 1 TO len%(month%)
8.1
    PRINT CHR$9; X%;
8.1
    day% += 1
8.1
    IF day% = 7 THEN day% = 0: PRINT
8.1
 CHR$10;: row_count% += 1: REM at the end of the row then print a new
line and increase the row count.
8.1
  NEXT X%
8.1
  REM Print extra new lines so that reach
8.1
 month occupies seven lines.
8.1
  FOR X% = 1 TO 7 - row_count%
8.1
    PRINT CHR$10;
8.1
  NEXT X%
8.1
  REM Jump to new column after April and
8.1
 August
8.1
  IF month% = 3 OR month% = 7 THEN PRINT
8.1
 “
8.1
”;
8.1
NEXT month%
8.1
*SPOOL
8.1
*SetType CalOutput text
8.1
Obey file “!CSD=Here”
8.1
This file just consists of the single command line:
8.1
*dir <obey$dir>  A
8.1
Comment Column
8.1
•  (Im)Perfect binding − I agree wholeheartedly with Dave Floyd (Archive
7.12 p69) that Perfect-bound manuals are a perfect nuisance. My solution
is to get an A5 three-ring binder, go along to my local wholesale
stationer (or local printer) and get him to drill three holes and
guillotine off the edge of the binding. (Anyone know where I can get A5
binders with slip-cases? My supplier can’t get them any more.)  Roger
King, Guernsey.
8.1
•  Impression Publisher − Is it stable? − I read with interest the
comment of Barry Humpidge of Sheffield. I have used Impression Publisher
since v0.20 (a beta test version) and I was surprised and delighted by
its stability and “bugfreeness” even then. (I remember working with an
early release version of QuarkXPress 3.3 on a Mac and that was
definitely not stable or bug free and that upgrade cost £125). Now I
have v4.0 and use it daily for all my DTP and WP needs and, in the three
months I have had it, it has crashed once − not bad for 90 days very
hard use!
8.1
So has the wait been worthwhile? An unreserved YES! Not just for the
major improvements like irregular shaped graphic frames and much better
colour control but the little things like the crop marks for small
frames (Border No. 11) or the compile font usage feature − vital for
bureaux and all our pockets!
8.1
I do have two moans (I suppose): (a) CC, will you please get us
irregular shaped text frames? (b) If you install a document and the
fonts are not available, you get the error box informing you that
Impression will substitute another font. CC, how about giving us the
option to abort and install the required font(s) − in some cases, it
could save me a lot of time! (What about Font Directory − that would
save you even more time! Ed.)
8.1
I know spot colours will be with us very soon and OPI is also near, so
once the two items above have been dealt with, Quark and PageMaker might
as well give up and move over for the British Rolls Royce (= Risc PC +
Impression Publisher).
8.1
Paul, don’t worry about using Publisher for producing Archive − Land
Mobile, a full colour magazine, is created in Publisher and they have
had very few problems.  Keith Parker, Southall.
8.1
I have to admit that this isn’t the story I have been getting from all
Publisher users, quite a few of whom are having lots of crashes... but
I’ll keep you posted. Ed.
8.1
(A later comment from Ed...) Hmmm, I’ve been using Publisher for a few
days now and get of the order of one crash every two hours − perhaps
it’s because I’m working on very old files created in the mists of
Impression time?! Watch this space... Ed.
8.1
•  Notebook PCs − Stuart Bell’s article in Archive 7.12 p21 about his
search for and use of a Notebook PC made good reading; doubly
interesting for me as I’d just completed a similar exercise, albeit for
rather more self-indulgent reasons − a wish to get outside and enjoy the
recent, gorgeous weather.
8.1
Generally speaking, my selection and rejection process followed Stuart’s
to the letter, the difference being that the piggy bank was extra-small.
As it turned out, it was a case of Hobson’s choice, the only offering
anywhere near my price bracket on the High Street or in my collection of
office-equipment catalogues was a Samsung ‘Magic Note’ notebook-size
word-processor, Model SQW-1100. The RRP is £300 +VAT but our local
branch of Office World was selling them for just under £200 including
mains adaptor and VAT − and including a rechargeable battery pack which,
in their catalogue and Samsung blurb, was rather confusingly described
as ‘optional’.
8.1
In use, the compressed keyboard layout inevitably takes a little
familiarisation, while the ‘feel’ of the keys is a little spongy and
needing rather more force than perhaps is normal. My main problem was
getting used to the space key which is quite small and slightly offset,
so my earlier documents were littered with ‘\’ characters where there
should have been spaces. Not to worry, Edit’s search and replace
function quickly took care of that (although I could have done it on the
Magic Note).
8.1
The 16-bit CPU and 8Kb SRAM display operate at a speed clearly well
below that of a notebook PC; sub-ARM1 would about sum it up. By this, I
mean you can always punch in the characters at speeds within your
personal typing capabilities but, the faster you go, the longer it takes
the screen display to catch up. Initially, this is rather off-putting
but you soon get used to it. For the same reason, although the unit has
the full set of word-processor functions − block cut-and-paste, search
and replace, delete and so on − and, in theory, it would be possible to
use it as a stand-alone WP − it would be far more productive just to
enter the text and edit it later using your ‘proper’ PC, Acorn or
whatever. In this regard, it fully meets Stuart’s very apt description
as a ‘text acquisition’ machine.
8.1
Despite these limitations, the Magic Note is a very well-designed unit
which, for me, has proved to be a major boon and excellent value. It has
64Kb RAM and the battery is advertised to last for up to 4 hours but, in
practice, I haven’t come up against either of these limits. The case and
keyboard seem extremely robust, the 80 character × 14 line display is
nicely controllable and surprisingly clear, even in direct sunlight, and
there are some well thought out features such as the hot keys being
printed on the case below the display.
8.1
I’ve mentioned only word-processing but, for your money, you also get a
basic spreadsheet, appointment and address managers, loads of utilities
and parallel/serial ports for printers, fax/modem packs, and so on.
Small wonder that, on seeing me using the Magic Note whilst multi-
tasking with some serious topless sunbathing, there have been coarse
wolf-whistles and cries of “Yuppy” from my neighbour and his wife − and
not necessarily in that order...
8.1
The all-important problem of data-storage and transfer is simply
resolved by the internal floppy disc drive which is a standard 720Kb MS-
DOS unit; true portability with no need for expensive A-links, RemoteFS
or whatever. With a bit of jiggling and thanks to Edit, I’ve managed to
massage the output text format to be 100% readable by Ovation and
Impression Publisher. Indeed, thanks to ‘A.N.Other’ utility, this
process is now fully automated. I’m purposely not giving details in this
note because the subject of imported text manipulation goes well outside
this particular application. Ed tells me a number of readers asked for
further advice in the recent Archive survey, so I intend to prepare a
full article for later publication.
8.1
In the meantime, if anyone would like further details of the Magic Note,
please drop me a note with a self-addressed A4/A5 envelope (or sticky
label) and a 25p stamp and you shall have them by return. Incidentally,
although Office World prices are some of the lowest I’ve seen for
general office supplies, they are not box-shifters, they offer a good
crop of money-back guarantees and I can recommend their services. They
have 24 branches in England (York and below) and will deliver next day
(delivery free on orders of £50 or more +VAT). Contact them by ’phone on
0345 444700 or fax on 556688.
8.1
One final safety note, based on personal experience. If you go in for
the multi-tasking bit, do practice safe sunbathing and take precautions
− especially if, like me, you are severely follicly challenged. I didn’t
and the pilots at our local gliding club report that the top of Jim’s
head was the best homing-beacon they’d ever seen. You have been
warned...
8.1
Jim Nottingham, 16 Westfield Close, Pocklington, York, YO4 2EY.
8.1
•  Operating systems, monopolies and markets − When I started work at
Kingshurst CTC in 1988, there was some debate about which computer
system to install. The arguments will be familiar to most people −
“Wordperfect is the leading wordprocessor, so let’s prepare the children
for a future in work” etc.
8.1
When RISC OS 2 was launched, it caused considerable interest in the
Acorn enthusiasts’ camp but was dismissed as a quirky non-standard
desktop by the “industry standard” lobby. I argued that it was
impossible to tell what the interface standard would be like in seven
years when the initial year 7 left the school but the reply was that
whatever it was it wouldn’t be RISC OS.
8.1
Although it’s only unofficial, I have a reasonably good idea of what
Windows 4 will look like when Microsoft launch it in 1995. Pop up menus,
iconbar (a bit more flexible in use than the current RISC OS one) and a
range of features familiar to RISC OS users. Since the majority of year
7 pupils from 1988 are still at school, it would be a fair to say that
RISC OS was a far better training environment for Windows 4 than even
Windows 3 and, in 1989, Windows 3 was not even a product on sale.
8.1
I am still of the view that teaching with industry standard software,
for its own sake, is not a sound argument. Let’s educate children for
change and leave the specific technical training to either specialist
training organisations or employers close to the time of specialisation.
8.1
Don’t get me wrong, I am in favour of broad vocational education even as
young as eleven. It is essential that students leaving school understand
how businesses work and in which areas future careers might be pursued
but it is really naive to concentrate too much on detailed specifics in
areas of rapid development. In a changing world, we need to educate for
change not for maintaining the status quo.
8.1
I can just envisage the launch of Windows 4. Windows 3 will be
proclaimed to be unfriendly and with poor file-handling capabilities by
the same people who wax lyrical about its virtues at the moment. The “we
invented the idea” will be assumed and poor little innovators such as
Apple and Acorn will have no chance of taking Microsoft to court over
copyright infringement much less gain any recognition for their
pioneering work. The PC magazines will carry reviews and articles
extolling the innovative virtue of Microsoft. Enough to make you throw
up isn’t it?
8.1
Incidentally, what is to stop Microsoft from programming undocumented
features into the operating system to make sure that all their software
runs well and that everything else runs like a snail? While everyone was
caught up with open hardware systems and PC clones, it seems that the
really important element, the operating system has been left to a single
privately-owned monopoly.
8.1
You might have heard of Windows NT. This is another operating system
from Microsoft but it is primarily targeted at the Unix market. Windows
NT is, in a way, a better philosophy in that it is portable across
machines with different processors and so makes it far easier for
software vendors to write for the plethora of workstations from Sun,
Dec, Silicon Graphics, etc. This portability is not something which
Microsoft have built in because of their sense of fair play but as an
expedient in attacking the Unix workstation market. Unix is a common
denominator for workstations but there are still significant overheads
involved in moving applications between machines. Windows NT is
Microsoft’s attempt to spread its market share and corner the
workstation market. Acorn could write a software layer so that NT would
run on ARM processors but machines would need a minimum of 16Mb of RAM
to work sensibly and a lot more for most applications.
8.1
An area where Microsoft are not dominant in the operating system stakes
is in networking. Novell is the market leader here but it is another
area in which Microsoft are interested in improving their market share.
What is the effect of this dominance of the market by one or two
companies in what is effectively a technological monopoly? Well, one is
high prices. Admittedly, some of the products I am about to mention are
more sophisticated and heavily feature-laden than their Acorn
counterparts but certainly not to the extent the price differential
would suggest, particularly when economies of scale are taken into
account.
8.1
−  100 users for Microsoft Office Professional − £9,999 (Compare this
to, say, Fireworks and then add some extras such as site licences for
Impression Publisher, Artworks, DataPower and ArcTerm7 and you will
still be only at about 25% of the cost and without a user-limit on a
single site.) You also need a 33MHz 486 with 8Mb RAM and a minimum of
100Mb of free hard disc space to think about running Office Professional
seriously.
8.1
−  10 users AutoCad − £3,200 (compare this to Cadet Pro or Apollonius
PDT)
8.1
−  LanDesk virus protect    − £650 (compare this to Pineapple at £28 per
year)
8.1
−  250 users Novell   − £3,300
8.1
−  LanDesk Manager − £950 (AUN £399 plus, say, £80 for improved
management software)
8.1
(All prices are ex VAT.)
8.1
You will also find that commercial organisations supplying and
installing these might charge say £800 for installation of the software
alone.
8.1
Think of the hundreds of thousands of Novell installations around the
world and then try to square the cost of Netware against that of Acorn’s
AUN which must have a very small fraction of the size of market. The
very fact that Acorn is still in business and Acorn software vendors
survive is an indication of the profiteering in the mega-monopolies of
the commercial IT world.
8.1
On the face of it, most PC clones are very much less expensive than
Risc PCs but if we cost support and software the balance changes
significantly. The fundamental price of the machine is, however, a
marketing “Achilles heel” for Acorn because it is the starting point for
many people buying a computer whether for home, school or business. If I
can buy a 486 with all the bits and pieces for £1,000 incVAT and it
costs £1,500 for a similarly-equipped Risc PC with a 486 card and enough
memory to run Windows, I have to ask the question as to whether the
extra £500 is justified. If all I want is basic wordprocessing/DTP,
either machine will do and if I go for lesser names than Microsoft,
software is not too different in price. PCs are currently less easy to
manage, but this could change with Windows 4 and so Acorn need to
develop RISC OS 4 which is even better and/or reduce the price of
machines. Risc PC might even help currently loyal Acorn Users over the
transitional difficulties and onto the PC side of the fence so that
their next purchase is a PC!
8.1
All in all, I believe that the continuation of the Microsoft monopoly
through the demise of RISC OS and Apple would be a great shame and
possibly a step towards a more serious situation where the whole of
World Information and Communications is in the grip of a single company.
Personally, I think I will continue to use RISC OS for as long as
possible because I do not like large bureaucratic monopolies dictating
prices to customers because the customer happens to be technologically
illiterate and is scared of change or discontinuity.
8.1
This fear of change helps Acorn in the education market but there is
enormous pressure on education which is often seen as a poor relation to
industry which is not present in the industrial sector.
8.1
Those working in the Microsoft world also have a vested interest in
keeping things that bit mystical − ask any of the main suppliers and
they will tell you that they make their money on cabling, software and
support services and not on selling machines. This is another area of
advantage to the company that owns the operating system but does not
have responsibility for hardware development. I have even seen quotes
from companies which include fine tuning of network software after
installation. In other words, when we install your software and it
doesn’t work we will charge you £500 per day to come and put the
problems right! Would you accept this from your local Ford dealer?
8.1
This leads us full circle. If we do not produce a technologically
educated society, the giants of the IT world could become more powerful
than elected governments and customers, either consumers or corporate
will be “ripped off” because they do not know any better and have all
their information eggs in one company’s corporate basket.  Ian Lynch,
Tamworth.
8.1
•  Pentium second processor − In a couple of official-looking magazines
recently I have seen references to a Pentium second processor for the
Risc PC, both saying authoritatively that you “will be able to put one
in your Risc PC”.
8.1
First of all, to put a foreign processor on the Risc PC requires a good
deal of design work − you can’t just buy a processor, make a PCB and
stick it in the machine! This means that whether any given second
processor appears, be it Pentium or Mac or 486, depends on a company
deciding that it will be worth their while investing in the development
work. I gather that the sale of Pentium-based computers isn’t going as
well as Intel had hoped because so much re-programming of applications
is needed before they will run on the new platforms.
8.1
Secondly, the Pentium processor is extremely power-hungry. This means
you need a pretty hefty power supply and an elaborate cooling system. We
all know how expandable the Risc PC is but the current Risc PCs are just
not designed to cope with the kind of load that a Pentium would place on
the power supply and cooling system.
8.1
So, will it be worth someone’s while doing all the necessary software,
hardware and case re-design? Well, given the limited number of people
who (a) have a Risc PC and (b) also want a Pentium, I think not.
Certainly, Aleph One say they currently have no plans to do a Pentium
second processor.  Ed.
8.1
We asked Peter Bondar, Acorn’s Risc PC Product Manager, about this and
he explained what had happened. Apparently, the Risc PC was designed
with sufficient power supply capability and cooling to handle the P24T
32-bit Pentium 486-replacement chip whose full specification they had
obtained from Intel. Unfortunately, it now looks as if, for various
reasons, this chip may never see the light of day. The other
alternative, to use a full 64-bit Pentium chip is more difficult because
whilst the P24T would have been able to use the same ASIC as the 486,
the double width data bus would mean designing a new ASIC and you would
have to have substantially more on-card cache. Power supply and
dissipation is becoming less of a problem as the newer Pentiums are
slightly lower power but it still doesn’t look too optimistic that we
will have a Pentium second processor in the foreseeable future.  A
8.1
ARM Programming − Part 4
8.1
James Riden
8.1
This month we are going to look at arithmetic in assembly language. If
you have a commercial assembler, you will be able to use floating point
instructions but otherwise you are limited to integers only. The
technique usually used to overcome this is known as fixed point
arithmetic. This basically means dealing with a register as if it had a
binary point somewhere in it. A machine code square root finder is
included on this month’s disc and we will use this as an example.
8.1
The method used to find the root is successive approximation. We want to
find the root of a known number. The computer will guess what the root
is and then square it to find out how close the real answer is to our
guess. Then our guess is altered to make it nearer the answer. The
arithmetic steps for finding the root of number are:
8.1
direction = 1
8.1
guess = 100*1024
8.1
step = 100*1024
8.1
repeat
8.1
  square = guess * guess
8.1
  if square > number and direction = up
8.1
 then step = step/2 : direction = -1
8.1
  if square < number and direction = down
8.1
 then step = step/2 : direction = 1
8.1
  guess = guess + step * direction
8.1
until square = number
8.1
The major advantage of this routine is that it has relatively simple
components but it still requires decimal numbers unless number is a
perfect square. Now consider a register Rx representing an integer of
size Rx / 1024 (i.e. Rx = number *1024). If we pass a value to this
routine multiplied by 1024, the answer should come back multiplied by
1024. Then (in Basic) we can divide it by 1024 to get a decimal answer.
Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple because if integer I is such
that I^2=Rx*1024 then I = SQR(Rx)*SQR(1024) = SQR(Rx)*32 so it in fact
needs do be divided by 32 to get the root. So in Basic we can write:
8.1
root = guess/32
8.1
This can cause another problem. Since each ARM register is 32 bits wide
and we have used 5 for the decimal part, we only have 27 bits left, of
which one is used to represent negative numbers. This reduces the
magnitude of the maximum value possible, which is not a problem in this
case but it can be in other applications. If we need a bigger answer, we
will have to sacrifice accuracy by reducing the left shifting of the
registers.
8.1
When this routine is written in assembler, you need to remember the left
shifts or, in other words, where the binary point is for each register.
Accordingly, when adding two numbers make sure the binary points are in
the same place and when multiplying don’t let any information ‘fall off’
the top.
8.1
Fixed point arithmetic is used where speed is the priority with accuracy
not particularly necessary, mainly in demos and games, for instance
bouncing balls and 3D graphics. Accuracy will be retained until the data
is written to the screen when it will be lost, since POINT 0,4.83 and
POINT 0,4.9 will both put the pixel in the same place. If you require
good accuracy as well as speed, you need an assembler which works with
floating point instructions.  A
8.1
REM >Root
8.1
DIM code 1024
8.1
PRINT “Calculates the root of a 32 bit number in machine code”
8.1
acc%=19
8.1
REM this many bits for decimal part (leaves 31-acc% for integer part)
8.1
FOR pass=0 TO 2 STEP 2
8.1
link=14
8.1
sp=13
8.1
step=9
8.1
dir=8
8.1
root=7
8.1
count=6   :REM in case we get stuck
8.1
work=5
8.1
temp=4
8.1
val=1
8.1
power=0
8.1
P%=code
8.1
[OPT pass
8.1
;calling parameters are...
8.1
;r1 - the number to work out the square root of (positive only please!)
8.1
;on exit r0 is the square root (shifted left 5 times)
8.1
.getroot
8.1
MOV      dir,     #1       ;going up
8.1
MOV      step,    #1024    ;initial step of half the number
8.1
MOV      root,    #0
8.1
MOV      count,   #1000    ; 500 tries and then give up
8.1
.rootloop
8.1
MUL      work,    dir,     step
8.1
ADD      root,    root,    work
8.1
MUL      work,    root,    root     ;work out square of guessed root
8.1
CMP      work,    val      ;are we too high ..
8.1
CMPGE    dir,     #0       ;AND is dir > 0 (=1) ?
8.1
MVNGE    dir,     #0       ;yes, set dir to -1 (-1 = NOT 0)
8.1
MOVGE    step,    step,    ASR#1    ;and halve our step
8.1
CMP      work,    val      ;are we too low ..
8.1
CMPLT    dir,     #0       ;AND is dir < 0 (=-1) ?
8.1
MOVLT    dir,     #1       ;yes, set dir to 1
8.1
MOVLT    step,    step,    ASR#1    ;and halve our step
8.1
SUBS     count,   count,   #1
8.1
CMP      step,    #0       ;is step > 0
8.1
CMPGT    count,   #0       ; and is count > 0 ?
8.1
BGT      rootloop          ;if both then loop...
8.1
STR      root,    result   ; for BASIC testing
8.1
MOV      PC,      link     ;terminate routine
8.1
.result  EQUD     0
8.1
;note the use of double CMPs as ANDs & fixed point arithmatic.
8.1
]NEXTpass
8.1
PRINT “(Timed using a Basic loop)...”
8.1
PRINT “Time taken”,;
8.1
TIME=0
8.1
FOR Z%=1 TO 5000:num=RND(2^21):A%=2:B%=num:CALL getroot:NEXT Z%
8.1
PRINT INT((TIME/Z%)*10*1000);“µs per root”
8.1
num=RND(2^29)  :REM we’re using acc% bits for the fractional part
8.1
A%=2 :REM square root
8.1
B%=num :REM value to root
8.1
CALL getroot
8.1
PRINT “Originial number  ”;num/(2^acc%)
8.1
PRINT “MC root           ”;(!result)/(2^(acc%/2))
8.1
PRINT “BASICs value      ”;SQR(num/(2^acc%))
8.1
REM >Mandelbrot
8.1
MODE13
8.1
DIM code 4096
8.1
PROCassemble
8.1
A%=(-2.5)*(2^acc%)    :REM X is -2.25 shifted
8.1
B%=(-1.5)*(2^acc%)    :REM Y is -1.5 shifted
8.1
size=3                :REM size = 3
8.1
C%=(size/256)*(2^acc%):REM so calulate step
8.1
D%=127                :REM with this many
8.1
 iterations
8.1
CALL code
8.1
END
8.1
:
8.1
DEFPROCassemble
8.1
acc%=13 :REM number of places to shift left
8.1
x=0:y=1:s=2:nx=3:ny=4:i=5:l=6
8.1
px=7:py=8:ox=9:oy=10:p=11:q=14:oi=13
8.1
scr=12:sp=13:link=14
8.1
FOR pass=0 TO 2 STEP 2
8.1
P%=code
8.1
[OPT pass
8.1
.input  EQUD 149
8.1
        EQUD -1
8.1
.output EQUD 0
8.1
        EQUD 0
8.1
.plotit
8.1
STMFD (sp)!,{link }
8.1
STR sp,stackholder
8.1
MOV ox,R0 ;input parameters
8.1
MOV oy,R1
8.1
MOV oi,R3
8.1
MOV l,#1<<28
8.1
ADR R0,input
8.1
ADR R1,output
8.1
SWI “OS_ReadVduVariables”
8.1
LDR scr,output
8.1
ADD scr,scr,#81920
8.1
MOV py,#256
8.1
.yloop
8.1
MOV px,#320
8.1
MUL ny,s,py:ADD y,oy,ny
8.1
.xloop
8.1
MUL nx,s,px:ADD x,ox,nx
8.1
MOV i,oi
8.1
MOV p,#0:MOV q,#0
8.1
.iloop
8.1
MUL nx,p,p
8.1
MOV nx,nx,ASR#acc%
8.1
MUL ny,q,q
8.1
SUB nx,nx,ny,ASR#acc%
8.1
ADD nx,nx,x
8.1
; s=p^2-q^2+x  and compensate for squaring
8.1
 a shifted number.
8.1
BVS exitiloop
8.1
MUL ny,p,q
8.1
MOV ny,ny,ASR#(acc%-1)
8.1
ADD q,ny,y     ;q=2pq+y
8.1
BVS exitiloop
8.1
MOV p,nx ;p=s
8.1
MUL ny,p,p:MUL nx,q,q:ADD nx,nx,ny:CMP nx,l:BGE exitiloop
8.1
; is x^2+y^2 > r^2 ?
8.1
SUBS i,i,#1
8.1
BGT iloop         ;do again unless black or
8.1
 out of range
8.1
.exitiloop
8.1
STRB i,[scr],#-1   ;plot the pixel
8.1
SUBS px,px,#1     ;have we finished the row?
8.1
BGT xloop
8.1
SWI “OS_ReadEscapeState”
8.1
BCS finish
8.1
SUBS py,py,#1     ;have we finished the
8.1
 picture ?
8.1
BGT yloop
8.1
.finish
8.1
LDR sp,stackholder
8.1
LDMFD (sp)!,{pc }
8.1
.stackholder EQUD 0
8.1
]NEXTpass
8.1
ENDPROC  A
8.1
Help!!!!
8.1
•  C book, please − I have been using Easy C and DeskLib alongside an
old edition of Mark Burgess’ Dabhand Guide on C. I would like to buy a
book on C of a more reference style. Have you any suggestions? (I am one
of those strange people who can sit down and read the PRM from cover to
cover and enjoy it!) Robert Lytton, Leeds 0532-755276.
8.1
•  Colour printers − Can anyone tell us how resistant to fading are the
printouts from colour printers?  Alan Angus, Blyth.
8.1
•  Second ST506 on an A420? − I would like to increase my hard disc
storage facility on the cheap. I gather that it is possible to control
two ST506 drives. Can anyone tell me what connections need to be made
and what is the largest size of ST506 an A420 can handle? Robert Lytton,
Leeds 0532-755276.
8.1
•  Subgrams, please − “Does anyone know of a program, PD or retail, that
can find all the possible words or combination of words that can be made
of a subset of the letters of another word?”  Jeff Moon, Low Fell.
8.1
I think it’s called a ‘subgram’ and I’d be interested, too. If there’s a
PD one, perhaps someone would send a copy into the NCS office?  Ed.
8.1
•  Zelanites − Does anyone know how to get this RISC OS 2 game working
on RISC OS 3, please? Andrew Crompton, 0704-537604.
8.1
Help Offered
8.1
•  Key Stage information − I have the complete Key Stage 1&2 Compendium
of Draft Proposals on disc (with very few typographic errors!). If you
find these documents fascinating or are convinced that little will
change and would like a copy, please send either £1 or a disc and self-
addressed envelope to R Lytton, 7 Helmsley Drive, West Park, Leeds LS16
5HY. The SCAA are happy for it to be distributed as PD. I wonder if
David Holden is interested?
8.1
When the final (ha! ha!) orders come out at the beginning of next year,
I will be happy to distribute them too!  Robert Lytton.  A
8.1
Risc PC Column
8.1
Keith Hodge
8.1
Monitors
8.1
A number of correspondents have written to me about matters relating to
screen modes, and have mentioned that flicker can just be perceived in
the highest resolution modes. In fact, 1280×1024 in 256 colours has a
slight flicker on my Acorn AKF85, this with 2Mb of VRAM.
8.1
Flicker can also be affected by a property of the cathode ray tube
called phosphor persistence. It is the deliberate control of this
property which allows older Acorn monitors, (and also your domestic
television) to display the old 50Hz frame rate screen modes with only a
small amount of flicker. The longer the persistence, the less the
flicker but if it is too long, moving objects have ‘comet tails’ as you
see on the very long persistence CRTs of radar displays. The choice of
phosphor persistence is always a compromise.
8.1
Most modern multisync monitors have, in my experience, relatively short
persistence phosphors which can exacerbate flicker produced by low
screen refresh rates. Hence, you can arrive at the situation where one
person is quite happy using a particular screen mode, because his
long(ish) persistence CRT is making the flicker less noticeable than for
someone using a monitor with a shorter persistence CRT.
8.1
Monitor definition file
8.1
Andrew Clover has sent in a monitor definition file for the Acorn AKF60.
This new definition file allows the letter box modes to be displayed at
full height, and adds a 1280×1024 display. I have sent a copy to Paul
for the monthly disc.
8.1
(Experience has shown that it’s not quite as easy as one person
producing a monitor definition file and then distributing it around to
everyone else. Tuning a given monitor to a given computer takes a bit of
time and a bit of skill − see Andrew Garrard’s article on page 41.
Never-the-less, I have put it on the disc and you can try it and see −
it may work OK on your system.  Ed.)
8.1
Software compatibility
8.1
By the time you read this, all the software which Computer Concepts are
converting to the Risc PC should be available. When I spoke to them at
the end of July, all products were available except the Turbo Drivers
which were going to be available in two weeks time. They also stated
that Artworks is now stable at V1.54.
8.1
A number of people have reported that FireWorkz does not display 24-bit
graphics, and I can confirm this. No doubt Colton Software will be
correcting this in the next release. (For the solution, see PipeLineZ on
page 69.  Ed.)
8.1
If Brian Brunswick, the author of Memphis (the automatically expanding/
contracting RAM disc), reads this column, could he please let me know if
he has an upgraded version which runs on the Risc PC? I have had more
wails of anguish about this, than any other program! (People obviously
value it highly! Ed)
8.1
One thing which has been reported by a number of people, is the
importance of changing to a 16 or 256 colour, old style mode (12, 35
etc) when a program refuses to work in the new screen displays. Quite a
large percentage will then work OK, although some programs then produce
rather unusual colours.
8.1
Arthur Brend has found a problem with Knowledge Organiser 2, which I
find quite worrying. He reports that a file of some 1300 small text
items, which took 20 seconds to sort on his A5000, now takes 55 seconds
on the Risc PC! Also, PipeDream now takes 7 seconds to load, against 5
seconds from a slow hard disc on an A5000. Has anybody else found
similar problems?
8.1
He also reports difficulty in getting PipeDream to install automatically
on the iconbar from switch on and further reading of his letter has
reinforced my feelings that we urgently need someone to produce an
article for the column, explaining in simple terms, how to go about
doing the things which seemed so simple with our old !Boot files on the
Archimedes.
8.1
For all those who are having the same problems, my solution is to place
PipeDream in the Apps directory. RISC OS, as part of its boot up
sequence, initializes all applications inside this directory. This
causes the applications’ file aliases to be set up, thus informing the
filer to start up PipeDream when one of its files is double-clicked.
This is possibly not in accord with Acorn guidelines, but there again,
are there any?
8.1
If you require PipeDream on the iconbar at start up, drop the file
“$.!Boot.Choices.Boot.Tasks .!Boot” onto Edit, and scan down the file
until you find the line “RMEnsure VProtect 0 RMRun
System:Modules.VProtect”. Add a new line below this which reads “Run
ADFS::HardDisc.$.Apps .!PipeDream”, then save the file. Now reboot the
machine and there is PipeDream on your iconbar. Please note that I am
making the assumption that your hard disc is still named “HardDisc”, but
if not, amend the wording as required in your new line.
8.1
One final point on this topic. Every application seen by the filer has
its sprites placed in memory, and any aliases set up are stored by the
OS. All of these take up memory, so if you place every piece of software
you possess in the Apps directory, do not be surprised if you end up
with half your memory tied up in the wimp sprite pool!
8.1
Lastly, watch out for PD and other applications which use the old
MemAlloc module to change machine parameters when they are launched.
This can lead to all sorts of problems, ranging from interminably long
screen redraws because the font cache size has been set to zero, through
to no boot action taking place when the machine is next used or, worse
still, minor adjustments to your carefully set up configuration which
undo all the fine tuning you have done since the machine arrived. Oh,
but of course, you have saved your preferred CMOS settings using
!Configure, haven’t you?
8.1
Hardware news
8.1
It was very pleasing to hear, in a letter from Martin Grossel, that the
standard of product support offered by Acorn dealers remains very high.
Martin had a requirement to connect a SCSI drive to his Risc PC to
transfer all his existing software to his new machine. He possessed an
old 8-bit Lingenuity Card but this was not recognised by the machine.
Lindis were good enough to send him a number of versions of the software
and he reports that version 2.54 works fine on the Risc PC.
8.1
I have also had excellent support from HCCS. I rang them asking for a
firmware upgrade for my Ultimate Micro Podule SCSI interface (as I am
adding a CD-ROM drive), and it arrived the next day FOC. Included on the
support disc was a file ‘UG_TEXT’, which detailed the SWI’s provided and
the method of using them. Well done, HCCS, for setting an example for
other suppliers to follow.
8.1
However, firms can only keep up this very helpful attitude if they make
a reasonable profit, so please bear this in mind when comparing prices
with the IBM PC world, and please, when you get a firmware update, send
the old EPROM and any support disc back in the next post.
8.1
I have discovered a very interesting fact about high density Apple Mac
discs on the Risc PC. With the aid of Look Systems !DiscEd (part of the
Disc Rescue package), it is possible to read, and recover the disc
contents. Is this because of the Risc PC hardware, or does it work on
the Archimedes as well? (I believe the Apple ‘Super Drives’ as they are
called, are the same as our standard 1.6Mb drives. It’s just the way the
files and directories are laid on the disc that are different. So, using
MacFS, on any Acorn machine with 1.6Mb drives, you can read Mac discs.
Ed.)
8.1
Floppy drives
8.1
I’m afraid that there is no news of any expansion cards to cure the
problem of lack of multiple floppy drives. I have had to resort to
modifying my twin drive BBC Master which has a DOS co-processor, so that
it has one of each size disc drive, thus enabling me to copy from 5¼“ to
3½” discs!
8.1
Readers’ comments
8.1
Philip Draper, in a very detailed letter, has commented on how effective
the PC Emulator is. He finds that the reported CPU speed is about 8MHz.
Subjectively though, it seems faster than that, possibly because screen
update and file handling from the hard disc are both so fast. Very
interesting, is the fact that even under DOS 3.2 (which does not support
high density discs) 1.44 Mb floppy discs can be read from and written
to. However, copying from a floppy disc to the hard disc is reported to
be best done under RISC OS because, otherwise, it is a rather slow
process. Please note that you require !PCEm V1.81 or later, and it must
be upgraded using the patch supplied with the machine.
8.1
Requests for help
8.1
Can anybody with access to the RISC OS 3.5 provisional documentation,
provide details of any new or updated SWI’s that have been provided to
read the available VRAM and main DRAM?
8.1
Question of the month
8.1
Did you know that you can speed up a Risc PC? Well, I am teasing you all
a little bit, but J. Ross has pointed out that it still helps to
RMFaster the SharedCLibrary, ColourTrans and FPEmulator. It does,
however, use up some memory which has to be born in mind.
8.1
Tailpiece
8.1
After three months of ownership, I still think it is a very impressive
machine. Possibly it is still waiting, as the Archimedes was for some
time after its release, for some really useful, high quality hardware
and software to do justice to the “hidden potential” of the machine. I
must also report that I managed to run out of memory one day, and this
with 8Mb! However, a quick look at the iconbar revealed how easy it is
to go on loading up applications, seemingly without limit, because I had
forgotten during the last few months, all about that old bogey, shortage
of memory. Is it possible to get enough memory? Lastly, due to a very
full postbag on return from holiday, I have had to hold over a number of
comments until next month.
8.1
As usual, I can be contacted by letter at the HES address on the back
page, by telephone after 7p.m. or by Packet Radio from anywhere in the
world, as GW4NEI@GB7OAR.#16.GBR.EU.  A
8.1
Creating Monitor Definition Files
8.1
Andrew Garrard, NCS
8.1
The Archimedes range of computers has always had a highly flexible video
chip. RISC OS allowed new modes to be defined in the form of suitable
modules. A number of public domain utilities exist to help define new
modes on the older machines, and several companies have produced modules
which expand the normal range of screen modes (notably Computer
Concepts).
8.1
With the advent of the Risc PC and the even more powerful VIDC20 to
drive its graphics, Acorn have gone one step further and allowed the
user to define their own modes to allow for the best display possible
out of their monitor. Each make of monitor has slightly different
limitations, and even individual monitors often differ slightly at the
limits of their performance. For this reason, monitor definition files
which come with the machine contain information on the screen modes
which the monitor currently connected to the Risc PC can display, and
the computer chooses from these whenever the user selects a mode. This
means that whatever your monitor and screen mode combination, the Risc
PC will try its best to match a screen mode rather than simply output a
signal which the monitor cannot display.
8.1
Why make changes?
8.1
There are two main reasons to create a new monitor definition file. The
first is to get a correct definition file for your monitor. There are a
number of Risc PC users who already have a perfectly good monitor and,
reasonably enough, don’t want to use one of Acorn’s standard ones. When
I first got my Risc PC, I was (for reasons of space) sharing my A5000’s
AKF18 monitor. The Risc PC didn’t come with an AKF18 definition file,
but the AKF60 definition file (by trial and error) produced a usable
picture. The Idek Iiyama works quite well with the AKF85 definition
file, but does not like one or two of the 75Hz modes.
8.1
However, the picture was far from perfect; apart from anything else it
was hopelessly off-centre, with about a third of the picture off the
side of the screen. By modifying the definition file, I was able to get
all the modes I wanted to use properly centred and sized on the display.
There is now an official driver for the AKF18, but there are a huge
number of monitor/Risc PC combinations, so it’s quite possible that
other people will need to do the same for their monitors.
8.1
The second reason for making changes is simply to get the best out of
your monitor and computer. The default definition files have to be
designed for the worse case scenario so that they will be sure to work
in all cases − you can, therefore, often get better out of your system
than the defaults. Please bear in mind, though, that outputting a signal
which is beyond the limitations of your hardware can damage it; when
making changes, keep a finger near the monitor’s off switch.
8.1
How the computer sees the display
8.1
There is more to what the computer sends to the monitor than simply the
intensity signals which make up the pixels of the display. Both the
computer and the monitor need to know about timing − how often the
screen is updated and how frequently to begin a new line.
8.1
The old medium resolution monitors shipped with the early Archimedes
range needed the screen to be updated − i.e. all the information about
the display is sent to the monitor − 50 times per second (50 Hz), the
same as the British TV standard. However, this meant that the display
tended to flicker slightly, since most people can just about see a
flicker at 50Hz. For this reason, many other display standards update at
72 or 75Hz, which is beyond the threshold of detection of any flicker
for almost everyone.
8.1
In order to keep the screen update rate constant but change the number
of lines in the display (to get more vertical resolution), you obviously
have to display each line more quickly, since each line has less time in
which to be displayed.
8.1
Any given monitor will have limitations on how frequently it can update
the whole display (frame rate), and on the frequency at which lines can
be sent to it (line rate). For example, an AKF60 needs a frame rate in
the range 40-90Hz, and a line rate between 30 and 50kHz.
8.1
Horizontal resolution is simply a matter of how quickly the computer
sends colour information to the monitor. On the old VIDC1 video
controller, there were only a few different frequencies at which
information could be sent, by means of dividing various clocks in the
system. By this means, it was possible to have a mode 13 with pixels
twice the width (and being sent to the monitor half as frequently) as a
mode 15. The VIDC20 is far more flexible, and can use a far greater
range of different frequencies. It does this by taking a basic 24MHz
clock, multiplying this frequency by a 6-bit number, and then dividing
it down by another 6-bit number; all of this is transparent through RISC
OS which simply requires a desired pixel clock which the VIDC20 will
match as best it can.
8.1
A matter of timing
8.1
In order to know when to start displaying the screen, the monitor needs
a couple of signals. The vertical sync (or vsync) signal is sent each
time the screen is refreshed. The horizontal sync (hsync) signal is sent
once with each line of the display.
8.1
You may also be interested to know that the border around the visible
screen (which is most noticeable in the screen modes for medium
resolution monitors, such as 17 and below) does not go all the way to
the edge of the display. On many monitors, you can see the edges of the
border on the screen by adjusting the position and size of the display.
The gap between the top of the display and the start of the border is
called the vertical back porch; the gap at the bottom is the vertical
front porch. Similarly, the gap between the start of the display on the
left is the horizontal back porch and the gap on the right is the
horizontal front porch.
8.1
These porches do need to be there for the monitor to correctly lock onto
the picture, although they do not usually need to be quite as large as
in the default modes. After the porches are ‘displayed’, you get the
border, and then the display itself. There is actually no reason to have
a border − the entire screen can be taken up with the display, or by
increasing the horizontal and vertical porches the border can be simply
removed; this is why the borders are invisible in mode 31. However,
there may be other limitations on the size of the display (screen
memory, for example) and so some border is often useful. The diagram
opposite shows how the signals sent to the monitor correspond to the
parts of the display traced out by the monitor.
8.1
The monitor definition files
8.1
All this may sound complicated but, in practice, changing a monitor
definition file to suit your purposes is relatively simple. Starting
from scratch is not recommended, but it will often be possible to find a
definition file with at least some screen modes which will work on any
given monitor. Generally, the AKF60 monitor definition file is a good
place to start, since most high quality monitors can reproduce some of
the AKF60’s display range. For this reason, I will use the AKF60
definition file as an example. Owners of 17“ monitors may do better
starting with Acorn’s AKF85 definition file; indeed, this file works on
our Idek Iiyama Vision Master monitors, except that the Vision Master
cannot handle some of the 75Hz refresh modes.
8.1
You can find the monitor definition files in the
!Boot.Resources.Configure.Monitors directory on the standard Risc PC
hard disc; if you load the file into !Edit you will be able to make
changes. Note: the monitor definition files are, as default, locked
against changes. Therefore you will either have to change the access of
the file or, better still, save a new file under a different title. So
long as the file is in this directory, or a subdirectory of it, the
computer will be able to find it; more on that later.
8.1
# Monitor description file for Acorn AKF60 monitor
8.1
# Line rate: 30 − 50 kHz
8.1
# Version history
8.1
Any line beginning with a # character is ignored by the computer, so the
first few lines are only there to help the reader.
8.1
file_format:1
8.1
This line is there only to tell the computer what kind of definition
file it is reading (to allow for future expansion); this should be left
as it is.
8.1
monitor_title:Acorn AKF60
8.1
This line tells the computer what the monitor title is (!) − this is the
line that is displayed at the top of the mode change window. It must be
19 characters or less in length.
8.1
DPMS_state:1
8.1
DPMS stands for Display Power Management Signalling; basically, it’s the
signal the computer sends to the monitor when it is screensaving. This
is the facility which allows the AKF60 to auto power-down.
8.1
The number at the end of the line should be in the range 0-3. The
meanings are as follows:
8.1
0 − DPMS disabled; the screen simply goes black
8.1
1 − Screen blank enters ‘Stand-by’ mode
8.1
2 − Screen blank enters ‘Suspend’ mode
8.1
3 − Screen blank enters ‘Off’ mode
8.1
Generally, this number can be left as it was, but you may wish to
experiment to get your monitor to produce the desired effect.
8.1
Screen mode definitions
8.1
After these general settings come the definitions for the different
screen modes. Each definition normally begins with two commented lines,
describing the mode’s resolution, frequency and other relevant
information, and (in terms of low, medium and high) its bandwidth
requirements.
8.1
# 800 x 600 (60Hz)
8.1
# Mid band
8.1
Since these lines are merely comments, they can be ignored, although if
you define a new mode you may wish to leave a suitable comment at the
start of it.
8.1
The first line proper of the mode definition is:
8.1
startmode
8.1
which simply tells the computer that a new mode definition is to follow.
The next line is
8.1
mode_name:800 x 600
8.1
(or whatever this mode is). This is the mode title which appears in the
menu of resolutions in the mode change window. If several modes have the
same title, the Risc PC will display the one with the highest refresh
rate it can unless told otherwise; more on that later.
8.1
The following two lines tell the computer the resolution (in pixels) of
the screen mode:
8.1
x_res:800
8.1
y_res:600
8.1
If no EX and EY values are specified when the mode is selected (as they
are not if you simply choose the mode from the menu) then the defaults
are EX 1 EY 1 if the y resolution is more than half the x resolution,
and EX 1 EY 2 if the y resolution is less than half the x resolution.
You can try this with the default screen modes to see the effect. EX and
EY values are explained in Matthew Hunter’s article, More Graphics on
the Acorn on page 75.
8.1
The next line,
8.1
pixel_rate:40000
8.1
selects the pixel clock (in kHz); i.e. this is the number of thousands
of pixels per second that the VIDC outputs.
8.1
h_timings:112,64,40,800,40,0
8.1
The numbers here are the timings which were discussed above. Measured in
pixels (and therefore determined by the pixel clock), they tell the Risc
PC how long each of the parts which make up a single line of the display
last (as shown in the diagram on page 42). The numbers are, in order:
8.1
  hsync width
8.1
  horizontal back porch
8.1
  left border
8.1
  width of the actual display
8.1
  right border
8.1
  horizontal front porch
8.1
The VIDC requires that each of these values is a multiple of two and the
total a multiple of four.
8.1
So, in the above example, the horizontal sync signal takes up 112
pixels, the back porch (the left hand part of the display before the
border) is 64 pixels wide, the left border is 40 pixels, the main
display is 800 pixels (being an 800×600 mode), the right border is 40
pixels and the horizontal sync signal starts again immediately after the
end of the border (no front porch).
8.1
You can calculate the line frequency from these figures: the total of
all these values is the number of ‘pixels’ (or pixel-duration signals)
output by the VIDC every scan line, so if you divide this total by the
pixel rate, you get the frequency of lines. For example, in the example
112+64+40+800+40+0= 1056 ‘pixel durations’ per line. Since there are
forty million (40,000 thousand) ‘pixel durations’ per second, each line
takes 1056 ÷ 400000000 seconds, or the scan line frequency is 40000000 ÷
1056 = about 37.9 kHz.
8.1
The next line is normally commented out, but shows the equivalent values
for each of the figures for this mode for the VESA standard mode
timings:
8.1
#    VESA:128,88,0,800,0,40
8.1
The next line tells the computer about the vertical signal what the
h_timings line told it about the horizontal signal.
8.1
v_timings:4,23,0,600,0,1
8.1
The figures indicate, in order:
8.1
  vsync width
8.1
  vertical back porch
8.1
  top border
8.1
  height of actual display
8.1
  bottom border
8.1
  vertical front porch
8.1
These values are measured in terms of scan lines so, in the example, the
vsync signal lasts for 4 scan lines, the display itself is 600 scan
lines, there are no visible borders, the space at the top of the screen
from the start of the signal to the start of the display is 23 scan
lines, and there is one scan line at the bottom of the display before
the vsync signal is sent again. Again, see the diagram for an
explanation of when each of these signals is sent during the display.
8.1
From this information, you may wish to work out the frame rate of your
display (i.e. the number of times it is updated each second). You
already have the line rate (above), so the frame rate is simply the line
rate divided by the number of lines in the display; since the number of
lines in each frame is the sum of all the values on the v_timings line,
this is the total we want. In the example, the display consists of
4+23+0+600+0+1 = 628 lines, the frame rate is 37.9kHz ÷ 628 = approx.
60Hz.
8.1
There are only two more lines in the mode definition:
8.1
sync_pol:0
8.1
endmode
8.1
Sync pol indicates the kind of sync signals required, and is a number
between 0 and 3:
8.1
0 − hsync normal, vsync inverted
8.1
1 − hsync inverted, vsync normal
8.1
2 − hsync normal, vsync inverted
8.1
3 − hsync inverted, vsync inverted
8.1
Normally, if you have a successful display of some sort, you would not
need to change these values.
8.1
The endmode line simply tells the computer that you have finished
defining this particular mode.
8.1
Will my mode work?
8.1
There are limits on what can be displayed. The first and most obvious
point is whether the monitor is capable of the display, in terms of
whether the line rate and frame rate of the mode are within the
abilities of the monitor. The maximum pixel rate of the monitor is also
a consideration, although in practice this may not do much harm in many
cases.
8.1
More mathematical are the limits of what the Risc PC is capable of
displaying. There are two basic limitations − bandwidth and memory. The
former is basically whether the VIDC can get information from the memory
quickly enough to produce the display, and the latter is whether there
is enough memory in the machine to hold the image to be displayed.
8.1
The limits on bandwidth (i.e. the most that the memory can provide to
the video) on no-VRAM, 1Mb VRAM and 2Mb VRAM machines respectively are
40Mb/second, 80Mb/second and 160Mb/second. The BandLimit file in
!Boot.Utils (as default) sets the maximum bandwidth to 38, 76 and 152Mb/
second in order to provide a safety margin. To calculate the bandwidth
which a mode requires, multiply the pixel rate of the mode by the number
of bytes per pixel, or the number of bits per pixel ÷ 8. The number of
bytes per pixel for different colour options are as follows:
8.1
2 colours (monochrome):  1/8 bytes/pixel
8.1
4 colours (greys):  ¼ bytes/pixel
8.1
16 colours (or greys):  ½ bytes/pixel
8.1
256 colours (or greys):  1 bytes/pixel
8.1
32 thousand colours:  2 bytes/pixel
8.1
16 million colours:  4 bytes/pixel
8.1
If the bandwidth for the mode exceeds that which your system can
display, the computer will do its best to match the mode you want,
preferably by changing the frequency (it will pick the highest frequency
mode to minimise flicker if possible) and, failing that, by cutting down
on resolution or number of colours.
8.1
The mode defined here required a bandwidth of 40Mb/second (40000
thousand pixels/s × 1 byte per pixel) in a 256 colour mode, or 80Mb/
second (2 bytes per pixel) in a 32 thousand colour mode.
8.1
In terms of memory, the amount that a mode takes up is the number of
bytes per pixel multiplied by the number of pixels on screen − that is,
the horizontal resolution (of the screen proper) multiplied by its
vertical resolution. So, for example, the mode defined here would take
800×600×1=480000 bytes, or about 469Kb; the 32 thousand colour mode
would take double that. The same mode in 16 million colours takes up
1875Kb, and so cannot be displayed without 2Mb VRAM even if the
bandwidth were available. Again, if the computer cannot display a mode
which you request because it doesn’t have the memory, it will provide
the best match it can.
8.1
Because the computer can work out these two factors for itself, it is
not necessary to specify the number of colours in a mode definition; it
is only the timing and the resolution that a mode definition specifies.
8.1
There are a couple of other limitations. If the sync widths are not
large enough (the number is too small), the monitor may not be able to
latch on to the display. In addition, if the hsync and horizontal back
porch are, in total, too small, the display will become corrupt; this is
because the VIDC20 uses this time to fetch information about the mouse
pointer, and if there is insufficient time, it will not be able to go
back to reading the display before it is expected to produce it.
8.1
Changes to make
8.1
As I have said, it is far easier to change the definitions from a
standard mode definition file than to start from scratch.
8.1
The simplest change to make is to reposition the display on the screen.
The easiest way to do this is to change the size of the four porch and
border values. For example, to move the display to the right, you could
increase the horizontal back porch. Remember, however, that if the line
rate is to stay the same, you will need to reduce the opposite value (in
the case of the example, reduce the horizontal front porch or the right
border).
8.1
This only provides for limited changes; if there is no horizontal front
porch and no right border, you cannot move the screen to the right in
this way. You are then faced with two solutions; you can increase the
number of ‘pixel-times’ on a line, which will reduce the line rate, or
you can change the pixel rate. In both cases, it is advisable to make
only small changes at any one time, to make sure that the monitor can
cope with what you are trying to display and that your changes are
having the desired effect.
8.1
If you wish to change the resolution of the display − to create a mode
with a different number of pixels − you are faced with a similar
situation. You can make small changes by altering the borders and
porches to compensate for the altered resolution. For example, to add 64
pixels to the width of the display, you could increase the ‘display
width’ by 64 and, to keep the display centred, reduce either the
horizontal front and back porches or the left and right borders by 32
each. By keeping the pixel and line rates constant, the width of each
pixel on the display remains unchanged, there are simply a different
number of them.
8.1
More radically, you could change the pixel rate and compensate by
changing the other values. To halve the resolution horizontally, you
could halve the pixel rate and, to compensate, halve each of the values
on the h_timings line. This would leave the line rate unchanged, so the
vertical resolution and position would be unaltered.
8.1
You can make similar changes to the vertical position and resolution by
altering the line rate.
8.1
A word of warning
8.1
Generally, the higher the frame rate the better, within the limits of
what you can display. You may be tempted to push the resolution to its
maximum in order to get the best resolution possible out of your
display.
8.1
On machines with no VRAM, the higher the bandwidth of the mode, the
slower the computer gets − all the information going to the VIDC stops
the processor from accessing the RAM. If you have a VRAM-less machine,
try using 800×600 in 256 colours and compare its speed to the same
resolution in 16 colours. High refresh rates can make matters worse, so
it is a bad idea to push your system to its limits for that reason.
8.1
Pushing resolution at the cost of refresh rates is also often a bad
idea. I produced a 1024×640, 16 colour display out of my A5000 once, but
the flicker from that mode was so bad, because of the low refresh rate,
that friends started refusing to come near my machine. Flicker can be
annoying and provoke headaches − you have been warned.
8.1
Much more important, immediately at least, is the problem of taking your
system right to its limit. If you define a mode which works okay, but
only just, you may find that the same mode doesn’t work when you come
back to it. Alternatively, some modes stop working after the machine has
been in use for a while. Effectively, the system changes slightly in
‘warming up’, so you should remember to allow a margin of error in your
mode definitions.
8.1
Related to this is the problem with some ‘intelligent’ monitors − the
programmable kind, especially. Once these monitors have locked onto a
display, be careful about making slight changes to it. If the mode you
define is sufficiently similar to the previous one, the monitor may
think it is the same mode, and not readjust itself. This may mean either
that changing a mode definition has no apparent effect on the display,
or that an apparently working mode definition may not work if the
monitor sees that mode when ‘starting fresh’.
8.1
The monitor definition file which you make, when saved on your hard disc
in directory !Boot.Resources.Configure.Monitors, does not take immediate
effect. To use a definition file, you should double-click on !Boot,
which will provide you with the configuration options. Click on screen
to get the display options and you will find the monitor type option
presented to you. Your definition file should be in the menu presented
to you when you click on the icon to the right of the name of the
current monitor definition file.
8.1
When you have selected your monitor definition file, make sure that you
have selected a resolution and colour combination which you know works
to be the default; preferably one from whichever monitor definition file
you modified. That means that at least you will have a display when you
boot the machine. Click on Set to confirm your options.
8.1
Always choose your new mode definitions from the display manager icon,
rather than setting up a new mode as a default. This allows you a method
of escape back to a functional display (by resetting the machine) and
can help the aforementioned problem with intelligent monitors and small
changes to modes.
8.1
When you change your mode definition, after it has been installed in
this way, you will need to reinstall it to use it; alternatively, you
can reset the machine.
8.1
One highly recommended tactic is to press <f12> and type:
8.1
Key 1 WimpMode 27|M|M
8.1
followed by <return> twice. The ‘|’ symbol is the pipe character, i.e.
shift + ‘\’. Now, if you change to a mode definition which your monitor
does not display properly, you can press <f12> and then <f1>, and the
screen mode will change to 640×480 16 colours (VGA), which most monitors
can cope with. This should allow you to get out of trouble.
8.1
Finally, remember: you can damage some monitors by giving them a signal
which they cannot display properly, especially if they are left
displaying it. If your monitor loses the display while you are
experimenting, turn it off or change screen mode as quickly as possible.
NCS and Acorn can not be held responsible for any damage caused to
monitors by experimentation.
8.1
Acorn’s monitor definition files allow for considerable flexibility; I
hope this article allows you to tailor your system properly to your
needs.
8.1
Acorn have a utility to help automate some of the details of monitor
definition file creation. MakeModes is available from Archive on NCS
Utils Disc 1 and also on this month’s program disc.  A
8.1
An excellent article, thanks, Andrew. It has been good to have you
working with us at NCS during the summer vac. Good luck next year at
Cambridge!  Ed.
8.1
DOS is Different − Part 2
8.1
Mike Tomkinson
8.1
In this my second article on the different world of DOS, I intend to be
a little more controversial than in my original article (7.11 p49). I
intend to look at something I care about − books and, in particular,
computer books. Computers will never replace books nor will CD-ROMs −
but more about them in a later article.
8.1
You certainly do not have to agree with me and I welcome argument and
other viewpoints. Letters to me at my home address (given at the end of
this article) will all be read.
8.1
Acorn computers and associated programs have never been large generators
of books about them. This is unusual in computing. DOS and now Windows
and the programs associated with them have spawned a whole new arm of
the publishing world − the computer book. The fact that it is a very
profitable arm can be seen by the large number and range of books − many
covering exactly the same topics.
8.1
Those of you buying Risc PCs will undoubtedly venture into this area
eventually and at great peril to your bank balance. There is no such
thing as a cheap computer book in the DOS/Windows world.
8.1
If you consider that books are not subject to VAT you might wonder where
the ridiculous prices come from. These are almost exclusively paperbacks
we are considering − albeit thick paperbacks.
8.1
Unfortunately, books are subject to a device called The Net Book
Agreement. This handy little agreement means that books cannot be sold
at discounted prices by anyone. This means that a book in your local
Smiths will cost exactly the same as in your local specialist bookshop.
This may not appear too bad but what it really means is that publishers
can keep prices artificially high − especially when compared with the
price of books in US where there is no such agreement.
8.1
So, what are DOS/Windows books like, apart from expensive?! It is
difficult to generalise but they are generally good. They fall into two
main categories − those which are specific to the operating system or
graphical user interface and those which are specific to programs.
8.1
Operating system books
8.1
Windows is a very different environment from RISC OS. It is not
intuitive, nor is it a drag-and-drop environment, at least not to the
same degree as RISC OS. There are, therefore, many books around which
attempt to explain its use and complexities in a better manner than the
supplied manuals.
8.1
Similarly, much of the performance of DOS/Windows depends crucially on
the set up of the computer on which you are attempting to use it. There
is no simple hard or soft reset to take you back to factory defaults. If
your PC is not configured correctly, things do not happen as they
should.
8.1
Sometimes this depends on the software or firmware − the BIOS of the
computer − and at other times, it depends on the mount of RAM in the
computer or the size of the hard disc. On an Acorn machine, an 80 Mb
hard drive and 4 Mb RAM are perfectly adequate for almost all users.
Even on a Risc PC a 210 Mb/5Mb RAM setup looks almost generous.
8.1
Be warned that if you intend to use your new computer for Windows with
three or four Windows programs, it may be no more than adequate and you
will very rapidly fill the hard disc. It is no use saying that it will
not happen to you because, of course you will be using Windows,
otherwise why buy a Risc PC in the first place?
8.1
If you can afford it, buy the biggest hard disc/RAM configuration you
can. I have absolutely no financial interest in giving you that advice.
Bitter PC experience leads me to offer it to you. The programs are much
bigger than RISC OS programs − they are not always better but they are
always bigger. The operating system eats large chunks of your RAM before
you even load a program and if you attempt to multitask you will require
more than 4 Mb of RAM.
8.1
Books for programs
8.1
To return to books − the second major area of PC books is those dealing
with programs. It is not that the manuals supplied with PC programs are
worse than those supplied with RISC OS ones. They have often to deal, at
least in part, with the operating system/ideal PC configuration whereas
RISC OS ones rarely do.
8.1
Similarly, the programs are often not as intuitive and are often more
complex. The manuals will almost certainly contain large sections
dealing with how to import/export from and to other complex programs. No
nice simple CSV, TSV, Draw and Paint importing/exporting.
8.1
Windows programs also tend to have features not common on Acorn
programs. Thus Ami-Pro 3 has an outlining facility (allowing you to use
it as an ideas processor). No RISC OS word processor/DTP package has
such a feature (unless you know different?). This is not a criticism but
is simply a partial explanation for the proliferation of PC books.
8.1
You may have seen such books − they are usually very large paperbacks
and often have titles like “***** for Dummies”, where “*****” is either
the operating system number, for example, DOS 5 or 6 or 6.2, or a
program title like Excel or Lotus 1-2-3.
8.1
They tend to be copiously illustrated and filled with tutorial style
text and examples. Such books are, unfortunately, invaluable. I say
‘unfortunately’ owing to their generally high price. However, their
quality is usually high and they will probably document the program more
fully and with greater clarity than the manuals.
8.1
Most large W H Smiths and university bookshops hold good stocks of PC
books and there are a number of mail order suppliers who specialise in
such books although you must be prepared to add p&p to mail order books
thus adding even more to their price. Another good source are the PC
supermarkets which now seem to be increasing in number.
8.1
You can usually gain a good idea as to a book’s treatment of the subject
matter by their title. A book “for beginners” will be just that and will
obviously take a different standpoint from one entitled “An Advanced
Guide to *****”. Some books take a light hearted view while others are
more serious. The style you prefer depends on you. So you pays yer money
(lots of it) and you takes yer choice.  A
8.1
Games Column
8.1
Dave Floyd
8.1
S42 Developments
8.1
According to the press release in front of me, I’m not meant to mention
that S42 Developments used to be called Software 42, but they did. The
name change coincides with a deal they have signed with Vertical Twist/
Gamesware who will henceforth be selling their games on the Gamesware
label, allowing S42 to concentrate on developing new software. They have
updated their back catalogue to make them Risc PC compatible, have added
an extra game and released them all as a compilation entitled The S42
Collection. The games included are F.R.E.D. (Archive 7.1 page 24), Ixion
(7.5 p32), Cycloids (7.6 p5) and a new beat-em-up called Raw Power 2.
Games players who already own the older games and a Risc PC will also be
able to upgrade to compatible versions for a nominal fee. Pricing
information was unavailable at the time of writing but can be obtained
from Gamesware at Unit 26, The Bartletts, Hamble, Hants SO3 5RD.
8.1
Also coming soon from S42 is a Tetris derivative, Atomix, in which you
have to arrange atoms in the correct order to complete molecules against
the clock. There is a possibility that this will be packaged with
another new release and as soon as more information is available, I will
let you know.
8.1
S42 are also planning a major release this Christmas. Modestly described
by themselves as ‘the release of the year’ and ‘the ultimate platform
game’, Dreamzone is a native Archimedes game that involves fast action,
cute graphics and ‘more levels than you can wave a stick at’. Whether
the stick will be included was unclear but, if this game turns out to be
half as good as the claims made for it, it should certainly be an
essential purchase.
8.1
Soft Rock Software
8.1
As many of you will know, Soft Rock Software are one of the few budget
labels producing games for the Archimedes. Those owners of Soft Rock
games who are fortunate enough to have upgraded to a Risc PC will also
have noticed that they fail to work on the new platform. For a limited
period, Soft Rock are offering all of their previous releases on one
disc with the sound and music removed, thereby making them Risc PC
compatible. The cost of this disc is a refreshingly cheap £7.99
inclusive, which works out at well under £2 a game. Work is currently
being undertaken to completely upgrade all of the games with improved
sound and graphics as well as cross-platform compatibility. When this is
done, the prices of the Soft Rock catalogue will rise from their current
levels of £3.49 to (probably) £7.99 each and everybody who has bought
this cut-down release will be offered a discount on the upgraded
releases, possibly saving more than the actual cost, depending on how
many you choose to buy. For the record, the games are Escape from Exeria
(with Return to Exeria), Guardians of the Labyrinth, Drop Rock, Switch
and Floopy. To obtain copies of this disc or to receive more information
on Soft Rock’s products you should write to Soft Rock Software, FREEPOST
(BS7978), Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, Avon BS10 7BR.
8.1
A new release from Soft Rock is Trellis, an adventure game interpreter.
Priced at £7.99 inclusive, Trellis allows you to create your own
adventure games using Edit. For anybody interested in writing their own
adventure games, this could provide a very cost-effective method of
doing so and I hope to be able to bring you more information on Trellis
very soon.
8.1
Premier Manager (re-visited)
8.1
Following my last column in which I took a look at the first football
management game to be released on the Archimedes, I would like to thank
Thomas Nelson for his letter in which he pointed out an error I made. It
is possible to view all the league tables within the game by merely
pressing the relevant number key 1-6 when on the league table screen.
This also works for the top scorers and the results/fixtures printer.
This is mentioned in the manual and I therefore have no real excuse,
although in a game where everything else is controlled by the mouse, it
is by no means intuitive and I hope that this may be of use to others
who may also have missed this facet of the game.
8.1
More problems with the game have become noticeable since last month. The
first is illustrated in the file which I received from Robert Christmas.
Whenever his team play Colchester, the game hangs once a goal is scored.
I tried it on my machine and although I managed to take a two goal lead,
the whole machine froze leaving me with no option but to reboot. Robert
did write to Gremlin, but as yet has received no reply. I would suggest
that, before embarking on a game of Premier Manager, it would be wise to
save anything else you may be working on within the desktop. Although
this should be common practice before playing any game, it is very easy
to forget to do so with RISC OS compliant software.
8.1
I have also unearthed another couple of problems. On playing Ajax in the
European Cup, the program claims that Ajax play in the Scottish league
and have an average crowd of over fifty million inside a ground with a
capacity of 65,000! I bet the atmosphere at their home games is
tremendous, if a little cramped. My main problem is that regardless of
the outcome of the two-legged match, the program totally ignores the
second result and substitutes another result in its place. While losing
is an unfortunate fact of footballing life, it is a little hard to
swallow when you are knocked out of the European Cup, having just beaten
Ajax over two matches.
8.1
There is also a major bug in the game which may possibly be related to
both the above problems. When on the sell player screen, it is possible
to click on the blank space below your player list and sell players that
do not belong to you! At first this appears to be a licence to print
money but if you try this a couple of times (and it is easy to do so by
accident) the data in memory appears to become corrupted. This can
result in minor irritations, similar to the Ajax problem above, but it
all too often leads to a ‘Fatal error 5’ being reported and the game
totally crashing. Unlike Robert’s problem, this does not hang the
machine and seems to exit very cleanly but this does not make it any
less annoying.
8.1
One month on, and I have won almost everything there is to win in
Premier Manager and feel that, however much I love football management
games, the time is fast approaching when it will be consigned to my disc
box, never to be retrieved. If anyone else has any comments relating to
PM that they would like to share, then I will be happy to receive them.
Failing that, or the appearance of a drastically improved version, I
really have very little enthusiasm left for what should have been a most
welcome addition to anybody’s Archimedes games collection.
8.1
All being well, next month should see part one of the adventure game
special that I promised you a while back. Any comments relating to this
column, or any other games-related subject should please be sent to Dave
Floyd, c/o PO Box 2795, London, NW10 9AY.  A
8.1
Making Archive (and NCS) Better
8.1
Paul Beverley
8.1
In a very real sense, Archive is YOUR magazine because it is mainly
written by you, the readers. We at NCS do the editing, of course, and
write things like the Products Available section, but by far the
majority of articles are written by yourselves.
8.1
So, how can we make Archive better? Well, last month’s survey gave us a
lot of very useful feedback − many thanks to all those who filled it in.
I’m happy to say that the majority seem to really appreciate Archive −
which is most gratifying − and the increase in numbers of subscriptions
in the past few months has been most encouraging. Having said that, we
must not get complacent.
8.1
More articles, please
8.1
A number of requests were made for the kinds of articles or series that
people would like to read. I’m listing many of the requests here − if
yours isn’t among them then either I’ve already got someone writing such
an article or I felt it would be of interest to too few readers or, in
some cases, I just could not read it!
8.1
The purpose of listing these requests for articles is, of course, that
if they are to appear in the magazine, someone has to write them.  Any
offers then for any of the following? (The bits in italics are your
comments and requests.)
8.1
•  Acorn Access − Can we have some comments about Acorn’s easy-to-use
Ethernet networking? In particular, is it actually “easy-to-use”? Is
there anyone using Access who would be prepared to give us their initial
findings and/or hints and tips?
8.1
•  Amateur radio − This was mentioned by several people. Are Acorn
machines used in radio? If so, how? Can someone tell us their
experience?
8.1
•  Archive BBS − Where is it? Andrew Garrard has been working at NCS
during the summer and has managed to get it up and running for us − see
the article on page 24.
8.1
•  Business Column − Several readers asked for this and I notice that
most of the other magazines have started on this in the last few months.
Archive is the only magazine without a Business Column now! Any offers?
8.1
•  CD-ROMs − We have had a lot of people asking for more information on
drives, availability of material on CD-ROM, compatibility with PC CD-
ROMs, etc. Our trawl of Acorn-related companies (see below) my bring in
some information but it’s over to you really. What information and
experience do you have? We really need to have a CD Column. Is there
anyone who would be prepared to collate all the information we get sent?
8.1
•  Comparative reviews − These were asked for by a number of people and
are obviously very helpful and valuable to readers. However, to be
really effective, they require a lot of work to be done even before you
can start writing and they are the sort of article that invites flack
from aggrieved software/hardware producers and even sometimes from
ardent users of some particular product. Having warned off the unwary,
would anyone like to have a go at anything along those lines? WP/DTP
packages, art packages, spreadsheets, databases, etc are areas that
could be tackled. If you don’t have access to copies of the latest
versions of the relevant software, we can often persuade the company in
question to provide it.
8.1
•  DTP Column − What has happened to the DTP Column. You said it was
restarting but it stopped again. Yes, I’m sorry about that. We have one
or two DTP articles in the pipeline, in particular, Neil Whiteley-Bolton
is working on a comparative review of image manipulation / photo
retouching packages − PhotoDesk, Picture, PhotoTouch, etc. The main
problems are that no-one has sent in any questions or comments to pass
to the DTP editor and we don’t have an editor who can be dedicated to do
the job as both Neil and Richard Hallas, who offered to help, are
extremely busy with their own work.
8.1
If anyone would be interested to be the DTP Column editor, do let me
know. There were one or two people who offered in the past but people’s
circumstances change so I haven’t assumed they would still be willing to
help and also, I’m really looking for one person to be in overall charge
because it’s too difficult to try to coordinate a series of different
editors as we have done previously.
8.1
•  Image processing − We’ve had one or two requests for advice on image-
processing. Robert Chrismas’ review of Image Master (which I will try to
fit in next month) gives some clues but could someone fill us in on
things like monchrome processing, filters, gamma correction, etc?
8.1
•  Introducing Your Computer − This was, for me, the best series ever in
Archive. I constantly refer to it. Can we have more, please? The Norfolk
IT Team did an initial series of five but could do some more if there is
enough interest. So, if you want more along those lines, please write
and tell us what subjects you want covering.
8.1
•  Reviews of Colourcard Gold and Eagle M2 − There is an Eagle review in
this month but if anyone has a Colourcard and would like to send us some
comments, let me know.
8.1
•  Scientific computing − This might cover which spreadsheet is most
suitable for scientific applications, mathematical programs, shared
tricks, hardware of interest to scientists, etc. Brian Cowan has done
some things along these lines in the past as has Chris Johnson (on
spreadsheets) − both academics but both are very busy these days. Any
offers?
8.1
•  SCSI versus IDE − Take the article(s) from Archive 5.2 p15ff and
produce up-to-date speed figures and prices.
8.1
•  Short programs − I like typing things in from time to time as I
believe it helps develop a better understanding of programming. Could
you include some short but really useful or colourful things to type in
as in Risc User? Well, to produce something “short but really useful”
isn’t easy but if someone would like to take up the challenge, that
would be great.
8.1
•  Squirrel column − Digital Services say they have very many happy
customers. Could one of them act as editor of a column?
8.1
•  Text interchange − Can we have have information about text transfer?
ASCII, DOS text, RTF. Is there anyone who does a magazine and has to
take in text from all sorts of different sources who could give us the
benefit of their experience? Issues that could be covered are things
such as stripping out “funny” characters, how to deal with an excess of
(or lack of) linefeeds, how to translate the different types of
formatting codes that are sometimes used, etc. (I now gather that Jim
Nottingham is working on this one.)
8.1
•  “This is what I do with my Archimedes” − Can we have some more of
this type of article, please?
8.1
•  Using !Paint − This is the most under-used Acorn application, I think
− probably because it is so difficult to use. Could someone explain how
to use it, please? There was a single very helpful tutorial article
(Archive 3.5 p38) written by Karen Dunkley (now Mrs Alan Glover). If
anyone would like to take that one further, let me know and I’ll send
you a copy of that article if you don’t already have it.
8.1
•  Using various applications − I’d like some articles on how to use
applications like Translator. The instructions of many such programs
make assumptions that you already quite knowledgeable − which many of us
are not!
8.1
•  Video − I’d like some details on using Acorn machines for home videos
for titling, editing and special effects.
8.1
•  Wimp programming in C − This was another popular request because,
says one subscriber, there are no suitable books available. Any offers,
anyone?
8.1
Advice to authors
8.1
Again, from our survey last month, there are a number of things which
came up where people were saying, “Could authors please...”
8.1
−  more screen shots with reviews and more illustrations with general
articles, e.g. diagrams of how things work and how programs are
structured. (If any contributors want advice on how best to produce
screen shots for publication, please contact the NCS office.)
8.1
− in reviews, don’t say things like “I didn’t try printing because my
printer is being repaired”
8.1
− make sure that reviews give us all the essential information such as
review machine configuration, who the manufacturer is, cost, RISC OS
compliant or compatible (ask NCS if you don’t know the difference)
8.1
− don’t ramble off into telling us what you did on your holidays (I
sometimes edit such comments out and sometimes I leave them in − people
generally like the ‘light’ touch of Archive as it makes it more personal
but I have to try to steer a middle line on this one. Ed.)
8.1
 − educational programs should say at what age the programs are aimed.
8.1
Copy deadlines
8.1
Several contributors have asked when the copy deadline is for each
issue. Every article that comes in has to be edited and prepared for
publication so if I were to give a definite copy deadline, everyone
would work towards it and I would be inundated at the last minute. If I
did give a definite deadline, therefore, it would have to be about two
or three weeks before the effective deadline − and this might put people
off because they would think they had missed the deadline! All I will
say is that if you think in terms of getting articles to me within a
week or so of receiving the previous issue, it should just about be OK −
earlier would be even better. Deliberately vague − sorry!
8.1
Review policy
8.1
One person asked if we could have reviews of new products, especially
games, much sooner after they are released. “New games are reviewed in
the other magazines several months in advance of Archive.”
8.1
The editorial policy at Archive has always been that “Products
Available” and reviews should only refer to products that actually are
available. The news-stand magazines tend to have closer links with the
games software houses than we do and they get pre-release versions so
that even though their magazines take much longer to produce than
Archive, their reviews are more up-to-date than ours. I suppose we could
do the same but we prefer to review the actual production versions of
the software so that what we review is what you get if you buy it.
8.1
A number of people asked if Archive could have more about “forth-coming
products”. I have mixed feelings about this. I can see that it’s nice to
know what sort of things are in the offing but the negative side is that
it is not unknown for companies to say they are developing such-and-such
when all they are doing is trying to gauge whether there would be a
market for it. All they have done is some sort of feasability study to
see if it would be possible to write the code for this phantom product.
8.1
What we tend to do, therefore, is to trawl round the software and
hardware companies before a major show like Acorn World 94 and ask what
they are “intending to release” at the show. (Results in next month’s
issue.)
8.1
Other comments about Archive and NCS
8.1
There are some more issues that were covered in your comments. (Again,
the bits in italics are your comments.)
8.1
•  Advertising − Can we have more advertising, please, as I find it
helpful to see who is advertising what but on the other hand... I hope
financial considerations don’t force you to take up too much space with
adverts − it’s about right at the moment. Well, just so that you know, I
will explain our policy on advertising.
8.1
We don’t actively sell advertising. If a company is interested in
advertising and contact us, we will give them a rates card and let them
send in an advert if they so decide. We certainly don’t ring companies
up and ask them to advertise. So the amount of advertising is determined
purely by what the companies want to do. However, we have not increased
the rates (£150/page) for several years − perhaps we ought to do so when
we increase the magazine price in January. You will note that Colton,
Computer Concepts and Oak Solutions have advertised faithfully every
month since the year dot. We are extremely grateful to them for their
support in this way.
8.1
•  Bolder naming − In the Comment Column or Hints & Tips, I struggle to
see who the contributor is. Could you please put the name in bold? Good
idea! ’Tis done!
8.1
•  Contents page − Going to an alphabetic version seems to have been
well received generally but there are complaints when the title is
unhelpfully arranged, e.g. who would look for comments about the Risc PC
under “Second Impressions of the Risc PC”?! Someone suggested they
should be grouped under different areas, for example: “Regular Items”
such as H & T, Comment Column, Products Available, etc, “Specialist
Columns” such as PipeLineZ, Risc PC, Multimedia, etc and then “Reviews”
and “Technical articles”. I have mixed feelings about this one, so I’ll
leave it for now.
8.1
•  Credit cards − It’s great that you have decided to take credit cards
but please remove the 3% service charge. When we started credit card
facilities, Barclays Merchant Services said that, because we were a
mail-order computer sales company, they would have to charge us 5% on
each transaction because it is such a high risk area. So, if someone
buys a £2000 Risc PC on their card, we charge them £60 but we have to
pay Barclays £100! After some 6 months trading on the cards, we asked
them to reduce the charge but they refused, insisting that we are still
a high risk. What gets me is that it isn’t Barclays who take the risk!
If someone buys a computer on a stolen card it’s NCS that loses the
money, not Barclays!!! (The only concession we make on the charge is
that we have recently stopped making the surcharge on renewals.)
8.1
Stop Press: We are now able to take debit cards and since Barclays only
charge us 75p per transaction, we won’t be making any charge if you pay
with a debit card − apart from which it’s illegal to make a service
charge on a debit card!
8.1
•  Email connection − You ought to be on Email so that we can send
orders and technical queries. Good idea − ’Tis done! Well, I sent in my
application, anyway − two weeks ago. I haven’t heard from them yet − I
hope it hasn’t got lost in the post!!! I’ll put the Internet address on
the Price List if it come through in time.
8.1
•  Factfile − Several people asked if it would be possible to print the
whole of my Factfile (address list of Acorn companies) each month and
not just restrict it to those companies that are mentioned in the
current issue. The trouble is that it runs to over ten pages!
8.1
The other problem is that companies often don’t tell you when they
change their address (or go bust!) so a lot of the Factfile is probably
not up-to-date. I have therefore written to all the companies (345 of
them!) to enable me to update the Factfile. I have had some replies and
some “return to sender”, so as I update the Factfile, I will put the
full listing on the monthly program disc.
8.1
I have also done a trawl of companies on the address list of Acorn’s
Product Directory to see if there are products that haven’t yet been
mentioned in Products Available. Again, I have had some replies and I’ll
mention the products in the magazine as and when I find out about them.
8.1
•  God slot out! − We have had two out of the first few hundred
questionnaires that asked me to remove the God slot, both saying that
such things are “out of place” in a computer magazine. As those of you
who have been subscribing to Archive for a long time will know, I have
had a number of such complaints over the years. My answer has always
been that each of you has to judge the magazine on it merits and decide
whether it’s worth (a) paying £19 a year and (b) putting up with the
editor’s idiosyncrasies. I know of at least two people over the last
seven years who have decided that they cannot continue subscribing to
Archive because of the way I try to “ram religion down people’s
throats”. I thought I was being reasonably gentle!
8.1
•  Monthly program disc − Why not allow PD authors to put their latest
software on the disc so that they can get it tried out by a large number
of capable Archimedes users? Yes, good idea. If any PD author wants to
send a program in to us, we’ll fit them in a.s.a.p. If they include a
daytime phone number when they send the software in, we’ll tell them
when the magazine is just about to go out containing their software so
that they can have a chance to send us the very latest version − as long
as it isn’t much bigger than the earlier version − it might then be too
big to fit on the disc.
8.1
How do we decide what goes on the disc? What happens is that priority
goes to any files / programs / data etc that contributors send in that
go with their articles. Then, if there is space left, we see what else
we can fit onto it. The up-to-date glossary might fit on or the latest
updates of the Archive Arcscan files and, as mentioned above, I will
sometimes put on an updated Factfile. It’s all fairly last minute
although, as you will have seen, we now try to decide what will be on it
before the magazine goes to the printers so that we can list the
contents on page 2 with the Products Available.
8.1
•  Opening hours? − What are your opening hours and can I come to the
office to buy things? We are not set up as a shop but you are welcome to
come in and buy things. It might be better to ring up beforehand to see
if we’ve got things in stock. As regards opening hours, there is usually
someone here from 8.45a.m. to 5.15p.m. although our official opening
hours are 9 to 5. On Thursday mornings we often have a staff meeting for
the first hour or, occasionally, a bit longer but we put the answerphone
on during that time. This is only for Monday to Friday. If you want to
call in on a Saturday morning, we may well be able to arrange to have
someone here  − just give us a ring beforehand.
8.1
•  Packet Radio − Why not have an NCS ‘Bull’ on Packet Radio − similar
to ‘ARCHIM’ for Archimedes & Radio users and as Amiga / PC have? Well,
err, yes, sounds a great idea but the only thing I know about Packet
Radio is that Keith Hodge, in his Risc PC Column, says each month that I
can use it to contact him “from anywhere in the world, as
GW4NEI@GB7OAR.#16.GBR.EU”.
8.1
•  Program disc contents − A staggering number of people have asked us
if we would please include information about the contents of the monthly
program disc in the magazine − how else will they know if it is worth
buying? Funny you should mention that... we have been putting this
information at the foot of page 2 of the magazine for the last seven
months!
8.1
•  Risc PC orientation − Archive is becoming too Risc PC oriented when
you consider that the majority of readers are still using older
Archimedes computers. Yes, in one sense, we are devoting a lot of space
to what is, currently, a minority. Mind you, it’s not all that small a
minority. Almost 5% of Archive suscribers have so far purchased a
Risc PC directly from Norwich Computer Services. On to top of that, I
know that a lot of people have bought one from their local Acorn dealer
in order to get the local backup. (This is an attitude that I entirely
support, by the way − if you don’t support your local dealer and only
buy from mail order companies because you want the extra discount, you
may find you end up without a local Acorn dealer!)
8.1
When you consider that it’s only 5 months since the launch and that
Risc PCs are still in extremely short supply (we still haven’t fulfilled
all our back orders for ACB45s), there must be quite a sizeable
proportion of Archive subscribers who either have, or are anticipating
buying, a Risc PC. But don’t worry, we’re not abandoning the Archimedes!
There is still a lot to be said about it and we will be doing so for
many issues to come and, in any case, a lot of what is said in the
magazine applies to both generations of machine. (And I’m still
producing the magazine on my A540!)
8.1
•  Shorter PipeLineZ − The last two issues of PipeLineZ have both been
over six pages long. I don’t mind articles about applications that I
don’t use but this is getting a bit much. It is true that Gerald’s
articles have been longer than average of late but this month it’s back
to about three pages. Also, many people don’t realise that Gerald’s
writings are NOT just about Colton’s software − they often have much
wider application. The trouble is I don’t know what else to call the
column to encourage non-Coltonites to scan it each month to see if it
has something relevant to them. Any ideas?
8.1
•  Switch payment − You ought to allow payment by Switch as it’s
cheaper. ’Tis done! See under “Credit cards” above.
8.1
•  Technical content of Archive − (a) Can we have more in-depth
technical articles and less of the beginners stuff? (b) Can we have
fewer obscure technical articles and more articles for people who just
want to use the computer as a tool and aren’t interested in the finer
technical, please? Well, at present, I’m getting about equal numbers of
each of the above types of comment so I reckon I’m steering reasonably
close to the middle line although I have had a number of people saying
they won’t be re-subscribing as it’s all too technical for them.
8.1
More to come...
8.1
I have run out of time − the magazine deadline is upon me! I have so far
analysed less than half of the questionnaires received in the first
three weeks so this article is definitely...
8.1
...to be continued...  A
8.1
PD Column
8.1
David Holden
8.1
In my last column, I mentioned the possibility of CD-ROMs of PD
appearing for the Archimedes and said that I didn’t think it likely in
the immediate future. Within a few days of sending this article off to
NCS, I received an envelope with an Archive label containing the
Datafile PD CD-ROM. Knowing that our editor is not without a sense of
humour, I cannot quite rid myself of the suspicion that these two events
may be in some way linked. I therefore now find myself, foot firmly in
mouth, reporting on this event.
8.1
It is not really a contradiction to say that this confirms both my best
hopes and some of my worst fears. My best hopes because the price is
right, £30 from Datafile or £28 from NCS. However, the disc shows signs
of being put together in a hurry, possibly in an attempt to be ‘the
first’.
8.1
The contents were compiled before Dave McCartney, who runs the Datafile,
had obtained a Risc PC, and a considerable proportion of the programs
are not compatible. This is a problem because the Risc PC will probably
become the machine which is most likely to be fitted with a CD-ROM
drive. Some of these programs are ‘fixable’, but others are not. Some
cannot be run directly from Read Only media but this isn’t a problem if
you are aware of it, since you can just copy it to your hard disc.
8.1
There are a few ‘mistakes’. At least one program appears twice. A few
others have had some of their ‘internal’ filenames changed to suit the
ISO 9660 standard and this means that the applications can’t find their
resources. If the program is written in Basic, it is often possible to
copy it to your hard disc and either rename the resources or alter the
program, but this shouldn’t have been necessary. Some of the programs
are not the most up-to-date versions, but this is an inevitable
consequence of putting PD and Shareware onto ROM since the delay between
the conception and public release often means that later versions have
appeared.
8.1
I gather that there will be a review of the CD in Archive in due course,
so I shall not dwell at length upon what’s on it. However, I shall say
that there is a very wide selection of material, perhaps too wide. There
is no ‘theme’ and many people who have a collection of PD discs will
probably already have the majority of the items that would be of
interest to them. There is a good collection of clipart, a selection of
GIF and JPEG files, and some text files from Project Gutenberg. In case
you haven’t heard of it, this is the work of the Benedictine College of
Illinois whose intent is to put in machine-readable form most of the
world’s classic literature. This will doubtless be of interest to
schools but possibly not to others, and is probably out of place on a
disc which contains ‘demos’ and games.
8.1
Is it really worth the money? Well, if you don’t already have a
collection of PD but do possess a CD-ROM drive then, despite these
shortcomings, definitely ‘yes’. On a project of this nature, there are
bound to be problems with the first attempt and Dave McCartney must be
congratulated for breaking the ice.
8.1
The fact that this disc has appeared has lead me to take another look at
the idea myself. Since I last investigated, production costs have fallen
considerably and there are also signs of wider use of CD-ROM drives on
Acorn computers, the growth being much faster than I had expected. In
view of this, I have taken another look at this media and you can
anticipate that an APDL CD will be appearing in the not too distant
future. I don’t want to go into details but I can predict that it will
be rather different from the Datafile offering.
8.1
Special offer
8.1
With the introduction of the Risc PC, there’s suddenly a lot of interest
in 24-bit colour. This month’s special disc therefore has two superb
Shareware packages. The first in Image by Ian Palmer whose ‘Wordhound’
thesaurus was the subject of a previous offer. Image is a 24-bit
processing program. It can alter the colour range of a picture, filter
and image, resize (including cropping end extending), rotate, merge
pictures, touch up, etc.
8.1
The second is FineArt. This, as its name suggests, is an art program.
It’s as easy to use as !Paint but with all the advantages of subtle
colour control which isn’t possible with 8-bit colour. You can also use
it with normal 8-bit colour if you don’t have a Risc PC or a colour
card.
8.1
As usual, for a copy of these two programs send £1 or four 1st class
stamps to me at 39 Knighton Park Road, Sydenham, London SE26 5RN.  A
8.1
Risc-DOS Column
8.1
Simon Coulthurst
8.1
As I write this introductory column, for what I hope will be a series of
articles, about using the Risc PC’s DOS co-processor, I feel a bit of a
fraud. I am sitting in front of a fairly powerful multi-tasking
computer, but it is not a Risc PC or even an Archimedes for that matter.
It is a ‘Windows’ machine. By that, I mean a DOS-compatible running the
kludge that is Microsoft Windows on top of Microsoft DOS. The computer
is a Dell 486DX2 running at 66MHz with 16Mb RAM, 256Kb RAM cache and an
S3 accelerated display on a 21“ colour monitor. A powerful ‘Windows’
computer by any reckoning.
8.1
Yet I am disappointed! Why? Is it because I’m a spoiled brat used to
getting the best of everything regardless of cost? Or is it because this
so called ‘power machine’ is somewhat lacking in some way? Well, if I’m
honest, it’s probably the first, but I will do my best to persuade you
that it is the second.
8.1
A brief personal history
8.1
I have some prior knowledge of Acorn computers, having previously owned
both a BBC ‘B’ and one of the first Archimedes computers. I am a self-
confessed sufferer of techno-lust and have been through the various
stages of this disease, i.e. Vic 20, Oric, Spectrum, BBC ‘B’,
Archimedes, Apple Mac, DOS PC’s and am currently suffering with the
above Windows-based PC. I have also been side-tracked at various times
down side avenues, such as Newton and Psion Series 3a. Like all techno-
lust sufferers, I am convinced that the latest fix − the Risc PC − is
all I need to cure me. My business uses a small five-user network that
runs a DOS-based accounting package over Novell 3.12. I installed the
computers and software myself some three years ago, and all the upgrades
since. By the way, if you think configuring the Risc PC boot options is
difficult, just try installing Netware on a file server!
8.1
Using a Windows PC allows me to connect to the network and extract
information from the accounts package, whilst also allowing me to design
and pre-publish my own advertisements, flyers, brochures, etc within
Windows. However, I have never been all that happy with Windows − I have
a 16Mb computer that still runs out of resources, long before running
short of memory, mainly because it still uses DOS, a system that was
only ever designed to use the first 1Mb of RAM. So imagine my delight
when reading about the new Risc PC. Here was a machine that would allow
me to run my DOS-based accounts package in a window, using the co-
processor, whilst allowing me to use the superior RISC OS interface for
the rest of my work. Nirvana!
8.1
Column aim
8.1
So, assuming my Risc PC (ACB45) ever arrives − it has been on order for
nearly three months now − I intend to install a PC card and then connect
to our existing Novell Network. We have certain other software packages,
that we are very dependent upon, that also only run under DOS and I will
be making sure I can get these to work with the co-processor. It is to
be hoped that, as I report on my progress, you will gain an insight that
may help with your own attempts to use the co-processor. I will also
indicate how the Risc PC fits into a mixed business computer environment
− how easy and convenient, or otherwise, is it to transfer files from
system to system and does the co-processor make it any easier? I am also
more than happy to try to answer any questions or problems you are
having. Please address any queries to Archive marked for my attention.
8.1
Paul has kindly offered to lend me a Risc PC until mine arrives. This
will give me an opportunity to gain experience with the computer and
Risc PC interface before attempting to make it behave like a DOS
computer when the co-processor arrives. Perverse or what?!
8.1
If the co-processor has arrived in time for the next issue, I will
report on that. If, as seems likely, it has not, I will give you a DOS
and Windows user’s first impressions of the Risc PC instead.  A
8.1
Pocket Book Column
8.1
Audrey Laski
8.1
The Pocket Book has been to the Aeolian Island of Lipari and back, and
has proved an excellent travelling companion and talking point. I can
particularly record that the “fiendish Solitaire” I mentioned last time
(as a game picked up from the “3-Lib” collection of shareware software
originally designed for the Psion-3) filled many boring moments in
trains etc. I would like to thank its maker, Dave (Florish? − he gives
no address and asks no licence fee) for hours of entertainment.
8.1
I also got the satisfaction I expected from another piece of software
from the “3-Lib” collection, John Whiting’s Outline, which cleverly
enables the user not only to make an ordered set of headings, but also
to write associated notes; to have this quite sophisticated thinking aid
in one’s pocket is immensely valuable. He has also applied some of the
Outline techniques to the structuring of joblists in a piece of software
called ToDo, much more complex than the facility in Schedule; this would
have saved me many mini-breakdowns in my working life, though it comes
too late for me now.
8.1
A hardware problem
8.1
We continued, as reported earlier, to have problems with intermittent
functioning of the printer (BJ-10SX) which we acquired to connect to the
PocketBook. Finally, we have made a mental link with another problem:
the fact that when the Pocket Book is theoretically connected to a power
supply to conserve batteries, the little green light which shows that
mains power is on keeps going out. Jiggling the lead at the Pocket Book
socket temporarily restores power, but unless this is done frequently,
particularly in a slightly unstable situation, the light soon goes out
again.
8.1
Since I frequently use the Pocket Book on my knee while sitting in bed −
my favourite place of work − such instability is something I need the
hardware to be able to cope with. Our suspicion is that the problem with
the printer is a similar one: that the lead which links Pocket Book to
printer does not sit securely at one or other end. This problem needs to
be addressed by the hardware manufacturers; meanwhile, any advice or
shared experience would be welcome.
8.1
Dunce’s corner
8.1
John of the far side of the bed wants to stand here this month. He
writes: “We keep an old Amstrad portable in the Aeolian Isles.
Accordingly, we wanted to be able to use the A-link to back-up files
between the Pocket Book and the Amstrad. A source close to Psion let us
have RFM, a program which has been written to enable Psion drives to be
addressed as MS-DOS drives from the host Amstrad. ‘Psion have not, and
may not release this program’, means Psion neither supports nor
maintains this program, and you will get a thick ear if you ask them
about it.
8.1
“So, I prepare to connect the A-Link to the Amstrad − but the A-link
plug is a 9-pin RS423 and the Amstrad socket is a 15-pin RS232 socket...
8.1
“We shall be getting a Risc PC by next column, so I can report on RFM as
soon as a DR-DOS comes, but if anyone within easy reach of Victoria
Station has experience with PCs and serial ports, I should like to try
out this useful little program.”
8.1
Endnote
8.1
Is it midsummer torpor, or the fact that I mentioned I was going to be
away? This month, the whole short column has been written by either my
partner or myself, because there have been no letters. Please start them
flowing again; there must be lots more Pocket Book problems and
pleasures out there to communicate.  A
8.1
Teletext Column
8.1
Paul Skirrow
8.1
This is a new column in Archive devoted to the use of teletext on the
Archimedes and the Risc PC, which I hope will run for several issues. I
will be looking at various aspects of computer-based teletext and will
also be reviewing the hardware that is currently available. This month,
I introduce the idea of teletext on a computer and review the Design IT
teletext system.
8.1
I have been using computer-based teletext for 10 years (initially on a
BBC model B computer) and I am a big fan of such systems. I should also
say at this point that I have recently started my own business called
Octopus Systems, based in Ipswich, selling Acorn computers, and that I
am selling the last few remaining Ground Control teletext adapters, now
that they have gone into liquidation.
8.1
What is teletext?
8.1
Teletext is a way of transmitting pages of text along with a TV signal.
The BBC, ITV and Channel 4 all broadcast several hundred pages carrying
news, sport, weather, TV listings, features, share prices, air quality,
pollen counts, pop charts, music news, film releases and travel
information. Some satellite channels, including Sky and MTV, also
broadcast teletext information.
8.1
Each page has a 3-digit page number and may consist of several sub-
pages, each broadcast in turn. To see the Ceefax weather forecast, you
would normally select BBC1, choose page 401 and then wait for the page
to be received, which will typically take 10 or 20 seconds. This weather
page usually has two sub-pages, one for the day’s weather and one for
the evening’s, so you may have to wait for the right sub-page. The sub-
pages are broadcast in turn, so reading pages with 10 or even 20 sub-
pages is often quite slow. You may find that sub-page 8 is being
broadcast when you start reading it and you have to read the pages at
the rate they are broadcast, you can’t skip forwards or backwards
easily.
8.1
Why use teletext on a computer?
8.1
Teletext is traditionally accessed via a teletext television set − many
readers will already be familiar with this. However, most TV-based
teletext systems are slow to use and limited in their functionality,
which I believe prevents many users from realising the full potential of
the system.
8.1
By using a computer to access teletext, a whole new range of facilities
becomes available, making teletext much more convenient. Pages can be
stored on disc for future reference, either as plain text, teletext
(viewdata) files, or as sprites. All available teletext systems display
teletext in a window and work quite happily alongside other programs. It
should therefore be quite practical to leave a teletext window open all
the time, whilst still using the computer.
8.1
In theory it is possible to cache pages in the computer’s memory, thus
giving quick access to pages which the system has already received and
eliminate the tedium traditionally associated with reading teletext on a
television set. As a general rule, computer-based teletext systems do
not implement page cacheing, but since it only involves a software
change, I hope that we will see it introduced in the future.
8.1
Teletext reception
8.1
For teletext reception, you need a TV aerial and a good signal. Small
set-top aerials are unlikely to work, and a roof-top aerial is
recommended. If you are splitting your aerial feed to different sockets
in the house, the best solution is to use a distribution amplifier in
the loft, to minimise signal degradation. These are available from most
specialist TV shops for around £15. Alternatively, you can use passive
splitting connectors which contain terminating resistors and these are
available for around £4. In this case, you should avoid having any
unused outlets as they can cause signal reflections which degrade the
signal at the used outlets. (One solution is to plug in a dummy 75W load
which has the same effect as connecting a TV, and again these are
available from TV shops.) If you can obtain a good clear picture on your
TV set with no obvious interference and no ghosting (duplicate images
beside the main one) then you should be able to receive teletext
reliably.
8.1
Available adapters
8.1
The first teletext adapter was launched in 1984 as part of the BBC Micro
project and, in terms of hardware, this was one of the best, although
the lack of memory in the BBC computer severely limited its potential.
Morley and Ground Control both made external teletext adapters and the
latter could be used with any Acorn computer (except the A4). However,
Morley have now stopped producing them and Ground Control have sadly
gone into liquidation. Fortunately, two new companies have stepped in to
fill the gap: Design IT and XOB have both launched teletext receivers as
internal expansion cards.
8.1
Design IT Teleview card
8.1
This new Teleview card from Design IT plugs into an expansion card slot
on an A300, A400, A5000 or Risc PC and enables the computer to receive
teletext. It will also work on an A3000, using an external podule case
and 12V power supply, and will work with RISC OS 2 or 3. Although it
will not fit inside an A3010, A3020 or A4000, Design IT say they are
working on an external version which may be connected via the parallel
printer port. This is not ideal as it prevents the port being used for a
printer, but users of network and direct-drive laser printer should not
find this a problem.
8.1
The card is supplied with control software on disc, a Tuning and
Configuration Guide and a comprehensive (70 page) manual. Installation
is straightforward and the fitting instructions are very clear.
8.1
Before use, the system must be tuned using a tuning program which
automatically searches the frequency band. You must specify the channel
to be tuned (BBC1, BBC2, ITV or whatever) and then let the system search
for it. This is repeated for each channel and can mean searching the
frequency band several times. I would have preferred to be able to tune
all channels in one operation although this is a minor complaint, given
that you only ever tune the system once.
8.1
To access teletext, you simply run the TeleCFax application which
installs itself on the iconbar. Initially, the icon shows a blank
screen, and clicking on it will have no effect. After a few seconds,
when the first page has been received, the icon lights up. Clicking on
it will now open a large window showing the teletext page. This
behaviour is frustrating − if you are running the application, you
obviously want to look at teletext and it is irritating that you must
wait before you can open a teletext window − a blank window would have
been acceptable. It can also be a problem if no teletext is being
broadcast on the default channel as it prevents access to the other
channels. (The BBC channels often close down after midnight whereas ITV
usually broadcasts throughout the night.)
8.1
The teletext display is exactly as you would see it on a television,
with block graphics, colours and even flashing text. The header line at
the top of the teletext page is only updated when a new page is
displayed, but a menu allows the header to be displayed in a separate
small window, which shows the current channel, page being received and
the teletext time. There is also a facility for setting the computer’s
clock from the transmitted teletext time. The program can be configured
to beep when a page has been received, but I would have preferred a
clear visual indication that the system is waiting for a page (some
systems display a ‘Page searching’ message or flash the page number in
the header line).
8.1
Alongside the main teletext window is a control panel, rather like a TV
remote control. This has eight buttons for choosing a channel, a numeric
keypad for entering page numbers and some special buttons for next and
previous page, page index, page hold, page release and ‘Fast Text’. To
select a page, it is necessary to click on the relevant buttons on this
keypad. I found it a little awkward clicking on these small buttons and
would have preferred to be able to use the numeric keypad. Pages can
also be selected by clicking on the coloured keywords (FastText), at the
foot of the page, or on a page reference in the teletext window and this
is very convenient for jumping to a page from a contents or index page.
8.1
It usually takes several seconds after choosing a page before the page
is received and displayed and this is frustrating when you want to flick
quickly between an index page and the pages to which it refers because
you always have to wait. However, there is a menu entry to store the
current page in the computer’s memory, and stored pages may be retrieved
later using another menu. For example, if you are reading the BBC news
pages, you might store pages 110 and 160 as these contain indexes for UK
and World news respectively. You can then use the menu to instantly
return to one of these indexes, but selecting one of these pages
normally (by entering the page number) means that you still have to
wait, despite the page being available in memory. You can also make the
system automatically store the last 50 pages that you accessed, but
again they can only be retrieved by using the menu as shown above,
right.
8.1
Saving pages
8.1
The displayed page may be saved as a sprite, videotex, or plain text
file. Sprites show the page exactly as it is, including all of the
graphics and colours, and are therefore convenient for loading into
other applications, but they are fairly large (24Kb). Videotex files
contain the teletext information as it was transmitted and can be
handled by some other software. (The manual gives details of this
format.) They can be re-loaded into the TeleCFax software simply by
double-clicking.
8.1
Saved text files contain all of the text from the page but no graphics.
So, a weather map saved as text is less useful than one saved as a
sprite (although with a little thought it would still be possible to
extract temperatures for your region by scanning the right place in the
text file). There are two useful options on the Save Text dialogue.
Firstly, text may be saved ‘For DTP’, which means that new line
characters are stripped and the 40 column line limit removed. This means
that any wordprocessor using the text is free to re-format it to fit its
own page width. The second option is ‘With Styles’ which is for
Impression users. It applies a heading style to the first line on the
page and makes white text bold. The overall effect is very pleasing and
it is quite impressive to be able to save a typical teletext page onto
Impression and see it transformed into a newspaper-type heading.
8.1
Script files
8.1
Script files are simple text files containing a list of commands for the
TeleCFax software. Commands are available to grab and display pages,
save pages to disc (as text, sprites or videotex), display saved pages
from disc and repeat indefinitely. It is therefore possible to build you
own ‘carousel’ systems to display a selection of the day’s teletext
pages. Making a script file is quite straightforward and they would be
suitable for school pupils to write, especially as they can be regarded
as simple programming for national curriculum purposes.
8.1
One of the many examples provided shows how to save eight news pages
into a single text file (with styles) for loading into Impression. By
running the script and (after a few minutes pause) dragging the output
file to the provided Impression document, a mini-newspaper can be
created and this is sure to enthral school children. Other examples
include scripts to grab weather pages, road information and TV listings.
8.1
The system can also be configured to run a script file automatically at
start up, so it is possible to set the system up to save all of the
pages you want on disc for you to read later. It may take several
minutes, or even an hour to grab all of your pages, but they will then
be available as disc files which can be accessed instantly. Since
different pages can be saved in different ways, it is quite easy to save
the weather maps in a sprite file, and the news in a text file. While a
script is running, the teletext system displays the pages as they are
received and the computer continues to multi-task but the teletext
buttons are disabled until the script has finished.
8.1
Software control
8.1
Most teletext adapters provide commands or system calls for other
programs to use, and even the original BBC micro adapter had a very
comprehensive set of * commands and low-level system calls for grabbing
pages, changing channels, etc. This meant that a large library of
software was developed to perform clever tricks, such as plotting share
price graphs over time or searching pages for keywords.
8.1
Sadly, support for other programs is missing from the Design IT system,
but there are some simple calls available for converting videotex pages
into sprites. Although disappointing to programmers, the provision of
the less-sophisticated, but easier to use, script files makes up for it
in many ways. Design IT say they will consider putting in a SWI
interface and I am pushing for a standard interface so that all teletext
software will work on any adapter regardless of make − this probably
means trying to use the same interface as the existing Ground Control
adapters as there are a lot in use.
8.1
Design IT say they may extend their script language to enable it to run
other programs . This will allow Basic programs (for example) to search
or process newly-saved teletext pages. It could be used to plot graphs
from share prices, build a database of recipe pages or even print a mini
‘newspaper’, completely automatically.
8.1
Computer television
8.1
The Teleview card also has composite video (BNC socket) and mono audio
(mini-jack) output on the back panel. This is suitable for connecting a
monitor, headphones or mini-loudspeakers and a separate TV Tuner program
is provided to enable the channel to be changed without running the full
teletext system. I am always dubious about the usefulness of such
facilities, although many teletext adapters provide them since they
already contain a TV tuner and have the signals available internally.
Using the system to display a television picture on an adjacent monitor
seems a bit extravagant (when a separate TV set is probably cheaper and
more convenient).
8.1
Where this system is more useful is when it is used with a real-time
video digitising card such as the Eagle M2 multimedia card. The
television video and audio output can then be routed into the Eagle card
to provide a TV picture in a window. Video, audio and static frames can
then be grabbed using the Eagle card, or the system could simply be used
to watch television in those idle moments when you are not working. For
the cost of an Eagle card and a Teleview card, you can buy quite a nice
25“ colour stereo television, but that isn’t really the point − if you
have an Eagle card already, you might as well connect it to the
television output when it isn’t otherwise being used, and get ‘computer
television’ for free. You can also open a small window to show teletext
sub-titles for TV programmes.
8.1
Conclusion
8.1
This adapter adds teletext to your computer. It is easy to fit and works
well, although the lack of automatic page storage (cacheing) makes it
slow to use. The manual is well-written, easy to read, and includes
descriptions of the various file formats used. The video and audio
outputs are welcome, although I am unsure of their usefulness. The
script facilities for automatically saving pages is excellent and means
that the system can automatically produce a mini-magazine from a
collection of teletext pages.
8.1
The card costs £159 plus £4 carriage, plus VAT from Design IT. Network
software, to enable teletext to be used on several machines at once,
will be ready in September for £150 +VAT. This will allow any network
station to access teletext either from the teletext adapter, or from a
database (thus allowing a school to set up their own viewdata
service).  A
8.1
SyQuest Removable Drives
8.1
David Holden
8.1
Most Archimedes users will have heard of SyQuest removable discs. They
are quite commonly found on the Apple Mac, but are also available for
the Archimedes from a number of companies in the Acorn marketplace
including, of course, NCS.
8.1
I have been following the development of SyQuest drives for some time
and, with the acquisition of a Risc PC and the need for more (and better
organised) hard disc space, I decided it was time to take the plunge.
This article was written to describe some of the reasons why I have
chosen to take this step. Although I have seen them reviewed and
advertised many times, no-one, to the best of my knowledge, has written
anything to help others determine whether the SyQuest option is right
for them. It is not a magic solution to all problems.
8.1
What are they?
8.1
SyQuest removable hard discs are a marriage of normal hard disc
technology with the ‘removability’ of a floppy disc drive although there
is, of course, much more to it than that. Unlike optical or WORM drives,
the basic technology of SyQuests is the same as used for fixed hard
drives. This means that, as advances have been made in their production,
reliability and pricing, this has been reflected in the SyQuest drives.
8.1
They are constructed along the lines of a conventional hard disc drive
except that, instead of the whole mechanism being placed in a sealed box
the ‘disc’ is contained in its own, removable, plastic case. This is
completely enclosed except for a ‘door’ along one side, and when it is
in the drive, this door is opened to allow the drive head to reach the
disc’s surface. In fact, it’s rather like a better constructed and much
more sophisticated version of a floppy disc.
8.1
Types available
8.1
The drives are available in two physical sizes, 5¼“ and 3½”. The disc
itself is slightly larger than the floppy equivalent, which is a pity
because it means you can’t use most conventional boxes for them. The 5¼“
disc is about 1 cm thick and the 3½” version is about 8mm. The thing
which strikes you when you pick one up for the first time is its weight,
especially the 5¼“ size. This is because the disc itself is a heavy
metal object and not at all like the flimsy metal oxide coated plastic
used in floppies.
8.1
Each physical size is available in different capacities. The 5¼“ comes
in 44 and 88Mb, and the 3½” in 105 and 270Mb. (There is now also a 200Mb
5¼“ drive − see Products Available. Ed.)
8.1
The first size to be introduced was the 5¼“ 44Mb. Then when hard disc
technology advanced to allow more data to be squeezed on to the same
area of a disc, this was doubled to 88Mb. The 44Mb drive cannot read or
write to 88Mb discs but most of the 88Mb drives can use either type
although the oldest 88Mb drives don’t.
8.1
With further advances, it became possible to reduce the disc size to 3½“
while simultaneously increasing the capacity to 105Mb. The most recent
step was to boost the capacity of the 3½” drive to 270Mb, and even
larger sizes will be available in the foreseeable future. Like the 5¼“
equivalents, the 270Mb drive can read and write 105Mb discs but the
105Mb drive can’t use 270Mb discs.
8.1
Uses for SyQuest drives
8.1
These drives were never intended as a substitute for a conventional hard
disc, although they have sometimes been used in this way. Their main
purpose was to allow large amounts of data – too big for a floppy disc –
to be transferred between computers. This was quickly seized upon by
publishing companies who realised that they could, for example, get the
DTP data for an entire book onto one 44Mb disc, thus facilitating
transfer from the computer to the Printer (using ‘Printer’ in the
context of ‘company that prints the book’ rather than the computer
peripheral). This flexibility meant that the current ‘book’ could easily
be passed around from one computer to another, even on different sites.
8.1
In order to see why they have been used primarily for this and not just
for bulk data storage it is necessary to investigate prices. The 5¼“
drive itself is quite expensive, but that is not the most important
point. The actual discs cost over £60, which means nearly £1.60 per Mb.
To store about 200Mb of data using a SyQuest drive and five discs
therefore costs much more than a conventional hard drive.
8.1
The introduction of the 88Mb size helped only slightly. The cost of an
88Mb disc is over £90, and although this gives a better price/capacity
ratio, it still doesn’t approach a conventional drive when the cost of
the SyQuest drive itself is taken into account. This economic
disadvantage has been increased as hard disc prices have fallen.
8.1
When the 105Mb size was introduced, things looked a bit better. A 3½“
105Mb disc costs less than the 88Mb version. This lower cost meant that,
at last, the price per Mb of a SyQuest disc was approaching that of a
conventional drive. Of course, the cost of the drive itself made the
overall picture somewhat different, but if you needed several hundred Mb
of storage, the SyQuest option was beginning to look more attractive.
8.1
With the introduction of the 270Mb size, SyQuest can give more Mb per £
than a conventional drive. In fact, it works out cheaper than floppy
discs! This is because the price of a 270Mb disc is about the same as a
44 or 105Mb and lower than an 88Mb. Even at a ‘one off’ price of around
£80 for a disc, you would be paying only about 30p per Mb.
8.1
Data security
8.1
The real advantages were, once again, not economic. For many people,
even more important than portability is security. If you have 1Gb of
data on a single hard disc then, if you are unfortunate enough to have a
hard disc failure, everything could be lost. Of course, all you have to
do (in theory) is to restore the data from your backup, but it simply
isn’t realistic to back up this amount of data to floppies, and a tape
streamer is not only time-consuming to use, it’s expensive. With a
SyQuest drive, if a disc fails, you have lost only part of your data. If
the drive fails, you just get a replacement – the data on your discs
isn’t affected, (unless the drive fails during a write operation − but
nothing is perfect!)
8.1
The SyQuest drive as a backup medium
8.1
Although not their primary purpose, this is an area in which they can be
extremely useful and more convenient than conventional methods.
8.1
Most people with large hard discs find that only a small part of the
data on them is irreplaceable. The majority will probably consist of
applications or material which may exist on other machines or on floppy
discs as well. Applications do not really need to be ‘backed up’ since,
in the event of hard disc failure, they can simply be re-installed.
8.1
Backing up and restoring is fast and convenient. There is no need for
any ‘special’ software − it’s exactly the same as copying to/from any
other hard disc, and just as fast. Instead of having to run through a
tape to find a particular file, you pick it from a normal filer window.
This means that a large SyQuest drive can be used as a backup medium for
a normal hard disc, dispensing with the need for a tape streamer, and
helping to weigh the economic balance in its favour.
8.1
I regard the ability of SyQuest drives to act as backup devices as a
major point in their favour. Although the First Law of Hard Disc Backup
is ‘The likelihood of hard disc failure is directly proportional to the
irreplaceability of the data’, the Second Law is ‘The frequency with
which a backup is taken is inversely proportional to the inconvenience
of doing so’. The simplicity and ease with which data can be duplicated
to a SyQuest drive helps ensure frequent backups.
8.1
Installation options
8.1
I shall describe briefly the options open to the Archimedes owner
considering the purchase of a SyQuest drive. All types are available
with either IDE or SCSI interface, although as the 5¼“ size was almost
universally used on Apple Macs, they are rarely seen with an IDE
interface. All types are available for either internal fitting, that is,
a ‘bare’ drive, or as an external unit complete with case and power
supply. As the only Acorn computer capable of taking a 5¼” drive
internally is the Risc PC, I shall assume that if you wish to install
the drive internally it will be a 3½“ unit. Obviously, if you intend to
purchase an ‘external’ unit there is no physical installation of the
drive.
8.1
Despite the fact that the actual disc is bigger than a 3½“ floppy, the
drive itself is exactly the same size so it can be fitted in the second
drive bay of an A310, A400, A540 or A5000. Of course, if you have
anything other than an A5000 or Risc PC, the SyQuest drive will need to
be fitted in the position occupied by another hard disc, so this will
have to be displaced. If you have only one or two podule slots in use,
it is possible to mount a 3½” hard disc in the space that two podules
would occupy, and I have done this in the past using two short strips of
angled plastic to support it.
8.1
With an A5000, the SyQuest drive can be mounted under the present floppy
drive. You will need four mounting screws with spacers the correct
length to position the drive correctly. Again this is a simple DIY job
or a kit can be purchased from NCS. (Dave’s idea, and mine, of a ‘simple
DIY job’ are somewhat different! Ed.)
8.1
The power required by a 3½“ SyQuest drive is extremely small and should
not cause any difficulty for the power supply fitted to any of these
models, even if you already have another hard drive fitted. You can
therefore obtain or make a ‘Y’ lead to split the power lead to the
normal hard drive. This should consist of a ‘male’ version of the
standard drive power plug and two ‘female’ plugs. These are available
from Maplin Electronics amongst others. Anyone who can wield a soldering
iron should have no difficulty with this. Just ensure that you don’t
‘cross over’ any of the wires as mistakes can be very expensive! Use
three different coloured wires (the middle two connectors are both
Earth, so it doesn’t matter if these are mixed up) and when you have
finished, fit each socket in turn to the plug and make sure the wires
match, colour to colour. (The connector is part of the NCS kit. Ed.)
8.1
Fitting in a Risc PC should be simple. The easiest way is to purchase a
drive frame intended to fit a 3½“ floppy in a 5¼” drive bay. These cost
only a few pounds from PC suppliers. As I use my Risc PC ‘on end’, I
decided to fit the SyQuest drive in the 3½“ bay above the floppy so that
it would be well above the desk. I thought this would be easy, but what
looked like a 3½” ‘knockout’ was just a decorative line, and I had to
cut the hole out of the (nearly ¼“ thick) plastic front panel. Once this
was done, the drive just clipped into place, but I would advise anyone
not skilled with a Stanley knife to use a 5¼” bay and an adaptor!
8.1
The interface
8.1
You will have to decide whether to choose a SCSI or IDE interface. Your
choice may be influenced by your existing hardware but SCSI drives are
sometimes more expensive than IDE. If you have an A540 or other model
with a SCSI card then that is the obvious choice, and you are unlikely
to encounter any difficulties. However, do ensure your interface will
work with a SyQuest drive. I am told there is no problem with Oak,
Morley, Technomatic or Acorn SCSI cards but I have no reports of others.
(There can be problems with the Acorn one but NCS Utils Disc 6 has a
patch for it. Ed.)
8.1
If you have an A5000, a Risc PC, or a machine with an IDE interface,
there are some problems you should be aware of.
8.1
SCSI interfaces are designed to operate with a variety of devices and
most can cope with removable media. IDE, on the other hand, was intended
only for use with fixed hard discs which are hardly likely to change
while the computer is switched on. If you change an IDE disc in a
machine fitted with an Acorn interface, it will simply refuse to accept
the new one. You will have to switch the computer off and on again
before you can use the new disc. This is true of almost all IDE systems.
Luckily a ‘patch’ is available for the Acorn interface fitted to the
A5000 and Risc PC, and this permits the disc to be changed. (NCS Utils
Disc 6. Ed.) I am not aware of fixes for other IDE interfaces. The
disadvantage with a patch is that it must, of course, be loaded before
the SyQuest drive is used, and so needs to be included in a ‘boot’
sequence. This means the SyQuest drive can’t be the primary drive on
such a machine, but this isn’t a good idea anyway and so is not really a
problem.
8.1
The latest versions of ICS’s IDE interface is specifically designed to
be used with removables. If you have an earlier ICS interface, a ROM
upgrade will only cost £10. You can fit the complete IDE interface card
to an A5000 or a Risc PC where it will work happily in tandem with the
‘on board’ Acorn interface. This is the method that I chose because this
allows me to have three IDE drives. The ICS ‘Whizzo’ ROM, which is
available as an alternative to the Acorn IDE filing system for the A5000
(and soon for the Risc PC), is also suitable for use with SyQuest drives
and costs about £30.
8.1
There are two other considerations which might affect your choice. An
IDE interface is likely to cost less than half the price of a SCSI card,
so if you are starting from scratch, IDE could be around £100 cheaper
than SCSI. On the other hand, if you intend to fit other devices such as
a scanner, which will need a SCSI bus, then you may as well opt for SCSI
from the start.
8.1
Unless you have a very old existing IDE drive, it is most unlikely that
there will be any difficulty in getting it to work as a ‘slave’ to your
present drive. During the past weeks, I have switched mine between four
Acorn machines and a PC without problems, sometimes using it as the
Master drive and at others as Slave. One link must be removed on the
SyQuest drive to convert it from Master to Slave and this is clearly
marked. However, whereas later Conner drives, such as those used on the
Risc PC and more recent A5000s, don’t need any links changed when a
Slave drive is added, many other makes (and earlier Conners) do. This
subject is far too complex to go into great detail here but many drives
actually have a diagram stuck onto them showing how to change the links
and, with other drives, the links are named.
8.1
The reason I have taken some trouble to mention these alternatives is
that, if you have an A5000 or a Risc PC, you could choose a bare IDE
drive as the cheapest method, using the ‘patch’ for the Acorn IDE
interface. You would then still have the option at a later date of
fitting the ICS ‘Whizzo’ ROM or an alternative IDE card if you require a
second conventional drive as well.
8.1
Risc PC considerations
8.1
During speed tests, I found that the IDE interface used on the Risc PC
is faster than that fitted to the A5000. It consistently performed 20-
40% faster using identical drives. The ICS interface card, when used on
the A5000, has a performance comparable with the ‘native’ interface and
there is no improvement when fitted to a Risc PC, so its performance
falls short of that delivered by the Risc PC’s own IDE interface.
8.1
The ‘Whizzo’ ROM for the Risc PC wasn’t ready when this article was
prepared so I don’t know how it will perform. However, I would expect it
to be equivalent to the Acorn software.
8.1
In all cases, the 270Mb IDE drive fitted to the Risc PC returned a
performance markedly better than a SCSI fixed drive of comparable size.
The SCSI tests were carried out using an Oak 16 bit card (admittedly not
the fastest, but one of the cheapest and most common) on both the Risc
PC and A5000. They confirm my previous experience that the ‘old’ SCSI-1
standard, as used on all currently available SCSI interfaces, is not
fast enough for modern high speed drives. I suspect that comparisons
made in the past were between small IDE drives on early A5000s and
larger SCSI drives and, generally speaking, the larger the drive, the
faster it will perform.
8.1
All SCSI interfaces, as available for Acorn machines at present, only
have an 8 bit data bus. The ‘16 bit’ description merely means that the
data is buffered on the card and supplied to the computer in 16 bit
chunks. However, the SyQuest drives are SCSI-2 compatible, so when the
faster cards appear for the Risc PC (it’s very doubtful whether they
will be available for any other models) the SCSI version of a SyQuest
drive will almost certainly out-perform the IDE version. If you have a
Risc PC, SCSI will probably be the best option, because you will have
the option of changing your SCSI card at a later date to increase
performance.
8.1
The drive in use
8.1
Although you can remove the discs from the drive, it isn’t quite as
simple as ejecting a floppy disc. On the 105Mb and 270Mb drives, the
eject button is actually an electrical switch and there is also a
locking lever. When you insert a disc, this lever is operated to lock it
into the drive and engage the mechanism which starts it rotating. As
with a normal hard drive, the disc rotates all the time at high speed,
taking about five seconds to get up to speed and be ready to use.
Because the disc is always rotating, it must be brought to a stop before
it can be removed, so the lever is electrically locked once the disc is
inserted. When the eject button is pressed the disc is stopped and, once
it is stationary, the locking lever is released and you can remove the
disc. Again this takes about five seconds.
8.1
The drive activity light is multi-purpose. With no disc in the drive it
is off, and during drive activity it is orange. When the disc is being
run up to speed or slowed before removal, it is green and flashes in
proportion to the disc speed. So, when you insert a disc, it flashes
slowly at first, and then faster until  the drive is up to speed.
8.1
Because the ejecting sequence is electrically operated, you cannot
remove a disc from the drive with the power switched off. (Actually, you
can. There’s a tiny hole near the button just big enough to be poked
with the end of an un-bent paper clip. This releases the cartridge,
power or no power. Ed.)
8.1
Portability
8.1
In theory, a SyQuest disc formatted on any Acorn computer should be able
to be read on any other machine, regardless of the filing system used.
In fact, I have been told that a disc formatted on a external SCSI drive
could not be used with an IDE drive, but if it were formatted on an IDE
drive or an internal SCSI, there would be no problems. This seems a bit
strange but, even if it does happen, it is not a serious problem. If you
regularly need to interchange data between two such drives, you would
just have to ensure that the disc had originally been formatted on the
IDE drive. (Which disc formatted on which machine and on which interface
is readable on which other configuration is, I fear, very much a black
art. The empirical approach is highly recommended here. Ed.)
8.1
It would be nice if it were possible to exchange discs between the
Archimedes and other platforms. There is no physical problem with this −
it would just require an appropriate filing system to recognise the disc
structure. The new ‘Mac’ filer, MacFS, from Computer Concepts will work
with SyQuest drives.
8.1
Out of curiosity, I tried the SyQuest on my PC and had no difficulty in
getting it to work. However, although RISC OS 3 can read and write to
DOS format floppy discs, there is no provision for reading a DOS hard
disc. Hopefully, some enterprising person will write a filing system
able to read a DOS formatted hard disc in the same way as DOS FS works
with floppies. This would make exchange of large amounts of data with a
PC much simpler than at present. Any offers, anyone?
8.1
There is no difficulty placing a DOS partition on a SyQuest drive. I
tried this both with Acorn’s PC Emulator and !FasterPC without problems.
This allows you to have a substantial DOS partition without giving up a
large part of your primary hard drive. By putting outwardly identical
DOS partitions on more than one SyQuest disc, you could have alternative
DOS ‘drives’ for different purposes without the need to reconfigure the
emulator. This could be very useful in future once PC cards become more
common.
8.1
Reliability
8.1
In the past I have had qualms about reliability, knowing the importance
manufacturers attach to keeping a hard disc hermetically sealed in its
box. However, as far as I am aware, there are no problems with SyQuest
discs, although I have heard reports of Bernouilli and Optical discs
becoming error prone after long service. The fact that SyQuest offer a
five year guarantee on their discs would seem to indicate their
confidence that they will last as long as, or longer than, a
conventional drive.
8.1
I would suggest that the only slight threat to data security is where
discs are frequently transported between locations. Sooner or later they
will be dropped on the floor, put in someone’s bag or pocket without
benefit of their outer case, or otherwise be abused. A friend ‘lost’ a
disc in transit and only discovered it, months later, underneath the
spare wheel in his car, dirty and with its packet crushed, but otherwise
undamaged. (I have thrown 5¼“ cartridges half way across the office to
prove their robustness. Ed.)
8.1
Speed
8.1
I have left this until last as I don’t think it is of major importance.
Experience with a variety of drives and interfaces leads me to the
conclusion that performance figures can be very misleading and often
reveal more about the test program than the hardware. I preferred to
carry out comparative tests using an A5000 and a Risc PC. I compared the
SyQuest 270Mb drive with a Quantum 540Mb, a Western Digital 250Mb and
the Conner 420Mb drive on the Risc PC. In each case, the drive was newly
formatted and largely empty to ensure that performance wasn’t degraded
by fragmentation. I don’t want to get too involved with speed
considerations but the test program I use is my own, and doesn’t return
artificially massaged ‘Mb per second’ specs. It uses standard filing
system commands, just like real programs, and is designed to give a good
indication of how the drive will perform in normal use.
8.1
Each machine was fitted with an ICS IDE card as well as the Acorn
interface so that I could try the alternative filing systems as well as
the drives. In most tests, the 270Mb SyQuest operated at a speed
comparable to the 420Mb Conner drive fitted to the Risc PC and almost a
fast as a 540Mb Quantum.
8.1
For all practical purposes, the 270Mb drive is as fast as any normal
hard disc. You have to do extensive objective tests to find the
differences and, subjectively, it certainly feels just as fast as the
420Mb Conner on the Risc PC. Statistics freaks can have hours of fun
testing but the simple answer is ‘fast enough’. For those who want to
know the details, I have passed the test program and a few test results
to Paul for the magazine disc.
8.1
One area where speed is of interest is comparing different SyQuest
drives. Nick Evans of the ARM Club gave me some results of comparisons
between 44, 88 and 270Mb drives which clearly indicate that the 88Mb
drive is about 50% faster than the 44Mb size and the 270Mb drive about
twice as fast. It also shows that the slowest speed is obtained with a
44Mb disc in an 88Mb drive, presumably because the drive has to ‘double
step’. I don’t have any data for the 105Mb size but I expect that this
will conform to the pattern set by the others.
8.1
Conclusions
8.1
The decision to buy a SyQuest drive cannot be made entirely on the basis
of cost or performance. When the price of the drive itself is taken into
account, the ‘cost per Mb’ is unlikely to be cheaper than a large
conventional drive. The main considerations remain security and
portability, which is why I have dwelt upon these two issues. In my own
case, I am more than satisfied. Although portability is not an important
consideration, it suits me to have several discs, each containing
material needed for different tasks. Instead of the large, sprawling,
mass I had on my A5000, which often made it difficult to remember where
I had put things, I can now insert the disc pertaining to the current
task and quickly find what I want.
8.1
If portability is a primary consideration, and you have more than one
machine, it might be worth looking at 44Mb drives. These have actually
been discontinued but are still widely available. As they are now
‘obsolete’, they can sometimes be found quite cheaply. Don’t worry about
the supply of 44Mb discs − there are so many drives in use that there is
unlikely ever to be a shortage.
8.1
As you have seen, it’s not just a matter of deciding that you’d like a
SyQuest drive. If you have a lot of data, the 270Mb size appears by far
the most economical choice, but this doesn’t necessarily follow,
particularly if you have several machines, since although the media gets
cheaper with larger sizes, the drives get more expensive.
8.1
Once you have decided upon size, the other considerations are the type
of interface and whether to have an internal or external drive. The
latter will probably be decided by physical factors. Whether to have
SCSI or IDE could also be decided by the hardware you already have.
Certainly, if you possess a SCSI card, that would probably be the best
choice but, if not, then IDE is cheaper, even if you have to buy an
interface. At present, I don’t consider that there is any significant
difference in speed between the two versions, but if, in the future,
SCSI-2 cards appear for the Risc PC, that will certainly be faster.  A
8.1
Current Archive Prices of SyQuest Drives
8.1
         Archive price of...  Drive  Media  Per Mb
8.1
44Mb external SCSI  £360  £70  £1.59
8.1
88Mb external SCSI  £500  £100  £1.14
8.1
105Mb external SCSI  £450  £70  67p
8.1
105Mb internal SCSI  £370  £70  67p
8.1
105Mb internal IDE  £340  £70  67p
8.1
200Mb external SCSI  £570  £90  45p
8.1
200Mb internal SCSI  £490  £90  45p
8.1
270Mb external SCSI  £550  £80  30p
8.1
270Mb internal SCSI  £490  £80  30p
8.1
270Mb internal IDE  £490  £80  30p
8.1
PipeLineZ
8.1
Gerald Fitton
8.1
In this month’s article, I shall tell you about the copy of Fireworkz
V 1.08 which I have − but first a couple of points arising from last
month’s article.
8.1
Unnumbered screen modes
8.1
If you have a Risc PC and use unnumbered screen modes, you may have
found that your sprites don’t appear in Fireworkz documents and don’t
print. The ‘answer’ is to install a TaskX module which will recognise
those sprites. The latest version of the RISC OS 3.5 TaskX module is
datestamped 25th August 1994. Do not install this latest version if you
have only RISC OS 3.1 or you will create problems for yourself. If you
want a copy of this module, send me a formatted disc, self addressed
label and (if possible) return postage. On the disc, please include a
file created in Fireworkz (Wordz or Resultz) containing your name and
address. This file will enable me to read information (from the hidden
parts of the Fireworkz file) about your version of Fireworkz and your
system, that are necessary for the records which I have to provide to
Colton Software.
8.1
Corrigenda
8.1
In last month’s PipeLineZ, my major topic was an “Unwanted Chain of
Interdependent Documents”. I have received about half a dozen letters
pointing out a mistake which I made. Near to the beginning, when I was
explaining how to insert a row, I said:
8.1
“In the form in which I’ve included it, the file [Acc_9301] contains
only three transactions, two credits and one debit but you can extend it
quite simply. Place the caret anywhere in the last row and press <f7> to
insert a new row, make your credit or debit entry and, finally,
replicate the formula in the “Balance” column through to the line you
have just created.”
8.1
What I should have said was that you must “replicate the formula in the
Balance column through the line you have just created and down through
one more line.” The reason for replicating the formula through to the
extra line is that the formula in the ‘extra line’ has been updated by
the process of creating the extra (blank) row so that it ‘skips’ the new
blank row!
8.1
I also received a couple of letters asking why the [Acc_9301] document
fails to work if one row is deleted. The quick answer is that the line
below the deleted line is corrupted by this process of deletion. There
is nothing which can be done about this corruption since what happens is
inherent in the nature of a spreadsheet. Let me explain by referring to
the [Acc_9301] sheet of last month’s article. The slot [Acc_9301]D7
contains the formula D6+B7-C7. If you delete the slot D6 (for example,
by deleting row 6) then the formula in D7 will be corrupted because
there is no simple way in which we can ‘tell’ the spreadsheet that we
want the D6 in the formula to be replaced by D5!
8.1
Chained documents in Fireworkz
8.1
Also in last month’s PipeLineZ, I gave three reasons why I wrote that
article using as my example files in PipeDream format. Two of the
reasons I gave were:
8.1
“. . . you can load PipeDream files into Fireworkz whereas the reverse
is not true.” and “. . . because of a few (known) bugs in Fireworkz,
some of the formulae . . . don’t work . . . particularly (using)
set_value(,) with Names”
8.1
Nevertheless, in your letters to me, I have been asked if I will go
through the creation of the document structure using Fireworkz and
explain why the set of chained documents doesn’t work. I have written
individually to all those who have written to me but I’m sure that for
everyone who has written there must be more who haven’t. My compromise
with those of you who haven’t written but still want to know (in detail)
how to use Fireworkz is this: I have included on the Archive monthly
disc a similar tutorial for Fireworkz users with a [ReadMe] file in
Fireworkz format. Alternatively, send me the usual formatted disc, self
addressed sticky label and, if you can (I know you can’t if you live
overseas), return postage and I’ll copy the tutorial to your disc.
8.1
The following is quoted from that tutorial:
8.1
A bug
8.1
“Although the process of using set_value(,) with Names works well in
PipeDream, it doesn’t seem to ‘work’ properly in Fireworkz. I don’t know
exactly what effect you will find but, with my machine, I found that the
recalculations got into an infinite loop with the ‘number of
calculations still to go’ increasing instead of decreasing as time went
by! As a result of this ‘bug’, I am unable to recommend this
set_value(,) with Names in Fireworkz even though, as I said before, it
is the preferred method − and it works well in PipeDream. Perhaps when
the next version of Fireworkz is released in October I’ll be able to
delete this paragraph but, in the meantime, be careful of set_value(,)
when using Names in Fireworkz.”
8.1
The workaround
8.1
I believe that Fireworkz sometimes loses track of what recalculations it
ought to make when a value is updated using Names with set_value(,). I
have other ‘anecdotal evidence’ that there are other circumstances −
particularly when a slot contains a formula which refers to a slot which
occurs ‘later’ (down or to the right) in the spreadsheet. The
‘workaround’ (but that’s probably the wrong way to describe the
procedure) is to use a series of cross-checks. Essentially, a cross-
check is a strategy of using the same data in two separate calculations;
the calculations are designed so that both have the same (identical)
answer − the answers are compared. An important part of the strategy is
that you must use different formulae and methods for the two
calculations. When this sort of thing was done manually in industry,
many Section Heads would even use different ‘Computors’ (people, not
machines) for the two sets of calculations! If you have a Fireworkz
spreadsheet and you have problems setting up your cross-checks then
write to me and I’ll see what I can do.
8.1
Perhaps Paul will allow me a small aside. He recently sent me a PD3
spreadsheet because it wouldn’t work on PD4. I was most impressed by the
inbuilt cross checks. Indeed, apart from my own work, I knew of only one
PD3 application writer who ‘instinctively’ included, in quantity and
quality, cross-checks of the type I found in Paul’s spreadsheet. Just as
those with musical or artistic talent can recognise the work of a
composer or artist, so, I believe is it possible to recognise the author
of a well-constructed spreadsheet. It had the mark of a mathematician
rather than a ‘computer person’. Paul confirmed my guess at the name of
the author! (Come back, Rob − The Acorn world needs mathematicians like
you!! Ed.)
8.1
Version 1.08
8.1
You’ve probably guessed that I don’t have an upgrade to the RISC OS
version of Fireworkz but Fireworkz for Microsoft Windows. You can buy it
now from Colton Software. You need a 386 compatible with 4Mb RAM and
Microsoft Windows 3.1 as a minimum hardware/software combination. The
contact name at Colton Software for more information about Fireworkz for
Windows is Jeremy Turner. It costs £99 +VAT but registered users of the
RISC OS version can buy it for just £50 + VAT.
8.1
The documentation consists of three booklets called: “User Guide”,
“Fireworkz Spreadsheet Guide” and “Getting Started”. Although there is a
separate booklet devoted to the spreadsheet part of Fireworkz, this does
not imply that word processing is taking a back seat in V 1.08. I’m
pretty certain that the decision was made to keep all the spreadsheet
functions (and functionality) together rather than complicate the use of
the User Guide which covers all but the spreadsheet side.
8.1
The Windows version will import files in Rich Text Format (RTF), Lotus
WK1 and WKS format and (but not finally) Excel 2, 3 or 4 format.
Pictures can be in Windows BMP format; under the Acorn FileType
numbering system, you will find that Windows BMP format files are given
the number &69C and that Translator will convert Windows BMP files to
Acorn Sprite format.
8.1
Naturally, the Windows version of Fireworkz will accept sprites
(including 32-bit sprites) and Acorn drawfiles. In Windows, any
referenced drawfiles must have the DOS extension AFF; Acorn sprite files
must have the extension FF9.
8.1
From RISC OS to Windows
8.1
I have transferred many Fireworkz documents from RISC OS to Windows and
others in the reverse direction. It is a relatively straightforward
operation but you do need to know something about how it works if you
are going to do this routinely and want to develop a smooth, slick
operation.
8.1
In Windows, file names are limited to eight characters, and some
characters available in RISC OS are not allowed (or give strange
effects) under Windows. If you think that you’re going to be working in
both RISC OS and Windows regularly, now is the time to have a good think
through your strategy for file names. For example, don’t use fancy
characters (such as a hard space) in your RISC OS file names.
8.1
Fonts are ‘stored’ in a Fireworkz document under their PostScript name!
This is something else which you should think through. If you send me
files for use on both platforms then please limit your RISC OS fonts to
Trinity, Homerton and Corpus. These will be stored in your RISC OS
Fireworkz document as Times, Helvetica and Courier and translated to
Times New Roman, Arial and Courier New (or near equivalents) in Windows.
Similarly, if you use the Windows True Type fonts just mentioned and
then transfer your file to RISC OS, you’ll find that the RISC OS
document uses the Acorn fonts which you’d expect.
8.1
Also on the subject of fonts, in RISC OS you can have a font width
different from the height. You can’t do this in Windows so, if you want
to use both RISC OS and Windows, don’t use this feature.
8.1
When people send me RISC OS format Fireworkz files which contain
graphics, I ask them not to embed the graphics files. There are reasons
for this that I’ve explained elsewhere. One (minor) reason is that, now
and again, if you save a (RISC OS) Fireworkz file containing embedded
graphics then it fails to load! I have a way around the problem of
‘lost’ documents but it usually means that the embedded graphics files
are lost from the document! (So, here’s a warning for all of you
Fireworkz users, don’t delete the original graphics files when you embed
them.) However, for transferring Fireworkz files across platforms, it
does make it easier if you do embed the graphics files.
8.1
I have had a few minor problems using the alternative technique of
referencing the graphics files but the problems may have been of my own
making. If you must, then let me give you one tip for transferring
referenced graphics files − do make sure that they’re all in the same
RISC OS directory (and that the application still works under RISC OS)
before you start the transfer operation.
8.1
Windows Fireworkz
8.1
In general, the Windows version is (nearly) identical to the RISC OS
version in the way it works. If you can use one version, you’ll be able
to use the other (almost) immediately. It would not be true to say that
you won’t know whether you’re in Windows or the desktop but it is
‘nearly true’. As I’ve said elsewhere, most of my difficulties have
arisen because I forgot that desktop commands won’t work in Windows.
8.1
Bugs
8.1
Earlier in this article, I referred to a Fireworkz bug which manifests
itself in the [Acc_95xx] series of chained documents. Since starting to
write this month’s article, I’ve given this application a go in the
V 1.08 Windows version I have. The bad news is that the bug persists!
This leads me to say that we’ll probably have to wait for Fireworkz Pro
to be released before we can relax about the cross checks.
8.1
Recordz
8.1
The latest information I have is that at the Acorn World ’94, you’ll be
able to buy (or upgrade to) Fireworkz Pro. By the way, in case you don’t
know, Fireworkz Pro is the package which contains not only Wordz and
Resultz but also the database, Recordz.
8.1
Finally
8.1
Thanks for all your letters − we’ve been on holiday recently so my
apologies for the delay in replying to some of them. I think we’ve just
about caught up now!  A
8.1
JPEG Column
8.1
Stuart Bell
8.1
The low quantity of the correspondence which I’ve received about JPEG
and MPEG in the past three months has more than been compensated for by
its quality:
8.1
!FYEO2.01R
8.1
Regular readers of this column will need no introduction to this JPEG
utility from Frank Lyonnet. (Irregular readers are referred back to 7.9
p19.) Version 2.00 was the first true shareware version with many extra
features (registration fee £5.00), and now version 2.01R will allow Risc
PC users to save and display 16-bit and 32-bit sprites (and users of
other machines to save them, for use with the increasing number of
applications which can make use of images with 32K or 16M colours.)
Frank tells me that “registered users can, at any time, obtain the
latest registered version of FYEO2: Send me a blank disc and your
smallest bank note approximating to 5 francs to cover postage cost (e.g.
1 pound note for UK registered users).” Since the demise of the English
pound note, I guess that you could try the Scottish variety, but pound
coins will be of no use to him. If you want to register with Frank for
the first time, get the Archive Utilities disc 5 (see Archive 7.12 p.2)
for the non-registered version first, which contains full details. If
you’re still not “into” JPEG, then a re-reading of past JPEG columns and
a little playing around with the Archive Utilities discs 4 and 5 should
provide a good introduction.
8.1
!FYEO2 is the simplest and most flexible of the de-JPEGing utilities
I’ve used, and I recommend it. It also handles TIFF files from other
machines.
8.1
Shoemaker-Levy in motion!
8.1
After the NASA images which Philip Draper pulled off Internet for me
last time, he’s now sent me some more JPEG pictures, and also some MPEG
sequences. Much of the material relates to the collision of the
Shoemaker-Levy comet with Jupiter in July. A massive MPEG sequence
produced by NASA simulates flying over the surface of Venus. It runs to
1100Kb, so Philip split it using !Edit (I can’t read 1.6Mb discs), and
users will need to re-assemble the file. I’ve edited the material down
to three discs, (including the MPEG player and an unregistered version
of !FYEO2) and will happily send them to anyone who wants them. As
usual, please send three 800Kb blank formatted discs, in a jiffy bag,
with a return label and postage (ensuring that it’s enough for three
discs), to me at 23 Ryecroft Drive, Horsham, RH12 2AW. To avoid having
to provide an indefinite service, this offer will close a fortnight
after the publication of this issue of Archive.
8.1
Philip also reported most helpfully on his experiences with various JPEG
and MPEG programs on the Risc PC. Firstly, SlideShow, the incredibly
fast JPEG display program which is supplied with the 100+ JPEG images on
the Risc PC will not work at all on the Archimedes, reporting an
“unrecognised SWI” error. He couldn’t find any SWIs in the program that
aren’t documented in the Programmer’s Reference Manual. Could anyone
cast any light on the subject – or even adapt SlideShow to run under
RISC OS 3.1?
8.1
Secondly, he comments that the MPEG player runs much more smoothly and
quickly on a Risc PC, as long as you use modes with which it is happy.
This also causes a problem on an Archimedes equipped with a ColourCard,
as it won’t display MPEG sequences on modes such as 99.
8.1
Thirdly, as regards JPEG, Philip reports that versions 0.93 and 0.95 (as
supplied with RISC OS 3.5) of ChangeFSI seem to run at identical speeds
and that a Risc PC doesn’t seem any quicker than a ColourCard-equipped
Archimedes. This is, I think, much as one would expect, as the main
bottle-neck on most older machines is caused by the ARM3 and VIDC
devices competing for memory bandwidth. Both ColourCards and the Risc PC
have architectures which avoid this problem.
8.1
Graphics Loaders with Impression Publisher
8.1
It’s now clear how Impression in its latest incarnation will handle JPEG
files. (See Archives 7.4 p.55 and 7.6 p.26 for an introduction to this
question.) Users of Publisher can purchase a set of three “graphics
loaders” which will allow the import of, among others, JPEG files. I
must say that although I’m now using Impression Publisher (and agree
with Barry Humpidge – Archive 7.12 p.50 – that the bug-count seems to
have risen), I’ve not yet been persuaded of the benefit of paying £39
+VAT (or even £43 through Archive) to be able to load JPEG files
directly into Impression, when other much less expensive ways are
available. If any Archive readers have used the utility, I’d be very
grateful to receive your comments.
8.1
Free disc summary
8.1
The earliest JPEG discs that I offered are now available as NCS
Utilities Discs 4 and 5 direct from the Archive office – so please don’t
ask me for them in future. Likewise, the free MPEG disc of January 1994
has largely been supplanted by this month’s three-disc offer, and so
there’s little point in asking for that. As new material comes my way,
I’ll gladly offer it on the usual basis, but please don’t wait to
accumulate a large ‘order’ – I haven’t got the time or the patience to
run an alternative PD library service. My offers really are “once-only”
offers!
8.1
Please do let me know of your experiences with JPEG and MPEG, in time
for the next JPEG column, probably in two months’ time.  A
8.1
Multimedia Column
8.1
Paul Hooper
8.1
The last six months
8.1
Having been a dedicated Acorn user since the days of the BBC ‘A’ (who
remembers that?), I have got used to being out of the ‘main’ stream of
computing. Acorn went their own sweet way and I followed. Yet the last
few months has seen Acorn rejoin the rest of the computing world with
the launch of the Risc PC and, in the world of multimedia, Acorn is
again moving towards compatibility.
8.1
The last six months have seen important advances in multimedia. The
launch of Genesis Professional and Project, coupled with the cross-
platform capability, has given Acorn a big boost. The stunning graphics
that are now standard on the Risc PC, the Eagle multimedia card with its
ability to import video and sound, are just a few of the highlights.
8.1
The next six months
8.1
Yet the next six months are going to be even more exciting. At the
Interactive Learning Show, Acorn previewed their enhanced version of
Replay. This supports the MPEG standard which opens up the use of Video
CD. You will need to have a dedicated MPEG board to benefit from the
improved quality. Anglia TV are updating their CD-ROM titles to include
both MPEG and Replay versions and the selection of format will be
transparent to the user.
8.1
The MPEG board is being developed by Wild Vision with the software
coming from Computer Concepts. At the moment this will be a Risc PC only
product, but versions for the Archimedes are under development. The
board will be available in two versions. The first, which should be
released at the beginning of October, will allow you to connect a TV via
a SCART socket to your computer, then take a CDi disc, pop it into your
CD-ROM drive on your computer and away you go!
8.1
The second card will allow you to play CD video in a window on your
desktop. This won’t be the grainy digitised version that you get at the
moment but a TV quality picture. This board should be released a couple
of months later. No prices are available for these products at the
moment but I am assured by Wild Vision that they will be reasonably
priced.
8.1
So what does this mean for the Acorn user? Well, all those CDs that you
see in Dixons and Currys with a very expensive CDi player will be able
to be played on a Risc PC without further expense. Couple that with
Photo CD, Audio CD and CD made for the PC, and your Risc PC will be able
to run the lot all on your own desktop. I also wouldn’t be a bit
surprised to see the new Set Top Boxes become just another card you can
plug into your Risc PC with another icon on the left of your iconbar.
8.1
The future
8.1
Imagine the future: an Acorn household will have its Risc PC, whereas
those who have yet to see the light will have an Audio CD drive, a STB,
a PhotoCD player, CDi box and a PC − along with enough manuals to fill
an average size bookcase!
8.1
In the past, Acorn has been out on a limb in the computing world, but
now it has firmly positioned itself at the centre of the computer
market. What other machine can cope with all of the above? What other
machine can pass data on almost any format of disc? I knew the Risc PC
was good, but the full potential of the machine is only just being
explored and I am sure there is much more to come.
8.1
Hints and tips
8.1
A couple of readers have written to me in the past month on the subject
of using Replay files within multimedia programs. Even a small Replay
file takes up a huge amount of disc space at the moment but I will try
and explain how you can include Replay files within each of the
programs.
8.1
Magpie: You need at least version 1A.31 of Magpie to use Replay files.
Magpie also needs to have seen !ARMOVIE before you run the binder. The
movie is not stored as part of binder, instead a path name is set up to
point to the location of the Replay file. To set up a movie on a page,
drop the Replay icon direct onto the page and Magpie will set up the
default movie controls of stop, restart, play, pause and step. You have
no control over what controls are available.
8.1
Genesis Professional: Again !ARMOVIE needs to be seen before the
application is run. Create a frame and drop your Replay icon into it,
and the default controls are added to the frame. However, in Genesis,
you can customise the buttons. Use <menu> over the movie frame and
select style. This will present you with the movie-style icon and you
can use the radio icons to select the options that you require.
8.1
Genesis II: In the older form of Genesis, you need to set up each button
using the script language. This is not really a task to be undertaken
unless you have a good knowledge of script language.
8.1
As an example, on the monthly disc, there is a Magpie application called
Player. This makes use of the Acorn Replay CD, so you will require a
copy of this before you can run it. Just sit back and enjoy it.
8.1
The Swap Shop
8.1
Things have been quiet this month and I haven’t received any new
applications for nearly two months, so if there are any applications
that we can add to the Swap Shop, please do let me have a copy.
8.1
Further to last month’s article, we now have an agent in New Zealand who
is prepared to operate the Swap Shop on the same basis as here. That is,
you send him a blank formatted disc plus the return postage and he will
send you a copy of the latest Swap Shop catalogue. Then you can order as
many discs as you like, as long as you provide the discs and postage.
So, for Archive readers in Australia and New Zealand your local agent
is: Fred Roberts, 4 Gollan Road, Panmure, Auckland 6, New Zealand. I am
still looking for some one to run the Swap Shop in Germany. If you are
interested, drop me a line.
8.1
The end bit
8.1
If you have any hints and tips or questions on multimedia or if you
require a Swap Shop catalogue, please write to: Paul Hooper, 11,
Rochford Road, Martham, Great Yarmouth NR29 4RL.  A
8.1
More Graphics on the Acorn
8.1
Matthew Hunter, NCS
8.1
This article follows on from last month’s hint (7.12 p45) on “Setting
the mode on the Risc PC” but, where possible, I have tried to make sure
the programs will run on earlier machines as well.
8.1
Firstly, with regards to setting the mode on the Risc PC using a string,
there are three other parameters which were not discussed last time.
These are the eig values and the frame rate. The frame rate can be
requested using “Fh” in the string where h is the frame rate desired.
However, this can usually be ignored since, if it is not specified, the
computer will try to use the fastest frame rate available for that
resolution − the rate achieved will be dependent on the number of
colours. This may be of use if you have no VRAM and want to slow the
video system down so that it does not use all the system bus bandwidth.
I have not tried this, so cannot comment on how effective it would be.
8.1
In simple terms, the eig values (specified by “EXa EYb”) control the
scaling of the screen, i.e. the relationship between the Actual
resolution and the Logical resolution. Valid values for ‘a’ and ‘b’ are
0 to 3. These represent the number of places that a logical resolution
co-ordinate will be shifted right to calculate the Actual position on
the screen of the pixel changed. The easiest way to experiment with
these is to use the “Mode” menu item on the display manager which allows
you to edit the string. Try “X1600 Y600 C16 EX0 EY1” and click on OK.
This will be the same logical resolution as 800 by 600, but the image
will be clearer because the actual resolution is higher. For those with
good eyesight try “X1600 Y600 C16 EX2 EY3” with a large desktop area, or
even better “X1600 Y1200 C16 EX3 EY3” if your monitor definition file
supports it. Hint: clicking on the “change” icon on the display manager
window will take you to the previous mode since using the Mode menu item
does not affect the window settings. So, open the display manager and
make sure it is at the front − I won’t accept responsibility if you lose
your mouse pointer!
8.1
The only values that have to be passed in a mode definition string are X
and Y resolutions, and the number of colours. The other values are
optional and will be set to defaults if they are not included (EX1 EY1
for square pixel modes, EX1 EY2 for rectangular pixel modes − F will be
set as described above).
8.1
One query that came to light, from several directions, was the question
of how you find out about the mode that the machine has picked for you.
With limited modes, you used to be able to get the details from the mode
numbers (since they were constant). This is not practical with the new
modes. For example, the short program
8.1
MODE “X800 Y600 C32K”
8.1
PRINT MODE
8.1
yields the result 29376836 – not very user-friendly.
8.1
There is a more general way of finding details of a mode, which works
equally well on earlier computers. This requires use of a SWI call
“OS_ReadModeVariable” − using SYS from Basic. The SWI takes two values,
the mode in R0 (−1 for the current mode) and a variable number in R1.
Those most relevant are 3 (number of colours), 4 (x eig value), 5 (y eig
value), 11 (x resolution) and 12 (y resolution). Full details are given
on page 1-709 of the RISC OS 3 Programmer’s Reference Manual. The
procedure below uses this call to calculate several values and sets up a
number of variables to hold the details. It should be used whenever the
mode is changed, to make sure that the details are updated.
8.1
REM ModeInfo
8.1
REM returns details about the current mode
8.1
REM in the Mode_ variables. These are GLOBAL REM and can be used
anywhere in the calling
8.1
REM program. They should not be changed
8.1
REM outside of this procedure
8.1
REM i.e. treat them as read-only variables.
8.1
DEF PROCModeInfo
8.1
LOCAL xwl%,ywl%,xef%,yef%,nc%
8.1
SYS “OS_ReadModeVariable”,-1,3 TO ,,nc%
8.1
SYS “OS_ReadModeVariable”,-1,4 TO ,,xef%
8.1
SYS “OS_ReadModeVariable”,-1,5 TO ,,yef%
8.1
SYS “OS_ReadModeVariable”,-1,11 TO ,,xwl%
8.1
SYS “OS_ReadModeVariable”,-1,12 TO ,,ywl%
8.1
Mode_XPixels%=xwl%+1
8.1
Mode_YPixels%=ywl%+1
8.1
Mode_EX%=xef%
8.1
Mode_EY%=yef%
8.1
Mode_LogicalX%=Mode_XPixels%<<xef%
8.1
Mode_LogicalY%=Mode_YPixels%<<yef%
8.1
Mode_ColoursReturned%=nc%
8.1
CASE Mode_ColoursReturned% OF
8.1
  WHEN    -1 : Mode_ColourCode%=5
8.1
               Mode_Colours%=16777216
8.1
  WHEN     1 : Mode_ColourCode%=0
8.1
               Mode_Colours%=2
8.1
  WHEN     3 : Mode_ColourCode%=1
8.1
               Mode_Colours%=4
8.1
  WHEN    15 : Mode_ColourCode%=2
8.1
               Mode_Colours%=16
8.1
  WHEN    63 : Mode_ColourCode%=3
8.1
               Mode_Colours%=256
8.1
  WHEN   255 : Mode_ColourCode%=3
8.1
               Mode_Colours%=256
8.1
  WHEN 65535 : Mode_ColourCode%=4
8.1
               Mode_Colours%=32768
8.1
ENDCASE
8.1
ENDPROC
8.1
This passes back three values relating to the number of colours.
Mode_ColoursReturned% is the unmodified value passed back from the SWI.
Mode_ColourCode% is a short hand form which can be useful in some
instances – see later. Finally, Mode_Colours% is the actual number of
colours displayable. The reason either 63 or 255 can represent 256
colours is for backwards compatibility. On earlier machines, GCOL would
only allow 64 colours, each with four tints, rather than a fully
definable 256 colours. Therefore these machines will always return 63 as
the number of colours. The Risc PC will return 63 if a default palette
is being used but if a new palette has been defined, 255 will be
returned.
8.1
If you insert the following program fragment before the procedure above,
it will give you details about the current mode. I recommend saving the
procedure separately first as we will need it again later. This will
allow you to see the differences in Actual and Logical resolutions in
different modes (and with different EX and EY values on the Risc PC).
The program is on the monthly disc as “ModeInfo”.
8.1
PRINT “Reading details of current mode...”
8.1
PROCModeInfo
8.1
PRINT ‘“This mode has a pixel resolution of
8.1
 : (”;Mode_XPixels%;“,”;Mode_YPixels%;“)”
8.1
PRINT ‘“And a logical resolution of    :
8.1
(”;Mode_LogicalX%;“,”;Mode_LogicalY%;“)”
8.1
PRINT ‘“It supports ”;Mode_Colours%; “ col-
8.1
ours”
8.1
END
8.1
In many cases, it is not necessary to get this information – if you are
explicitly selecting a mode, you already know all you need to. However,
it is important for programs which run under the WIMP, since they may
operate in any mode. As an example, consider the welcome banners which
many applications display while they are loading. These are (almost)
always centred on the screen, so they need to examine how big the screen
is, and then place the banner appropriately.
8.1
If you add the following program fragment before the ModeInfo procedure,
you will have a program which places a drop shadow box on the screen,
centred horizontally, but a quarter of the way down the screen, whatever
the resolution. The program is “ModeDemo” on the disc. The size of the
box is scaled so that it is always 100 pixels square, and will therefore
appear tall in rectangular pixel modes.
8.1
PROCModeInfo
8.1
PROCdropbox(Mode_LogicalX%/2,(Mode_LogicalY%
8.1
*3)/4,100<<Mode_EX%,100<<Mode_EY%)
8.1
END
8.1
:
8.1
DEF PROCdropbox(x%,y%,w%,h%)
8.1
LOCAL nx%,ny%
8.1
nx%=x%-(w%>>1)
8.1
ny%=y%-(h%>>1)
8.1
PROCsetcolour(64,64,64,0)
8.1
RECTANGLE FILL nx%+8,ny%-8,w%,h%
8.1
PROCsetcolour(255,255,255,0)
8.1
RECTANGLE FILL nx%,ny%,w%,h%
8.1
PROCsetcolour(0,0,0,0)
8.1
RECTANGLE nx%,ny%,w%,h%
8.1
ENDPROC
8.1
:
8.1
REM PROCsetcolour
8.1
REM r%, g%, b% set the amounts of red green
8.1
REM and blue for the desired colour.
8.1
REM ColourTrans_SetGCOL = &40743
8.1
DEF PROCsetcolour(r%,g%,b%,effect%)
8.1
LOCAL colour%
8.1
colour%=(b%<<24)+(g%<<16)+(r%<<8)
8.1
SYS &40743,colour%,,,0,effect%
8.1
ENDPROC
8.1
Everything I have covered so far works equally well from assembler, or C
(you will need to #include “kernel.h” to get SWI access from C). The
only difference is in how you initially select a mode − up until now
this has been done via Basic. One possible solution is to use “OS_CLI”
to issue a *wimpmode command which can, of course, take a string
parameter to describe the desired mode. Alternatively, (for a Risc PC)
you can use a mode selector block, and the SWI “Wimp_SetMode” . The
format of the mode selector (which must be word aligned) is:
8.1
  offset  value
8.1
  0  1  This is the mode selector flag word.
8.1
  4  x-res  The x-resolution (in pixels)
8.1
  8  y-res  The y-resolution (in pixels)
8.1
  12  pixel-depth  (this is the same as returned by PROCModeInfo above)
8.1
      0=1 bpp, 1=2 bpp, 2=4 bpp, 3=8 bpp, 4=16 bpp, 5=32 bpp
8.1
  16  frame rate  (-1 for first match)
8.1
  20  -1  terminator
8.1
An example of this block can be seen in the !SlideShow application in
the images directory.
8.1
You then set mode with SWI “Wimp_SetMode”, with R0 as a pointer to the
mode selector block, or if you do not have a Risc PC then R0 is the mode
number to use.
8.1
Using “Wimp_SetMode” will, of course, affect the mode when you return to
the wimp (if you are not leaving the wimp, you should not be changing
the mode), but has the advantage that the palette will be set up
appropriately.  A
8.1
Printing the Dever
8.1
John Evans
8.1
The Dever Magazine has been published for about one hundred years. It is
the journal of a small group of anglican parishes in rural Hampshire and
serves the whole of the local community.
8.1
Three years ago, it lost its sole editor, printer and publisher (the
vicar’s wife) when our then vicar moved to another parish. Left behind
were a stencil cutter and rotary printer which had served well in their
time but were now almost beyond hope.
8.1
The circulation was just over 300 copies/month and the magazine normally
consisted of about twenty A5 editorial pages plus cover and
advertisements. It was priced at 20p.
8.1
Our vision was to make a dramatic improvement in the quality of
production, but our problem was a very limited budget. One of our
members had access to an A540, but we had no viable means of printing at
a quality which would make the magazine really attractive to a wide
group of people.
8.1
How should we print it?
8.1
We first considered three options:-
8.1
a) Producing a laser printer original and producing paper plates for
offset-litho printing,
8.1
b) Using a modern copy-printer.
8.1
c) Photo-copying.
8.1
A visit to the Christian Resources Exhibition soon revealed that offset
litho printing was well beyond our means, either buying a machine or
sub-contracting the printing. This was because the run of 300 copies was
too small for cost-effective professional printing and the equipment was
too expensive, bulky and complex for a DIY approach.
8.1
The conventional approach was clearly a modern copy printer at a list
price of some £6,000 but even if we could afford the capital cost, the
quality of reproduction left much to be desired.
8.1
Photo-copying was a possibility, the original equipment cost was modest
and the cost/per page could be kept down by careful choice of equipment.
8.1
It was as we were considering this last option that the final solution
emerged. A number of companies, including Hewlett Packard had begun to
offer laser printers with speeds of about 16 pages/minute and with a
cost per A4 side of about 2p, especially if we ‘shopped around’ for
toner cartridge supplies. They also had 1000 sheet input capability and
dual 300+ output trays. The running cost was comparable to a photo-
copier and the quality closely approached that of offset litho. We could
even use limited block colour by overprinting with a different colour
toner. (In the end we were limited to black and brown on our machine.)
But above all, the price tag was only about half that of the copy-
printer.
8.1
The catch was that using this approach we were immediately and totally
committed to an electronic original! There could be no last-minute
pasting-up of awkward copy!
8.1
Our first three years was produced on a hybrid DTP package based on the
PDP 11/VAX package ‘runoff’ and rewritten in ‘C’ by ourselves for the
A540. This accepted text from a wide range of Archimedes and IBM PC
packages and graphics from almost anywhere thanks to ChangeFSI. After
about 18 months, we invested in a ‘Duplex Option’ for the printer,
updated the software and said a thankful goodbye to turning the paper
over by hand. Along the road we bought a Computer Concepts hand-scanner
and a Pineapple Video Digitiser and added a wide range of line drawings,
photographs and video stills. We also bought David Pilling’s ‘CrossStar’
program and introduced a popular crossword.
8.1
The update...
8.1
Then came the Risc PC and, co-incidentally, the offer from Computer
Concepts to update our (neglected) copy of Impression II to Publisher.
8.1
Impression Publisher is a delight on the Risc PC and I doubt if we shall
ever go back to our old software. OK there were a few very minor snags
but the overall opinion was − superb.
8.1
There was just one major snag. Impression Publisher has no duplex
printing option for A5 booklets and we were not prepared to go back to
turning the paper over by hand. Calls to CC’s friendly help-line
revealed that we might expect full support of our IIISi laser printer at
the end of the year but even that might not include the duplex booklet
printing option.
8.1
Then the little grey cells − I must read too much Agatha Christie −
realised that our old software had, in its midst, some routines for
manipulating the printer output file. We had used this to incorporate
Ventura copy into our original program. Could we use this in some way to
achieve our duplex printing?
8.1
More head scratching and the solution emerged. Use the standard Acorn
Laserjet III drivers to output to file and then search through that file
using our PCL language manipulation routines so as to output the PCL
code required to print in duplex and also add a few extras to make life
easier.
8.1
The result some two weeks later was our first copy of the Dever printed
almost directly from Impression Publisher on our Duplex Laserprinter.
8.1
We were more than pleased with the result and would be happy to send a
copy to anyone interested who can fork out a £1 coin to cover printing
and postage.
8.1
Here comes the advertising bit! We hope that Paul will put our print
file manipulation program LjDuplex onto the program disc. It is
shareware − so you will be able to try-before-buy like the honest people
I know you all are.
8.1
I can almost hear someone thinking 300 pages, double-sided at 16 pages/
min makes 37½ minutes/A4 sheet. Multiply that by 7 and you have 4½ hours
printing! Yes − but it is almost completely automatic. We feed in more
paper every hour or so and take out the finished pages from alternate
output trays. Time to cut the lawn or read the paper with no worries
about paper jams or misfeeds! True!
8.1
Postscript
8.1
Today you can buy a 600dpi IVSi printer at the same price we paid for
the 300dpi IIISi model. This will give much better reproduction,
especially of photographs. Similarly, there are updated scanners and
video digitisers on the market.
8.1
The current magazine is about 28 editorial pages plus cover and the
running costings are about 1.2p/A5 page plus paper at say £1.70/ream of
500 sheets (all ex VAT). The cover price is now 45p and we include
advertisements pre-printed professionally once a year. This printing run
is 3,600 which is cost-effective for offset litho.
8.1
We think that direct laser printing is a good solution for print runs in
the low hundreds and plan to continue − that is unless someone out there
has a better idea?  A
8.1
Club News
8.1
As promised, I am starting a listing of clubs and club events. If you
have a local Archimedes/Acorn club, please send us details.
8.1
•  ARM Club Open Day − ARM Club are holding an Open Day on Saturday 19th
November 1994 at St Mary’s Activity Centre, Sedgley, Wolverhampton,
10a.m. to 4p.m. For full details, contact Ralph Sillett on 0785-714535
or 021-522-2000 daytime.
8.1
•  Big Ben Club Show − This well-established annual event takes place
this year on 1st October 10a.m. to 4p.m. at the Pieter Groen College,
Ketwijk aan Zee, Netherlands (10km north of The Hague) and claims to be
the biggest Acorn show on the Continent! For more information, contact
Big Ben Club (PR), PO Box 1189, 6801 BD Arnhem. BBS 31-20-663-18-149,
Fax [phone], Phone [phone] (Henk Hoornik).
8.1
•  Central Scotland Acorn User Group − This club could be of interest to
anyone who owns or is interested in Archimedes computers and who lives
in Stirling, Falkirk, Linlithgow or surrounding area. They meet monthly
in Stenhousemuir on Friday evenings between September and May. For
further information, contact Ian Anderson on 0324-714413.
8.1
•  Christian Acorn Users Group − Colin Randall mentioned in Archive 7.10
that he was hoping to set up a Christian Acorn User Group, for sharing
experiences, discoveries and ideas, perhaps via a simple newsletter.
This is now in operation and the first newsletter has been published.
For full details contact Rev. Colin Randall, The Rectory, Swan Lane,
Long Hanborough, Witney, Oxon. OX8 8BT (0993-881270).  A
8.1
Through the Dragon’s Eye
8.1
Dave Walsh
8.1
As some of you may already have guessed, “Through the Dragon’s Eye” is
the supporting software for the school’s TV broadcast of the same name.
Your quest is to help the four children, drawn into the dying fantasy
land of Pelamar, to rejuvenate its life force. Characters in Pelamar
include Gorwen the dragon and the four guardians of the Veetacore
(synonymous with the life force of the place). The software follows the
same broad events as the school’s broadcast and is designed to enhance
children’s reading strategies and logic-solving capability. It’s a
direct translation from the BBC disc version with a few graphics nicely
spruced up and sound effects courtesy of SoundFX.
8.1
The educational content is quite far-ranging and the 7 / 8 year olds who
tried it at school found it enjoyable, although some of the activities
didn’t appear to challenge them much beyond a remedial level.
8.1
Content of the activities (such as5 finding -ing, -ed, -s and -d words)
is pre-set within the program, whilst  randomly chosen activities have a
far wider range of ability between them than you would expect. My less
able groups found the multiplication facts very difficult to cope with,
although the alternative activity of a wordsquare was deemed “too easy”!
A configuration screen to set the level of difficulty experienced by
each group, as well as the vocabulary content, would have been most
welcome.
8.1
Skills that are addressed by the software include early multiplication
and division calculations, initial Logo-type directions within a maze,
the eight points of the compass and 3D shape properties. In the English
curriculum, Pelamar provides practice of finding opposites, compound
words, simple rhymes and hidden wordsquare activities, as well as the
suffixes mentioned above. For those still coming to terms with current
National Curriculum Information Technology, strands of modelling and
control are also partially covered.
8.1
Like most good educational software, the program gives ample opportunity
for small groups of children to discuss and negotiate their answers,
although each group takes the same path through the adventure.
8.1
Although I’m not convinced of its more immediate appeal for those who
have not seen the TV programme, the computer software does summarise the
story plot. As an activity to hold a supporting role to the series, the
software succeeds admirably.
8.1
Through the Dragon’s Eye is a Look and Read Adventure from Longman
Logotron, costing £24 +VAT from Longman or £26 through Archive.  A
8.1

Acorn World 94
8.2
Norwich Computer Services has a large stand (Nº46) next door to the
theatre at Acorn World 94 (28th − 30th October at the Wembley Conference
Centre). I do hope you will come along and see us. There will be some
special offers on Archive subscriptions, so bring your unconverted
friends along and get them to sign up − the more subscribers we have,
the better we can make Archive. To that end, we’ve given you a coloured
sticky badge that you can wear at the show so that people will know you
read Archive and they can ask what you think of it. (It should be
somewhere in the envelope!)
8.2
We hope that some of the Archive contributors will also be around so
that you can chat to them and you will be able to talk to the Editor,
too.
8.2
Making Archive Better − Part II
8.2
I was going to write up some more of the ideas from the questionnaires,
but there were so many of them!! As the pile of blue papers on my desk
grew and grew, the size of the task grew and I never actually got
started − you know how it is − but I’ll do my best for next month. Mind
you, to be fair to myself, I have been working on some exciting new
plans for the long-term future development of Archive which I hope to
tell you a bit about next month. Watch this space...
8.2
Happy reading,
8.2
Products Available
8.2
•  16-bit audio card − Expressive Software Projects have launched the
first stage of their 16-bit Minnie audio card for the Risc PC. Priced at
£69.95 +VAT, the card provides output via the internal speaker or the
headphone socket on the Risc PC. The software provided with the package
can handle playback from a number of sources. Later this year, the
second half of the package, providing MIDI synthesizer and MPC support
for the PC Card will be available, at £39.95 +VAT.
8.2
•  A4 colour scanner − Irlam Instruments have now added the Canon IX4015
A4 flatbed colour scanner to their range of scanners using their Proi-
Mage software. This is a 400 dpi scanner that interpolates to 1200 dpi
in greyscale, taking only 20 seconds for full colour A4 scan. This high
speed is possible because it uses a SCSI interface. The scanner and
software costs £699 +VAT including the software and leads (£765 through
Archive). If you don’t already have a SCSI interface, that would be
extra, e.g. a Morley uncached card at £160 through Archive.
8.2
•  Acorn Advantage − This isn’t a product as such but Acorn’s latest
marketing campaign. Never-the-less, it provides opportunities that
Archive subscribers might want to take up. It is a membership scheme,
designed to build a mutually beneficial partnership between Acorn,
school teachers and parents. The teachers start the process by
registering with Acorn as Advantage agents (although I’m sure they won’t
call them “agents”!). This won’t cost them anything but simply means
that whenever they buy Acorn equipment for their school, they clock up
“points” for the school. Parents can also help in this because if they
buy an Acorn computer (from a participating Acorn dealer such as NCS!),
they will be given points that they can allocate to a school of their
choice. The school can amass these points (a bit like the Tesco scheme)
and use them to “buy” equipment from an educational resources catalogue
which Acorn provide to the school.
8.2
Once teachers are registered on this scheme, they can ask Acorn to send
them as many “concerned parent” packs as they want and give them to all
the pupils to take home, thus encouraging parents to buy Acorn computers
and earn points for the school. If you are a teacher and want to join,
just ring the Advantage Helpline on 0181-673-5455 and ask for a teacher
pack. Teachers registered on the scheme also get personal benefits
including discounts on national events, training and conferences,
regular free reports on educational and IT issues, magazine
subscriptions and educational directories.
8.2
Basically, it seems to be a “no-lose” situation. Teachers gain by
getting free perks and free information, parents who buy Acorn computers
get a system that will allow their children to do educationally valid
tasks at home and, at the same time, help the school with points, so
they don’t lose anything, and schools gain by getting free educational
resources. Oh, and Acorn don’t lose either because people buy their
computers!
8.2
•  Acorn Desktop Guide is aimed to fill the niche between tutorials and
manuals. The Norfolk Information Technology Team have produced this
booklet as a reference for new users first learning their way around the
desktop. 28 ring-bound cards cover basic use of the desktop, icons,
mouse, keyboard, discs and printing. The guide is available from Norfolk
Educational Press at £6.95 all-inclusive (cheques made payable to
Norfolk County Council).
8.2
•  Acorn Early Years pack − Acorn have launched a new computer pack for
the A3010 aimed at parents with primary age children. The Early Years
Pack consists of a 2Mb A3010 with no monitor so you can use whatever
screen you like − you can even use your existing TV for the absolute
minimum budget version. There is a range of software available with it
and the total price is £499 inc VAT.
8.2
The software packs are:
8.2
Talking Start-Write (Icon Technology) − a fully-featured, although
simple to use, word-processing package. It uses outline fonts and allows
the incorporation of pictures into the text. It can also talk the words
as they are typed, providing reassurance that they have been typed
correctly.
8.2
Explore with Flossy the Frog (4Mation) − a graphical adventure where the
user is in control of what actually happens. The delightful pictures
encourage questions, and the different objects in the pictures all have
different effects and actions.
8.2
Mouse in Holland (4Mation) − In a similar vein to Flossy the Frog, it
allows the user to explore the life of Martin Mouse, who lives in a
windmill. With many scenes including the Dutch countryside, canalside
Amsterdam and an art gallery, as well as inside the windmill, the
graphics encourage the user in terms of an overall goal of finding
fruit, cheese and moles!
8.2
Doris the Dotty Dog (Sherston) − This is a talking story with still
pictures and animations. It can be used by a parent with a child who is
not yet reading or by a child on their own to develop their reading and
vocabulary − individual words may be spoken if they are not known.
8.2
Gemini (Cambridgeshire Software House) − This is a computer version of
pelmanism with many different card sets making it suitable either for
very young children who can recognise shapes with only a few cards, or
for older children who can identify more complex pictures.
8.2
Amazing Maths (Cambridgeshire Software House) − In this package you have
to find your way through a maze while being asked arithmetic problems by
the computer. The parent can set the difficulty of the questions asked,
both in terms of the numbers used and the operations (add, subtract,
multiply and divide) that are available. This can then be used to
reinforce mathematical skills from simple addition (as one stage on from
counting) to providing the whole range of numerical operations.
8.2
Paint Pot (Emerald Publishing) − By dipping into the paint pot, you can
learn how to use the !Paint program. The book (and accompanying disc) is
written so that it can either be used by a parent encouraging their
child, or by an older child who can read themselves. Simple examples of
many of the facilities of paint are given as drawings of real objects.
There is also a library of animals and sea creatures that can be used to
build a jungle scene or an undersea picture. Ideas for projects using
Paint are also provided − and this keeps children fascinated for hours,
with no risk of spilling poster paint on the settee!
8.2
•  Acorn Publisher is a new subscription magazine for the Acorn world.
It will cover all aspects of publishing on Acorn computer systems,
including electronic publishing and multimedia. The aim will be to
promote the Acorn platform as a high quality professional system capable
of addressing a large proportion of the needs of professional publishers
and designers, as well as catering for a more popular user base. A
second aim will be to raise the standard of publishing based on Acorn
systems.
8.2
The new magazine will be A4 in size, printed on quality paper with full
colour cover and mixed colour/mono contents. The magazine is entirely
edited and produced on an Acorn Risc PC, and aims to be an example of
all that is possible on an Acorn system.
8.2
The magazine will be published every other month with the first issue
scheduled for publication on 10th October this year. Subscriptions are
£24.95 in the UK, £28.95 in Europe and £32.95 elsewhere.
8.2
For further information contact Mike Williams at Akalat Publishing on
01582-881614.
8.2
•  Advanced file server − Datathorn are launching a Motorola-based
“Super Server”. This high speed network system allows a number of
platforms, especially RISC OS, Apple Macintosh and PCs, to use the same
server, and a server can support up to 200 computers. Further
information and demonstrations are available from Datathorn.
8.2
•  Autograph is a teaching package designed to help in the understanding
and illustration of many aspects of mathematics seen at both GCSE and A-
level, covering a very wide range of topics. Autograph costs £90
inclusive (no VAT) from Eastmond Publishing. A site licence costs £180.
(It was reviewed in Archive 7.12 p77.)
8.2
•  CartridgeMate − How would you like to have an inkjet cartridge
refilling system that just involves putting the cartridge in a box and
pressing a button − no plastic gloves, no ink spilt on the table, etc?
Well, if you have a printer that takes Hewlett-Packard 51626A high
capacity cartridges, you can − more or less. I haven’t tried the system
yet but it looks extremely simple and easy-to-use. The system plus two
38ml ink tanks costs £36 through Archive and the extra 38ml tanks are
£22 for a box of two.
8.2
•  Clicker is a new piece of software from Crick Computing. It provides
an on-screen overlay keyboard, with facilities for speech in software.
The program displays a grid of configurable size on screen, in which can
be placed words. Clicking on a cell can then enter the contents into a
word processor, for example, or provide a link to other grids for a
hierarchical structure. Cells can also contain function and editing
keys. Switch Clicker is a special access version of Clicker for users
who are unable to use a mouse, allowing switch users access to the RISC
OS desktop, and providing all the facilities of Clicker together with
the special facilities. Clicker costs £35 +VAT, including a site licence
for up to five machines, and Switch Clicker is £75 +VAT, from Crick
Computing.
8.2
•  DEC_dATA are increasing the prices of their Primary Education
Services products to £11.16 inc VAT for single disc collections, and
£22.32 inc VAT for double disc collections. New collections of clipart
from PES are Soccer, Beowulf, Farming Then and Farming Now. DEC_dATA are
also providing a resource disc for Impression Publisher, including a
number of backgrounds, borders, motifs, forms, graphic borders,
helpfiles and masks. The Impression Publisher Resource Disc is £12.95
inc VAT. Other new products include a collection of over 50 cartoons in
drawfile format for £9.34 inc VAT, and for Acorn World 94, The Normans −
a set of pictures relating to the Norman invasion and Norman life in
Britain.
8.2
•  Digital Phenomena have a number of titles available. LabelBase is a
professional database aimed specifically at printing labels simply,
priced at £49.95, or £199.95 for a site licence. WordSearch is a utility
for generating word searches, taking the required words, arranging them
randomly and filling in the gaps with random letters. WordSearch costs
£9.95. Disc Commander, at £29.95, offers a disc sector editor and
recovery utility, backup, search facilities, archive reading, disc
protection, network use and advanced virus protection; a shareware
version offering only the virus protection facilities is available for
£5. Rune Seeker, at £4.99, is a fantasy puzzle game. ESP, at £14.95,
generates ‘Zener’ cards to test your psychic skills, and will analyse
the results for you. Finally, !Gematria is a numerology package which
will produce a four-page analysis of a personality based on an
individual’s name and date of birth, intended both for entertainment and
for serious research. !Gematria is £9.95 from Digital Phenomena. (All
prices are inclusive.)
8.2
•  Dis-le − the computerized speaking French tutor has now been updated
to version 3.0. The upgrade is available from Mike Smith (used to be
Bits ‘N’ Bytes).
8.2
•  DTP clipart − G.A.Herdman Educational, have increased their range of
DTP clipart to 20 discs. Also, Map_Chem, a resource of spider diagrams
and reaction pathways in draw format, is now available at £69.99 +p&p
for all four discs. Digital Thermometers is a plug-in system for the
analogue port (so the I/O interface is required), and is available for
£39.99 for a two-probe system or £32.99 for a single probe. A range of
educational games, assessment packages and products aimed at various
parts of the Physics and Chemistry courses up to A-level standard are
also available. (VAT not applicable.)
8.2
•  Education 2000 − Matt Black has a new pack of clipart consisting of
2,000 drawfile images on 8 discs with a user guide and visual index, a
quick reference card and a copy of Hugh Eagle’s PickAPic imagefinder
program. The cost is £65 +£2 p&p (inc VAT) from Matt Black.
8.2
•  Evacuation is an educational compilation from Northern Micromedia
designed to teach today’s primary children about the evacuation which
took place during the second world war. It covers the evacuation itself,
food and rationing, and includes a package which produces fax-style
print-outs of chronological events to which the children must respond. A
full catalogue of their educational software is available from Northern
Micromedia.
8.2
•  Impression upgrades − There has been some confusion over the cost of
upgrade paths between the various versions of Impression. We said in
this magazine (7.6 p9) that owners of Impression II could upgrade to
Style for £29 +VAT through Computer Concepts. This is correct. Then we
reported that “when Impression Publisher is released, Impression Style
owners and Impression II owners will be able to upgrade for £29 +VAT.”
However, that meant that owners of Impression Style who had previously
owned Impression II could upgrade at that price. New purchasers of
Impression Style wanting to upgrade to Impression Publisher will have to
pay CC £70 +VAT. In fact, the £29 upgrade was an introductory offer and
it now costs £49 +VAT to upgrade from II to Publisher. (There is also a
p&p charge of £3.53 to add.)
8.2
(As a now very satisfied user of Impression Publisher, I can say that I
think it is worth every penny of the upgrade price − see page 18 for
details. Ed.)
8.2
(Editor then dons sales hat and says... We have found three copies of
Impression II in our stock room so if anyone wants Publisher on the
cheap, they can buy Impression II at a special price of £60 and then get
it upgraded by CC. The total cost is then just over £130 − a real
bargain! Ed.)
8.2
•  InTouch is a concept keyboard program aimed at the early stages of
children’s cognitive development. The package was designed originally
for children with severe learning difficulties and there are many
aspects that are appropriate to other phases of mainstream education.
InTouch offers opportunities for activities such as picture/symbol/
colour/object/number recognition, matching and sequencing as well as a
scanning communication aid (using one or two switches) all of which can
be enhanced with sound samples. InTouch costs £40 +VAT from Hampshire
Microtechnology Centre.
8.2
•  L’Ensouleiado Software have a number of languages programs, including
new versions of French Verb, Spanish Verb and German Verb, packages
which allow practice of tenses as far as the A-level standard, for the
Acorn and BBC machines, at £20 +VAT each. Voyage! takes students through
an interactive sequence for holiday-booking and letter-writing, aimed at
those with a few years’ experience in French. Gute Reise! is a follow-up
to German Holiday, and is a companion to Vivent les Vacances! and ¡Viva
España!, aimed at GCSE level. Allons!, ¡Vamos! and Komm Mit! are three
suites of programs aimed at the early stages of language learning. A
full catalogue of over 20 language programs is available from
L’Ensouleiado Software.
8.2
•  Micro languages − LCL’s range of home educational software has now
expanded to include new versions of Micro French, Micro German and Micro
English which will follow the approach used in their Micro Spanish
program and have interactive speech on disc. They also have a range of
maths courses available.
8.2
•  Micro Librarian Systems are now up to release 4.2 of Micro Librarian
Professional, a librarian assistant package. To complement the package,
they also have Magicat − a pre-entered catalogue of 150,000 common
school books, an ‘acquisitions and budget control module’, Photocheck −
a system which allows storage of digitized pictures of borrowers as a
security check, a self-service utility and a barcode reader. In
addition, search facilities can be made available from other machines
(including PCs and BBC Masters) linked by the serial port to the Acorn
machine on which the librarian software is run; this is in addition to
the search facilities offered by the package running directly on the
host machine. There is also a Junior Librarian package aimed at primary
schools, packaged with a barcode reader, and there is a corresponding
junior version of Magicat containing 40,000 books common to libraries of
schools for the ages of 5-13. MLP4 is £495, Magicat is £180 and the
barcode reader is £375; Junior Librarian is £395 +£5 carriage and its
version of Magicat £90, from Micro Librarian Systems. These prices do
not include VAT.
8.2
•  A Mouse In Holland − 4Mation have released A Mouse In Holland, a
piece of interactive fiction full of animations and sound effects. The
software contains over 3000 words of text, but the ability to read is
not a requirement. A Mouse In Holland costs £29.50 +VAT or £33 through
Archive for a single user or £59 +VAT or £65 through Archive for a site
licence version.
8.2
Betsi, A Mouse in Holland and Explore with Flossy the Frog are also now
available in high resolution versions (mode 28) on newer 2Mb machines,
either at the time of purchase or at £4.99 inc VAT as an upgrade from
4Mation.
8.2
•  Mouse in Holland − 4Mation’s latest program for the young ones is
part of Acorn’s Early Years Pack (details above) but is available
separately for
8.2
•  Oak Recorder 3 − Solent Computer Products have announced the latest
incarnation of their Oak Recorder, a sound sampler which plugs into the
bi-directional parallel port on the later Acorn machines (A5000 and
later). Sampling at 8-bit accuracy and from 7kHz up to 32kHz on a Risc
PC with VRAM, the hardware includes a uni-directional microphone. The
updated software now allows output to a number of file formats,
conversion and manipulation of the sample, and filtering, all under
button-bar control. Oak Recorder 2 is still available for users of
machine without the bi-directional parallel port. Oak Recorder 3 is
priced at £44.95 +£3 carriage +VAT from Solent, with educational
discounts and upgrade paths available.
8.2
•  Optical Professional from Neurotron Software, provides optical
character recognition, including features such as reading of text out
loud (with a speech synthesizer), a multi-column mode, automatic spell-
checking, and multitasking operation, the package is said to be twice as
fast (300 wpm on a 25MHz ARM3) as other leading OCR packages. Optical
Professional can cope with italic and kerned text, and foreign
characters, and can learn outline fonts in under 10 seconds. Accuracy is
claimed to be between 98% and 100%. Optical Professional is available at
£119 +£2 carriage +VAT from Neurotron Software, or £59 +£2 for the
standard version of Optical. Site licences are also available.
8.2
•  Personalised CD-ROMs − Eesox are offering to produce a CD-ROM for
only £60 +VAT, as a special offer lasting until 31st October. The
company have also announced a special network version of their CDFAST
package, which uses cacheing to radically speed up the access of CD ROMs
over networks, available for £130 +VAT.
8.2
•  PLink − This is a RISC OS compliant application to allow users of
Amstrad NC100s to transfer text to any Acorn RISC OS machine. PLink
costs £32 +VAT for a single user (including a lead) and £64 +VAT for a
site licence (including four leads) from Hampshire Microtechnology
Centre.
8.2
•  Softcrete is a new application from the Really Good Software Company
which allows users to encrypt their software to protect it from piracy.
The encryption system allows the software to be tied to a specific
machine using the unique machine ids on later systems, to a password
held in CMOS RAM, or to a password which the user must type in each time
the program is to be used. The package is aimed at programmers and
teachers who may wish to limit the machines on which a package may be
run. Softcrete is £24.95 inc VAT from the Really Good Software Company.
8.2
•  SoftTeach have two new educational products for Acorn machines.
MakeIT allows art drawn by students to be made into cards, stamps and
envelopes, aimed at the Christmas market, and costs £35 for a school
site licence. Class Lists is a class management utility for teachers,
and costs £15. SoftTeach have a number of other educational titles.
8.2
•  Stika Designer − Techsoft now sell CAD design software with a driver
for the Roland Stika vinyl cutter giving output that can be used for
signs, labels, screen-printing etc. The CAD package can cope with both
sprites and drawfiles because the Stika can work in two modes − bit
image cutting and vector cutting. The software on its own costs £75 +VAT
and, as a limited offer, Techsoft are selling the cutter and software
together for £165 +VAT − mention Archive when ordering.
8.2
•  Studio 24 − Pineapple Software have joined the ranks of 24-bit paint
packages with Studio 24. The package will continue to be developed, with
the promise that future upgrades will be free to registered users.
Studio 24 is £125 +VAT from Pineapple − demo discs are also available
for £5. (This should not be confused with Studio 24 Plus from EMR which
is a music sequencer package!)
8.2
•  Supersound Expansion System for A3/4000 − Audio Dynamics have
released a new member of their Supersound Expansion System range, this
one being for the A3000/4000 series. The SSES1700mc has the same
features as the SSES1600, except that the output box will be optional.
The card has a stereo 3.5mm jack and a MIDI interface, and an interface
for a sampler upgrade. A user port has also been included. The
SSES1700mc is £199 +VAT from Audio Dynamics.
8.2
•  Swimming 2.0 − CD Sports Ltd have an interactive multimedia package
intended to teach swimming, water safety and survival skills by means of
animations and games. The package costs £25.52 +VAT with site licences
available.
8.2
•  Starspell Plus is a package aimed at primary and junior school,
incorporating 134 letter patterns and over 1600 common words (which can
be changed) to take an integrated approach to language and spelling. It
has been recommended by the British Dyslexia Association and also by
Educational Psychologists and Advisory Teachers, the package is
available for a number of platforms at £19 +VAT from Fisher-Marriott,
with site licences available.
8.2
•  TableMate 2 − Dalriada Data Technology have released the updated
version of their table creation application. Additional features over
the version that is bundled with Impression Style & Publisher include:
full colour handling, wordwrapping, drawfiles inside cells, insertion
and deletion of multiple rows or columns, cut and paste editing,
variable rule-off widths and a multiple document editor. Tablemate 2
costs £32.50 inclusive, a primary licence costs £40 and a secondary one
is £70, all inclusive.
8.2
•  Talking Stories − Wyddfa Software have four new talking stories about
Gwen, the lovable, mischievous bear, Gwen’s Nose, Gwen’s Tummy, Gwen
goes to School and Gwen at the Fair. These are £20 each inclusive or £50
for all four.
8.2
•  Twain Drivers − David Pilling is releasing Twain scanner drivers for
the Nikon Coolscan, a 2700dpi 35mm slide/colour negative SCSI bus
scanner, and for the Mustek Paragon and Microtek Scanmaker II A4 3-pass
colour flat bed SCSI bus scanners. The drivers are £20 each, or £35 with
ImageMaster, including VAT and carriage from David Pilling.
8.2
•  UK School Internet Primer is a new book aimed at explaining the truth
behind all the recent hype about the internet. Aimed especially at
school and teachers, the book is also good reading for the general
enthusiast. The book is available for £8.50 from Koeksuster
Publications.
8.2
•  Vision 24 − HCCS have launched a 24-bit real-time video digitizer,
the Vision 24, capable of 254 lines by 720 pixels and priced at £99
+VAT, or an extra £40 +VAT for a version capable of 508 lines. A 254
line digitizer can be upgraded later, and discounts are available on
earlier Vision products. A3000/3010/3020/4000 internal, A300/400/5000/
Risc PC internal and MicroPodule versions are available, with the
external A3000 version £20 more expensive. A JPEG compression/
decompression utility is supplied with the package.
8.2
•  Words and Music have expanded their range of Midi files for the
Archimedes. These include three more ‘Classic Collection’ volumes, and
‘Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier’. These collections are available for
£10.95 +£1 p&p each from Words and Music.
8.2
•  XOB upgrades − XOB have announced an upgrade to their SuperMon
software to allow the network managing software, previously limited to
Econet, to be used on other AUN networks. They have also announced
TimeCord, a product intended to ease the recording of time spent on
tasks in professions where charging of fees is based on time spent, when
that time may be fragmented, and in situations where work-load is being
monitored. Finally, Adventurers’ Computer Kingdom is a multi-user
network adventure game, and an upgrade has now been released to allow
this to run on AUN networks rather than just Econet.
8.2
Products (still) Available
8.2
In our trawl through Acorn’s list of “companies that produce things for
Acorn machines” we have brought to light various products that we didn’t
know about. Some of them have been out for a while so they are not
necessarily new products available.
8.2
•  Avanti is a training authoring system from Westland Systems
Assessment, which helps structure and create multimedia interactive
training presentations. The program outputs Basic V code, which can then
be hand-tailored if features beyond the capabilities of the original are
required.
8.2
•  Computer Tutorial Services has a number of educational and
specialised programs available for the Acorn range. For more
information, please contact CTS.
8.2
•  Contex Computing have a number of Acorn packages, including
educational reading tutors, a typing tutor, and Bank Manager financial
software. Contex Bank Manager is £25, typing tutor £19 and Easy Reader
and Madlibs (a grammatical game) are £12.50 each − p&p extra. (Slight
snag − their phone number is ‘unobtainable’ so I can’t check if these
are inc or ex VAT. Ed.)
8.2
•  Dixon & Dixon, the business software manufacturers, have a package
called Flyprint costings £40 inc VAT, aimed at easy production of
leaflets in any size or quantity. The company also has a keyboard
emulator, which provides a window containing a view of the keyboard;
clicking on keys is equivalent to the key being pressed on the keyboard.
Control, shift and caps keys can be toggled on or off to allow full
keyboard flexibility. The keyboard emulator is £12 inc VAT from Dixon &
Dixon.
8.2
•  G-TABS Time and Billing System − Gartside Neville Ltd. have a package
for the Psion series 3a (and Pocket Book II, presumably) which provides
a system for recording time and expense data. The system allows for
reviewing, summarizing, back-up and printing, as well as data transfer
via the serial link.
8.2
•  Hampshire Microtechnology Centre produce a huge range of educational
materials for use with Acorn computers. Guides include: Using Hard Discs
in the Primary Classroom, PipeDream user notes, Impression II and
Junior, RISC OS 3, Draw, Paint & Edit, ArcTerm7, Intro to A3000, A5000,
Parents’ Support Pack. Curriculum resource materials include: PipeDream
cooking recipe datafiles, Nature pack (KS1&2), Introduction to !Sparkle
(control software), Planning and tracking IT in the Curriculum, English
11 − 18, Geography KS2&3, Food Technology KS3, Datacapture work cards,
Control Technology at KS1&2, Control Technology at KS3, Art & Design.
8.2
Also available from HMTC are: Linguatext, a text manipulation package
for modern language teachers; Granville, a French holiday simulation;
Move it!, mechanical movement at KS2&3; Ezekiel, a draw-based DIY
skeleton; Con-Text, a program to create concept keyboard overlays; Con-
Verse, a program to put sound on concept keyboard overlays; Nutrients, a
diet analysis package; Bridges, a technology-led package (KS2&3)
supporting a cross-curricular approach to learning; Knowledge Station,
an application that allows you to explore knowledge in a carefully
structured way and Writing for a Purpose which uses Knowledge Station as
a means of studying different genres of writing.
8.2
•  In House Publishing are providing key stage science assessment and
homework packs in both reproduction master form and in Impression form
so that materials can be modified ‘in house’ if necessary. Assessment
reproduction masters (printed in 600dpi monochrome) are £25.50 each,
with homework packs for key stage 3 £20.50 each for the masters. The
corresponding colour Impression DTP files are £38.50 and £35.50 each.
8.2
•  Micro Studio have a range of clipart on different topics. Ones we
haven’t mentioned before include: Transport Graphics Library (£29.95),
Designer’s Graphics Pack (£19.95), Drawfile Mazes (£19.95), Seashore
Guide (£19.95), Science Graphics Pack (£29.95), Illustrator Graphics
Pack (£19.95), Greetings Pack (£19.95), Decorated Alphabet (£19.95),
Nature Graphics Pack (£19.95), DTP Library Pack (£29.95) and Military
History (£19.95) − all prices are inclusive of VAT.
8.2
•  Primrose Publishing have a range of language programs under the Tick-
Tack title. These cover topics such as beginners language, general use,
business use, travel and tourism and job-hunting. By use of control
codes, the packages provide common phrases, and cover up to 30 languages
(in the case of the business pack). Training and multi-lingual e-mail
packages are also available. Prices from Primrose Publishing.
8.2
•  Reduce − Codemist Ltd are now on release 3.5 of the Archimedes
version of Reduce, the interactive algebraic manipulation package, aimed
at mathematicians, scientists and engineers. The package is based on
Codemist’s own LISP, and is a standard on other platforms, coming with a
number of additional utilities. Reduce itself is capable of ‘expansion
and ordering of polynomial and rational functions, substitutions and
pattern matching in a wide variety of forms, automatic and user
controlled simplification of expressions, calculations with symbolic
matrices, arbitrary precision integer and real arithmetic, facilities
for defining new functions and extending program syntax, analytic
differentiation and integration, factorisation of polynomials,
facilities for the solution of a variety of algebraic equations,
facilities for the output of expressions in a variety of formats,
facilities for generating optimised numerical programs from symbolic
input, and dirac matrix calculations of interest to high energy
physicists.’
8.2
•  Selective Software have a range of educational software: Little Red
Riding Hood is a two-part problem-solving adventure for children aged 5
to 8 (£15); Number Zoo is a first number program for ages 3 to 6 (£14);
Cinderella is a “magical adventure” for 4 to 7 year olds based on the
well-known fairy tale (£17); Shylock Gnomes is a mathematical adventure
for ages 10 to 15 (£17); Don the Professor is a four-disc set of
mathematical software for Key Stages 2 & 3 covering number, algebra,
shape and space, and data-handling (£19 single user, £49 site licence);
SportsDay & SportsPeople are two separate programs at £22.50 each that
help with administration of a school sports’ day, the first deals with
teams competing against one another and the second is for named athletes
competing as individuals. Add £2 p&p +VAT to all the prices.
8.2
•  Special Access Systems have a range of keyguards aimed to help users
with hand tremor. They are available for Acorn machines previous to the
A3010 for £36 +VAT +p&p, and also for PC keyboards. They also sell
expanded programmable keyboards for the earlier Acorn machines and AT
compatibles, at £475 +VAT +p&p. Discounts are available for bulk
purchase.
8.2
Products Unavailable
8.2
•  ISO Pascal Extensions − Due to the discontinuation of Acorn’s ISO
Pascal, Smith & Wiggins have ceased to provide this product.
8.2
•  PD-CD Nº1 not available − not from NCS. We have discovered that the
first PD-CD from the Datafile contains some ‘soft-porn’ JPEG images. We
were not aware of this when we said they would be available through
Archive. Dave McCartney of the Datafile said he hadn’t really registered
the nature of the JPEG images and would not be including any such images
on future PD-CD discs.
8.2
Review software received...
8.2
We have received review copies of the following: •Beethoven Browser
Egmont (e), •Clicker (u), •Flyprint (u), •LjDuplex (u), •MouseTrap (u),
•Trellis (g), •UK School Internet Primer (bk).
8.2
e=Education, bk=Book, g=Game, u=Utility.
8.2
If you would like to review any of these products, please contact the
Archive office. Potential reviewers will need to show that they would
use the product in a professional capacity or that they have some
knowledge of the particular field.  A
8.2
Government Health Warning − Reading this could seriously affect your
spiritual health.
8.2
Did any of you see that TV program recently in which the biologist,
Richard Dawkins, talked about a world without religion? Or perhaps you
have read his books “The Blind Watchmaker” and “The Selfish Gene”? We no
longer need to invent a thing called “God” to explain away the bits we
don’t understand − a scientific view of life explains everything. We are
all just a product of our genes and the way things have evolved can be
described in purely mechanistic terms. But, as a good scientist, Richard
Dawkins would never (I hope) say that he had “proved” that God doesn’t
exist, but rather that he has a theory (call it ‘Theory A’) which is a
perfectly plausible explanation of the observable facts.
8.2
OK, that’s fine but I have a different theory (call it Theory B) which
is, I believe, an equally plausible explanation of the observable facts.
The bible says that...
8.2
Sorry, but I had to stop. When I mentioned the bible, I felt the
shutters go down! What was your reaction? Was it “Oh no, not that old-
fashioned, reactionary view again!” or “Why should I let the bible tell
me how to live my life?” or “Science has disproved the bible, anyway.”
or maybe it was “Look at all the evil that has been done by the church
over the years, using the bible as its authority!” Those are some of the
reasons I have been given by readers over the months to explain why they
can’t accept Theory B.
8.2
It’s funny you know, but some of the people who prefer Theory A are
amongst the most faithful readers of the God-slot. “I’m not a religious
person but I read your God-slot every month.” Why is that, I wonder?
Well, according to Theory B it’s because we have a Father who created us
and therefore there’s a socking great big hole in the life of anyone who
doesn’t have a loving relationship with God. What is more, we make a
mess of our human relationships, too, because of the insecurity created
by that lack of love.
8.2
“What a load of rubbish! How can anyone fall for such religious mish-
mash?!” Hang on a minute! What happened to the careful scientific
approach to examining my Theory? Well, I’ll tell you what happened to
it. According to Theory B, you are suffering from a disease called
‘pride’ which affects a human being’s judgement. “Are you trying to tell
me that for all the xxx years I have lived on this earth I have been
wrong in my view of God?” Well, yes, possibly.
8.2
Tell me, are you open enough in your thinking to investigate a new (old)
Theory? “No thanks, I don’t want to end up a religious nutcase like that
Paul Beverley.” You see, you are at it again. You’re not approaching
this coldly and clinically and logically. You’re saying, “I’m not going
to look into this because I don’t like the implications. If I came to
believe in Theory B, I’d be an object of ridicule in my family and at
work.”
8.2
Are you prepared to examine the evidence for Theory B? Are you prepared
to face up to the implications that follow if you do come to the
conclusion that the evidence is very strong that, for example, Jesus did
rise from the dead? Well, I tell you, all over the UK, thousands of
people are looking into it by going on these Alpha courses, and
thousands of people are saying that their lives have been transformed by
God in a wonderful way. I have seen my own 49-year-old cousin change in
a most wonderful way just recently − he has such a peace and a new joy −
it’s just brilliant to see!
8.2
“Huh! It’s getting worse! More religious mumbo-jumbo. They are being
brain-washed! Silly people! I wouldn’t fall for that.” Well, all I can
say is that, if it is brain-washing, it must be very clever brain-
washing because the people becoming Christians are taking their friends
on the next course − and they are going along because they can see that
something has happened to their friend and they want to know what it is.
8.2
“This is getting ridiculous! The God-slot is getting longer and longer.
Religion is taking over the Archive magazine that I have paid good money
for.” Sorry about that but I’ll give you a pro-rata refund for the
missing technical information or a refund if you want to cancel your
subscription in disgust. But if Theory B IS correct then it is THE most
important thing for EVERYONE to find out about. Why not check it out −
you’ve nothing to lose and everything to gain!
8.2
Paul Beverley
8.2
Fact-File
8.2
(The numbers in italic are fax numbers)
8.2
4th Dimension   1 Percy Street, Sheffield, S3 8AU. (01742-700661)
(01742-781091)
8.2
4Mation    14 Castle Park Road, Whiddon Valley, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32
8PA. (01271-25353) (01271-22974)
8.2
Abacus Training    29 Okus Grove, Upper Stratton, Swindon, Wilts, SN2
6QA.
8.2
Academy Television   104 Kirkstall Road, Leeds, LS3 1JS. (01532-461528)
(01532-429522)
8.2
Acorn Computers Ltd    Acorn House, Vision Park, Histon, Cambridge, CB4
4AE. (01223-254254) (01223-254262)
8.2
Akalat Publishing   P.O. Box 231, Barton, Bedford, MK45 4HQ, (01582-
881614) (01582-881614)
8.2
Alternative Publishing   Suite 91, 9A Pentagon House, 36 Washington
Street, Glasgow, G3 8AZ. (0141-248-2322) (0141-248-3638)
8.2
Angelsoft Educational   35 Heol Nant, Swiss Valley, Llanelli, Dyfed,
SA14 8EN. (01554-776845)
8.2
ANT Ltd   P.O.Box 300, Cambridge, CB1 2EG. (01223-567808) (01223-567801)
8.2
APDL    39 Knighton Park Road, Sydenham, London, SE26 5RN.
8.2
Apricote Studios    2 Purls Bridge Farm, Manea, Cambridgeshire, PE15
0ND. (01354-680432)
8.2
Atomwide Ltd   7 The Metro Centre, Bridge Road, Orpington, Kent, BR5
2BE. (01689-838852) (01689-896088)
8.2
AU Enterprises Ltd   126 Great North Road, Hatfield, Herts, AL9 5JZ.
(01707-266714) (01707-273684)
8.2
Audio Dynamics    10 Durnford Close, Norden, Rochdale OL12 7RX. (01706-
868803) (01706-868803)
8.2
Avie Electronics (p21)  7 Overbury Road, Norwich. (01603-416863) (01603-
788640)
8.2
Beebug Ltd (p42)  117 Hatfield Road, St Albans, Herts, AL1 4JS. (01727-
840303) (01727-860263)
8.2
BirdTech   16 Weynor Gardens, Kelling, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 7EQ. (01263-
70669)
8.2
Castle Technology   Ore Trading Estate, Woodbridge Road, Framlingham,
Suffolk, IP13 9LL. (01728-621222) (01728-621179)
8.2
CD Sports Ltd   4 Wirral Business Centre, Dock Road, Birkenhead, Wirral,
L41 1JW.
8.2
Clares Micro Supplies   98 Middlewich Road, Rudheath, Northwich,
Cheshire, CW9 7DA. (01606-48511) (01606-48512)
8.2
Codemist Ltd   “Alta”, Horscombe Vale, Combe Down, Bath, BA2 5QR.
8.2
Colton Software (p10)   2 Signet Court, Swanns Road, Cambridge, CB5 8LA.
(01223-311881) (01223-312010)
8.2
Computer Concepts (pp16/22)   Gaddesden Place, Hemel Hempstead, Herts,
HP2 6EX. (01442-63933) (01442-231632)
8.2
Computer Tutorial Services Ltd   4 Mill Hill Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight,
PO31 7EA.
8.2
Contex Computing   15 Woodlands Close, Cople, Bedford, MK44 3UE.
(012303-347)
8.2
Creative Curriculum Software   5 Clover Hill Road, Savile Park, Halifax,
HX1 2YG. (01422-340524) (01422-346388)
8.2
Crick Computing   123 The Drive, Northampton, NN1 4SW. (01604-713686)
(01604-713686)
8.2
Cumana Ltd   Pines Trading Estate, Broad Street, Guilford, GU3 3BH.
(01483-503121) (01483-503326)
8.2
Datafile   71 Anson Road, Locking, Weston-super-Mare, Avon, BS24 7DQ.
(01934-823005)
8.2
Datathorn Systems Ltd   George House, 50 Spring Grove, Loughton, Essex,
IG10 4QD.
8.2
David Pilling   P.O.Box 22, Thornton Cleveleys, Blackpool, FY5 1LR.
8.2
DEC_dATA   P.O.Box 97, Exeter, EX4 4YA. (01392-221702)
8.2
Design Concept   30 South Oswald Road, Edinburgh, EH9 2HG. (0131-668-
2000)
8.2
Digital Phenomena   104 Manners Road, Southsea, Hants, PO4 0BG.
8.2
Digital Services   9 Wayte Street, Cosham, Portsmouth PO6 3BS. (01705-
210600) (01705-210709)
8.2
Dixon & Dixon   Farm Management Cons, 35 Rokeby Drive, Kenton, Newcastle
upon Tyne, NE3 4JY.
8.2
Doggysoft   7 Blackhorse Crescent, Amersham, Bucks., HP6 6HP.
8.2
Eastmond Publishing   33 West Street, Oundle, Peterborough, PE8 4EJ.
(01832-273444)
8.2
EESOX   5 Hillfield Road, Comberton, Cambridge, CB3 7DB. (01223-264242)
8.2
ExpLAN   St Catherine’s House, Plymouth Road, Tavistock, Devon, PL19
8AY. (01822-613868)
8.2
Expressive Software Products   Holly Tree Cottage, Main Street, Strelley
Village, Nottingham, NG8 6PD.  (01115-929-5019) (01115-929-5019)
8.2
Fabis Computing   95 Fabis Close, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 9SL.
8.2
Fisher-Marriott Software   3 Grove Road, Ansty, Warwickshire, CV7 9JD.
(01203-616325 or 366748)
8.2
G.A.Herdman   43 Saint Johns Drive, Clarborough, Retford, Notts DN22
9NN. (01777-700918) (also 0777-700918)
8.2
GamesWare   Unit 26, The Bartletts, Hamble, Hants., SO35 5RP.
(01703−456523) (or 0243-531194) (01703−456523)
8.2
Gartside Neville Ltd   8 Beckett Way, Laverstock, Salisbury, SP1 1PZ.
8.2
HCCS Ltd   575-583 Durham Road, Gateshead, NE9 5JJ. (0191-487-0760)
(0191-491-0431)
8.2
Hodge Electronic Services    16 Mold Road, Mynydd Isa, Clwyd, CH7 6TD.
(01244-550803)
8.2
Irlam Instruments   133 London Road, Staines, Middlesex TW18 4HN.
(01895-811401)
8.2
Koeksuster Publications   St Augustine’s Cottage, High Street, Mill
Hill, London NW7 1QY. (0181-959-3321)
8.2
Kudlian Soft   8 Barrow Road, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1EH. (01926-
851147)
8.2
LCL   Thames House, 73 Blandy Road, Henley on Thames, Oxon, RG9 1QB.
8.2
L’Ensouleiado Software   Old Brackenlands, Wigton, Cumbria, CA7 9LA.
8.2
Lindis International   Wood Farm, Linstead Magna, Halesworth, Suffolk,
IP19 0DU. (0198-685-477) (0198-685-460)
8.2
Longman Logotron   124 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge
CB4 4ZS. (01223-425558) (01223-425349)
8.2
LOOKsystems (pp40/41)  47 Goodhale Road, Bowthorpe, Norwich, NR5 9AY.
(01603-748253) (01603-740203)
8.2
Matt Black   6 Henry Court, Henry Street, Peterborough, PE1 2QG. (01733-
315439)
8.2
Micro Librarian Systems   Staley House, Ridge End Fold, Marple,
Stockport, Cheshire, SK6 7EX. (0161-449-9357)
8.2
Micro Studio Ltd   22 Churchgate Street, Soham, Ely, Cambridgeshire.
(01353-720433)
8.2
Mike Smith    26 Grenville Road, Saint Judes, Plymouth, PL4 9PY. (01752-
667599)
8.2
Millipede Electronic Graphics   Cambridge House, Hargrave, Bury St
Edmunds, Suffolk, IP29 5HS.
8.2
Minerva Systems   Minerva House, Baring Crescent, Exeter, EX1 1TL.
(01392-437756) (01392-421762)
8.2
Morley Electronics   Morley House, Norham Road, North Shields, Tyne &
Wear, NE29 7TY. (0191-257-6355) (0191-257-6373)
8.2
Neutron Software   Birch Tree House, The Street, Petham, Canterbury,
Kent, CT4 5QU. (01227-700516)
8.2
Norfolk IT Team   Norfolk County Inset Centre Witard Road Norwich NR7
9XD. (01603-33276)
8.2
Northern Micromedia   Resources Centre, Coach Lane Campus, Newcastle
upon Tyne, NE7 7XA. (0191-270-0424)
8.2
Northwest SEMERC   1 Broadbent Road, Watersheddings, Oldham, OL1 4LB.
(0161-627-4469)
8.2
Oak Solutions (p26)   Dial House, 12 Chapel Street, Halton, Leeds, LS15
7RN (01532-326992) (01532-326993)
8.2
Octopus Systems   9 Randwell Close, Ipswich, IP4 5ES. (01473-728943)
(01473-270643)
8.2
Oregan Developments   36 Grosvenor Avenue, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield,
B74 3PE. (0121-353-6044)
8.2
Pineapple Software   39 Brownlea Gardens, Seven Kings, Ilford, Essex IG3
9NL. (0181-599-1476) (0181-598-2343)
8.2
Porters Primary Software   138A Harvey Clough Road, Sheffield, S8 8PG.
8.2
Primrose Publishing   Vicarage Long Barn, Denham, Bury St Edmunds,
Suffolk, IP29 5EF.
8.2
RESOURCE 51 High Street, Kegworth, Derbyshire, DE74 2DA. (01509-672222)
(01509-672267)
8.2
Selective Software   64 Brooks Road, Street, Somerset, BA16 0PP.
8.2
Serious Statistical Software   Lynwood, Benty Heath Lane, Willaston,
South Wirral, L64 1SD. (0151-327-4268)
8.2
Sherston Software   Angel House, Sherston, Malmesbury, Wilts. SN16 0LH.
(01666-840433) (01666-840048)
8.2
Simtec Electronics   Avondale Drive, Tarleton, Preston, PR4 6AX. (01772-
812863) (01772-816426)
8.2
Smart DTP   36 Park Road, Duffield, Belper, DE56 4GR. (01332-842803)
8.2
Soft Teach Educational   Sturgess Farm, Longbridge, Deverill,
Warminster, Wilts, BA12 7EA.
8.2
Solent Computer Products Ltd    2 Mills Lane, Longstanton, Cambridge,
CB4 5DG. (01954-789701) (01954-782186)
8.2
Spacetech   21 West Wools, Portland, Dorset, DT5 2EA. (01305-822753)
(01305-860483)
8.2
Special Access Systems   4 Benson Place, Oxford, OX2 6QH. (01865-56154)
8.2
Techsoft UK Ltd   The Grange, Erryrs, Mold, Clwyd, CH7 4DB. (0182-43318)
8.2
The ARM Club   Freepost ND6573, London, N12 0BR. (01171-624-9918)
(01181-446-3020)
8.2
The Really Good Software Company   39 Carisbrooke Road, Harpenden,
Herts., AL5 5QS.
8.2
The Serial Port   Burcott Manor, Wells, Somerset, BA5 1NH. (01749-
670058) (01749-670809)
8.2
T-J Reproductions    Unit D, Canada House, Blackburn Road, West
Hampstead, London NW6 1RZ. (0171-372-4430) (0171-372-0515)
8.2
VTI (Vertical Twist)   Unit 1, The Shopwhyke Centre, Shopwhyke Road,
Chichester, PO20 6GD. (01243-531194) (01243-531196)
8.2
Westland Systems Assessment   Telec House, Goldcroft, Yeovil, BA21 4DQ.
8.2
Words & Music   26 Newark Drive, Whitburn, Sunderland, SR6 7DF. (0191-
529-4788) (0191-529-5327)
8.2
Wyddfa Software   3 Preswylfa, Llanberis, Gwynedd, LL55 4LF. (01286-
870101) (01286-871722)
8.2
XOB   Balkeerie, Eassie by Forfar, Angus, DD8 1SR. (01307-840364)
8.2
Archive Monthly Program Disc Contents
8.2
•  Program and documentation from Paul Hobbs’ article on Advanced Basic
Programming − page 45.
8.2
•  Programs from James Riden’s article on assembly language programming
− page 67.
8.2
•  Programs from Elliott Hughes’ article on the RISC OS 3.5 Colour
Picker − page 31.
8.2
•  Files from Gerald Fitton’s DocLine article − page 33.
8.2
•  Sample output from the Eagle multimedia card − see Paul Hooper’s
review on page 77.
8.2
•  Two fonts as created by Christopher Jarman − see his article on page
53.
8.2
•  Program from Hints & Tips Column on page 62.
8.2
•  Files from Paul Hooper’s Multimedia article − page 24.
8.2
•  UnitConv − a desktop application written by Chris Johnson which
converts between various units, generally SI and Imperial, but there are
also some more specialised conversions, such as energy equivalents. This
is provided by Chris as Freeware. If you have constructive comments
about it, please contact Chris.
8.2
•  Factfile − latest version of our full list of Acorn-related companies
on the Archive database.
8.2
Continued on page 80...
8.2
Colton
8.2
From 8.1 page 20
8.2
Acorn World 94
8.2
Acorn World 94 promises to be another impressive showcase for Acorn and
associated companies. Let’s hear first what Acorn are planning...
8.2
News from Acorn Computers
8.2
‘A World of Opportunities’ is the theme of Acorn World ‘94, which takes
place at Wembley Exhibition Centre, London from October 28-30th. The
show has already attracted support from many leading companies and is
set to be the largest ever showcase for Acorn products and services
worldwide. The show will include a series of themed feature areas,
providing a glimpse of technological innovation in the interactive
media, publishing, education and home business sectors. These areas will
demonstrate the innovative synergy Acorn can provide between the home,
the classroom and the office.
8.2
Acorn Computers will be showing highly tuned Risc PCs, bringing new
levels of expandability and flexibility to the personal computer market.
Using production systems and some technology “straight from the labs”,
Acorn will give technically aware users examples of developments that
could be forthcoming in the next months and years. These illustrative
systems will give a pointer to the potential for Acorn computers and
show some of the options that could be developed.
8.2
As a central feature, on the main stand will be the all-time Acorn
“rocket ship” Risc PC. This will be a revolutionary seven slice Risc PC
configured with a whole host of interesting add-on devices to show the
power and flexibility of the system.
8.2
Acorn will also preview a five processor adaptor card for Risc PCs that
allows up to five ARM processors to be fitted, in addition to a
heterogeneous standard second processor card.
8.2
The Acorn Risc PC card developed jointly by Acorn, Atomwide and Future
Technology Devices Inc will also be featured at the show. Some of these
will be configured with DX2 but DX4 chips will also be previewed. Acorn
will be running standard DOS, Windows and OS/2 operating systems and
software on these processors.
8.2
Operating system developments that will be shown will revolve around a
host of different applications. The current plans, should ensure that
the following are on view: OS/2 on the new PC cards, Unix native on Risc
PC, TAOS (a multi-processor operating system) on ARM processors. These
will all emphasise the broad range of options that the Risc PC can
deliver.
8.2
Networking will be a key aspect of the main stand, with new versions of
Access being previewed which, amongst other features, will show CD-ROM
support for Access networks. Microsoft and Novell based servers will be
used to serve RISC OS applications, as previewed at Access IT earlier
this year.
8.2
If the development team meets the deadlines (lots of late nights are
expected), early versions of a RISC OS World Wide Web browser for
Internet will be previewed. Other projects being demonstrated will
include new authentication procedures to allow work group style
computing. In addition, high speed ATM links will be shown.
8.2
A new collection of Risc PC cards and adaptors will be on show. These
will include new 16-bit low cost sound card, SCSI II, network interface
cards, new digitising cards. The use of PC ISA adaptor cards in Risc
PCs, to access low cost PC devices will also be shown.
8.2
The Acorn enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to sign up for the
Acorn Enthusiasts’ Scheme. Competitions will be offered to encourage
people to join the scheme. There will be opportunities to win an ARM 700
processor card for your Risc PC, be one of the first owners of a 486
card for Risc PC and a choice of processors and a multiprocessor adapter
board to allow your Risc PC to carry several ARM processors. The
competitions will be based on a multiple choice question paper with a
tie breaker. Full details will be made available at the show.
8.2
From the Acorn family...
8.2
From our trawl around the Acorn-associated companies, the following
information about new products etc was gathered by Andrew Garrard. (Does
anyone fancy the job of going round all the stands at the show with the
list below checking which, if any, are “Products Available” and then
writing it up for the magazine? It’s quite a big job but good fun at the
time. The hard slog is getting it all written up in time for the next
magazine which means getting the copy to me within 3-4 days of the end
of the show! Thanks. Ed.)
8.2
•  4Mation will be showing their latest program, A Mouse in Holland as
well as Robot World, another new title.
8.2
•  4th Dimension have announced E-Type 2, a follow-on from their
successful racing game, featuring a two-player option, computer players,
six tracks and a track designer. There is also a combat mode, with
lasers and other weapons. This product will be out in time for the show,
and costs £34.95 inc VAT.
8.2
•  Academy Television will have a range of CD-ROM software, including
Science II: Materials, Environment II: Land & Air and World War II:
Global Conflict.
8.2
•  Alternative Publishing Ltd. will have ImageFS on display.
8.2
•  ANT Ltd, supplier of Ethernet networks in the Acorn market, will be
demonstrating advanced networking facilities, including linking Acorn
machines to Acorn AUN, Microsoft LAN Manager and Windows for Workgroups
and Unix, at the Acorn World show. There is a new Network Interface Card
for the Risc PC, and a Pocket Ethernet Adapter for the A4. ANT was
formed to take over the network products previously supplied by Aleph
One.
8.2
•  Apricote Studios − A new version of Prophet, the accounting package,
will be available. Personal Accounts has also been updated recently (to
version 3.13).
8.2
•  AU Enterprises are selling Merlin, an educational database which
covers data-handling from level 4 to level 10. ‘Almost Logo’ is an easy-
to-use turtle graphics package. AU Enterprises (The Advisory Unit:
Computers in Education) also have a number of other educational titles,
and a catalogue is available from them.
8.2
•  Beebug Ltd have taken over Risc Developments’ networking products.
They are also releasing a number of new Ethernet cards, including 10
Base 2 Ethernet interfaces for the Risc PC which fit in the network slot
(£99 +VAT or, for the Acorn Access version of the card, £115 +VAT) and a
new version of their A3020/A4000 10 Base 2 Ethernet interface. There is
also an update to the ROMs on the cards to provide support for either
AppFS or the Acorn Application Accelerator − upgrades are available from
Beebug. The latest versions of Ovation (2.0) and Sleuth (2.0) will also
be demonstrated at the Acorn World show, as will their new Easy C++
compiler.
8.2
•  Birdtech will have Play on Words, an educational package to help
children learn to read. By clicking on words in the package, the word
morphs into an animation. Replay Snippets are available at £1 per disc,
and the company will be providing a scanning service from their top-of-
the-range scanner, at only 50p per image plus the cost of the disc.
8.2
•  Clares Micro Supplies will show ProArtisan 2, ProArtisan 2CD,
ProArtisan 24 and Schema 2 and will launch the Celebration Pack, a suite
consisting of Calendar, Banner, Giftwrap and Certify.
8.2
•  Colton Software will be demonstrating Fireworkz Pro.
8.2
•  Computer Concepts will have a range of new products, including their
MPEG card, a TV tuner, Wacom ArtPad graphics tablets and the latest
version of Impression. They also have a price reduction on their
Scanlight 256 and the BJC600 colour printer/TurboDriver combination.
Impression Publisher Plus is available as an upgrade to Publisher owners
for £130 +VAT, or at £299 +VAT for first-time buyers. It allows
Artworks-style spot colours and named colours, and has OPI and EPS
support. TV Tuner, at £159 and £89 +VAT (with and without Teletext
software respectively) is a tuner and teletext input card; teletext can
be displayed directly, and when combined with a digitiser card TV can be
displayed in a window. ScanLight Professional Colour & PhotoDesk at £749
+VAT is a combination of Canon’s A4 flatbed 24-bit colour scanner with
scanner drivers and Spacetech’s PhotoDesk. The Risc PC MPEG card, Movie
Magic, from Wild Vision will be available in its first release form at
the show − allowing output to a 50Hz PAL RGB monitor, with a version to
follow later in the year to display video in a desktop window. A new
version (4.0) of the TurboDrivers will be available, still at £49 +VAT,
offering greater compatibility, a new colour control system which allows
more control over grey replacement and making use of the Risc PC
architecture, such as unlimited printer buffer allocation; a full 720dpi
Turbo Driver for the Epson Stylus Color and other members of the Stylus
range will also be available. There will also be a TurboDriver and
LaserDirect network spooler available, at £149 +VAT. Formulix is a
mathematical formula and equation editor, at £69 +VAT. A printer and
driver combination for the Canon BJC 4000, for less than the price of
the BJC600, will be available. The Musketeer Pack, at £249 +VAT,
consists of Impression Style, Schema 2 and DataPower. The second
ArtWorks clipart CD, containing the 1994 competition entries and
photographic images, will be available for £19 +VAT. The Risc PC Chroma
Genlock from Wild Vision is available at £149 +VAT, and a number of
other products will be available at special offer prices.
8.2
•  Dalriada Data Technology (sharing a stand with KudlianSoft) will be
showing their new package for creating flowcharts, process diagrams,
organisational charts, annotated diagrams, etc.
8.2
•  Doggysoft will be showing their plug and play Internet solution
Termite, and also their games cheating package Desktop Marker.
8.2
•  ExpLAN will be demonstrating their multimedia bible software, !Holy
Bible, which will provide King James, NIV, REB, New RSV and also,
possibly, Elberfelder, Luther, Russian, Hebrew and Greek. Also on show
will be Occasion, the diary and personal organiser software that is
capable of being run across a network as well as on a stand-alone
machine.
8.2
•  Fabis Computing will be launching Easy Font 3, and will demonstrate
their Impression Borders and Ovation Borders.
8.2
•  GamesWare will have the following new products: Wavelength is a shoot
‘em-up, featuring rendered graphics. Zodiac − GamesWare’s compilation
range will include the Aries pack, containing Hamsters, Quizmaster,
Blowpipe and Square Root. Playdays − an educational release based on the
children’s TV series and aimed at children between three and eight.
GamesWare will also be showing progress on Striker, Dune 2 and Rome AD −
all future releases.
8.2
•  Happy Software, a branch of Creative Curriculum Software are
launching a new range of educational games aimed at children between 3
and 9. The five new products in the ‘Happy Matrix’ series are integrated
computer and board games, and are titled ‘Happy Time’, ‘Happy Sea’,
‘Happy Life’, ‘Happy Numbers’ and ‘Happy Reading’. Each title has five
games which may each be played by one or two players, and cost £34.95
each inc VAT from Creative Curriculum Software.
8.2
•  Irlam Instruments will unveil a colour scanning camera, a combination
video and audio digitizer, some new scanners and their cheap 16-bit
sound card.
8.2
•  Lindis International will launch Cablenews II, a multimedia
presentation package, at the show. Presenter GTi 16v, CADMUST and Start
will also be there.
8.2
•  Longman Logotron will be showing Eureka 3 with almost 200 built-in
maths, stats and financial functions, charting, DTP type facilities, etc
as well as Revelation Image Pro 24-bit, a new version of their painting
and image-processing package and WinLogo, a RISC OS compliant version of
Logo.
8.2
•  LOOKsystems will be selling Cartoons, 104 cartoon characters, £20;
More Cartoons, another 100 cartoon characters, £20; Christmas, 100
festive designs and decorations, £20 and Bitfolio 6 CD, over 1900 high
quality images, £50. (All prices are inc VAT.)
8.2
•  Millipede, the producers of professional video hardware, will be
demonstrating their Apex Imager board, and their new AlphaLock genlock/
overlay adaptor for the Risc PC. Aimed at professional users, the
AlphaLock allows both NTSC and PAL output and combines incoming video
images with the Risc PC’s own display, with programmable transparency on
a per-pixel basis, using the alpha channel. A final price has not been
announced, but is likely to be around £600 +VAT, which Millipede hope
will be within the reaches of enthusiasts and educational users as well
as professionals.
8.2
•  Minerva will be launching PrimeMover. This animation system allows
the creation of frame sequences and enables these animated sprites to be
moved around the screen under the control of a simple, real-time user
interface. The system can be redisplayed on any Acorn system,
irrespective of its speed, and animations can be exported in Ace film
format. PrimeMover will cost £69.95 inc VAT.
8.2
•  Nelson Multimedia will be launching their first CD-ROM titles,
including The Physical World, Aspects of Religion, En Route and the
Machines.
8.2
•  Northwest Semerc will be showing their range of products for
educational special needs, including their high resolution Informatrix
Overlay Keyboard and Informax overlay design software.
8.2
•  Oak Solutions will have Apollonius PDT, their parametric CAD package,
at the show. They will also be demonstrating their interactive
multimedia CD-ROM products.
8.2
•  Oregan will have AppleFS, file transfer software which allows use of
Macintosh discs on Acorn machines, using the standard Acorn floppy
drives. AppleFS will cost £59.95 from Oregan. The company will also be
displaying the latest versions of PhotoTouch, Digital Symphony (now Risc
PC compatible) and Morpheus, and will have a number of new leisure
releases available: Burn’Out, Sally and Wally, and Arcturus.
8.2
•  Pineapple Software will demonstrate their latest virus protection
software and will have a special offer on Studio 24.
8.2
•  Porters Primary Software will have Infant Windows, a simple desktop
publishing package aimed at children from the age of five, at £24.50.
They will also have their Primary Collection of utilities, at £8.50,
their turtle graphics program, at £34.50, Sorter, a new primary
database, and Protector − a hard disc protection utility − at £19.50.
8.2
•  Quantum Software will have Keystroke version 3.06 and Blinds, a
pinboard-type application which allows users to group applications,
files, directories etc. in a convenient way on blinds of any size, which
can be brought up at the click of a mouse button. The blinds can also be
set to appear whenever an application is run, and the icons on the
blinds can be given long names rather than just file names.
8.2
•  Resource will have Dragon Droom’s Revenge, Supermarket, MookMaker,
TalkWrite (a talking word processor), Albert’s House, Pond, TouchWindow
and 1st Paint. They will also have a number of special offers on the
“Discovery 2000” Risc PC range, which bundles educational software and
optimized Risc PCs.
8.2
•  Serious Statistical Software will be demonstrating their “First”
family of statistical packages.
8.2
•  Sherston Software have expanded their catalogue of educational
software. Voyage of Discovery is a science adventure set in 2056AD,
wherein the children have to deliver a package to the captain of a
spacecraft deep in space within three days. The package involves
scrolling, 3D graphics, animations and sound effects. Voyage of
Discovery is available for £31.95. The Oxford Reading Tree range has now
expanded to include Stage 3 Talking Stories, aimed at children between
the ages of 5 and 7. Rosie and Jim Talking Activities, aimed at children
between 4 and 6, provide two stories (£10 each +VAT) based on the
popular children’s television series and using the same technology as
Sherston’s Naughty Stories.
8.2
•  Smart DTP will have their “Publishart” resource available and hope to
have their resources compiled as “Smart CD” too. (Not to be confused
with Smart CD+ from The ARM Club! Ed.) In addition, they will be
exclusively selling Star Fighter 3000, a game from the authors of Chocks
Away and Stunt Racer 2000.
8.2
•  Spacetech will be have PhotoDesk on view and be showing their
meteorological, remote sensing and astronomical software.
8.2
•  The ARM Club will be showing their PD library, and will have their
Utilities Discs and hopefully also !GameOn! and Smart CD+ available.
(Not to be confused with Smart CD from Smart DTP! Ed.)
8.2
•  VTI − who used to be Vertical Twist − will have a sampler card, a
printer port sampler, Sonor (new sampling software similar to
AudioWorks), Desktop Tracker, ArcFS 2.5 − which is newer and faster,
Investigator III and a number of hard-drives and CD-ROMs.  A
8.2
Special Archive advert prepared by Trevor.
8.2
CC
8.2
From 8.1 page 23
8.2
Comment Column
8.2
•  Acorn, you cannot be serious! − How can Acorn computers be taken
seriously in the “real world” if they don’t have an implementation of
C++? And how can they succeed in tertiary education without being able
to run Unix? Come on, Acorn how can we recommend the Risc PC to our
friends and colleague without some serious support?  Keith Parks,
Uxbridge.
8.2
Keith, you’ll be pleased to hear that Acorn are going to be
demonstrating Unix on a Risc PC at Acorn World 94. All we need then is
C++!! Ed.
8.2
•  Apple were wrong! − The Advertising Standards Authority has finally
and fully upheld Acorn’s complaints about some of Apple’s advertising
claims relating to the Power Mac. Acorn objected to statements like...
“Apple is the first company to ship personal computers with RISC-based
microprocessors.” (They were seven years out of date − the A310 in 1987
was actually the first.) I’m sure that the deluge of complaints from
angry Archive subscribers that the ASA received was a helpful
contributory factor in righting this wrong − mind you, the adverts first
came out in March 1994, so Apple have had ample time to get their
(incorrect) message across before being told not to do so!
8.2
In case they try something else, let’s all have the ASA address to hand
so that we are quicker at responding next time − Advertising Standards
Authority, Complaints Department, Brook House, 2−16 Torrington Place,
London, WC1E 7HN.  Ed.
8.2
•  “C books, please” − In answer to last month’s plea... In the course
of many years of C programming, a large number of books have passed
through my grubby hands, but few have stayed close to hand. Those I
would recommend, however, are:
8.2
Andrew Koenig, C Traps and Pitfalls (Addison-Wesley, ISBN 0-201-17928-8)
8.2
Koenig’s a hero of mine. One of Bell’s finest, he writes wonderful
columns on C++ in Joop and C++ Report these days. I look at his C Traps
and Pitfalls these days and think “can I ever have not known that about
C?”, but I remember the days when each page was a revelation − just like
his C++ writings today. It’s pretty much a dictionary of oddities of the
C grammar.
8.2
Herbert Schildt, The Annotated ANSI C Standard (Osborne McGraw-Hill,
ISBN 0-07-881952-0)
8.2
The book is in a format where odd pages contain the ANSI standard, and
even pages contain Schildt’s comments. He says little of worth and makes
numerous mistakes. Far from clarifying the standard, he makes me wonder
if he’s actually read it. Having said that, I wouldn’t be without this
book. It costs much less than half the price of the ANSI standard, so I
can ignore Schildt and remember I’m only a poor student. Beware of the
printing (like mine) where pages 131 and 132 are identical.
8.2
Donald Lewine, POSIX Programmer’s Guide (O’Reilly & Associates, ISBN 0-
937175-73-0)
8.2
This book is probably the least relevant to the RISC OS programmer, but
if you’re interested in C in a wider context (that of Posix − the
standard Unix API), this book is the best I’ve found. Its function
reference contains the entire ISO (or ANSI as was) C library, plus the
Posix functions (covering things like terminal handling, job control
etc). If you plan on writing for Unix, this book’s pretty handy. Very
few errors that I’ve found, but there are sections where you wish he’d
gone deeper. The first few chapters are useless for anyone who considers
themselves a C programmer (the intended audience for the book).
8.2
P J Plauger, The Standard C Library
8.2
A book I’m looking forward to reading is Plauger’s book about how to
implement the functions in ISO C’s library. I used to enjoy his column
in Computer Language, and expect this to be an excellent book.
8.2
For those looking to the future and C++ on their Risc PC...
8.2
Bjarne Stroustroup, The C++ Programming Language
8.2
Need I say more?
8.2
Bjarne Stroustroup, The Design and Evolution of C++
8.2
Buy it and read about language design from a master of the art.
8.2
Don’t accept any imitations: no-one writes better C++ books than Bjarne.
8.2
Elliott Hughes [e-mail] or Snailmail: 15 Lark Hill,
Swanwick, Alfreton, Derby, DE55 1DD.
8.2
•  GraphDraw − If any GraphDraw users are about to purchase a Risc PC,
they are warned that the version on general release has a minor bug
which prevents it working on the Risc PC. Send me a formatted disc and
return postage for a version which (I believe) does work without problem
on the Risc PC (I do not yet have access to a Risc PC, so can only
respond to users problems indirectly). Chris Johnson, 7, Lovedale Grove,
Balerno, Edinburgh, EH14 7DR.
8.2
•  Publisher, an editor’s experience! − Having used Impression Publisher
for a few weeks now and produced one complete issue of Archive on it
(well, it’ll be two by the time you read this!) I thought I’d let you
know how I’m getting on with it. Here are my impressions (sic) as they
came to me, historically.
8.2
Keyboard shortcuts − I think anyone upgrading from Impression II to
Publisher will find some degree of frustration over the different use of
keyboard shortcuts − especially <ctrl-A>. Although I knew to expect this
problem of different shortcuts, it came as bit of a shock to find that
so many of the style shortcuts I use regularly are unavailable now.
Apart from <f1> to <f4>, <f9> and <f10>, I used to have styles on <ctrl-
shift-f1> right through to <ctrl-shift-f10>, all of which are now
unavailable apart from <ctrl-shift-f4>. Bad news!
8.2
The worst of all is the lack of <ctrl-A> for deleting. I used to have my
left hand hovering over <ctrl>, <A> and <S>, then, with my right hand,
I’d use the mouse to locate the cursor, perhaps double-click a word or
treble-click a line or double-click a word and then <adjust>-click to
make a selection and finally press <ctrl-A> to delete it.
8.2
My first attempt at a solution was using Keystroke to make <ctrl-Z> do a
<Copy>, i.e. delete to the right. That’s OK for deleting single
characters but as Publisher uses <ctrl-Z> to unselect a region, that
didn’t work for deleting a marked area so I now have to remember to use
<ctrl-X>.
8.2
Also, <ctrl-Z> working through Keystroke doesn’t respond very quickly,
so you can’t (easily) use it to delete, say, three consecutive
characters. Bring back <ctrl-A> − it was SO convenient. “You can”, said
the man at CC. “Just define a style with no features and give it <ctrl-
A> as the shortcut and that will disable <ctrl-A> from selecting the
whole text.” Nice idea, but I need to “select all the text” on a regular
basis too, so unless there’s some other easy way to do that, I can’t use
that technique − plus the fact that you have to install this phantom
style in every document.
8.2
I tell you, I’m so hampered by the lack of <ctrl-A> as a delete that I’m
thinking of gluing a new key on the LHS of my keyboard and wiring it up
to the delete key! Anyone got any other suggestions?
8.2
Crashes − As I reported last month, at first I had about three or more
crashes a day − “Internal Error at xxxxx” and then, when I tried to
continue, “Error EL00”. Just quitting and reloading didn’t seem to clear
it properly as it tended to crash again quite quickly. I took to using a
complete power-down, power-up. Then, when I pasted up last month’s
magazine, I started about 6 a.m. and worked through until tea time − no
crashes. I started on it again at 9.00p.m. that night and worked through
until 1.30 a.m. (It’s tough being an editor!) No crashes. Then, as I
tried to do almost the very last job of creating the contents list, it
crashed! Coincidence? Well, the way I create the contents list, involves
creating a new Impression document, and that was when it fell over.
Could it be that Publisher doesn’t like the default document that I
dragged over from Impression II? I sent it off to the CC laboratory for
analysis. CC say, “We do not recommend that default documents are
carried over from previous versions of Impression...” so I’m busy
recreating my special master pages and porting across my special
styles.†
8.2
Impression loader − Each month, when I have finished the magazine, I
have to create the “Words Disc”, i.e. I have to scrape out all the text
from the whole magazine and create an Edit file of it. Hitherto, I have
done it by going into the magazine directory, looking in the Chapter2
directory and taking out the file called “Text”. I drop this into an
Impression document and, having loaded the “LoadImp” loader, it
recognises the filetype and re-constructs all the text as one file. I
then just save the text without styles and bingo. Unfortunately, when I
tried this with Publisher, it crashed. CC’s verdict is that “the LoadImp
module does not work with Style or Publisher” so I am going to have to
keep a copy of Impression II on my system just to use LoadImp each month
to create the magazine words disc!
8.2
Speed − I don’t do anything fancy in Impression − the magazine is all
fairly basic DTP stuff − but my first impression (sorry to use that word
again, but Wordworks can’t (or won’t) find a suitable synonym) is that
Publisher is faster in general layout work. Certainly, the area where I
noticed a big difference in speed is in file-handling. I use huge
numbers of Impression files, so the single-file format is very much
faster when you come to opening directories full of documents.
Brilliant!
8.2
(One other drawback I find is that the new filetype icon is so dowdy, I
can’t easily find the files in a filer window or on my pinboard. The old
Impression “I” icon was much more distinctive and stood out clearly.
Anyone want to design me a new single-file Impression icon?)
8.2
Keystroke − Arrrgghhhh!!!! More than half the things I had come to rely
on in Keystroke don’t work! I tell you − it was like trying to work with
one hand tied behind my back. I knew that Keystroke had speeded things
up but I didn’t realise quite how much − just simple things like
keystrokes that do search and replace, changing double space into single
space or double CR into single CR. None of the search and replace items
worked and several of my editing speed-up tricks, like transposing
adjacent words, also failed me! Stuart sent me Keystroke version 3.06
and also warned me that Publisher’s use of the <alt> key means that a
number of things don’t work properly. I’m hoping someone will offer to
start a Keystroke Column, so I won’t go into the work-arounds here.
(Literally hundreds of Archive subscribers took up our special Keystroke
offer − so there is a huge audience for anyone prepared to start a
Keystroke Column!)
8.2
Crashes explained − Another source of crashes has just been identified
and reported to CC as it is actually a bug. I tried to use one of my
Keystrokes to put a comma at the end of the last word on one line but I
accidentally put it at the beginning of the first word on the next line,
i.e. after the space instead of in front of it. I placed the cursor in
front of the comma and attempted to use <shift-ctrl-Q> to switch the
space and the comma and the result was fatal − Publisher died completely
with no way of saving any un-saved file(s). Arrgh! This is entirely
repeatable and also occurs in Publisher Plus but not in Style − at least
not the version we have here. Actually, it’s nothing to do with it being
a comma − just trying to transpose the first character of one line with
the space at the end of the previous line.
8.2
Drag and drop text editing − I discovered this by accident when the text
‘miraculously’ moved from place to place in the document I was editing.
If you haven’t discovered it yet, refer to the manual − it makes editing
quite a bit easier in many instances.
8.2
Overall, as I go on with Publisher, I am getting more and more confident
with it. I still get some nasty crashes if I try to load and edit old
files (especially 2.5Mb Archive magazine files!) but if I know to be
careful with those files, that’s fine. If necessary, I can load them
into Impression 2.19 − which I keep on my Pinboard. Yes, I’m glad I
finally plucked up courage to make the change. (Hmmm, since I wrote
that, I’ve been getting more crashes − seems to be mainly after I have
handled lots of different files and cut and pasted bits between files −
which, as a magazine editor, I have to do rather a lot!)  Ed.
8.2
•  Publisher help − Help is at hand. We have had an offer from Keith
Parker to try to help with any problems that folk have with Publisher.
If you send your problems to Keith, he will work with Tony Tolver of T-J
Reproductions (well known for their Impression-based type-setting etc)
to try to find a solution. Keith Parker, 61 Frensham Close, Southall,
Middlesex, UB1 2QY.
8.2
•  Publisher again − Chris Johnson writes: We have been experiencing a
number of problems with Publisher, particularly the network version,
which appears to crash much more regularly than the stand-alone version,
and also seems to lock up the network print spooler (and consequently
the fileserver) regularly as well. The problems appear when graphics are
in the document. The odd thing is that the same machine and the same
document gives different behaviour depending on whether the network or
the dongled stand-alone version is being run at the time. Has anyone had
similar problems or, better still, got a solution?
8.2
I also had the very odd experience of tidying up my hard disc 4,
including moving the location of !System, and then finding that
Publisher when next run gave the error message something like “this copy
of publisher is corrupt − please reinstall”. Publisher was on hard disc
5, and I am convinced that there was no way that it could have been
corrupted. I had to go through the whole installation process again
before it was usable! I cannot believe that path names are “hard wired”
into it when installed! (They are − for the benefit of OLE and also,
because there is some degree of software protection built in to the
installation method, I gather. Ed.) Chris Johnson, 7, Lovedale Grove,
Balerno, Edinburgh, EH14 7DR.
8.2
•  Scientific software − Archive readers are reminded that I offered to
act as a collator for any type of scientific and mathematical software.
There are now two discs of applications, which can be obtained by
sending two formatted (800Kb) blank discs, together with return postage.
I should also be pleased to receive any software for inclusion on
further discs. I still feel there is a very distinct lack of cheap and
cheerful scientific software available for the Acorn RISC computers. If
there are programmers out there who have written useful scientific
routines, but are unsure about converting them to full blown
multitasking WIMP applications, then let me know. I may be able to help
to wrap them up in a WIMP shell. Chris Johnson, 7, Lovedale Grove,
Balerno, Edinburgh, EH14 7DR.
8.2
•  Spreadsheet Column − Regular readers may have wondered what happened
to the spreadsheet column. The short answer is that all contributions
“dried up” once version 2 of Eureka was released. I have certainly found
that almost all the “features” of version 1 that were the subject of
much correspondence (quite heated at times) were addressed in one way or
another in version 2. Eureka still has its idiosyncrasies, and one or
two things I find infuriating, e.g. the total lack of any print preview
facility.  In spite of this, I find that it is on the whole a very good
piece of software.
8.2
I take this opportunity to remind readers that I am still ready to edit
a spreadsheet column, so if you have any comments, hints or tips, ideas,
suggestions, problems, or solutions to problems, connected with the use
of spreadsheets then drop me a line. My address is given below. If I
have sufficient response, then I will resurrect the column.
8.2
The only two communications I have received in the last few months
suggested that there should be a “how to use spreadsheets” series. I
would be willing to have a go at this, but would be interested to hear
from Archive members suggestions about what should be included, e.g.
should it start from absolute first principles, or should it be on more
advanced uses. It could be made part of a regular spreadsheet column, or
be completely independent.
8.2
My postal address is Chris Johnson, 7, Lovedale Grove, Balerno,
Edinburgh, EH14 7DR; I can also be contacted through e-mail as
[e-mail] .vaxb.  A
8.2
Club News
8.2
•  Suffolk Acorn Risc Club (SARC) meets in Ipswich Central library at
7pm on the second Thursday of every month. Each meeting usually starts
with a formal presentation on a specific topic, after which members are
free to chat. Tea and biscuits are provided. Annual membership is £5
including a monthly newsletter.
8.2
Forthcoming events include:
8.2
Thurs 13th Oct 94  Acorns and Accounts
8.2
Sat 29th Oct 94  Coach Trip to Acorn World
8.2
Thurs 10th Nov 94  Games for Christmas
8.2
December 94  Christmas meal (date to be confirmed)
8.2
Thurs 12th Jan 95  Modems and Bulletin Boards
8.2
There are still a couple of places on the Acorn World coach trip at
£8.50 including admission.
8.2
For more details, please contact Paul Skirrow (Chairman) on 01473-
728943, or Andy Keeble (Secretary) on 01473-216424.  A
8.2
Online Media − A World First?
8.2
This Acorn press release came into the Archive office the day before the
magazine was due to be finished so here it is, verbatim...
8.2
Online Media goes live with the world’s first digital interactive
television trial in Cambridge.
8.2
In Cambridge today, Online Media will be ‘switching on’ what is believed
to be the world’s first interactive television trial to be based on ATM
digital technology.
8.2
The trials are being launched by a consortium of Anglia Television, ATM
Ltd, Cambridge Cable and Online Media. The consortium, set up by
Cambridge Cable, is headed up by local firm, Online Media, also selected
to supply the intelligent, digital set-top boxes for the trial. The
technologies involved are Online Media’s set-top boxes, ATM Ltd’s
digital ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) networking technology and
Cambridge Cable’s fibre-based cable network, which is already available
to some 67,000 homes in the region.
8.2
Commenting on the launch of the trials, Online Media’s chief executive,
Malcolm Bird, said: “After all the hype about multimedia and the
information superhighway, this is a real application, running into
consumers’ homes. It is a milestone for the multimedia industry and will
help establish digital ATM technology as the industry standard.”
8.2
The technology involves linking a set-top box, which looks like a
smaller version of a video recorder, to the television set in people’s
homes. They will then have access to a variety of services from a
control centre in Cambridge. Multimedia telecommunications allows video,
voice, data and other services to be mixed at will on a single
telecommunications network.
8.2
The “on-demand” services on offer include movies and local news and
weather from Anglia TV. Subscribers can access these as and when they
wish and manipulate them − by fast forwarding, pausing and rewinding −
using a remote control as if the film were playing from their own video
recorder. Online Media is currently working with ITN to develop national
and international news programming.
8.2
Educational software applications will be available through the system,
from companies such as educational specialists Sherston Software and
another local firm, Cambridgeshire Software House. Anglia TV’s CD-ROMs
are also being converted to run on the system. Other services being
developed for the system include: interactive shopping, audio on demand,
music videos, sport and banking.
8.2
Games originally used on Acorn’s 32 bit RISC computers are being
converted to run on the set-top box. In the future, another compelling
feature will be a range of games which can be played “across the
network”. With a football game, for example, several homes linked to the
system could be connected to the same game at the same time and would be
able to play as a team against another home or groups of homes. This
adds a whole new dimension of human interaction and team dynamics to the
game. Fantasy adventure games based on the same concept will be an
option in the future.
8.2
Barry Mallett, one of the first handful to receive the settop box today,
said: “We are overjoyed to have been chosen for the trials and are
really looking forward to the prospect of being able to watch what we
like, when we like. The only problem I foresee is deciding which service
to try first!”
8.2
The trial, intended to test the technology and act as a platform on
which to develop networked multimedia services, will initially be placed
in selected employees’ homes in Cambridge. The aim is to install further
set-top boxes into many more homes of the general public by the end of
the year and to move into four figures by the end of 1995. Initially,
subscribers will not be charged for the service although an experimental
pricing formula will be introduced during 1995 to further test the
market. The consortium expects the venture to be fully commercial from
mid-1996.
8.2
Online Media, since its launch in July this year, has already had to
move into new offices to house its influx of staff − expected to be in
excess of 50 by January next year. Malcolm Bird says: “Cambridge is the
ideal base for a dynamic, high technology company such as ours. Here, we
are surrounded by companies offering complementary technologies, with
which we can form powerful partnerships.”
8.2
Online Media is a member of the Acorn Computer Group and has full
strategic backing from Acorn’s parent company, Olivetti. It has been
established to provide interactive multimedia products for the markets
emerging from the digital superhighway including: interactive
television, video on demand and networked multimedia. Exploiting
technologies developed by the Acorn Computer Group and Olivetti, Online
Media’s first product is an intelligent set-top box designed to connect
a home television to the information superhighway. Alongside hardware
products, the company offers authoring systems, services and consultancy
in service development, as well as other areas. All Online Media designs
are available under licence.  A
8.2
Alex Devries
8.2
new artwork
8.2
Computer Concepts
8.2
From 8.1 page 14
8.2
Multimedia Column
8.2
Paul Hooper
8.2
Langdale CD
8.2
Nearly a year ago, I saw the first version of this Genesis application,
and the full CD version has now landed on my desk. This contains nearly
100Mb of information and photographs of the Lake District and is priced
at £99 +VAT for a single user and £149 +VAT for a site licence.
8.2
The CD also contains a Windows version of the same material so that the
one disc will do for both the Acorn range and the PC but I have not
managed to get it working on a PC card.
8.2
Genesis Professional?
8.2
I have had a number of people writing or ringing me up in the last few
weeks reporting bugs in either Professional or Project. I would like to
collate a whole series of reports about any bugs that you have found in
these programs in the next few weeks so that I can see someone from Oak
Solutions at Acorn World. If you have come across any bugs that I
haven’t mentioned below, please do give me a ring as this will enable me
to try and duplicate them on my machine and get some sort of list
together.
8.2
Known bugs and features: Computer hangs when trying to copy word frames.
Background colour on frames is different from background colours on page
when the same colour is chosen. CSV files are no longer supported.
Shared resources are no longer easy to find.
8.2
I had a phone call the other night about the fuzziness displayed by
fonts when placed on a transparent background. The gist of the problem
is that if you create a frame in Genesis and then place some text in it,
you can get a fuzziness around the outside of the letters. This is not a
problem with Genesis but I think it is a problem with the settings on
the font manager. Being none too technical myself, I wonder if anyone
has any idea on how to cure this problem?
8.2
Foreign formats
8.2
I have a had quite a few letters from readers about using foreign format
files in multimedia programs and how to convert a Genesis or Key Author
application between the PC and an Acorn computer. The most frequently
asked question is, “Can you author a multimedia application on a Risc PC
in the Acorn environment and then convert it to a PC version in the same
box?” Well, the answer at the moment is that nobody I have talked to
seems to know! Acorn maintain it should be possible but Oak aren’t sure.
All we can do is wait for the PC chip to appear. As soon as it does,
then I will have a try. In the meantime, has anyone used a PC card in,
say, an A5000 to produce a PC version of either a Genesis or Key Author
application?
8.2
On the subject of foreign formats, there are a number of good PC PD
libraries around, and it is worth getting hold of their discs or even
better a printed catalogue of their material. Using !Translator, it is
fairly easy to covert pictures into sprites for inclusion in your own
applications. However, up to now, the conversion of sound samples has
been difficult. This has changed since the introduction of AudioWorks
from Computer Concepts. For most PC material, the standard format is
WAV, and if you want to convert it into Armadeus format, for Acorn
machines, just drop the sound sample onto the AudioWorks icon and save
out the new format.
8.2
To give you some idea of the possibilities, I have taken some material
from a PC CD and have constructed a quick Magpie application which will
be added to the Swap Shop Catalogue. On this month’s disc, is a small
version of the Swap Shop catalogue. If you want the full details, send a
disc to the address at the end of the article.
8.2
Key Author and foreign formats
8.2
Following on from the above, I have been chatting with Peter Stibbons at
Anglia TV regarding their attitude to foreign formats. Many of the CDs
that they produce now include foreign format material on the same disc.
All this is set to go to the next logical development. At the moment,
you can produce an Acorn format file and then, using the PC version of
the run file, you can run it on a PC, without any conversion at all,
within certain restrictions. One of the major problems of converting a
drawfile into something that a PC can interpret has been overcome. The
only restrictions now appear to be on font conversion and Ace films
which the PC can’t handle. The Ace problem is overcome by converting
them to either MPEG or Quicktime films. What’s more, they also appear to
have overcome the problem of using the same disc in a Mac. At the
present moment, you can only produce a CD which will work on a Mac and a
PC, or an Acorn and a PC, but I don’t think the day is far away when the
same Key Author CD can be read and played by all three machines. The
good thing about this is that the native format will be Acorn! All you
budding multimedia authors may very well be in demand because as far as
I know, there is no other machine or software that will be able to
duplicate this.
8.2
I hope to visit Anglia TV in the coming weeks and take a close look at
not only MPEG files running but also the whole of their set-up and I
will report back in the next issue of Archive.
8.2
The Swap Shop
8.2
Just days after I submitted the copy for last month’s issue, I was
inundated with applications! I received two Magpie binders from John
Pugh, one of our regular contributors. They are both aimed at National
Curriculum history topics: the Second World War and Britain from 1930-
60. Also, from South Australia, I have had two small Magpie binders, one
on the history of the Spitfire, and another on the Greek Language. Both
were created by Peter Russell of Memorial Oval Primary School.
8.2
Also added just in time for Christmas is a very good Genesis application
on Christmas Customs. This has extensive Maestro files of Christmas
Carols and looks at all our Christmas customs along with others from
around the world. If you want to order this one, either send me two
blank 800Kb discs or one 1.6Mb disc as this is a Genesis Professional
application which requires the new browser and GenLib.
8.2
I have also updated the ‘Churches’ application with a whole load of
sprite files of real churches and features. (I got a video camera for my
birthday!) However, the size has grown to nearly 1.4Mb in Genesis format
so you will require a machine that can read 1.6Mb discs. I have also
converted ‘Man in Space’ and ‘Advanced WIMP tutor’ to Magpie format.
8.2
At the moment, I am working on a binder on renewable energy that will be
available next month, but I am beginning to run out of subjects. To this
end, I would like to know what you would like to see as a multimedia
application. If you have any ideas, particularly if you have your own
art work, please do drop me a line with your suggestions.
8.2
I also noted the requests for beginners’ articles in the last magazine
along with help on Paint. We do have multimedia applications that can
help you out with these problems. WIMP tutor is designed to be used by
those with little or no experience on Acorn machines. We also have a
‘Paint Tutor’ and an ‘Advanced WIMP Tutor’ which goes into more detail
than the basic tutor. All these applications are free and come with a
reader to allow you to run them without access to any of the multimedia
programs.
8.2
The end bit
8.2
If you have any hints and tips or questions on multimedia, or if you
require a swap shop catalogue please write to: Paul Hooper, 11 Rochford
Road, Martham, Great Yarmouth NR29 4RL.  A
8.2
Oak
8.2
From 8.1 page 10
8.2
Risc PC Column
8.2
Keith Hodge
8.2
Monitors
8.2
Arthur Taylor has supplied a copy of his AKF85 monitor script which
works fine on my system, giving a very useful 1600×1200 in 256 colours
(pixel rate 155MHz, but you must have 2Mb VRAM). This throughput is at
the limit of the VIDC 20 specification, so you use it at your own risk.
However, having said that, it works fine for me, providing sufficient
screen width for two A4 pages side by side. Also provided is a 640×512
mode, which is chosen by the operating system, in preference to 640×480,
when modes 20 or 21 are chosen.
8.2
Software compatibility
8.2
I now have a module provided by Colton Software (via Gerald Fitton),
which allows FireWorkZ to display deep sprites. Please note that this
will only work on the Risc PC!
8.2
A number of people have written to report problems with FireWorkZ. This
does not, however, seem to be just on the Risc PC, so I have sent copies
to Gerald Fitton for his comments.
8.2
Likewise, a number of people have reported problems with WordWorks as
supplied with Impression Style. I now have Style at Version 3.04 (31
June 1994) and so far have not found any of the problems reported with
earlier versions.
8.2
Keith Gardener has sent a long letter in which he confirms reports that
have arrived from a number of contributors − namely that some Basic
programs which ran OK on the Archimedes, now fail to run, some reporting
‘no room for Function/Procedure call’ or ‘too many nested structures’,
etc. Most people report that enlarging the Wimp slot has cured the
problem for them. Why should this be?
8.2
Following on from this, one program which ran with 16Kb on the
Archimedes, required 20Kb to run and then reported ‘Missing Endcase’,
which was correct! I asked Matthew Hunter at NCS about these issues, and
this was his reply...
8.2
“Basic splits the memory allocated to it into three areas. At the lowest
available address is the program itself, immediately above it is some
workspace for arrays. Growing down from the top of the available memory
is the stack. This is used to store variables, procedure calls and other
nested structures. Due to the reduced page size on the Risc PC, a
program could be allocated as much as 28Kb less than on one of the
earlier machines although the figure is likely to be closer to 12Kb.
When a program first loads, there is very little space needed for the
stack so the program begins to run, as more variables are used and
procedures are called, the stack will grow until it tries to overwrite
the workspace, giving errors like those above. When increasing the
wimpslot, as a first estimate, round it up to the nearest multiple of
sixteen − this allocates more space to the stack, which should solve the
problems.
8.2
“I have also looked into the case of the ‘Missing Endcase’! By using a
quick program, I tested the operation of the CASE statement, but could
find no difference with the new version of Basic.
8.2
CASE c% OF
8.2
  WHEN 0 : PRINT “Case ending”:END
8.2
  WHEN 1 : PRINT “Oh Dear ”;
8.2
  WHEN 2 : PRINT “Case ending”
8.2
END
8.2
“Without knowing what the CASE statement was testing, I cannot be sure
but I suspect that an unexpected result occured. The above program will
report ‘Case ending’ with no errors for c%=0 and c%=2. It will report
‘Oh Dear Missing ENDCASE’ when c%=1, and simply ‘Missing ENDCASE’ for
any other value.”
8.2
Hardware and software news
8.2
I have now received my updated TurboDrivers for the Canon BJ230 (v4.00
17th-Aug 94) and can report that the combination of this plus Impression
Style and the Risc PC, produce printing at a speed and quality which
have to be seen to be believed. The average single page letter is now so
quick to render, that there is a pause of only about three seconds
before you have control back!
8.2
I have installed a Toshiba XM-3401B CD-ROM on my HCCS Ultimate SCSI
Micropodule and it performs well. (Ultimate v1.10, SCSI Driver v2.06,
SCSIFS v2.06, SCSIFiler v2.02, CDFSResources v2.20, CDFSdriver v2.20,
CDFS v2.20, CDFSFiler v2.20.)
8.2
Now I need the PC486 card with CD-ROM drivers so that I can use the new
CD-ROM RS Components Catalogue in the office! This will save vast
amounts of time and is, for me, the first sign that this format is
coming of age. It allows three A4 catalogues, which together are over
two inches thick, plus hundreds of data sheets, to be replaced by one
half full disc! The disc contains all the textual information, colour
illustrations, prices and quantity discounts, all the engineering
information sheets, generates and prints the order for you and allows
you to search for what you want, without wading though all that paper.
Brilliant!
8.2
The ARM Club have produced a most useful utility (Game On), which allows
games etc, which would not work, to operate successfully. I have sent a
copy of the freeware database of games with which it works to Paul for
inclusion on the monthly disc. I may have a review by next month.
8.2
Charles and Deborah Woodbridge have purchased a new HP LaserJet 4P to go
with their Risc PC and comment that, with the Acorn printer definition
file, the results are excellent and I can vouch for this as the prints
they sent are excellent.
8.2
Floppy drives
8.2
I have written to a number of the usual suppliers to see if any podules
for this are going to be produced but no replies have been received so
far.
8.2
Readers’ comments
8.2
From Jim Nottingham: “Having recently bought an Acorn AKF85 to go with a
Risc PC, I have to say that, after all the hype, I was a little
disappointed with its display quality in comparison with an Eizo F550i
I’ve been using on an A540. So I thought I’d see how the Eizo ran on the
Risc PC, using the standard 9-pin lead with a 9/15-pin adaptor from NCS.
8.2
“The book says for an alternative (i.e. non-Acorn) monitor, set ‘Auto’
in the Screen configuration under Monitor type. Result? Nothing.
However, after a little trial and error, I found that by making the Eizo
think it was an Acorn monitor by setting ‘AKF85’, it works a treat with
a noticeably sharper display than the actual AKF85. This dodge may work
for other ‘foreign’ monitors.”
8.2
From Stuart Bell (edited): “Clearly, the issue of compatibility with the
Risc PC will be important for those with older Acorn machines who expect
eventually to upgrade their machine. Will it have an effect on their
purchase decisions before they upgrade? And, how will existing equipment
perform on the new platform?”
8.2
I think that Stuart is worried that his investment in accessories for
the Archimedes will be wasted. However, I feel that you only have to
look at the Acorn ‘BBC Master’ which is still widely used, years after
it went into production, to realise that the Archimedes probably has ten
or more years of life left in it, and that there will still be a healthy
market in second hand add ons for some time yet.
8.2
Requests for help
8.2
This is also from Jim Nottingham (of scanner article fame): “Has anybody
managed to get an AKF85 or other monitor to work from the Risc PC, using
the BNC connectors? Neither my AKF85 nor my Eizo F550i seem to want to
play. I am using what is listed as a standard PS/2 monitor lead, with
BNC plugs at one end and a 15-pin plug at the other.”
8.2
Alan Wilburn is looking for a monitor script for a Taxan 770+. Can
anybody help please?
8.2
Can all the people who discover why their programs are failing under
RISC OS 3.50/Basic v1.06, pass the information on to me, so that it can
be compiled into a list please?
8.2
Gripe of the month
8.2
I am starting to get letters from people who have put their cheques up
front to order a ACB45 and who are still waiting for it to arrive months
later. Where are the machines Acorn?
8.2
Question of the month
8.2
(1) Do Basic programs running as desktop applications and using template
files, require more space under RISC OS 3.50. And if so why?
8.2
(2) Has anybody else suffered the problem reported by Tony Stevens, that
some drawfiles from PD sources bomb out with the error message ‘Path
contains an invalid tag at location 16_nnnn’?
8.2
Tailpiece
8.2
Will ‘Herbert’ who’s material about mice I used in the September Risc PC
Column please write, as I have lost your address!
8.2
And finally, I have now purchased a copy of Impression Style, so I can
take copy for the column in any of the following formats: Impression,
PipeDream, WordZ, FireWorkZ and Text.
8.2
Thank you to all the readers who have enclosed a stamp for my replies to
their letters. (Please remember that Keith does this for love, not
money! Ed.)
8.2
As usual, I can be contacted by letter at the HES address on the back
page, by telephone after 7p.m. or by Packet Radio from anywhere in the
world, as GW4NEI@GB7OAR.#16.GBR.EU.  A
8.2
Risc-DOS Column
8.2
Simon Coulthurst
8.2
It appears that the earliest anyone is likely to see a co-processor card
is at the Acorn World Show. Even then they are unlikely to be on sale. I
understand that the ASIC (the clever chip that does all the hard work
arbitrating between the two different architectures) is taking longer
than expected to produce. It is hoped to have the first, limited,
production run a few days before the show. This being the case, I have
written this month’s article as a (hopefully ex) Windows and DOS users
first impression of the new Risc PC.
8.2
A new toy
8.2
As I write, I am sitting in front of a brand spanking new Risc PC. It
arrived in two boxes. One containing the computer − fairly manageable.
The other containing the 17“ monitor − instant back-strain. I followed
my usual course of action when faced with any new item of an electronic
nature. I unpacked it, plugged all the cables into the most likely
looking sockets and switched on. Luckily, and it speaks volumes for the
ease of use and logical design of the Risc PC, everything worked first
time and I was soon presented with the RISC OS desktop.
8.2
After an initial go at configuring the computer to my liking, I
proceeded to install my core suite of software. These are the three
basic pieces of software I need on any computer. Word processor,
spreadsheet and database. Not having any experience on an Archimedes
since the earliest Arthur OS version, I was a little out of touch.
Fortunately(!), my Risc PC had been on order for approaching three
months, so I had had plenty of time to study magazine reviews. I was
certain which word processor I wanted − Impression Publisher. It
consistently features in magazines and has the greatest level of support
from third parties.
8.2
The choice of spreadsheet was a little more complex, but following a
couple of positive reviews for the new Schema 2, my choice was made, it
has full macro facilities, something I consider essential in a
spreadsheet.
8.2
The choice of database has been harder. Despite several reviews in the
Acorn press, I am still undecided. I currently have Impact Pro and
Squirrel 2 on my hard disc and whilst both have their strengths and
weaknesses, neither is perfect. There again what software package is? I
am also going to look at DataPower and S-Base 2. I am sure, one of them
will be suitable for my purpose.
8.2
After a few days, the 17“ monitor, in a 1024×768 by 256 colour mode, had
my new desktop proudly displayed. The applications and utilities I had
chosen to appear on the iconbar after start up were all in their proper
places. These are FontDir, Printers (for my LaserJet 4), ArcFax and
Dustbin − on the left hand side and Edit, Keystroke, ImpactPro, Schema 2
and Impression Publisher on the right hand side. It looks good, or to
quote from The Mask, “reallyyyy smokinnnn!”.
8.2
Risc PC versus Windows PC
8.2
But, how does it compare to the Windows PC I had been using? You may
remember I have a well specified 66MHz 486DX2 with 16Mb RAM with an
accelerated (S3 super VGA) display driving a large screen monitor. My
Risc PC is an ACB45 (two slices, 8Mb RAM and 1Mb video RAM), to which
I’ve added a further 16Mb RAM SIMM − taking total memory to 25Mb (don’t
forget the Risc PC will use any spare video RAM as ordinary RAM). You
may wonder why I have chosen to have so much RAM on a system that works
well with 8Mb. I intend to do some photo processing at a later stage,
once I have decided upon the most suitable software (PhotoDesk sounds
favourite at the moment, although I intend to have a look at as many as
possible at the Acorn World show). I also believe I will need a large
quantity of RAM in order to get Windows running when the co-processor
card arrives.
8.2
Although Microsoft claims that you only need 4Mb to run Windows, my own
experience shows that you need at least 8Mb and preferably 16Mb in order
to get anything like reasonable performance, whilst running two or more
software packages. On top of the Windows requirement, there will also be
some memory required for the video display and running the RISC OS
desktop. My own feeling is that you will need at least 16Mb if you wish
to multitask between RISC OS software and Windows software. And,
finally, as already mentioned above, I like all my main applications to
be loaded on the iconbar from the minute I switch on.
8.2
My initial reaction is that the Risc PC feels faster than my Windows PC
in most respects. The screen updating, the way windows are moved around
in real time, the loading of graphics into Impression all convey a
feeling of smooth sophistication that is somehow lacking in my Windows
PC. Not everything is as wonderful, however. Printing seems to take a
long time. I have ordered the Ace Pro Drivers, and will see what
difference these make once they arrive and I have had a chance to set
them up. (I’ll send you a CC Turbo Driver, Simon so you can compare that
as well. Ed.) I was expecting more in the way of crashes than I have so
far experienced. Maybe I am lucky, but the few problems I have had have
all been as a result of using incompatible programs, often older
software from PD or magazine discs. The main applications I have used
have all been remarkably stable − notably more so than my Windows PC
applications.
8.2
Like a duck to water, I found the operation of the RISC OS desktop
fairly easy to pick up. There are one or two differences from Windows,
the most obvious one being the use of a three button mouse and the
middle ‘menu’ key instead of the menu bar at the top of each application
window. At first I found I was moving the mouse up to the top of the
window and had to remind myself to use the middle button. But within a
couple of days I was using my middle finger like a natural. It is a
definite improvement once you get used to it − the menu is always
context-sensitive and appears right where you want it to. Context-
sensitive menus have only just been discovered fairly recently, on an
application by application basis using the right hand mouse button, in
Windows. In RISC OS, this means that valuable screen space is not taken
up by the menu bar. I still find it hard to operate the Adjust button
with my third finger, especially when double-clicking to open a
directory so that the parent directory closes. (That’s interesting! I
hold the mouse between thumb and third finger and then move my middle
finger across between menu and adjust. I wonder what other people do?
Ed.)
8.2
I’ve had the Risc PC for a few weeks now and I’m delighted with it! It’s
everything I had expected from reading Acorn’s promotional material and
the reviews in various magazines.
8.2
Chicago, Chicago, wherefore art thou...
8.2
Chicago or Windows95 as it is to be known, probably, will not see the
light of day before next summer. All Microsoft will say is ‘some time in
the first half of the year’. Why should I, or anyone else, be interested
in Chicago? Well, if one is interested in the 486 co­processor, it must
be in order to run DOS and/or Windows software. Windows95 is a full 32-
bit operating system that will work on 386 or higher processors only,
and so will cure all the memory problems of DOS. Or will it?
8.2
Using Windows95 to run 32-bit software will certainly bring an end to
the 640Kb DOS memory limit within Windows. If you are going to be
running any ‘older’ Windows or DOS programs that rely on software
drivers loaded by autoexec.bat or config.sys, you may still have
problems. The reason is, that in order to remain compatible, Microsoft
have had to keep autoexec.bat and config.sys as the means for loading
some older drivers − programs expect to find them there and often load
their own drivers there as part of their installation process. Most of
the large software companies, the likes of Novell, Symantec etc, will be
releasing 32-bit device drivers for the new Windows95. But until they
do, if the particular driver you rely upon comes from a less expeditious
company or the program is no longer supported, you will still find
yourself having to play the memory management game.
8.2
And finally...
8.2
I am going to the Acorn World Show on Friday 28th October and hope to
get my first look at and, if I can be persuasive enough, my first try of
the co-processor. Following this, I hope to get my hands on one of the
first cards to be released. This being the case, I may well have
something more concrete to report about in the next issue. Until then,
good computing!  A
8.2
ColourPicker in RISC OS 3.5
8.2
Elliott Hughes
8.2
Those who have used a Risc PC may have noticed that Draw now supports
24 bit colour. The format of the drawfile has always allowed it to
represent true colour, but Draw originally only allowed the user to
choose an 8-bit colour.
8.2
When I first saw the new colour selection dialogue boxes (in chapter 6,
“Using colour in applications”, of the Risc PC’s user guide), I assumed
that these new dialogues would be available to users of the latest
RISC_OSLib only. Tired of waiting for both the new volume of the PRM and
the new C/C++ compiler, I noticed that, as well as “Colour Selector
1.61” (ColourTrans), RISC OS 3.5 has a module “Colour Picker 0.15”
(ColourPicker).
8.2
Using the information in OSLib, written by Jonathan Coxhead of Acorn, I
was able to work out enough to add ColourPicker dialogue boxes to my own
programs. OSLib is copyright Acorn Computers, but is not an official
Acorn product. For information on getting a copy of OSLib, see the end
of this article.
8.2
Introduction
8.2
ColourPicker allows a program to offer a dialogue from which the user
can choose a palette entry using any available colour model. The program
can then use ColourTrans to calculate the best colour .
8.2
An application using ColourPicker does not need to know anything about
colour models or the capabilities of the current screen mode.
ColourPicker is capable of responding to requests for interactive help.
8.2
Overview
8.2
As with ColourTrans, the term ‘palette entry’ refers to “a word that
contains a description of a physical colour in red, green and blue
levels”. A colour model is a way in which the user can specify colour.
The three models built into RISC OS 3.5 are RGB, CMYK and HSV. (These
are explained in both Risc PC and Impression user guides.)
8.2
Two SWIs allow colour models to be registered and deregistered with
ColourPicker.
8.2
Four SWIs allow the application to open, close, update and read a
ColourPicker dialogue.
8.2
Other SWIs allow the application to pass requests for interactive help
to ColourPicker and to interface new colour models to the ColourPicker
front end.
8.2
ColourPicker_OpenDialogue   (SWI &47702)
8.2
Creates and opens a colour picker dialogue
8.2
On entry
8.2
  R0 = flags
8.2
    bit 0 set − dialogue is transient
8.2
    bit 1 set − dialogue hangs off a menu
8.2
  R1 = pointer to block containing information about the dialogue
8.2
The format of the block passed is as follows:
8.2
  +0  flags:  bit 0 set − offer the user the None    icon for
transparent colour
8.2
      bit 1 set − use the transparent     colour as the initial
selection
8.2
      (there may be others, but they    haven’t been discovered)
8.2
  +4  pointer to zero-terminated title of dialogue box
8.2
  +8  min. x
8.2
  +12  min. y
8.2
  +16  max. x
8.2
  +20  max. y
8.2
    These give the initial position of the dialogue box. Only min. x and
max. y seem to be used. They give the position of the top-left corner of
the dialogue box.
8.2
  +24  x scroll offset − no idea when it’s used
8.2
  +28  y scroll offset − no idea when it’s used
8.2
  +32  palette entry of colour selected initially (if bit 1 of +0 isn’t
set)
8.2
  +36  size − no idea what it represents
8.2
  +40  colour model number of initial colour model:  0    RGB
8.2
        1    CMYK
8.2
        2    HSV
8.2
This SWI is used to initiate the colour selection. The ColourPicker
module takes over and keeps in touch by sending messages to your task.
The two most important are Message_ColourPickerColourChoice (&47700) and
Message_ColourPickerCloseDialogueRequest (&47702).
8.2
Message_ColourPickerColourChoice
8.2
(Message &47700)
8.2
This message indicates that the OK button has been clicked to accept the
current colour. The message data is as follows:
8.2
  +20  1 ⇨ transparent selected
8.2
    0 ⇨ colour selected
8.2
  +24  palette entry of colour selected (if +20 is 0)
8.2
When this message arrives, the dialogue box dismisses itself. You need
only take whatever action is relevant to your application (and wait for
the next message to arrive).
8.2
Message_ColourPickerCloseDialogueRequest
8.2
(Message &47702)
8.2
This message indicates that either the OK button has been clicked (and
you’ve already been told about the colour selected) or that ColourPicker
wants its dialogue box removed (perhaps because Cancel has been
clicked). To respond, call SWI ColourPicker_CloseDialogue with R1 =
contents of the 20th byte of the message block.
8.2
ColourPicker_CloseDialogue
8.2
(SWI &47703)
8.2
Closes a colour picker dialogue which is in progress.
8.2
On entry:
8.2
  R0 = flags − use unknown
8.2
  R1 = pointer to block containing information about the dialogue
8.2
This SWI is used to remove a colour picker dialogue box.
8.2
Conclusion
8.2
The RISC OS 3.5 ColourPicker is a promising step forwards. By providing
the code to implement RGB, CMYK and HSV colour selection (and the
possibility of adding new models), Acorn is making it easy to provide a
consistent and appropriate user interface. It’s possible that Computer
Concepts will find an excuse to be different − they often do!
8.2
I think I’ll go and look at Wimp_TextOp next. I’m sick of the system
font.
8.2
Getting hold of OSLib
8.2
OSLib is “a set of functions and C headers to provide complete coverage
of the RISC OS application programmer’s interface in C”. The author
claims it provides “a very convenient interface to the RISC OS
programmer, since all the facilities of the compiler that is currently
being used are available to catch errors. It is conceptually very small,
in that it is completely documented by [a readme file] and the PRM. As a
bonus, code written using it is smaller and runs faster than code
written using other means”.
8.2
I’d go along with that, and suggest that anyone writing for RISC OS in C
or assembler should get themselves a copy. It’s easier to write style
guide compliant applications with OSLib than with RISC_OSLib, which is a
poor reflection on RISC_OSLib. Maybe with the new compiler...
8.2
OSLib is available via anonymous ftp from micros.hensa.ac.uk. If you
have a WWW client, you can also try http://micros.hensa.ac.uk/. OSLib is
quite large, but it may even be available from some of the PD
libraries.  A
8.2
Dalriada
8.2
new artwork
8.2
LOOKSystems
8.2
new artwork
8.2
LOOKSystems
8.2
new artwork
8.2
DocLine
8.2
Gerald Fitton
8.2
As Gerald will explain, he is changing the direction of his regular
(and, I must say, much valued) articles. The new name is meant to be an
abbreviation for “Document Preparation Line” − the best description that
we could find for the general area that he is going to cover. Ed.
8.2
I know of half a dozen people who can produce all the documents they
want with no more software than that excellent wordprocessor Wordwise.
Our editor is familiar with that package and has produced many excellent
booklets explaining how to make best use of it. (Sadly they are all out
of print now. Ed.) The hardware used by these half dozen acquaintances
is a 32Kb BBC Model B computer which they bought ten or twelve years ago
together with a printer such as the dot matrix FX80 − a machine which
went out of production in the mid 1980s.
8.2
Most of us who read Archive, even if we know of Wordwise, will not be
using that combination of software and hardware (though I have a recent
letter which extols the virtues using Wordwise on the Archimedes as an
intermediate format for ‘porting’ documents from one platform to
another); probably we’ve got a combination of such packages as Artworks,
PipeDream and Impression Style and hardware which contains the
RISC OS 3.1 operating system as ROM.
8.2
In the next few months, I would like to consider why people upgrade from
one hardware/software system to another. I’m going to explore that with
you and, I hope, help you to rationalise your strategy for hardware and
software upgrades. I shall concentrate on those hardware/software
systems for which the first use is document production.
8.2
Within my definition of document, I include spreadsheets, letters,
invoices, and those documents which might be described under headings of
DTP and drawfiles. I specifically exclude games, program development,
and hardware and software that are used for musical or mechanical
purposes. I shall cover any kind of document production hardware and
software; I shall concentrate on looking at how such a system appears to
the user and buyer.
8.2
PipeLineZ to DocLine
8.2
In the last edition of Archive, there was a comment that, although the
contents of PipeLineZ often contains material which would interest ‘non-
Coltonites’, it is difficult to persuade those who don’t have PipeDream
or Fireworkz to read it! The editor’s suggestion is that it might be a
good idea to change the name. I agree!
8.2
In fact, about one third of my Archive generated correspondence is from
‘non-Coltonites’ and much of that correspondence is of great interest to
me, is complimentary towards PipeLineZ and is of great general value. I
would like to include more of such correspondence in Archive. My opening
paragraphs and the change of title this month is intended to catch your
attention and persuade you ‘non-Coltonites’ that this column is worth
reading even if Colton Software’s products do feature heavily herein.
8.2
Before I launch into my main topic for this month, there are a few
hangovers from past volumes of Archive which need mentioning. Even there
you’ll find parts of interest to ‘non-Coltonites’ which introduce my
main theme for this month.
8.2
Stamps
8.2
The following is part of a letter I received from Mr A G Rimmer. The
programs which he mentions are on the Archive monthly disc.
8.2
“Since receiving your letter, I have bought a copy of Fireworkz, and
enclose on disc a copy of a program to choose the minimum number of
stamps for any given postage amount (assuming that all the current
values of stamps − or at least those listed in your April contribution
to Archive − are available). I also include an improved version of a
Basic program that does the same thing − but faster!
8.2
“I recently got PipeDream 3 free from Risc User on paying for a year’s
subscription to their monthly disc. It seems to have the advantage over
Fireworkz that, by using its own printer-driver, you can print letters,
etc, much more quickly on a dot-matrix printer as compared to the
painfully slow graphics printing using !Printers. However, for my
letters, I use DeskEdit with a text-only printer-driver.”
8.2
In an earlier letter, Mr Rimmer sent me a PipeDream solution which he
created using PD3 (but which ‘works’ in PD4) − that, too, I include in
the Stamps directory of the Archive monthly disc.
8.2
Mr Rimmer uses a range of software from Basic to DeskEdit, choosing the
package most suitable for the application he is working on. In line with
the philosophy which I wish to promote, he has my encouragement to
continue with this strategy.
8.2
Cross checks
8.2
I have received a great deal of correspondence on this subject since I
mentioned it. Essentially, a cross check is a tactic for ensuring that a
spreadsheet hasn’t made an error. The method is to use the same data for
two different sets of calculations which are designed to give identical
answers only if there are no mistakes. One problem with binary
arithmetic (to which I have referred in an earlier Archive PipeLineZ
article) is that most decimal values are truncated and hence stored as
approximations, and as a result of this truncation, the two calculated
results which should be identical are, more often than not, only
approximately equal. An obvious cross check, testing for exact equality,
may fail even when there is nothing wrong with the spreadsheet. This is
not a characteristic peculiar to the products of Colton Software. The
effect can be reproduced with other spreadsheets (as my non-Coltonite
correspondents have delighted in telling me) as well as in something as
basic as Basic.
8.2
At this stage I must record my thanks to Denis Howard for the
inspiration which has led eventually to the formula which, between us,
we developed for checking if two values are ‘near enough’ the same. I
have included on the Archive disc a directory called CrossCheck which
contains files in PipeDream 4 format. These files will load into
Fireworkz. For those of you using a different spreadsheet package the
solution is contained in the following lines which are in the form of a
PipeDream or Fireworkz custom function:
8.2
...function(“same_number”,“first:number”, “second: number”)
8.2
...result(if(abs(@first-@second)/(@first+ @second)<(1e-
16),“OK”,“Error”))
8.2
What this formula does is to find the ratio of the difference to the sum
of the two ‘equal’ numbers. If we call the ‘equal’ numbers x and y then
we calculate the absolute value of (x − y)/(x + y). We use this ratio,
rather than just the value of  (x − y), so that we can make allowances
for ‘large’ and ‘small’ values of x and y. We find the absolute value so
that we can ‘get rid’ of negative values. Then we compare this ratio
with the small positive number 0.000 000 000 000 000 1. If the ratio is
smaller than this small number, x and y are ‘near enough equal’ for
there to be no errors in the spreadsheet.
8.2
By the way, PipeDream text files (such as the [ReadMe] explanation of
the way in which this Cross Check works) will load into Edit. If you
have RISC OS 3, the easiest method of loading almost anything into Edit
is to hold down <shift> and double-click on the file.
8.2
PipeDream to Psion
8.2
If you have problems porting files to and from the Psion, the files on
the Archive disc in the directory PD/Psion will be of interest to you.
The ‘conversion’ process mentions Lotus and other ‘foreign’ formats so
it is not a PipeDream only article. Although Ian Williamson uses
PipeDream files for his example, if you write to him he’ll do his best
to explain ‘how to do it’ with other format files. His address is in the
PipeDream format [ReadMe] file on the Archive monthly disc. Load it into
Edit if you don’t have PipeDream.
8.2
Computer systems
8.2
Now to the first part of a series which I will develop during the next
few issues of Archive, namely the way in which you can rationalise your
strategy for upgrading your computer system. I hope that through this
series of articles, you will benefit from my personal experience of
upgrading in the same way that I have benefited from comments made to me
by other people.
8.2
It seems a long time ago but I suppose it can’t be more than 15 years
ago (1982, wasn’t it? Only 12 years! Ed.) that I bought an Acorn BBC
model B microcomputer. It had no hard disc, no printer and the TV
doubled as a monitor! Now I have an A540 (before the Risc PCs appeared,
this was the ‘top of the range’ machine) and one of the first A440
models to be produced (don’t confuse my A440 with the later A440/1 etc
series). I shall buy a Risc PC later when I can (a) afford it and (b)
justify the expenditure!
8.2
Let’s start with some general principles. Firstly, think in terms of the
whole system rather than just the ‘computer’ box. By this, I mean think
of the monitor and printer (and even your ‘software’ packages) as
upgradable parts of your overall system. My first message to you is that
a good printer and a good monitor both make up a substantial proportion
of the overall cost of your system so thinking about what you want is at
least as important as thinking about the ‘computer’ box.
8.2
Let’s start with a general discussion of printers, using it as an
example of the ‘right’ way to think about upgrades.
8.2
Printers
8.2
My first printer was a 9-pin Epson FX 80 and (important to my
discussion) it cost as much as the BBC B computer. I bought it before I
upgraded from cassette to a floppy disc drive. However, that printer saw
me through an upgrade to a BBC Master computer (as did the disc drive)
and I used it with the A440 Archimedes for a year or two before
relegating it to a tractor feed label printer. There is no doubt in my
mind that the FX 80, although one of the more expensive printers at the
time, was better value for money than was my BBC B computer. This is not
to say that the BBC B was not good value; it was good value. The FX 80
was even better value because it saw me through three computers: the
BBC B, Master and A440.
8.2
My second printer was an Epson GQ 3500 bought over five years ago. It is
a laser printer and produces better quality at 300 dpi than the 9-pin
FX80 ever could. It still exists but I’ve ‘lent’ it to my son for use
with his 486 PC; I used it for quite a while, both with my A400 and then
with my A540. If I still had it, I would be using it now and I would be
using it with my Risc PC (the one I haven’t bought yet). Once again,
that printer cost as much as an Archimedes computer but it saw use with
two (A440 and A540) and is still going strong now with a third computer.
Let me repeat (in the hope of convincing you) that buying a good printer
is a ‘better’ or longer term investment than buying a good computer such
as the Archimedes A540.
8.2
I am not yet convinced about the printer I’m currently using. It is of
the colour inkjet type. The model is the Integrex ColourJet Series 2
which has a resolution of 300 dpi like the laser printer. (It does not
produce quite as good an image − but it’s pretty close.) The Integrex is
an HP 500C compatible which I bought for two reasons. One is that I
wanted to experiment with colour and the other is that I often print one
or two labels at a time on an A4 sheet of 18 labels. With the laser
printer, I was using a page worth of toner for a couple of labels; with
the inkjet I use only the ink needed to produce the label − so it works
out to be a little more economical than the laser. Nevertheless, I
expect that the Integrex will see me through at least two upgrades to my
‘main’ computer hardware and, at much less than the cost of a computer,
it is still a better investment than the A540 which (currently) outputs
to it.
8.2
I hope you will have gathered, from the examples I have quoted for
Printers (as part of an upgradable computer system), that it is not just
the cost of an item which is important but you also have to judge how
far into the future it’s going to last. Whether a piece of hardware − or
for that matter, software − is a good investment must include a
(difficult to estimate) time element. I hope that this series of
articles will help not only Coltonites wondering about upgrading to
Fireworkz but also non-Coltonites wondering about − let’s say −
monitors!
8.2
Monitors
8.2
The technical considerations of choosing a new monitor have been covered
in earlier issues of Archive but I hope that you’ll agree (when you’ve
read it) that what I have to say complements those articles rather than
reiterates the information therein.
8.2
Back to my personal history. I soon replaced the TV, which I used for
the BBC B, with a proper monitor. It was one of the Microvitec series
but I can’t remember which one. At the time, it cost about the same as
the BBC B had cost me but it served me well with the Master I bought to
replace the BBC B and is still working well as part of the system which
I passed on to a friend.
8.2
I bought my A440 with one of the Acorn cheaper ‘standard’ monitors but I
soon bought a multiple scan rate monitor (often referred to as a
‘multisync’) to replace it. The multisync I bought is the Eizo 9070S 17“
Flexscan which, although unused, was available at about half price
because it was soon to be replaced with a later model! Nevertheless, the
Eizo cost me about the same as the computer hardware currently being
sold by Acorn.
8.2
I am still using that Eizo now with my A540. In the main I use it in
mode 102. This is a ‘special’ mode provided in software by Atomwide as
part of their !VIDCmodes and !VIDCplus utilities which is available on
NCS Utils Disc Nº1. Let me say more about mode 102 since it is relevant
to the specifications of current (and future) monitors. I make no
apology for referring to PipeDream documents in my discussion because,
even if you don’t have PipeDream, by thinking “Edit” instead, I’m sure
that you’ll get my point.
8.2
The Atomwide mode 102 allows me to use PipeDream documents which are 136
system font characters wide without any of the document disappearing off
screen. The ‘depth’ (or should it be the height) of the screen allows 50
(system font) lines of any PipeDream document to be displayed. This is
almost twice as ‘wide’ and twice as ‘deep’ as a mode 12 screen (the
mode 12 screen will display − in system font − a PipeDream document
which is 72 characters wide and 26 lines deep). You will see that the
‘area’ of the desktop displayed in mode 102 is about four times that of
a mode 12 screen.
8.2
This large desktop area is the biggest single benefit I have gained from
using a multisync monitor. The ‘old’ standard 14“ monitor might have
been OK under the Arthur (single-tasking) operating system but, once it
became possible to put many windows on the screen and to have more than
one application running and to have transfers of data from one (say
Draw) to another (say Impression), then a bigger desk top area was not a
luxury but a necessity.
8.2
Although the Eizo 9070S is no longer available, I expect that I would be
able to use it with my Risc PC (when I buy it). I don’t expect to
transfer the Eizo to the Risc PC because I shall probably buy a new
monitor with that machine and keep the A540 and Eizo as my second
machine.
8.2
Buying a monitor
8.2
I recommend that you do not buy a ‘standard’ (fixed frequency) SVGA
monitor but a multisync. This is because the SVGA standard won’t last
into the future as well as a good multisync will. Generally, if you buy
a good 17“ multisync monitor now then it should last you through at
least two computer upgrades. (This is true even if you were to change to
a Windows PC machine where the SVGA standard is seriously obsolescent
and where sales of multisync monitors are on the rise). I know that a
17” multisync costs more than a ‘standard’ monitor (or an SVGA monitor
for that matter) but I do recommend it to you on the basis that it will
be a good investment − indeed, if I had the choice of buying either a
good 17“ multisync or upgrading from, say, an A5000 to the Risc PC as an
investment in future-proofing, I’d buy the multisync!
8.2
If I were a ‘normal’ user with a good multisync, then I would register
as an ‘Acorn Enthusiast’; that registration would entitle me to order a
Risc PC computer without a monitor at a reduced price − I would use the
Eizo with the Risc PC.
8.2
So what is a ‘good’ multisync? I’ve already told you what I think is the
major advantage of using a multisync; it is that you have a larger
desktop area. It is possible to create large desktop area modes for use
with a standard 14“ monitor but, with such a monitor, this larger area
will be of no use to you. This is not just because everything is smaller
(after all you could get closer to the screen) but because the screen
itself doesn’t contain enough dots per inch to resolve the fine detail
your larger area mode has created.
8.2
With a standard 14“ monitor, you might try the Acorn mode 35. It doesn’t
really show you what I mean but it’s a step in the direction of
enlarging the desktop area (in !Edit) from 80×32 system font characters
to 96×36 (about 20% increase in each direction). If you have the
Computer Concepts !NewModes (supplied with Impression) then you can try
their mode 90 which gives a desktop area of 160×64 system font
characters. I find it unreadable when I try it on my A440 with a
‘standard’ 14” monitor because the dpi resolution of the monitor won’t
cope with the fine detail created by the software.
8.2
What size?
8.2
If you are serious about CAD or DTP and really need a very large desktop
area, you might consider buying a 20“ monitor. At present, the prices
are, in my opinion, rather high for non professional use (but see my
comment in a later paragraph). I don’t recommend 15” because the
improvement is minimal. Much more affordable, and a good compromise
between cost and ‘the best’ is a 17“ multisync. With a 17” monitor you
will, like me, be able to use a desktop area of about twice (in both
directions) that of mode 12. I would have liked just a fraction more so
that I could fit two 72 character wide PipeDream documents side by side.
I’ve been told by an ‘expert’ that mode 102 is about as far as it is
safe to go with a 17“ monitor. The expert I consulted understands the
fine detail of the technical articles recently published in Archive − so
I believe him.
8.2
Line scan rates
8.2
Understanding what is a good range of line scan rates is usually
presented as a difficult problem and one difficult to resolve. Let me
tell you why and then I’ll tell you my views. The old BBC B was designed
to use a TV as a monitor so that the line scan rate was about 15kHz
(about 15000 lines per second). The modes used by the BBC B are
available on the Archimedes. For technical and marketing reasons (Yes!
It’s the IBM PC syndrome again!) nearly all the better multisync
monitors have a minimum line scan rate of about twice this, 30kHz. The
consequence is that you can’t actually use mode 12 with a monitor having
a 30kHz+ line scan rate unless you cheat and fool your system into
believing that it has to scan twice as fast as it needs to. This is
effected with software such as that which used to be provided by
Atomwide as !VIDC but is now available from NCS on Utilities Disc Nº 1.
8.2
Here is my view. If you buy a multisync, it is unlikely that you will
want to use these 15kHz modes except for running a few special (old)
packages. I suggest that you get the !VIDC software for those few
occasions when you might need a 15kHz mode and forget all about
including low scan rates in your specification. Think of future-
proofing. If you use old software which needs these low modes (for
applications other than document production) then think about upgrading
the software!
8.2
Frame refresh rates
8.2
If you have RISC OS 3.1, you will find that the modes included by Acorn
run at 50Hz (50 frames per second), 60Hz, 64Hz and 70Hz. The Video
Electronics Standards Association (VESA) have studied the phenomenon of
flicker (see last month’s Archive article in the Risc PC Column) and
they recommend that monitors be constructed using phosphors which
persist for a length of time which requires (and thus implies) a minimum
frame refresh rate of 72Hz. Because of this, I would expect that 72Hz
will become a minimum standard for any future extension of Acorn’s
modes.
8.2
I have been told that the standard for digital television is to be
100Hz, so I would expect many more monitors having frame refresh rates
of 100Hz than there are at present to come on the market soon. In the
Windows PC market, refresh rates up to 100Hz are being discussed
regularly.
8.2
Yes! In spite of my proclaimed naivety, I do know that video memory and
video bandwidth come into the equation, but the thrust of my article is
future-proofing so I say “Let’s assume that video memory and video
bandwidth will increase − have we bought a monitor which will take
advantage of these advances in video memory and bandwidth when they
appear?”
8.2
Perhaps a more important consideration is that digital television
technology will use computer video memory and monitor technology rather
than the current analogue circuitry. It seems certain now that Acorn
have an eye on this market with their MPEG second processor board and
new multimedia offshoot. If so, then new Acorn modes are likely to have
a 100Hz refresh rate. Having said all this, I hope you’ll see why my
recommendation to you is that you buy a 17“ monitor which will run at a
100Hz refresh rate (and more) if you want it to be an investment for the
future.
8.2
My recommendation
8.2
I have looked at the specifications of what is available at the moment
in 17“ monitors even though I haven’t bought one yet. The Idek Iiyama
Visionmaster 17 is the only one I have discovered so far that has a
refresh rate of 100Hz when running with the largest desktop area
currently usable on a 17”. Others (I don’t see them in the NCS
catalogue) will run at 100Hz but only with a reduced area. The
implication of this 100Hz at a large desktop area is that there is a
margin for even larger desktop area modes at lower refresh rates if
appropriate software (and internal hardware) is forthcoming from the
likes of Acorn or Atomwide.
8.2
This Idek monitor has a dot pitch of 0.26 mm, which is about the
smallest (best) available on other monitors − because of this, I would
expect that the resolution of the large desktop area would be good (i.e.
not grainy) to look at. It is by no means the most expensive of monitors
− in fact it is cheaper than many. NCS are selling it at about £694
inclusive. You may be able to get one at somewhere between £550 and £650
if you shop around but remember that part of the price charged by NCS is
built in to provide you with service if you have a bad experience. One
of the things I tell my students at College is that I would never buy
insurance from a company that sells it so cheaply that it can’t make a
fair profit! You get one guess at why.
8.2
If you are buying a Risc PC from NCS then, for an extra £400, they will
provide this Idek instead of the Acorn 14“ AKF60. If you directly
compare this Idek with the Acorn 17” AFK85, you will find that the dot
pitch of the Idek is slightly smaller (good), that the scan rate range
is larger at both ends (good − 23.5kHz to 85kHz) and that the refresh
rate (nominally 50Hz to 120Hz) range is the same.
8.2
Finally, if you have an extra £1850 to spend (over and above the
standard-Risc-PC-with-14“-monitor price) when buying your Risc PC, you
can consider the Idek MF-8621. This is the matching 21” model and is
something to save up for! There is also an MT-9121 model mentioned on
page 6 of last month’s Archive which is £260 cheaper. It has a slightly
larger dot pitch but the scan rate range is better (23.5−92kHz), as are
the frame refresh rates (50−160Hz). Altogether a very impressive
sounding monitor.
8.2
I know I ‘ought’ to buy the 21“ model because, in spite of the extra
money, I’m sure it is a good investment that would see me through into
using my Risc PC (and later ‘computer type’ hardware) as a terminal for
the proposed multimedia information super highway. I don’t think I can
raise the cash but this must not deter me from recommending it to you if
you feel that you want to buy the best monitor and one that will last
you through your next three (rather than two) computer upgrades.
8.2
In conclusion
8.2
So I’ve made a start on my new look column. I know that in my quest to
help you develop a strategy for upgrading your system, I’ve concentrated
on monitors this month. I do intend to get around to software soon. As
my examples, I shall choose Wordwise through PipeDream 2 to PipeDream 3
to PipeDream 4 to Fireworkz and also Impression (Junior or II) to
Publisher (or Style). I shall discus how software purchases are future-
proofed. I hope that because I shall concentrate on these few packages
as examples, this won’t mislead you into believing that only users of
those packages will benefit from reading the article.
8.2
If you have made any of those specific upgrades and want to tell me
about it, my address is that of Abacus Training which you will find at
the back of Archive. I’d also like to hear from anyone who has an
upgrade strategy all worked out in their minds even (and perhaps
especially) if that doesn’t include any Colton Software product.
8.2
Remember, I shall be looking at document production in general. This
range excludes games, programming and music (amongst other uses).
8.2
Please let me (and our editor) know whether you approve or disapprove of
the broader range which I propose for this column! Or should I revert to
the more focussed remit of the PipeLineZ column?
8.2
For my part, I shall be interested to hear from you in more detail what
you think ‘document production’ should cover and what it should exclude.
8.2
See you at Acorn World 94!  A
8.2
Beebug
8.2
new artwork
8.2
Acorns in Business
8.2
Richard Torrens
8.2
I run an electronics manufacturing business in which we use Acorn
computers not only for design work but also for general use. In the
first two articles in this series on using Acorn computers in business,
I will explain how I use PipeDream. I don’t want to go into too much
technical detail or it would become too specific to PipeDream so I will
just explain the type of things I do using PipeDream. If you want exact
details and/or assistance (including copies of files and command files)
my address is at the bottom of the column.
8.2
I will initially declare an interest: I am a fan of PipeDream as it is
such a versatile program. The trouble is that there seems to be a direct
connection between versatility and difficulty of use. Initially,
PipeDream is very simple to use but it has a very long learning curve.
However, PipeDream does just about everything a small business could
want, so you are faced with the choice between a long learning curve on
one package or several shorter learning curves of several packages with
the possibility that they may not cooperate. In any case, much of the
learning is not directly down to the program you are using but is more
about how to organise the business so that it can be done by computer −
and this applies to any computerised task.
8.2
If I were running a larger business, I would have several computers: one
would be used as a word processor, another as an accounting computer and
another for stock control and purchasing and so on. I would then have to
employ staff to run the computer programs. This is the way most
businesses work and is one of the reasons they can get away with using
PCs. However, the beauty of the Acorns is that they are far more
integrated: PipeDream is capable of doing a lot of different tasks.
8.2
Between PipeDream and Vector, I can do nearly everything − DTP, stock
control, word processing, PCB design and CAD. (Vector is capable of
doing a lot of tasks as I have shown in my earlier articles about
Electronic CAD.) I do, however, use a few other packages for specific
purposes. ArcFax is essential in my business to provide a fax facility
and, since all my documentation is produced on the Acorn, it is very
much easier to fax direct from the computer than to use a dedicated fax
machine − and the computer version is also cheaper! (See Richard’s
review of ArcFax on page 47. Ed.)
8.2
I also have a Calligraph laser printer. Well-produced drawings and
properly written instructions present a good, professional appearance,
especially when properly printed on a good laser printer.
8.2
Finally, I use Prophet for my accounts − I could do this on PipeDream,
but Prophet has a lot more accounts-specific facilities.
8.2
DTP
8.2
PD4 is not a desktop publishing package but it does pretty well. I use
it for all our brochures and instruction manuals. One day I’m going to
decide that I want to be a bit more clever and need better facilities,
but for 90% of business publishing PD4 is fine.
8.2
Correspondence
8.2
Part of the business I run is mail order and I get asked a lot of
technical questions. However, as in many businesses, the same technical
questions eventually start to recur, so I have a word-processed file of
answers. Every time a question is asked, if there is a relevant answer
then I copy a slice of the database into a standard letter. If the
question is new, I write a standardised answer into the database.
Initially, the database file grew quite quickly but its growth has now
slowed down. This file is arranged so that it is readable and saleable
as a stand-alone script. This is an idea worth thinking about for anyone
collating technical information.
8.2
Our standard letter has a drawfile letter heading which PD4 uses. It
also does a ‘lookup’ in my address file so that I only have to enter a
customer’s address once in this file, then either type the customer’s
name into the letter or fill in a reference to the name by pointing to
it in the address file. This method enables me, in a matter of seconds,
to give the customer a detailed and personalised answer to every
question.
8.2
To keep the address files short, I have two: one for enquiries and
another for sales. When an enquiry turns into a sale, I mark the block
in the Enquiry file which contains the customer’s details and move it to
the Sales file. If I sell to a customer whose name isn’t in the Enquiry
file, I know it is new so I send them a price list. If the address stays
in the Enquiry file too long, I transfer it to a ‘dead’ file.
8.2
Technical literature
8.2
In Vector, I draw all the items we sell and save them as drawfiles which
PipeDream can use. The technique I use for the drawing is simply to do
them as a full frontal view, life size, by measuring the item and
drawing it as accurately as I can. If the item comes to bits, I draw
each bit separately and assemble them in Vector. I am no draughtsman but
in Vector, I alter the drawing till it looks right and if I draw it
accurately from measurements, life is a lot easier. Also, with Vector’s
library facility, I only have to draw each item once.
8.2
Invoicing
8.2
We have a complicated price structure because we do both retail trade
and also deal with manufacturers. The reasoning is a bit complex but,
basically, the customer can chose 15%, 10%, 5% or no discount, depending
on how quickly he pays. This did take a little automation but PipeDream
now does all the invoicing with minimum manual intervention.
8.2
I start off with a Sales file into which each order is entered as it is
received. From this, I print out a Sales Sheet for each order. This
was quite complicated to do since, although most sales only take up one
line, some take several. To make this file easy to read, I use multiple
entry lines with the sale number blank. So the Sales Sheet has to look
up the next few lines (up to 7) and see if they are numbered as the next
entry − if so ignore them.
8.2
When the sale is despatched, I enter the despatched date into the Sales
file and make a one line entry in a file called ‘To_invoice’. All I need
to do is to enter the sale number here: it looks up the Sale file for
info, but I can also enter comments in ‘To_invoice’.
8.2
When I get round to invoicing, I load a file called ‘Invoice’ which is a
blank form with ‘lookups’ everywhere. In one square, I enter the ‘Sale
number’. Immediately, the file picks up the customer from the Sales file
and looks up his address in the ‘Customers’ file. It looks up the
products and quantities from the sales file then does a double lookup of
the price: the order may qualify for the 10 off price but many of our
customers have a scheduled order and qualify for the 100 off price. The
blank takes care of all this automatically!
8.2
The invoice number is also looked up automatically (the first number in
the index file which has not been filled in). If the customer is export,
the Customers database has an entry either of his VAT number (for EEC
exports) or simply ‘Export’. This tells the invoice whether to add VAT
or not and enters “Your VAT number:” in EEC invoices. The ‘Invoice’ file
also looks up the Sales file for the the customers order number or
‘CWO’. The invoice uses the ‘CWO’ entry to calculate the 15% discount
automatically, otherwise it looks up the item in the database to see if
we give the customer the 10% discount.
8.2
All I have to do is check the file, blank out any unused lines and fill
in the carriage charge. The despatch date is looked up from the sales
file and the invoice date is filled in automatically as ‘Today’. When
the invoice looks correct, I pull in another command file which goes
through the invoice, snapshotting the appropriate slots and fossilizing
the invoice. It also removes all intermediate calculations. This command
file also causes the invoice number, date, invoice total and discount to
be written back to the Invoice Numbers file. Save, print and send it.
The whole process involves a minimum of my intervention.
8.2
For regular customers, I have a separate command file − one command file
per customer. This fills in all the details relevant for the customer so
that, if they have regular items or have negotiated a bulk price or
special discounts or regular quantities, all this can be automated. It
also saves me having to look up their last invoice to see how much I
charged last time. The whole thing saves me work and reduces my errors.
8.2
Accounts
8.2
I do all the accounting work in Prophet. I could use PipeDream but
Prophet is dedicated and therefore easier to run. The main problem with
PipeDream is that I don’t know the ins and outs of accounting so I let
Prophet do that. Prophet’s manual now includes a section on accounting,
for the beginner but I cannot yet comment as I bought Prophet before the
manual had evolved to this level. Quentin Paine of Apricote Studios has
promised me a copy, so when it arrives, I may return to the subject of
Prophet. Using Apricote’s !Transfer, I can move data from Prophet into
PipeDream and, since PD4’s Formula line is a writeable icon, I can get
it back to Prophet.
8.2
Next month, I shall conclude by explaining how we use PipeDream for
parts inventory control and raising purchase orders.
8.2
Feedback
8.2
Any comments/suggestions/criticisms/requests, contact me at: 4QD, 30
Reach Road, Burwell, Cambridge, CB5 0AH. Phone or fax on 01638-741930 at
any reasonable time (I work from home).  A
8.2
Simtec A3010 4Mb RAM Board
8.2
Chris Murray
8.2
I was fed up of seeing the ‘Not Enough Memory’ message when using some
of the latest applications, so I decided that, before I purchased any
more software, I would upgrade the available RAM on my machine (an
A3010). Currently, it is 2Mb and I wished to increase it to the maximum
of 4Mb. After looking at the various upgrades available, I chose the
Simtec 3Mb RAM expansion card. This has the relatively novel idea of
reusing the existing 1Mb expansion that may (or may not) be already
fitted. I ordered the board over the phone on a Tuesday afternoon, and
the goods came by recorded delivery on Friday morning. Inside the
package was an antistatic box containing a small double-sided PCB about
50×70mm, which had a handful of components on it plus a flying lead.
Having worked on several PCB inspection lines, I gave it a close
examination with my ×10 eye glass. This confirmed that it was a well-
manufactured and soldered PCB. The instructions supplied were clear,
concise and very easy to follow.
8.2
Installation
8.2
Opening the computer case and removing the existing 1Mb expansion (two
ZIP chips) was relatively easy. It is easy enough to do this without
unplugging the keyboard edge connector. Refitting the two chips into the
Simtec board was straightforward enough. After adjusting one link inside
the computer, the Simtec board was ready to be fitted.
8.2
At this point you need to be dexterous and brave. The new board sits
into the sockets vacated by the previous RAM chips. There are two rows
of 40 way pins to align and then be pressed very firmly into place.
There is very little room to see what is going on underneath, so great
care must be taken to align pins and sockets correctly. Once the PCB was
fitted and a flying lead plugged in, the case was reassembled. When I
switched on, everything worked perfectly first time (just as it should).
8.2
I now have a lovely 4096Kb total available on the task manager. I feel
much happier now about purchasing software, knowing that there is plenty
of memory available. I have increased the font cache (suggested in
Archive 7.5 p35 & 50). This give a much improved screen update when
using fonts. The computer has been used every day (often for several
hours at a time) for the last three weeks without any problems. The
whole installation took only 30 minutes which included unpacking and
reading the instructions.
8.2
Conclusion
8.2
Having worked in quality assurance for a number of years and seen many
electronic manufacturing companies, I must say that Simtec have produced
an excellent piece of hardware here that does exactly what it is
supposed to and at a very reasonable price. I have no hesitation in
thoroughly recommending this product.
8.2
The A3010 4Mb RAM board costs £89 + VAT Simtec or £102 through
Archive.  A
8.2
Advanced Basic − OLE Again
8.2
Paul Hobbs
8.2
Last month, I mentioned that I had found a PD library that had a module
to handle OLE. However, on receiving it, I discovered that it appeared
to be the Computer Concepts OLE module and documentation which I had
been informed was only for use by Computer Concepts’ applications. I
will attempt to clarify the situation but it looks as though we will
have to stick with the scheme outlined last month − unless anybody has
written a module which really is PD.
8.2
Impulse II
8.2
One Computer Concepts module that is PD is ImpulseII which is designed
to make inter-application communications easier. Despite being heavily
featured by at least one Archimedes magazine a long, long time ago, it
does not seem to have become a standard in the way that Computer
Concepts hoped, its main use being handling mail merging for Impression.
One reason for its lack of popularity is probably the available
documentation which, whilst being comprehensive, is somewhat confusing.
8.2
Should you want to send data between applications (perhaps for debugging
purposes as mentioned in an earlier column) it seems to make sense to
use this existing module as it handles the building of wimp messages for
you and generally makes things easier.
8.2
The way it works is that a ‘Method Table’ is built in memory which
contains the command words and any command parameters recognised by your
program. This ‘Method Table’ is passed to the Impulse module directly
after the call to Wimp_Poll so that Impulse can decode any incoming
Impulse messages.
8.2
If enough ‘Methods’ are supported by your application it would be
possible to allow another application to control all aspects of its
operation. However, a more likely scenario would be to allow your
application to supply a service to other applications. For example, a
graph drawing program could accept a list of values and return the graph
as a drawfile.
8.2
The purpose of the following code is to make an application respond to
the Impulse commands ‘openwin’ and ‘closewin’ for demonstration
purposes. Note that I have overcome my fear of global variables after
reading ‘Code Complete’ by Steve McConnell − I have adopted the
convention that global constants have names in capital letters.
8.2
REM Set up some global variables
8.2
IMPULSE_VERSION  = 18   : REM Module version
8.2
 nr * 100
8.2
IMPULSE_COMMAND  = &200 : REM Reason code
8.2
IMPULSE_REPLY    = &201 : REM Reason code
8.2
TASK_NAME$ = “ImpDemo”
8.2
REM Register this task as an Impulse user
8.2
REM (must be called after Wimp_Initialise
8.2
REM as the task handle of your task is
8.2
REM needed by Impulse)
8.2
SYS “Impulse_Initialise”, IMPULSE_VERSION, TASK_ID%, TASK_NAME$, -1
8.2
REM Start of poll loop
8.2
REPEAT
8.2
  SYS “Wimp_Poll”,0,poll_block% TO ,reason%
8.2
  SYS “Impulse_Decode”, reason%, bk%, , , ,
8.2
 IMPULSE_METHOD_TABLE, TASK_ID% TO
8.2
reason%, , , , , token,params,object
8.2
  CASE reason% OF
8.2
    WHEN 0    :
8.2
    WHEN 1    :
8.2
    REM Handle other reason codes here..
8.2
    WHEN 17   :
8.2
    WHEN 18,19:
8.2
    WHEN IMPULSE_COMMAND, IMPULSE_REQUEST:
8.2
      PROCImpulse_Decode_Command(token,
8.2
 object, params)
8.2
  ENDCASE
8.2
UNTIL quit%
8.2
DEF PROCImpulse_Decode_Command(token,
8.2
 object, params)
8.2
CASE token OF
8.2
  WHEN IMPULSE_TOKEN_OPENWIN :
8.2
    REM Perform action for openwin command..
8.2
  WHEN IMPULSE_TOKEN_CLOSEWIN:
8.2
    REM Perform action for closewin command..
8.2
ENDCASE
8.2
ENDPROC
8.2
Before entering the poll loop for the first time, the ‘Method Table’ has
to be set up which is achieved as follows:
8.2
IMPULSE_TABLE_SIZE = &400
8.2
DIM IMPULSE_METHOD_TABLE IMPULSE_TABLE_SIZE
8.2
G_Impulse_NextMethod% = IMPULSE_METHOD_TABLE
8.2
 + 4
8.2
IMPULSE_METHOD_TABLE!0  = 0
8.2
G_Impulse_NextToken%    = 1
8.2
G_Impulse_TxTag%        = 0
8.2
G_Impulse_TxInProgress% = FALSE
8.2
G_Impulse_TxTop%        = 0
8.2
G_Impulse_TxPtr%        = 0
8.2
PROCImpulse_MakeMethod(0, G_Token_OpenWin%,
8.2
  “OpenWin” , “”)
8.2
PROCImpulse_MakeMethod(0, G_Token_CloseWin%,
8.2
 “CloseWin”, “”)
8.2
PROCImpulse_WindUpMethods
8.2
The code to actually add a ‘Method’ is as follows:
8.2
DEF PROCImpulse_MakeMethod(Flags%,RETURN
8.2
 Token%,Method$,Syntax$)
8.2
Token% = G_Impulse_NextToken%
8.2
G_Impulse_NextToken%     += 1
8.2
G_Impulse_NextMethod%!0   = Flags%
8.2
G_Impulse_NextMethod%!4   = Token%
8.2
G_Impulse_NextMethod%    += 8
8.2
$G_Impulse_NextMethod%    = Method$
8.2
G_Impulse_NextMethod%    += LENMethod$
8.2
G_Impulse_NextMethod%?0   = 0
8.2
G_Impulse_NextMethod%    += 1
8.2
$G_Impulse_NextMethod%    = Syntax$
8.2
G_Impulse_NextMethod%    += LENSyntax$
8.2
G_Impulse_NextMethod%?0   = 0
8.2
G_Impulse_NextMethod%    += 1
8.2
G_Impulse_NextMethod%     = ((G_Impulse_
8.2
NextMethod% + 3) DIV 4) * 4
8.2
ENDPROC
8.2
DEF PROCshell_ImpulseWindupMethods
8.2
G_Impulse_NextMethod%!0 = -1
8.2
G_Impulse_NextMethod%!4 = -1
8.2
G_Impulse_NextMethod%?8 = 0
8.2
G_Impulse_NextMethod%?9 = 0
8.2
G_Impulse_NextMethod%  += 10
8.2
IF G_Impulse_NextMethod% > IMPULSE_METHOD_
8.2
TABLE + IMPULSE_TABLE_SIZE THEN
8.2
   ERROR 200,“Impulse has run out of room in
8.2
 making methods”)
8.2
ENDIF
8.2
ENDPROC
8.2
The monthly disc contains the full ImpulseII documentation and some
example programs. In order to test the Impulse demo application, it is
necessary to have a program that can send Impulse commands as the above
code only handles the receiving of commands. Luckily, Computer Concepts
supply the rather mis-named !Insight application which allows the
sending of Impulse commands and the display of Impulse replies. (I say
‘mis-named’ because it is not written in Basic and so provides no
insight into how to use the module!) Unfortunately, it only allows the
sending of commands, not requests that expect a reply, so next month,
all being well, I’ll present an application to do this.
8.2
A couple of points to note about !Insight: you quit it with an <adjust>
click on the iconbar icon (or via the Task Manager) and Impulse commands
are broadcast to all applications unless an ‘Object Name’ is given in
the command. Typical command strings would be:
8.2
:ImpDemo OpenWin
8.2
(command ‘OpenWin’ sent to application ‘ImpDemo’)
8.2
:OpenWin
8.2
(command ‘OpenWin’ sent to all applications)
8.2
The ‘Object Name’ is usually the name passed to Impulse_Initialise, but
it could include a document name, for example:
8.2
:Impression.MyDoc OpenDoc
8.2
(command ‘Opendoc’ sent to document ‘MyDoc’ in application ‘Impression’)
8.2
:Impression.MyDoc OpenDoc “10 10 500 -600” (as above, but open document
at specified coordinates)
8.2
In these cases, PROCImpulse_Command() would be passed the unresolved
part of the object name (‘MyDoc’) and it is up to your application to
decode the object name appropriately. In practice, the ‘Object Names’
and ‘Parameters’ can be as complicated as you want.
8.2
Owners of Impression Style or Publisher are provided with a couple of
Basic applications which provide some more clues about how it all works.
8.2
As this subject is quite complex, we’ll leave it there for this month
before I fill the whole magazine.
8.2
Outline fonts in menus
8.2
I have had a letter from Michael Carter who asks if anyone has found a
way of emulating the Risc PC feature of forcing the system to use an
outline fonts in menus. The PD application !DeskFonts is OK but doesn’t
handle menus correctly in that keyboard shortcuts are not displayed
right aligned.
8.2
This feature is of importance to software authors who do not have access
to a Risc PC for testing exactly how their application looks when
outline fonts are in use. If anyone has found a solution to this
problem, we would certainly like to know.
8.2
If you have any suggestions for topics that could be covered in future
issues, I would be pleased to hear from you. My address is Paul Hobbs,
Rheinpfalzstrasse 2, 85049 Ingolstadt, Germany.  A
8.2
ArcFax − A Software Fax Facility
8.2
Richard Torrens
8.2
These days, a fax facility is almost a necessity for running a business.
When people asked for our fax number, they were most put out to find
that we didn’t have one − so we invested in David Pilling’s ArcFax and
bought ourselves a fax modem. Now when people ring to ask what our fax
number is, some are a little put out that we receive faxes on a voice
line and they are often surprised when we say that the faxes come
straight into our computer. Although computers are so universally used,
few business users actually seem to know anything about them and the
tricks we Acorn users take for granted can be very impressive to the
average customer.
8.2
When I first thought of reviewing ArcFax, I wondered if I was going to
be able to say enough about it. It just sits on my iconbar waiting for
me to use it. I use it to send or receive a fax and then forget about it
again.
8.2
What is a computer fax?
8.2
The Acorn computer prints by sending to the printer a graphic image of
the page which is made up as a series of dots. Normally, an electronic
representation of these dots is sent up a cable to the printer. The fax
modem can be thought of as a ‘printer’ which turns these dots into
sounds which can be sent down the telephone line to a remote receiver.
The receiver may be another computer with a fax modem or an actual fax
machine which turns the sounds into dots on a piece of fax paper. So a
computer fitted with a fax modem and ArcFax can send and receive faxes
to and from any fax machine in the world whether it is a stand-alone fax
or an IBM running a fax program or, of course, another Acorn. However,
ArcFax is much more clever than this and has a lot more facilities.
8.2
Fax modems
8.2
The fax modem we use is a small box about the size of my hand. It plugs
via one cable into the computer’s serial port and another into the
telephone. Then you forget it. Mine sits behind the telephone out of
sight and out of mind, gathering dust.
8.2
David Pilling’s software is growing. The version I have is 1.11 but its
abilities are limited by the available modems. Modems are now appearing
which can digitise speech so, if you have one of these fitted, you can
use your computer and ArcFax to answer the telephone when you are out!
It can replay a recorded message and will record incoming messages
exactly like an answering machine. If the incoming call is a fax, the
modem will recognise the fact and receive the fax automatically.
8.2
Comms
8.2
A fax modem can, of course, be used for standard comms purposes just
like any other modem. ArcFax is not a comms package so, for Comms, you
will need other software, but there is plenty of this around − including
Hearsay from Beebug Ltd, also written by David Pilling.
8.2
Receiving a fax
8.2
If you are lucky enough to have a class 8 modem, ArcFax will listen in
to your telephone calls: if it detects a fax tone, it will automatically
receive it. ArcFax can be configured to automatically receive (or
ignore) voice, fax and data. However, we have a simpler modem which
doesn’t recognise voice so we answer calls manually. We have no
difficulty in knowing when the call is a fax: some faxes send tones to
initiate the transmission but other fax machines wait until the called
machine sends tones to them. The first are easy to recognise but we soon
got used to the mechanical sounding deadness of a fax machine waiting
for us to respond. In either case, we just click on the fax icon and a
window appears. In this window is a ‘Receive’ button. One click on this
and ArcFax takes over. Of course, if we know a fax is about to arrive
(or if we had a separate line for the fax) then we would configure
ArcFax to automatically answer all the calls. With a shared line, we
like to leave ArcFax on manual.
8.2
During reception, the window shows the status of the fax, including the
caller’s identification. Once the fax has been received, a tick appears
and you can open the RXBatch window and view the received fax. If you
want, you can print it straight out to the laser printer. ArcFax also
allows you to process the fax, save parts of it, etc.
8.2
Sending a fax
8.2
ArcFax uses Acorn’s standard RISC OS printer driver just the same as any
other printer. It redirects the output to disc, compressing it en route.
Once printing to disc has been done, you can view the resultant fax file
or send it straight out. However, ArcFax can also do all the sending
automatically for you. It has a telephone directory and you can tell it
to send to any entry or a new number or even a group of entries, so you
can send your fax off to twenty people if you wish − the ultimate mail
shot? Yes, unfortunately, junk faxes are catching on, but ArcFax can
even deal with a lot of these.
8.2
Directory
8.2
For me, this is one of ArcFax’s most useful features. There is a full
directory with a scrollable index page. Open the directory, scroll down
to the name you want and click <select> and ArcFax dials the voice
telephone number. ArcFax does all our dialling for us. No more
misdialled numbers and no more hunting for the telephone number.
8.2
Click on the name with <adjust> and a window opens for the entry showing
the person’s full name and address. There are other options here such as
‘Bar’ − if this is ticked and your fax and phone support caller-
identification, the caller is barred from your system. I know several
double-glazing companies I would wish to put on this list − but I don’t
have the right type of modem. Another option is ‘Block’ which works on
Fax id’s only, so is useful if you want to block junk faxes from a
particular fax machine.
8.2
Another very useful feature is that ArcFax’s directory supports drag and
drop − you drag the directory’s name entry into a wordprocessor window
(such as PipeDream 4) and the whole name and address is dropped at the
cursor. I could use this a lot more − except that most of my
correspondence is one off and if I used ArcFax for my regulars, I would
then be using two different systems together − always a cause of
confusion.
8.2
Automatic sending
8.2
ArcFax has facilities for automatically sending a fax. If you put the
words, for instance, {fred } in the document you are printing via the
fax printer driver, ArcFax will pick this up and automatically look up
the entry ‘Fred’ in its directory. Out goes the fax automatically with
no further ado.
8.2
There are other ‘Embedded commands’ which ArcFax will recognise
including {xyz } (the fax will be saved as ‘xyz’) and {date/time } which
will start ArcFax’s timed sending facility. There is a small problem
with embedded commands: there is no way of cutting them out of the
document in which they are embedded so they are sent out in the finished
fax. However most wordprocessors can use some trick (such as white text
on a white background) to make sure the commands don’t show up.
PipeDream doesn’t support coloured text, so we simply use 1 point text
and position it so that it is printed under a black part of our logo.
One point text would, in any case, show up looking like line noise and
would be unreadable. (If you use Impression, you can position these
commands within the print border making sure that you include some hard
spaces in extra large text so that they, invisibly, stick out into the
printable area thus forcing Impression to render the whole line
including your commands which ArcFax then picks up. Ed.)
8.2
Timed sending
8.2
A lot of our customers are overseas and so it can be useful to send the
fax at a particular time when the recipient is at work − or when the
rates are cheapest. ArcFax has a facility to delay transmission of the
fax until a stated day and time by using the {date/time } embedded
command or you can delay the sending manually.
8.2
Save money by using Mercury
8.2
ArcFax also allows you to put a prefix in front of any or all phone
numbers. This can be the Mercury initiation number, 131, followed by
your pin number. Once again, after the initial set-up, this is
transparent to the user and all calls, where appropriate, go via Mercury
thereby saving you money.
8.2
Scanned images
8.2
ArcFax now supports Twain interface to control scanners. I don’t have
one, as all the information I wish to send is computer-generated, so I
can’t tell you much about this. But, again, there is not much to it. You
just click on ‘select source’ (if you are using more than one scanner!)
and then on ‘Scan’. Then you just send the scanned image as a fax.
8.2
Other features
8.2
ArcFax is stuffed full of other features and David Pilling has thought a
lot about extra things that he could add depending on what would be most
useful to the users. ArcFax is very much a continuously developing
product.
8.2
Gripes?
8.2
No review would be complete without a few gripes. Let me see if I can
think of any... The manual has no index. Mind you, it is quite readable
and covers just about everything I need. An index would be nice, but I
can live without it.
8.2
The program is getting a bit large. It takes 512Kb and, if you use it
for receiving faxes, it isn’t the sort of program you can load up only
when you need it. My 4Mb of memory is getting a bit small, especially
since I have also upgraded to PipeDream 4.
8.2
I did have trouble when I first bought the modem: we were on pulse-
dialling and the modem didn’t correctly recognise the tones, but since
we’ve changed to tone-dialling, I have had no trouble and the new manual
does include hints about pulse-dialling exchanges.
8.2
Since writing the above − I have changed to a Risc PC. I am happy to
report that ArcFax performs perfectly with this but I did have to phone
David as one module needed updating. All I did was switch ArcFax to
receive data and the new module came straight down the telephone from
David. There was also a funny five minutes where I couldn’t get the
printer driver working with the RISC OS 3.5 driver. When I read the
ArcFax manual, I realised that hadn’t installed it correctly.
8.2
So, no, I can’t really find any serious gripes!
8.2
Summary
8.2
If you need a modem: get a fax modem. If you have such a modem then,
even if you don’t use the fax facility, ArcFax is worth getting just as
a telephone directory. If you need a fax and have an Acorn machine, get
a fax modem and ArcFax. If you think you need a dedicated fax, wouldn’t
it be worth spending the money on a scanner instead? That way, you get
the best of all worlds.
8.2
ArcFax costs £35 from David Pilling or £33 through Archive.  A
8.2
This article didn’t come in until after we had set up our special offer
last month of a Worldport fax modem with a free copy of ArcFax. The
offer was only to be for two months but we will try to extend it a
further month to allow subscribers the opportunity to make a more
informed decision in the light of Richard’s article. Ed.
8.2
Small Ads
8.2
(Small ads for Acorn computers and related products are free for
subscribers but we reserve the right to publish all, part or none of the
material you send, as we think fit. i.e. some people don’t know what
‘small’ means and there are certain things, as you can imagine, that we
would not be prepared to advertise as a matter of principle. Sending
small ads (especially long ones!) on disc is helpful but not essential.
Ed)
8.2
•  A3000, RISC OS 3, 80Mb HD, Multisync monitor, hand scanner, manuals
and software £750 o.n.o. Phone [phone].
8.2
•  A3000, RISC OS 3.1, 4Mb £200. 100Mb external Frog HD £200. Oak 16-bit
SCSI interface £50 (or free with drive). 14“ Microvitec Cub multiscan
£300 (ex cond). Phone Greg on 0171-388-9017 eves.
8.2
•  A310, 35MHz ARM3, RISC OS 3.1, 4Mb RAM, 47Mb HD, Taxan 775 monitor.
£450 or call and haggle. John 01328-864177.
8.2
•  A310, 4Mb, ARM3, 4 slot backplane, 120Mb IDE HD, G8+ graphics board,
RISC OS 3.1, newer keyboard, RISC OS 2 PRM, PC Emulator 1.82, MEMC1a,
colour monitor, mono multisync monitor. £750 o.n.o. Phone [phone].
8.2
•  A410/1, 4Mb RAM, RISC OS 3.10, 105Mb HD, SCSI interface, colour
monitor, PRMs, enhanced desktop, 30 font families, PC Emulator v1.82,
Eureka2, DeskEdit3, ArcFS r/w, WimpKit, + more. Top condition, boxed as
new. All manuals. Shipping and insurance included. Offers. Contact
Philip on (International code-353-1) 282-1609 (Ireland).
8.2
•  A410/1, 8Mb RAM, 30MHz ARM3, RISC OS 3.10, 20Mb. Ex cond £400. State
Machine G16 graphic accelerator £160. Intelligent Interfaces dual serial
port 38,400 baud £60. Phone Thomas in Denmark on [phone], eves.
8.2
•  A410/1 4Mb, 50Mb HD, ARM3, RISC OS 3.1, AKF11 monitor, Star NL-10
printer, PC Emulator v1.86, external 5¼“ disc interface. £450 o.n.o.
Phone [phone] eves.
8.2
•  A440, with RISC OS3, ARM3 and FPA10, 4Mb RAM, 20Mb HD, twin 5¼“
external floppy, single 3½” external floppy, 14“ NEC multisync. Some
software and all manuals. £1150 o.n.o. Phone Geoff on 01925-811420.
8.2
•  A440/1, 4Mb, 30MHz ARM3, 57Mb HD, Colour Card Gold, Mode Designer,
Acorn I/O podule with MIDI, Armadillo sound sampler, games. £830 o.n.o.
(will consider splits). Phone Mark after 6pm on 01905-754277.
8.2
•  A5000 4Mb, 80Mb, Taxan LR multisync, Prism 1000 modem and software.
Ex cond. Offers. Phone [phone].
8.2
•  A5000, 4Mb, 120Mb, Acorn multisync, games, over 80Mb of PD. Ex
cond. £850 o.n.o. Phone [phone].
8.2
•  A5000, 4Mb, 120Mb, without monitor, £700 o.n.o. Master 128 and Pace
Linnet V21/23 modem, sensible offers considered. Phone Dominic on 01272-
422633.
8.2
•  A5000, 4Mb, 40Mb, AKF18 multisync, RISC OS 3.11. Requires repair to
CPU − stops during start-up. £525. A440, 4Mb/40Mb, ARM3 25MHz, AKF17,
RISC OS 3.11, MEMC1a, backplane etc. £475. A420, 2Mb/20Mb, AKF17, RISC
OS 3.0, MEMC1a, backplane etc, £400. Excluding delivery. Phone 01827-
330118, eves/weekends.
8.2
•  A5000, RISC OS 3.1, 4Mb, 40Mb, multisync, Learning Curve pack, As
Easy As spreadsheet, also Draw Plus, Powerbase and other software, £850
o.n.o. Phone John on 0181-491-6517, eves/weekends.
8.2
•  Acorn A4 portable, 4Mb, 60Mb, PC Emulator, Genie Trackerball,
original packing, manuals and carrying case, £1100. Phone [phone].
8.2
•  Acorn DTP and First Word Plus (Release2) − Sensible offers. Render
Bender 2, £30. 10 out of 10 Junior Essentials, £15. Superior Golf, £7.
Impression book by Anne Rooney £7. Contact Peter Warrington tel/fax
0161-225-3404.
8.2
•  Acorn DTP £35, MS-DOS 5 £30, Minerva GammaPlot v2 £15, System Delta+
v2 £25, Genesis 2 £20, Bonjour de France − Ma Ville £20, PTW Software
Chemistry £10, Investigator 2 £10, Games: Cyber Chess £12, Boogie
Buggie, Superior Golf, Zarch £6 each, Startrader, Word Up Word Down £3
each, or all six for £30, Books: ARM Assembly Language Programming £8,
Genesis Script Language £5, MS-DOS Quick Reference £5, RISC OS 2 PRM
£35. Phone [phone] eves.
8.2
•  ARCticulate £10, Enter the Realm £10, Diggers £15. Magazine binders,
two marked “Micro User”, one marked “Acorn Computing” £2 each. All +p&p.
Contact Jon Aylwin, 4 St Margarets Close, Hemyock, Devon, EX15 3XJ.
8.2
•  Canon BJ200 printer 6 months old with Turbo Driver £180. Phone 0131-
447-8624.
8.2
•  Canon BJ230 printer with Turbo Driver (unregistered) £250. Colour
Card £120. Scanlight 256 £90. Impression Borders £5, Business Supplement
£20. PinPoint £50. RemoteFS (Serial) £30. Phone Mike 01742-619444.
8.2
•  Citizen Swift 24 dot matrix 24 pin. £60 o.n.o. Phone [phone].
8.2
•  Colourjet 132 inkjet £100. Dual joysticks and interface for A3000/
A5000 £20. Sampler/Midi for A3000/A5000 £40. Desktop Tracker £30.
Tracker £15. Elite (Gold) £20, Saloon Cars (Deluxe) £15, Chocks Away
£15. Pandoras Box £15, Real McCoy 2 £15, Lemmings £10, TwinWorld £10,
Nevryon £10, Repton3 £10, Conqueror £10, Spell £10. Phone [phone].
8.2
•  Easyfont II & Font Pack Two £10, Turbo Driver for Epson Stylus £15,
Chocks Away £5, Chocks Away Extra Missions £5, Nevryon £5, Black Angel
£5, Chopper Force £5, Corruption £5, Schema £5. All as new. Postage £1
per item or collect. (Everything for £50) Phone [phone] eves/
weekends.
8.2
•  I/O podule £50, MIDI podule £50, Toshiba 3401 external CD-ROM drive
£300, Conner 250Mb IDE drive £200, Conner 210Mb IDE drive £180. Contact
Leslie Wiggins on 01332-204040 day, or 01602-272282 eves.
8.2
•  Pineapple RGB to PAL encoder £50. Phone Mark after 6pm on 01905-
754277.
8.2
•  Powerband, Font Directory, Disc Rescue, Saloon Cars Deluxe, £12 each.
Also PC Emulator, Birds of War £15 each. Phone John on 01328-864177.
8.2
•  ProLink Fax/Data Modem, 9600 fax, 2400bps data with V42, V42bis and
MNP5 (i.e. up to 9600). £65. Phone [phone].
8.2
•  Psion OPL and User Manual for the Series 3, £7 the pair, including
postage. Phone Mark after 6pm on 01905-754277.
8.2
•  Telephone Fax switch for telephone/modem setup. Automatically checks
for fax or voice. £50 or offers. Phone [phone].
8.2
•  Wanted: Ancestry + other genealogical programs to run under RISC OS
3. Contact Philip on (International code-353-1) 282-1609 (Ireland).
8.2
•  Wanted: Bezel (plastic front) for a 3½“ floppy disc drive (Sony MP-
F63W-OOD) as supplied with replacement drive for A305/310/440. Phone
0151-606-0289.
8.2
•  Wanted: Z88 pref. with additional memory, accessories and link to
A5000. Contact Peter Warrington tel/fax [phone].  A
8.2
The ARM Club
8.2
Andrew Rawnsley
8.2
Just recently, a wide variety of user groups that have sprung up to
support owners of ARM-based computers. Arguably one of the most
significant of these clubs is the ARM Club which has been in existence
for some time now, but has received little public acknowledgement for
its work. Since the Club provides a service that would benefit Archive
subscribers, I feel that readers may be interested in learning more
about it.
8.2
Advertising?
8.2
Before you jump to any conclusions and decide that I must be an ARM Club
committee member trying to boost the group’s publicity, I should make it
clear that I’m certainly not. Only six months ago, my attitude was as
apathetic as that of many others − I knew the Club existed but it seemed
rather remote and of little interest to me. How wrong I was....
8.2
The service provided
8.2
The ARM Club could almost be classed as a public service − offering a
great deal for a very reasonable price − just £10 per year.
8.2
At its minimum, the Club offers a quarterly magazine known as Eureka
which comprises approximately 70 pages of news, reviews and special
offers. Members of the Club, and hence readers of the magazine, are
actively encouraged to get involved − for example, writing articles,
attending committee meetings and helping in the organisation of local
shows.
8.2
In addition to all of the above, the club runs an extensive PD library,
at the bargain price of £1 per disc, and recent offers included a ‘buy
one, get one free’ scheme.
8.2
The main problem with the magazine is that its layout gives away the
Club’s user-group based feel. Unlike the professional approach that we
are used to in Archive and the rest of the Acorn press, Eureka can have
articles running down one column of a page, continuing four pages later,
again in just one column, and then finishing two pages further on.
Whilst this may be a rather over-the-top example, I’m sitting here
looking at another article that does just that. Perhaps this is not a
major criticism, but Archive’s column balancing approach within an
article makes each one much more readable.
8.2
There are regular Club meetings for members in the south of the country,
and lists are distributed of members’ particular fields of interest
(unless the member doesn’t wish to be included), so if you are
interested in MIDI on Acorn machines, you can get in contact with other
users in your area who are like-minded.
8.2
Shows?
8.2
The ARM Club encourages Open Days with leading players in the Acorn
software and hardware market exhibiting − organised by members! Indeed,
I was approached at the BAU Spring Show and asked if I would be
interested in helping in to organise a small show / open day in the
NorthWest.
8.2
This gives the opportunity for members to meet representatives from
major Acorn companies and partake of the special offers available to ARM
Club members − quite exciting!
8.2
Other benefits
8.2
Not being a dealership, the ARM Club does not sell Acorn-based products
to members (PD excluded) but the Club negotiates deals with various
software houses allowing members to purchase software direct from the
company at discounted prices.
8.2
Conclusions
8.2
I suspect that my conclusions will by now be obvious! The ARM Club has a
lot to offer and I for one will be renewing my subscription when the
time comes, in the sure knowledge that it is money well spent.
8.2
The ARM Club can be contacted at: Freepost ND 6573, London N12 0BR.
Phone/fax: [phone].
8.2
If you should want to contact me either for further information, or if
you’re in the NorthWest, for local details, I’m available on: phone
01925-755043 (outside office hours) or fax [phone].  A
8.2
Charity Sales
8.2
The following items are available for sale in aid of charity. PLEASE do
not just send money − ring us on 01603-766592 to check if the items are
still available. Thank you.
8.2
Software: First Word Plus £5, Leading Edge Midi Tracker £9, Bubble Fair
£2, Blaston £2, Pysanki £2, Rotor £2, Datavision database £10, MiG 29
flight simulator £10.
8.2
Hardware: Floppy discs as new £15 per 50, Beebug 5¼“ interface £5.
8.2
(If you have unwanted software or hardware for Archimedes computers that
you could donate in aid of charity, please send it to the Archive
office. If you have larger items where post would be expensive, just
send us details of the item(s) and how the purchaser can get hold of
them.)  A
8.2
Outline Font Design Made Simple
8.2
Christopher Jarman
8.2
One of the reasons I bought a computer in the first place was my
interest in handwriting and lettering. Thanks to Roger Spooner’s
excellent help through his articles in Archive and his generous advice
over the phone, and also thanks to Dave McCartney of Datafile, I have
been able to design two or three fonts myself and to put them to work.
(The Jarman font for use in handwriting copy sheets was distributed free
on the Archive 7.5 monthly disc.)
8.2
Tools for the job
8.2
The basic tool for this job is the program !FontEd. It is obtainable
from Acorn and various PD sources, and is said to be quite complicated
to use. Its manual on textfile is certainly quite a good example of how
to confuse a reader. However, perseverance pays, and although I still do
not know what some of the items on the menus are for, I have discovered
how to design and edit a font! This is fairly intuitive − but much
easier using Roger’s guides! (Archive 5.12 p45, 6.1 p75, 6.2 p17, 6.4
p45 & 6.5 p55)
8.2
The biggest breakthrough, however, has come with David Pilling’s !D2Font
application, part of his program !Trace obtainable direct from him or
through Archive. This allows you to draw or design letters of your own;
either in Draw or in any application that saves in drawfile format, then
to put them one by one into the !D2Font matrix where they will type out
from the keyboard. It is not quite as simple as that, but it is fairly
easy once you have become confident in ironing out the little problems
caused by your own inadequate drawings! In fact, it is essential to put
the !D2Font results into !FontEd first for editing and spacing, before
they can be successfully used as an outline font.
8.2
The best way to explain how to do it, is to take you through the design
of, say, three letters step by step.
8.2
This is the lower case abc of an alphabet designed as an informal font
which was meant to look as if it was cut out of paper. I call it
‘Cutfont’. It actually only took about an hour to do the whole alphabet.
It was deliberately done hurriedly!
8.2
These letters were drawn in outline using the straight line segment tool
in Draw. With the grid showing, the x height of the letters is 4cms. For
a complete alphabet it will be necessary to use several drawfiles
containing groups of four or five letters. If you are going to design
capital letters, punctuation and numbers as well, it helps to label them
accurately as you save each file.
8.2
As a rough guide, for most alphabets, make your ascenders (bdhl etc)
around half as tall again as the small letters and make the capitals
about the same height as the ascenders. The small ‘t’ is lower than the
others, with its cross-bar at the height of the small letters. Look at
some standard fonts to get the proportions, as these are the most
frequent errors in lettering design. Numbers should again be about the
same height as the capitals. At this stage, you should aim to draw just
a really rough alphabet which, although untidy and perhaps out of
proportion, is at least your own unique font.
8.2
Enter D2Font...
8.2
Load !D2Font onto the iconbar and click to show the grid. In Draw, there
is a facility for saving only selected parts of the page. Select letter
‘a’ from your design either using the menu or <shift-f3> and drag it
into the pale grey square marked ‘a’ in the grid. (See on previous
page.)
8.2
 It should then appear as a tiny letter ‘a’. By double clicking on this
small ‘a’ in a square, it will appear large sized for your inspection.
8.2
At this stage, you may be unlucky and find that the letter is
incomplete, or that the centre of it is blacked out. Do not worry. As
long as there is something in the box, FontEd will come to your rescue.
8.2
Continue to select each letter and drag and drop them one by one into
the relevant grid boxes in D2Font. As a tryout, I would suggest using
only two or three letters first, and see how you get on with them before
attempting the whole alphabet. When you have everything you wish
transferred, select ‘Save Font’ (there is no need to select Save D2
Font) and give your font a name. Put it into a convenient directory. It
should now have its own folder looking like any other outline font in
your collection, even though, at this stage, you may only be trying out
three letters.
8.2
Using FontEd
8.2
Next load FontEd onto the iconbar. Open your newly named font directory
and drag the ‘Outlines’ file down to the FontEd icon. You will see
another grid appear just like the one from D2Font as follows...
8.2
However, when you double click on a letter in this application, it will
not only appear larger but will be in outline form rather like an object
in Draw or Artworks. It will have green dots as movable points, and
handles for curves as required. At this point, some letters may not
appear filled in black in their small squares. This is only because the
outlines are not joined up somewhere. So you have to inspect each green
dot to see if it is really two green dots which are not joined. When you
find them, use <adjust> to move one over the other, just as in Artworks.
Clicking <menu> over the enlarged window for a letter will give you an
option called ‘Full Char’. This will give you an enlarged black picture
of the letter you have been working on.
8.2
By using <select> to make lines and <adjust> to move them, you can re-
design, mend and manipulate the letters as much as you like. For full
details, refer to the three Fonts Workshops articles in Archives 5.12,
6.1 and 6.2.
8.2
When you have altered all your letters to your satisfaction and arranged
their widths to suit, do not forget to type in a width for the square
marked ‘sp’ which sets the spaces between letters.
8.2
To do this, you double click on ‘sp’, then click <menu> in the large
blank square. select ‘width’ and move to the right, type in 400 (as a
start) and see how it looks. Later, you can try greater or lesser width
spaces, after trying out the font in your word processor or in Draw.
8.2
When you are satisfied with any alteration, click <menu> over the
background matrix and click ‘Save’.
8.2
To try out your new font, discard FontEd and drag the font file into
your usual Fonts collection. Once installed, any further editing using
!FontEd will take place automatically wherever you have put the file.
8.2
The results
8.2
This is Cutfont. It was put together in about an hour using the method
described. Capital letters and more careful spacing were done later.
8.2
THIS IS TOONFONT, DESIGNED IN DRAW, THE SAME WAY AS CUTFONT. IT WAS
DESIGNED BY MIKE FLANAGAN, THE CARTOONIST, TO GO IN THE BUBBLES OF HIS
CARTOON CHARACTERS.
8.2
This is a font called Wyke which took very much longer to design and is
meant to look like pen lettering.
8.2
Cutfont and Wyke are not commercially viable complete fonts but you may
try them out on this month’s program disc.
8.2
The Trace disc (which also contains D2Font) is obtainable from David
Pilling price £10 inclusive or through Archive at the same price.  A
8.2
Puzzle Corner
8.2
Colin Singleton
8.2
(In response to a request a few months ago, Colin has offered to provide
us with some more puzzles out of his huge repertoire. Ed.)
8.2
What I will try to do is to provide two puzzles each month. There will
be (small!) prizes for the first three correct entries for each puzzle
drawn out of the bag on the final date for entries which is Friday 11th
November. That gives you less than a month but it means I’ll be able to
publish the answers in the magazine that you will receive the week after
the deadline − that should keep the interest going, even if you weren’t
able to make an entry. I’ll give the names of prize winners in the
following issue. You will know you have won before then because you will
(if we’re efficient! Ed.) have received your prizes before then but we
feel you should get some public acclaim as well.
8.2
Anyway, here are the first two puzzles...
8.2
(1) This is 1994
8.2
You may have come across the ‘four fours’ problem in which you are asked
to find a way to form each positive integer from one. As far as you
could, each should be expressed using four fours with any standard
mathematical symbols.  For example, 76 = 4!/…•4 + 4Ú4. Some of the
expressions became very involved. (Let me try... 1 = 4*4 / 4 / 4  and  2
= 4*4 / (4+4)  and then 3 = (4+4+4) / 4.  That’s my limit! Ed.)
8.2
You will not need any obscure functions for this puzzle, the solution
can be given as a single expression in the Basic programming language,
or on one of the better scientific pocket calculators. All you have to
do is form the number 1994 as an expression using, not four fours, but
the digits 1 9 9 4 in that order with suitable mathematical symbols.
8.2
(2) Conversations
8.2
Alan, Bill, Chris, Dave, Eric and Fred have gone to their local hostelry
for a quiet drink or two. It is, of course, likely that they will engage
in conversation in groups. They might all form one group, or they might
split into smaller groups not necessarily the same size. Some, or all,
may remain alone, and presumably silent.
8.2
In how many different ways might the six friends form conversational
groups?
8.2
Feedback
8.2
If you have any comments or suggestions to do with Puzzle Corner, write
to me at 41 St Quentin Drive, Sheffield, S17 4PN but send your answers
to the puzzles to Paul at the Archive address by 11th November.  A
8.2
Help!!!!
8.2
•  Acorn shares − I have some money to go towards buying a Risc PC but
only about half of what I need. I’d like therefore to invest that money
in Acorn shares and then in 2-3 years time when the next generation of
amazing Acorn computers appears, I’ll be able to buy one as the shares
will have doubled in value − well, that’s the theory. The trouble is
that I live in France. Can anyone help me to buy them directly from a UK
broker as the procedure for doing that from France is far from easy?
Bernard Maugoust, 13/36 rue du Vercors, F.59650 Villeneuve d’Ascq,
France.
8.2
•  FaxPack wanted − I was half-way through setting up a FaxPack network
for a registered charity when Computer Concepts stopped making them!
Call Steve on 01483-502146 if you would be interested in selling me
yours.
8.2
•  Help with Acorns − Is there anybody within a 50 mile radius of Biggar
in Lanarkshire, who is conversant with Acorn machines and may be able to
lend a helping hand to me with the use of my system? My main uses are
with Impression and Artworks. Please contact Anna McCosh on 01899-20221
or fax [phone].
8.2
•  Internet access − We said last month we would soon have an e-mail
address. Unfortunately, I applied through BBC Networking Club who have
had problems with “a last minute contractual issue”. They hoped the
delay would be “only a matter of weeks” but they returned my
application.
8.2
In the meantime, David Dade of the Arcade Bulletin Board has come to the
rescue, at least temporarily. He has kindly given me an Internet mailbox
on Arcade, so if you want to send any e-mail, I am, for now,
[e-mail]. Many thanks, David.  Ed.
8.2
•  PC file formats − As a total stranger to the PC world, I am having
trouble examining images, sound samples, etc, using ChangeFSI,
Translator, AudioWorks etc. The problem is that I am never quite sure
what all those file types are that appear after the / in a DOS file
name. Is there a list that I can refer to? If not, is there someone who
can compile such a list and maybe we can have it published in Archive so
that I can refer to it. All I want is something along the line of WAV-
Sound Sample, BMP- Graphic file, so that I know which Acorn program to
try and load it into!  Paul Hooper, Norfolk.
8.2
I’m not sure if this is the sort of information that Simon Coulthurst as
Risc-DOS Column editor might want to collate, but then Jim Nottingham is
doing some work on the interchange of different file formats, so perhaps
he might want to do it. Well, just send in your ideas, comments, etc to
the Archive office and we’ll see who wants to deal with it! Ed.
8.2
•  Star NL10 graphics printing − Is anyone using a Star NL10 printer to
print desktop fonts and graphics? I am using an A5000 with RISC OS 3.1,
and the Acorn LX80 printer driver. Printing from Draw, the graphics
start printing at the bottom of a sheet and spill onto the next one.
Text in Impression doesn’t print at all unless I use a large point size,
and there are still problems in that there are gaps in the printing. Any
help would be appreciated. Contact J Fell, 26 Gladiator Green, Castle
Park, Dorchester DT1 2RW.
8.2
Help Offered
8.2
•  Subgrams − In answer to last month’s request for software that
generates subgrams, with Longman Logotron’s Pendown, there is a separate
application called !List which does the job using its 26,000 word
dictionary. (Charles Woodbridge, Huddersfield) Also, as pointed out by
many subscribers, PipeDream 4 has a similar facility built in.
8.2
Talking of anagrams, did you know that one anagram of “Norwich Computer
Services” is “Ever more succinct worship”! Any other offers? Ed.  A
8.2
SCSI Card Compatibility
8.2
Jim Nottingham
8.2
In Archive 7.12 p53, I invited readers to let me have details of their
SCSI cards and SCSI devices with a view to making the data available to
readers, hopefully to help future purchasers avoid problem areas. By
coincidence, and for the same reason, Keith Hodge asked for the same
data two pages later. He and I have pooled the responses and this
article is by way of an initial report. Anything in double-quotes is
cribbed straight from readers’ letters.
8.2
Some twenty readers have responded to date; sincere thanks to you all
for making the effort to send such detailed and helpful replies. That
said, there must be far more than twenty readers with SCSI systems, so
how about more replies folks? The more data for the database, the more
useful it will be. Only two of the SCSI interface manufacturers
responded to my letters so we are rather short of details there.
Fortunately, a couple of third-parties have come up with some very
valuable data; many thanks to David Pilling and Dave Webb (NCS).
8.2
The database
8.2
The information received to date is shown on the table (presentation
courtesy of TableMate 2). The data has been accepted ‘as is’ and is
given in good faith but, clearly, neither I nor the publishers of
Archive can accept any responsibility for its accuracy or use. Caveat
emptor and all that. If anyone spots errors, please do let me have
details. If and when further data becomes available, this will be added
and the survey re-issued as appropriate.
8.2
In the body of the table, a single or multiple tick indicates one or
more reader-reports of successful operation of the SCSI device when
connected to the listed interface. Similarly, a cross indicates a
reported incompatibility. Where an asterisk is added, this indicates a
‘grey area’ where, typically, success was achieved only after one or
more problems were ironed out. Unfortunately, these details are far too
extensive to include in this survey but, should anyone be considering
moving into a combination of card/device with an asterisk against it,
and would like to receive details of the relevant reader-report, please
drop me a line with a stamped, addressed envelope and you shall have a
photocopy by return. The same goes for any other information with which
I may be able to help.
8.2
The model of host computer used does not appear to have any bearing on
compatibility so details are not included. However, it should be borne
in mind that, when converting to a Risc PC for example, it may be
advisable or even essential to have your SCSI interface upgraded to take
advantage of latest improvements. Generally, this will involve buying an
upgrade kit and often entails swapping a ROM on the SCSI card.
8.2
The SCSI cards
8.2
The table lists all known SCSI interface cards for Acorn computers,
although one grey area is whether some of the cards are still available.
For example, it is known that supplies of the State Machine Eco card are
almost exhausted and will not be resurrected. The Cumana SCSI II card is
a recent entrant and I’m not sure about availability. Castle Technology
have recently taken over the marketing and support of the Lindis/
Lingenuity SCSI cards and up-to-date software is available for all
versions of the interface.  They plan to release a new 8/16-bit card at
Acorn World 94.
8.2
Hardware and software version numbers are the most recent reported.
There seems to be near-equality in the version of CDFS used on the
various interfaces. The reason for this is that the software is included
under licence from Acorn.
8.2
With the exception of the Atomwide and State Machine Eco cards, all
interfaces have a socket on the card for an internal device and a second
socket on the rear panel for connection of external SCSI device(s).
There is only one reported limitation on choice of podule slot; in the
Risc PC, the Morley cards should be inserted in Slot 1. Following
installation, the Morley and Oak cards have to be configured so they
know which slot they are in, which devices are attached, and so on; this
also applies if you move the card from one slot to another.
8.2
Both variants of the externally-mounted Atomwide SCSI interface (with
and without printer socket) plug into the bi-directional printer port of
A5000s and the Risc PC and have a single socket for SCSI devices. They
are compatible with Computer Concepts’ TurboDrivers and the dreaded
dongles.
8.2
The State Machine Eco card is a most interesting option. It is a small
module which plugs into the Econet socket of the A300/A400/A540/A3000/
A5000 computers (for safety’s sake, early A3000 owners are advised to
have it fitted by a dealer − something to do with the unprotected power
supply). The card has a single 50-pin edge-connector for an internal
SCSI device, although it would be possible to take a flying lead through
the computer case for connecting devices externally. Apart from the
advantage of not taking up a podule slot, it appears the card is
remarkably compatible with all manner of devices including CD-ROMs and
scanners. The card is actually stamped ‘Floptical Interface’. Software
comes on disc and there has been mention of running CDFS with Kodak
PhotoCD support. Another great advantage is the cost − £35 + VAT!
Unfortunately, supplies are running out so you may need to get in quick.
8.2
Hard disc drives
8.2
Maximum free memory on storage devices, including hard discs, is usually
5-9% less than the nominal capacity of the device. The data listed in
the table under ‘Capacity’ gives an indication of the lower figure,
where known. There is some confusion over the Rodime drive model numbers
and capacity so, if you move into that area, do double-check you are
getting what you want.
8.2
Apart from the two tabulated incompatibilities with the Quantum 105S
drive, there were no reported problems in getting hard disc drives to
work reliably, whether mounted internally or externally. There were two
reports of drive failure, both Quantum, model(s) not known.
8.2
Use of fan quieteners was questioned in relation to whether hard disc
drives were put at risk of overheating. Two readers commented that
fitting a fan quietener had little beneficial effect as it turned out
the drive was noisier than the fan!
8.2
Cartridge drives
8.2
The flexibility and potentially unlimited capacity of removable
cartridge drives is making them increasingly popular. There was only one
reported difficulty in getting a drive to run (a duff drive, replaced by
NCS). Over a year ago, Oak said their card was not recommended for
SyQuest drives but I’m not sure if this is still the case.
8.2
Most drive owners reported that, unless a cartridge is inserted and
running in the Syquest drive when the computer is shut down (*Shutdown
or <shift-ctrl-f12>), the computer will hang up with error messages
depending on the SCSI interface. Two readers readily admitted that,
because of this shortfall, they no longer shut down their computers in
the approved manner. Does anyone have any advice on this problem? Is
this OK or detrimental to the health of hard discs? The Acorn card
throws up an error message but will allow shutdown.
8.2
Floptical drives
8.2
Although three readers reported successful operation of floptical
drives, there were quite a few problems to be resolved and, with
questions being asked about follow-up support, it seems to be a dodgy
area. “...(Installing a floptical) was probably a mistake. I should have
saved up for a Syquest drive for backing-up purposes”.
8.2
Tape streamers
8.2
There was only one reported use and there were problems with tape
capacity and in setting it up. “This will soon be replaced with a
removable ... drive”, so he can’t be too happy with it.
8.2
CD-ROM drives
8.2
There were few significant problems setting up CD-ROM drives. The Sony
CDU-8003A is actually an Apple (who?) CD300 and needs a patch, available
from Acorn dealers including NCS.
8.2
As reported recently in Products Available (7.10 p4), Morley supply a
special driver to use multisession PhotoCD with the Toshiba drives. This
is now supplied with Morley cards but is also available as an upgrade on
disc for other interfaces and earlier Morley cards.
8.2
I had a problem recently when running audio CDs in a Toshiba drive
connected to a Morley cached card (intermittent stopping). If you get
this problem, contact Morley who have a replacement chip available. Two
readers with Morley cards mentioned their computers crashed if they
clicked on a CD-drive icon and there was no disc in the drive (the Acorn
card gives a ‘Drive empty’ error).
8.2
Scanners
8.2
This is a fast-moving area with falling prices and increasing
availability of potentially suitable scanners. However, there are
numerous reports of certain units being “picky” as to which interfaces
they will run from, or otherwise being less than stable.
8.2
Irlam recommend the Morley cards for the Epson scanners. The Acorn card
will also run the Model 8000 and − with tweaking − can be made to run
the 6500, but this is not advisable. Reportedly, the Hewlett-Packard
scanners are not reliable on the Morley cards (“it ... seems an
intermittent problem − if you switch the system on and off enough times,
then eventually it works”). Integrex recommend only the Cumana card for
their CS300 while the Aries Relisys scanners from Watford Electronics
will operate only with the Cumana SCSI II interface.
8.2
Installation
8.2
One brave soul successfully converted an external device to internal use
by removing the gubbins and installing it in a Risc PC. The only
problems reported were finding the power cable (hidden under the floppy
drive), getting a suitable data cable and, as the device finished up
without terminators, having to make sure it was in the middle of the
SCSI daisy-chain. I’m not sure I would want to ‘Risc’ doing this −
wouldn’t the device/computer warranties be affected?
8.2
Connections
8.2
Tying everything together seems to cause no end of problems and
confusion, mainly due to there being little standardisation of
connectors and, sometimes, inappropriate names being used to identify
them.
8.2
All internal interfaces have an oblong, 50-pin, edge-connector plug
mounted on the card itself, normally used for connecting an internal
device, commonly by a ribbon cable terminated by a 50-pin header socket.
(The term ‘IDC’ − insulation displacement connector − is often used but,
strictly speaking, this refers to the method used to fix ribbon cable to
the plug or socket, a clever crimping tool being used to avoid having to
solder individual connections.)
8.2
External connectors can be one of three types; a 50-pin edge-connector
as described above, a 25-pin D-type socket or a 50-pin Centronics socket
(rather like a printer socket but bigger − called ‘Amphenol’ by NCS).
There is an odd man out − the HCCS Ultimate micropodule has a
proprietary connector but I understand is supplied with an adaptor lead
with a Centronics plug attached.
8.2
External boxes or devices will have a connector which can be any of the
three main types mentioned above, although Centronics is probably the
most common these days. Many external devices will have two sockets,
allowing for easy connection in the middle of a SCSI daisy-chain. The
actual cables for external connection are normally of two types; a 25/
50-way ribbon cable, usually with IDC connections, or a heavy-duty 1cm
diameter screened cable. Clearly, with this range of different
connectors and cables, you could easily finish up with the wrong type.
NCS and others can supply cables to suit but more than one reader
reported having to have a ‘special’ made up or resorted to DIY.
8.2
Device ident & termination
8.2
There seems to be considerable confusion about device identification and
termination. This is not altogether surprising as, in my view, interface
and device manufacturers make the whole thing unnecessarily complex,
whilst user-guides are often over-technical with sloppy editing. The
outcome is that many people reported problems, not all of which were
sorted out by the suppliers. Some admit to simply ignoring things like
correct termination (“If it works, why fix it?”).
8.2
Make no mistake, if you do not correctly terminate your SCSI system, you
run the risk of corrupting data or even damaging your SCSI card and
devices (I’ve seen two cards ‘blown’ on PCs). The subject is outside the
scope of this survey but Dave Webb at NCS has sent me a copy of a very
well-written and informative guide they send to customers which would
form the basis of a good Archive article.
8.2
(OK, I’ll see if we can get it out as an article next month. Ed.)
8.2
Sales Support
8.2
Where readers had hit problems before or after purchase and required
assistance, the standard of support varied widely. Cumana, Integrex,
Irlam and Technology Matrix all attracted pleasing comments, with
especial praise for both Morley and NCS (“exemplary ... service ...
customer support”). HCCS had very mixed reviews, ranging from “excellent
support” (Archive 8.1 p40) to being severely criticised by two readers
(“HCCS basically didn’t want to know”).
8.2
The bottom line
8.2
Anyone reading this survey from cold may form the view that SCSI systems
are difficult to master, fraught with problems and should be avoided.
This is not intended; there are lots of ticks on the table and every one
represents a successful, ‘plug in and go’ situation. However, anyone
setting up a SCSI arrangement should anticipate that there may be
problems and, hopefully, this survey will help you avoid at least some
of them.
8.2
One recurrent theme in readers’ letters is that, where problems do
occur, you should not hesitate to ask for help. The best places to go
will be the SCSI interface manufacturers (generally) or, perhaps better
still, deal with a reputable supplier. Here are a selection of
unsolicited comments:
8.2
“Very few SCSI setup problems can’t be solved.”
8.2
“As one would expect, (NCS) eventually got everything sorted out OK − at
no time was I worried that I would be left with a scanner that would not
work.”
8.2
“I would strongly recommend that anyone contemplating buying SCSI
equipment do so through a reputable Acorn dealer and describe clearly
what set up they are trying to achieve. If I’d tried to do it myself, I
could easily have ended up with two devices that had the same SCSI
number, or had problems with setting up the connections.”
8.2
Please do send me further reports which I will add to the database and
make available on request. And don’t hesitate to ask for more
information (usual rules: no SAE = no reply). Jim Nottingham, 16
Westfield Close, Pocklington, York, YO4 2EY.  A
8.2
Text continues on page 62...
8.2
Hints and Tips
8.2
•  A3000 bulging case − My early A3000 had, from the start, a standard
Acorn monitor stand upon which was a AKF17 monitor. Of late, I found the
upper case section, on the left hand side by the power supply, had
started to bulge out from the bottom section. This was caused by the
weight of the monitor supported by the Acorn stand only on the extreme
edges of the case.
8.2
In my job as IT Technician at school, I had noticed (having removed
countless covers for various reasons) there have been two upgrades to
the cases, and one of the upgrades had special strengthening and
interlocking around this area, no doubt with this in mind. The latest,
Mk 3 version is available as an Acorn spare part. The base of the new
case requires a lot of work in removing the PCB and any upgrades, and
the power supply design has changed making the changeover awkward.
However the new case lid will fit onto the old base and this alone
offers enough strength to cure the problem.  K R Coton, Solihull.
8.2
•  Disabling POST test (and other useful ‘bits’) − One of our customers
found that because the POST (Power On Self Test, or the software that
makes the screen flash pretty colours at switch on and flashes the
floppy light at you when things go wrong), had been partly disabled,
meaning that his SCSI drive was not given sufficient time to get ready
before the SCSI card demanded its attention. Some people may have
disabled this after installing certain versions of the VIDC enhancer.
The POST will always be reactivated by a delete-power on, but there is a
more subtle way of switching it on or off. Byte 188 (&BC) of the CMOS
RAM contains 8 bits which affect various miscellaneous configuration
options.
8.2
  Bits 0-1  ROMFS Opt 4 state
8.2
  Bit 2  cache icon enable state
8.2
  Bit 3-5  screen blanker time: 0=off, 1=30s, 2=1min, 3=2min, 4=5min,
5=10min, 6=15min, 7=30min.
8.2
  Bit 6  screen blanker/Wrch interaction: 0=ignore Wrch,
8.2
    1=Wrch unblanks screen
8.2
  Bit 7  hardware (POST) test disable: 0=full tests, 1=disable long
tests at power-up.
8.2
RISC OS 3 PRM, 1-358, Acorn Computers Ltd.
8.2
The program disc contains a simple program for altering the state of any
of these bits.  David Webb, NCS.
8.2
•  Inkjet printers and paper quality − A number of items have appeared
here and elsewhere on how to realise to the full the potential quality
of printouts with ink-jet printers. At 300 dpi, one would think it ought
to be indistinguishable from the output from a laser printer with the
same resolution.
8.2
Why is there a problem? All papers are made from fibres, matted
together; thus, if you put a drop of liquid onto a piece of paper, the
fluid will flow between these fibres, carrying with it any dye or
colourant: hence the fuzzy edges of the output from inkjet printers with
unsuitable papers. Coating the paper can eliminate the problem, but at a
substantial cost. However, with careful design of the paper making
process, it is possible to minimise (though not eliminate) this
‘bleeding’.
8.2
I wrote to Hewlett Packard and asked for their recommendations They came
up with two types of paper and their suppliers. I got some samples, and
both were very good but, by a small margin, ‘Versoix Copy’ seemed to me
the better (and cheaper). The other, ‘Reyjet’, is close behind and both
are streets ahead of most ordinary photocopier paper. Neither is very
expensive (about £3.00 per ream for Vesiox and £5.50 for Reyjet) but
neither are very readily available. If you write to the distributors,
they will send you samples and the name of your nearest stockist.
8.2
Versoix Copy − Darent Paper Agencies, Wandle House, Riverside Drive,
Mitcham, Surrey, CR4 4SU. (0181-640-4102)
8.2
Reyjet − Denian Paper Ltd, Unit D2, West Mill, Imperial Business Estate.
Gravesend, Kent, DA11 0DL. (01474-569919)  Barry Humpidge.
8.2
•  Irregular text frames in Publisher − In response to one of Keith
Parker’s wish-it-did-that moans in the Comment Column (8.1 p31), I would
suggest that whilst irregular text frames would be nice, the use of a
regular frame “framed” by a couple of repelling irregular graphics
frames (drag an empty drawfile into blank frames) does the job, with a
little fiddling.  John McCartney.
8.2
•  Large banners in Impression − To create a six foot long banner, or
similar, using Impression, create a new master page, “Banner”, width
72“, depth 8”, Landscape, margins 0.5 with one column. Quit the master
pages and alter the chapter of the document, selecting “Banner” as the
master page. Change the font size to around 400 point and centre the
text. Type the banner message. Print out on tractor fed continuous paper
(sideways!). Vector offers some useful banners ready made, or you can
use Impression’s Borders in ‘Alter Frame’, to enhance the finished
article.  Irene Quinn, Thetford, Norfolk.
8.2
•  Laser Direct on the Risc PC − If you are upgrading to a Risc PC and
have an elderly Laser Direct card, it will not work if it is “Issue one”
(the computer will not initialise after the board has been plugged into
one of the expansion slots). This type can be quickly identified by the
fact that it is the only version where there is a ribbon cable
connecting the circuit board to the printer output socket. Computer
Concepts will exchange this type of board for the latest version for
£100. You will probably also need a copy of the most recent version
(2.63) of the printer driver disc at £10.  David Smith, Edinburgh.
8.2
•  More Sleuths on the case − If you are lucky enough to have lots of
memory on your machine you can run two or more copies of Sleuth at the
same time, so that if you are OCRing several pages of text, the rate of
OCRing can be considerably increased. On a simple test run, two copies
running saved 36% on the time taken and three copies saved nearly 50% on
the time! It then occurred to me that using more than one copy might be
infringing the software licence, but on checking with Risc Developments,
I was assured that this was not the case.  Philip Foster, Cambridge.
8.2
•  Turbo charging draft printing with a Deskjet printer − What I didn’t
realise, until I tried it by accident, was that the ‘Draft’ button on
the printer worked with graphic (e.g. output from Impression), as well
as ‘straight’ printing. Thus, with your printer driver set to 150 dpi,
and the ‘draft’ light on, you can produce readable copies for proof
reading in virtually no time at all!  Barry Humpidge.
8.2
•  Turbo Driver v4 and Dongles − If you are using CC’s Turbo Driver v4
on a computer with a bi-directional parallel port, via a dongle, the
status signals don’t get through. This includes signals, such as “paper
out” and “printer offline” etc. If the driver software is looking for
these signals you may find that printing is blocked. To bypass the
problem call up the configuration dialogue box and configure to ignore
status signals.  Nick Harris, Norwich.  A
8.2
Tudor Monarchs & Tudor Clipart
8.2
Ed Archer
8.2
Tudor Monarchs is produced by Angelsoft Educational and contains a set
of three discs, thirteen worksheets and two manuals. The reason for the
three disc set is that Tudor Monarchs is basically an electronic book
which is run from the first disc containing a Magpie reader. This is a
sound idea in so far as it encourages both teachers and pupils to make
up their own electronic book. The way in which Magpie can be used is
well described in both manuals.
8.2
The first disc could have had more pages in it − this is a criticism I
would apply to all the discs, in that there was too much free space. I
thought the content was reasonable although there were several notable
historical inaccuracies e.g. Germany and Italy did not exist as
countries. Some of the pictures were poor, e.g. the view of the Star
Chamber was rather dark. On the plus side, the pop up pages were a very
good idea.
8.2
The second disc had some good sections such as the introduction to the
reign of Edward VI and I found the picture of the stake a moving touch
in relation to the religious persecutions in the reign of Mary Tudor.
The text could have been more informative, especially in the Drama
section. More use could have been made of Tudor music.
8.2
The worksheets were disappointing on two counts. First of all, there
were no illustrations and, in my opinion, these are vital to hold a
child’s interest. Also, the questions should have been framed in the
context of the 5-14 curriculum. This is of great importance to teachers
and needs to be addressed.
8.2
Tudor Clipart − Again, there seemed to be a great deal of wasted disc
space in the set of four discs. This amounted to more than one disc, and
I also felt that the clipart could have been compressed.
8.2
The manual was very useful and the tips regarding conversion from Draw
to Paint were very useful. It was very much to the point and was very
user friendly.
8.2
The actual contents of the discs was variable. In particular, on Disc 1,
I liked the portrait of Henry VIII but I did think that more care could
have been taken with the alignment of the pictures as several were off
the paper limits. I was especially impressed by the coat of arms and the
family tree on Disc 2 and the heads would be useful for the production
of worksheets.
8.2
Disc 3 of the clipart set was a mixed bag. The map of Wales was
excellent but more detail and explanation would have been very useful
for both the Flodden map and the Armada map. The ships on the disc were
of variable quality, although the one of the Golden Hind was very good.
8.2
Disc 4 also had its good and bad points. First of all, I did not know
they had rifles in Tudor Britain! The bibles were rather disappointing
and looked distinctly 20th century. The buildings and the country life
sections were the best ones on this disc.
8.2
My general view of the packages is that they represent a lot of hard
work but they do need some revision before I would give them an
unequivocal recommendation.
8.2
Tudor Monarchs costs £20 +VAT and includes a site licence. Tudor clipart
costs £15 +VAT but if you purchase both together, the cost will be £30
+VAT from Angelsoft.  A
8.2
PD on CD
8.2
Paul Hooper & Tony Stevens
8.2
(Ooops! I seem to have ended up with two reviews of the same product.
I’ll try to shuffle the two into one and, hopefully, end up with
something that reflects the views of both rather than the views of
neither! Ed.)
8.2
Paul Hooper starts...
8.2
As a frequent user of PD libraries, I have found that they are, like the
proverbial curate’s egg, good in parts. Certainly, there are many PD
programs on my hard disc that I would not be without and I have many
floppy discs filled with music, clipart, animations and other things
that may come in useful one day. The trouble is that, along with many
gems, there is an awful lot of PD that I would not give disc-room.
8.2
Now couple this with the huge storage capacity of a CD and it is a
classic recipe for a lot of ‘Shovelware’. So how does this offering
measure up?
8.2
PDCD One from Datafile
8.2
The CD contains about 250Mb of data for a total cost of £30. Now if you
work on the assumption that most PD discs cost £1 a piece, the CD
contains about £320 of software. Yet how much of this would you have
bought? Well, I thought I would go through my own collection of PD
material and see how much of it was now duplicated on the CD. I soon
worked out that, taking into account the clipart, I had well over 40Mb
of this material on a mixture of floppy and hard disc, so the thought of
freeing up all this storage space quite appealed to me. Also, that
amount of material has cost me well over £50 when it was bought on
floppy disc.
8.2
Warning
8.2
I then set out to explore more of the disc and, with my six year old
daughter, I went through all the sillies and much of the clipart. When I
opened the box, I had noticed a small slip of paper saying that some of
the JPEG files were ‘unsuitable for children’ and I steered well clear
of these until she was in bed. I’m glad I did, because there were a
number of fantasy horror style pictures and also some images that belong
on the top shelf of a newsagents. Is it really necessary to include
files like this on a CD? The problem is that, being a read-only medium,
it is impossible to remove them.
8.2
The rest
8.2
Much of the rest is very good material although a number of the games
and utilities failed to work on my A5000 and how compatible these sort
of things are with the Risc PC is open to question. As David Holden said
in the PD Column last month, this looks like a CD that was put together
in a hurry − many of the utilities are quite old versions.
8.2
Tony gives a much more detailed breakdown of the contents, so over to
him...
8.2
(Tony was using a Risc PC and had problems with quite a bit of the CD
not running properly. The Datafile are aware of these problems but the
CD was produced before they managed to get hold of a machine on which to
test the software. However, they are producing a module which will solve
90%+ of the problems. If you have already bought the CD and want a copy
of the module, drop the Datafile a line and they will send you a copy as
soon as it is ready. Ed.)
8.2
Getting started
8.2
Clicking on the CD icon opens a window containing an application called
!Database and fourteen directories; Animation; Clipart; Demos; Fractals;
Games; GamesDemos; Graphics; Languages; Magazines; Music; Raytracers;
Schools; Sillies and Utilities.
8.2
The Database application is a text reader for a comprehensive index of
the contents of the disc. Interactive help is available and should be
used to get the best from the application.
8.2
The Animations directory includes a copy of !Projector which shows files
from the Euclid package. The 26 animations all work and the quality is
high and the variety good.
8.2
The clipart directory contains a wide variety of items in both drawfile
and sprite format but as is usual with these large collections, there is
a wide variation in the quality. Some of it is frankly rubbish,
particularly among the collection of sprites, and I wish the PD
libraries would weed some of this out. There is also a lot of
duplication with several directories in the collection containing a
significant number of the same clips. A little more attention at the
editorial stage would have been sensible. Even so, this is an enormous
collection and the bad is more than adequately balanced by the good;
some very good indeed. Your own perception of the clips on offer is
going to be coloured by your particular needs, but the quantity ensures
that there must be something here for you.
8.2
There are 72 Demos in the collection but since the majority do not work
with the Risc PC I can make no useful comment.
8.2
The Fractals programs are all good examples of their type but at least
one locked up the machine when I attempted to exit to the desktop. You
won’t be able to resist browsing and PD programs are notorious for poor
programming disciplines, so take a tip from me and temporarily disable
your auto-boot sequence, it makes the re-entry process less painful.
8.2
There are 72 games and 24 games demos, certainly enough to cause brain
death. Despite being warned that they do not work on the Risc PC, I
tried a few and some do work.
8.2
The graphics samples are supplied in GIF and JPEG formats. Don’t panic
if you do not have a loader, suitable programs are available from the
Utilities directory on the same disc. There are 306 separate graphics
samples on a wide variety of subjects and with a few exceptions, they
reproduce with an acceptable quality level.
8.2
For the programmer, there is a selection of eleven different program
languages, including Forth and a version of C.
8.2
Next comes a selection of four disc-based magazines. I could not check
these because some do not take kindly to the Risc PC.
8.2
The music collection consists of Coconizer with 22 tunes, SoundTracker
modules with 77 tunes and Symphony with 220 tunes. Coconizer would not
run on the wonder machine but SoundTracker and Symphony did. There are
plenty of tunes although the soundtracker songs are all very similar,
percussive and suitable for fourteen year olds writing yet another super
demo. The Symphony tracks, although born of the same family are
altogether more professional with good quality sound samples and a
smooth playing style which suggests some formal musical training
somewhere in the loop. Computer music fans will not be disappointed with
this section.
8.2
The next group of goodies are four Ray Tracing applications. I have not
tested any of these but I am sure they all work. At least one seems to
work on the Risc PC.
8.2
The Schools section consists of 36 programs, all useful, with plenty of
variety including chemistry; maths (including graphs); languages
(English, French and Chinese!); a typing tutor; telling the time; two
and four stroke engine simulations; educational games such as Scrabble;
and some quizzes. Some of the programs are suitable for primary
education.
8.2
The Sillies section has over seventy programs including classics such as
Loco Brolly and Deskduck. Some are amusing, some irritating and some
downright infuriating. Have you ever felt violent when the Silly won’t
go away? Well don’t worry, if the desktop duck gets out of hand you even
have a program to shoot it.
8.2
For many people, the Utilities section will be the highlight of this CD.
There are over two hundred and eighty different utilities including a
spreadsheet, a number of databases including Superbase, text editors,
file and graphics handlers, font tools and comms utilities. It would be
pointless to try to list all of the features but, in addition to the
utilitarian, there are a number which provide information which is
either useful or of educational value. One such is the Gutenburg
Project, the purpose of which is to encourage the creation and
distribution of English language electronic texts. The sample included
on this disc contains no fewer than nineteen full length books including
the Bible, two of H.G.Wells books, the Alice books and the CIA World
Factbook.
8.2
Conclusion
8.2
Is it worth the £30 asking price? I think that depends on your level of
experience and what you have already accumulated in the way of PD
software. There is a tremendous range of programs on this CD and even
though I have some top class dedicated programs, I have found a
significant number of interesting and useful items which I am looking
forward to exploring in some depth. You won’t browse the contents of
this disc in one day.
8.2
Despite my own satisfaction, I cannot recommend this product
unreservedly to Risc PC owners, there are too many items which do not
work and, among those which do, a significant amount of duplication.
(But remember that this has been improved since Tony first looked at
this CD.)
8.2
If you do not use a Risc PC but already have a significant amount of PD,
you will need to examine the contents of the disc before committing
yourself. On balance, I feel you will not be disappointed.
8.2
The real benefit is to those of you who are relatively new to the Acorn
world or have a strictly limited budget. If that is the case, this CD
will provide competent programs in almost every important area of
computing activity.  A
8.2
Badge Here
8.2
Trevor!!
8.2
Continued from inside front cover...
8.2
P.B.
8.2
According to Theory B, the chances are that you are being affected by a
disease of the heart called ‘pride’ which affects a human being’s
judgement. “Are you trying to tell me that for all the xxx years I have
lived on this earth I have been wrong in my view of God?” Well, yes,
possibly.
8.2
Tell me, are you open enough in your thinking to investigate a new (old)
Theory? “No thanks, I don’t want to end up a religious nutcase like you,
Paul.” You see, you are at it again. You’re not approaching this coldly
and clinically and logically. You’re saying, “I’m not going to look into
this because I don’t like the implications. If I came to believe in
Theory B, I’d be an object of ridicule in my family and at work.”
8.2
Are you really prepared to examine the evidence for Theory B? Are you
really prepared to face up to the implications that follow if you do
come to the conclusion that the evidence is very strong that, for
example, Jesus did rise from the dead? Well, I tell you, all over the
UK, thousands of people are looking into it by going on these Alpha
courses, and thousands of people are saying that their lives have been
transformed by God in a wonderful way. I have seen my own 49-year-old
cousin change in a most wonderful way recently − he has such a peace and
a new joy − it’s just brilliant to see!
8.2
“Huh! It’s getting worse! More religious mumbo-jumbo. They’re obviously
being brain-washed! Silly people! I wouldn’t fall for that.” Well, all I
can say is that, if it is brain-washing, it must be very clever brain-
washing because the people becoming Christians are taking their friends
on the next course − and they are going along because they can see that
something has happened to their friend and they want to know what it is.
8.2
“This is getting ridiculous! The God-slot is getting longer and longer.
Religion is taking over the Archive magazine − and I paid good money for
it.” Sorry about that but I’ll give you a pro-rata refund for the
missing technical information or a refund if you want to cancel your
subscription in disgust. But if Theory B IS correct then it is THE most
important thing for EVERYONE to find out about. Why not check it out?
You’ve nothing to lose and everything to gain!
8.2
ARM Programming − Part 5
8.2
James Riden
8.2
Sometimes, a particular project, such as a demo or game, will require a
large amount of graphics. The sprites may take up a lot of space on disc
and the time taken to load them can become irritating. This month, we
are going to look at a solution to this problem in the shape of data
compression.
8.2
The easiest algorithm is known as ‘run length encoding’. It makes use of
the fact that a lot of data in sprite files is repeated again and again.
For example, if you saved your desktop screen with Paint, there would
probably be many uninterrupted rows of grey background. Assume for the
moment that we are using a 256 colour mode. Stored in a sprite file, a
row of 100 grey pixels would take up 100 bytes. However, if this were
stored as a value representing the grey colour and another value to
indicate the number of pixels in the sequence, this could then be stored
in two bytes.
8.2
Sadly, in real life things are not quite that simple. If we tried to
compress a screen using this method, and no two adjacent pixels were the
same, we would need two bytes to store each pixel − one for the colour
and one more to tell us that there is only one pixel in this sequence.
So we would make the file double its original size.
8.2
A good solution is to store sequences as either ‘different’ sequences or
‘same’ sequences. If three or more bytes are the same, we can gain by
encoding the sequence (because it will take only two bytes to store).
Therefore we store the following:
8.2
same flag [1 bit]
8.2
number of same bytes [7 bits]
8.2
value of bytes [8 bits]
8.2
This still only takes up two bytes but we can only use it for sequences
for up to 127 repeated bytes since we need one bit as a flag. Now if we
have a ‘different’ sequence, we can store the number of different bytes
following and not waste space on the frequency of each individual byte.
For example, to store the sequence 124,56,78,55,1,45 we scan through
until we have got to the end of the ‘different’ sequence and then output
:
8.2
different flag [1 bit]
8.2
number of different bytes [7 bits]
8.2
first byte, second byte, third byte, etc.
8.2
 [8 bits each]
8.2
So, in this case, we would store 6,124,56,78,55,1,45.
8.2
We are therefore able to store dissimilar sequences fairly efficiently.
Now we need to write down a “recipe” for our routine and then implement
it. Note that, in practice, a ‘different’ sequence is terminated when we
find a ‘same’ sequence. I am assuming that the flag is kept in the byte
used for frequency.
8.2
load two bytes
8.2
if they are different then
8.2
  carry on loading bytes until we find three
8.2
 or more similar in a row or we
8.2
 finish the input data
8.2
  store the ‘different’ flag
8.2
  store the number of different bytes
8.2
  store the sequence we have just scanned
8.2
endif
8.2
if they are the same then
8.2
  carry on loading bytes until we find a
8.2
 dissimilar byte
8.2
  store the ‘same’ flag
8.2
  store the number of same bytes
8.2
  store the value of the same bytes
8.2
endif
8.2
To restore the compressed file is much easier. We need to go through the
data and either load once and store many times or load and store many
times.
8.2
load a byte
8.2
if the ‘different’ flag is set then
8.2
  initialise counter with the number of
8.2
 different bytes
8.2
  load a byte and store it
8.2
  decrement counter and loop if necessary
8.2
endif
8.2
if the ‘same’ flag is set then
8.2
  load byte containing value of same bytes
8.2
  initialise counter with the frequency of
8.2
 same bytes
8.2
  store the value of the same bytes
8.2
  decrement counter and loop
8.2
To implement this, we need to decide what is to be done about sequences
of more than 127 bytes. Either we can terminate the sequence at 127 or
we can scan how many there are and then break the total down in 127 byte
blocks. To a store sequence of 300 bytes of value 34 we can store
[127,34,127, 34,46,34] which is still a very effective compression
ratio.
8.2
At each load, you need to check that you haven’t run out of data. If you
are compressing a mode 12 or a mode 13 screen then remember that they
are 81920 bytes long and you need to stop and output the current
sequence when you get to the end.
8.2
Try it and see how you get on. A copy of my program is on the monthly
disc in case you need to look at it. If you have any suggestions for
future articles, perhaps you would leave a message with Paul at the
Archive office.  A
8.2
Squirrel 2 Update
8.2
Tim Nicholson
8.2
In Archive 7.5 p67, I reviewed version 2.00 of Squirrel, and concluded
that, although the program had promise, it contained a number of bugs,
some quite serious, which severely limited the benefit of upgrading from
version 1.xx. I promised to report on the progress of version 2 as
Digital Services sought to iron out the problems. I had hoped to be able
to do so sooner but unfortunately development took longer than expected.
8.2
Now and then
8.2
At the end of 1993, an intermediate version 2.03 was released which was
claimed to fix the reported problems. However, apart from fixing the
serious problem which prevented use of the compression option, and one
or two minor tweaks, the problems reported in the earlier review were
still present. Some had altered slightly in their effect, but they still
prevented correct operation of some facilities. I sent Digital Services
a list of the problems that I had found still to be present, together
with sample files which demonstrated the faults. I requested them to
suggest solutions or workarounds until the problems had been fixed.
Although the reply I received did not answer my specific points, it
sounded hopeful, and I quote, “I have reported the problems you have
encountered and you should find these fixed shortly... ...May I suggest
you contact us in four weeks or so to request a new version.”
Unfortunately, this time scale proved to be wishful thinking and
eventually, after several phone calls, I received a copy of 2.07 in
June.
8.2
As I worked my way through the new version, I discovered that although
many problems had been attended to, a number of areas where I had
reported difficulties appeared unchanged. I again wrote to Digital
Services pointing this out, and again requested help on the particular
items which were outstanding. Their reply this time was less
encouraging, and I quote, “We will investigate the problems reported and
the result of this should appear in the next release. We do not have a
date for this release currently, but I can inform you that it is not
imminent.” Once again no comment was made on the items for which I had
specifically requested help. I therefore proceeded to prepare my update
article on the basis of version 2.07 and the information, or lack of it,
I received from Digital Services. As I did so I came across another
“feature” of Squirrel which I had not previously been aware of, and
which caused me to become even more disenchanted with the support I had
received. This was reflected in that article, which Digital Services
felt was unrepresentative. However, it did serve to make them respond to
the particular issues I had raised, and produce version 2.08 rather more
quickly than they might otherwise have done! The following comments then
are based upon my look at 2.07 amended where necessary by changes in
2.08 and the responses I eventually received from Digital Services.
8.2
The acid test
8.2
A number of interrelated problems were to do with the new List mode
feature and, frankly, as it had stood, it was unusable. I was delighted
to find that all the problems I had encountered had gone. Sorting worked
on the selected field, switching between Card mode and List mode could
be done with impunity, and although GOTO was still not on the List mode
menu, it could be engaged with the <f5> ‘hot-key’ shortcut. The toolbar
buttons also correctly mimicked the Page Up/Page Down buttons. In short,
this section now worked properly and could be used fully, I was
delighted.
8.2
I moved on to look at default entry. This had not worked correctly for
date fields and could cause error messages, the problem is now resolved
in 2.08.
8.2
I turned my attention to Batch updating. I had had problems with date
fields when trying to batch update an age field. Once again, there was
still a problem, albeit minor. A batch updated age field which was
specified as a numeric type insisted on displaying an age in the form
AA/00/00, although this only occurred when in the Batch Query view. When
looked at normally, the display was thankfully correct − according to
Digital Services, this problem will occur if the type of a field is
altered whilst a Query window using that field is also open. The Query
reflects the old field type and not the new one. This situation is
easily avoided, and I had got into it because I had expected the AGE
function to return a full days/months/years result. However, since
calculated fields are always numeric, the returned result is only the
years part of the answer. This rather limits the usefulness of the
function. Other calculations involving dates produce results as a number
of days which is accurate if not easily interpreted without further
massaging.
8.2
Next I looked at the Graphing mode where I had encountered a problem
with the count function. This is designed to produce plots of sizes of
groups by counting the number of records where a field matches a
particular parameter e.g. age. I had a simple pie chart to plot the
number of people in each age range against that age. Instead of getting
one group of size X for those of age N, I sometimes ended up with X
entries of people aged N each with a size of one. According to Digital
Services, this behaviour is because the sort order affects the grouping
in the graph, but I could find no mention of this in the manual, which
is at great pains to point out this feature in relation to nesting
within reports. I hope it might find a mention in the errata file which
is supplied with upgrades, and which has been added to significantly in
this latest release. Indeed it now includes a warning about the
potential problems of merging mismatched tables which I had encountered,
and numerous hints and tips making it an important read when upgrading.
8.2
One problem which I have not reported on before, came to light when I
set about upgrading my hardware from an ageing A440 to a Risc PC. As an
interim measure, I have taken to using the children’s A3010 with an
Atomwide Printer/SCSI adaptor and my original external hard drive
containing my main applications, including Squirrel. At this point, I
discovered that Squirrel version two will only run on the machine on
which it is installed/upgraded. When run, it checks the unique machine
ID which is provided in the later Acorn machines. If the number doesn’t
tally with the number it found when installed/upgraded, it reports the
fact and steadfastly refuses to run.
8.2
Using the unique machine ID in this way is against Acorns guidelines,
but Digital Services say that they find it necessary given the poor
level of copyright law awareness, particularly in schools, where
Squirrel is an ideal application, and is easily used/misused on
networks. Whilst this is a valid point, it is imperative that some
method of re-installing the application on another machine is available
for genuine users. At the time I discovered this problem (some 9 months
after the release of the product) Digital Services did not have any such
system. It took them a week to get me a beta test of a utility (which
partly solved the problem) and another week to get me a proper working
version. In the meantime, I was unable to access my data. This utility
is now available to individual registered users on an “as-needed” basis.
8.2
Looking ahead
8.2
All of the problems reported with the earlier versions of Squirrel have
now either been dealt with, or the correct usage explained in an
extended errata file. Digital Services say they are continuing to
develop the product and I hope that string manipulation is high on their
list. With BT’s Phone Day rapidly approaching, I am not looking forward
to updating all the phone numbers in one of my databases by hand. The
ability to use substrings (as in Basic’s MID$ function) in batch updates
is becoming pressing! The ability to parse and merge strings in reports
would also be most welcome.
8.2
Conclusion
8.2
In version 2.08, Squirrel performs as it should. My only disappointment
is the time it has been in coming, and the responses I have received to
my difficulties on the way. Its inherent power and flexibility can
sometimes work against it, making it easy to use rather than easy to
learn, especially if the manual is misleading on the operation of some
function or other. Its new facilities significantly improve its
performance over version 1 and the product appears to be stable and well
behaved. However I remain far from happy with the support I have
received from Digital Services.
8.2
It may be that I have been unlucky, and am not a typical case, but the
manner in which bugged versions have been released, and software
protection policies not thought through fully, leaves me with distinct
disquiet over their general thoroughness, be it beta testing or customer
support. It would be a shame for a good product to suffer because of it.
For myself, I will have to think very carefully before buying another
product from the same company. However, for those thinking of investing
in Squirrel, the product is at a stage where the need for customer
support should be at a minimum.
8.2
Squirrel 2 costs £139 +VAT or £150 through Archive. Existing users can
upgrade to version 2 for £25 +VAT or £35 +VAT including a revised
manual. Upgrades are only available from Digital Services.  A
8.2
We’ve been in contact with Steve Taylor of Digitial Services throughout
the discussions over the Squirrel updates and Tim’s comment about them.
The following comments from Steve arrived too close to publication to
give Tim the opportunity to read them. Ed.
8.2
Steve Taylor of Digital Services replies...
8.2
The article runs through a potted history of minor problems and bugs
which Mr Nicholson believes he has encountered, and this results in the
overall tone of the article being the most negative we have ever
encountered. This is despite the fact that he is actually complimentary
about the product. Indeed, he states that version 2.08 performs as it
should in appearing stable and well-behaved. He also mentions its
inherent power and flexibility.
8.2
I must emphasise that Digital Services are an extremely conscientious
company that truly cares about its products and the satisfaction of our
user base. I can provide lists of satisfied users both in education and
business, and unsolicited complimentary letters praising both our
product and our level of support. We have sold several thousand copies
of Squirrel but have never received feedback as that from Mr Nicholson.
8.2
I would state that, whilst Mr Nicholson has reported valid bugs to us in
the past, these have all been fixed, and a significant amount of his
previous feedback has been caused by user error and a lack of
understanding of the product.
8.2
Regarding the statements on our software protection system, we do
understand Mr Nicholson’s concerns and would make the following
comments:
8.2
It is each publisher’s right to define his own licence conditions, and
like a significant number of PC programs, our licence dictates that
Squirrel can only be used on one computer. The software licence policing
is totally transparent until the end user has BROKEN the agreement, and
therefore does not inconvenience those using the program legally. I
would also state that Acorn have examined our terms, and do not object
to our methods. We do recognise that, under a minority of circumstances,
whereby a user has a removable hard disc or is upgrading his machine,
the system is extremely inconvenient, but a simple telephone call to
Digital Services will result in an immediate resolution.
8.2
Finally, I cannot stress enough that Digital Services feel this article
is unrepresentative of both our product, and our company, and assure
readers of our dedication to quality.
8.2
Two final comments from me as editor. Firstly, in a letter I received
from Acorn, they stated that “Acorn does not support the direct use of
the machine ID as a protection device. Acorn’s Software Protection
Scheme uses the ID but specifically does not prevent an application from
running; it only provides a warning to the user” and they said that they
would “remind Digital Services of this”.
8.2
And secondly, I have tried to be fair to both parties in this
disagreement. If what has been printed has offended either of them,
please accept that, as a magazine, we try to tread the middle line,
giving contributors the opportunity to say if they think a supplier is
not giving good service and, where possible, giving suppliers the right
of reply. This is what I have tried to do as fairly as possible. Who
would be an editor!  A
8.2
Image Master
8.2
Robert Chrismas
8.2
Image Master deals with bit image graphics. It can acquire, process,
print and save images. Other programs on the Image Master disc convert
bit images to drawfiles, capture images from the screen, convert
drawfiles to outline fonts and use a scanner and a Laser Direct printer
to act like a photocopier. Even if you do not need all these facilities,
Image Master may still be good value because its price is very
competitive. (£28 through Archive.)
8.2
File formats
8.2
When my college bought Image Master, all we wanted was a program which
would convert bit image graphics into different formats. In particular,
we wanted to be able to transfer bit image graphics between Archimedes
computers and IBMs without fuss. Image Master can load and save graphics
files in these formats: Clear, GIF, PCX, MTV, BMP, PBM, JPEG, TIFF and
sprite.
8.2
Some of these formats have different ‘flavours’. Just as there are one,
two, four and eight bit sprites, TIFF files can be monochrome or colour
with different compression techniques; BMP files can be OS2 format; JPEG
files have different quality settings and so on. Image Master has been
adequate for all our file conversion tasks. However, I have not tested
all the possible formats. Does anyone know of a program that can read
MTV files?
8.2
I have had a couple of problems with file conversions. The first was my
fault. I had a directory of PCX files which included a ReadMe text file.
Without sufficient care, I set all the files to PCX type, including the
ReadMe, and proceeded to load each one into Image Master. The ReadMe
file caused Image Master to crash. This was my own fault but a “can’t
make any sense of this file” message would have been a better response
than an unexpected exit.
8.2
More seriously, when I attempted to save a file to a filing system which
did not have enough free space, Image Master froze the whole desktop.
8.2
There should be terms for programs which quit without being asked to
(crash and burn?) and which lock up the whole machine (seize a wimp
poll?).
8.2
These problems have not made Image Master unuseable but I do make sure I
save important files before running it. David Pilling has a good record
for upgrading software so if you find a popular format which Image
Master cannot handle, a phone call will probably produce a version which
can. (This is not promised − it is just my belief based on experience
with David Pilling’s software.)
8.2
Because of my success with file conversions, I recklessly offered to do
this review, only to find myself wrestling with Gamma Correction and
convolution filters. We learn by our mistakes.
8.2
Big files
8.2
Image Master can handle 24 bit per pixel images. It will also load and
save the new Acorn 16 and 32 bit sprite formats. These formats can
result in very big files. Image Master can handle images which are too
large for the computer’s memory, processing the image in sections.
8.2
In screen modes which cannot display all the colours, Image Master uses
dithering to represent the colours as accurately as possible.
8.2
Scanning
8.2
Twain is the name of a general scanner interface. With Twain, any
program can use any scanner, just as, with RISC OS printer drivers, any
program can use any printer. To make this work, you need a Twain scanner
driver set up for your scanner. Then other programs, like Image Master,
can send standard Twain commands to the scanner driver which will send
back images.
8.2
Image Master’s Twain compatibility only means that it can talk to a
Twain driver. Happily, Twain drivers for a range of scanners are
available from David Pilling at very competitive prices.
8.2
I have not used Image Master for scanning. However, in ‘Colour Scanning
Revisited’ (Archive 7.10 p44) Jim Nottingham discussed the suitability
of Image Master coupled with a Twain driver for colour scanning. Jim
included some comments he had received from Richard Readings. Richard
had version 1.01 of Image Master. Some of his criticisms have been
answered by the latest version. In particular, version 1.03 now has an
undo option. In fact, the user can specify the number of steps to be
held in the undo buffer.
8.2
Both Richard and Jim seemed to feel that the Image Master/Twain link was
good value for scanning software but Jim warned that attempting to use
it with a scanner bought from a “deep-discount box-shifter” might lead
to compatibility problems which neither the scanner supplier, the SCSI
interface manufacturer nor David Pilling would want to know about.
8.2
tool box  & info palette
8.2
Processing
8.2
The current image is displayed in the main window. There are also a
toolbox and an info palette window.
8.2
One tool allows you to select a part of the image. You might do this to
crop the image, but it is also useful because, if an area is selected,
the filter and colour processing options will only apply to that area.
There is a zoom control and the image can be moved around the window.
8.2
On the main menu, the ‘file’ option leads to saving, printing and
scanning.
8.2
The ‘View’ option allows multiple views of the same image. With files
which contain more than one image, this option will allow you to step
through the images. Other options on the ‘View’ menu control which
windows are displayed, the units of measurement and the print border.
8.2
‘Edit’ includes the expected items for cropping, rotating, mirroring,
shearing and scaling the image.
8.2
The Edit options are an example of both the good and the bad aspects of
Image Master. In some programs, like !Paint, the scale option reduces
the size of the image by deleting some of the rows and some of the
columns. So, for a 50% reduction, !Paint would delete every other row
and every other column. However these rows might have contained
important details. Image Master calculates the colour of each pixel in
the final image taking into account all the pixels in the original image
which would affect it.
8.2
This is the same sort of calculation that the font manager does to
represent very small characters on the screen using pixels which can be
a range of greys instead of just black and white. This sort of
calculation is called anti-aliasing.
8.2
80% reduction with anti-aliasing
8.2
Now Image Master is very good at anti-aliasing. All the Edit options can
have anti-aliasing. Image Master allows the user to select one of seven
different anti-aliasing algorithms: Hermite, Box, Triangle, Bell, B-
spline, Lanczos and Mitchell. It also has an option for no anti-
aliasing.
8.2
The first bad thing about this anti-aliasing is that the menu to choose
the anti-aliasing system is on the configuration window which in on the
iconbar menu. There is no obvious connection between this and the Edit
option on the main menu.
8.2
The second bad thing is that the manual does not explain the differences
between these algorithms. Now I suppose that is fair enough. To explain
all that Image Master does would take a text book on image processing
not a program manual. However, you should bear in mind that if you are
not already an expert on image processing, you will need to experiment
with some features to discover just what they do. And in the case of
anti-aliasing, you may still be in some doubt.
8.2
The third bad thing only became apparent when I tried to produce a
diagram to illustrate anti-aliasing. There is an option to select no
anti-aliasing, but when it was selected, scaling was still anti-aliased.
8.2
Filter
8.2
A ‘filter’ is a process which calculates a new value for each pixel
based on the original value of that pixel and the other pixels near to
it. Filters are often used for removing noise or sharpening images.
There was a very helpful explanation of image filtering in a series of
articles by David Knell in Acorn User back in 1990, June − November. The
June and July issues would be the most useful for confused users of
Image Master.
8.2
A convolution filter replaces each pixel with a weighted average of the
surrounding pixels. The ‘user filter’ option allows the user to specify
the weight of each pixel. Some of the more common filters are provided
with Image Master so they can be easily loaded.
8.2
Maximum, minimum and mean filters are also available and there is an
option which will add noise to the image. Adding noise sounds strange
but if you have an image which has been scanned with only a few
brightness levels, a small amount of noise can make the image look less
‘flat’. There is also an inverting filter.
8.2
The filter menu also includes the ‘Histogram’ option. This ‘filter’ can
be applied to red, green or blue components of the image or to any
combination of these components. When the option is selected, Image
Master counts the number of pixels at each brightness level and displays
the result as a histogram.
8.2
“The ‘equalise’ button attempts to spread out the pixels in the image so
that there are equal intensities in each band” − or at least that is
what the manual says. Now I would have thought that ‘equalise’ might try
to get an equal number of pixels in each band. Equalise certainly
changes the colours in the image, but I am not quite sure what it is
doing − the columns in the histogram do not end up the same height or
anything obvious like that.
8.2
There is also an ‘expand’ option which spreads a selected range of
intensities to occupy the whole range. This changed the colours in the
image in a way which I found much more predictable. When you select
equalise and expand, the image changes but the histogram does not. To
update the histogram, you have to click on recalculate. I think it would
be better if the histogram were recalculated automatically although I
can see that might be difficult to implement.
8.2
(In retrospect, I think my difficulties with the histogram option may be
due to my inexperience rather than any inherent problems with the
application.)
8.2
Colour
8.2
The final option on the main menu is ‘colour’. Filters change the colour
of a pixel using information about surrounding pixels (in the case of
the histogram option, all the surrounding pixels). The colour option
includes all the processes which change each pixel using an algorithm
which does not require any information about surrounding pixels.
8.2
‘Swop’ simply interchanges the red, green and blue components. So, for
example it can swop red and the blue.
8.2
‘Grey scale’ converts a colour image to shades of grey. The weights of
the red, blue and green components can be adjusted but the defaults are
fine for normal purposes.
8.2
The ‘colour balance’ option uses the HSV (hue, saturation, value) colour
model. Using sliders, you can change the overall contrast, brightness
and saturation of the image. The hue slider allows you to rotate the hue
of all the colours by a percentage of one complete rotation. The manual
says this sort of adjustment might be useful for correcting discoloured
scans.
8.2
The most precise control over colour intensity is achieved with the
‘non-linear control’. Like the histogram filter, this can be applied to
red, green or blue components of the image or to any combination of
these components. A graph controls the mapping from input brightness to
output brightness. I found this control intuitive and easy to use. The
mapping can be continuous or in discrete steps which will give the image
a flat ‘poster colour’ appearance.
8.2
The ‘non-linear’ graph should help to make clear the meaning of the
gamma correction number ‘G’. To take an example, if G=2 then, after
processing, the brightness of a pixel will be the original brightness
squared, the non-linear graph will just be an x² graph. (Maximum image
brightness is scaled to 1.) In general,
8.2
output brightness = (input brightness)G
8.2
Tint, filter, add and subtract
8.2
The ‘tint’, ‘filter’, ‘add’ and ‘subtract’ options on the colour menu
allow you to make global changes to the colours of the image. One
process ‘adds’ a chosen colour to every pixel of the image, another has
the same effect as viewing the image through a coloured filter. ‘Tint’
and ‘filter’ are words which crop up with different meanings at
different points in Image Master. There is a ‘filter’ option on the main
menu and another on the colour menu − I found this confusing at first.
8.2
With the palette option, you can inspect and edit the palette of the
current image. The right hand part of the palette window allows you to
choose colours using the RGB, HSV or CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black)
models. Chosen colours can be used to change entries in the palette.
8.2
The palette also allows you to specify the ‘foreground’ colour which is
used by the tint, filter, add and subtract options. The control which
determines how much effect the foreground colour will have is labelled
‘Tint’. This terminology is confusing but the option certainly produces
some very interesting effects.
8.2
Change format
8.2
Change format is a very powerful option but I am not sure that it
belongs on the ‘Colour’ menu. Change format allows you to change the
image from one sprite format to another. You can change the number of
bits per pixel, and the type of palette. Current formats are 1, 2, 4, 8,
16, 24 and 32 bits per pixel. Palette options include the standard RISC
OS desktop palette, a calculated ‘optimal’ palette, digital RGB and a
linear grey scale.
8.2
If you decrease the number of bits per pixel, there will be fewer
colours available in the palette. It may not be possible to represent
all the original colours accurately. The least sophisticated strategy is
just to choose the colour in the new palette nearest to the original
colour. Change format can do this but it can also be set to match
colours with patterns of different coloured pixels which ours eyes
‘average out’ as the original colour. So, for example, alternate white
and red pixels, if they are small enough, will appear to us as
continuous pink.
8.2
We are familiar with this process in printing where patterns of black
ink and white paper are used to represent different shades of grey. In
traditional half-toning, the patterns are regular repeating designs. A
longer calculation called ‘Floyd Steinberg dithering’ gives the pixels a
more random appearance. Dithering will display details which might be
lost in half-toning.
8.2
As you would expect, Image Master has options for what it calls
‘ordered’ dithering (half-toning) and Floyd Steinberg dithering of
several different types.
8.2
Other programs
8.2
Image Master comes with a number of other programs. ‘Trace’ creates a
drawfile from a sprite file by tracing the outline of each colour.
‘Snapper’ captures the whole screen, a window or a menu as a sprite.
‘D2Font’ converts a drawfile to an outline font. ‘Zero’ combines a Twain
scanner and a Laser Direct printer to work as a photocopier.
8.2
Each of these programs is worth at least a short review of its own.
(Trace was reviewed in 5.4 p61 and 5.6 p25. Any offers to review the
others? Ed.)
8.2
Documentation
8.2
The manual covers all the features of the program and goes some way to
explaining the theory behind them. However, this is obviously a big
subject and it is not reasonable to expect the documentation to cover it
all. One particularly useful section on file formats gives some
background information on each of the file formats which Image Master
recognises.
8.2
Comments
8.2
Image Master is a fairly big, powerful program. It combines scanning and
image processing with the ability to save and load bit images in
different formats. I know that some users like programs with lots of
features. However, I think there is a case for more small programs. The
RISC OS desktop makes it so easy to pass data between different
applications with in-memory file transfer, that we do not need to have
programs which do everything themselves. I like Image Master, but I
think I would like it better if it came as three separate programs.
8.2
The Trace program is capable of ‘batch processing’. You drag a batch of
bit images onto its icon and Trace creates a directory with drawfiles of
the images. It would be useful if Image Master could perform file
conversions in the same way. The user would specify the format in which
the images should be saved and then Image Master would convert a whole
directory full of images in one go.
8.2
Image processing is a skill. It takes skill to decide how to combine the
processing features of Image Master to produce the effect you require. I
have seen someone who was quite incapable of producing an acceptable
scan of an old photograph gasp with astonishment when a few adjustments
produced a clear image. To get good results from Image Master, you need
to understand how computer images are stored and you have to be able to
look closely at the image and to think. There is a lot to learn here,
and I for one would welcome some articles in Archive by experts on image
processing.
8.2
For a user like myself who has only limited experience of image
processing, some of the menu entries and the layout of some of the
windows were confusing. However, it was possible to work out what was
going on with the aid of the manual, and I do not find it easy to
suggest a more intuitive design for such a complicated subject.
8.2
Conclusion
8.2
Image Master combines scanning and image processing with the ability to
save and load bit images in different formats.
8.2
Release 1.03 which I reviewed is a little fragile. It has crashed a few
times on my A5000 and some options have given surprising results.
8.2
The program has an impressive range of powerful features and for £30
(£28 from Archive) it is excellent value. At this price, it is worth
buying even if you do not need all the features.  A
8.2
The histogram window
8.2
Non-linear control with G = 2
8.2
The palette window
8.2
       Original        Floyd Steinberg dithering  Ordered dithering
8.2
Penfriend
8.2
Christopher Jarman
8.2
The test of any good invention is whether it does exactly what it sets
out to do. The test of an outstanding new invention is whether it does
even more things than the designer thought possible. Penfriend
definitely comes under the second category!
8.2
It has been reviewed already in Archimedes World and has even been
issued as a demo on their March 1994 disc. While it has had good reviews
from people seeing it as an aid to children who may be disabled in
various ways, I believe it offers far more opportunities for creative
writing than this.
8.2
Original designs
8.2
The designer, Roger Spooner, well-known for his original ideas in
programs such as Calligrapher, has seen the need for a predictive typer
which will finish off words for hesitant or physically handicapped
writers. The default lexicon (wordlist) contains about 1100 words but it
will accept a vocabulary of up to 15,000 words if required.
8.2
Penfriend loads easily onto the iconbar from floppy but, like many
applications, it works more quickly and easily from a hard disc. The
manual, which is a clearly-written 33 pages, is a model of how to write
for beginners. It explains in simple English all you need to know even
if it is your first day on the Archimedes. If only other manual writers
would follow this pattern!
8.2
When a letter key is pressed, Penfriend immediately displays a list of
up to eight of the most likely words you might be looking for, from the
current lexicon which you have loaded. The words are in order of most
frequent use, and each one can be summoned by a function key. So, you
might type ‘w’ and the list of words; was, with, will, which, what,
when, wonderful and so on will pop up. Merely by pressing <F7>, the word
‘wonderful’ will then be typed. I have just used Penfriend myself to
write that last sentence. It sounds complicated when described but, like
many typing helps, it is much easier in practice, and practice makes
perfect! For someone who finds typing a physical challenge or is very
unsure about spelling, Penfriend acts just like a supportive friend. It
is a Spellcheck in advance rather than the usual “Bleep!” which means,
“Wrong! You stupid boy!”.
8.2
More options
8.2
If this was all that happened, the program would still be well worth
buying, but there are more options. There is a keyboard window whereby
the mouse may be moved around a simulated keyboard on the screen. I know
there are PD versions, but this is very good. It works well with all the
other applications I tried such as Edit, Phases and even Optima; if I
only had the use of one hand and one finger, I could easily have written
a complete multimedia package using the mouse and the Penfriend
keyboard!
8.2
The sticky keys option is very handy for someone who has to type with
either one hand or two fingers. Control or Shift can be held down for a
moment to make a capital or whatever else you need. Different bleeps
remind you of your actions. There are other typing options such as
“Clever Punctuation” and “In-line Prediction” which are explained in the
manual. The program will also add every new word that you type to the
current lexicon if you wish, thereby teaching it your own vocabulary as
you go.
8.2
Editing the lexicons
8.2
What makes this product so exciting is the extra program called Editlex
which comes with it. It is designed to modify the lexicons in use, and
to put together new ones. The original idea was that different children,
or other users, would have their own particular style of writing, and
commonly used words which they would build up. Indeed, this is a very
useful way of personalising the program. However, by extension of this
idea, it is possible to create lexicons using very particular language
or even foreign languages. By merely dragging a plain textfile into a
lexicon window, you may set up a new wordlist. Imagine scanning a chunk
of Chaucer and putting the subsequent textfile into Editlex and starting
to type! All your predicted words would be from Chaucer’s vocabulary.
You could soon be writing very genuine looking pastiches! I have a
dictionary of Royal Navy slang called “Jackspeak” which has recently
been compiled and, by typing a sizable chunk of it into Edit and
dragging it into a Lexicon, I can now write to my old friends in RN
argot without having to rack my memory for the correct terms. Think of
the fun in English lessons! Write an essay in Tolkein’s elvish, for
example, or write like Damon Runyon. Copy a few Shakespeare sonnets into
Editlex and then choose your words carefully. I also have a dictionary
of Australian slang − I think perhaps I’ll load it up and try writing an
episode of Neighbours − the trouble is that the program will insist on
describing itself as “Penmate”! (or “Pencobber”? Ed.)
8.2
Penfriend is available from Design Concept, price £25 plus £2 p&p. Site
licences are free for up to five machines.  A
8.2
Eagle M2 Multimedia Card
8.2
Paul Hooper
8.2
One danger in writing reviews is the temptation of rushing in an effort
to get it into print before all the other magazines. This can lead to a
superficial review in which much of the material is just a regurgitation
of the manufacturer’s handouts or press releases. I try, as far as
possible, to resist the scoop approach and subject the hardware or
software to a sustained period of use before committing the review to
paper. The trouble is that, sometimes, a piece of hardware comes along
that has so many features and so much associated software that the
review process can take weeks. Such is the Eagle card.
8.2
The card
8.2
The packaging is a dull cardboard box but the contents are far from
dull. You get a standard size expansion board with a flying lead, no
less than three manuals and loads of discs. The card was tested on both
an A5000 and a Risc PC. Although the manual had no fitting instruction
for the Risc PC, it is fairly obvious where the flying lead goes. A Risc
PC errata sheet should be out by the time you read this.
8.2
The back of the card has four connections:
8.2
a) Super video connector (4-pin mini din) for S-VHS, Hi8 or Hiband
sources.
8.2
b) BNC (bayonet-style) connector for CVBS, video out (VHS) or SCART
sources.
8.2
c) Midi connector (15-pin D-type socket) for use with Midi sources.
8.2
d) Stereo audio (5-pin din) live-level connector for use with CD
players, amplifiers or Hifi equipment. This has both input and output
connections so that sound can be received from or sent to your computer.
8.2
There is only one lead supplied and this is for the Midi connector. The
rest of the leads you will need to supply yourself.
8.2
Video connections
8.2
Supplied on disc is the latest version of the Acorn Replay utility and
this needs to be decompressed with CFS onto your hard disc. Also
supplied is !TakeTwo which enables you to capture colour sprites, TIFF
or Clear files from a video source or Replay movie. If you want to
capture greyscale sprites then the Scanlight software is also supplied.
8.2
Connection to a video source can be a nightmare: for my video camera, I
have a video out socket which is a normal phono socket, but my VCR has a
SCART socket. Two leads were obtained from my local Tandy shop and I
first connected the video camera. I could record video from the camera
but no sound. The same problem was experienced with the VCR − I had
bought the wrong leads! Twenty pounds poorer and with advice from
Matthew at NCS, I managed to get the right leads and got connected to my
video camera.
8.2
Up and running
8.2
Once TakeTwo is installed, you can get a ‘live display’ by clicking on
its icon. The live display is just that − even on my old 24MHz A5000,
the display kept up with all the movement recorded via the video camera.
There must be some very clever electronics on this board to achieve
that!
8.2
<Menu> over the display allows you to control the picture. The video
source can be specified as composite or S-video, PAL or NTSC and these
can be live or tape. You can also control the display with Auto-Zoom
with a 4:3 lock or free aspect ratio on the picture. The alternative to
Auto-Zoom is Pan and Scan.
8.2
Before you can save anything you have to set up your Grab Choices from
the menu. The grab menu is as shown below and the file icon must be
dragged to a directory before you can save your file.
8.2
Working from the top, you must first specify the file type. You have a
choice of Sprite TIFF, Clear and Replay. To make this easier to
understand, I have set out the options for each of the static files in
the table below. The choices for Replay files are shown in the pictures
of the menu system but it all depends what computer you have as to how
many of these you can choose. Certainly, my old 24MHz A5000 could not
take in colour Replay files at 25fps but coped well with 12.5fps. A Risc
PC is a must here, but even then I had a few troubles with 25fps. You
must forget multitasking if you want to get out good results, and make
sure that you have at least 20Mb free on your hard disc to save the
resulting file. Also, you must use a fast hard disc, because some of the
older slower hard discs will not keep up with the input and some rather
strange results can occur.
8.2
To capture the images, you play the video source in a window on your
desktop. Along the top of the window are the normal video style
controls. To save static images, it is just a matter of clicking on the
record button, the display will stop for a few seconds and the picture
will be saved.
8.2
To capture Replay files, the procedure is exactly the same except that
‘record’ starts the recording and you need to click on ‘stop’ to stop
it. The screen display stops during the recording (with a periodic
update), so it can be a bit hit-and-miss as to how much you record.
Bearing this in mind, it does seem odd that there is no way of editing
the film before you use it in your application.
8.2
On test
8.2
To put the card to the test, I took my video camera out around Norfolk
to capture a number of images and Replay files for some multimedia
programs I am writing. Firstly, I captured the local wind turbines,
which translated into an excellent Replay film, even though the subject
was white against a background of sky. Then I visited ten historical
churches to capture both features and an overall picture of the church.
8.2
Once connected to the A5000, I then used grab choices and started
playing the video in a desktop window. I then had to take around fifty
static images out, but once I had specified the directory to save, it
was just a matter of clicking on the record button any number of times
because each time you save a picture the computer adds a number suffix
to the file name.
8.2
To capture the Replay sequence was more difficult, as I couldn’t tell
the exact point at which I wanted to finish. Then I hit on the solution:
I recorded the video onto my VCR and leaving that attached to the TV, I
connected up the computer to the VCR. I then played back the recording
and watched the TV and just used the computer monitor to press the
buttons. I didn’t see any degradation in the picture quality but I’m not
very good at judging this.
8.2
I also tried capturing a series of images direct from a pre-recorded
tape in the VCR − these were excellent. The only failure I have to
report was when I tried recording from my TV via the VCR. The picture
quality was bad, but I think this was due to the bad reception we get
out in the wilds of Norfolk!
8.2
On the monthly disc there are a series of static images that I have
captured using the Eagle card and a normal VHS camera. These images are
only 256 colour as they need to be distributed to readers with older
machines but the results using a Risc PC and 32 thousand colours are
outstanding. If anyone wants a copy of these larger files, just send me
a disc and return postage.
8.2
Sound as well
8.2
The Midi port is the only one supplied with a lead, the board end has a
15 pin D type socket with three colour-coded 5 pin DIN sockets on the
other: Midi in, Midi out and Midi through. Once these are connected, you
can use most Midi software such as Rhapsody, Serenade or even Maestro.
8.2
The stereo DIN socket allows your computer to record sound and to export
it via an amplifier. Certainly, some of the Digital Symphony tracks
sound very good when put out via a hi-fi. To record sound, you need to
connect a microphone to an external amplifier and then connect that
amplifier to the computer.
8.2
To manipulate all this sound, AudioWorks is provided on two discs along
with the manual. I have very little to add to the review by Brian Barr
in Archive 7.7 p57, except to say that it was a delight to use. One
feature I did find very helpful was the ability of AudioWorks to strip
out sound samples from Stracker tunes. You just take the tune and drop
it on the AudioWorks icon and you can add a few more sound samples to
your collection.
8.2
Conclusions
8.2
Computer Concepts and Wild Vision have had a reputation for establishing
their software and hardware as the standard against which others are
judged. Well, they have done it again! The Eagle card will become the
standard because it is far and away the best method of producing
material for multimedia. The card has something for everyone: the
musician will love the ability to capture just about any sound you could
want, along with the Midi interface, the graphics fan will be able to
capture just about any picture he could want, and DTP users will benefit
from the same ability. What’s more, the whole lot is on one expansion
card.
8.2
The Eagle card costs £380 through Archive and although that may sound a
lot, you should consider that a Midi card would set you back about £70,
a vision digitiser another £100 or so, an Oak Recorder about another £60
and AudioWorks adds another £50. Then remember that even an A5000 would
be running out of expansion slots with this little lot. The Eagle card
is a remarkable buy.
8.2
Computer Concepts’ advert depicts an eagle with the caption ‘soaring to
great heights’ but I suggest that they replace it with the Lunar Module
of Apollo 11 and say that the Eagle has landed − in my view, it’s
certainly out of this world!  A
8.2
(† Drat!!! Exactly the same thing has just happened again during
magazine pasteup − even with the new default document!!!)
8.2

Acorn World 94
8.3
I hope that those of you who got to Acorn World 94 were encouraged by
the range of new products available − the length of the Products
Available Column this month is certainly very encouraging. I have to
confess that I had begun to think that Acorn had shot themselves in the
foot as far as the Risc PC was concerned. One or two companies were
beginning to say that, since the Risc PC can run PC software, they might
as well just concentrate on the bigger market and produce PC software
only − but thankfully, that doesn’t seem to be happening. Perhaps it’s
because there are things you can do on a RISC machine that no PC can
touch. Or perhaps it just a lot more fun programming Acorn machines!
8.3
Making Archive Better − Part III
8.3
I still haven’t managed to read through the rest of the questionnaires −
a thing called Acorn World 94 got in the way! However, we are working on
a new “Contributors’ Handbook” to give helpful suggestions as to how to
write even better articles for Archive. Let us know if you would like a
copy.
8.3
Hope you enjoy reading another information-packed issue.
8.3
Best wishes,
8.3
Products Available
8.3
•  10 out of 10 Driving Test − Learn, revise or test your knowledge of
the essential facts of driving with this program from 4th Dimension.
There are six categories of trivia questions about road signs and
driving knowledge or you can try the thousands of questions in the suite
without using the games. 10 out of 10 Driving Test costs £25.95
inclusive from 4th Dimension or £24 through Archive.
8.3
•  24-Bit Digitiser − Irlam instruments have produced a very high
quality multimedia capture tool − the 24i16 offers 24-bit image capture
and 16-bit sound sampling. The board is available for £359 +VAT with a
512Kb framestore or £399 +VAT with a full 1Mb framestore.
8.3
•  105Mb SCSI SyQuest removable drives − One of our suppliers is
currently over-stocked on these drives and the cartridges and is selling
them off until his stock levels are somewhat reduced. We can sell the
105Mb SCSI internals for £290 (normally £370), the external 105Mb drives
for £350 (normally £450) and the spare cartridges are currently £55 each
(normally £70). This applies while his stocks last, so please ring if
you are interested in one. All prices are inclusive of VAT, carriage and
fitting kit (where necessary) and each drive includes one cartridge.
8.3
•  270Mb SCSI SyQuest removable drives − We have just found a new
supplier of 270Mb SyQuest drives who is giving us better prices. We can
now sell the 270Mb SCSI internals for £420 (was £490) including one
cartridge, the external 270Mb drives for £490 (was £550) and the spare
cartridges are currently £70 each (was £90). All prices are inclusive of
VAT, carriage and fitting kit (where necessary) and each drive includes
one cartridge.
8.3
•  ABC of Art is a set of clipart drawn using Artworks and available in
Artworks or Draw format. The series has reached H, i.e. there are eight
so far and there will be new discs released roughly every two months.
The price of each disc is £6 inclusive from ABC Art.
8.3
•  ACB15/25 second slices − Owners of single slice Risc PCs will be
pleased to hear that we have second case slices available from stock at
£116 each. As well as the actual case slice, you get the extra length
fitting pins, a four-way backplane and a brand new power supply to
increase the loading capacity of your computer. This means that you will
then be able to fit up to four expansion cards, an extra 5¼“ storage
unit − such as a CD-ROM drive − and an extra 3½” storage unit such as a
105 Mb or 270 Mb removable drive unit. (The 105Mb SCSI internals are on
special offer at the moment at £290 including one cartridge, and the
spare cartridges are currently £55 each − see above.)
8.3
•  Apple FS from Oregan allows Apple Macintosh floppy discs to be read
from and written to on an Acorn computer. Both high and low density
floppy formats are supported although not the original variable-speed
floppy format and not, as yet, SCSI hard drives. AppleFS costs £59.95
inc VAT from Oregan Developments.
8.3
•  Aries – a new games compendium from Gamesware, including Hamsters
(arcade adventure), Quizmaster (quiz!), Blowpipe (arcade/shoot ’em up)
and Square Route (puzzle), giving a range of game types. The price is
£29.95 from Gamesware or £28 through Archive.
8.3
•  Archive mousemat − The new mousemats are here! I hope that some of
you will have been able to pick one up at Acorn World 94 but, if not,
they are available from NCS for £5 each. They have antistatic plastic
tops with non-slip rubber base. The actual design of the mat is shown
overleaf.
8.3
Reports from the thousands of Archive subscribers who got a new one are
generally good. Some say it makes their mouse go faster although I can’t
quite see how that can be. Some, however, say that their mouse slips on
these mats so, be warned, if your mouse is one of those with a
plasticised (cream-coloured) ball, these mats are not for you!
(Alternatively, you could buy one and use it with one of the new Acorn
mice that we still have in stock at £18 each!)
8.3
•  Artworks Clip-Art CD 2 Computer concepts have released the second
clipart collection containing the best entries from their Artworks
competition. In addition to Artworks files, there are some 24-bit
sprites and TIFF images. The Clip-Art CD 2 costs £19 +VAT from CC.
8.3
•  Back trouble? − Anyone who has back trouble and is doing a reasonable
amount of computer work should consider buying a decent chair. For over
six years now, I have been using a Stokke Wing chair (see below) − two,
in fact − one in the office and one at home. I’m always singing their
praises to people who visit me. If I ever have to use a conventional
office chair for any length of time, I get back-ache whereas I can (and
do) sit on my Wings (so to speak!) for hours on end without tiring.
8.3
“If they are so good, why don’t you sell them?” someone said to me a
year or so ago. Why indeed?! I have made an arrangement with an importer
(they are Scandinavian chairs as you might guess!) and I can sell them
for £320 inclusive. They have a five-caster base so you can move around
easily and a gas-lift mechanism so that you can adjust the height for
the best position relative to your monitor and keyboard. The chairs are
extremely robust and the material with which they are covered is very
good quality. The one I use in the office is just beginning to wear a
bit thin on one side of the knee-pad after over four years of constant
use.
8.3
I’m so confident that you will be pleased with them that I will give you
a full refund if you buy one and find you don’t like it. You may feel
that £320 is a lot of money for a chair but, as far as I am concerned,
it is a kind of insurance policy − keeping my back in good condition −
and I’m prepared to pay for that. From personal experience, I can say
that they are very long-lasting but in any case, they come with a five-
year guarantee (although this does not apply to the covering material).
8.3
The chairs have been improved since the pictures opposite were taken.
They now have an adjustment of the knee-pad to allow for different leg
lengths!
8.3
The Wing chairs come in natural beech, rosewood or black and the covers
are available in black, navy blue, red, beige, wine, brown, charcoal or
dark grey.
8.3
(The money-back guarantee is a genuine offer. In fact, I have one that
has come back! It’s rosewood with beige covers and, if anyone is
interested, I can offer it at £290 as I cannot now say that it is brand
new. Ring the NCS office if you are interested.)
8.3
•  Blinds − Quantum Software have released their pinboard-type
application, Blinds, which allows users to group applications, files,
directories etc in a convenient way on blinds of any size, which can be
brought up at the click of a mouse button. The blinds can also be set to
appear whenever an application is run, and the icons on the blinds can
be given long names rather than just file names. Blinds costs £19.95 (no
VAT) from Quantum or £20 inclusive through Archive.
8.3
•  Bubble Help − David Pilling has an alternative to Acorn’s interactive
help application, !Help. Bubble Help 2 provides help actually at the
mouse pointer rather than in a window somewhere on the screen (if you
can remember where you put it!) and uses outline fonts to make it easier
to read. What is more, it only costs £5 inclusive, direct from David
Pilling.
8.3
•  Caxton Press from Newman College is a newspaper simulation for
primary children. It is designed to be bright, colourful and enjoyable
to use and yet simple enough for young children to understand quickly.
It allows them to lay out and edit single A4 pages of material in
newspaper format. Caxton Press is a RISC OS compatible application
costing £30 +VAT from Newman Software Ltd and this includes full site
and network licence, i.e. it can be used anywhere on a single school
site.
8.3
•  CD-ROM Drives from Cumana − In a single stroke, Cumana have extended,
renamed and simplified the choice of their CD-ROM drive products. The
comprehensive range now consists of the following (all prices are ex
VAT):
8.3
Oscar − Parallel port driven dual-speed, drawer-loading drive for
computers with a bi-directional parallel port. Cumana supply these for
£229.
8.3
Bravo − Dual-speed, drawer-loading available with either parallel port
or SLCD (podule or mini-podule) interface and providing audio mixing
with the computer’s sound. £299.
8.3
Victor − High performance SCSI drives, with a choice of drives from
dual-speed drawer-loading (£299) through caddie-loading (£399) up to
magazine-loading, quad-speed autochangers (£499 to £1995) and 6 drive
units (£1499 to £1999).
8.3
Indigo − The 300iA drive which is driven by the Risc PCs built-in IDE
interface and offers audio mixing with the Risc PC’s sound. (£249 or
£199 without audio mixing)
8.3
NCS stock the Indigo audio drive for £290 inclusive and a selection of
the other drives. See the price list for details.
8.3
•  EasyFont 3 is Fabis Computing’s improved font management system. New
features include a new user interface, a font filing system and font
compression (up to 40%). Easy Font 3 costs £35 inc VAT (£34 through
Archive) or £10 inc VAT to owners of Easy Font 2 from Fabis.
8.3
•  Educational CD-ROM software − Academy Television have produced
“Science II: Materials”, “Environment II: Land & Air” and “World War II:
Global Conflict” on CD-ROM. Each is £130 +VAT from Academy Television.
8.3
•  Education CD-ROM titles − Nelson Multimedia, a new division of school
book publishers Thomas Nelson, have launched a range of CD-ROM learning
and resource titles covering a wide cross-section of the curriculum. The
Science titles include Elements, Materials, The Environment, Inventors
and British Birds. Humanities CDs include Aspects of Religion, The
Physical World, World War II. French and Spanish language packs are
available and there are primary resources including a reading scheme and
an introduction to history. Packs vary in price from £99 +VAT to £150
+VAT with some resource CDs at £35 +VAT. Full details and prices from
Nelson Multimedia.
8.3
•  E-Type2 – For the racers among you, Fourth Dimension have released a
sequel to the original E-Type, which now features better graphics and a
two-player option. You now have to contend with police speed traps and
bad weather to complete your race. For those of you who get bored with
driving all day, you can at least switch to the pursuit track, arming
your car(s) with lasers and oil spills. When you get bored with the six
tracks provided, you can use the included track generator to add your
own courses. The game costs £34.95 from Fourth Dimension or £33 through
Archive.
8.3
•  Formula Two Thousand (FTT) is a high speed 3D futuristic racing game
new from TBA software. The speed is quite terrifying and this is their
first game to show off their TAG 3D game engine. FTT costs £24.99 inc
VAT from TBA or £24 through Archive.
8.3
•  Formulix is Computer Concepts’ successor to Equasor. It allows simple
construction and editing of complex formulae for use within documents in
Impression or other word processing/DTP programs. Formulix supports OLE,
so an embedded formula can be edited within Style, Publisher or other
OLE compliant software. Formulix costs £49 +VAT from CC or £55 through
Archive.
8.3
•  Grasshopper is a RISC OS compliant “introductory” spreadsheet from
Newman College. Although it is described as introductory, it never-the-
less looks quite sophisticated − for instance, it has 20 mathematical
functions and allows multiple selections of areas. Grasshopper costs £30
+VAT from Newman Software Ltd and this includes full site and network
licence, i.e. it can be used anywhere on a single school site.
8.3
•  IGLib Fortran graphics libraries for Intelligent Interfaces’ Fortran
77 users. The libraries provide access to the extra graphics
capabilities of the Risc PC. IGLib is available from Intelligent
Interfaces and costs £30 inc VAT +£4 p&p.
8.3
•  Impression Publisher Plus − Computer Concepts have released an
extended version of Publisher providing extra features which may be
needed by people involved in professional use of the Acorn computers for
publishing. These features include support for named colours (which can
be imported from Artworks) and the OPI standard, allowing documents
containing graphics to be kept to more practical sizes whilst retaining
the quality at the image setting stage. Publisher Plus also supports
Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) and Desktop Colour Separation (DCS) file
formats. It costs £299 +VAT (£330 through Archive) or £130 +VAT for
registered Publisher users from CC.
8.3
•  Language programs − Primrose Publishing have a clever system for use
with foreign languages. The idea is that you have a database of
sentences provided for you that are written correctly in whatever
language or languages the pack uses (over 30 languages are covered to
varying degrees). You select your sentence, it is typed automatically
into your WP or DTP application and you can then edit it in whatever way
you wish. The Tick-Tack range includes programs for beginners (Junior
Pen-Friend), for general use (Pen-Friend), for business use and for
travel and tourism. There is even one for job-hunting called “Tick-Tack
CV”! Prices start at £75 +VAT for Junior Pen-Friend in a single language
plus English to £401 +VAT for Travel/Tourism Tick-Tack in a combined
pack with English/French/German/Spanish & Italian. Site licences are
double the single-user prices.
8.3
(I would like to get a couple of reviews done as these sound very
interesting. I therefore need a language teacher to assess them from an
educational standpoint and a “keen beginner” who has perhaps done a bit
of language learning and wants to take it further. The review could then
include the views of the two people. Any offers, anyone? Ed.)
8.3
•  Lemmings/Oh No! More Lemmings – Not really a new game, but the Risc
PC version is now available for £29.95 direct from Krisalis, or £29
through Archive. It contains both games in one pack, and allows you to
play them on the RISC OS desktop, both at the same time if you find them
too easy individually!
8.3
•  Look! Hear! Talking Topics for Infants, Volume One is from Sherston
Software who have built upon their Talking Stories series with this
collection of non-fiction titles. The topics include The Body,
Dinosaurs, Homes, Land Transport, Pets and The Seashore. Each topic has
animated illustrations with sound effects and talking text that responds
to the children’s actions. Activity cards are provided for each topic.
The complete Volume One of the Look! Hear! Talking Topics is available
from Sherston for £59.75 +VAT (£67 through Archive) or £11.95 +VAT for
individual topics from Sherston.
8.3
•  Map Importer – This allows the conversion of Ordnance Survey Digital
Map Data into Drawfiles ready for use in a large number of RISC OS
applications. During conversion, alterations can be made, to remove
railways, for example. The program is only available to educational
establishments, and is priced at £29.95 for a single user copy, £45 for
a primary site licence, or £120 for a secondary site licence. Prices
exclude VAT and p&p.
8.3
A copyright licence is required for schools who are not covered by the
Local Authority Service Level Agreement. Ordinance Survey Digital Map
Data can be obtained under licence from their Digital Sales Department
(01703-792773).
8.3
•  Movie Magic − This MPEG decompression card has been developed by Wild
Vision as part of the Online Media Set-Top Box project. The card gives
the facility for decompression very high quality video images (much
better than VHS cassette technology) from CD-ROM in real time. The
number of film titles currently available on CD-ROM format is currently
small and is limited to the obvious money-makers, but this should
increase. Movie Magic costs £249 +VAT from Computer Concepts or £285
through Archive.
8.3
•  Network Solutions is a new company that has been established to take
over Oak Solutions’ networking products and services. Network Solutions
will develop Oak’s ClassNet software and provide a support service for
Oak’s existing network customers. Network Solutions are at 2 The
Borough, Aldreth, Haddenham, Ely, Cambs CB6 3PJ. Phone or fax 01954-
212083.
8.3
•  News Bulletin from Newman College is a RISC OS compatible application
which allows you to produce electronic ‘magazines’ consisting of sets of
pages of text which can be displayed in sequence or called up as
required. News Bulletin costs £25 +VAT from Newman Software Ltd and this
includes full site and network licence i.e. it can be used anywhere on a
single school site.
8.3
•  Oxford Reading Tree − Stage 3 Talking Stories − Sherston Software
have extended their Oxford Reading Tree Stories to Stage 3. The pack
contains six new stories using the Talking Stories format successfully
used by Sherston in their Naughty Stories and Stage 2 Oxford Reading
Tree products. Stage 3 Talking Stories costs £39.95 +VAT for a single
user version or £45 through Archive.
8.3
•  PaperSoft is a new software house providing a range of templates for
pre-printed stationary. Each template has a predefined page with frames
set up for common business forms and documents. Templates are also
available for fun/personal documents. Each pack includes a set of pre-
printed papers and the templates in Impression or Artworks format.
Ovation and First Page/Pendown formats will follow. The business papers
pack costs £29.95 inc VAT. Fun and label packs are available at between
£5.95 and £14.95 from PaperSoft.
8.3
•  Playdays – Based on the popular BBC TV series, it includes 13
educational games, involving counting, spelling, reading, logic, memory,
coordination, and reasoning. It features the favourite characters from
the series and comes with a teachers/parents pack. The cost is £25.99
from Skillsware/Gamesware or £25 through Archive.
8.3
•  Picture Builder from Newman College is an art package for primary
children − from reception upwards. It allows them to create pictures
using shapes that can be coloured, stretched, rotated, reflected, etc.
The program is not RISC OS compatible, i.e. there is no exit to the
desktop. Picture Builder costs £20 +VAT from Newman Software Ltd and
this includes full site and network licence i.e. it can be used anywhere
on a single school site.
8.3
•  PIMS – Longman Logotron’s popular Primary Information Management
System is now available as a stand-alone package − previously it has
only been possible to purchase it with the required hardware. It is an
integrated package, running on a single Acorn Computer, to handle pupil
and staff records, budgeting and accounts, maintenance, insurance and
inventory. An Evaluation Pack is available, directly from Longman
Logotron, for £20 +VAT, which is redeemable against the full version.
The full version costs £399 +VAT and, if purchased before BETT ’95, will
include free maintenance until January 1996. Minimum requirements are
RISC OS 3, 4Mb, and a hard drive.
8.3
•  RiscBasic, the Basic compiler from Silicon Vision has been upgraded
to version 3.15. New features include the FPA instruction set, on-line
hints & tips and better optimisation all round. RiscBasic costs £79.95
+£3 p&p +VAT or £92 through Archive. Upgrades for existing users are
available from Silicon Vision.
8.3
•  RISC OS PRM Volume 5 − For Risc PC owners or others interested in the
inner workings of RISC OS 3.5, Acorn have now released the extra
information as a fifth volume of the PRMs. Volume 5 costs £29.95 or £30
through Archive including p&p.
8.3
•  SimCity 2000 – The follow up game to SimCity offers many more
features, and improved graphics. You now get a isometric 3D view rather
than a plan view and there are far more building types. As well as
electricity you have to keep water supplies connected and maintain
underground connections. In stead of just counting your votes, you also
receive reports from your officials and can even read the local papers.
Unlike the earlier game, you can no longer build a nuclear power plant
in 1930, but have to wait until 1957 and its ‘invention’, adding more to
the game. The Risc PC version is available now at £39.95 from Krisalis,
or £38 through Archive. The version for earlier machines costs £33
through Archive.
8.3
•  Simon the Sorcerer – This is a new (8Mb!) graphical adventure game
from Gamesware, (released last year on the PC platform), and it is
something that has been missing from the Acorn games market. Rather than
being an arcade adventure, this game uses a simple point and click
interface to explore rooms, pick up items and so on. There is a distinct
humour throughout the game − various nursery rhymes crop up in
unexpected, and subtly different ways, and talking with the other
characters is always entertaining. The price is £39.95 from Gamesware,
or £38 through Archive.
8.3
•  SmartCD+ – The SmartCD package has now been released by the ARM Club.
It interfaces with CDFS to offer full control over your Audio CDs. It
will remember the title and tracks on each CD, automatically detecting
which one is in the drive, and your preferred playlist. It can also
split tracks across a cassette for use in the car or personal stereo,
and will even generate the cassette inlays. The price is £10, fully
inclusive, from the ARM Club.
8.3
•  StarFighter 3000 from FedNet Software is an up-to-date “Chocks Away”
type program providing you with 108 missions to fly, weapons to buy and
credits to win. Starfighter 3000 costs £29.95 from Fednet Software or
£29 through Archive. (See the review on page 25.)
8.3
•  TalkWrite − This is described by its supplier, Resource, as “the
friendly wordprocessor”. It has been designed for ease of use and is
usable from reception class up to year 9 as well as for special needs
use. It is fully RISC OS compliant, has a toolbar, a 50,000 word
dictionary and a wordlist from which users can select words to put into
their text. As the name implies, it also has the ability to speak as you
type or speak letters, words or sentences. TalkWrite costs £59.95 +VAT
from Resource for a single user (£67 through Archive), £149.95 +VAT for
a primary licence and £240 +VAT for a secondary licence.
8.3
•  TV Tuner is a podule from Wild Vision/Computer Concepts allowing TV
signals to be received. With the use of a digitiser card, TV pictures
can be received and displayed on the desktop. The TV Tuner is available
with Teletext software which provides the ability to capture and store
the data displayed across several pages. The TV Tuner is £89 +VAT or
£159 +VAT with the Teletext software from Computer Concepts.
8.3
•  TypeTutor – This is a new typing tutor from the ARM Club, which
includes support for the Risc PC keyboard as well as the standard
Archimedes layout. Windows showing the keyboard, next key to press,
which fingers to use, and a scoreboard can each be optionally displayed
on screen. The manual includes elementary exercises, and exercise files
are also included. The price is £10, fully inclusive from the ARM Club.
8.3
•  Utility Discs – The ARM Club’s utility discs have been updated to
make them fully compatible with the Risc PC. Each disc costs £5, or if
you need an upgrade send back your original disc, without packaging or
manual together with 50p for postage. Desktop Utilities 1: Command
control for desktop use of command line utilities, and workspace for
four independent desktop areas, each with its own mode and palette.
Desktop Utilities 2: GraphTask for task windows with graphical support,
FreeMap for analysing the free space on a disc, WindOpen for
demonstrating desktop applications, and PrintCtrl for flexible printer
control. Graphical Utilities: Broadcast display images at Broadcast
resolution for a TV or CGA monitor, and interlaces on multiscan
monitors. CTEnhance provides better dithering and Mirror is an aid for
drawing symmetrical drawing. Finally, Programmers’ Utilities: CPU load
monitor, SWI statistics application, along with a collection of useful
modules and utilities.
8.3
•  Versatile is a 2D pattern generator allowing the construction of a
wide variety of patterns and tessellations based on mathematical
principles. Versatile costs £45 +VAT or £180 +VAT for a site licence
from Oak Solutions.
8.3
•  Voyage of Discovery − Sherston Software have produced a science
adventure program for 9 to 13 year-olds. The year is 2055 and the
mission is to deliver a package from earth to the captain of the
Spaceship Discovery within three days somewhere out in deep space. (Next
day delivery is only guaranteed this side of Jupiter apparently, so
three days is quite normal!) Children taking on the challenge will meet
various problems and puzzles in which they will have to deal with many
aspects of electricity and magnetism including magnets, compasses,
simple circuits, fuses, circuit diagrams, electromagnets and motors.
Voyage of Discovery is by Mark Vanstone, of ArcVenture fame and costs
£31.95 +VAT from Sherston Software or £36 through Archive.
8.3
•  VTX2000 Sound Card − VTI (previously known as Vertical Twist) have
launched a high quality sound card containing the Kurtzweil chip set as
used in Kurtzweil’s keyboard instruments. These chips provide 700 voices
providing a versatile sound module inside your Acorn. The card also
provides an Acorn compliant Midi interface and is General Midi
compatible. The Kurzweil chips are 32 voice polyphonic and include DSP
for effects and post-processing. The sound is 16-bit, 44.1kHz, and
output in high quality stereo. The card costs £399 +VAT from VTI.
8.3
•  WimpGEN − Silicon Vision’s application-authoring package has reached
version 2.06. The new version has a range of new features but the price
remains at £79.95 + £3 p&p +VAT from Silicon Vision or £93 through
Archive.
8.3
•  Wolfenstein 3D – This new game from Powerslave Software was the
forerunner of Doom/Doom II which have taken the PC games world by storm.
Fast texture-mapped graphics and lots of atmosphere as you explore a
Nazi castle, collecting enough firepower to start your own Guns ’r’ Us
by the end – be warned it is not a game for the squeamish! The price is
£29.95 from Powerslave or £29 through Archive.
8.3
Review software received...
8.3
We have received review copies of the following: •10 out of 10 Driving
Test (e), •Arctic (Interface to Compuserve) (c), •Beethoven Browser
Egmont (e), •Bubble Help 2, •Caxton Press (e), •GameOn! (g/u),
•Grasshopper (e), •LjDuplex (u), •Logix (e), •Mouse in Holland (e),
•MouseTrap (u), •Network Acorn (u), •News Bulletin (e), •PDCD 2 (pd),
•Picture Builder (e), •Playdays (e), •Play on Words (e), •ShareHolder
(b), •TickTack (e), •Voyage of Discovery (e).
8.3
e=Education, b=Business, bk=Book, c=Comms, g=Game, h=Hardware,
l=Language, u=Utility.
8.3
New phone codes
8.3
In the Factfile last month, and in some of the small ads, we very
helpfully (we thought!) put in the new phone codes by adding a 1 in
front of every leading 0 (in anticipation of Phone Day − 15th April
1995). How many of you who do not live in Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham,
Leicester or Bristol know that the “add a 1” rule doesn’t apply to all
phone numbers?! The correct new numbers are as follows (the first four
digits form the new exchange number and the extra 2 or 9 goes in front
of the actual number):
8.3
Leeds  0532 becomes 0113 plus 2
8.3
Sheffield  0742 becomes 0114 plus 2
8.3
Nottingham  0602 becomes 0115 plus 9
8.3
Leicester  0533 becomes 0116 plus 2
8.3
Bristol  0272 becomes 0117 plus 9
8.3
If you would like to review any of these products, please contact the
Archive office. Potential reviewers will need to show that they would
use the product in a professional capacity or that they have some
knowledge of the particular field.  A
8.3
Government Health Warning − Reading this could seriously affect your
spiritual health.
8.3
Have you come across the KISS principle? It can be very useful in all
sorts of situations. KISS? Oh, yes, it stands for “Keep It Simple,
Stupid!” There is a tendency in Western society to make things more and
more complex when, often, the simple approach is the best. Acorn are a
supreme example... Billions of dollars have been poured into CISC
processors and the attendant complex application programming. If the
rest of the world had realised what Acorn did, ten or more years ago,
when they started developing the first RISC chip, computing would be
light years ahead of where it is today.
8.3
Theory A, that we thought about last month, is a good KISS solution.
There is no God, so we might as well eat, drink and be merry... for
tomorrow we may die. Dead simple! And yet, and yet, maybe, just maybe
there is a God and maybe... NO! Don’t think about it! It’s not true!!
Just shut up and let me enjoy life! But maybe...
8.3
What about Theory B (the bible) from last month? The trouble is that
there are so many different theories, all based on the biblical
evidence. How do I know which, if any, to believe? Well, why not try the
KISS principle? Why not read a couple of the Gospels and see how they
strike you? Don’t start from the premise, “This can’t be true because
miracles just don’t happen.” Read it with an open mind. Remember, there
are millions of intelligent people all over the world who believe that
Jesus was who he said he was (God), that he said he would rise from the
dead... and did, and that we can know God in a personal way today.
8.3
Surely, it can’t be that simple? Dead men don’t come back to life. Do
you have an alternative theory? A lot of very clever people have made
suggestions, from “God is a spaceman” to some very sane, sensible and
ingenious alternative theories. But I just can’t accept any of them and
I’ll tell you why.
8.3
I believe that God loves everybody − educated or uneducated, clever or
not so clever, sophisticated Westerner or primitive tribesmen, wise and
ancient or young and innocent − He loves us all. I just cannot accept,
therefore, that God would make himself known to us in such a complicated
way that only clever, educated people could understand it. Jesus said,
“Unless you become like a little child, you will never enter the kingdom
of God.” You may feel that it is insultingly simple... but it has to be
simple to be fair.
8.3
P.B.
8.3
Fact-File
8.3
(The numbers in italic are fax numbers)
8.3
4th Dimension  1 Percy Street, Sheffield, S3 8AU. (0114-270-0661) (0114-
278-1091)
8.3
4Mation   14 Castle Park Road, Whiddon Valley, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32
8PA. (01271-25353) (01271-22974)
8.3
Abacus Training    29 Okus Grove, Upper Stratton, Swindon, Wilts, SN2
6QA.
8.3
ABC Art   Tideways, South Road, Brean, Somerset, TA8 2SE. (01278-751317)
8.3
Academy Television   104 Kirkstall Road, Leeds, LS3 1JS. (0113-246-1528)
(0113-242-9522)
8.3
Acorn Computers Ltd    Acorn House, Vision Park, Histon, Cambridge, CB4
4AE. (01223-254254)
8.3
  (01223-254262)
8.3
Aleph One Ltd   The Old Courthouse, Bottisham, Cambridge, CB5 9BA.
(01223-811679) (01223-812713)
8.3
APDL    39 Knighton Park Road, Sydenham, London, SE26 5RN.
8.3
Aspex Software   Heather House, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 9AG. (01822-
611060) (01822-611061)
8.3
Atomwide Ltd   7 The Metro Centre, Bridge Road, Orpington, Kent, BR5
2BE. (01689-838852)
8.3
  (01689-896088)
8.3
Avie Electronics (p11)  7 Overbury Road, Norwich. (01603-416863) (01603-
788640)
8.3
Basing Educational Software   6 Long Street, Gerlan, Bethesda, Gwynedd,
LL57 3SY. (01248-602402)
8.3
Colton Software (p24)   2 Signet Court, Swanns Road, Cambridge, CB5 8LA.
(01223-311881) (01223-312010)
8.3
Computer Concepts (pp12/20)   Gaddesden Place, Hemel Hempstead, Herts,
HP2 6EX. (01442-63933) (01442-231632)
8.3
Cumana Ltd   Pines Trading Estate, Broad Street, Guilford, GU3 3BH.
(01483-503121) (01483-503326)
8.3
David Pilling   P.O.Box 22, Thornton Cleveleys, Blackpool, FY5 1LR.
8.3
Digital Services   9 Wayte Street, Cosham, Portsmouth PO6 3BS. (01705-
210600) (01705-210709)
8.3
Fabis Computing   95 Fabis Close, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 9SL.
8.3
Fednet Software   66 Park Road, Duffield, Belper, Derbyshire, DE56 4GR.
(01332-840487)
8.3
GamesWare   Unit 26, The Bartletts, Hamble, Hants., SO35 5RP.
(01703−456523) (or 01243-531194) (01703−456523)
8.3
Hazelnut Software   197 Blackshots Lane, Grays, Essex, RM16 2LL. (01375-
375514)
8.3
Hodge Electronic Services    16 Mold Road, Mynydd Isa, Clwyd, CH7 6TD.
(01244-550803)
8.3
Intelligent Interfaces Ltd   P.O.Box 80, Eastleigh, Hants, SO53 2YX.
(01703-261514) (01703-267904)
8.3
Irlam Instruments   133 London Road, Staines, Middlesex TW18 4HN.
(01895-811401)
8.3
Krisalis Software   Teque House, Mason’s Yard, Downs Row, Moorgate,
Rotherham, S60 2HD.
8.3
  (01709-372290) (01709-368403)
8.3
Kudlian Soft  8 Barrow Road, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1EH. (01926-
851147)
8.3
Longman Logotron   124 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge
CB4 4ZS. (01223-425558) (01223-425349)
8.3
LOOKsystems   47 Goodhale Road, Bowthorpe, Norwich, NR5 9AY. (01603-
748253) (01603-740203)
8.3
Mijas Software (p10)  Winchester Road, Micheldever, Winchester, SO21
3DJ. (01962-774352)
8.3
Nelson Multimedia   Nelson House, Mayfield Road, Walton-on-Thames,
Surrey KT12 5PL,  (01932-252211.)
8.3
Network Solutions   2 The Borough, Aldreth, Haddenham, Ely, Cambs CB6
3PJ. (01954-212083)
8.3
  (01954-212083).
8.3
Newman Software   c/o Computer Centre, Newman College, Genners Lane,
Bartley Green, Birmingham,
8.3
  B32 3NT.
8.3
Oak Solutions (p23)   Dial House, 12 Chapel Street, Halton, Leeds, LS15
7RN (0113-232-6992)
8.3
  (0113-232-6993)
8.3
Octopus Systems   9 Randwell Close, Ipswich, IP4 5ES. (01473-728943)
(01473-270643)
8.3
Oregan Developments   36 Grosvenor Avenue, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield,
B74 3PE. (0121-353-6044)
8.3
Papersoft   10 Dunlin Road, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 6LU. (01442-
391967)
8.3
Powerslave Software   P.O. Box 175, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 6RD.
8.3
Primrose Publishing   Vicarage Long Barn, Denham, Bury St Edmunds,
Suffolk, IP29 5EF.
8.3
Quantum Software (p19)  35 Pinewood Park, Deans, Livingston, EH54 8NN.
(01506-411162 after 6)
8.3
Resource   51 High Street, Kegworth, Derbyshire, DE74 2DA. (01509-
672222) (01509-672267)
8.3
Sherston Software   Angel House, Sherston, Malmesbury, Wilts. SN16 0LH.
(01666-840433) (01666-840048)
8.3
Silicon Vision Ltd   Signal House, Lyon Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1
2AG. (0181-422-3556) (0181-248-3589)
8.3
Soft Rock Software    FREEPOST (BS7978), Westbury-on-Trim, Bristol, BS10
7BR.
8.3
TBA Software   24 Eastgate, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, SY23 2AR. (01970-626785)
8.3
The ARM Club   Freepost ND6573, London, N12 0BR. (01171-624-9918)
(01181-446-3020)
8.3
Topologika   Islington Wharf, Church Hill, Penryn, Falmouth, Cornwall,
TR10 8AT. (01326-377771) (01326-377771)
8.3
Uniqueway   42 Crwys Road, Cardiff, CF2 4NN.  (01222-644611) (01222-
644622)
8.3
VTI (Vertical Twist)   Unit 1, The Shopwhyke Centre, Shopwhyke Road,
Chichester, PO20 6GD.
8.3
  (01243-531194) (01243-531196)
8.3
Widget Software   121 London Road, Knebworth, Herts, SG3 6EX. (01438-
815444) (01438-815222)
8.3
Archive Monthly Program Disc Contents
8.3
•  Programs from Cain Hunt’s article on programming − page 45.
8.3
•  ASCII character table from Jim Nottingham’s article about text
import − page 63.
8.3
•  Program from Hints & Tips Column on page 27.
8.3
•  !Slideshow − new version of the Risc PC demo software from Ian
McFarlane that allows you to select the index sprites and then click to
display a selected sprite − impress your friends even more!
8.3
•  Factfile − latest version of our full list of Acorn-related companies
on the Archive database.
8.3
Paul Beverley
8.3
Acorn Christmas Computer Sale...
8.3
Up to Christmas, A3010s are available at up to 33% off.
8.3
A3010 Action Pack (1Mb)  £399 − −> £299  25% off rrp
8.3
A3010 Action Pack (1Mb) + AKF52  £599 − −> £399  33% off rrp
8.3
A3010 EY or LC (2Mb)  £499 − −> £399 + free AP!  20% off rrp
8.3
A3010 EY or LC (2Mb) + AKF52  £799 − −> £599 + free AP!  25% off rrp
8.3
EY= Early Years Pack = Talking Start-Write, Flossy the Frog, Mouse in
Holland, Doris the Dotty Dog, Gemini, Amazing Maths & Paint Pot.
8.3
LC = Learning Curve Pack = Advance + PC Emulator + various demos
8.3
AP = Action Pack = Zool + StartWrite + various demos
8.3
Acorn Christmas Bits Sale...
8.3
I have managed to get a few bits left over from Acorn’s “Bargain
Basement” at Acorn World 94 including Desktop C and Desktop Assembler at
over 70% off!!! These are strictly WSL − “While stocks last!”,
i.e. please ring to book one.
8.3
I/O podule   £99 − −> £55  44% off rrp
8.3
Desktop C  £269 − −> £69  74% off rrp !
8.3
Desktop Assembler  £175 − −> £39  78% off rrp !
8.3
Basic Reference manuals  £20 − −> £15  25% off rrp
8.3
The Desktop C and Desktop Assembler are the current versions and,
obviously, Acorn are working on newer versions. However, at the price, I
think they are worth getting, even if they are superseded. In any case,
there will be some sort of upgrade path to the newer versions you might
even save money if you are really wanting the newer versions. At £69 for
Desktop C, it even works out slightly cheaper than Beebug’s Easy C!
8.3
9Mb Risc PCs in stock!!!
8.3
Well, put the flags out! Seven months after the launch of the Risc PC,
Acorn have (just about!) caught up with the supply of the ACB45, 9Mb
Risc PC 600s. We have cleared our last back-order and have at least one
left for stock. (Please don’t fight over it − form an orderly queue!)
The demand for ACB45s was so much higher than Acorn expected that it has
taken them until now to catch up.
8.3
Christmas Presents
8.3
If you are wanting to buy things through Archive for Christmas presents,
you will need to get orders to us by the following dates. Even then, we
cannot guarantee delivery because we cannot predict whether the
suppliers will be able to deliver things to us in time if we happen to
be out of stock. So please leave as much time as possible and we’ll do
all we can to fulfil your orders.
8.3
Send your “I want it by Christmas” orders to arrive at NCS by:
8.3
UK  15th December
8.3
Europe  7th December
8.3
Zone 1  4th December
8.3
Zone 2  1st December
8.3
Gift-wrapping − If you would like us to gift-wrap presents and send them
direct to the recipient, just send us a suitable gift-tag to put on it
and add £1 to the price.
8.3
The new Archive mousemat design
8.3
Mijas
8.3
From 8.1 page 8
8.3
CC
8.3
From 8.2 page 22
8.3
Avie Electronics
8.3
New artwork
8.3
Help!!!!
8.3
•  Background printing Impression files − If you <shift-adjust> over
your printer and select ‘Print in background’ and change the connections
to ‘File’ (taking the file icon to a directory) you can print Impression
files quickly into a file in your chosen directory. Then alter the
printer connection back (to parallel) and drop the Printout file onto
the printer. (You may need to use ‘Set type’ to alter the filetype to
“Printout” if the file is saved as type “Data”.) The file will now print
in the background. OK, but complicated − is there a better way that I
have blindly over-looked?  Robert Lytton, Leeds.
8.3
•  CD-ROMs − I asked a couple of months ago if anyone could do some work
on this area for us but got no response except offers to review the CDs
themselves. What I was looking for was someone who could pester the
drive manufacturers and suppliers for information and/or to borrow
drives for testing purposes. It’s quite a big job, I know, but it’s an
area where people are desperate for information. We really need to have
a CD-ROM Column. Is there anyone who would be prepared to get this
started? Could you perhaps offer to be one of a team of people collating
information in this area? If you can help in any way, please ring the
Archive office. Thanks.  Ed.
8.3
•  File access − Is there any way that files can be made accessible to
users whilst ensuring that they do not copy (or move) them to different
directories? I’m thinking in particular of a situation in an infant
department where the children do tend to inadvertently make multiple
copies of programs all over the hard disc.
8.3
•  Flashback − Could anyone who plays Flashback please throw some light
on saving your position? E.g. can you save from anywhere or only if you
find one of the elusive save pillars?  John Cxxxx. (Sorry − couldn’t
read the signature. Ed.)
8.3
•  Free Software! − Primary schools and/or special needs departments
with A3020/4000/5000 are needed to pilot some interactive multimedia
educational software − TimesTable and TellTime. Phone Hazelnut Software
on 01375-375514 for a demo disc.  Pat Morris, Hazelnut Software.
8.3
•  Internet access − We are getting a lot of queries along the lines of
“How can I get onto Internet?”, “What software and hardware do I need?”
and “How much will it cost me?” Can anyone help us with this? Please
send in your ideas, experience, questions etc. Is there someone who
already knows a bit about Internet who would be prepared to compile any
contributions into an article or articles?  Ed.
8.3
•  Keystroke − We have had quite a lot of folk endorsing the idea of a
Keystroke Column. The commonly held view is that Keystroke is an
excellent product and capable of some wonderful things but that the
manual is (sorry, Stuart) not wonderful. To be fair, it isn’t easy to
explain how to do things in Keystroke − it’s much easier to demonstrate
it − but since we can’t do that through Archive, but only write and show
screenshots.
8.3
Alisdair Jorgensen has offered to take it on. Alisdair is Stuart
Halliday’s business partner and author of Keystroke! If you have ideas,
suggestions, questions, comments, etc, send them to Alisdair at Easter
Cottage, Canalside, Winchburgh, EH52 6PU.  Ed.
8.3
•  Maximising memory − Is there a utility (or Obey file sequence) which
works with RISC OS3 and later which would automate the process of
maximising the amount of memory available for memory intensive
applications such as Genesis Browser (with an application loaded)
without having to resort to the task manager or the command line?
8.3
•  NetGain − Does anyone out there use Digital Services’ NetGain? If so,
could you either ring or write and tell us your views about it, please?
Ed.
8.3
•  Online Media − Is there anyone who would like to keep their eye on
what Online Media are up to and write about it occasionally in Archive?
I have a couple of press releases you could digest for a start. It needs
to be someone with a reasonable idea about multimedia et al. If you
would interested to have a go, let me know.  Ed.
8.3
•  Sysgen Reliant tapestreamer − Is there any way that a Sysgen Reliant
tapestreamer (formerly used with an IBM PS50z) can be used to back up
files from Acorn series machines? Would it need a SCSI interface to be
fitted. Once fitted what driver software would be required to allow it
to be used.
8.3
•  Wanted, A-Links − Acorn are having difficulty producing A-Links −
something to do with problems over supply of the cables. They say they
hope to have some by “early December”. NCS has several frustrated
customers who bought Pocket Books from us and are waiting for their A-
Links. If you have one to sell second hand (preferably with the PocketFS
2 software), let us know and we’ll put you in touch with some potential
customers!  Ed.
8.3
•  Wanted, Trackerball − Does anyone have a redundant (but good
condition) full-size trackerball they no longer use and would be
prepared to donate to a physically disadvantaged young man?  Ed. (Clive,
I’m afraid that, in the chaos after the Show, I lost the bit of paper on
which I wrote your name, address and the other query I was going to deal
with for you. Please will you contact me again? Sorry. Ed.)  A
8.3
Comment Column
8.3
•  Acorn friends − I have always felt that the world of Acorn and its
third party suppliers was, by and large, a very friendly community.
Certainly, when we get together at shows like Acorn World 94, we enjoy
one another’s company and there isn’t, generally, the kind of cut-throat
rivalry that you get in other computer communities. This was brought
home to me by a comment made to me in a letter recently from Christopher
Jarman... “Thank you for your interest and encouragement since I became
a subscriber/contributor. I have made so many friends through the Acorn,
it is unbelievable.”  Ed.
8.3
•  Font Directory − Here is a very short review of Font Directory from
LOOKsystems: It is very good − if you have any extra fonts then you need
it, so go out and buy it at once. I didn’t realise how much I needed it
until I’d got it. Related message to Acorn: you should buy a licence to
incorporate Font Directory in RISC OS 4.  Seán Kelly, Leighton Buzzard.
8.3
•  Module area misuse? When I run Impression Publisher, my module area
gets loaded with many tens of kilobytes of relocatable modules, and when
I quit Publisher, they stay there. Eureka does the same. Isn’t this a
misuse of the module area? After a few hours keyboard bashing, my 4Mb
A5000 is in dire need of a hard reset, just to release memory.  Seán
Kelly, Leighton Buzzard.
8.3
Matthew Hunter replies... Some applications do load several modules
during start up and then ‘fail’ to remove them on termination, often
occupying large amounts of RMA. This may seem like a waste but there are
(usually) good reasons for it.
8.3
The idea of modules is that they are shared resources. This may mean
that several applications may need to use them at once and some of them,
such as filers, always need to be present. One solution to Seán’s
problem may be to add lines to the end of the application’s run file to
RMKill all the modules it loads thus freeing up the memory. However,
with later versions of Impression, this is not possible because many of
CC’s modules such as the ABIModule (which handles their user interfaces)
and the Artworks renderer are shared between several applications.
Simply killing the module is not appropriate since it could easily
corrupt other software that is using it. (For this reason, some modules
are made so that they refuse to die!)
8.3
A better way is for the module itself to keep track of which
applications are using it, and when they have all exited, the module
knows it can now end. This is the way in which the WIMP works − as soon
as all the tasks end, the WIMP also terminates, dropping you back to the
supervisor prompt. Unfortunately, this is still not ideal for programs
that operate within the WIMP like Impression and Eureka.
8.3
If their support modules did terminate, all that would be likely to
happen would be that you would get back some RMA. Since free memory is
only returned to the WIMP from the end of the RMA, you would not get
much, if any, memory returned and the freed memory would only be reused
by other users of the RMA.
8.3
This may seem like a good idea, but suppose the modules are killed,
freeing the space. You then load a smaller module which will fit into
the gap left. You then need to reload the program whose modules have
been killed. Unfortunately, there is now no longer enough room for the
previously killed modules so even more memory will need to be added to
the end of the RMA in order to reload them. In this case, killing the
modules has actually wasted space. Whilst this is a worst case, it is
important to recognise that the problem is not entirely due to
individual modules, but due to some of the limitations imposed by the
current RMA system. Leaving modules running is not ideal, but it is
helpful if you need to swap between several applications. (You also do
not waste time reloading the modules − try loading, quitting and
reloading Impression and you will see the difference in speed on the
second attempt.) Until the RMA can relocate running modules, this is the
probably the best option.  Matthew Hunter, NCS.
8.3
•  Pocket Book Classroom Pack
8.3
Eleven Acorn Pocket Books, dispensing with the poem,
8.3
Teacher looked the other way and then there were ten.
8.3
Ten Acorn Pocket Books, things were going fine,
8.3
One fell into a bag and then there were nine.
8.3
Nine Acorn Pocket Books, programs on a plate,
8.3
One of them went up in smoke and then there were eight.
8.3
Eight Acorn Pocket Books, children all in heaven,
8.3
One fell upon the floor and then there were seven.
8.3
Seven Acorn Pocket Books, the class is in a fix,
8.3
One went to the staff-room and then there were six.
8.3
Six Acorn Pocket Books, very much alive,
8.3
H/M requisitioned one and then there were five.
8.3
Five Acorn Pocket Books, they really needed more,
8.3
One went to the Maths Room and then there were four.
8.3
Four Acorn Pocket Books, feeling fancy free,
8.3
One of them got sawn in half and then there were three.
8.3
Three Acorn Pocket Books, teacher’s feeling blue,
8.3
One got metal fatigue and then there were two.
8.3
Two Acorn Pocket Books, one’s been claimed by Don,
8.3
Now he’s taken it away − the total’s down to one!
8.3
One Acorn Pocket Book, all the rest have gone,
8.3
Teacher took it home with him and now there are none!!
8.3
David Fairhurst, Seaford, Sussex.
8.3
•  Publisher: Editor’s view − I may not be a typical Publisher user, but
my experiences may help others to get Publisher to perform more
effectively for them. I have listened to a number of differing views and
it has been quite strange. Some people, typified by myself and Mark Howe
(but there are others), have quite a bit of difficulty, including a
number of crashes whereas others, typified by Keith Parker and Neil
Whiteley-Bolton, who also use Publisher in a professional environment,
say they very rarely have problems.
8.3
I am hoping that as I gradually overcome my problems with Publisher,
others may learn along the way. From CC’s point of view, they say, “show
us a bug and we’ll fix it” which is fair enough but the difficulty (ours
and theirs) is that, with a system as complex as a computer interacting
with a user (or is it vice versa!) there are so many factors involved
that it is, more often than not, impossible to reproduce the error. So,
Publisher users, if you can ever, reproduce a crash on your system,
please report it to CC in as much detail as possible and send them a
file of the offending material if at all possible.
8.3
To continue with my own bug reports, even in Publisher 4.02 (27 Sep
1994), the bug I mentioned last month (p19) involving using <ctrl-shift-
Q> to swap adjacent characters across a line boundary still exists − it
is only a problem, by the way, when the text is justified. Also, just as
a warning, there is another reproducable (fatal) bug with justified
text.
8.3
If you are using the expand abbreviations facility and a style change,
you can produce a fatal error. I made Publisher crash when, at the end
of a line I typed, <f10>ar<space>. The <f10> is the key I use for Bold
and the “ar” changes to “Archive”. The “ar” appeared in bold down on the
new line but as soon as I pressed <space>, it crashed.
8.3
I do still get other non-reproducable crashes with Publisher but they
seem to happen more often after a session involving loading lots of
files from different contributors and preparing them for editing − could
it again be due to master pages carrying over problems from pre-Style/
Publisher days?
8.3
One of the problems I was having with Publisher was that it complained
about problems with fonts and would not re-display the document − it was
white text on white paper! CC said that the error was not Publisher’s
fault but something to do with the fonts in my font directory. (“Oh yeah
− sounds like an excuse to me”, I thought.) But they were right!!!
8.3
Some years ago, I had modified my version of Corpus. I decided I didn’t
really want smart quotes in program listings, so I used the trick of
putting the definitions of the normal quotes into each of the smart
quote slots so that they were displayed and printed as normal quotes
even though they were smart. Cunning, huh?! I decided to go back to the
ROM version of Corpus and, ever since, I have had no problems in that
area. Sorry, CC, you were right!  Ed.
8.3
•  Publisher crashes? − 4.01 doesn’t seem to crash very often on me −
well, no more frequently than Impression II, even when editing a 1½Mb
document with 30 chapters. As with Impression II, most of my crashes
occur during printing on my LBP4 Laser Direct, normally when there isn’t
quite enough memory. Instead of gracefully refusing to do something, a
crash occurs which generates an inescapable sequence of errors: I think
the stack gets corrupted.  Seán Kelly, Leighton Buzzard.
8.3
•  Publisher: More views − I do not share Paul’s regrets at the loss of
the old <ctrl-A> in Publisher, because I never used it in Impression II.
I was, and am, happy with the adjacent <delete> and <copy> keys for
delete-left and delete-right. My problem with the new <ctrl-A> is that I
fairly frequently hit this combination by mistake, and my next key-
depression deletes the whole text! If I realise what I have done, and do
not panic, <ctrl-V> brings it all back. Needless to say, I lost a
document or two before I realised what was happening.
8.3
I do occasionally get crashes − they seem to happen if I get ahead of
the machine when it is re-building a complex window (e.g. after
scrolling, or insertion of text). Most operator actions while this is
happening are held in the keyboard buffer until the re-build is
complete, and cause no problem. There are some things, however, which it
tries to incorporate into its re-building operation as it goes along
(further scrolling, I think, is one). Sometimes it seems to trip over
itself and crashes! I am not very clear about this yet − if I can
clarify it further, I will.
8.3
Still on crashes, I generally base a new Impression document (like a
letter) on an old one, rather than starting from scratch, but I have now
made a clean break with Publisher. I was not aware of CC’s advice about
not using old documents, but I soon found that, by modifying old
documents, I was carrying forward all my old user-defined styles, even
if they were not used in the document. This caused problems because I
have now defined a number of new styles and abandoned most of my old
ones. So I frequently found that a key short-cut produced my old style
rather than the expected new one. Also, using an old document as a base
for a new one brings in the old-style numbered master pages, instead of
the new (fewer) named ones. I didn’t associate these problems with
crashes at the time, but I do think I am getting fewer crashes since I
eliminated these hybrids − whether for that reason I do not know.
8.3
Paul commented on user-defined styles and the shortage of available f-
key combinations. I now use <shift-f2> to <shift-f10> for different
styles. I don’t often need to change the viewing scale and, when I do,
the double and halve facilities usually suffice. I have also re-defined
<ctrl-shift-f4> to <ctrl-shift-f10> for a range of other styles because
I don’t use the facilities that CC have added to those keys since
Impression II.
8.3
Incidentally, there are two mistakes on CC’s Key Short Cut card. <ctrl-
C> is not Cut selected item to clipboard. Also <ctrl-shift-B> is not
undefined − it is used to put the selected frame to the back. (Why can’t
we have a short cut for the converse, bring frame to front, as in Draw?)
8.3
Someone commented in Risc User(!) that they didn’t like the use of
<shift-cursor-keys> to adjust text selection, losing their old function
of moving the cursor a word at a time. I disagree − I find the new
feature occasionally very useful (and never used the old one). With
small text on a large screen, it can be a bit tricky using the mouse to
select the right characters of text. This feature makes it easy. I can
move the cursor a character at a time, if necessary, by using the cursor
keys, I can then highlight the few characters I want by using the cursor
keys with <shift>.  Colin Singleton, Sheffield.
8.3
•  Single chip solution for multimedia and portable applications − A
press release from ARM Ltd states: VLSI Technology are manufacturing a
new ARM7500 for the Online Media set-top box.
8.3
ARM Ltd have presented the ARM7500, a highly integrated single-chip
multimedia and portable system solution. It has a 32-bit RISC processor,
video, sound, I/O and memory control in a single cost-effective, high-
performance, low-power package.
8.3
At the heart of the ARM7500 is a cached 32-bit RISC processor, capable
of up to 30 Dhrystone 2.1 MIPS at 33MHz. Despite the integration of
video, sound and I/O, the ARM7500 still has a 4Kb cache, write buffer
and a memory-management unit for high system throughput.
8.3
The device is being manufactured on VLSI Technology’s 0.6 micron two-
layer metal process. The high performance, small size, low power and low
cost of the ARM7500 make it an ideal solution for portable and
multimedia applications. Conventional RISC chips are typically too big
and too expensive for portable and consumer applications.
8.3
“The ARM7500 epitomises the effective use of existing macrocells,” said
Mike Muller, ARM’s Vice President of Marketing. “Its optimal mix of
full-custom and standard cells offers tremendous flexibility to
designers looking for high-performance, one-chip solutions for portable
and multimedia consumer products.”
8.3
The first ARM7500 chips will be used in Online Media’s intelligent set-
top boxes for video-on-demand and other highly interactive TV services.
ATM Ltd, which already uses other ARM processors in its ATM server and
data-communications hardware, is working closely with Online Media in an
interactive television trial now underway with Anglia TV and Cambridge
Cable.
8.3
Malcolm Bird, Chief Executive of Online Media, commented: “Online Media
is committed to developing highly cost effective digital set-top
products. The ARM7500 helps move us towards our goal of a set-top on a
chip. In collaboration with ARM and VLSI, we have been able to integrate
many of the necessary functions into a very cost effective package. We
are also especially proud of being involved in the world’s first digital
interactive TV trial that uses ATM transmission from end to end.”
8.3
Availability? The ARM7500 is compatible with existing ARM development
tools and is initially available in a 240-pin microprocessor quad flat
package. VLSI Technology has supplied Online Media with prototype parts
and samples will be made more widely available in Q1 1995.
8.3
•   Squirrel − After the comments in Tim Nicholson’s article (8.2 p68)
about Squirrel 2, we were hoping we would get some comments that would
give us more evidence about the validity of the two sets of comments,
for and against. We only got one (see below). Has anyone else got any
experience that they think would be helpful? Are there any satisfied
Squirrel 2 users amongst our subscribers?  Ed.
8.3
•  Squirrel views − I was interested in the item on Squirrel 2 and the
reply from Digital Services. As a fairly contented user of Squirrel 2, I
would not be quite as negative as Tim Nicholson, but...
8.3
My first version of Squirrel 2 had a very serious compression error, and
the bug repair seemed to take twice as long as I had been promised. A
problem with double-clicking on boolean fields was not fixed by 2.07; I
had two letters from Digital Services denying the fault, before they
agreed to check, and I have heard no more. This problem is enough to
make Squirrel 2 unusable by the ‘computer illiterate’, which is a shame
for Digital Services as I had wanted to buy a copy for general use
operating a database in an office environment. Querying using boolean
fields is also rather useless, as it doesn’t really work.
8.3
Also, I pointed out to Digital Services that it was possible for an
unauthorised user to read password protected data merely by running a
query file, but they did not sort out the problem. This is a seriously
unprofessional implementation of protection, as it makes a secure
database impossible with a mixture of ‘authorised-access-only’ and
‘general-access’ data. Further, default field data does not always
appear as it ought in new records − another problem in applications
where a database is to be used by the ‘computer illiterate’.
8.3
My conclusion is that Squirrel is an excellent database for home use, by
a regular user who will put up with the odd peculiarity. However, it is
unsuitable for a more demanding environment, but only because some of
the added features of version 2 are buggy or incomplete − and these are
precisely those features most needed to make it useful in that
environment (batch update, password protection and boolean fields).
Squirrel would be a complete winner if only Digital Services would make
all the advertised features of version 2 work properly.  Seán Kelly,
Leighton Buzzard.  A
8.3
Switch − The Game
8.3
Mike Tomkinson
8.3
I agreed to review Switch, having been mistakenly told that it was a
utility. I like utility programs and I do not like games − I could never
see the point of them. I played Defender and Space Invaders and Frogger
on the old tape-loading BBC B. There was an element of wonder about
computers in those early days. Perhaps I have become too cynical or
pragmatic or have simply lost my sense of wonder?
8.3
Anyway, rather than simply send the game back, I made the mistake of
putting it in the drive to have a go. I say ‘mistake’ not because it was
poor but rather the opposite. It was everything a game should be.
8.3
There are few games that I have liked: Tetris owing to its inherent
simplicity, Repton because of its needs for problem-solving and logical
thinking, and  computer chess. In general, however, I do not like
computer games.
8.3
Where I have liked them, they have had a number of things in common −
simplicity of concept being one of the most important. I do not mean
ease of play − few would call Tetris easy but it is simple.
8.3
Sustainability is another important aspect. I could never become
enthused about Elite because it took so long to get anywhere. I could
not see visible progress.
8.3
Switch is simple and sustainable and I like it enormously. It simply
consists of matching coloured counters rather like the old Connect 4
game. The counters drop off the bottom of the frame when two or more
match horizontally. Of course, this may make more match thereby adding
to your score.
8.3
This sounds so simple you may be thinking that there is no real
challenge involved. You would be very wrong. Firstly, there may be
situations where it may not be possible to match any colour horizontally
without letting a counter drop out of the frame. This counts against you
and you cannot score unless this action subsequently matches more
counters.
8.3
However, you may need to let a number of non-matching counters through
owing to the random nature of their arrangements on the grid. This
builds a number of demerits and it may take some time to clear these
before you can score again. Time? Oh, I forgot to say − you are working
against the clock!
8.3
You are also trying to get above the score in the highest score table.
Not merely trying to get on it but you must get above the scores already
in there. This is 900 points for level one. The best I managed in three
days of trying was 315. I know I am no great games player but surely
even I could beat this.
8.3
There are actually nine levels of difficulty set by the opening screen.
Level one is the easiest level (seven colours) and nine is the hardest
(fifteen colours). The time is similarly controlled ranging from 300
seconds (easy) to 30 seconds (hardest). For each level of difficulty
there is a target to beat in the high score table.
8.3
Therein lies this game’s sustainability − you just have to beat the
scores in the high score table. All games should have the ability to
frustrate and infuriate and this one certainly does.
8.3
Finally, the one other thing a game should be is affordable. Some of the
current offerings are vastly overpriced and the only way to force the
prices down is to stop buying them. This little gem costs the princely
sum of £3.49 including postage (no VAT). The address to order it from is
even a Freepost one. There is no excuse for not buying Switch − even if
you do not like games.  A
8.3
Quantum
8.3
New Artwork
8.3
CC
8.3
From 8.2 page 22
8.3
The Advance Column
8.3
Robert Chrismas
8.3
The Advance spreadsheet can output tables in Draw format which is an
easy way to produce tables for use in DTP documents.
8.3
This table has not been edited: what you see is what the Advance
spreadsheet produced.
8.3
All the effects you see on the screen will be saved in the drawfile.
Before saving the file, you will probably want to turn off the grid and
the row and column labels (both on the ‘Utilities’ menu). Horizontal and
vertical lines in the table can be drawn with the ‘Cell border’ option
on the ‘Effects’ menu.
8.3
Cell borders take a little practice. If a block of cells is selected,
the border will be applied to that block rather than to each cell within
the block. If you use the ‘Set’ button, any other cell borders within
the marked block will be switched off. The best policy seems to be to
use the ‘Add’ button in almost every case.
8.3
You can alter row and column sizes. The Advance spreadsheet will not
support multiple lines of text in a cell, so to create the illustrated
table, each table row occupies two spreadsheet rows.
8.3
Thanks to Mike Burlingham (Portsmouth College) for this hint.
8.3
Horizontal lines were drawn with the ‘Below’ tick box. Then the whole
table was marked and ‘Box’ was set. This rubbed out the horizontal
lines. Use ‘Add’ not ‘Set’.
8.3
Entering a block of values
8.3
It is easy to enter a block of identical values on the spreadsheet. Mark
the block, then enter the value in the entry area. This value will be
entered in every cell in the marked block. Formulae can be entered in
the same way. Enter the formula in the form required for the top left
cell. Cell references will be treated as relative. To specify absolute
cell positions, put an ‘@’  before the row or column reference.
8.3
Must you enter the text first?
8.3
Are all word processors the same? I tell my students that, for simple
jobs like writing letters, one word processor is much like another and
that they should be able to pick up the basics of a new one without much
trouble.
8.3
A letter from Robin Terry of Newcastle upon Tyne reminded me that word
processors do have different ways of doing the same things. Robin is a
regular user of WordPerfect 5.1 who seems to experience the same sort of
disorientation using Advance which I experience when I am obliged to use
WordPerfect. His main concern was that Advance seemed to require him to
apply alignment, formatting and effects like bold after he had written
the text.
8.3
I find it more ‘natural’ to enter text first, but in Advance you can set
a format or an effect before entering the text to which it will apply.
8.3
Bold, italic and different fonts
8.3
Changes to bold, italic and to other fonts all seem to work in the same
way. If, while you are typing, you change the font then, when you go on
typing, the new font will apply at once. In the same way, an effect like
bold will apply from the point where you select it. However, if you
apply bold, then move the cursor (even just a character to the right)
the bold will no longer apply. Despite this, the text will still contain
an embedded bold command. So if you mark the paragraph and look at the
effects menu, bold is still ticked. Selecting bold now, or doing a
<ctrl-B>, will just switch the bold off; which is probably exactly the
reverse of what you want.
8.3
You can get the same situation by moving to the middle of a paragraph
and doing a <ctrl-B> then selecting the whole paragraph and examining
the effects menu. Bold will be ticked even though no text is bold.
Clicking on the bold option switches bold off, still with no visible
effect.
8.3
These sort of ‘phantom effects’ which do not apply to any text seem to
be removed by Advance when you cut a selection from the paragraph (even
if the selection did not included the phantom effect). Presumably,
Advance does some kind of housekeeping when a selection is cut from a
paragraph.
8.3
Be careful with <ctrl-B>, because it toggles bold on or off, so with a
little keyboard stutter, two <ctrl-B>’s will cancel out.
8.3
Alignment
8.3
If you change the alignment when the cursor is in the middle of a
paragraph, Advance will assume you want to change the alignment of the
whole paragraph. The whole paragraph will be marked and the alignment
altered.
8.3
The current paragraph can be just a carriage return. This will be the
case if, for example, you type two carriage returns then one cursor up.
8.3
If the cursor is at the very end of the document and at the start of a
new line, then changes to the alignment or the ruler are ignored.
Presumably, this is a result of the way the ruler is stored by the
program. The ruler must apply to a paragraph.
8.3
This means that if you want to set the alignment before you type the
text to which it applies, you must make sure that you are never at the
very end of the document. Start your document with a few carriage
returns then move the cursor back to the start. (You can alter the
default WP document to include a few carriage returns, but this seems a
bit extreme.) So long as you are not at the very end of the document you
will be able to adjust the current ruler and the alignment.
8.3
However, here you hit another potential hazard. Adjustments to the
ruler, or the alignment, affect the current paragraph. The current
paragraph (which may be just a carriage return) is marked by the
operation. As soon as you type something, you hit the surprising
Computer Concepts editing feature (copied, I think, from Mac software):
if a block is marked then any typing will replace the marked block. So
the marked block is deleted, along with any rulers or alignments which
apply to it!
8.3
Therefore, after adjusting the ruler or the alignment, deselect the
block by moving the cursor before you start to type. A cursor left
leaves you with the new ruler or alignment, all ready to type.
Unfortunately, a cursor right moves you off the ruler or the alignment
you have just carefully set.
8.3
Summary
8.3
• Start new documents by typing a few carriage returns then moving the
cursor back to the top of the document.
8.3
• If you alter the ruler or the alignment at the start of a new
paragraph, an empty marked block will appear − do a cursor left to
cancel the marked block before you start typing.
8.3
If you have any hints or comments about Advance write to me: Robert
Chrismas, 8 Virginia Park Road, Gosport, Hants, PO12 3DZ.  A
8.3
Oak
8.3
From 8.2 page 26
8.3
Colton
8.3
From 8.2 page 24
8.3
StarFighter 3000
8.3
Anthony Brion
8.3
Do you remember Fourth Dimension’s Chocks Away, where you are in control
of a small bi-plane and have to completed a multitude of varied
missions? Well, Starfighter 3000 is Chocks Away bought up-to-date and
then some.
8.3
You have been chosen from thousands of people to take part in a
futuristic game show, the aim of which is to complete missions that are
set for you (108 missions in total) and to collect prize money that you
obtain from the bonuses that are spread throughout the levels.
8.3
There are three levels of missions: Easy, Medium, and Hard with 36
missions in each level.
8.3
On starting, you are issued with your fighter, with minimum weapons and
defences, and £1200 of credits to equip your ship. The equipment on
offer include Air-to-ground missiles, Air-to-air missiles, deflector
shields, lasers, thrusters, etc. Before equipping your fighter, you
should read the mission text, so that you purchase the most appropriate
weapons for the particular mission.
8.3
Once your ship is equipped and you understand what the mission involves,
you may begin. The first thing that struck me was the stunning 3D
realistic graphics which are as fluid as a bucket of mercury − no detail
has been left out. The graphics are 3D solid polygon shapes, and even
details such as trees are shown. When an enemy target is successfully
destroyed the screen lit up like November the Fifth with pieces of the
target breaking up and bouncing all over the screen leaving behind a
random selection of tokens. These can be picked up bringing rewards
including extra credits and extra lives, but beware because the enemy
sometimes leaves mine tokens which zap the shields and cripple your
ship.
8.3
The missions range from docking with the mother ship to heading a
squadron of fighters into battle with a whole enemy fleet.
8.3
As soon as I put down my mouse after playing the demo, I picked up my
cheque book and ordered my copy of the game. This game is a must for any
Archimedes/Risc PC games player.
8.3
It requires a minimum of 2Mb of RAM, is hard disc installable (key disc
protected) and will work on RISC OS 2 or later.
8.3
Anyone that has an early copy of Starfighter (version 1.00), can get the
latest version (1.01) that has several bugs fixed. To obtain this copy
just return your discs back to Fednet.
8.3
The full version of StarFighter 3000 costs £29.95 from Fednet Software
or £29 through Archive.  A
8.3
Club News
8.3
The Wales branch of the ARM Club formed an active section in Cardiff
earlier this year. Fortnightly meetings are held on Wednesday evenings
between 7 and 9 p.m. throughout the year at the Roath Community Hall.
8.3
The branch is holding its first public Open Day at the Llanishen Leisure
Centre, Cardiff on Saturday 3rd December from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Acorn
Computers Limited will be present, as well as leading names from the
software and hardware fields. These will include Computer Concepts, and
local Acorn specialist, Uniqueway of Replay and Empire fame. HS Software
of Swansea will be demonstrating their range of educational software.
Eesox, who recently released their CDFast software and PD specialists,
and The Datafile, will be also present. Other leading software houses
are also showing interest and it is hoped that some of these names will
be added to the list.
8.3
Club members with a wide range of expertise will also be on hand with
their various 32-bit machines to help visitors with their queries.
8.3
Further information can be obtained by telephoning organisers John Pugh
(01222-751160) or Derek Rowlands (01222-868635).  A
8.3
Sea Rescue
8.3
Richard Rymarz
8.3
Sherston Software has rightly gained the reputation for being one of the
most prolific and well respected educational software houses. They are
releasing a series of adventure games based around mathematical themes.
The first two − Space City and Sea Rescue are now available. This review
concentrates on Sea Rescue.
8.3
Sea Rescue comes in a plastic wallet that contains two discs, a user
guide and eight double-sided work-cards. The program can be loaded onto
hard disc but disc 1 acts as a key disc every time the program is used.
Sea Rescue costs £26.95 +VAT each from Sherston or £29 through Archive.
8.3
Setting up
8.3
Double-clicking on !Sea Rescue installs the program on the iconbar.
Clicking <menu> on the icon allows a number of options, the most
important being the setup window. From here, the teacher/parent can
customise the difficulty of the program (it can be used between the ages
of 6 and 9), the number of tasks to reinforce the skills taught, the
sound volume and whether the program runs in CGA or VGA mode. Finally,
there is a list of start and finish locations allowing the teacher full
control over the sections that a child actually does. All this is very
comprehensive and easy to use. In my opinion, similar systems should be
adopted by all adventures of this kind.
8.3
The program
8.3
Clicking <select> on !Sea Rescue results in an attractive animated
opening screen and the sound of a blaring emergency horn. Immediately,
the children are whisked away to a lifeboat station where they meet the
crew and Rita the Robot who generally helps but occasionally gets into
trouble. The children are asked to help mend and look after the
lifeboats and this is where the mathematics starts. All actions are
controlled by the mouse and the instructions are at a reasonable level
bearing in mind the age of the target audience, although younger
children will probably need some help. As each of the three crew members
is introduced (one is Mrs Singh a lady lifeboat person) tasks involving
fractions are presented. Initially, they are fairly straightforward
referring to halves, thirds and quarters. Jobs include fixing the
lifeboat rails, repairing the masts, replacing the portholes and
checking the equipment. However, the tasks become more difficult as the
adventure continues. Visits to the weather centre involve the use of
equivalent fractions up to eighths at the simplest level and to
sixteenths at the most difficult. Finally, there is the rescue itself
when at the most difficult level fractions between nine and eighteen are
used. The children take part in the rescue since two of the crew catch
chicken pox and cannot sail. The children, of course, succeed and finish
up heroes with their names in the local paper.
8.3
Plusses
8.3
I have tested this program with groups of eight, nine and ten year olds.
They all managed to complete the tasks within a reasonable amount of
time and appeared to be enjoying the experience. The graphics are fairly
good, the animation adequate and the antics of Rita the Robot amusing
enough to keep the interest alive. The children follow a clear line of
problem-solving and cannot fail. The worksheets are an added bonus,
providing activities and games that reinforce the ideas on screen.
8.3
Minuses
8.3
Sea Rescue is too safe. The tasks offer options which the children can
guess at without really understanding what is needed. Some of the
explanations are not clear enough and caused confusion and the jumps
between the levels of knowledge and understanding are sometimes too
great. Finally, the character of Rita the Robot has no reference to the
real world of lifeboats and, while her antics jolly along the storyline,
they distract from any reality that the program may be trying to
construct. Having said that, I fully appreciate that reality was not the
intention of the authors and the program is not meant to be used in a
topics such as rescue at sea.
8.3
Conclusions
8.3
Sea Rescue is designed to “introduce, practice and consolidate fraction
work in the primary school”. To be fair, children find fractions very
difficult to comprehend fully and they easily forget what they learn
unless there is lots of reinforcement. I would suggest that, to get the
best out of the program, a fair amount of preparatory work needs to be
done especially with younger children. Furthermore, the childrens’
understanding needs careful assessment as they progress from task to
task. Certainly, I have found Sea Rescue useful to consolidate the work
children have already completed but the program is not a panacea for
teaching fractions.
8.3
Adam and Sandra Hosler who wrote ‘Aztecs’ which I reviewed some time ago
and found extremely useful, have produced a competent, interesting and
amusing program that could be used to consolidate work around fractions.
The backup materials are helpful and, if the teacher can provide the
necessary support, Sea Rescue is worth consideration.  A
8.3
Hints and Tips
8.3
•  A3000 bulging case (Archive 8.2 p62) − In the hint last month, I
suggested replacing the plastic cases of A3000 computers. In the text I
sent to Paul, I made some mention of safety aspects but Paul edited them
out. (Oops, sorry!) Please note that, for a variety of reasons, you
should not attempt to change the bottom case if your power supply is the
cardboard-covered type. If you are unsure, I would be happy for you to
write to me or ring me on 01564-776745.  Keith Coton, 118 Purnells Way,
Knowle, Solihull, B93 9ED.
8.3
•  Binder problems − A number of people have said that, when they
reached the end of Volume 7, the last magazine wouldn’t fit into the
binder. Let me assure you that they do fit in the binder (well, just).
If you can’t get them in, it could be because you have been putting the
rods into the holes instead of into the slots. The holes are there only
for use when the volume is incomplete, i.e. with a half-full binder, the
magazines tend to flop about and the rods easily come out unless you put
the rod for the top issue into an appropriate pair of holes. I suppose
we ought to send out instructions with the binders, but having used the
same binders for 8 years, I forget that they are new to some of you.
Sorry! Ed.
8.3
•  Day of the week function − I agree entirely with the basic message of
Cain Hunt’s article, “Why bother programming?” (8.1 p29). When I write
number-crunching programs in Basic, I ‘print’ the results to a spool
file, which I drag into Impression and format into a suitable
presentation document.
8.3
One helpful comment, if I may, is that the calendar shouldn’t need to be
told the day of the week of January 1. The function to use (which
returns a value in the range 0=Sunday to 6=Saturday) is:
8.3
DEFFNNewYear(Y%)=(1+1461*(Y%−1)DIV4−(1+ (Y%−1)DIV100)*3DIV4)MOD7
8.3
Colin Singleton, Sheffield.
8.3
•  Impression’s single-file document icon − In Archive 8.2 p.19, Paul
complained about the very dowdy grey icons that Impression Publisher and
Style use for their documents.
8.3
Fortunately, this is easily changed: All you have to do is look for the
sprite called file_bc5 in the three directories !Sprites, !Sprites22 and
!Sprites23 inside Impression’s application directory, and the sprite
called docsprites inside Resources.Sprites; you can replace them with
whatever icons you prefer − I took the Impression II document sprite and
changed its background from white to pale yellow to be able to tell the
two types of documents apart.  Jochen Konietzko, Köln, Germany
8.3
This was one of many similar suggestions. Thanks to all who attempted to
put me out of my misery. My desktop is now resplendent with white I’s
and yellow I’s, so now I can see which I is which. Ed.
8.3
•  Inkjet paper quality (8.2 p63) − Reyjet paper can be obtained from
‘Staples (Office Superstores)’. The price, a few months ago, was £2.39
(+VAT) per ream. I have found these stores to be well worth a visit, in
terms of both choice and price. Their catalogue contains a paper/printer
type compatibility chart and lists five types suitable for b/w inkjets
(from 80gsm to 100gsm, one in A3 size) and three for colour inkjets. The
Superstores tend to be Home Counties-based (Croydon, High Wycombe, and
Staples Corner in London) but they have other stores through the country
(e.g. Leeds, Cambridge, Swansea, etc.) though I do not know if they
carry full stocks.  Bob Bourne, Ware.
8.3
If anyone can’t get Versoix paper locally, it is readily available from
Viking Direct at £5.49 per ream or £19.95 per 5 reams, both excluding
VAT and delivery. Eight reams or more are delivered free, usually
overnight. Viking Direct are on Freephone 0800-424444 and have a very
wide range of general computer and office supplies.  Jim Nottingham,
York.
8.3
•  Impression’s “Some fonts not found” − Since the arrival of Impression
Style and Publisher, I have read repeated complaints about the fact that
both versions still replace fonts that have been used in a document but
are currently not available, with the default font. Coupled with this
complaint, usually, is a wish that there should be an option to abort
and install the missing fonts (most recently in Archive 8.1, p.31).
8.3
I can’t quite see the point of these complaints. I work with just three
or four fonts most of the time, so that one of the all-singing, all-
dancing font handlers like FontDirectory would be a waste of money for
me. Therefore, I have simply distributed my fonts over four directories
− a small one with those few fonts that I use most often and, one step
down in the directory structure, the rest, grouped according to their
general look.
8.3
When Impression Style now gives out its “not found” message, all I have
to do is let RISC OS 3.10 “see” the relevant font directory, then press
<f12><return>, and the missing font will be loaded into Style.
8.3
Problems really only occur when you load someone else’s document with
fonts which you don’t have. In this case, it would be nice if Impression
gave the option to choose the replacement font. You could then use
something really noticeable like Dingbats, so that it would be easy to
locate the style or effect that needed changing.  Jochen Konietzko,
Köln, Germany.
8.3
•  NoCaps II − After the hint in Archive 8.1 regarding disabling the
capslock key I had a request for a version that would respond normally
to capslock, but turn it off when shift was pressed. This could be
useful for things like postcodes, where it is easier to turn capslock on
than to get confused about when you need to press <shift>. Rather than
adding this functionality to the original module, I generated a new
version, which is more economical on space than having both in one, and
you are only likely to use one or the other. The two modules are on this
month’s disc as NoCaps (disable capslock as before) and SNoCaps (shift
disable capslock).  Matthew Hunter, NCS.
8.3
•  Powersave & libraries − Several people have expressed interest in the
powersave program from issue 8.1 of Archive, but have had difficulty
incorporating it into their !Boot sequence. I will therefore describe
how to install it. (The methods apply equally to other command line
programs you may wish to run − just replace powersave in the description
below with the program you wish to install.)
8.3
There are three basic ways around this problem. The first thing to do
(whichever method you use) is to find your boot file. If your machine
has RISC OS 3.11 or earlier, the boot file will be in the root directory
of your hard disc (unless you have moved it). On the Risc PC you will
have to hold down shift (to open application directories) and double-
click on !Boot, Choices, Boot, Tasks, in that order, as you go down the
directory structure (clicking with <adjust> each time will close the
previous filer window − useful in this situation). Once you have located
your boot file (called ‘!Boot’) hold shift and double-click on it to
load it into !Edit. Find where in the boot sequence you wish to run the
program and insert a blank line. Make sure the cursor is at the start of
the blank line, ready for the command that will execute the desired
program.
8.3
Probably the easiest method is to use an absolute reference. Copy
powersave somewhere ‘safe’ and preferably out of the way so that it does
not clutter the hard disc. Type “RUN ” and then hold down <shift> and
drag the ‘powersave’ icon, from where you put it, into the text window
containing the boot file set up above. When you release <select>, you
should see the full pathname appear in the text file following the run
command. You can then set up the parameters as described below.
8.3
The second possibility is to set aside a special directory where you
keep all your command line programs. Fortunately, Acorn provide such a
system, the Library directory, which on pre-Risc PC machines is, by
default, a directory called ‘Library’ in the root of your hard disc. On
the Risc PC, there is a directory inside the !Boot application, also
called ‘Library’. Open the appropriate Library directory and copy
powersave into it. You can then type ‘powersave’ into the blank line in
the boot file ready for the parameters to follow.
8.3
This is fine except that it relies on default settings, and puts
programs into Library that you only use very rarely. The method I use
therefore is to put the programs, and utility applications that I load
only during the boot sequence (backdrop picker, configuration tester,
for example), into a directory, say ‘BootLib’. I then have a line in my
Boot file ‘set BootLib$Path full::pathname.$.for.BootLib.’ as
appropriate for the location of the BootLib directory. Again, this can
be found by Shift-dragging BootLib into the text editor, but note that,
to be successful, the path must end with a full stop. I can then run any
program in Bootlib with the command ‘BootLib:progname’. This is longer
for a single program, but I only have to set bootlib once, and then
reference it several times. I have an absolute reference, so the default
settings do not affect it, and the library directory is kept for
frequently used programs. It is also far simpler to move the directory −
if you use the first method, you have to re-enter the full pathname for
every program that has moved. If I move BootLib, however, I only have to
change the line where BootLib is set, and all the programs will work as
before.
8.3
Once you have got the program ready to run by one of the three methods
above, all you need to do is to add any parameters to the end of the
line as appropriate for the program. In the case of powersave, an
example would be ‘delay 4 120’ for a two minute inactivity delay before
spinning down the drive. Do not use ‘spindown’ in your boot sequence.
Doing so will force the drive to spindown part way through the boot, and
immediately spin back up again, causing unnecessary strain.  Matthew
Hunter.
8.3
•  Publisher: editing effects − It is possible to edit effects as if
they were styles and even then to turn them from effects into styles. If
you look inside !Publisher, in the Resources directory is a file called
UK. In it is a line: “Cnf1:” and if you change this to read “Cnf1:E” and
re-save it, then from the next time you load Publisher, you will find
that effects become editable just as if they were styles.
8.3
This partially solved a problem caused by the change to Publisher.
8.3
With Impression II, when articles came in that had bits in bold, I would
just put them into the magazine and the “bold” bits would come out as
Plantin.Semibold. (I prefer to use Plantin.Bold because the body text is
Plantin.Light and the full bold face, although OK for headings, looks
too dark within the body of the text.) This worked because, prior to
Style and Publisher, anything using the bold effect was given the name
“bold” and, in the magazine, the “bold” style was defined as using
Plantin.Semibold.
8.3
However, if contributors us <ctrl-B> for bold, when I load it into the
magazine, it forces the text into Plantin.Bold. At first, I had to edit
“by hand” every single occurrence of the bold effect, changing it into
my bold style! The way I now get round it is to go to the incoming file,
click on a piece of “bold” text and press <ctrl-f6> to edit the style.
The effect then appears in the style editing window as something like
“Effect17”, or whatever. All I have to do then is to change this name to
“Bold” and this then becomes a style rather than an effect and, when
loaded into the magazine, it automatically assumes my Plantin.Semibold
style.  Ed.
8.3
•  Publisher: finding styles and effects − If you are given a document
that contains a huge range of effects and styles, as I often am, it is
good to simplify it before pasting it into another document. (You would
be amazed at the complex combinations of styles and effects people use
in their documents!!) You have the choice of a quick <ctrl-A><ctrl-N> to
remove all styles and effects and then re-insert the styles you really
want or of leaving in some styles and removing others. But how do you
know which style/effect does what? Well, styles are easy because you can
use search and replace to find them. The menu button next to the “Find
what:” box allows you to enter the name of a style. Then add an “@” and
it will find the first occurrence of anything in that style.
8.3
Finding effects is more tortuous and can only be achieved if you have
used the Cnf1:E trick mentioned above. So, if you press <ctrl-A> and
look across on the Style menu, you will see a list of ticked styles and
effects. Suppose you decide you want to find what and where “Effect 598”
is. The trick is that you double-click on a word and use the Style menu
option to apply Effect 598 to it. Pressing <ctrl-f6> will then bring up
Effect 598 on the Edit style window. Click on “Show on style menu” and
OK it. Now you can go to the top of the document and use <f4> to find
that effect as it will now appear on the find style menu. The only bit
of really bad planning here is that, if you want to look at each of the
occurrences of this effect and get rid of some of them, you cannot use
<ctrl-N> to remove the effect because <ctrl-N> is taken to mean “next
match” when you are searching! Drat! Keystroke to the rescue again. I
have programmed <alt-N> to give me the menu selection, Style − Clear all
styles. Ed.
8.3
•  Screenload on the Risc PC − It has been pointed out that the
*screenload command appears to work differently on the Risc PC from
previous machines, in that it no longer loads into the current graphics
window but loads at the bottom left corner of the screen instead. In
fact the operation has not changed, but is modified by the new mode
system. A screenload will load the sprite to the screen, changing mode
if necessary, and it is the mode change that causes the problems. For
example, if, while in mode 31, you screenload a sprite, defined in mode
27, the computer will change to mode 27 first. Changing mode redefines
the graphics window, so you will find that (on any machine) the result
of the following program will be to place the sprite in the bottom left
hand corner of the screen (assuming there is a sprite called ‘test’,
defined in mode 27 in the currently selected directory).
8.3
MODE 31
8.3
VDU 24;100;100;600;600;
8.3
*SCREENLOAD test
8.3
This is because the graphics window set by the VDU 24 is reset by the
mode change implied in the *screenload. Adding the lines.
8.3
VDU 24;200;200;600;600;
8.3
*SCREENLOAD test
8.3
to the end of the program will successfully move the sprite to 200,200
before plotting... except on the Risc PC. This occurs because the mode
is already set to 27, so the mode is not changed, and the graphics
window remains intact. The problem with the Risc PC is that when the
machine tries to change into mode 27 (after the first screenload) it
ends up as a 640 by 480, 16 colours, 60Hz mode. Therefore, although the
sprite is loaded, the machine is not actually in mode 27, so the next
screenload also tries to change to mode 27, resetting the graphics
window again. Unfortunately changing the mode in which a sprite is
defined is does not cure the problem. If you need to move the sprite
away from the bottom left corner, you will need to use sprite calls to
load and plot the sprite yourself.  Matthew Hunter, NCS.
8.3
•  Style file size − The Impression Style manual says that: “Deleting
unused master pages does not make the document significantly smaller”
(page 180) and “Single file format has the advantage that files are
smaller. This is useful for short documents such as letters” (page 17).
However, there is no comment on the merits of deleting unused styles, so
I thought I would check it out.
8.3
Taking a two page letter built on a letter master page and with a sprite
picture (25,240 bytes), I have tested these statements out. The Info Box
gave:
8.3
Document  Pages: 2  Size: 171Kb
8.3
Text  Stories: 19  Memory: 6Kb
8.3
  Chapters: 1  Words: 452
8.3
Graphics  Pictures: 5  Memory: 147Kb
8.3
When saved, the document took up 175,912 bytes (single file) or 176,543
bytes (directory)
8.3
The reason for the massive size is that I had four master pages for
different letter-type documents, each with the logo graphic. So, after
removing three unused master pages, the document took up: 42,792 (single
file) or 44,367 (directory).
8.3
The document had fifteen other unused master pages which took up between
188 and 1,216 bytes each − when all were removed, the document shrank
to: 35,316 (single file) or 36,851 (directory).
8.3
If I saved the text only, with no style information, it only occupied
2,332 bytes.
8.3
As I already have the picture stored elsewhere, I only need to keep the
text and that does not need any style or frame information and so my
final storage needs will not be 176Kb but about 2Kb which can then be
very effectively archived.
8.3
What I have learnt from this: (1) save all writing as text files if
possible, (2) redundant styles do not take up a large amount of space
and there is no benefit in removing them for storage reasons and (3) be
careful how many times you save graphics, especially in dormant master
pages!
8.3
I will now remove many of the master pages from my default document and
save them in separate documents (or in useful groups as I don’t think
you can merge master pages into one document!) for when I need them.
This will also have the knock-on effect of having smaller initial
documents in memory which will load more quickly!  Robert Lytton,
Leeds.  A
8.3
JPEG Column
8.3
Stuart Bell
8.3
First of all, if you didn’t get the program disc for the September
Archive (7.12), and if you’re at all interested in JPEG files, I’d
recommend that you get a copy from the Archive office now.
8.3
The reason for this is that Quantum Software have, with their Keystroke
utility, automated the production of thumbnail images of JPEG files to
reduce the whole task to one keystroke (<alt-Q>). On the program disc is
an execute-only version of Keystroke which will produce a !Paint file
containing thumbnails of all the JPEG files in a directory. It requires
!ChangeFSI version 0.95 (or 0.90 at a pinch) and uses exactly the same
technique which I described a few columns ago to produce a visual index
of JPEG images. And it’s free – brilliant!
8.3
Shoemaker-Levy MPEGs and JPEGs
8.3
Response to the last column’s offer of sequences and images pulled off
Internet brought the highest ever response, with the result that, for a
fortnight, I spent the first few minutes of each day opening envelopes
and copying discs. In all, the total ran into three figures.
8.3
MPEG under !Replay
8.3
A few months ago, I wondered aloud if Acorn’s commitment to !Replay
would mean that it might get by-passed by the industry-wide acceptance
of the MPEG video-compression standard. At the time, a correspondent
pointed out that !Replay is a protocol, which can use any compression
technique for moving video images. Hints were made that Acorn might be
moving in the direction of MPEG. Sure enough, the October Acorn User –
presumably quoting an Acorn Press Release – announced, “A core technique
of the Online Media interactive multimedia set top box is MPEG digital
movie playback capability. This was co-developed by Computer Concepts/
Wild Vision, Anglia Television and Acorn and has now been officially
added to the Codec (coder-decoder) of the Acorn Replay digital movie
system.”
8.3
Of course, faced with the clear dominance of the MPEG standard for
digital movie origination, Acorn had no alternative but to take this
move. MPEG movies are available now, and a Risc PC with a suitable MPEG
board should be an excellent platform for the playing of these movies.
Announced before Acorn World was just such a “suitable MPEG board”, and
I looked forward to its demonstration on the Computer Concepts stand:
8.3
Movie Magic
8.3
This is the MPEG player board for the Risc PC. Available initially at
£249 + VAT in a form which will give full-screen video on any suitable
monitor (50Hz PAL) or TV with a SCART socket, a later version will give
“video in a window” in a normal RISC OS desktop, at about £150 more.
Prices include a CDFS upgrade and a voucher for a VideoCD movie “of your
choice” – the current list includes Star Trek 6, A Fish Called Wanda and
Fatal Attraction.
8.3
It was a prototype of the more advanced board (“completed at three
o’clock this morning”) that was being demonstrated by Computer Concepts.
The chap from CC used a large screen display to guide us through the
directories on one of the six CDs loaded onto the Pioneer drive(!),
double-clicked on various MPEG sequences and, sure enough, here was full
screen (or part screen) full motion video at a quality greater than that
of domestic VHS video recorders – and certainly far better than the
software-only !Replay video play-back system.
8.3
Computer Concepts see two main applications for Movie Magic. First there
is its use in multi-media, allowing MPEG sequences to be used under the
!Replay protocol, but with far greater quality than previously possible.
The second is the use of a suitably-equipped Risc PC as a player for
VideoCD titles. Full length movies need a double CD, and these are now
appearing in the shops. Like audio CDs, they ‘never’ wear out, and each
CD offers about 76 minutes of video and CD-quality stereo audio. They
might become the new video format. After about five minutes of seeing
Kate Bush sing and prance around the screen, the demo came to an end.
“That’s about it”, said the man from CC. He was right of course; however
technologically clever an MPEG board might be, you can only do one thing
with it, and that’s play MPEG sequences!
8.3
So, without wishing to diminish the technology behind Movie Magic, I was
left with three questions to mull over. Firstly, will VideoCD really
take off? After all, it’s a play-only medium, so you’ll still need a VCR
to record EastEnders. Secondly, even if it does flourish, are most
peoples’ Risc PCs close enough to their main (SCART-equipped) TV to make
its use as a player convenient? (And what happens when you want to use
your Risc PC for another processor-intensive task?) Thirdly, for
creative use of any full motion video system, you need to create as well
as to play sequences. Such hardware compression boards are now available
for the proprietary !Replay system. Widespread use of MPEG for
multimedia application authoring on Acorn platforms will surely require
a reasonably cost-effective MPEG compression board.
8.3
JPEG at AW 94 and CD ROM speeds
8.3
Generally, the ’94 show was much more interesting than last year. CD ROM
drives were everywhere (and prices falling), which meant, of course,
that JPEG images were everywhere, too. Photo CD was also present in the
person of the Kodak stand, and it looks like becoming a truly cross-
platform standard, certainly for the “professional” market. Many of the
CD ROMs on sale, and especially the various public-domain offerings,
listed JPEG images as part of their contents for even with the huge
capacity of CD ROMs, the benefits of JPEG are worth having. It was
noticeable that 16bpp or 24bpp images decompressed from JPEG files are
in a quite different league from the relatively ‘blotchy’ 256 colour
images which most of us have had to accept to date. And, of course, the
benefits of JPEG are even greater with 32,000 and 16.7M colour images.
8.3
However, the issue of access time on CD ROMs is a very real problem. As
I had noticed when installing a CD ROM player for a local school, those
of us used to pulling JPEG images off a fast hard disc and then using
!ChangeFSI or !FYEO2 to display them get quite a shock when accessing
PhotoCD on CD ROMs for the first time. My new 270Mb Quantum SCSI drive –
one of the many “show offers” available at Acorn World! – is certainly
not state-of-the-art, but transfers data at 1.8Mb/s in mode 0. Since a
Risc PC with VRAM should allow transfer rates independent of screen
modes, and should certainly out-run my ARM3, that kind of performance
makes the 300Kb/s (and the access times) of double-speed CD ROM drives
look pretty pathetic.
8.3
So, if you’re into JPEG, and thinking about CD ROM, then my very strong
suggestion would be to get a quad-speed (or at least triple-speed) drive
in the first place. In the long run, the extra cost will be worth it. My
guess is that as double-speed drives are now the de-facto standard, so
in a few months’ time, the same will be true of quad-speed drives. Even
then, their 600Kb/s. isn’t over-kill when an uncompressed 1024×768 pixel
image in ‘true colour’ runs to 2.25Mb!
8.3
Retrospective
8.3
It’s now about 18 months since my first JPEG article appeared in
Archive. In that short time, JPEG has moved from being a ‘fringe’
interest accessible only to those willing to experiment with command-
line access to !ChangeFSI to become a standard supported by a wide range
of commercial applications. This month’s news confirms the significance
of MPEG for the Acorn platform. Where will we be in another 18 months’
time? I’ve no real idea, but my conclusion from Acorn World is that the
Risc PC will be as well-equipped as any platform to take users into the
brave new world of 24-bit colour, full motion video, and the information
super-highway (or should that be ‘super-hypeway’?) of 1995 and beyond.
8.3
With the maturing of JPEG and MPEG into an increasingly supported
technique for the storage and retrieval of images and motion sequences,
it seems to me that the need for a JPEG Column as a focus for the
exchange of experiences between intrepid explorers into the unknown has
come to its natural end. When companies of the calibre of Acorn and
Computer Concepts have adopted JPEG and MPEG, then it’s clear that we
have moved into a new era for image compression. There will still be a
need for reviews of commercial JPEG and MPEG products, but as far as a
regular JPEG Column is concerned – certainly from my ‘pen’ – the end has
come. So, au revoir, and thanks to all who have supported the column
since the start.  A
8.3
Adventure Games − Part 1
8.3
Dave Floyd
8.3
You are standing under a dull copper sun in a wide open clearing where
your ship crashed. To the northeast, north and northwest lies an evil-
looking (and smelling!) swamp, while further round, a track climbs
steeply up the lower tongue of a glacier. Westwards there seems to be
jungle, while south an opening in the mountains reveals a valley.
Southeast there is a path into the mountains and a narrow path wanders
east through cliffs to skirt around the swamp. To the southwest lies
your ship.
8.3
Such is the forbidding landscape that you encounter on leaving your
spaceship and setting foot upon the wastelands of the planet
Doomawangara. The images created in the mind by the description are far
more vivid than could be created by a picture on the screen, and far
more personal, just as watching films is almost always a poor substitute
for reading books. (Or listening to radio plays? Ed.) Puzzles and
problems in adventure games are also different from those you may face
in other genres. Rather than competing with your own manual dexterity
(or lack thereof), as is often the case in arcade style games,
adventures encourage you to flex your mental powers to solve them.
Logic, methodical mapping and even trips to your local library could be
required to complete an adventure game.
8.3
This may appear to be hard work, and anything other than enjoyable to
those who have not yet set forth into the world of adventures, but let
me assure you that this is not the case. Difficult and frustrating in
places, perhaps, but I have received more letters about adventure games
than any other since writing the Games Column for Archive, which says
much for the addictive qualities that these games hold.
8.3
On beginning an adventure game, you are no longer in the real world but
have been spirited away to a nether land of the programmer’s
imagination. It is left to you to explore and find solutions to the
problems that will face you en route to your goal. The problems set may
be devious but, in a good game, they will always be fair and usually
leave you wondering why they were problems in the first place, once
solved. Not only are you in a world not of your choosing, but you are
also facing problems not of your choosing. You are in a direct, one-on-
one challenge. You versus the programmer. Not many like to admit defeat
in this kind of scenario and to avoid it, tap unknown depths of tenacity
and inventiveness in order to progress. The feeling on completing the
game after weeks, or sometimes months, of effort is so rewarding that
you inevitably walk around for the next few days displaying a beaming
smile and being more pleasant than normal to everybody you know. That
this feeling is not just reserved for the completion of the game, but is
also available in a slightly lesser fashion every time you solve a
particularly sticky problem, should convince even the most cynical
amongst you that adventures are, indeed, a most superior kind of
computer entertainment.
8.3
(Might the converse not be true, Dave? − frustrated adventure games
players wandering around kicking cats because they just can’t find a way
to solve the current problem?! Ed.)
8.3
Topologika Software
8.3
Brian Kerslake’s early involvement with computers was as a computer
programmer with Lyons’ Bakery, and then with the Royal College of Art,
London. He then trained as a teacher and spent fifteen years doing that
before micros in the classroom began to pull him back the other way.
Increasingly fed up with being asked to give away copies of software
which he wrote for his own classroom use, he set up, with a colleague, a
small mail order software house called Chalksoft. This experienced
steady growth but the partnership eventually split and Brian set up
Topologika, taking with him titles which he’d been responsibile for
developing at the time he left.
8.3
One of these was a maths adventure game called GiantKiller, written by
Peter Killworth. When Peter heard that GiantKiller would be published by
Topologika he realised that this new publishing house would have a need
for some new titles, and suggested that much expanded and reworked
versions of adventure games (originally been published by Acornsoft)
might be of interest. Brian met Peter (Countdown to Doom, Philosopher’s
Quest, etc), Jon Thackray (Acheton), Jonathan Partington (Kingdom of
Hamil) and Richard Clayton (Locomotive Software, working on PC versions)
to agree a publication schedule. All parties went into it with their
eyes open, realising that the heyday of classic adventures was possibly
over.
8.3
Brian is the first to acknowledge that whilst sales have not been as
strong as they would have liked, they have at least managed to keep the
games alive, released some new titles (Return to Doom, Last Days of
Doom, Hezarin, Avon, Murdac) and to moved them onto non-Acorn formats
(Atari ST, IBM PC, Amstrad CPC and PCW).
8.3
GiantKiller
8.3
Although released as an educational game, GiantKiller is certainly not
as easy as that description may lead you to believe. The plot is loosely
based upon the story of Jack and the Beanstalk and you play the part of
Jack (or Jackie). Sent off to market by your mother to buy a pig, you
encounter a few gentle problems before ending up with a magic bean. Once
you have entered the world of the Giant, these problems get steadily
more difficult as you progress towards the end. As a novel way of
encouraging mathematical reasoning and logic solving, the game works
very well. The packaging includes a player’s guide as well as a program
guide which provides a complete solution, detailed description of the
puzzles along with their rationale and the optimal order in which to
attempt the puzzles. Aimed at 10-14 year olds, GiantKiller could provide
an answer for parents who wish to buy their children something with
educational value whilst the kids just want games. It may also be ideal
for anyone who needs an easier introduction into adventuring than most
Archimedes adventures provide. However, those who begin GiantKiller
thinking that it will be easy, could be in for a few surprises.
8.3
Countdown to Doom / Return to Doom / Philosopher’s Quest
8.3
Your first view of the wasteland where you have been forced to crash-
land your spaceship is contained in the first paragraph of this article.
Desolate and unwelcoming are two adjectives that do not really do
justice to Doomawangara. Not content with just setting his usual style
of problems, Peter Killworth also gives you a time limit to get your
ship working and leave the planet’s surface. Those of you who played the
game on the BBC will find everything that made the game so addictive in
the first place, including the jelly-like blob that confused many.
However, as with most of these re-released titles, you will have to
think again if you expect to sail through them by using your old
solutions. The game is larger and more complex than the original, and
none the worse for that. Had it been released on its own, Countdown to
Doom would have made a good purchase. That it has been packaged with two
other titles makes it nothing other than essential.
8.3
Return to Doom is part two of the Doom trilogy. Your task is to rescue
the Ambassador of Regina who has been kidnapped by renegade robots. As
the game progresses, you even acquire a talkative robot dog to keep you
company. Return is larger and more difficult than Countdown (which
should be played first) but still has the playability and addictiveness
of its predecessor. That CPC Computing named Return to Doom as the text
adventure of the year in 1988 is of no surprise and I had to tear myself
away from it in order to write this article. I have not (yet!) solved
this game but as soon as I have finished writing, I will be attempting
to advance further without resorting to the on-line help, a feature of
the Topologika adventures which can prove just that little bit too
tempting at times.
8.3
Philosopher’s Quest will be remembered by many who owned BBC Micros but,
once again, you will have to ditch your old solutions. This is obvious
even from the first location where those expecting to find a rod amongst
the artefacts will be disappointed. The game itself, however, provides
no such feelings, and along with the opportunity to reminisce, there is
plenty here to keep you busy, whether or not you solved the original.
8.3
Acheton / Kingdom of Hamil
8.3
Acheton, by Jon Thackray, is one of the largest text adventure games
ever released and so Topologika have not added to it, feeling that it
was big enough already. It was first released in the early 1980s by
Acornsoft as a disc-only release, and many could have missed it first
time round due to the price of disc drives back in those cassette-
orientated days. If you missed Acheton, you should waste no time in
adding it to your collection. Written in the magical style of the
original Crowther & Woods Adventure, Acheton is huge. Topologika suggest
that you use a very large sheet of paper for the map. Painting over a
wall in your computer room and using that may be more suitable for the
task. The help sheet runs to a massive 233 questions, and if you want to
buy a game this Christmas which might last you through to next, few come
better equipped for the task.
8.3
Given the difficulty of completely solving Acheton, one would think that
the ideal game to accompany it would have been Quondam but, fortunately,
Archimedes owners have been spared what was the ‘ultimate in sadism’
from the pen of Peter Killworth. For those not acquainted with it,
suffice it to say that Quondam was one of the few BBC adventures that I
failed to solve – even with use of the help sheet!
8.3
Kingdom of Hamil by Jonathan Partington was chosen as the stablemate for
Acheton and is an ideal starting point for those who are new to the
genre. The scenario is that you are the true but dispossessed king of
the land of Hamil. Once kidnapped in infancy, you set out to reclaim
your throne. The game starts gently, but gradually gets more difficult
as you progress, and provides an enjoyable challenge. Once again, the
game has been updated from its original BBC incarnation so can be played
by those who solved it first time round.
8.3
SpySnatcher
8.3
Inspired by the book that the Tories made popular in the late 80s,
merely by banning it, SpySnatcher combines the talents of Jon Thackray,
Jonathan Partington and Peter Killworth. Given their previous output,
there really should be no further need to encourage you to buy this. You
have been summoned to MI7 to unmask a mole, as some plans appear to have
been leaked.
8.3
While investigating, you also have to keep out of sight as you are only
on the premises unofficially. The addition of other characters such as
the security guard, allows for time-based puzzles as well as more
standard adventure fare. SpySnatcher is similar in style to Rainbird’s
Corruption, but the text has more humour to it and you do not have to
keep waiting for the drive to load all those annoyingly irrelevant
pictures. In all, it’s an adventure just that little bit different from
the rest, and well worth £15 of anybody’s money.
8.3
Avon / Murdac
8.3
Avon has a Shakespearian theme, but those who do not have an exhaustive
knowledge of the great bard’s works should not be put off by this.
Believe me, you are not alone, and if I can play this game in relative
ignorance€, so can you. Perhaps more of the humour will be apparent if
you are conversant with Shakespeare but I found plenty to amuse me as I
wandered around exploring and head-scratching. Your aim in this game is
to return to the present day, though given the skill with which Jon
Thackray and Jonathan Partington have constructed this light-hearted
romp around sixteenth century Stratford, who would want to?
8.3
The other half of this two game pack is Murdac by the same authors. I
feel that Topologika give a misleading impression of this game by
describing it as ‘free with Avon’. Do not let this make you think that
you will be getting a sub-standard game; Murdac could very easily stand
on its own as a release in its own right. The scenario is, once again,
from the mould of the original Adventure, in that you have to explore
underground tunnels and dungeons while finding ways of dealing with
trolls, ogres and no end of strange creatures with a little bit of magic
thrown in for good measure.
8.3
Last Days of Doom/Hezarin
8.3
The final part of Peter Killworth’s Doom trilogy, has you travelling
back to the planet in order to save it from destruction. Arguably the
most difficult of the three, Last Days of Doom starts with a limited-
move puzzle which works very well in giving you a sense of action and
urgency. Your trusty robot dog also makes a comeback and, within the
packaging, is a robot dog construction kit, a nice touch which takes
one’s mind back to the halcyon days of Infocom.
8.3
Hezarin is another ‘free’ game which would easily stand on its own as
regards quality. In this adventure by Steve Tinney, Alex Ship and Jon
Thackray, your task is to overcome the tyrant, Arijith, and free the
peasants from his oppressive regime. Hezarin has a nice sense of humour,
is large and will provide a worthy challenge for most adventurers.
8.3
Conclusion
8.3
Although I have tried to write about these games in a vague way so as
not to divulge too much of the plot and the puzzles contained within
them, I hope I have managed to put across some of my enthusiasm for the
genre. If you have never played an adventure game, I hope you will be
encouraged to find out for yourself how enjoyable they are. Topologika,
in my opinion, have not released a poor game, a feat not matched by many
games companies. Unfortunately though, they have no current plans for
any future releases in the adventure games field. The reason for this is
that sales have not been as good as hoped for, especially on the newer
games. To quote Brian, “although Peter and the rest of the crowd have
plenty of games in various stages of completion, there is absolutely no
point in releasing games that no one wants to buy.” The future then, is
purely and simply in your hands. I for one, would find it incredibly sad
if the genius of Peter Killworth were never seen again in the Acorn
adventure games world.
8.3
Availability
8.3
All these Topologika games are available through Archive for the
following prices, including VAT:
8.3
GiantKiller (inc. GK Support Disc)  £33
8.3
Countdown to Doom / Return to Doom / Philosopher’s Quest  £28
8.3
Acheton / Kingdom of Hamil  £19
8.3
SpySnatcher  £14
8.3
Avon / Murdac  £19
8.3
Last Days of Doom / Hezarin  £19
8.3
Any comments relating to this column, or any other games related
subject, should please be sent to Dave Floyd, c/o PO Box 2795, London,
NW10 9AY.  A
8.3
Topologika have sponsored a competition with a couple of their adventure
games as a prize. In the following wordsquare, find which of the words
in the word-list is not in the square anywhere. Send your entry ON A
POSTCARD only, please to the Archive office by Friday 9th December.
8.3
Gestalt 2
8.3
Andy Watson
8.3
This review covers two pairs of programs in the Gestalt 2 series from
Basing Educational Software: Time & Fractions and Money & Shopping. All
four programs are aimed at children of primary age and those with
special educational needs.
8.3
The programs come in a ring binder with very brief instructions which
cover the common features of all Gestalt 2 programs. Further
instructions are contained within the programs.
8.3
Each program is protected by a security feature which allows a certain
amount of use for evaluation purposes before a security code, obtainable
only on payment for the programs, is required. This is a good idea which
might be usefully copied by other educational publishers. However, the
protection method will need to be made more sophisticated as it is
fairly easy to get round at the moment.
8.3
Common features
8.3
The programs all have features in common. Each program opens with a menu
window which allows the teacher to set various program options. Clicking
<menu> in this window brings up a glossary which explains what the
various options do. You can choose to have reports of pupil performance
printed out without a printer driver being loaded.
8.3
On the main program screen, an Explain icon will detail what the user
must do. This has clearly been designed with the teacher, not the pupil,
in mind so the programs require teacher support until the child becomes
familiar with their operation. It would have been easy enough to phrase
the instructions so that children could use them unaided.
8.3
There is a Zoom option which focuses on the current question and offers
an explanation of what to do. There is also a Help icon which points the
child to the correct answer and thus ensures that the child is never
completely stuck.
8.3
The teacher can choose the Interactive function which adjusts the
difficulty of the examples to suit the child’s performance. So if the
options chosen prove too difficult, the questions are simplified.
8.3
Time
8.3
Time provides various activities to help children make sense of the
different ways in which time can be represented. There is a useful
teaching clock which can illustrate time in a variety of ways − digital
(12 or 24 hour), analogue, colloquial (quarter to 12) or numeral (11
forty-five). The clock itself can be shown with normal or Roman numerals
or even without any numerals and can be set to display only a.m., only
p.m. or both. The hands can be moved in any unit from one minute to one
hour. There are pictures and text to illustrate different times which
are particularly useful when introducing the concepts of a.m. and p.m.
8.3
There are three other activities − matching analogue and digital times,
setting the clock to a particular time and placing some times in
sequence. Each of these allows a wide choice of how the time is
displayed.
8.3
There were a few minor problems with the program. Sometimes the display
is overcrowded and the writing too small − in particular, the small red
on black LED letters in the analogue/digital match were not very clear
on a standard monitor. The user interface could be improved, especially
in the sequencing activity, where dragging would have been much more
intuitive than the clicking required. One feature which children found
disconcerting was that the icon used to tally the number of questions
completed is a cross. Many children thought that this meant that their
answer was incorrect.
8.3
Despite these reservations, this program is useful in the classroom both
as a teacher’s aid to demonstrate the different methods of displaying
time and as a way of providing practice at simple time problems for
younger children.
8.3
Fractions
8.3
Fractions works by splitting up five pictures into segments (usually
quarters) and asking the pupil to reassemble them. For example, pictures
might be split into four parts and the pupil asked to reassemble a half,
50% or 0.5 of each picture, depending on which mode was chosen.
8.3
Like all Gestalt 2 programs, Fractions has a variety of features which
can be configured to suit different children. The pupil can be shown an
indication of the portion he has selected so far and can use the Zoom
facility for some extra help. The pupil can be asked to reassemble the
whole object or just a portion of it. There is also an option called
‘Show Finish’ which prevents the pupil from making a larger portion than
is requested.
8.3
From the menu screen, you can choose to work with fractions (halves,
quarters, thirds), decimals (0.25 and 0.5) or percentages (25% and 50%).
I would have preferred a wider range of values.
8.3
The user interface is not as friendly as it might be. Children are
required to click on a segment and then click on the position where they
want to place it instead of the more obvious method of dragging.
8.3
While this program will help children to understand the relationship of
simple fractions to a whole, its value is limited. Fractions does not
help the child to understand the relationship between fractions,
decimals and percentages and, by avoiding using numbers, it provides
only a very limited insight into the world of fractions. There is
nothing about equivalence of fractions which is a concept which is very
important and which can be very well illustrated on a computer screen.
8.3
All in all, I did not find this program very useful.
8.3
Money
8.3
An item with its cost is shown along with pictures of various coins. You
have to click on the appropriate coins to pay for the item. If you get
it wrong, you will be told that it is too much or too little and can see
the answer if you want. The HELP option places a barely discernible thin
white line round the box containing the coin(s) which should be chosen.
There is no indication when you are correct, you are just presented with
the next problem.
8.3
You can choose the number of coins to be used, whether cumulative totals
are shown as coins are chosen and whether exact values or ‘rounding up’
can be used.
8.3
Like the other programs under review, the illustrations are often rather
small and some of the text can be difficult to read on a standard
monitor.
8.3
While this program does what it sets out to do, there is no facility to
adapt the items for sale or the prices and so its usefulness is limited.
8.3
Shopping
8.3
Shopping requires the child to pay for larger amounts and from a wider
choice of coins. You can choose to pay the exact amount or allow
rounding up. The rounding up option can be further refined so that only
the lowest possible ‘round up’ will be accepted. So that if an item
costs 45p, £1 will not be accepted as payment if a 50p coin is
available.
8.3
The first window allows the child to choose what items he wants to buy
from a choice of shops. Then a second window displays the coins from
which payment must be made.
8.3
Although you can choose to work with particular coins and choose
different levels, it is difficult to set up levels appropriate for
different age groups − e.g. it is not possible to set up the program so
that only values under a pound will be used and only coins under 50p.
Whatever you choose, you can’t prevent items costing more than £1 from
appearing and although you can control the coins which can be chosen,
this doesn’t prevent £5 notes being offered.
8.3
As with Money, there is no option for the teacher to amend the items for
sale or the prices.
8.3
Conclusion
8.3
Drill and practice programs often get a bad press but they are still
very popular with teachers. Sales of programs such as those in the 10/10
series show that there is a good market for programs which deal with the
nuts and bolts of the curriculum. To be successful, this kind of program
needs to be easy to use, adaptable to a range of abilities and
motivating for the children using it.
8.3
While these Gestalt 2 programs do meet some educational needs, there are
other programs which do the job in a more interesting way. The children
I invited to try these programs found them difficult to understand and
use at first and did not ask to use them again.
8.3
Despite the author’s claims, I do not feel that these programs are
suitable for children with learning difficulties. The display was often
too cluttered, no use was made of sound and it was not always obvious
when you had given the correct answer. There is also no option for
alternative input devices such as switches, concept keyboard,
touchscreen, etc.
8.3
Drill and practice programs of this kind need to be very configurable so
that the teacher can ensure that each individual child is working at a
level which best meets his particular needs. While these programs had
plenty of options, it wasn’t always possible to alter the aspects of the
program that I wanted to change. They also need to be more exciting than
these programs if children are going to want to use them.
8.3
At about £30 +VAT for each pair of programs, I don’t consider these
Gestalt 2 to be particularly good value for money.  A
8.3
PD Column
8.3
David Holden
8.3
Competition
8.3
Entries have been a bit thin up until now, so I’m rather disappointed.
What’s happened to all you programmers? There’s £200 in prizes, so you
stand a chance of getting more than just fame. Please write to me at the
APDL address inside the back cover and enclose a blank disc and a stamp
and I’ll return it with a copy of the rules and an entry form. Don’t
think that you aren’t ‘good enough’ to win a prize. There will be
several prizes and the only way you can be certain of not winning is if
you don’t bother to enter.
8.3
Risc PC problems
8.3
The new Acorn computer and RISC OS 3.5 has brought the usual flood of
‘old’ programs that don’t work. One of the most common problems is the
Wimpslot allocation. It isn’t strictly a PD problem of course, but it is
very common in PD programs.
8.3
Memory on Archimedes computers is arranged in ‘pages’. On the Risc PC
each page is 4Kb. The smallest amount of RAM that the memory controller
can allocate to any task is 4Kb and any increment must be in 4Kb steps.
Now the difficulty is that on all earlier models the page size was
variable and depended upon the total amount of RAM the machine had. A
1Mb machine would have a page size of 8Kb, a 2Mb machine 16Kb and a 4Mb
machine 32Kb. So if a program asked for 20Kb of RAM to be allocated by
the Wimp it would actually get a minimum of 24Kb (3×8Kb on a 1Mb
machine), or more likely 32Kb (2×16Kb or 1×32Kb). On the Risc PC, it
will actually get the 20Kb it requested (5×4Kb).
8.3
Now if the programmer has done his job properly, there’s no problem.
However, if the programmer had a 2 or 4 Mb machine then he would be
testing his program in an environment which actually allocated 32Kb to
it, even though he only asked for 20Kb. With the Risc PC, it would now
be trying to run in only 20Kb and that can lead to lots of ‘no room for
this DIM’ or ‘Address exception’ errors.
8.3
If you get these problems look in the !Run file for a line which, in the
previous example, would be:
8.3
Wimpslot -min 20K -max 20K
8.3
In this instance, increase both to 32Kb. In other cases, increase the
numbers to the next higher figure exactly divisible by 32. This won’t
always effect a cure, but it does ensure that the program has as much
memory in which to run as previously.
8.3
There is another problem which arises as a consequence of the new page
size. Because the page size varied with the amount of memory available,
bad programmers often used it as a way of determining how much RAM a
machine had. When such programs are run on a Risc PC, they find a page
size of 4Kb, and so they immediately report that you don’t have enough
memory − even if you’ve got 16Mb!
8.3
My experience is that all properly written programs work, and this
doesn’t only apply to PD. If it has been written ‘by the book’ (although
this isn’t always possible) it should work on a Risc PC. I confess that
I did have a problem with one of my own programs but when I
investigated, it turned out to be a typing error. This caused a fault in
the Module header which, for some reason, worked OK previously, but the
Risc PC wasn’t so tolerant. I can hardly blame the machine for
discovering my mistake.
8.3
Most of the problems arise because many PD programmers don’t have a copy
of the PRM’s. Instead of finding out how to do things properly, they
look at other people’s programs. In this way bad programming techniques
get perpetuated and can easily become the norm as they are copied by one
person after another. This is particularly common with demos, which are
the type of program least likely to work on a Risc PC.
8.3
I would strongly advise anyone running a demo for the first time to make
sure that they have no unsaved data. Be prepared to switch off the
computer afterwards, as sometimes it’s the only way to get it to work
properly again. I would suggest you also take a copy of your machine’s
configuration − not just the main items but the whole of CMOS RAM. On
more than one occasion, mine has been so scrambled by a demo that if I
hadn’t kept a copy, I would have needed to reconfigure everything
manually.
8.3
Some badly written games also do this, but it isn’t so common.
8.3
Christmas clipart
8.3
Last year at this time I offered a disc of seasonal clipart. This proved
very popular and so I have decided to do so again, in plenty of time for
you to use it to prepare your Christmas invitations and greetings. As
last time, it will be a mix of religious and secular material. I may
include a few of the best items from before but most of it will not be
the same, so if you obtained last year’s disc, it will not just be a
repeat. As usual, for a copy of this send £1 or four first class stamps
to me at the APDL address inside the back cover.  A
8.3
Puzzle Corner
8.3
Colin Singleton
8.3
Paul kindly referred last month to my ‘huge repertoire’ of puzzles. It
is true that I have a modest collection of puzzle books from which to
glean ideas, but I hope that the puzzles I present in this column will
all be original. This, of course, means that you cannot look up the
answers! You will not always need your computer to solve these puzzles,
but it will often help.
8.3
Here are this month’s two puzzles...
8.3
(3) Tithes
8.3
The Rippuov Casino has devised a new way of fleecing its clients. This
is a game based on the toss of a coin. The punter stakes 10% of his
current cash-holding (rounded to the nearest penny) on each toss. If he
loses, he forfeits his stake to the bank − if he wins, he retains his
stake and also collects an equivalent amount from the bank. This is
settled before the punter calculates his stake for the next toss.
8.3
Cheerful Charlie played the game, starting with £100.00. He had some ups
and downs, but after 40 tosses he found that, once again, he had exactly
£100.00. He decided this was a good time to pack up and go home.
8.3
How many tosses did Charlie win?
8.3
(4) Prime Post
8.3
In the remote Principality of Primephilia, postage stamps are printed in
a selection of values, most of which appear to be totally unrelated to
the postage rates (rather like the UK!). Specifically, stamps are
available for all prime numbers of cents.
8.3
Prince Fred has bought his Mother-in-law’s birthday present − a book on
Numerical Partitions, which he doesn’t understand, and he hopes will
bore her to tears. His immediate problem, however, is the postage, which
is exactly one dollar (yes, that is 100 cents, even here!). Fred only
has one stamp of each value under a dollar.
8.3
In how many different ways can he make up the required one dollar
exactly?
8.3
... and last month’s two answers ...
8.3
(1) This is 1994
8.3
1994 = ((•1)–Ú9 – Ú9) × Ú4
8.3
You might come up with some horrendously involved expression, but I
don’t think anyone will find one simpler than this. The only ‘trick’
consists of raising a fractional number to a negative power to obtain a
large number. Once you have thought of that, it is almost trivial! All
mathematically correct answers will go in the hat for the prize. Acorn
Basic will evaluate the expression PRINT (.1^−SQR9− SQR9)*SQR4.
Additional brackets could be used for clarity but, in this version of
Basic, are not essential.
8.3
(2) Conversations
8.3
There are 203 different groupings.
8.3
For two friends, there are just two possibilities (AB) and (A,B), where
commas separates different groups. For three friends there are five
possibilities (ABC) (A,BC) (AC,B) (AB,C) and (A,B,C). For four friends
there are fifteen possibilities (ABCD) (A,BCD) (ACD,B) (ABD,C) (ABC,D)
(AB,CD) (AC,BD) (AD,BC) (A,B,CD) (A,C,BD) (A,D,BC) (B,C,AD) (B,D,AC)
(C,D,AB) (A,B,C,D). You can continue with pencil-and-paper to find 52
arrangements of five friends, and 203 of six.
8.3
For those who want the mathematical analysis, denote the number of
arrangements of n friends into g groups by nAg. The total number of
possible arrangements of n friends is ß nAg for all g, 1ÅgÅn. If, after
n friends have formed g groups, a further friends arrives, he may join
one of the g groups, or remain alone, forming an extra ‘group’ of one.
Hence, from each arrangement of n friends into g groups, we can derive g
different arrangements of n+1 friends into g groups, plus one
arrangement into g+1 groups. Turning this round, we can deduce that
nAg = g·n–1Ag + n–1Ag–1.
8.3
From this we can construct a Pascal-type triangle of numbers:
8.3
    g=1  2  3  4  5  6  Total
8.3
  n=1  1            1
8.3
  2  1  1          2
8.3
  3  1  3  1        5
8.3
  4  1  7  6  1      15
8.3
  5  1  15  25  10  1    52
8.3
  6  1  31  90  65  15  1  203
8.3
  7  1  63  301  350  140  21  876
8.3
Feedback
8.3
Yes please! Comments, favourable or otherwise, will be gratefully
received, as will contributions for future Puzzle Corners. Please write
to me at 41 St Quentin Drive, Sheffield, S17 4PN, and send me your
Puzzle Answers by Friday 9th December. Good luck!  A
8.3
Pocket Book Column
8.3
Audrey Laski
8.3
The old, old story
8.3
One of the riders to Murphy’s Law (“If anything can go wrong, it will”)
is the following: “Whenever you buy your gizmo, it’s almost upgrade
time.” I’ve only had my Pocket Book since July ’93, and here comes the
shiny new version, first cousin to Psion 3A, and full of features to
make me green. I’m not bothered about built-in Schedule, since I got
that in a bundle when I bought the Pocket Book, but I do covet the
enlarged screen and the sound recorder. There was a marvellous
conversation going on behind me in the bus the other day, a novelist’s
dream; if I’d had the new Pocket Book I could have caught it all
unobtrusively and meditated on it at my leisure. On second thoughts,
perhaps that’s an unethical use to make of it, so I should be glad to be
free of temptation.
8.3
Clearly, anyone about to embark on the Pocket Book for the first time
should go for the new improved version unless really strapped for cash;
meanwhile, those of us making the best of our dear old model can
certainly add to its usefulness with extra software. “Widget News”, from
Widget Software Ltd., lists much software which, like the shareware I
wrote about earlier in the year, though designed for the Psion, will run
perfectly well on the Pocket Book. These include, amongst other useful
things, Hugh Johnson’s Wine Guide, which is costly but would be the
ultimate in winesmanship, an interactive set of European airline
timetables (3 Flight Manager) and a personal finance program (Finance
Pack 3). Any dedicated Pocket Book user would probably do well to get on
the Widget mailing list.
8.3
Hardware matters
8.3
Robert Newmark, of Cleadon, Sunderland, writes to express irritation
with the flimsy case of the Psion, remarking that “the cover for the two
AA batteries comes off at the slightest provocation”; I’ve only
experienced this with the Pocket Book when actually dropping it on the
floor, when it seems a not unreasonable piece of behaviour. This started
me thinking, however, about the ruggedness of a piece of equipment
expressly designed for school use. Any object which goes into classrooms
and playgrounds needs to be able to withstand not only dropping but
throwing, dribbling and kicking into touch, and I wonder how the Pocket
Books which are going back and forth in schoolbags are faring. The
column’s school student correspondent, Ian Horsey, took his to New
Mexico this summer and remarks that it didn’t melt in the desert heat; I
wonder if he or any other school users would care to comment on how well
their Pocket Books stand up to the rough and tumble of life.
8.3
He also mentions, in relation to my mains adaptor problem, that Maplin
Electronics sell a multi-purpose mains adaptor, with the facility to
change voltage, for around £10. I’m glad to know about this, as it
sounds a useful object, but it now looks as if my actual problem is a
loose connection in the Pocket Book itself, which will need expert
attention. I suppose this may be a result of my having dropped it − if
so, it does raise worries about toughness, since the fall wasn’t far.
8.3
PKUnzipping to the Psion
8.3
Further to his earlier input, John of the other side of the bed writes:
8.3
‘Matthew Hunter of NCS tried out the RFM software onto an Aleph One PC
card with its own serial port, “with some success,” he reports. He used
the command “RFM port=COM1 baud=9600 use h: m:”, whereupon you can
access the  Pocket Book drives as though they were PC drives.
8.3
‘In effect, this will allow you to install files from an MSDOS archive
direct to the Pocket Book without the mutually inconsistent way that
Spark (_) and the DOS-filer (/) transliterate the ‘.’ character.
8.3
‘I agree with Matthew that using PocketFS2 straight to the DOS partition
is easier for backup and that it would be even more useful to be able to
address Acorn storage from the Pocket Book than vice-versa.
8.3
‘The remaining problem is to discover whether or not one can use the A-
link (with a suitable plug conversion) directly to link to an MS-DOS
machine. Anyone tried it yet?’
8.3
Dunce’s Corner
8.3
Dr. Peter Young, of Cheltenham, accuses himself of quadruple dunceship
in falling foul of the Spell dictionary. Having inserted a mis-spelt
word in Sys$dict.d$c, he tried to correct it by editing the file in
Write and saving it, after which, attempting to add words or to delete
the dictionary got that most maddening message: “device or file in use”.
He realised, after much misery, that Write had saved Sys$dict as a .wrd
file but left the .d$c version open. He then understood that the answer
would be to save from Write with the .d$c name; unfortunately, after
editing, he had forgotten the hideous first part of the name, and going
back to the directory display to find it lost him access to the file in
Write, and prompted another “device or file in use”. I wonder if the new
improved Spell in Pocket Book 2 will be a little more user-friendly?
8.3
A set of queries
8.3
Peter also sends a useful set of queries for which readers may have
answers:
8.3
1) Write. Is there any way of adding hot-key short-cuts to those which
exist already? My favourite typing error is transposition of letters. In
my DTP application, there is a hot-key for correcting this, and one in
Write would be welcome. Is it possible?
8.3
2) Abacus. The “keep backup files” option seems only to work during the
current session. Is this intended, or am I doing something wrong? It
would save much bad language if I could guarantee always to have a
backup of a spreadsheet before I foul it up!
8.3
3) A bug in Abacus?  If you try to use the AVG function on a group of
cells which you are going to put numbers into later but haven’t done
yet, the sheet crashes, you can only carry on with anything by pressing
the Desktop button, and you can’t get back into Abacus (you get my
favourite “file or device in use” message).  I am not going to try this
again, as I had to do four resets running the other day when trying to
set up a sheet for future use! Is it me or Abacus which is wrong?
8.3
Endnote
8.3
It has been suggested to me that the drought of correspondence during
the summer, might have occurred because readers haven’t got my address.
I think we gave this in an earlier issue, but here it is again: 18 Ebury
Street, London, SW1W OLU. I look forward to the flood.  A
8.3
Small Ads
8.3
(Small ads for Acorn computers and related products are free for
subscribers but we reserve the right to publish all, part or none of the
material you send, as we think fit. i.e. some people don’t know what
‘small’ means and there are certain things, as you can imagine, that we
would not be prepared to advertise as a matter of principle. Sending
small ads (especially long ones!) on disc is helpful but not essential.
Ed)
8.3
•  A3000, RISC OS 3, 20Mb HD, ARM3, 2Mb RAM, and serial upgrade, Cub3000
monitor, manuals £400. CC Compression, serial link software and lead.
Games: Apocalypse, E-type, Nevryon. These bits free with computer or £5
each. Phone Simon on 0151-228-3884 eves or e-mail [e-mail]
8.3
•  A310, 4Mb, ARM3, RISC OS 3.1, 42Mb SCSI hard disc, 4 slot backplane,
£550. Also Scanlight Junior with Mitsubishi A5 400dpi scanner, £120.
Sensible offers considered. Phone Christine on 01661-843259.
8.3
•  A310, 4Mb RAM, RISC OS 3.1, 40Mb HD, 4-slot backplane, Philips CM8533
monitor, Star NL-10 Printer, £450 o.n.o. Phone [phone].
8.3
•  A4 model II, 4Mb RAM, 60Mb HD, PC Emulator, RemoteFS, Carry Case,
Trackerball, boxed, 10 months old and hardly used £780. Phone or fax
01395-232969.
8.3
•  A4 with 4Mb + 60Mb drive plus Taxan 787LR multiscan monitor and
external keyboard, £1200. Two CC Qume Laser Direct printers with
interfaces £300 each +carriage. 300Mb SCSI drive £200. Morley cached
SCSI i/f upgraded for Risc PC £175. Acorn Ethernet card £50. Prophet
accounts package £75, PipeDream 3 £30. Phone [phone].
8.3
•  A410/1, 4Mb RAM, 33MHz ARM3, 50Mb HD, Newlook, I/O podule, MIDI,
Sound sampler, Black Angel, Chopper Force, Gods, Lemmings, Chocks Away
compendium, keyboard extension cable, and postage £620. Also new and
unused RISC OS Style Guide with disc £10. and Pineapple PAL encoder
(allows your computer to connect to video equipment and SCART, BNC) £50.
Series 3 OPL manual (not software), same OPL as Pocket Book, £4. Phone
Mark after 6pm on 01905-754277.
8.3
•  A410/1, RISC OS 3.1, 4Mb, 35MHz ARM3, 228Mb SCSI HD, State Machine
G16 graphics card, HCCS 16-bit SCSI card, HiFi Audio. Multipod
Professional audio/video digitiser, EMR Midi 4 interface, music
sequencer, PC Emulator, multisync colour monitor, loads of Arc and PC
software £675 o.n.o. Phone [phone].
8.3
•  A440 ARM3, 20Mb HD, RISC OS 3.1, Beebug VME & 5¼“ FD interface, Taxan
770+LR monitor, Panasonic KX-P1124 printer £650. Phone [phone]
eves.
8.3
•  A440/1, ARM3, 8Mb, RISC OS 3.1, Newlook, Colour Card Gold, Oak SCSI
with CDFS upgrade, 100Mb internal drive, Taxan 770 monitor, all boxed,
manuals, software, £700 + carriage. Paul Lewis 0181-993-2361.
8.3
•  A5000, 4Mb, 120Mb hard disc, without monitor, £700 o.n.o. Also Master
128 and Pace Linnet V21/23 modem, sensible offers considered. Phone
Dominic on 0117-942-2663 anytime.
8.3
•  A5000, 4Mb, 40Mb, ARM3, AKF18 multisync, RISC OS 3.11, £675. A420,
2Mb, 20Mb, AKF17 colour monitor, RISC OS 3.1, £325. A310, 1Mb, twin
floppy drives, mono monitor, £150. All at £20: Pace linnet modem (v21/
v23), ROM/RAM podule (64K + battery), Schema 1, Acorn 2-slot backplane/
fan, Electron Plus One. Excluding delivery. Phone [phone] eves/
weekends.
8.3
•  A5000, 4Mb RAM, 124Mb IDE HD, RISC OS 3.11, Acorn AKF18 multiscan
monitor, manuals and software, £900 o.n.o. HP550C Colour inkjet printer
£300 o.n.o. Phone [phone].
8.3
•  A5000, 4Mb RAM, 80Mb HD, ARM3 33MHz, Acorn Multiscan, RISC OS 3.11,
some software. Ex cond, only 12 months old. Phone Mark after 6pm on
01978-861170.
8.3
•  A5000, 4Mb RAM 80Mb HD, AKF50 monitor, £750 o.n.o. A-link for Psion
or Acorn Pocketbook £35 o.n.o. Phone [phone].
8.3
•  A5000 Floppy Disc Interface (Beebug), plus Opus 5¼“ External Disc
Drive (with integral power supply): £45 + p&p. Canon PW1080A 9 pin DM
Printer (boxed, cw handbook and dust cover): £45 + p&p. Ovation DTP
(v1.37S): £40 + p&p. Phone [phone] after 7.
8.3
•  A5000 RISC OS 3.11, 4Mb RAM, 40Mb HD. manuals + PRM, HCCS SCSI card,
N.East buyer preferred. £750. Phone Garry on 0191-377-1489.
8.3
•  A5000 with 40Mb hard disc, 4Mb memory, £785 o.n.o. Phone [phone]-
9576.
8.3
•  A540 with 8Mb RAM and 120Mb SCSI hard drive, RISC OS 3.11, some
software £900. Phone Ray on 0181-864-7208.
8.3
•  A540 (120Mb SCSI disc with 12Mb RAM), Taxan 795 and sundry software
for £1275 o.n.o. Phone [phone] and leave a message for Paul.
8.3
•  Aleph One 486/4Mb, fast PAL card £290. Colour Card Gold £145. Phone
01480-381996 (Cambs).
8.3
•  Canon BJ10 inkjet printer with sheet feeder £100 + carriage. Phone
01204-841459.
8.3
•  Canon BJ230 printer with Turbo Driver (unregistered) £250. Colour
Card £120. Scanlight 256 £90. Impression Borders £5, Business Supplement
£20. PinPoint £50. RemoteFS (Serial) £30. Phone Mike on 0114-261-9444.
8.3
•  Colour Card Gold £175, Pineapple video digitiser £100, Bank Manager
£5, EasiWriter £35, Games − Alice in Wonderland, Mig29, Chocks Away,
Wimp Game, Manchester United, Powerband, Populous, Virtual Golf, Saloon
Cars Deluxe − all £10 each. Other games from £2. Phone [phone],
eves.
8.3
•  Colour Card Gold. Phone Clive Bailey on 0908-661980.
8.3
•  Cumana 3½“ floppy drive with PSU, hardly used £75. PRES A3K6 disc
buffer board for A3000, £25. Or £90 for both. Phone Ian on 0151-678-
9879.
8.3
•  DeskEdit 3, £12. Acorn Desktop C, version 4, £35. ‘C: A Dabhand
Guide’ by Mark Burgess, 2nd ed., £7.50. Phone Ernie Cobbold on 01493-
740557.
8.3
•  Eizo F550i-W 17“ monitor £550 + carriage. Phone Paul Lewis 0181-993-
2361.
8.3
•  Eureka 2, ProArtisan 2, and Revelation Imagepro, each £55. Phone Iain
on 01463-751251.
8.3
•  Minerva Multistore, complete, boxed, manuals. WS4000 modem and Beebug
Hearsay. RISC OS 2 PRM. Offers. Phone Paul Lewis 0181-993-2361.
8.3
•  Pace MicroLin fx Pocket Fax/Data Modem, 9600bps fax, 2400bps data,
£55. Phone [phone].
8.3
•  Pineapple digitiser in external box £50. Morley EPROM programmer £15,
EPROM eraser £15, Both £25. Zool £10. Phone [phone].
8.3
•  Quantum 105Mb and 520Mb 3½“ SCSI drives, £80 and £180 respectively or
would consider exchange of the 520Mb drive for a Colour Card Gold. Phone
John on 01373-813336 (Frome).
8.3
•  Scanlight Junior 256 £135. Impression Publisher (with Dongle) £115,
CC Turbo Driver £35. Acorn compatible stereo speakers £15. Phone 0131-
339-6979.
8.3
•  Wanted − A-Link − contact via NCS office.
8.3
•  Wanted, Composite RGB colour monitor (type used on old BBC Model A/
B). Phone Clive Bailey on 01908-661980.
8.3
•  Wanted, Longman Logotron Logo for about £25. Phone Tim on 01362-
691690.
8.3
•  Wanted, Multisync monitor in good working order. Ring Devon 01626-
853774.
8.3
•  WordWorks £20, HP Printer Drivers £10, AlphaBase £10, Blowpipe £10,
Corruption £10, Rotor £10, Desktop Games £10, Orion £10, Terramex £5,
Quazer £5, Conqueror £5, Startrader £5, Artisan 2 £10, Artisan support
disc £5, Sporting Triangles £5, EMR Soundsynth £15, Nevryon £10,
Herewith the Clues £10, Hoverbod £5, Repton3 £5, Inertia £5, Alerion £5,
Zarch £5, Thundermonk £5. Phone [phone]pm weekdays.
8.3
•  Z88, 256Kb memory, SpellMaster, Mains Power, carry case, manuals.
Offers. Phone Paul Lewis 0181-993-2361.
8.3
•  Z88, with 128Kb RAM, PC Link II with cable for Archimedes, printer
cable, mains adaptor, carrying case & topper, two books − ‘Z88
Computing’ and ‘Using your Z88’ and some copies of Z88 Eprom magazine.
All for £95. Phone Alan on 01277-622153.
8.3
Charity Sales
8.3
The following are available for sale in aid of charity. Please don’t
just send money − ring 01603-766592 to check if the items are still
available. Thank you.
8.3
Software: First Word Plus £5, Leading Edge Midi Tracker £9, Bubble Fair
£2, Blaston £2, Pysanki £2, Rotor £2, Datavision database £10, Autograph
(Maths teaching) £20, Boogie Buggie £5, Colour Fun £5, Impression
Business Supplement £10, James Pond £8, Chuck Rock £5, Sim City £12,
Populous £10, MultiStore £20.
8.3
Hardware: Floppy discs as new £15 per 50, Acorn Ethernet interface
(A5000) £60, external 5¼“ floppy drive £30, A3000 1Mb card £15, Joystick
Interface (Serial Port) £12.
8.3
(If you have unwanted software or hardware for Archimedes computers that
you could donate in aid of charity, please send it to the Archive
office. If you have larger items where post would be expensive, just
send us details of the item(s) and how the purchaser can get hold of
them.)  A
8.3
Programming for the Non-Programmer − 2
8.3
Cain Hunt
8.3
I wanted to create an A5 printed diary. This article explains a simple
program which achieves this.
8.3
Writing the program
8.3
The most important part of any program is thinking out what exactly you
want it to do. In this case, I wanted a week-to-a-page diary in an A5
page format. Impression will do all the complicated pamphlet printing so
all I needed was a text file with each week consisting of a month & year
heading, followed by the days of the week and the correct dates. The
easiest method I could think of was to get the user to type in the start
date of the first Sunday and the number of weeks. The program then
counts through the days and changes month and year when appropriate.
8.3
The initial structure of the program was:
8.3
Set up the arrays of day and month names
8.3
Input the start date and length of diary
8.3
Open the DiaryText file
8.3
For each week:
8.3
   Calculate the dates and the month & year
8.3
 heading
8.3
   If the date reaches the end of the month
8.3
 then change to next month
8.3
   If the month reaches the end of the year
8.3
 then change to next year
8.3
   Print the week
8.3
Next week
8.3
Close the DiaryText file
8.3
I also wanted to be able to print a diary in organiser (Filofax) format
three pages per A4 sheet. To do this I needed to compile six weeks of
diary and then print them out in a different order so that they would
read correctly when the organiser pages were cut out. Therefore, for
each page, six weeks of dates and month headings were compiled into
arrays:
8.3
date$(6,wpp%), month_heading$(wpp%), year_heading$(wpp%)
8.3
This gave the final structure of the program:
8.3
Set up the arrays of day and month names
8.3
Input the start date and length of diary
8.3
Open the DiaryText file
8.3
For each page:
8.3
   For each week on the page:
8.3
      Calculate and store the dates and the
8.3
 month & year heading
8.3
      If the date reaches the end of the
8.3
month then change to next month
8.3
      If the month reaches the end of the
8.3
 year then change to next year
8.3
   Next week
8.3
   For each frame on the page
8.3
      Print the correct week for that frame
8.3
   Next frame
8.3
Next page
8.3
Close the DiaryText file
8.3
For further details of how the program works read the REM comments in
the program listing.
8.3
How to use the program
8.3
Double click on the Obey file ‘CSD=Here’ so that the output file is
generated in the correct place. Double click on the Basic program
DiaryMaker. Type in the date of the first Sunday in the diary separated
by commas (e.g. 1,1,1995 = 1st January 1995). The program confirms the
start date and then you can type in the number of pages of six weeks. A
text file is generated called ‘DiaryText’. Open the Impression file
‘Template’ and drop the file ‘DiaryText’ into it to generate the diary.
8.3
To print an organiser style diary change the line DATA 0,1,2,3,4,5  to
DATA 0,2,4,5,3,1. You can do this if you have RISC OS 3 by holding down
<shift> and double-clicking on the Basic program DiaryMaker. Change the
line and then save the new version over the original. Now follow the
instructions above but this time drop the file DiaryText into the
Impression file Templfilo.
8.3
Details of Template files
8.3
(For those who don’t get the monthly disc.)
8.3
To save space, these descriptions assume a good working knowledge of
Impression. If you don’t understand them drop the text file into your
favourite Impression template and play around with it until it looks
right. Alternatively, get a copy of the monthly disc!
8.3
Template
8.3
A5 portrait, facing pages, single column (width 100 mm, height 203 mm).
On left page X position is 42 mm on right it is 6 mm. Y position is 6 mm
in both. Start chapter on Right page.
8.3
Styles:
8.3
Normal   Trinity.Medium 16pt. Line space 100%. Space above para 0pt.
Space below para 8pt. Margins 2mm in from frame edges. Right justified
tab 1mm in from right margin. Left justified text
8.3
Date  Homerton.Medium
8.3
Day  Italic ON
8.3
Month  Italic ON, Bold ON. 18pt text. Line space 120%. Space below para
12pt. Centre justified text.
8.3
New Month  Trinity.Bold.Italic
8.3
Rule Off  Rule-off: Thickness 1pt, Above text 0pt, Below text 22pt
8.3
Print settings (onto A4 paper):
8.3
Fit lots, sideways, ignore page border, centre pages, pamphlet two.
8.3
TemplFilo
8.3
A4 landscape facing pages 3 columns (width 81mm, height 167mm).
8.3
To get the correct alignment of the frames you must first make a
drawfile containing the outlines of the three organiser pages (each
width 3¾“, height 6¾”). You can easily do this by setting the grid lock
in Draw to 1“ × 4”. I have added markings for the holes to be punched
but this is not essential as you could use a pre-punched page as a
template once the pages are cut out.
8.3
Create a blank frame which is not linked to the others on the right hand
master page. Put it to the back and make it almost as big as the A4
sheet. Drop your template drawfile into this frame and set its scale in
the Alter Graphic dialogue to 100%. Now align the three frames on this
page so they are centred vertically on each page but are offset to the
right, away from the area where the holes will be punched.
8.3
Move the frames on the left hand page to roughly similar positions to
those on the right page. Make all the frame outlines visible by changing
their borders to 1. Now print off both sides of a test sheet and see if
the frames are aligned. By trial and error you should be able to get
them to roughly match. Finally, make all the frame borders invisible
again.
8.3
I know this is tedious but once you have done it you can use the same
template for printing anything in Filofax format. You need to keep the
template DrawFile visible on the final print out because it shows you
where to cut the pages.
8.3
Styles:
8.3
Normal   Trinity.Medium 12pt. Line space 100%. Space above para 0pt.
Space below para 8pt Margins 2mm in from frame edges. Right justified
tab 1mm in from right margin. Left justified text
8.3
Date  Homerton.Medium
8.3
Day  Italic ON
8.3
Month  Italic ON, Bold ON. 16pt text. Line space 120%. Space below para
12pt. Centre justified text.
8.3
New Month  Trinity.Bold.Italic
8.3
Rule Off  Rule-off: Thickness 1pt, above text 0pt, below text 22pt
8.3
Print settings (onto A4 paper):
8.3
Sideways, Ignore page border, Centre pages.
8.3
Print on both sides of paper by using Right pages then Left pages.  A
8.3
NC100 to Acorn Interconnection
8.3
Les May
8.3
When you buy an Amstrad NC100, you are not getting an Acorn Pocketbook
or a Psion 300 at less than half the price. What you do get is a simple
computer with about 49Kb of RAM and the potential to accept PCMCIA cards
giving up to 1Mb of additional storage.
8.3
The built-in programs are a rather old-fashioned, but remarkably
sophisticated, word processor called ProText, plus an address book,
diary with realtime clock and large digit calculator. The LCD screen
gives 80×8 lines of text and is best described as ‘adequate’. Printing
can be either direct to a serial printer or, with some additional
software, to a parallel printer.
8.3
What I was looking for when I decided to buy an NC100 was the
convenience of being able to type in notes whilst working in libraries,
and to transfer them later to my A5000 using the serial port. The full
size keyboard, low cost and low power consumption were essentials. The
fact that it also had BBC Basic built in, complete with Z80 assembler,
was something of a bonus.
8.3
Because the Acorn and Amstrad Basics use different tokens, programs have
to be passed between the machines as text files. As far as the NC100 is
concerned, the method of passing text files is well described in the
manual. To do this, you have to list the stored files already present in
the portable. Of course this is not possible if you don’t have any files
present in the NC100 in which case a dummy file with a single character
can be created and named.
8.3
Text files can be converted to executable programs by entering Basic on
the Amstrad using <Function> B and typing *EXEC filename at the prompt.
The program then scrolls up the screen and can be executed by typing
RUN. Text files are saved automatically when the machine is switched off
but programs are not.
8.3
It is nice to be able to write and test programs on the A5000, taking
into account the less sophisticated nature of Amstrad Basic, then
transfer them for use to the portable. The filetype must be set to Text,
line numbers must be used and the CR<->LF in the Edit menu must be
toggled. The program then appears in Edit as one long string with [0d]
characters at the end of each line of program.
8.3
If the program running on the NC100 generates data which it is intended
to transfer back to the Acorn machine for analysis, the most convenient
way is to use the code fragments shown below.
8.3
REM In NC100 program
8.3
N$=STR$(N%): REM Convert number of
8.3
observations, N%, to a string
8.3
F%=OPENOUT(F$): REM F$=Filename
8.3
PRINT#F%,N$,CHR$(10)
8.3
FOR Q%=1 TO N%: REM Q%=Loop counter
8.3
 PRINT#F%,W$(Q%),CHR$(10): REM String array W$ holds observations
8.3
NEXT Q%
8.3
CLOSE#F%
8.3
REM In RISC OS program
8.3
F%=OPENIN(F$)
8.3
PROCread
8.3
N%=VAL(I$)
8.3
DIM W%(N%)
8.3
PROCsetup_arrays
8.3
CLOSE#F%
8.3
DEF PROCread
8.3
I$=“”: REM I$ is a global variable
8.3
REPEAT
8.3
 X%=BGET#F%
8.3
 IF X%<>10 THEN I$=I$+CHR$(X%): REM If end of string not found
concatonate
8.3
UNTIL X%=10
8.3
ENDPROC
8.3
DEF PROCsetup_arrays
8.3
FOR Q%=1 TO N%
8.3
 PROCread
8.3
 W%(Q%)=VAL(I$)
8.3
NEXT Q%
8.3
ENDPROC
8.3
Numeric data is converted to strings using STR$ and stored as string
variables or in string arrays. After each string a CHR$(10) is also
stored. Following transfer as text files to the Acorn machine these data
files are read into the analysis programs, a byte at a time, testing for
the byte being equal to CHR$(10).
8.3
When this is detected, it acts as an end of string indicator and the
complete string can then be converted to numeric form using VAL, stored
directly in a string array or processed as a string variable. The
disadvantage is that it wastes storage space in the NC100.
8.3
The advantage of this approach is that we do not have to know anything
about how the NC100 stores strings or numbers. Also, the datafile can be
treated as just another ProText file without having to remember to set
the machine to send ASCII files.
8.3
How useful is the NC100?
8.3
Just how useful is the NC100 when used in conjunction with a RISC OS
machine? The keyboard is fine and I can touch type on it without any
problems. That’s lucky because, as I commented earlier, the display is
only ‘adequate’. Partly that is my tired old eyes and I’m not sure how
well I’d cope with a Pocket Book. I’ve not used the diary or the
calendar so far, so I can say nothing about them.
8.3
The facility to write programs in a language I already know, I find very
useful. So far, I’ve written a Checksheet emulator and analyser for use
in animal behaviour studies. Only for final testing of the emulator was
it necessary to download it to the Amstrad; a real timesaver. The
analyser runs in the A5000.
8.3
I’m sure it has a lot of potential for field work in subjects like
biology, history, archaeology and geography. At present, it would be
necessary to write the Amstrad data collection and the Acorn data
conversion programs for oneself, but it should be possible to read data
into a spreadsheet or database without too much difficulty.
8.3
Though data collection by computer in the field can be a little slower
than pen and paper methods, it saves a lot of time in transcribing data
and checking for errors.
8.3
Teachers who ‘need to take a computer home’ often require only simple
wordprocessing facilities and the NC100 certainly deserves a second look
for this purpose alone. One or two NC100 in each classroom for entry of
text, along with a RISC OS machine for formatting and printing could
also be put to good use.
8.3
The collaboration between Acorn and Psion led to a product which has
been well received. Acorn might do worse than talk to Mr Sugar because
the unit price of the NC100 is now only about £71, which, with VAT and
retail margin, translates to just under £120. Many parents would be
willing and able to spend that sort of money on a computer for their
offspring, and it is within the budget of College and University
students. Personally I’d find a card type database more use than an
address book or a diary.
8.3
Next time, I’ll discuss a couple of programs which can be used to
transfer files between the NC100 and RISC OS machines.  A
8.3
Risc PC’s Astronomical Aspirations
8.3
A computer hardware project
8.3
by Ronald Alpiar
8.3
Don’t be mislead − this article is NOT just about the Risc PC and it is
NOT just about astronomy. From Archive questionnaires, I know that a
lots of you want articles about using RISC OS computers for interfacing
projects − for control or using the computer to sense and measure
automatically. Those of us who were weaned on the BBC Micro will have
been disappointed at how difficult it was to do anything similar on the
first Archimedes when it arrived − we had been spoilt!
8.3
In this article, Ronald opens the way for projects using the
bidirectional parallel port on A3010, 3020, 4000, 5000 and Risc PC
computers. Did you know that the parallel port actually has 17 lines
that can be used, variously, for input and output?
8.3
It is still not easy to do I/O on a RISC OS computer but, hopefully,
where Ronald leads, others will follow. If you do develop an interfacing
project using the parallel port, please tell us about it. Perhaps one of
our software expert readers will help us by providing a series of
functions and procedures that will help those of us not too familiar
with the ARM code programming that is needed if speed is of the essence.
8.3
I look forward very much to hearing how you all get on with your
interfacing projects, but remember, if you are connecting electrically
to your computer, even through the parallel port, you must take great
care. I’m afraid that we at Archive cannot accept any responsibility for
damage to your computer caused by following the advice in this or any
succeeding articles − but have fun anyway and we have access to some
very able computer-repair experts if you do have problems! Ed.
8.3
It was love at first sight! Delivered on the same day, Risc PC and
Starlight Express’ SX Astronomical camera lay side-by-side on my
workbench, exchanging meaningful glances. After a short engagement, I’m
glad to announce that nuptial vows have been duly exchanged. Lest
readers conclude that I’ve finally taken leave of my senses, I’d best
explain.
8.3
The Risc PC requires no introduction − though (be warned!) we shall be
taking an unusually intimate look at its Printer Port. CCD astronomical
cameras, on the other hand, are not exactly mass consumer items.
Starlight Express, the sole UK entry in a fiercely competitive
manufacturing market for these devices, consists of two pieces of
hardware together with software and documentation.
8.3
The camera head encapsulates the CCD sensor and supporting electronics,
and incorporates a thermo-electric cooling (TEC) device − to minimise
the build up of thermal electrons during long exposures. In use, the
camera head is attached to some optical imaging device, be it a
sophisticated telescope, or merely a humble camera lens.
8.3
The camera head is connected to an interface unit which ‘drives’ the CCD
sensor and digitises the returning signals and displays the sensor’s
temperature.
8.3
The interface unit in turn is connected to the printer port of any PC.
Software is used to make the interface send correct driving signals to
the camera head, and to store and display the returning digital
information. The fact that is is controlled in software, unlike the
commercial TV imaging modules that I reported on in Archive 4.9 p32
unlocks a magic door to experimentation.
8.3
How it works
8.3
To appreciate the hardware and software demands on the Risc PC, we must
first roughly understand how an imaging sensor works. The general
principles were explained in the earlier article. Briefly summarising,
sensors contain arrays, typically consisting of several hundred rows and
columns, of photo sites. Figure 2 is a highly simplified diagram of a 4-
by-4 array. Incoming photons of light impinging onto the photo sensors,
release electrons according to Einstein’s photo-electric effect. During
exposure, biasing electrodes ensure that these photo-electrons
accumulate independently in each photo-sensor site.
8.3
(I never fail to be thrilled by the thought of those microscopic
photons, commencing their epic odyssey whilst dinosaurs still roamed our
earth, faithfully tracing their geodesic trajectories through the vast
emptiness of the curved space-time continuum, until finally splashing
down onto the surface of my CCD sensor. It is hard to resist the
anthropomorphic urge to cheer and greet each such new quantum arrival!)
8.3
After exposure, other electrodes guide each packet of photo-electrons in
turn to output circuitry. All designs have in common the sensor array, a
horizontal shift register, and output processing circuits. Designs
differ in the geometric arrangements for the orderly shepherding of
photo electrons from the sensor sites into the horizontal register.
8.3
The crudest approach is simply to move the electrons down into the
horizontal register row-by-row. But since whilst occupying photo-
sensitive sites, further photo electrons will be generated, this
approach causes ‘streaking’ of bright sources. A similar technique
rapidly transfers the electrons, row-by-row, into an identical shielded
array where they can await further processing quarantined from invasive
light. This is the ‘frame transfer’ technique. The disadvantage is that
one is effectively using only half the array for actual imaging.
8.3
The SX camera employs a more sophisticated ‘interline transfer’
technique. During exposure (which may range from milliseconds to an
hour) photo electrons accumulate in the photo sensitive sites. Exposure
completed, a pulse signal dumps the electrons into adjacent cells in the
vertical registers, where they are safe from incoming photons.
8.3
Thence they are transferred row-by-row to the horizontal register.
8.3
Once a row of bundles of photo electrons are settled into the horizontal
register, they are shifted, one at a time, into the output circuitry,
there to be converted from a charge into a voltage, and amplified.
8.3
At this stage, off-chip circuitry digitises the analogue pixel signal
voltages, enabling them to form computer input. Again, there are several
methods of digitising ranging from simple ‘sample-and-hold’ circuits to
elaborate ‘dual slope integration’ designs which gain high marks in the
signal-to-noise stakes. The digitisation is normally to 12 or even 16
bits − too wide for a standard 8-bit wide I/O channel. So the computer
usually reads the output in two or more chunks.
8.3
Shift registers also vary in design: 2, 3 or 4 phase arrangements exist
− in all cases ensuring that adjacent bundles are not allowed to mingle
and thus smear the image. Figure 3 illustrates a typical 3-phase shift
register.
8.3
To summarise, some 16−24 input/output lines are needed to drive the
equipment, namely
8.3
output:
8.3
  6 lines to clock the vertical and horizontal registers
8.3
  1 to switch the on-chip output amplifier on/off
8.3
  1 to swill away electrons before exposure
8.3
  1−2 to dump sensor electrons into vertical registers
8.3
  1−2 operate the analogue/digital converter
8.3
  1−2 to select a chunk of digitised output
8.3
input:
8.3
  0−1 line to sense completion of analogue/digital conversion
8.3
  4−8 lines to accept digitised output
8.3
Although the SX interface unit accepts TTL logic signals (i.e. voltages
compatible with normal computer I/O), we require unhindered control of
each individual line − altering any one must never affect any other
line. Speed is also essential. Array readout should be as fast as
possible, as every second’s delay adds noise to the signal in the form
of thermal electrons. Since a sensor may typically contain ½ million
pixels, this calls for clocking speeds between 1−10µs. How does Risc PC
match up to these demands? At first glance, it has nothing to offer,
unless one resorts to the crutch of I/O expansion cards.
8.3
Digital input/output
8.3
Enter, deus ex machina, the Risc PC’s 25-pin D-type socket, which we
always thought of as a mere printer port! Not so − as is clear from a
glance at Appendix C of the Welcome Guide, where it is correctly
described as a Parallel Port. Moreover, the accompanying pinout table
reveals the presence of some 17 I/O data lines. Although standard
manuals provide no clue as to how to how to program them, all is
revealed in the PRMs (Volume 2, pp477ff).
8.3
Communication to and from the port is serviced via three memory-mapped
hardware registers, namely the ‘data’, ‘status’ and ‘control’ registers.
A special SWI “Parallel_Op” enables the user’s program to talk to these
registers. The functions of the three registers are:
8.3
data register
8.3
  an 8 bit wide parallel I/O channel. When printing, it is used in
output mode, and contains the ASCII code of a character
8.3
status register
8.3
  only 5 bits of the byte are actually wired up, all inputs. During
printing, these inform the printer driver of the current printer status
(e.g. busy, error, paperout, etc)
8.3
control register
8.3
  again only 4 of the possible 8 bits are wired to the socket, all are
outputs, normally used to send special signals to printers
8.3
On entry to “Parallel_Op”, R0 dictates which register is addressed and
the direction of data. For example, to write to the data register, set
R0=2 and R1=data to be written: e.g. to set data lines 1 & 2 high, and
the rest (i.e. lines 0 and 3−7) low from Basic, enter the instruction:
8.3
  SYS “Parallel_Op”, 2, 6 : REM 22 + 21 = 6
8.3
or in Assembly code:
8.3
  MOV R0,#2  ; set R0=2 − write to the data register
8.3
  MOV R1,#6  ; set R1=6 − data to be written 6
8.3
  SWI “Parallel_Op” ; software interrupt to
8.3
perform this action
8.3
Here’s a more advanced example. Suppose that data lines D0, D1, D2
control voltages v1,v2,v3 of the vertical shift registers. Then the
following loop of instructions would move the entire array down one row
vertically each time round (the bottom-most row enters the horizontal
register):
8.3
REPEAT
8.3
SYS “Parallel_Op”, 2, 1 : REM v1=High
8.3
SYS “Parallel_Op”, 2, 3 : REM v1,v2=High
8.3
SYS “Parallel_Op”, 2, 2 : REM v2=High
8.3
SYS “Parallel_Op”, 2, 6 : REM v2,v3=High
8.3
SYS “Parallel_Op”, 2, 4 : REM v3=High
8.3
SYS “Parallel_Op”, 2, 5 : REM v3,v1=High
8.3
UNTIL 0
8.3
To get the output lines toggling...
8.3
Figure 4 presents a working program which demonstrates these principles.
You’ll need some hardware to use it. First remove any ‘dongles’ from
your parallel socket (they are likely to upset the data flow, and may
even be damaged) and/or any printer. Wire up a connector consisting of a
25-way IDC D-type plug, with 25 way ribbon cable, and pin out lines 2−9
(data lines D0 to D7) and any of lines 18−25 (all earth). Plug it into
the parallel socket. Beg, borrow or buy an oscilloscope. Set the
timebase to 10µs/division and the vertical amplitude to 5 volts/
division. Connect the oscilloscope’s probe clips (the right way round!)
to any earth and any one data line.
8.3
The program consists of two parts, square1 & square2. Both parts set up
a square wave on all 8 lines D0−D7, the number of complete cycles is set
by E% (transmitted to R4). Square1 illustrates the recommended and
‘safe’ method: access to the hardware is gained only via official
channels of a SWI call. Your oscilloscope should show a square wave with
a pulse width of 8.5µs (or 17µs/cycle). Alas, this is not quite as fast
as one might wish.
8.3
To achieve greater speeds, square2 daringly risks direct hardware
access. Under normal ‘user mode’, hardware accesses are blocked with the
message “internal error : abort on data transfer”; so we first have to
enter ‘supervisor mode’. We need to find out the address in RAM where
the parallel data register is mapped. The (off limits) SWI
“Parallel_HardwareAddress” obligingly places the address in R0
(incidentally the status and control registers are in R0+1 and R0+2).
From then on, all is similar to the code in square1, but remembering to
return from supervisor to user mode before returning to Basic! Note the
dramatic increase in speed using direct access, from 8.5µs to about 1µs!
8.3
I shan’t bore you with precise details of which bits of the three
parallel registers are wired to the various SX camera interface control
lines. Suffice it to say that all the camera’s control requirements were
adequately catered for using only the parallel port connector.
8.3
The driving software follows the path already blazed by the developers
of the PC-hosted SX camera, Terry Platt and Ed Rees, to whom I am
immensely grateful for help and advice generously accorded. The original
software was written in Power Basic (a compiled dialect of Basic running
under DOS on PCs). My task was to write a similar program for Risc PC.
The program is mainly in assembly language, supplemented by Basic for
operations where time is not at a premium.
8.3
The PC program, running on an Amstrad 2086 with maths co-processor, took
55 seconds to readout, store and display the contents of the sensor
after exposure. On the Risc PC the same operation completed in 3.8
seconds (normal mode) and under 1 second in fast mode − ’nuff said?
8.3
The Starlight Express SX Astronomical camera is available from FDE Ltd,
Bodalair House, Sandford Lane, Hurst, Berks, RG10 0SU. (01734-
342600).  A
8.3
Figure 1. The ‘Wedding Photo’ − SX with the Risc PC!!
8.3
The SX camera interface unit sits on the lap of Risc PC’s casing. Note
the temperature display and ribbon cable, normally plugged into the
parallel port socket. The camera head crowns the pose. On its right is
an attached SLR camera lens: on its left, cooling fins to dissipate heat
generated by the TEC heat pump.
8.3
Figure 3.    Typical 3-phase shift register
8.3
Biasing electrodes in cells marked v1 are all wired together in
parallel. Likewise those marked v2 and v3. During phase 1 bundles of
photo-electrons (A, B, C, D, E) are confined to cells v1, attracted by
the high levels of biasing electrodes v1=High. In phase 2, both v1 and
v2 biasing electrodes are High: bundles of electrons are free to share
adjacent cells, v1 and v2. In phase 3, v1 electrodes are lowered, so
that all electrons in v1 cells migrate to v2. By this time the five
bundles of electrons have been shifted one cell to the right.
8.3
Phase 1
8.3
v1=High
8.3
v2=Low
8.3
v3=Low
8.3
Phase 2
8.3
v1=High
8.3
v2=High
8.3
v3=Low
8.3
Phase 3
8.3
v1=Low
8.3
v2=High
8.3
v3=Low
8.3
Figure 2. Schematic diagram of one type of CCD image sensor
8.3
This shows a 4 row × 4 column pixel array, and illustrates one of many
different methods of shepherding bundles of photo-electrons successively
into the output circuit. Incoming photons impinging on the array of
photo-sensitive sites (‘S’), create photo-electrons which accumulate
during exposure. After exposure the system, enters a readout state.
First electrons are simultaneously shifted from photo sites into
adjoining vertical registers. Next they are moved, one row at a time,
down into the horizontal register.Thence they are shifted one cell at a
time into the output processing circuit.
8.3
REM Program to set up square wave on parallel port’s data lines
8.3
DIM ccdops% 1000        :REM reserve space for code
8.3
FOR pass%=0 TO 3 STEP 3 :REM 2-pass assembly
8.3
P%=ccdops%              :REM address of start of assembled code
8.3
[
8.3
OPT pass%
8.3
.square1
8.3
         MOV   R0,   #1     ; R0=1 - write to parallel data register
8.3
.loop1   MOV   R1,   #0     ; data to be written is 0 (8 lines low)
8.3
         SWI   “Parallel_Op”; the SWI writes R1 data to the data
register
8.3
         MOV   R1,   #&FF   ; data to be written is 255 (8 lines high)
8.3
         SWI   “Parallel_Op”; the SWI writes R1 data to the data
register
8.3
         SUBS  R4,R4,#1     ; decrement loop counter
8.3
         BGE   loop1        ; loop till finished
8.3
         MOV   PC,   R14    ; and then return to Basic
8.3
;
8.3
.square2 SWI   “OS_EnterOS” ; entering supervisor mode allows access...
8.3
                            ; to normally protected hardware addresses..
8.3
                            ; mind your step!
8.3
         SWI   “Parallel_HardwareAddress”
8.3
                            ; and the above naughtily places the base...
8.3
                            ; address of the parallel port into R0
8.3
.loop2   MOV   R1,   #0     ; data to be written is 0 (8 lines low)
8.3
         STRB  R1,   [R0]   ; poke data directly into data register -
ouch!
8.3
         MOV   R1,   #&FF   ; data to be written is 255 (8 lines high)
8.3
         STRB  R1,   [R0]   ; poke data directly into data register
8.3
         SUBS  R4,R4,#1     ; decrement loop counter
8.3
         BGE   loop2        ; loop till finished
8.3
;
8.3
         TEQP  PC,#0        ; return from supervisor to user mode
8.3
         MOVNV R0,R0        ; NOP to realign data banks...
8.3
         MOVNV R0,R0        ; ...and once more for luck
8.3
         MOV   PC,   R14    ; and only then return to Basic
8.3
]
8.3
NEXT pass%
8.3
E%=1E6 : t=TIME             : REM depth of loop passed to R4
8.3
CALL square1                : REM loop lasts about 17.8 seconds
8.3
PRINT (TIME-t)/100;“ seconds”
8.3
E%=1E7 : t=TIME             : REM depth of loop passed to R4
8.3
CALL square2                : REM loop lasts about 20.3 seconds
8.3
PRINT (TIME-t)/100;“ seconds”
8.3
END
8.3
DTP Column
8.3
Mark Howe
8.3
I gather that there are 30,000+ Impression users, so presumably some of
them must have made some interesting discoveries that they could share
with the rest of us. I suspect that, like myself, most of them would
rather read columns than write them, but if we all keep thinking this
way, none of us will ever have a DTP Column to read! Anyway, before
inflicting too many of my opinions on an unsuspecting readership, I
suppose it is only fair to reveal some of my own background and
prejudices.
8.3
I live in the South of France with my wife and two 8Mb A5000’s.
Together, we produce most of the printed materials for an international
missionary society. In the last year I have worked on projects ranging
from full-colour A3 publicity brochures to black and white lecture notes
in six different languages. In the next year, I hope to produce five
illustrated books in English and French. I am also a director of a small
company which has installed Acorn DTP systems in England and France,
with customers ranging from a print shop, through several computerphobic
evangelists to a doctor in Marseille. In short, I am your typical
Archive reader!
8.3
What should a DTP column include?
8.3
Editing this column is going to be an interesting task, due to the great
variety of users involved in DTP:
8.3
1: DTP can range from glorified wordprocessing on an inkjet printer to
the production of the National Geographic. Computer Concepts’ excellent
idea of a document processor has blurred the distinction between DTP and
WP more than on other platforms, while the fairly widespread use of
direct drive laser printers has taken many users in a different
direction to the rest of the world. I imageset most of my work, which
makes reliable PostScript generation something of a priority (some would
say an obsession). Paul produces Archive on a Laser Direct, and so
PostScript is presumably somewhat irrelevant for him.
8.3
2: There is now a clear and growing distinction between those who have a
Risc PC − either because they have upgraded or because they are new to
the wonderful world of Acorn − and those who are still using older
machines. The latter group are increasingly going to find their
processors too slow, their RAM too limited, their screen modes too
restrictive and, eventually, their operating system too outdated to
follow the ‘haves’. I for one am glad that Acorn have moved on, and I do
not, for example, believe that it is fair to expect to run Artworks
successfully without a hard disc (as the author of one letter to an
Acorn magazine recently complained). Equally, many Archive users will
have to continue using their ageing machines for some time to come, so
some of the latest developments in Acorn DTP are irrelevant to these
people.
8.3
3: Professional users expect state of the art applications, and are (or
should be) willing to pay for them. Others, including some schools,
churches and hobbyists, are trying to do DTP on a shoestring. There is
no doubt in my mind that the upgrade from Impression II to Publisher was
excellent value for money, but I am sure that many readers of this
column agonised over spending £30 in order to get it. Endless lists of
new products are not what such people need most.
8.3
The above points were brought home to me recently when I called a friend
who had bought an A3000 for DTP some time ago. He told me that he was
still very happy with his purchase, and with Ovation. He had just
upgraded to RISC OS 3.1 and had bought some more PD fonts, etc. It was
only twenty minutes into the conversation that I realised he was working
from a double density floppy! It is a credit to Acorn and their
developers that this is possible at all − no Mac or PC column would have
to deal with floppy-only DTP users!
8.3
Enough excuses! I would like to see this column covering the following
areas:
8.3
• Tutorials on new or under-used features and techniques;
8.3
• New products, preferably from the angle of “what they do for us”
rather than “gee, wow, what a slick piece of code!”;
8.3
• How to get more out of existing products;
8.3
• Problems with existing products, and how to get round them;
8.3
• Tips for creating different effects, saving time or making DTP
documents look better.
8.3
I have some ideas for the first couple of months, but after that I am
going to need your help! If you have something useful to share with
other DTP users, or if you have expertise in my particular area, please
contact me (via the Archive office).
8.3
A closer look at Publisher
8.3
Impression Publisher is, in my view, the single most important DTP
product to be launched in the Acorn market this year. Impression II was
already the most powerful DTP program on an Acorn platform, and in most
ways was competitive with Mac and PC applications. Some users had
already upgraded to Style. Much was therefore expected of Publisher.
8.3
New programs, new features
8.3
Computer Concepts have actually produced three new versions of
Impression. The following list is an attempt to summarise what new
features Style, Publisher and Publisher Plus offer to existing
Impression II users. I have taken the information mainly from the
Computer Concepts Product Guide and the Publisher Plus manual. The
numbers after each feature denote whether it is available in Style,
Publisher and Publisher Plus (¹), Publisher and Publisher Plus (²) or
Publisher Plus only (³).
8.3
Improved User Interface, including tool bars¹, drag and drop editing¹,
OLE¹, graphics tool¹.
8.3
Improved graphics handling, including provision for 24 bit graphics¹;
TIFF¹, CMYK², EPS³, DCS³ and (optionally) JPEG¹ and PhotoCD files¹;
control over brightness, contrast and colour balance (including duotone
photos)²; irregular graphics frames².
8.3
Typographic features, including control over underline, superscript and
subscript sizes and offsets²; manual and auto kerning and tracking²;
page grid²; a more powerful version of Swap Case³.
8.3
On-line help¹
8.3
Bundled programs, including TableMate¹, Equasor¹ and WordWorks¹.
8.3
Enhanced printing control, including PostScript settings at a document
and graphics level²; control over the page origin on imagesetters³;
advanced four-colour separation facility, customisable for different
output devices, and with an overprint option² (more flexible in
Publisher Plus); on-screen preview of separations²; spot colour
support³; OPI³.
8.3
Miscellaneous changes, including named master pages¹; control of marked
sections of text with the cursor¹; Artworks-style zooming¹; the option
to toggle page borders from the keyboard¹; improved word counts³.
8.3
The user interface
8.3
User interfaces are always an emotive subject, but as Computer Concept’s
promotion of Style and Publisher has placed heavy emphasis on the
improved look and feel of these programs, I think it is reasonable to
ask how significant the changes really are.
8.3
I like drag and drop editing. It makes all those “have I copied the
carriage return?” dilemmas a thing of the past. OLE works, but I am not
sure it was as exciting as we had been led to believe. It has always
been possible to switch between applications by saving to the iconbar,
which is one advantage of a true multitasking system such as RISC OS.
The graphic tool at least means that illustrations are harder to move by
accident, but I still tend to use the dialogue box to position them
exactly.
8.3
I am not at all convinced that the tool bar is a particularly useful
feature for the experienced user, and have switched it off on my copy of
Publisher. One of the advantages of RISC OS is its use of pop-up menus,
which obviate the need to move the mouse pointer constantly to the top
of the screen. Even some of my novice users have decided that keyboard
shortcuts or menus are less hassle than all the mouse activity that
comes with the tool bar. And then there is the small problem that if you
happen to like working in mode 27 or mode 12, you lose 20% of your
screen area and cannot access three of the icons because the button bar
is too long!
8.3
Many of the keyboard shortcuts have been changed, in order to make CC’s
products more compatible with other RISC OS and ‘industry standard’
applications. On the whole, this is initially annoying but not
disastrous. However, one change which I am unhappy with is the use of
<ctrl-B> and <ctrl-I> to produce bold and italic text. Publisher copes
with most fonts better than any other Acorn program, but it still fails
to find bold or italic versions of some of my favourite EFF fonts. Using
<f3> and <f4> was not elegant, but at least it was consistent.
8.3
(I think there are two issues here: which keystrokes are used − and
that’s a matter of personal taste − and the way that bold and italic are
implemented − as effects on top of the basic font style (the new way of
doing it) or as style definitions in themselves (the old way). I have
discussed the latter issue in more detail in the Comment Column on page
15. Ed.)
8.3
If I could change one thing in Publisher, it would be the new ‘edit
style’ dialogue boxes. In Impression 2.19 the font name, size, line
spacing and paragraph spacing were at the top of the list, and could be
changed quickly using the keyboard. In Impression 2.5, the order
changed, so that more scrolling or cursor keypresses were needed, but at
least they were in the same list. In Publisher, the four most useful
attributes (to me at least) are spread over three dialogue boxes. Even
worse, there are no keyboard shortcuts to access these boxes, and it is
impossible to have more than one open at once. This means more clicking,
more time, and the necessity to memorise the information in each box.
Computer Concepts say that this change was introduced at customers’
request, but I cannot see how it is better than the old system except in
appearance. (I’m not sure I agree. What do others think? Ed.)
8.3
Overall, I think that Publisher does have a better interface than
Impression II, but that the improvement is not staggering. To be fair to
Computer Concepts, their user interface was already pretty good, so it
was always going to be difficult to make major improvements. My main
point here is that, in terms of priorities for existing users, I do not
think that OLE and tool bars were at the top of many lists. (Please let
me know if you have any strong views on this − or indeed any other
subject covered in this article.)
8.3
Graphics handling
8.3
If, like me, you do not have a colour scanner, being able to load 24-bit
graphics from other machines is extremely useful. It is also worth
pointing out that desktop colour scanners will not give the same results
as a professional drum scanner, although having colour photos scanned
and gamma corrected by a bureau is not cheap.
8.3
My last attempts to import 24-bit graphics were while using Impression
2.5. On this occasion, I failed to load JPEG files but had no trouble
with TIFF files. When the document was finally imageset (via Publisher),
the photos were apparently reduced to 8-bit colour. I do not know
whether this was due to Publisher, the Acorn printer drivers or
something else, but I hope it will not happen again. I would like to
hear how other people are getting on using 24-bit images in Publisher.
8.3
The ability to import EPS files is something I have been awaiting for
some time. Unfortunately, I gather that Publisher Plus cannot display
EPS graphics on the screen. True, other DTP programs have this problem,
but in the Mac or PC world, any serious DTP user has a PostScript
printer on his desk. If Laser Direct will not print EPS files either,
imagesetting is going to be something of a hit and miss affair.
8.3
I consider providing EPS export to be a priority. Firstly, it would then
be possible to embed one Publisher page in another (handy for
catalogues, but more generally for planning several pages onto one sheet
of film). Secondly, this would provide a way of getting formatted text
into Artworks. Thirdly, a Mac bureau could load the EPS output into
XPress, which could be handy when PostScript generation fails (or for
mixing output from Acorns and Macs in the same document).
8.3
The new colour mapping control is excellent. I cannot see many people
without a Risc PC trying to touch up full colour images, but I use this
feature of Publisher a lot to generate duotone photos (i.e. monochrome
photos that go from one colour to another instead of from black to
white).
8.3
Irregular graphics frames is another new feature which has produced much
excitement. It is useful in certain circumstances, but most users are
not going to use it very often (or, if they do, they are going to
produce some hideous documents!). Screen redrawing is particularly shaky
around irregular graphics frames.
8.3
Overall, I think that the graphics features of Publisher are of great
interest to ‘power’ users, but not necessarily to those producing their
output on laser printers or monochrome inkjets.
8.3
Typographic features
8.3
Auto-kerning and tracking are great but auto-kerning can cause some
interesting problems when working with Acorn bureaus. It is important
for the bureau to have the same version of each font (i.e. RISC OS 2 or
3) as the machine on which the file was produced.
8.3
I have used the modify underlining facility to quite a lot, as I always
found the default settings in Impression II too thin and too high for my
tastes. I have not used the subscript control or the page grid at all.
The new control over the action of Swap Case looks very useful, but I
hope that CC will include this feature in Publisher and Style too.
8.3
Overall, tracking and auto-kerning alone make Publisher significantly
better than Impression II in this area.
8.3
Bundled programs
8.3
I have never used Equasor, although a friend who is studying mathematics
says it is wonderful. WordWorks seems to do what is claimed for it,
although I personally prefer flicking real pages with my fingers. If
anyone wants to write a tutorial on TableMate I would read it avidly!
8.3
On-line help
8.3
This feature is obviously going to be of interest mainly to new users. I
would have preferred a printed summary of new features to the on-line
approach. (In fact, I cannot find auto numbering, which is the only new
feature I didn’t know about already, in any of the on-line browsers.)
8.3
Enhanced printing control
8.3
No-one who has tried to use the Business Supplement to produce
separations would doubt that Publisher is a vast improvement. The most
welcome feature from my point of view is the option to overprint black
text. The on-screen preview appears to be a pretty good guide to the way
separations will appear, as far as the limits of my 8-bit display allow.
The control over PostScript screens etc is also very useful. My
reservations are as follows:
8.3
• The last newsletter that I had imageset using Publisher Plus failed to
pick up some of the PostScript settings in my file, leading to some
bizarre effects on the finished document.
8.3
• It would be extremely useful to be able to see what screens etc had
been selected, both on the screen and on non-PostScript output. As with
EPS, this requirement is more important on an Acorn than a Mac, given
the comparative rarity of PostScript desktop printers. Couldn’t some of
that ShowPage code be dusted down and pressed into service here?
8.3
• Trapping, even of a primitive kind, would make my printers very happy
indeed!
8.3
• I am told that the customisable separation profiles do not work. Can
anyone confirm or deny this?
8.3
I had great hopes for OPI, but having discovered that it does not work
with PhotoCD images, I am not now likely to use it in the immediate
future. (This is a limitation with OPI in general, not with CC’s
implementation.) I would like to hear from anyone using OPI. Overall, a
vast improvement.
8.3
Miscellaneous changes
8.3
To be honest, little things like Artworks-style zooming with the mouse
have probably made more difference to my day-to-day use of Impression
than some of the headline-grabbing innovations. I do hope that those
students wanting to count words in their essays will not have to upgrade
to Publisher Plus! Some day soon, I would like true slaving to disc, as
otherwise those of us with old 4 and 8Mb machines will have trouble
using some of the new features with complex documents.
8.3
Is it stable?
8.3
Opinions seem to vary, but the consensus among people I have spoken to
is “not as stable as it might be”. I crash it every couple of hours or
so, one Acorn dealer I spoke to crashes it every thirty minutes, while
one of my colleagues claims to be able to crash it simply by not
touching his machine for an hour! (You cannot be serious! Is anyone else
suffering this badly? Ed.)
8.3
CC point out that any program the size of Publisher will have bugs. I
accept this point, but the fact remains that the consequences of bugs
can be quite serious. One of my newsletters was delayed by several
weeks, due to the failure of a Risc PC/Publisher system to produce
reliable PostScript. It is unrealistic to expect all bugs to be removed
at once, but I think it is entirely reasonable to expect help from the
authors of a DTP program to find solutions in the meantime, bugs
notwithstanding.
8.3
(From discussions with people at Acorn World 94, I gather that
PostScript is a pain even outside the Acorn world − it’s just that so
many people need to get PostScript output from PCs and Macs typeset that
bureaux have learned how to get round the problems. Ed.)
8.3
I have observed a change in CC’s approach to customer support over the
last couple of years. At one point, new versions of Impression appeared
every couple of months and, usually, whichever bug bothered me was fixed
in the next version. The technical support staff provided technical
support, which in my case usually meant answering questions that were
beyond my Acorn dealer.
8.3
Impression 2.19 was far from bug free, particularly when it came to
producing PostScript output, and yet no upgrade or bug fix was made
available prior to the launch of Style and Publisher several months
later. Furthermore, a much improved version (2.5) existed and was being
sold as part of the Acorn Publishing System. T-J Reproductions
recommended that I upgrade to 2.5 in order to make their lives easier,
let alone mine, but Computer Concepts informed me that I was not a
‘professional’ user and would therefore have to wait for Publisher. (CC
did subsequently decide to let ordinary users buy 2.5 if they were
persistent enough.) Eventually, my company bought an Acorn Publishing
system just to get 2.5. If we had not done this, some of my typesetting
projects would have sat on my hard disc for almost a year − 2.19 simply
would not print them properly.
8.3
I know that some readers will think that criticising CC’s upgrade policy
is a bit rich, bearing in mind that their products are relatively cheap,
their upgrades are often free and most other companies do not offer free
technical support at all. However, I think it comes back to my point
about different users with different needs and budgets.
8.3
A hobby user of Style or Publisher probably does not need most of the
advanced features, and would rather wait for a major upgrade than spend
money on lots of bug fixes. For that matter, he may not want to spend
his money calling Computer Concepts to moan about any problems he
encounters. I do not doubt that there are many users like this in the
Acorn world.
8.3
On the other hand, I use my computer to produce professional artwork.
The cost of Publisher, let alone the upgrades, is not that significant
compared to the cost of a failed imagesetting run: one set of films for
a multi-page document can cost hundreds of pounds. If there is a new
version of Publisher that will help me to avoid expensive mistakes or
missed deadlines, I am willing to pay for it. I would also be willing to
pay for real technical support. If there are bugs which cannot be fixed,
I would like to know about them and how they can be avoided.
8.3
And if my problem is due to something not directly the fault of CC, I
would still appreciate constructive suggestions to make my overall
system work, rather than a disclaimer along the lines of “it’s all
Acorn’s fault, go talk to them.” I do not doubt, for example, that some
of my problems with PostScript files are due to the Acorn printer
driver, but it is quite ridiculous to market a program on an Acorn
platform and then to say that it doesn’t work because it is on an Acorn
platform.
8.3
My suggestions to improve what I perceive to be an unsatisfactory
situation would be as follows:
8.3
1: Provide minor or urgent bug fixes which do not add functionality to
the program free of charge or at the cost of the media and handling, as
in the past.
8.3
2: Sell major upgrades, as in the case of Publisher Plus.
8.3
3: Make interim versions of programs available to all users, at a price
sufficiently high to discourage people from buying them unless they
actually needed them.
8.3
4: Offer a premium technical support service, at a premium price, which
would include a monthly bug report with workarounds where possible,
automatic mailing of bug fixes and improved access to CC staff.
8.3
Copy protection
8.3
Computer Concepts say that the debate over dongles is over, and that
dongles are in everyone’s best interests. My dongles prevent me from
using RemoteFS to link my machines, and one of my early dongles did not
work with the dongled Turbo Driver lead. Even with a dongle dangle, I
find it difficult to fit all the dongles on the back of my desk, and due
to the dongle dangle, I cannot screw all the cables together, which I
consider to be somewhat risky.
8.3
Computer Concepts say that dongles are only inconvenient on ‘very rare
occasions’. If I am the only person who finds dongles a positive
nuisance, I promise not to mention them ever again, but if you feel
differently (or if you find them of positive benefit!) I would like to
hear from you.
8.3
Conclusion
8.3
Publisher is a superb program, and a great improvement on Impression II.
I would recommend all ‘power’ users to upgrade at once, and to take a
close look at Publisher Plus. There is probably less in either of these
programs for casual users, but then Style was designed for them anyway.
8.3
There are a few features I would like to see added, but overall it is
difficult to fault the range of facilities offered. The program is
certainly not bug free but, hopefully, CC will fix the serious bugs and
release a more stable version quickly. I do think that more support is
needed for professional users.
8.3
Next month...
8.3
I hope to take an in-depth look at imagesetting and other means of
preparing artwork for printing. I will also produce some hints and tips
on page layouts − unless, that is, I hear from you in the meantime!
8.3
Mark Howe, 2 Montee des Carrelets, 84360 Lauris, France.  A
8.3
Impression Publisher
8.3
Neil Whiteley-Bolton
8.3
Another look at Publisher by someone else using it in a professional
situation...
8.3
Impression Publisher is the evolutionary offspring of Impression, the
software product which, arguably, has had more impact on Acorn’s
presence in the Pre-Press World than any other. Impression Publisher has
been available for a number of months now, and reviews have appeared in
most of the Acorn magazines, but I wanted to wait until Publisher Plus
was released before writing this article.
8.3
Impression Publisher/Publisher Plus
8.3
Whilst Impression Publisher is an evolutionary development of the
Impression and Impression II packages, Publisher Plus has a number of
additional features intended to appeal to specialised professional
users. In conjunction with Style, they form a suite of programs
providing comprehensive ‘Document Processing’ facilities, ranging from
simple word processing to professional full colour page make-up. Each of
the applications is fully capable of meeting the vast majority of word
processing and page make-up requirements although, clearly, an
organisation needing to produce full colour layouts would choose
Publisher or Publisher Plus whereas somebody with simple word processing
requirements would probably settle for Style.
8.3
CC offer an upgrade path from Style to Publisher and to Publisher Plus,
so it is possible for a customer to purchase Style, and to upgrade if
and when they need the extra functionality. As I said in my review of
Style, I am fairly certain that most Archive readers will have at least
a passing familiarity with Impression I or II, and so I will proceed as
for my review of Style, by describing the differences between the
product and its predecessors. Style, Publisher and Publisher Plus
inherit, and build upon, the interface which has been tried and tested
in Impression, and enhanced with subsequent releases of the product.
8.3
The three products share a common set of features which are further
enhanced in Publisher and Publisher Plus. For those people who missed,
or cannot recall, my review of Style, the features common to the new
applications, but which were not present in Impression are:
8.3
•  interactive toolbar
8.3
•  improved text handling with selection and dragging of blocks of text
8.3
•  an extended Effects menu with ‘Kerning’ & ‘Tracking’, ‘Keep Together’
and ‘Ruler’ as well as ‘Bold’ and ‘Italic’
8.3
•  an enhanced Style dialogue
8.3
•  enhanced file handling with support for deep sprites
8.3
•  new graphic tool and numerous other features (refer to my Style
review for a more comprehensive description)
8.3
•  Object Linking and Embedding.
8.3
New features for Publisher are:
8.3
•  improved typographic controls − underline offset and size can now be
specified in the Text dialogue of the Style Dialogue
8.3
•  improved graphics control − Publisher supports irregular frames, and
there is a ‘make frame irregular’ on the Frame menu
8.3
•  graphics tool now has enhanced functionality (in fact, I suspect this
functionality was originally designed into the graphics tool, and
removed from Style for commercial reasons) − the pan, scale and rotate
handles in Style allow the graphic to be moved, resized and rotated
respectively
8.3
In Publisher and Publisher Plus, using <adjust> on these controls
affects the frame as well − i.e. the frame plus graphical object are
moved, resized and rotated. When a frame is rotated, Publisher
automatically makes it irregular. Irregular frames, when selected, have
a pale blue outline and the frame handles appear in dark blue, providing
a clear indication that the frame is irregular. Subsequently, the mouse
pointer changes to a dark blue frame handle when it passes over the
frame edge. New frame handles can be added by clicking <select> at the
desired point on the frame outline. The shape of the frame can be
altered by dragging any of the frame handles. All frame edges are
straight lines rather than curves, so the frame outline is always
described by straight lines drawn between adjacent control points. A
graphical object of virtually any complexity can thus be easily
enveloped by a frame, providing it has sufficient control points.
8.3
Publisher Plus
8.3
Publisher Plus has a number of extra features over and above those found
in Publisher. Principle amongst these is support for OPI (Open Pre-Press
Interface), a system aimed at minimising the problems associated with
working with high quality photographic images. These problems occur
principally because of the size of the files created when photographic
images are scanned at a sufficiently high resolution for them to be
placed in high quality printed documents. These files can be many tens
of megabytes in size − exceeding the amount of main memory available in
most computers, which makes the use of some sort of Virtual Memory
System essential. Additionally, the files take a long time to load to
and from disc, and the file size makes delivery of PostScript files to
an imagesetter very much more difficult.
8.3
Essentially, when using an OPI system, lower resolution images are used
in your Impression documents, to be replaced automatically by high
resolution images before the PostScript file is “RIPped”. Typically, you
would supply the bureau with the photographic prints or transparencies
which were to be included in the document, the bureau would scan these
and generate two image files for each photograph, the low resolution one
would be returned to you in one of a number of proprietary formats − EPS
(encapsulated PostScript), DCS (a variant of EPS holding pre-separated
data), Mac/PICT or PC/TIFF. Publisher can load EPS, DCS and TIFF files
and all bureaux are able to provide image files in at least one of these
formats. The OPI PostScript file generated from your document is
processed by an OPI interpreter, where the low resolution copy in your
document is replaced by the high resolution version which had been
retained by the bureau, before being fed to the imagesetter.
8.3
The idea is that the low resolution version of the image is of
sufficiently high quality for use in visualisations, and the system is
‘smart’ enough to retain information about positioning, scaling and, in
most cases, rotation of this low resolution image and apply the
appropriate corrections during interpretation. The system will not
retain information about modifications made to the image, so any image
processing needs to have been done at an earlier stage by the bureau.
8.3
Publisher Plus, which was originally going to be sold as an OPI
Supplement, has a number of other additional features:
8.3
•  Support for named colours, manifesting itself as an extra “Colour”
button on the Toolbar, and two new options on the Edit menu i.e. New
colour... and Edit colour....
8.3
•  Words count − Count words on the Utilities menu brings up a dialogue
which displays Words in document, Words in chapter, Words in story,
Truncated words and Words in selection
8.3
•  Swap case − (Ctrl-S) brings up a dialogue which provides the
following actions either at the cursor or to a selected region of text −
Capitalise start of sentences, Capitalise initial letters, All upper
case, All lower case or Swap case of all letters
8.3
•  Alter the page origin when printing − Two writable icons in the Print
setup dialogue allow X and Y displacements (negative values allowed) to
be applied to pages
8.3
All I have done in this review, as in my review of Style, earlier this
year is describe the features of the program. This is because CC’s
programs tend to work smoothly, consistently and reliably − I feel sure
that most Impression users could make productive use of the new Style/
Publisher features within half an hour of receiving the program!
8.3
There have been one or two criticisms made of CC recently, both on the
Internet (comp.sys.acorn) and via personal correspondence, and so I feel
it necessary to make my opinion clear on one or two issues.
8.3
Firstly, Publisher and Style had, when launched, more bugs than we are
used to finding with CC’s programs. Those I was aware of have now been
fixed, and I feel it is important that this should be put in
perspective. These are very sophisticated programs, and far more than
simply new releases of Impression − much of the code has been rewritten.
Even at their worst, CC are still better, in my opinion, than most
software houses when it comes to QA. I feel that much of the criticism
was in any case unjustified.
8.3
Secondly, CC have changed some of their keyboard short-cuts in line with
those in use on other systems. I say “big deal!” Many people, myself
included, have to work cross platform, and there is justification in
consistency − I would like to hear someone argue that one set of
keyboard short-cuts was intrinsically better than another.
8.3
Finally, people have complained that CC are no longer consistent with
regard to names of Dialogue buttons (the Close buttons on the Style
dialogue received considerable attention at one point). This is simply
not true, look more carefully, I would say!
8.3
I have produced work using all three of the new programs, and I find
them a pleasure to use, although I have not yet used the OPI facility in
Publisher Plus but will report as soon as possible. I feel that from the
users’ perspective, these are CC’s best programs to date.  A
8.3
Acorns in Business − Part 2
8.3
Richard Torrens
8.3
Inventory control
8.3
The basic way that we run our electronics manufacturing business is to
buy in standard parts, kit them out into batches for assembly, get them
assembled and test them. The task of stock inventory control lends
itself to computing. I have a database of stock parts: each single line
entry has the part number, the description of the part, the purchase
quantity, supplier, supplier’s reference, last price paid and last order
number. Parts are sorted in part number order.
8.3
The parts lists have a header block giving the part number of the
assembly, quantity to issue, dates of alterations and other relevant
information. The two left hand columns below the header contain only the
part number and the quantity per board. PipeDream looks up descriptions
and prices and calculates total piece part count for a kit of 50 (or
whatever quantity I enter). It also works out the current cost of the
assembly, looking up the parts from the main database.
8.3
PD4 also has a very useful ‘Set-value’ function which I have
incorporated in a custom function to write back the cost of the assembly
to the main database. This way, the assembly cost in the main database
is as current as the last time I accessed the parts list and I can also
use this assembly as a piece part of another with the costing
automatically being carried right through.
8.3
This system discourages me from specifying a new component since it
means adding data to the main database and it encourages good working
habits.
8.3
Purchasing
8.3
99% of the parts we purchase are for assembling into PCBs. I therefore
have a file ‘To_Order’ which looks up all the data from the parts
database. This file also looks up the next blank number in the Order
Numbers file! The first two ‘live’ lines of the ‘To_Order’ file are
‘Dummy line’ and 00-00.
8.3
To reorder a part, I simply click on the file icon on the backdrop. (I
use !PlaceIt − a PD version of !Pinboard, which has several
enhancements.) The parts database and a couple of other files are loaded
automatically. Then I mark one of these two first lines and copy it into
the body of the list. Thus, if I run short of our part number, say 31-
70, I mark the line ‘00-00’ and copy it. I then change the reference 00-
00 to 31-70.
8.3
PD4 looks up the Description, Supplier, Supplier’s reference, date of
last order, last order number and price paid last time. I normally wait
until I have several components that I need to reorder from the same
supplier before I make out a new order.
8.3
On the backdrop, I have a PD4 command file, ‘New_Order’. I click on this
and it loads all the necessary files, deletes the two dummy lines and
snapshots the relevant columns in the ‘To_Order’ file (i.e. the last
order number, date of last order and last price paid). I then enter the
supplier’s name in the appropriate square at the top. PD4 does a
calculation filling in the expected price for the quantity to be ordered
from this supplier: items from a different supplier it leaves blank so I
can see at a glance where I am. I then delete lines which are not
relevant to this order. Hey Presto − a completed order sheet and it even
displays the supplier’s phone number, contact name at the supplier and,
if it has the information, their standard carriage charge and, of
course, the VAT. I save this in the form ‘456_Fred’ where 456 is the
order number and Fred is the supplier. This makes sure that RISC OS
files the orders sequentially in number order.
8.3
If I am sending a written order, I click on a blank ‘Order’ form which
looks up the ‘To_Order’ list and fills itself in automatically. I simply
snapshot it, delete excess lines, print it and post it.
8.3
If I wish to fax the order, I save it as ‘New’ − which is its default
name. I then click on a file called ‘Fax_ it’. This loads a blank fax
order form which fills itself in from the file ‘New’. The ‘Fax_it’
command file goes through the fax order form snapshotting it.
8.3
I use ArcFax from David Pilling which has a cunning feature that if the
document being printed contains the text {xyz } ArcFax will
automatically fax it to ‘xyz’. This can either be a telephone number or
a name from the ArcFax directory. You can also fill in a name for ArcFax
to save to, and a time/date. If this is present, ArcFax will delay the
fax until the appropriate time/date then automatically fax it. The blank
fax order form has already looked up supplier’s fax number and
automatically filled in the ‘Faxto:’ and ‘Faxname’ information and so,
literally, all I have to do is remove the unused lines, check that it
looks OK and send it to the fax driver. ArcFax does the rest. The whole
system is seamless and effortless.
8.3
In due course, when the goods arrive and I have the invoice, I reopen
the saved order file, and check that prices agree. If they don’t, I
either argue with the supplier or fill in the new price in a spare
column (so I can see from this order both the old and the new price).
PD4 recalculates the invoice amount from the new price. When the order
sheet agrees with the invoice and I am happy, I write ‘Fix’ in one
special slot. PD4 now writes back to the parts database the new order
number, date of order and new price. I then pull in another Command file
‘Fix_Order’ which snapshots the document and removes a few redundant
slots (such as the column which does the write-back). I save the
document and refile it in the Finished directory.
8.3
The whole process is pleasant to use, minimises errors and takes the
minimum time. If only I could get PD4 to transfer money into my bank
account to pay the bills!
8.3
I hope these first two articles have given you a few ideas of the sorts
of things you can do with PD4. Its main strength is that it is very
versatile but this is also, in some respects, its undoing. In common
with most computer software, the more versatile it is, the harder it can
be to use, However, without a doubt, the most difficult thing in
programming PD4 is the human element of defining the task in such a way
that it can be delegated to PD4. This often seems, at least initially,
to be more difficult than simply doing the task by hand. However, the
more I automate office work into PD4, the easier the task becomes. I
certainly am more productive now than before I started to use PD4 and,
as the business grows, I find more and more tasks which I can do in a
consistent method, so PD4 can take over.
8.3
Feedback
8.3
These two articles have deliberately not said much about the exact
methods I use as I have tried not to get too technical. If you want
further information on any of the details, I can supply this
individually.
8.3
If you have any comments/suggestions/criticisms/requests, you can
contact me at: 30 Reach Road, Burwell, Cambridgeshire, CB5 0AH. Phone or
fax on 01638-741930 at any reasonable time (I work from home).  A
8.3
Text Import − Part 1
8.3
Jim Nottingham
8.3
Originally, this article was planned to cover how to get your Acorn
machine to make sense of text once it had been imported from, for
example, a laptop such as the Samsung ‘Magic Note’ (Archive 8.1 p31).
However, it seems text manipulation is one of the things readers have
been asking about in the recent Archive questionnaires, so I
provisionally agreed with Paul to extend the article to cover a wider
range of ‘foreign’ text imports from Macs, IBM-compatibles and the like.
8.3
The idea seems to have caught on even before I put digits to keyboard
and it has become clear that we should perhaps make the article as
suitable for the beginner as for the relatively experienced reader. It
has therefore grown from the original single page to the point where we
ought to split it into two sessions. This first part will consider the
overall problem of text import with some of the terminology and basic
ground rules, and the second will build on this knowledge to introduce
specific methods of converting imported text to Acorn-speak. Much of
what will be discussed has already appeared piecemeal in the Hints and
Tips columns of earlier issues of Archive but, for the benefit of recent
subscribers, this is an opportunity to revisit the subject, pull it all
together and add some more hints.
8.3
The problem
8.3
Part of my day job for ‘UK plc’ is to collate, edit and publish
technical reports, incorporating material from the boffins worldwide.
The graphics and text come in a myriad of formats ranging from something
called ASCII to what looks like Zarathustrian. I can be sure of three
things: Firstly, foreign graphics import will not normally present a
problem (thanks to an ever-widening range of transfer utilities such as
ChangeFSI, ImageFS and Translator); secondly, the text will invariably
come up as ‘scribble’ on the Acorn; thirdly, the material will always be
late. This last factor means there simply isn’t time to go back to the
originator for a reformat of the text − or even to find out what the
format is − and I have to make the best of what I get. So, of necessity,
over a period and by dint of empirical sampling (posh phrase for suck it
and see...), I’ve managed to deduce a number of ways of making some
sense of what I’m given. These methods will be discussed in Part 2.
8.3
Commercial solutions
8.3
On the face of it, effective text import utilities seem to be in the
minority. My own view is that this is probably to be expected as there
are so many possible variations in format that, to be all-embracing, a
program would have to be extremely clever. Presently, some applications
such as Impression Publisher do incorporate modules which purport to
allow foreign text formats to be loaded directly. However, the range is
by no means exhaustive and, in practice, individual modules do not
appear to work very well. I think this is probably because there are
significant formatting differences between the diverse versions of any
one application (e.g. Wordperfect variants such as WP from my Magic
Note, WP v5.1 for DOS, WP v5.2 for Windows, and so on). Clearly this
problem is by no means limited to Acorn machines and there is no such
thing as an industry standard. (There’s an excellent review of the
current state of affairs on p21 of the October ’94 issue of Acorn User.)
8.3
All this may seem odd as, surely, text is text? This is primarily true,
but it is not unusual for a single page of text to be interspersed and
surrounded by literally pages of what appears to be scribble. These are
the formatting commands used by the foreign application. It is our job
to recognise the original text and devise ways of filtering out the
‘noise’. As the proud owner of (any) Acorn machine − and unlike Macs and
PCs − it won’t cost you anything apart from your time because, in Edit,
you already have an excellent piece of software to do the job.
8.3
ASCII codes
8.3
On to the terminology we will need to use, starting with the ‘signal’,
i.e. the actual alpha-numeric characters that we will wish to finish up
with on screen and, eventually, in print. Fortunately for us, Gerald
Fitton wrote a very clear and informative section on this in a recent
issue of Archive (7.11 p23), so from now on I will assume you will have
re-read that and understand the relevance of ASCII (pronounced “Askey”)
which is the acronym for the American Standard Code for Information
Interchange.
8.3
To reiterate briefly, the 256 ASCII codes to which Gerald refers are
basically sub-divided into three; the printer instruction codes (ASCII
codes 0-31), the alphanumeric characters you see on your keyboard
(covered by codes 32-127) and all the ‘funny’ characters you may wish to
add in by some means (codes 128-255). The ASCII codes and the characters
to which they relate are not presented very clearly in the various Acorn
user-guides, if at all, so I’ve listed the so-called ‘standard’ set on
the table. (In fact it’s by no means standard but I’ll discuss that
later.)
8.3
Binary code
8.3
Gerald described the binary code system used by the computer which
always confuses me but, fortunately, we won’t need to use that in this
exercise. The only significance here is that, as was mentioned, the
‘funny’ characters always start with a binary number 1 instead of 0 and
so are often called the ‘top-bit set’ characters.
8.3
Hexadecimal code
8.3
Just when we thought we’d avoided clever counting systems, in comes
another − the hexadecimal system − often abbreviated to hex and, in
print, usually preceded by the ampersand character (&). We good
Europeans are quite used to working in decimal notation (0-9); hex is
just another system, this time counting in sixteens (0-15). British
readers of a certain age, like me, will find this relatively easy
because we used to have to count in sixteens! (Hands up the wrinklies
who remember the good old days when we had 16 ounces to the pound.)
8.3
The problem with representing hex numbers on screen or paper, using just
the conventional decimal numbers 0-9, is that we run out of characters.
So the hex system uses the lower-case letters a-f to represent the six
decimal numbers 10-15. Confused? So am I. Not to worry, I’ve listed the
ASCII characters on the table in both decimal and hexadecimal formats so
that we can work out the relationship and use whichever system is
appropriate.
8.3
Why do we need hexadecimal? Well, have a look at the following which is
a typical result of text imported direct from a ‘foreign’ word-processor
into Edit:
8.3
  [1d]
8.3
  [00][09]Ð[02]@[02] [05]
8.3
  [00][1d]Now is the winter of our discontent [0d]
8.3
  Made glorious summer by this sun of York [0d]
8.3
  And all the clouds that lour’d upon our house [0d]
8.3
  In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.[1a]
8.3
In this short sample, the required text is easily recognised but there
are a couple of ‘funny’ characters and some strange-looking numbers in
square brackets, e.g. [1d]. In Edit and some other text-processors, a
number in square brackets is used, conventionally, to represent an ASCII
character whose number is given in hexadecimal format. For example, if
you look up &0d and &1a in the table, you will see they are the same as
the decimal numbers 13 and 26. We will need to devise a method to strip
out all these funny hex numbers and this will be discussed in Part 2.
8.3
Printer codes
8.3
The ASCII codes in the range 0-31 will not actually reproduce characters
on screen but are used as coded commands, often embedded in the text, to
tell the computer and/or printer to carry out a particular operations.
Numerically, they are the exact equivalent of the Basic VDU commands so,
for example, ASCII code 13, Hex code &0d and VDU 13 all mean the same
thing; Carriage Return. I’ve put a selection of the meanings of these
codes on the table (from Beeb days, you may recognise VDU2/3 as Printer
on/off).
8.3
Further considerations
8.3
That really concludes coverage of the terminology and ground rules we
will need to be familiar with to progress to Part 2 of this article.
However, having introduced the ‘standard’ ASCII character set and
presented the table, we can usefully go on to consider allied topics
which, although nothing to do with foreign text import, you may
nevertheless find a worthwhile refresher.
8.3
Standardisation
8.3
Although the ASCII codes are supposedly a standard way of representing
characters, they are by no means universal as, strictly speaking, they
apply only to the ISO 8859/1 ‘Latin1 Alphabet’ font. Your computer
should be set to this default on delivery. If appropriate to your needs,
you can configure the computer to use a different alphabet such as Latin
2-4, Cyrillic or Greek. The range of available alphabets and how to get
the computer to use them will vary with the version of RISC OS you have,
so see your User Guide for details. I believe that, apart from Hebrew,
characters in the ASCII range 32-127 are standard. However, the ones in
the range 128-255 may well vary with the alphabet you are using.
8.3
There will be other reasons why a supposedly⇦ standard Latin1 alphabet
font, on paper and/or screen, will not give the characters listed on the
table and you need to watch out for this. Some of the reasons are:
8.3
•  Printers will not necessarily replicate the characters you see on
screen. With PostScript printers for example, the font resident in the
printer must be an exact replica of the outline font you are using for
screen display. Elsewhere, the printer-driver may not be perfect and − a
common example − give you a hash (#) when you wanted a £.
8.3
•  Many fonts, particularly those from PD sources or ‘fancy’ fonts, will
not reproduce all the characters in the top-bit set. Some do not include
any characters in the ASCII range above 127. If you try to enter a
character which has not been added to the set, not surprisingly, it will
not be displayed on screen. In some applications, you might get the
equivalent hex number displayed, in square brackets. In others, you will
apparently get nothing at all. I say “apparently” because, in fact, you
are actually getting a blank character with zero width.
8.3
•  Some font suppliers have their own minor variations, usually in the
ASCII range 128-143. The Electronic Font Foundry, for instance, have
what they call the ‘EFF Extensions’ and even Acorn’s fonts are not fully
100% standard to ISO 8859.
8.3
•  Acorn’s bit-map System font is an odd-ball and produces some
different characters in the ASCII range 128-159.
8.3
•  Some fonts are designed and produced for a specific purpose and the
character set is almost wholly different from the standard with which we
are familiar. Examples are foreign fonts such as Bengali, or symbol
fonts such as Dingbats or MathGreek.
8.3
Entering top-bit set characters
8.3
The top-bit set characters, i.e. those in the ASCII range 128-255, do
not appear on the keyboard, so how do we get them onto the screen and
printed? Let us take a fairly common one as a working example; the ©
copyright character. In practice, we have a number of solutions
available to us:
8.3
•  Text utilities − RISC OS 3.1 machines come with the Acorn program
!Chars in the Apps directory and there are others. Again, Gerald Fitton
has covered this well in his article (Archive 7.11 p24). The only point
I would add is that, when using the utility, it often helps to select
the required outline font in the !Chars window as this displays the
particular range of characters included in that font. This also works
for the foreign and symbol fonts. If we don’t do this, the Acorn System
font will be displayed by default and, as discussed above, we may well
get something completely different. To enter the © character into a
text-processor, all we need to do is position the caret where we want
the character to appear, and click <select> on © in the !Chars window.
This method is probably the most user-friendly and is universal, i.e. it
always works for any available character and for any outline font.
Usually, this is used for entering top-bit set characters, although I
know somebody who has a dicky key on his keyboard which won’t produce a
5 or % so, rather than go to the expense of a repair or replacement, he
uses !Chars instead!
8.3
(Health Warning: using !Chars can seriously damage your document’s
health. Let me explain. An alternative way of entering characters with
!Chars is to place the pointer over the desired character and press
<shift>. So, if you accidentally leave the pointer over the !Chars
window while you carry on typing, every time you press <shift>, you will
add whatever character happens to be under the pointer at the time −
this can be very disconcerting if you don’t know what is happening. Ed.)
8.3
•  Alt key + numeric keypad − We can input any ASCII character into a
text-processor by positioning the caret where we want the character
entered, pressing and holding down <Alt>, typing the 2- or 3-digit ASCII
code (using decimal as listed on the table) on the numeric keypad and
then releasing <Alt>. Nothing will appear to happen until we release
<Alt>, at which point the character will appear. For example, for the ©
character, we would need Alt + 169. This method is also universal but
assumes the character is included in the font used.
8.3
•  Alt key + character − In a similar way to the previous case, you can
sometimes use the Alt key in conjunction with a designated character on
the main keyboard. However, this method is not available for all the
top-bit set characters and varies between different versions of RISC OS
− the ones that are available on the Risc PC (i.e. v3.50) are listed on
the table. So, to enter the © character, we can press <Alt> and type in
<C>, and the character will immediately appear. Note that in this case,
because the ‘control’ letter is an upper-case character, we also have to
press the Shift key, so we actually need to type <shift-alt-c>. As
another example, typing <alt-4> is a quick way of getting a ¼ character.
The codes for RISC OS 3.1 characters are listed in Archive 6.1 p9. The
codes for RISC OS 2 and OS 3.0 characters are listed in Archive 5.1 p10.
8.3
•  Accents − All the accented characters in the top-bit set can be
entered by pressing <alt> and a designated key, releasing them and then
typing the unaccented character, at which point the accented version
will appear. These combinations are shown on the table, in italics to
distinguish them from the previous option. So, for example, if we press
and release the Alt and ] keys, and then type A, we will get À (ASCII
code 192). A few more details are given in Archive 6.2 pp8/9.
8.3
•  ‘Hard’ characters − There are two characters in the top-bit set
which, on the face of it, are identical to their keyboard counterparts
but which can be usefully used in particular circumstances. These are
the ‘hard space’ (ASCII code 160) and the ‘hard hyphen’ (ASCII code
153). The hard space can be used when we might prefer to keep together
two elements normally separated by a space and which otherwise may be
split onto two lines by the text processor. My postcode YO4 2EY is a
typical example. We can enter a hard space by using !Chars (click on the
‘space’ just before the ¡ character), typing <alt­160> or typing <alt-
space>. The hard space is also useful for putting spaces into disc
filenames (I always think ‘Read Me’ looks more elegant than ‘ReadMe’ or
‘Read_Me’ but that’s a personal thing). Similarly, many text processors
can split hyphenated words or phrases onto two lines and this may reduce
clarity (e.g. you wouldn’t want “<shift-ctrl-f4>” to be split). In this
event, entering hard hyphens by using !Chars, typing <alt-173> or typing
<alt-hyphen> will prevent this happening. The three longer hyphens or
‘dashes’ (ASCII codes 151, 152 and 153 are also ‘hard’ characters).
8.3
Whichever system or systems you use will depend on your personal taste
but the options give a powerful set of choices. My own preference is to
use <Alt> in conjunction with the numeric keypad as it is a convenient,
universal method without need to call up another utility. However, as
none of the user-guides include a convenient listing of the ASCII code
characters, I always have a handy reference chart available. This is
simply a cut-down version of the table so I’m including a drawfile
version for the monthly disc (ASCIIChars). If you want an A4 printout,
please send me a stamped, SAE.
8.3
That’s it for this part. Part 2 is planned for inclusion next month, Ed
permitting, and we’ll get down to the nitty-gritty of foreign text
import, perhaps with examples on the monthly disc for you to try
massaging. Jim Nottingham, 16 Westfield Close, Pocklington, York, YO4
2EY.  A
8.3
An Introduction to SCSI
8.3
David Webb, NCS
8.3
Following Jim Nottingham’s useful discussion of compatibility between
SCSI cards and drives last month (8.2 p57), I have adapted one of NCS’
user guides to help explain the SCSI system to new (and potential)
users. I also hope to shed some light on the more murky issues such as
termination, SCSI IDs and formatting.
8.3
When working for a dealership like NCS, it is easy to get used to how
arcane and jargon-infested the computer industry is. We try to help
people make the right decision on what they need and what to buy. But in
an area like hard disc drives, and especially SCSI, it is hard to make
an good decision unless you understand the dealer’s advice. Even when
the goods arrive, it is easy for a user to follow the installation
instructions but still not understand the product they have bought or
how they can get the best from it. The description that follows is to
help people thinking of buying a SCSI system, and those who already have
one, to understand what the system consists of and what needs to be done
to get it all working.
8.3
The SCSI system
8.3
The Small Computer Systems Interface, or SCSI (pronounced scuzzy) was
developed to allow computers to communicate with various peripheral
devices. It has been used extensively in Apple Macintosh’s, PCs and
work-station computers to provide a standard and versatile platform for
connecting different types of device to different computers, made by
different manufacturers. The ANSI specification for SCSI describes the
full details of how it all works, but the following summary should cover
all you need to know in order to get a SCSI system working.
8.3
A SCSI system consists of one or more initiator devices (e.g. the SCSI
controller card in the computer) and one or more target devices (e.g. a
hard disc drive). The number of initiators and targets does not matter
as long as there are no more than eight devices altogether. Most SCSI
systems on Acorn computers have the controller card in the the computer
as the only initiator and one or more target devices such as hard
drives, scanners, or printers.
8.3
The SCSI chain and termination
8.3
All the devices in a SCSI system are arranged in a single chain, i.e.
several devices connected by a chain of cables. There cannot be any
loops or branches. It doesn’t matter which order devices go in the chain
(although the connectors and cables on some devices may make a certain
arrangement the easiest). With any SCSI chain, there are two and only
two ends. Both ends must be terminated, which means that a set of
resistors is fitted to ensure the quality of the signals.
8.3
In the simplest system with a controller fitted to the computer and one
hard disc drive inside it, both must be terminated. When you purchase a
drive or a controller card, it will have terminators fitted. On an
internal hard drive, the terminator will be two, three or four thin
strips (resistor packs) inserted just behind the SCSI cable connector as
shown below. On a SCSI controller card, the terminator is usually three
resistor packs near the cable connector. Consult your SCSI card user
guide to check.
8.3
An external SCSI device, such as an external hard drive (with its own
case and power supply) or a scanner, also needs to be terminated if it
is at one end of the chain. External hard drives are sometimes
terminated on the drive mechanisms themselves, in the same way as
internal drives. If so, you will need to open the case to change the
termination. Most external devices, however, have two SCSI cable
connectors which makes everything much simpler. These connectors are
usually the Centronics (or Amphenol) type but sometimes they are IDC.
The two types are shown below. Some SCSI cards and devices are supplied
with D-type connectors. These look the same as a printer port connector
on the back of your computer. They behave like the other two kinds of
connector − you just need to have a cable with an appropriate plug on
it.
8.3
With these external devices, the two connectors are identical. One is
used to bring the signals from the rest of the chain, while the other is
used either to terminate or to pass the signal to the next device in the
chain. (It doesn’t matter which is used for which.) External terminators
looks like Centronics connectors with no cable coming out of them.
8.3
When there are more than two devices, only the two devices at the ends
of the chain must be terminated. If terminators are fitted to any of the
devices in between, the signals may be corrupted. This can cause damage,
and it will create an unreliable system. Termination applies to the SCSI
controller card as well so it must not be terminated if it is in the
middle of a chain.
8.3
The diagram opposite shows three correctly terminated chains.
8.3
SCSI devices and ID numbers
8.3
The SCSI system needs a way of identifying the devices attached to it,
so each has a unique ID number between 0 and 7. Most SCSI controller
cards come preset to device number 7, leaving 0 to 6 for peripheral
devices.
8.3
Some SCSI cards require that devices be added in sequential order. This
means that if only one device is attached, it must be device 0, or in
the case of two devices, they must use ID numbers 0 and 1. Check your
SCSI controller’s user guide to see if it has requirements like these.
8.3
Many external SCSI devices have switches at the back which display the
current device number and allow it to be changed easily. Otherwise, you
may have to open up the case and alter the position of three links on
the underside of the drive itself. The three links are usually labelled
A0, A1 and A2 or something similar. The device ID is a binary number,
made up from the presence or absence of these three links. A fitted link
is a binary 1 and no link is a binary 0. The SCSI ID number is made up
as follows:
8.3
Connecting up the SCSI chain
8.3
Bearing in mind the termination, you should be able to connect
everything up in a single chain. Because there are so many different
SCSI controllers and because devices have different types of connector,
you may find that the cables you have available will dictate the order
of the devices in the chain. You may even find that you don’t have all
the necessary cables to connect things together at all. For instance,
some devices (such as some flatbed scanners) have only a single
Centronics connector and a special lead must be used (and should be
provided) which allows the chain to be passed on or terminated. Most
dealers can supply cables to suit most situations.
8.3
It is advisable to switch on the external devices before switching on
the computer. It is not necessary to have all the devices in a chain
switched on for the chain to operate, but the two terminated devices
need to be left on to ensure that the terminators are powered correctly.
No device should ever be disconnected from the chain while any of the
devices is switched on.
8.3
SCSI software − Configuring the system
8.3
The devices in the SCSI system need to be identified to the computer
before they can be used. Some devices are only used by specific pieces
of software and the computer does not need to be told about them. For
instance, a scanner is only of use to scanning software, so it does not
need to be seen as a device on the iconbar. Similarly, a SCSI printer
will have its own software (i.e. a printer driver) to make it available
to the user. In fact, the only devices you do need to tell the computer
about are storage devices. These include hard disc drives, flopticals,
CD-ROM drives†, magneto-optical drives, removable hard drives and tape
streamers‡.
8.3
(† You will only be able to add CD-ROM drives to SCSI controllers that
have CDFS. If yours does not, contact the manufacturer of the card and
ask about an upgrade. Photo CD may require a further update for CDFS.)
8.3
(‡ In most cases, tape streamers will be accessed through special
software and can be ignored by configuration software.)
8.3
Even if some of the devices in your system do not need to be seen by the
filing system they must all have unique SCSI ID numbers.
8.3
SCSI controller cards from different manufacturers each have a slightly
different way of identifying devices to the computer. Consult the user
guide for your card for details of how to configure the system. You
should end up with hard disc icon for each drive in the chain. CD-ROM
drives will appear as a compact disc icon.
8.3
Drive numbers vs Device numbers
8.3
If your system is configured correctly, you will have a separate drive
icon for each drive (or, where applicable, each RISC OS partition − see
below for explanation of ‘partitions’) in your SCSI system. Each icon
will have a separate number (e.g. SCSIDrive4, SCSIDrive5) but these
numbers will not conform to the ID numbers set on each device. Hard
drives will be numbered between 4 and 7 on most SCSI cards. CD-ROM
drives will usually start from 0. Like many aspects of configuration,
this convention varies between SCSI cards so you must check with the
user guide if you are unsure.
8.3
Formatting and initialising
8.3
The procedure will vary between different SCSI cards so, again, you must
consult the user guide for your card before formatting or partitioning.
8.3
Most SCSI storage devices or cartridges will be supplied formatted, but
some may not yet be ready to accept data. There are two levels of format
that a magnetic drive has. A low-level format is the preparation of the
disc surface for data storage. Drives are always supplied formatted in
this way. The higher level format simply writes to that part of the disc
that contains the map of where any data and free space are to be found
on the disc surface. Because this map varies between computers, you will
often find that a new drive is supplied either with no map, or with a
map for a different kind of computer. If you receive a cartridge or disc
that claims to be formatted for Archimedes then this high-level format
will have been carried out. A drive that is not ready for use will
return an error message telling you that it cannot be understood, when
you click on its icon.
8.3
If you have a new, unformatted drive, or you wish to format a drive to
wipe it clean, you need only carry out the high-level format. You should
not carry out a low-level format. It is unnecessary and can be harmful.
Some high-specification models of drive now strongly advise against
carrying out a low-level format. The only useful outcome of a low-level
format is that it makes any unreliable patches on the surface
unavailable for storage. This can also be achieved by carrying out a
verify operation so you should have no need to format a drive.
8.3
Most formatting software offers both levels of formatting. The first is
often specifically called Format. The high-level format is mostly
referred to as initialise or section.
8.3
N.B. The terms format, initialise, section and partition can have
different meanings depending of the literature you read. Use the guide
book for your SCSI controller card for definitions as they apply to your
system. Literature supplied with the drives themselves sometimes refers
to PCs or Macs and may be misleading.
8.3
This discussion applies to magnetic discs such as fixed and removable
hard drives. Magneto-optical and floptical drives have specific
formatting needs and you should consult the literature provided with
these devices for advice.
8.3
Partitions
8.3
There are two reasons for partitioning a drive. Firstly, the RISC OS
operating system can only address a single device up to 512Mb in size. A
1Gb drive would therefore need to be partitioned into two logical
devices of 512Mb each (but sharing the same SCSI ID number.)
Alternatively, you can set aside part of the disc for use by another
operating system. For instance, on Acorn RISCiX systems, a separate
partition is required for the Unix operating system. The formatting
software provided with your SCSI card will explain how partitioning is
carried out. For most SCSI users, the whole disc surface will be used as
a single drive.
8.3
N.B. PC partitions are different in that they take the form of a special
directory under RISC OS. They do not require the disc to be partitioned
at a low level.
8.3
SCSI 2
8.3
SCSI 2 controller cards have begun to appear in the Acorn market. This
is a faster system based largely on the SCSI standard. The significant
speed improvement comes from the increase in the size of the data bus to
32 bits, allowing data to be transferred in bigger chunks. Most SCSI
devices will work happily connected to either a SCSI or a SCSI 2
controller, but new devices are likely to make better use of the
improvements. The most significant difference to the user, apart from
the speed, is that the connectors are slightly different. The Cumana
SCSI 2 interface has a half pitch 68 way Centronics connector. Cables to
connect this to a regular SCSI Centronics connector are available.  A
8.3
Document Production Column
8.3
Gerald Fitton
8.3
Although the November 1994 issue of Archive has been out for only a few
days as I write, I have had a lot of positive reaction to the changes in
the nature of this column. The general reaction to the content of last
month’s article is that you’d like to hear more of my ideas and that you
do want to develop a strategy for upgrading your hardware and software
system. Whilst I shall concentrate on those components of a system which
are related to document production, I’m sure that what I say this month
will also be of relevance to those wishing to use their computer systems
for multimedia and those applications which use large sprite files.
8.3
In this article, I shall consider backup storage (such as hard and
floppy discs) and help you to develop a strategy which I hope will be
suitable for your present and future requirements.
8.3
What should be on a hard disc?
8.3
Much has been written about the ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ way of using a hard
disc. My view is that it is important to have all the applications which
you use frequently in the root directory of your internal hard disc.
8.3
I’ve checked my hard disc space and found that less than 15Mb (including
about 5Mb of fonts) is taken up by these applications. So you’ll see
that, even if you have a lot more applications than I have, and store
all your applications on your hard disc, you might at most use 20Mb.
8.3
Now let’s reverse the argument. If you have an ‘old’ machine, the
chances are that your hard disc is only 20Mb or 40Mb.  When I bought the
A440 (an ‘old’ A440 − not to be confused with the much later A440/1), a
20Mb hard disc was ‘large’. One day it failed suddenly and
catastrophically – so I replaced it with a 40Mb hard disc. If your hard
disc is 40Mb or less, I recommend to you that you use it almost
exclusively for applications and not for what I shall call ‘Data’ (see
below).
8.3
I shall return to the subject of applications, where to put them and how
to select ‘useful applications’ when I discuss software in another
article.
8.3
Wasted RAM
8.3
I have read that it is a ‘bad thing’ to let RISC OS see all your
applications by having them in the root directory of the hard disc.
Usually, the writer goes on to point out the fact that as applications
are seen, their !Boot files are run. This leads to memory being used up
by sprites and system variables related to applications which you know
you won’t use during that session.
8.3
This is true − the !Boot file (usually) puts all the sprites relating to
that application into the sprite pool. The !Boot files also create
system variables which help applications to identify which files belong
to them.
8.3
Although I shall discuss the factors which determine the ‘optimum’ size
of RAM in another article I want to convince you that the amount of
memory used for this is minimal and that you ought to afford it. (If you
think you can’t afford it because you have a 1Mb or 2Mb machine, you
need think about upgrading to 4Mb or 8Mb − believe me, it’s worth it if
you are thinking in terms of document preparation.)
8.3
Have a look at the sprite ‘tasks’ above and you will see that I have
used less than 128Kb of system workspace on sprites and system
variables. (By the way, the entry “System sprites 0K” does not mean that
there are no sprites used by the system. Sprites belonging to
applications are no longer stored in this area of RAM.)
8.3
By running all the !Boot files, I have set up my ‘system’ so that if I
open a directory containing a file which can be run with one of my
applications (for example, an Impression file which runs in Style), that
file will display the correct icon. Furthermore, if I double-click on
that file icon, the appropriate application (such as Style) will load
onto the iconbar and the file will load into the application. What I
don’t have to do is open a directory (on my hard disc − or worse, on a
floppy) containing that application. I personally think that 128Kb is a
small price to pay for the convenience of the visibility of the file
icons and the ‘double-click’ to start.
8.3
Yet another reason for this strategy exists − Object Linking and
Embedding (OLE) has arrived. You will find it as a feature of Style and
Publisher, for example. Using Style (or Publisher), if you hold down
<ctrl> and double-click on an embedded drawfile, Draw will be loaded to
the iconbar and the drawfile loaded into it ready for editing. When you
have finished editing the drawfile, you can save it directly back to
Style. If Style can’t find Draw, when you <ctrl> double-click on the
picture, you’ll get an error message. As OLE becomes more common, it
will be increasingly important that the embedded object can find its
application when you <ctrl> double-click on it. This in itself is a good
reason for installing all your commonly used applications in the root
directory of your hard disc.
8.3
(I use Pinboard for my applications which means that the boot files are
run but the root directory of my hard drive is not clogged up with
applications. It would be interesting to hear what other people do. Ed.)
8.3
Back up your hard drive!
8.3
If your hard disc fails, you have a problem. Often you can reformat it
and it will work again − at least for a while. If all you have on your
hard disc is applications then, in theory at least, you can go back to
the master discs which came with your applications and install them
again. What you might lose is your personalised configuration settings,
and, for packages such as PipeDream, Fireworkz and Publisher, you will
lose your user dictionaries. Even if you have only applications on your
hard disc, it is well worth making a back up − not necessarily every
time you add a few words to your user dictionary, but at least every
couple of months!
8.3
Using the hard disc for data
8.3
As a general rule, I think that it is a ‘bad thing’ to use your main
hard disc for data. By data I mean data which is unique to you. If you
create a document such as a spreadsheet in PipeDream or a leaflet in
Style then this data is unique to you. It’s no good writing to either
Colton Software or Computer Concepts and asking for a new copy of your
latest masterpiece!
8.3
If your data consists of many relatively small files (such as letters)
then I recommend that you use a series of floppy discs, each one named
in a meaningful way such as BusLetters, VAT_93, TaxReturn, Club_01,
Invoice_01, etc. When I expressed this opinion previously, I received a
most interesting letter from one of our members. He said “By all means
use the floppies as working discs but use the hard disc as your back
up”. It’s an interesting idea which has a lot of merit.
8.3
The ‘big job’
8.3
In spite of what I have said, I have to tell you that I do use my hard
disc for data. I have separate master floppy discs for every PipeLine
(and ZLine) disc. When someone wants a back number I can simply make a
copy of the floppy using Backup. Nevertheless, I also have a copy of
every one of those masters in a 4PL (or ZL) directory on my hard disc.
Currently, the total contents of 4PL runs to about 15Mb and grows each
time I produce another PipeLine disc. The advantage to me is that (when
I am creating a new disc for PipeLine) I can find any previous article
much more quickly than if I had to keep loading floppies. The hard disc
has faster access than floppies.
8.3
Generally speaking, if you have a task which requires fast access to
selections from a lot of your data, it might be a good idea to load all
the data you might want onto your hard disc before you start. Whether
it’s worth taking it off the hard disc at the end of the job depends on
two things. The first is that you might want to use it again fairly
soon. The second is that you might not have enough space on your hard
disc for the next ‘big job’. I suspect that publishers of magazines such
as Archive might find themselves in that position. The temptation is to
buy a bigger hard disc rather than remove the ‘unwanted’ files. I
believe that this is the wrong strategy.
8.3
You might need your hard disc for such a ‘big job’ even if your interest
involves the use of many medium size files of say 100Kb each. For
example, you might have many digitised pictures as sprites which you
wish to merge or include within a DTP report. In such a case, it is far
more efficient to load all the pictures onto the hard disc before you
start rather than inserting many floppies full of pictures.
8.3
The ‘big file’
8.3
Another form of ‘big job’ is a database which is too large to keep on
one floppy. The membership list for a large Club (or User Group) might
be in this category. At the moment, I can get all the membership details
of the User Groups which I run, into one file which will fit onto one
floppy – but the time is coming soon when that won’t be possible. What
can be done about the data file except keep it on the hard disc?
8.3
Let me do a little gazing into the near future. It is my opinion that
many people who have an interest in document production or databases
will find themselves using larger and larger files. If you have an
interest in multimedia then soon you too will have ‘big files’.
8.3
I don’t think it will be long before a significant proportion of Archive
readers will be unable to store their ‘masterpiece’ or database on a
single floppy disc. Yes! I know that floppy discs are getting larger and
that 800Kb discs are being replaced by 1.6Mb discs – but 1.6Mb might
still not be enough. One of the ‘rules’ beloved by futurists (but I
think that this one is OK) is that when you ‘double’ something, more
often than not, there is no noticeable change in ‘usability’. I’m a
great believer in the ‘tenfold rule’ which, in one form, states that if
you’re going to make a major change, you should go for a tenfold
increase. I think that doubling the size of floppy discs will give you
only temporary relief – and the timescale for doubling floppy disc
capacity from 1.6Mb to 3.2Mb is further away than you think!
8.3
Hard discs − Tape streamers − etc
8.3
So, what can you do about permanent storage for such large documents? In
the following discussion, I am going to assume that you are going to
generate many such ‘big files’.
8.3
I guess that your first thought will be, “I’ll buy a larger hard disc”.
I know many who have taken that route − and later bought an even larger
one − and then a larger one still! Then you wonder what you can discard
from the biggest hard disc you can afford. Let me return to bigger and
bigger and then bigger again hard discs in another article – accept that
I don’t think it’s the ‘best’ solution for the ‘big file’ problem.
8.3
Another answer, but not a very satisfactory one in my view, is to back
up the large document onto a set of many floppy discs. There are ways of
‘breaking up’ a large document into many small ones and there are ways
of backing up a large file without fragmenting it but spreading it over
several floppy discs. From my correspondence, it would seem that this
‘solution’ has a certain attraction and a significant number of
followers.
8.3
Another way of storing ‘big files’ is to buy a tape streamer. A tape
streamer is rather like a ‘souped up’ cassette tape recorder which will
store a copy of your hard disc, or parts of it, on special cassette
tape. Tape streamers have been the conventional commercial solution. For
the home user, I don’t like the idea because it tends to be slow and,
even more important in my view, generally it isn’t flexible enough to
allow you to back up your ‘big file’ easily in such a way that you can
replace it with another ‘big file’ on your hard disc without shutting
down the machine between ‘big file’ loadings.
8.3
Interchangeable hard discs
8.3
This is the ‘solution’ which I recommend to those of you who have a ‘big
file’ problem whether the ‘big file’ is a huge database, large document
or the result of an interest in multimedia. It is also the solution I
recommend for the ‘big job’. I shall adopt it for my Abacus Training
applications as soon as finances allow. My immediate problem is: do I
get a new monitor or a Risc PC before I get the removable drive? I’ve
got a vested interest in finding a ‘good’ solution − so I’d like to know
what you’d do!
8.3
A couple of Archives ago, there was a superb article about SyQuest
drives (Archive 8.1 p63). What follows is meant to complement rather
than repeat the information contained in that article.
8.3
My confidence in a ‘technology’ always increases when I see it in a non-
specialist shop such as my local general office equipment supplier. Our
local shop has started selling removable cartridges for SyQuest drives,
albeit at a price rather higher than most Archimedes specialists. That
is comforting.
8.3
The earliest SyQuest drives were 5¼“ 44Mb. Later versions have higher
capacity. There are two series: one series uses 5¼” discs and the other
series uses 3½“ discs. Although the 5¼” 88Mb drive will read 5¼“ 44Mb
discs, naturally it will not read 3½” discs of any capacity. Because I
believe that the ‘future’ of the SyQuest drives will be 3½“ rather than
5¼” I am inclined towards the smaller disc format. The largest capacity
drive available at the moment is the 3½“ 270Mb drive. It costs about
£550 for the drive; spare 270Mb discs cost about £80 each. Although I
have no ‘big job’ or ‘large file’ application at the moment which use
anything near 270Mb, I have always found that a modified version of
Parkinson’s Law applies to disc capacity (and to RAM – and to monitor
size – and, well anything). I’m sure that if I get a drive of smaller
capacity (saving, say, £100 now) then I’ll live to regret it because,
eventually, I will want to use my computer for an application which
needs much more disc capacity than I have! (On the other hand, to tempt
you, I have a ‘once-in-a-lifetime offer’(!) on 105Mb 3½” drives at the
moment! See page 2 for details. Ed.)
8.3
An alternative to the SyQuest system is the magneto-optical (floptical)
system. This system is highly popular in the PC world. Suitable magneto-
optical drives are made by Fujitsu, Sony, Hewlett Packard, Panasonic and
even IBM. These are all well-known names so I feel good about the
reliability of the technology. The drive prices are a little higher than
the corresponding SyQuest drives. Suitable discs are manufactured by 3M,
Sony and Verbatim, again all well known names, so I feel confident that
supplies will be available into the future. Disc prices vary from £40 to
£150 and they have storage capacities of 128Mb to 1.3 Gb (1300Mb).
Discounts for quantity vary but I have seen the 128Mb discs on offer
from a supplier I trust at less than £300 for 10 discs. Drives are more
expensive than SyQuests but the discs are cheaper.
8.3
SyQuest or Magneto-Optical?
8.3
I have secondhand reports which suggest that the SyQuest removable discs
are about three times faster than magneto-opticals. However, there is a
more serious ‘snag’. So far as the Archimedes is concerned, the SyQuest
system is much more ‘available’ than the magneto-optical system. This
means more technical support and dependable sources for spares, repairs
and replacements.
8.3
For these two reasons, I am strongly inclined towards the SyQuest system
and, on evidence I’ve had from many other users, I recommend it to you.
Nevertheless, I’d like to hear what you suggest – so if you’ve any
ideas, please write to me!
8.3
When compared with 800Kb or 1.6Mb floppy discs, both the SyQuest and the
magneto-optical technology gives much more than the ‘tenfold’ increase
needed to make a noticeable difference which I mentioned earlier.
8.3
SCSI or IDE
8.3
Of course, you could buy two removable drives − but how rich are you?
Nevertheless, maybe you ought to consider leaving your options open
about having two drives one day. If that is the strategy you adopt, you
may find that the SCSI choice is ‘better’ than the IDE because it is
more expandable. Even though the SCSI-1 system is a little more
expensive than the IDE system, I would go for the SCSI anyway because I
want to be able to take advantage of the higher speed SCSI-2 when it
becomes available. Those who’ve been following me will realise by now
that, as a general rule, I’m not looking for the ‘cheapest now’ system
but one which will give me cheaper, better (and a wider choice of)
upgrades in the future.
8.3
Finally, I prefer the feel of SCSI’s ‘future proofing’ to that of IDE.
Since I can’t rationalise what is no more than a feeling, perhaps I’m
just prejudiced towards SCSI − but then, I trust my instinct in matters
of this kind because it rarely lets me down!
8.3
If, one day, you decide to dispense with your Archimedes and buy, say, a
PC (or clone), or if Acorn replace the Risc PC with something even more
wonderful, then I believe it most likely that a SCSI-2 interface will be
available for your new ‘computer box’ and that you’ll be able to plug
your expensive removable drive into it. Furthermore, if you’re careful
with your choice of applications, you’ll be able to use the data from
your removable discs through the SCSI-2 interface of your new ‘box’.
8.3
An alternative scenario is that you buy a second removable drive for
your second ‘computer box’ (keeping the old machine); no trailing leads
or network interfaces − just take the removable disc from one machine to
the other.
8.3
A word of warning about SCSI. Even before I read last month’s excellent
article in Archive about SCSI interfaces by Jim Nottingham I knew that
if I were to add a SCSI SyQuest external 270Mb, 3½“ removable drive to
my A540 system, I would have to buy it from a supplier who understands
exactly what needs to be done to configure it to my A540 machine and who
makes sure that I get all the necessary software to support it. Jim’s
article confirmed my previous thoughts.
8.3
Last month, I told you that you had one guess as to why you shouldn’t
buy insurance from a company that doesn’t make a fair profit − I’ve
already had a large number of correct guesses, but also a couple of
wrong ones! The answer is that you want them to make enough profit to be
able to afford to pay you (without too much quibbling) when you make
your claim. In the same way, although NCS is not the cheapest (nor
anything like the most expensive) I would regard paying the extra asked
by NCS as a sort of insurance. I want them to be there when I ask for
help and for them not to be fretting about my using up their time and
“seriously eroding their profit margins”. (No! I won’t say which company
I’m quoting − but it happened.)
8.3
Using removable hard discs
8.3
I suggest to you that you do not use removable hard discs as an
alternative to a conventional hard disc for applications but use it as a
‘large’ floppy for data storage. You can use it as data storage for the
‘big job’ and for data storage of ‘big files’ (as defined above). Of
course, you can also use one removable disc as a back up for many, maybe
all, of the floppies you’ve created up to now. You can also use a
removable disc to back up your conventional hard disc − I recommend this
to you.
8.3
There is no doubt that SyQuest removable hard discs are fast. As near as
makes no difference, they’re as fast as a conventional hard disc and,
from what I’ve been told by those who have them, they are noticeably
(but not ten times) faster than floppies. The SCSI-2 interface will be
even faster.
8.3
A ‘hidden’ advantage of the removable hard disc is that if it develops
too many faults to continue using it, you’ll only lose only the ‘cheap’
£80 disc and not the expensive, £550 drive. Compare this with losing a
conventional hard drive. By the way, you can map out the odd fault that
might occur; I’m referring to the day when the disc seems to be
developing too many faults far too often.
8.3
If you have a removable drive, I suggest that only applications are
stored on the conventional hard disc and that the removable discs are
used for data. Why? There are many reasons but I’ll give you just one.
You will want to copy from one removable disc to another. You can do
this via your RAM if you’ve got enough. The method which you are more
likely to use is to copy a directory or two at a time from the source
removable disc to the conventional hard disc and then from the hard disc
to the destination removable disc. Probably you will then delete the
directory containing the transferred data from your hard disc to make
room for the next transfer operation.
8.3
Summary
8.3
If you have a small (less than 40Mb) hard disc, use it only for
applications together with a set of floppies for your data. Your system
is unsuitable for the ‘big job’ or the ‘big file’.
8.3
If you have a larger hard disc (say 100Mb or more) then you can use it
as a backup for some of your (held on floppy) data files. You can also
use it for the ‘big job’. However, your system is unsuitable for use
with ‘big files’ (files too large to fit on one floppy). If you run into
the ‘big file’ problem, don’t bother buying a larger conventional hard
disc (200Mb or even 500Mb); that will be a temporary solution which
you’ll live to regret. Go for a SyQuest removable drive instead.
8.3
Removable hard drives are more expensive than conventional hard drives
but, once you’ve paid for the drive, they have advantages over
conventional hard drives. The main advantage is that the removable discs
can be treated as large floppies. In turn, this means that you can
probably get away with a smaller conventional hard drive than you would
otherwise think you need. You might consider a system having a 200Mb
conventional hard disc (instead of a 400Mb hard disc) together with a
270Mb removable drive.
8.3
If you’re about to buy a Risc PC, don’t wait for the biggest machine to
arrive (what’s the delivery like now? Almost a stock situation! Ed.);
think positively about buying one of the smaller models with a 200Mb
hard disc and putting the money you’ll save towards a SyQuest removable
drive. I’m sure if you ask NCS nicely, they’ll fit one for you and make
sure that all the supporting software works like a well-oiled clock!
(We’ll try! Ed.)
8.3
If you use your 200Mb conventional hard drive in the way I have
suggested (i.e. for applications only) then you should have plenty of
room on it for copying from one removable disc to another.
8.3
In conclusion
8.3
Please drop me a line and let me know those views and let me (and
others) have the advantage of your knowledge and experience even
(especially?) if it’s a negative experience.  A
8.3
Risc DOS Column
8.3
Simon Coulthurst
8.3
I have seen the light! I now understand why I need a 486 coprocessor.
It’s not to allow me to connect my Risc PC to our Novell server and
access the accounts system in a window on my Risc-OS desktop. It’s not
to allow me to use Windows software − I spit on the suggestion. It’s not
because I enjoy the challenging pastime of configuring DOS drivers. No,
none of the above. I want to play Doom II! This game is brilliant! It is
a 3D maze game with tremendously fast and smooth scrolling and an all-
enveloping atmosphere which gets you truly involved. That is why I am
going to get a coprocessor.
8.3
PC file formats
8.3
Paul Hooper asked in Archive 8.2 (p56) for a list of DOS file extensions
and what they represent. I have compiled the list shown opposite from a
fairly quick trawl through the hard disc of one of our Windows PCs. It
is by no means an exhaustive listing of DOS filetypes and I gather there
are other Archive contributors working on a more comprehensive list but
this should be helpful as a starter.
8.3
First sighting
8.3
I was at Acorn World 94 − wasn’t it good? There was so much to see and
so little time in which to see it, but I did make a point of visiting
all those stands that I thought had something to offer the prospective
coprocessor user. I will report in more detail on these in future
articles. This month, though, I can tell you what I saw of the actual
486 coprocessor card itself. Nothing!
8.3
However, I did get to talk to Peter Bondar of Acorn and
Laurie van Someren from Aleph One. They both told me that the 486
coprocessor cards will not be available for general release until
January 1995 at the earliest. There will be review versions available
earlier, possibly within a month. They expect the ASICs within two weeks
of the Show. After final checks, these should be available for the press
to review before the end of November.
8.3
I do have some more details on the actual cards themselves. Acorn’s own
card will use a Texas Instruments 40MHz 486SX soldered onto the card.
This will run at 33MHz due to the ASIC, and be assembled by IBM. Aleph
One’s first cards will all be socketed and contain either a 33MHz 486DX
or a 66MHz 486DX2, sourced from wherever they can obtain reliable
supplies at the best price. They will also supply the card without a
processor chip for those with their own (they can provide a list of
those chips which are known to work).
8.3
  Aleph One Prices (inc VAT)
8.3
  486DX − 33MHz  £519
8.3
  486DX2 − 66MHz  £599
8.3
  Socket only version  £315
8.3
The ASIC is manufactured by Gemini to a design by Aleph One and Future
Technology. It runs at 33MHz and so all processor chips themselves must
run at a multiple of this speed − hence Acorn’s 40MHz chips running at
33MHz. This could mean the availability of 100MHz DX4 chips eventually.
These would actually run at 99MHz (or near enough), three times the
speed of the ASIC. Intel decided to call them DX4’s in order to
differentiate them from other chip makers’ clock-tripled chips! In order
to use these chips, Aleph One will need to incorporate a step down, as
the chip in the DX4 runs at 3.3v as opposed to the 5v of the slower
chips. This means that simply plugging a DX4 chip into the existing
socketed card would not be possible.
8.3
Buying your PC card from Aleph One is obviously going to be more
expensive than buying Acorn’s card, for £99, at the time you purchase
your Risc PC. So is it worth paying the extra? The Aleph One cards are
faster, particularly the 66MHz one, and because they are full DX chips,
they have the maths coprocessor built in. (It is not possible to add a
maths chip to Acorn’s card as their is no socket provided.) Aleph One’s
cards are socketed and so have the potential for expansion. You should
also consider the level of support you will receive. Aleph One have a
lot of experience with combining PC and Acorn environments and should be
able to provide a greater level of technical support than many of the
Acorn dealers who would supply the Acorn card.
8.3
Aleph One are also working closely with Ant, who are developing the
OmniClient software that will allow access to Acorn, IBM PC compatible,
Macintosh and Unix network file servers, and  Atomwide who are producing
an ISA adaptor that will allow the use of a vast range of PC compatible
cards on the Acorn computers.
8.3
Postscript
8.3
I purchased Wolfenstein 3D at the Acorn World Show as this seems a
similar type of game to Doom. Could this save me from the need for a PC
coprocessor card? Unfortunately not, as I still need to use our
company’s accounts package which is resolutely DOS-based. That’s the
trouble with having to work for a living − it interferes with the better
things in life, like playing with computers!
8.3
I hope to be on the Internet soon − time to see if all the hype is true
− but meanwhile, please send any correspondence via Paul at NCS.  A
8.3
If anyone with an outstanding order for an Acorn PC card feels that they
would rather have one of the Aleph One alternatives, just send us a
cheque for the difference and we will hold the cheque until the
appropriate card becomes available. Ed.
8.3
Risc PC Column
8.3
Keith Hodge
8.3
Monitors
8.3
Bernard Veasey reports that he has an Eizo F340iW monitor attached to
his Risc PC, and that it is working well in resolutions up to 1024×768,
with 1600×600 working, but not as clear as it should be. Also mentioned
is a possible problem which I am experiencing. If the monitor and the
Risc PC are powered from a single socket, and both the computer and
monitor are left switched on, when you turn on the switch at the mains
socket, the monitor degausses itself very loudly. Has anybody else
noticed this and, if so, is it OK to operate in this way? (my monitor is
a AKF85).
8.3
Malcolm Knight states that it should be compulsory to have an AKF85!
And, having used a 14“ monitor for a short while, I feel that 17” is the
minimum size necessary if you do work involving any real detail.
8.3
Steve Ellacott has written to me about his ‘second user’ Philips 4CM2799
20“ monitor from Commonside plc. At just a few months old, and with a 90
day warranty, these seem very good value at £595 +VAT! Steve reports
that, although they do not have DPMS or microprocessor control, they
work well with his modified AKF85 monitor script.
8.3
Software information
8.3
I have now had an opportunity to look at the boot sequence on the new
machine, and the first thing I have found is that the !Boot file is
completely unnecessary! This, in my opinion, simply duplicates a large
percentage of previous operations.
8.3
If you look inside the directory ‘$.!Boot.Choices. Boot’, you will find
that it contains the following.
8.3
The hub of the new desktop is in here. The file ‘Desktop’ contains the
code to make known to the desktop the location of applications within
specified directories. In the default file, these are the contents of
‘Boot:^.Utilities’ and ‘Boot:^.Printing’, which translates to
‘$.Utilities’ and ‘$.Printing’, and it is this action which, if you have
tried moving these directories to another location on the hard disc,
causes the error message from RISC OS when it fails locate them when
booting.
8.3
The directory ‘PreDesk’ contains, by default, obey files called
‘ARPlayer’, ‘Configure’ and two directories ‘DPMSUtils’ and ‘WimpUtils’.
If you read the contents of these files, you will soon see what they are
doing. I have added Obey files called ‘EditOpts’, ‘PaintOpts’,
‘AlarmOpts’, ‘Backup’ and ‘MachineOpt’ and each of these sets up the
option strings for each application.
8.3
Now, I know that you can set the options with the desktop !Boot file,
but which is the easier to find and alter, when you want to change the
options for a particular application? I know which method I prefer!
8.3
The file ‘PreDesktop’ is very useful as it allows, amongst other things,
for applications which are not in $.Apps to be attached to the resource
filing system, and hence to appear in the window which is opened by
clicking on the iconbar ‘Apps’ icon. The simple line
‘AddApp adfs::<PathName>.<AppName>’, is all that is required. Read the
existing file and note the Acorn recommendations − these give real food
for thought.
8.3
Place in the directory ‘Tasks’, all applications which you require on
the iconbar when the machine is first switched on, or re-booted. The
contents of my directory are shown above, and the use of the obey file
‘StartAcnts’ may be of interest.
8.3
The business accounts package ‘Prophet’ from Apricote Studios, whilst a
fully multitasking application, is not normally loaded by double-
clicking the application, but by double-clicking the relevant accounts
file. Hence ‘Prophet’ is located in ‘$.Apps’ so that RISC OS knows its
location, but is placed upon the iconbar when ‘StartAcnts’ is obeyed.
This action can be of considerable use if you always want the machine to
boot up with a particular document, picture, etc, open and on screen.
Please note that if I had placed the actual accounts file in here, it
would have achieved the same effect. However, I prefer to have all my
business files located in a directory ‘Business’ in the root directory,
because the obey file ‘Backup’ in directory ‘Tasks’ backs up all my
business files to the second hard disc each time the machine is switched
on.
8.3
There is a lot more of interest in the new desktop, and I will try to
describe each new feature as and when I discover it.
8.3
Software compatibility
8.3
One thing which has tripped me up recently has been the use of the
serial port with a native application, but with the PCEmulator in use at
the same time. The same comments will apply, I assume, with the 486 PC
second processor.
8.3
If you are using the serial port from a RISC OS application at say, 4800
Baud 8N1, and wish to use the Emulator at the same time, the emulator
must be running before you start using the serial port from the native
application and you must have the following line in your ‘AUTOEXEC.BAT’
file. ‘MODE COM1:BAUD=4800 PARITY=N DATA=8 STOP=1’(DOS6 format).
8.3
The reason for this is that Messy Dos initialises the serial port on
start up, with a default value if none is specified in the autoexec
file, thus corrupting the serial port settings if the Emulator is run
during or after native mode serial operations have started. (Do any of
our DOS experts know of a way to stop the default action?)
8.3
Martin Angove has mentioned problems he has experienced with PC Emulator
v1.82 when memory is short. I can confirm that it does have problems
and, most importantly, when reporting the error it states that “1064Kb
is required for operation”, when in fact 1240Kb seem to be required, to
avoid all problems in multitasking mode.
8.3
An updated version of Memphis (v2.08 08-Sep-93, the automatically
expanding/contracting RAM disc − see Archive 8.1 p39) is on the monthly
disc, and having now used it, I can see why people rave about it. Simply
Brilliant! And the authors tell me there are, hopefully, further
improvements to come.
8.3
Hardware and software news
8.3
I have just purchased David Pilling’s ArcFax (1.12 12-May-94) and a US
Robotics 14,400 Sportster fax modem thereby cutting my spare parts
ordering costs in half, as it only takes about 45 seconds to send a one
page fax order. After 6 p.m., the cost is far less than
stamp+paper+envelope+printing. With ArcFax came an application called
‘BubbleHlp’ and I find this to be a quite amazing improvement on Acorn’s
‘Help’ application. When you park the pointer over any icon, up pops a
help bubble, and as soon as you move the mouse, away it goes. A first
class accessory, I think, which all application writers should support.
(Computer Concepts please note! This makes Style even easier to use, and
really would shorten the learning curve for beginners if provided with
the package.) (BubbleHelp2 is available separately from David Pilling
for £5 inclusive. Ed.)
8.3
As Jim Nottingham is compiling a SCSI compatibility index, I will
forward all mail on this subject to him, taking note of any problems
which exist only on the Risc PC.
8.3
Bernard Veasey reports that he has successfully fitted his Vertical
Twist 16 bit SCSI interface to his Risc PC and it works without any
problems. (What are the Module version numbers, Bernard?)
8.3
Readers’ comments
8.3
Simon Burrows has written in reply to my gripe of the month for
September, stating that if Acorn released circuit diagrams and PCB
layouts, this would encourage people to void the warranty. My feelings
are that the decision is the choice of the equipment owner, and their
provision would help produce more innovation from the amateur side. Paul
is a classic case here, but I will let him tell you about the Acorn
Atom/ BBC Micro articles! (I’m not sure I like the idea of being a
“classic case”! As much as I enjoyed tinkering with the innards of my
Atom and my BBC Micro, I can’t say that the 32-bit machines have ever
had the same appeal − too much like untouchable black boxes! Ed.)
8.3
Requests for help
8.3
During my exploration of the Boot system, I have moved the Alarm and
Edit applications from the ‘$.Apps’ directory, to the
‘$.!Boot.Choices.Tasks’ directory. However, this has caused a big
problem for me, which I have had to fudge for the time being.
8.3
Something is looking for these applications during boot up sequence and
is complaining loudly when they are not found! I have worked around it
for now, by placing dummy applications in ‘$.Apps’, but this is only a
temporary solution. Has anybody come across the solution to this
problem?
8.3
Wish list for the next Risc PC
8.3
Even a small business like my own, needs more than one serial port. Can
we have two on the next machine, plus the ability to add an extra I/C
when required so that the 3rd and 4th serial sockets are then enabled. I
have run into big problems since purchasing Arcfax and have had to
purchase a dual RS232 card from The (aptly named) Serial Port, so that I
can have plotter, modem, and packet radio terminal all connected and
online at the same time, if required. (It is only after you have
struggled to reach the serial port to change leads for the umpteenth
time, that you can understand this, and serial switches are no use,
because of different baud rates for each device!)
8.3
Question of the month
8.3
(1) Are there any hardware developers out there preparing a PCMCIA type
II and type III interface? There are increasing numbers of high speed
modems, etc, appearing in this convenient credit card size hardware
format. I find it is so useful on my Toshiba portable to be able to log
on to the telemetry system without having to carry an external modem.
The ability to have large numbers of interfaces in a small area of
backplane will, I think, become more and more important as the computer
takes over from external hardware in small businesses. At the moment, my
Risc PC does the job of fax, packet radio terminal, scanner, teletext
receiver, telemetry network terminal, and telephone comms terminal, with
more interfaces certain to be needed! This does mean that even on my
ACB45 with four expansion slots − one for SCSI interface, one for dual
RS232 interface and one for the Teletext card, I only have one to spare!
8.3
Tailpiece
8.3
A big thank you to the ever increasing number of subscribers who are
sending their letters to me on disc. It costs only 19p second class, for
one disc in a Jiffy bag, and you can almost guarantee some of your
points will go in the column if I do not have to type it in!
8.3
On occasions, I receive bits and bobs of test software along with
readers’ disc letters, and I will put these on my disc to Paul, so that
he can include them on the monthly disc − details will be in the normal
monthly disc information on page 2.
8.3
As usual, I can be contacted by letter at the HES address on the back
page, by telephone after 7p.m. or by Packet Radio from anywhere in the
World, as GW4NEI@GB7OAR.#16.GBR.EU.  A
8.3
(A bit small, sorry − I’ll put it on the monthly disc too so you can
print it out a little bigger! Ed.)
8.3

All change at NCS
8.4
Please accept our apologies if you haven’t been served by NCS “in the
manner to which you have become accustomed”! It’s been all-change time
and we still haven’t sorted ourselves out properly yet. Dave Webb has
gone off to Bath to take up a programming job there so we are one
engineer down at the moment. We wish Dave the very best for the future
and thank him for all he has done here. Many customers have commented
about his friendly and helpful manner in dealing with their questions
and difficulties.
8.4
Still going strong
8.4
(I’m trying desperately to put things in a positive way but I have to be
myself, and that includes being honest.) NCS has had its difficulties
this year − but what computer company hasn’t?! Lack of Risc PCs to sell
hasn’t exactly helped but at least we now have all models of the Risc PC
in stock! I believe we are over the worst although we have had to make
some regrettable changes at NCS (details on page 17). Things are much
more encouraging both on a personal level (my depression has now
completely lifted, for which I thank God) and within the company. In
particular, the subscription base is continuing to grow steadily which
is very good news in these times of recession. Welcome to all the
newcomers this month!
8.4
Look to the future
8.4
So, let’s look to the future and wait and see what technological
innovations Acorn has up its sleeve. OK, they are not the world’s best
company when it comes to marketing(!) but they are exciting to work with
− there’s never a dull moment with Acorn!!!
8.4
Very best wishes for a joyful Christmas and a prosperous (in the true
sense) New Year,
8.4
Products Available
8.4
•  10/10 Driving Test – Six games designed to make learning and revising
the essential facts of driving fun. You can choose which areas you wish
to work on, and progress at your own speed. You can also use the
questions from the games outside of the game environment if you just
want to test your knowledge. The price is £25.95, from Ten out of Ten,
or £24 from through Archive.
8.4
•  Acorn Desktop C and Assembler − The copies of Acorn’s C and Assembler
packages we had on special offer last month all went very quickly. Those
who were disappointed may be interested to know that Acorn have now
dropped the standard prices of these items. They are now: Desktop C
£149.95 inc VAT (or £138 through Archive) and Desktop Assembler £99.95
inc VAT (or £92 through Archive).
8.4
(As a special offer up to 31st December only, those who tried to get the
really cheap offer copies can order them at £120 and £80 respectively.
Ed.)
8.4
•  Acorn Risc PC PC486 Cards (almost!) − The latest news on the PC card
is that the first 500 will be built as evaluation cards in Q1 1995. The
first cards will be shipped to press, key dealers, educationalists and
customers starting in January. (Does Anyone know what defines a ‘key’
customer?) Acorn has committed to produce 10,000 cards and anticipates
any order backlog will be fulfilled by the end of Q1 1995. The cards
will use the TI 486 SXL chip running at 33MHz. (Watch out for the flags
flying over 96a Vauxhall Street! Ed.)
8.4
• APDL Clipart CD Number 1 − This contains nearly 500Mb of sprites,
Artworks files and drawfiles. Most is black and white clipart of
reasonable size to give clear printout for DTP purposes. These are
placed in directories divided by subject, and there are directories on
Animals, Cartoons, History, People, DTP (borders, corners, decorations,
etc), Places, Religion and Transport. There are also over 580 256-colour
sprites covering a variety of subjects. The CD also contains CC’s
Artworks Viewer and the Earthmap application. The price is £28 inclusive
(no VAT) from APDL or £28 including VAT from Archive.
8.4
Introductory special offer − £25 from APDL or Archive on orders received
up to 31st December 1994.
8.4
•  Archiboard IAP – The Supreme Software Systems’ BBS Software
Archiboard (which we use to run Archive BBS) now has Internet support.
The range of packages has been increased, starting from the entry level
version at £50, giving full BBS functionality. A network version which,
in addition, allows access to the BBS from another machine over an AUN
network is £89. These can be purchased with the Internet Access Package
(IAP) which includes a year’s access to the Internet via Demon Internet
Ltd. The Entry level version is £200, and the network version is £240.
Postage is £2 within the mainland UK, £5 elsewhere. Full details and
site licence details are available from Supreme Software Systems. (VAT
not applicable.)
8.4
•  Archive indexes? − Several readers have asked recently whether we
produce annual indexes to the Archive magazine. The answer is that we
used to do so but felt that, for the huge amount of work involved, they
were not really worthwhile, especially as there are electronic
alternatives.
8.4
I personally have to refer to old articles very frequently and find the
ArcScan database and the Archive words discs invaluable...
8.4
•  ArcScan Data − For many, many years Eric Ayers has faithfully
generated the ArcScan data month by month and this is available on
Archive Utilities Disc Nº 3 for £2. When there is space on the monthly
disc, we put on an update to this data. ArcScan itself costs £14 through
Archive.
8.4
•  Archive Words Discs − For those of you with 4Mb+ machines, the Words
Discs form an alternative and very effective way of searching for that
elusive reference that you are sure you have read somewhere in Archive.
Just load up the appropriate file into Edit and search for the relevant
word or words. Each disc is £2 and contains the words from four
magazines. (There is so much information that you can’t fit five
magazines on an 800Kb disc even though it is just the text and no
diagrams!) If you have a machine with a fair amount of memory, you can
join these text files together and search two or three volumes at a time
− which is very helpful, I find. (What would make my life complete would
be if someone would write a search routine that had two words as input
and looked for occurrences of one word appearing within x-number of
bytes of an occurrence of the other word. Any offers, anyone?)
8.4
•  Archive Utility Disc 8 – This is the RISC OS 3.1 Upgrade Disc. There
are new versions of !Alarm (2.61), !Calc (0.53), !ChangeFSI (0.95),
!Chars (1.17), !PrintEdit (0.38), !T1ToFont (1.26) and a couple of
utilities to select and deselect the 3D desktop. All applications now
check the 3D bit in CMOS ram and load the 3D templates if appropriate.
Previously, this was done via !NewLook. Unfortunately, they cannot be
installed into the Apps icon on the iconbar, but will need to be loaded
from disc. This disc is available from Archive for £2.
8.4
•  Bitfolio Clipart − LOOKsystems have two more packs each with 100
drawfile cartoons. The first “More Cartoons” is a general selection and
the second “Xmas Collection” is more specifically festive − holly,
reindeers, Santas, penguins, turkeys, TV, presents, booze, etc. These
cost £20 each from LOOKsystems or £20 through Archive.
8.4
(The Xmas Collection also contains a strange cartoon of a baby
surrounded by some men in fancy dress − has anyone got any idea what
that has got to do with Xmas? Ed.)
8.4
•  Chess II − David Pilling’s popular Chess program has been updated
with a choice of 2D or 3D boards, save game as sprite, drawfile or text,
rotate board, show hint, easy play-level setting, replay last move, show
history in continuously updated window, display possible moves for
pieces, improved game play, RISC OS printer driver support. Chess II is
£16 either from David Pilling or through Archive. Upgrade from Chess I
by sending old disc plus £10 to DP (not to NCS).
8.4
•  Clan Acorn ’94 − This is a club designed to bring the people who use
Acorn Computers together with those designing and making them. All
members will receive a membership card with a unique number offering
Clan members exclusive offers and information from Acorn.
8.4
The first offer will be the chance to take out an Acorn Visa credit
card. Then members will have the opportunity to obtain Acorn’s C++ and
the new developer toolkit at a special price. Third parties are also
working with Acorn to provide multiprocessor capabilities for Risc PC
computers and connectivity kits to allow users to access the Internet.
8.4
Members will also receive information about projects and technologies,
opportunities to acquire appropriate early releases and beta-releases,
discounts on current products and a chance for end users to give Acorn
input on new developments.
8.4
Life membership of the Clan is £15 which includes a promotional pack of
Acorn merchandise. To join Clan Acorn, contact Acorn Direct (Vector
Services) on 01933-279300 and ask for an application form to be sent to
you.
8.4
•  DrawWorks – a suite of five programs to increase the power of Acorn’s
standard Draw application. DrawExtra allows you to control the defaults
for Draw, increase the undo buffer size, and gives a new buttonbar with
features missing from the Draw toolbox, including Zoom, Save and Print.
DrawInfo gives details of the size, number of objects and so on of a
drawfile. DrawKern allows the kerning of font within drawfiles.
DrawMerge takes several objects and merges them to create a single path,
making interesting patterns, and some strange effects − some clipart is
included to demonstrate. DrawScrunch distorts draw files as if they had
been drawn on a “piece of scrunched up paper.” The price is £15
inclusive from iSV Products.
8.4
•  Eidoscope – The Eidos home video editing system is now available. To
use it, you will need a Risc PC (minimum 4Mb) fitted with an Eagle M2
card. Features include easy to use control panel; real time edits, mixes
and wipes; Full video/audio synchronisation; Imports sprite animations;
single frame export; 12.5 frames per second @ 160×120 pixels and 32,000
colours. Full screen playback is possible, and the files are fully
compatible with other Acorn packages. The package can be purchased for
£169 +VAT from Computer Concepts or £185 through Archive.
8.4
•  EMR products − Anyone wishing to get hold of any of EMR’s music
products should contact Le Computer in Chelmsford who will be handling
them in future.
8.4
•  Eureka 3 − Longman Logotron have released version three of their
spreadsheet package. Amongst the enhancements are: easy interchange with
Lotus and Excel, easy linking of spreadsheets with Impression, triple
toolbar, improved graphics support and background printing. Eureka 3
costs £99 +VAT or £110 through Archive. Site licences are available:
£240 +VAT for primary and £400 +VAT for secondary (£265 and £440 through
Archive). Upgrades are available through Longman Logotron: £29 +VAT for
single user and £99 +VAT for S/L.
8.4
•  Fonts − A new Acorn font company has been formed by Adrian Look of
LOOKsystems and Dave McCartney of The Datafile. The first two offerings
from The Font Company Ltd, as it is called, were Letraset Digital
Typefaces (29 typefaces for £35 inclusive), and URW Typeface Library (75
typefaces for £75 inclusive). These are highly professional font
conversions from well-established font companies, Letraset and URW.
These font packs are available through Archive for £34 and £72 inclusive
of p&p.
8.4
The very latest release is a huge range of Monotype Classic Fonts giving
you access to hundreds of top quality fonts at Acorn-level pricing −
rather less than PC or Mac users would have to pay! There are eight
packs of fonts, each with between 50 and 60 faces and each costing £60
inclusive from the Font Company or £58 through Archive. If you would
like a full listing of these eight Font Packs, so that you can select
the fonts you would like, give the Font Company a ring.
8.4
•  Heavy mouse balls – Weighing in at four times the weight of the
standard mouse ball, these fit neatly into the Acorn mouse, giving it a
more positive response. They are available from Oak Consultants for £3
including postage, packing and VAT.
8.4
(Message to Oak Consultants: Sorry but we have lost your address!
Anyway, that means you get two mentions in Archive because we’ll have to
put it in again next month and put your address in the Factfile. Ed.)
8.4
•  In Ancient Egypt Times – This is a range of materials in printed and
disc form for the study of Ancient Egypt. You will need a copy of
KeyNote or Key Plus data handling packages to use the disc information.
Topics include Gods and Pyramids, the Nile and Farming, Everyday Life,
and Modern Discovery. Text can be converted to Hieroglyphics, and the
text and graphics in the package can be exported for use in children’s
own projects. The price is £17 +£2.50p&p +VAT from Anglia Television.
8.4
•  iSV 100 outline fonts – A new pack of 100 RISC OS 3 format fonts, in
36 separate families has been launched by iSV Products. Both book and
display fonts are included in the pack and all fonts include the full
latin 1 character set, scaffold lines and automatic kerning data. The
price is £40 inclusive.
8.4
•  iSV Font Designers’ Toolkit 2.5 – This is made up of four
applications for designing fonts. Font Catalogue is used for creating
printed font catalogues, with on-screen WYSIWYG display of printed
results. FontKern allows you to edit the kerning information of RISC OS
3 fonts, and even convert RISC OS 2 fonts to RISC OS 3. FontTrix allows
the generation of font families from one master font. Oblique, Mirror
Semibold and many more weights can all be generated quickly, viewed, and
made available to other applications. Finally, iSVMetric allows editing
of a font’s metric data, to tighten character widths, for example. The
pack price (including a free copy of FontED, Acorn’s font editing
program) is £30 inclusive.
8.4
•  Ladakh – A geography information pack containing parallel datafiles
for families and life in the United Kingdom and Ladakh (Northern India).
Records of 200 children are provided, half from a Tibetan village, and
half from three schools in the UK. Accommodation, travel, eating habits,
pets and many other fields can be compared, and a print pack helps
teachers with ideas and worksheets. The price is £15 +£2.50p&p +VAT from
Anglia Television, and you will need a copy of KeyNote or Key Plus data
handling packages.
8.4
•  Laser printers − Computer Concepts are no longer able to supply any
direct drive laser printers because Canon have discontinued both the
LBP4 and the LBP8 and have not yet replaced either of them with anything
suitable. This leaves Acorn users with two alternatives...
8.4
− Calligraph direct drive lasers − If you want an A4 direct drive laser,
Calligraph do a 1200 dpi single bin Sharp printer at £999 +VAT (£1150
through Archive) and a dual bin version at £1149 +VAT (£1290 through
Archive). If you can afford to go to A3, they do a 1200 dpi Toshiba TQ-
1200 at £4995 +VAT or £5575 through Archive. These printers all do 8
pages/minute. Toner for the Sharp is £120 through Archive (estimated
15,000 pages), the drum kits are £135 through Archive (estimated 30,000
pages), and the toner and drum for the Toshiba are £85 (5,000 pages) and
£475 (20,000 pages) respectively through Archive.
8.4
− Standard laser printers − We have selected a couple of the best non-
direct-drive laser printers which can be driven from Acorn’s own printer
drivers or CC’s Turbo Drivers. The Panasonic KXP4410 is a 5 ppm, 300
dpi, 0.5Mb laser of proven pedigree which costs £570 (or £620 with a
Turbo Driver) through Archive and the Epson EPL5600 is the latest 6 ppm,
600 dpi laser which has 2Mb RAM as standard and yet only costs £820 (or
£870 with a Turbo Driver) through Archive. In between these two is the
Epson EPL5200 which is a 6 ppm, 300 dpi laser with 0.5Mb RAM
(expandable) and costs £650 (or £700 with a Turbo Driver) through
Archive. All three of these laser printers come with a 12-month on-site
warranty.
8.4
•  MacFS Light − Computer Concepts are now offering a floppy-only
version of MacFS at £49 +VAT (£55 through Archive). If you want to read
and write SCSI devices such as removable hard drives then you will need
the full version at £108 through Archive. MacFS Light needs an Acorn
machine with high density floppy drive (i.e. A5000 or later) and RISC OS
3.1 or later. (The price now compares favourably with AppleFS from
Oregan, which is also floppy-only, at £58 through Archive.)
8.4
•  PipeEd for PipeDream – A new teaching pack designed to help teach
first time users of PipeDream. The pack includes two sets of A4 cards –
teacher and student sets, written as a series of nine lessons, each
around ninety minutes, to introduce the ways in which PipeDream can be
used. The teaching notes are detailed, giving topics for discussion, and
describing the tasks to be completed. The Student pack briefly outlines
each of the tasks, and includes a disc containing all the tasks for the
lessons. It can also be used at home or in the office − it is not
limited to education. The packs are available for £25, extra teacher
packs may be purchased at £10, and student packs at £15.
8.4
•  Pocket Book II Programmer’s Guide − (No, don’t get too excited, it’s
not available yet − that was just to get you to read this paragraph!)
Until the proper PB II Programmer’s Guide is available, the best you can
do is to get a copy of the Psion 3a Programmer’s Guide which is
available by sending a cheque for £6 (made out to Psion UK Ltd, I
presume) to Customer Services, Psion UK Ltd, 85 Frampton Street, NW8 8NQ
or ring them on 0171-262-5580.
8.4
•  PrimeMover − Minerva’s new release is claimed to be “the first real-
time animation program for the Acorn platform”. It allows you to create
animation from sprites and, once the animation is created, it can easily
be changed by simply clicking and dragging with the mouse. It allows you
to trim and/or mask your sprites and to reverse them horizontally or
vertically. PrimeMover costs £69.95 inc VAT from Minerva or £66
inclusive through Archive and will run in 1Mb but 2Mb is recommended.
8.4
•  ProArtisan 24 − Clares have launched their 24-bit art package,
ProArtisan 24. It costs £169.95 inc VAT (or £155 through Archive) and
there is an upgrade through Clares of £49.95 from PA2 or from “ANY other
art package” for £85 inc VAT. Site licences are available at £499 +VAT
for primary and £699 +VAT for secondary.
8.4
•  Risc Disc CD – This is a new CD-ROM aimed at Risc PC owners. Contents
include utilities (programming, DTP, disc, desktop), Replay movies,
Photo CD images, JPEG images, Artworks files, drawfiles, PC animation
players (AVI, FLI and MPEG), MPEG movies, as well as demonstration
software from many Acorn software houses. The price is £19.95 from
Uniqueway Ltd, or £19 through Archive.
8.4
•  Rosie & Jim Talking Activity Packs − For young infants who are fans
of TV’s Rosie & Jim programme, Sherston Software have produced the first
two of their talking activity packs: “Duck loses his Quack” and “Jim
gets the Sneezes”. These allow early or non-readers to enjoy the company
of Jim & Rosie and all their friends. Click on the pictures and words
and hear the digitally-recorded voices of Rosie and Jim speak from the
computer. Each pack costs £10 +VAT from Sherston or £12 including p&p
through Archive.
8.4
•  Scrabble for the Archimedes/Risc PC − My favourite game is here at
last! US Gold have finally released Scrabble for Acorn computers and,
not surprisingly, it’s excellent. You can play against each other or
against the computer − or get the computer to play against itself,
although it’s so fast you could do with an ‘action replay’ facility. You
can set the level of vocabulary and ingenuity that the computer uses
when it is playing against you, so you can use it to build up your own
level of skill. In the practice mode, every time you play, if it thinks
it could have done better, it suggest dozens of alternatives that you
could have played and shows you how many more points you could have got
(but doesn’t allow you to go back and have your go again. Drat! The
manual (which I have had to photo-enlarge from A5 to A4 because the type
is so small) lists all the permissible two letter words (105 in all) and
the gameplay uses them all to very high-scoring effect, sometimes. The
trouble is that when you then play “real” Scrabble with your friends and
relations at Christmas, you won’t be too popular. You score 22 points
with “AYE” as in the illustration and they will challenge it. They won’t
be too impressed when you say that “NA” is the Scottish way of saying
“no” and that “AY” means “always” or, for that matter that “OO” is wool
(Scots), “DA” is a heavy Burmese knife and “AI” is a three-toed sloth!
They will probably refuse to play with you any more − still, at least
you’ll be able to play against the computer!
8.4
Scrabble costs £27.99 + p&p from US Gold or £27 through Archive.
8.4
•  SCSI II interfaces − The Cumana SCSI II interfaces are now available
at £199 +£7.50 carriage +VAT from Cumana or £235 inclusive through
Archive. A cable for connection to external drives is available through
Archive for £27. This has the new SCSI II connector on one end and an
Amphenol (Centronics) on the other end. For connection to internal
drives, a standard IDC cable is all that is needed.
8.4
•  Shoemaker-Levy CD-ROM – This is the Network Cybernetics Corporation’s
CD-ROM title SL9: Impact ’94. It contains hundreds of images, movie
sequences and technical information related to the July 1994 collision
of the periodic comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, and the planet Jupiter. Stills
are stored as JPEG, GIF and TIFF, video sequences as MPEG and FLI/FLC.
The technical information is stored as ASCII or PostScript.
Unfortunately, the viewer applications are all for PCs or Macs, but with
ChangeFSI and Edit, the stills and texts are accessible on RISC OS
machines, and there are PD MPEG and FLI/FLC players available. The price
is £25 including postage from Lambda Publications.
8.4
•  TextEase – This is a new presentation package for letters, posters,
notices and so on. Features include a button bar for the frequently used
functions, and dynamic text. The prices is £25 from Ivoryash limited,
and a demo disc is available for £2.
8.4
•  UK Schools Internet Primer − Koeksuster Publications have produced a
book to provide information, mainly aimed at schools, on how to use
Internet and what facilities are available through Internet. This costs
£9.95 + p&p from Koeksuster or £9 inc p&p through Archive. For more
details, see the review on page 24.
8.4
Review software received...
8.4
We have received review copies of the following: •Ancient Egypt Key
Datafile (e), •APDL CD (PD/a), •BitFolio Christmas Cartoons (a),
•BitFolio More Cartoons (a), •Blinds (u), •GameOn! (g/u), •Grasshopper
(e), •Ladakh (Tibetan) Key Datafile (e), •Look! Hear! (e), •Map Importer
(e), •Mouse in Holland (e), •MouseTrap (u), •PrimeMover (e/a),
•TableMate 2 (u).
8.4
e=Education, b=Business, bk=Book, c=Comms, g=Game, h=Hardware,
l=Language, u=Utility, a=Art.
8.4
If you would like to review any of these products, please contact the
Archive office. Potential reviewers will need to show that they would
use the product in a professional capacity or that they have some
knowledge of the particular field.  A
8.4
Government Health Warning − Reading this could seriously affect your
spiritual health.
8.4
It could be you! How many tickets have you bought for the National
Lottery? Just think what life would be like if you won a million pounds!
Think of all those things you could buy. Think of the security it would
bring − no more financial worries for the rest of your life. It really
would be great, wouldn’t it?!
8.4
But have you really thought about the implications of suddenly having
pots of money? Have you thought how it would affect your friendships and
your relationships with your family? Have a think now.
8.4
How can you be sure that all those ‘friends’ that you seem to be getting
are really ‘friends’ and aren’t just after your money? Can you really
trust them? How will your real friends feel if they think that you don’t
trust them? Suddenly, you don’t know who you can trust. What did we just
say about ‘security’?
8.4
I’m not trying to argue against the National Lottery but I’m trying to
use it as an example to show how easily we swallow the lies of the
media. I’m sorry but I just don’t believe that life would be wonderful
if I had lots of money... or the ‘right’ car or the ‘right’ clothes, or
whatever other material goods they say I ‘need’.
8.4
The only things that are really important are our relationships with one
another. (I would use the word ‘love’ but that too has been hijacked!)
Proverbs 15v17 puts it well, “Better a meal of vegetables where there is
love than a fattened calf with hatred.” Simple but profound.
8.4
And I know I can’t prove this, but from my experience, what is really,
really important is our relationship with God. Get that right and many
other things suddenly make sense. Again from Proverbs, in the same
chapter, but verse 16: “Better a little with the fear of the Lord than
great wealth with turmoil.”
8.4
Anyone who has come to know the love of God as seen in Jesus knows what
true riches are.
8.4
P.B.
8.4
Fact-File
8.4
(The numbers in italic are fax numbers)
8.4
4th Dimension   1 Percy Street, Sheffield, S3 8AU. (0114-270-0661)
(0114-278-1091)
8.4
4Mation    14 Castle Park Road, Whiddon Valley, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32
8PA. (01271-25353) (01271-22974)
8.4
Abacus Training    29 Okus Grove, Upper Stratton, Swindon, Wilts, SN2
6QA.
8.4
Acorn Computers Ltd    Acorn House, Vision Park, Histon, Cambridge, CB4
4AE. (01223-254254) (01223-254262)
8.4
Anglia Television   Media Development, Anglia House, Norwich, NR1 3JG.
(01603-615151) (01603-631032)
8.4
APDL    39 Knighton Park Road, Sydenham, London, SE26 5RN.
8.4
Aspex Software   Heather House, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 9AG. (01822-
611060)
8.4
  (01822-611061)
8.4
Avie Electronics (p25)  7 Overbury Road, Norwich. (01603-416863) (01603-
788640)
8.4
Beebug Ltd (p65)  117 Hatfield Road, St Albans, Herts, AL1 4JS. (01727-
840303)
8.4
  (01727-860263)
8.4
Cherisha Software (p9)  51 Swallowfield Road, Charlton, London, SE7 7NT.
8.4
Clares Micro Supplies   98 Middlewich Road, Rudheath, Northwich,
Cheshire, CW9 7DA.
8.4
  (01606-48511) (01606-48512)
8.4
Colton Software (p30)   2 Signet Court, Swanns Road, Cambridge, CB5 8LA.
(01223-311881) (01223-312010)
8.4
Computer Concepts (pp15/29)   Gaddesden Place, Hemel Hempstead, Herts,
HP2 6EX. (01442-63933) (01442-231632)
8.4
Creative Curriculum Software   5 Clover Hill Road, Savile Park, Halifax,
HX1 2YG. (01422-340524) (01422-346388)
8.4
Cumana Ltd   Pines Trading Estate, Broad Street, Guilford, GU3 3BH.
(01483-503121)   (01483-503326)
8.4
Dalriada Data Technology (p8)  145 Albion Street, Kenilworth,
Warkwickshire, CV8 2FY. (01926-53901)
8.4
Datafile   71 Anson Road, Locking, Weston-super-Mare, Avon, BS24 7DQ.
8.4
  (01934-823005)
8.4
David Pilling   P.O.Box 22, Thornton Cleveleys, Blackpool, FY5 1LR.
8.4
Dave Lawrence (p25)  33 High Street, Farnborough, GU14 6ES.
8.4
Doggysoft   7 Blackhorse Crescent, Amersham, Bucks., HP6 6HP.
8.4
Font Company Ltd    47 Goodhale Road, Bowthorpe, Norwich, NR5 9AY.
(01603-748253) (01603-740203)
8.4
GamesWare   Unit 26, The Bartletts, Hamble, Hants., SO35 5RP.
(01703−456523)
8.4
  (or 0243-531194) (01703−456523)
8.4
Hodge Electronic Services    16 Mold Road, Mynydd Isa, Clwyd, CH7 6TD.
(01244-550803)
8.4
Honormead Software Solutions   Admin House, The Grange, Hospital Lane,
Michleover, Derby, DE3 5DR. (01332-512848)
8.4
iSV Products   86, Turnberry, Home Farm, Bracknell, Berks, RG11 8ZH.
(01334-55769)
8.4
Ivoryash Ltd   14 Perwell Close, Bredon, Tewkesbury, Gloucester, GL20
7LJ.
8.4
  (01684-73173)
8.4
Koeksuster Publications   St Augustine’s Cottage, High Street, Mill
Hill, London NW7 1QY.
8.4
  (0181-959-3321) ([e-mail])
8.4
Kudlian Soft   8 Barrow Road, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1EH. (01926-
851147)
8.4
Lambda Publications   194 Cheney Manor Road, Swindon SN2 2NZ. (01793-
695296)
8.4
Le Computer   Main Road, Willows Green, Chelmsford, CM3 1QB. (01245-
362225) (01245-362225)
8.4
Longman Logotron   124 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge
CB4 4ZS.
8.4
  (01223-425558) (01223-425349)
8.4
LOOKsystems (pp40/41)  47 Goodhale Road, Bowthorpe, Norwich, NR5 9AY.
(01603-748253) (01603-740203)
8.4
Micro Laser Designs   105 Midford Road, Combe Downs, Bath BA2 5RX. Tel
(01225-833266)
8.4
Minerva Systems   Minerva House, Baring Crescent, Exeter, EX1 1TL.
(01392-437756) (01392-421762)
8.4
Mycroft Software   53 Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, AL1 2ER.
8.4
Oak Solutions (p26)   Dial House, 12 Chapel Street, Halton, Leeds, LS15
7RN (0113-232-6992) (0113-232-6993)
8.4
Octopus Systems   9 Randwell Close, Ipswich, IP4 5ES. (01473-728943)
(01473-270643)
8.4
Quantum Software (p16)  35 Pinewood Park, Deans, Livingston, EH54 8NN.
(01506-411162 after 6)
8.4
Sherston Software   Angel House, Sherston, Malmesbury, Wilts. SN16 0LH.
(01666-840433) (01666-840048)
8.4
Supreme Software Ltd (p37)   21 Courtenay Close, Chapel Break,
Bowthorpe, Norwich, NR5 9LB.
8.4
T-J Reproductions   Unit D, Canada House, Blackburn Road, West
Hampstead, London
8.4
  NW6 1RZ. (0171-372-4430) (0171-372-0515)
8.4
Uniqueway   42 Crwys Road, Cardiff, CF2 4NN.  (01222-644611) (01222-
644622)
8.4
US Gold Ltd   Units 2/3, Holford Way, Holford, Birmingham, B6 7AX.
(0121-625-3366) (0121-606-1822)
8.4
Norwich Computer Services  96a Vauxhall Street, Norwich, NR2 2SD.
(01603-766592) (01603-764011)
8.4
Archive Monthly Program Disc Contents
8.4
•  Various files and applications from Paul Hobbs’ Advanced Basic
Programming Column − page 66.
8.4
•  Screengrab module for !ChangeFSI from Gerald Fitton’s Column − page
31.
8.4
•  Monitor recovery program from Hints & Tips Column − page 28.
8.4
•  Applications from Paul Hooper’s Multimedia column − page 53.
8.4
•  PD Pocket Book applications from Pocket Book Column − page 35.
8.4
•  Sample program from Matthew Hunter’s Programming Workshop − page 21.
8.4
•  Monitor definitions & Mac reading software from Keith Hodge’s Risc PC
Column − page 11.
8.4
•  List of free scientific software + updated !UnitConv from Chris
Johnson − page 39.
8.4
•  Squirrel query file from Robert Bishop, Comment Column − page 52.
8.4
Paul Beverley
8.4
CD-ROM for only £29 ?!
8.4
Yes, you can have a CD-ROM drive for just £29 inc VAT − all you have to
do is to buy the Risc PC to put it in before 31st December 1994! Send us
your order for either an ACB25 (5Mb) or ACB45 (9Mb) and we will give you
a voucher which you send (with a cheque for £29) to Acorn who supply the
CD-ROM. This is the Cumana 300i CD-ROM, not the iA, i.e. without the
audio mixer but this mixer can be bought separately for £49 +VAT from
Cumana.
8.4
Risc PC? − Buy now, pay later
8.4
Another special offer (which can be taken with or without the CD-ROM
offer) is a deferred payment plan. Pay a deposit now and make 24 monthly
payments at 1.08% (APR 13.75%) but your first payment is delayed for
four months, i.e. not until April. (You can also pay off the full amount
at any time.) For more information, ring 01223-254428 or the NCS office
on 01603-766592.
8.4
Acorn Christmas Computer Sale...
8.4
Up to Christmas, A3010s are available at up to 29% off.
8.4
A3010 AP (1Mb)  £399 − −> £299  25% off rrp
8.4
A3010 AP (1Mb) + AKF52  £699 − −> £499  29% off rrp
8.4
A3010 EY or LC (2Mb)  £499 − −> £399 + free AP!  20% off rrp
8.4
A3010 EY or LC (2Mb) + AKF52  £799 − −> £599 + free AP!  25% off rrp
8.4
EY= Early Years Pack = Talking Start-Write, Flossy the Frog, Mouse in
Holland, Doris the Dotty Dog, Gemini, Amazing Maths & Paint Pot.
8.4
LC = Learning Curve Pack = Advance + PC Emulator + various demos.
8.4
AP = Action Pack = Zool + StartWrite + various demos.
8.4
Dalriada
8.4
From 8.2 page 39
8.4
Observess
8.4
New artwork
8.4
Applied Photophysics
8.4
New artwork
8.4
LOOKsystems
8.4
New artwork
8.4
LOOKsystems
8.4
New artwork
8.4
Risc PC Column
8.4
Keith Hodge
8.4
Monitors
8.4
Bob Bourne reports that he has been experiencing problems with colour
impurity on the three(!) AKF85 monitors that have passed through his
hands. There does seem to be a hint of magnetic radiation from the
computer power supply involved in this problem, as Acorn/Granada
MicroCare can now reproduce the problem when they use the same desk
layout as Bob.
8.4
Software information
8.4
In Archive 8.1 p39, I mentioned that Arthur Brend had been having
problems with the speed of operation of Knowledge Organiser 2. I have
received a most informative letter from Mr D Jackson of Clares Micro
Supplies. In it, he points out that the two biggest factors with file
searches are disc speed and the size of the configured ADFSBuffers. An
example search of a 7Mb file took 5 min 59 seconds, with ADFSBuffers set
to 0, but just 1 min 17 seconds with ADFSBuffers set to 40. The Risc PC
was then noticeably faster than the comparison A540.
8.4
Software compatibility
8.4
Now that I am using a dual serial port card, with the fax modem on the
second port, I have realised that there are real problems in store when
I receive my 486 PC card. My intention is to operate the remote access
regional telemetry software using the PC card. However, the PC Emulator
only supports the built-in serial port I believe. Will the new PC card
BIOS software allow ports on extension serial port cards to be mapped
(via the block drivers?) to the DOS COMx commands? This is a must as far
as I am concerned, and will be so for a very large proportion of the
IBM PC users who are persuaded to purchase a Risc PC. They are used to
being able to purchase a dual card, plug it into an expansion slot, then
add a line to the “AUTOEXEC.BAT” file and away it goes, giving full
access to the extra ports via the “COMx” command. They are not going to
want to know about the Acorn side of programming.
8.4
One further point on the serial port is worth mentioning. There are
still programs around which do not seem to comply with the Acorn rules
even though they are described as “compliant”. I was downloading some
files from the local Packet Radio Bulletin Board and noticed that every
time I held <select> down on the title bar of MultiStore (v2.00), the
serial data stopped flowing! Further tests revealed that this happens
not only with MultiStore, but also with Style (v3.04), but not filer
windows, ArcFax, TeleCFax, Printers. Are these applications faulty? Or
are they interpreting the guidelines in a different way?
8.4
For those of you who, like myself, have an occasional requirement to
read Apple Mac discs (high density), I have sent Paul a copy of a PD
program which runs under the PC Emulator and which will read these
discs. Please note, (1) it is fragile! (2) I accept no responsibility if
it eats your disc, so use a backup! (It’s on the monthly disc. Ed.)
8.4
In two very interesting letters, Bob Bourne reports that he has been
experiencing problems with Eureka 2 on the Risc PC when printing to CC’s
TurboDrivers(v4.0). The two products are incompatible, and the only
solution found so far is to print to disc via the Acorn driver and then
print the file from the TurboDriver. The long term solution is to
upgrade to Eureka 3, which should be available soon.
8.4
Also, there was a problem with Fabis Computing’s EasyFont 2 but, in just
two days, an update was received and all was well again.
8.4
Thank you to all the readers who have written about the Wimpslot
problems with the Risc PC. As you have all pointed out, and as Dave
Holden mentioned last month (8.3 p39) the problem occurs because memory
is assigned in fixed 4Kb blocks, unlike the Archimedes, which assigns
memory in variable sized blocks up to 32Kb (dependent on main memory
size). Basic programs are therefore often given less free memory to work
with on the new machine. So far so good, but it would really be nice if
Basic complained with “Insufficient free memory”, or some other sensible
error message, and not, “Too many nested loops”, etc. Surely, Basic
keeps track of its memory pointers and knows when they are going to
clash?
8.4
Hardware and software news
8.4
David Evershed has purchased a Cumana SCSI II interface, but ran head
first into a number of problems. The first was a clash with the virus
killer supplied with the machine, but this was easily cleared by
shifting the load line to a position later in the bootup sequence. The
second problem has hopefully also been resolved... David had already
purchased a Pioneer DR-U104X CD ROM drive, a single disc, quadspeed
drive, but then found to his dismay, that there is no driver module
available for the drive. Cumana have now advised him that they will be
supporting this model so the driver module is now eagerly awaited. It
would seem that it is essential before purchasing a CD ROM drive, to
check with your SCSI interface manufacturer that a suitable driver is
available.
8.4
Further to my comments on desktop boot sequence last month, please note
that although the directory “$.!Boot.Choices.Boot.PreDesk” does not
contain any applications, just obey files, this does not mean that you
cannot place applications here. A typical use for this area is for
applications such as SerialDev which is provided with the Serial Port‘s
dual serial port card and which just sets up a path to a directory
inside the application. This path must be defined before any
applications make use of the card. By placing software here, it is
guaranteed to be run before anything in the “$.!Boot.Choices.Boot.
Tasks” directory − most useful!
8.4
Readers’ comments
8.4
Don Lewis mentioned in his recent letter how difficult he was finding
the change to the new Risc PC keyboard layout. Coincidentally, I have
(after a long break) been using the BBC Master for Eprom programming.
This has been a real shock, I had forgotten the terrible trouble I had
changing from the Master to the original Archimedes keyboard... Don also
mentions that he does not like the screen blanking as the re-activation
takes so long. I personally find that screen blanking (and by this I
mean turning off the video signals so the screen goes blank, thereby
preventing screen burn, not shutting down the monitor to save power), is
much overrated, as in commercial use, monitors have to run for thousands
of hours with a stationary image before a permanent residual image
starts to appear.
8.4
Wish list for next Risc PC / New issues of Basic
8.4
Please, Acorn, with the next issue of Basic, can we have an extension to
the “CASE” statement? Thus:
8.4
CASE variable OF
8.4
WHEN 1 TO 4
8.4
ENDCASE
8.4
The TO function is provided in a number of other basics and makes
translations from one platform to another much easier. Also how about
“IFEXISTS”, for file handling and “REDIM” for array handling.
8.4
Gripe of the month
8.4
Where is my ARM 710?
8.4
Questions of the month
8.4
(1) Does anyone have a version of the editor, Zap, which works on the
Risc PC?
8.4
(2) My machine spends all day waiting to receive fax messages and so the
utility to spin down the IDE drive is brilliant! But, I also have a SCSI
drive, which is used for backups. I would dearly like to be able to stop
this spinning whilst the Risc PC is acting as a fax machine. Can it be
done?
8.4
Tailpiece
8.4
I have now been using my Canon BJ230 inkjet printer with the same
cartridge, for over 12 months! How? By refilling it with Rotring
“Brilliant” black ink which is available from most art shops and at
£1.99p per bottle, each of which does three to four refills − it is very
economical! Plus, the print quality for text work is, I find,
indistinguishable from the original ink.
8.4
Paul has asked if I would like to provide some information about packet
radio on the Risc PC. During the Christmas holidays, I will try to put
together a small article explaining what it is used for and how you can
get involved. You do require a Amateur Radio licence, but there is no
problem here, a short course at the local Technical College will soon
get you through the City and Guilds examination. More details next
month.
8.4
Would anybody like to assist with the software compatibility list? As a
user of mainly business software, I get little contact with games and
other general software. This means that I find it difficult to be
“in touch” and hence aware of what is happening in different areas. If
anybody would like to run the list please get in touch − possibly more
than one person, each covering their own interest and I will bring it
all together.
8.4
As usual, I can be contacted by letter at the HES address on the back
page, by telephone after 7p.m. or by Packet Radio, from anywhere in the
World, as GW4NEI@GB7OAR.#16.GBR.EU.  A
8.4
Simon the Sorcerer
8.4
Andrew Rawnsley
8.4
Gamesware’s latest release is only one year late! After being much hyped
before last year’s Acorn World show, and continually ‘almost ready’ for
the last twelve months, Acorn World 94 was the ideal launch venue for
this awesome adventure. Indeed, after last year’s disappointment,
Gamesware didn’t even send a press release concerning its new releases,
and so Simon the Sorcerer magiced his way onto an unsuspecting public.
8.4
Still, it’s been worth the wait − indeed some would say that, as a
result, many more of us will be enticed by the lure of nine discs (yes,
nine!) packed with 34 soundtracks and 6Mb of animation, all mixed up
with lashings of gameplay and humour.
8.4
Read this first!
8.4
Before I go any further, I’d like you to bear with me as I rave about
this game just a little more. Until Simon’s release, Flashback would
have had my vote for the single best Acorn game, but suffice it to say,
that in two weeks since the show, I’ve spent some 15 minutes playing
Flashback, to about 15 hours on Simon. (OK, maybe that’s a slight
exaggeration, but you get the point.) What’s more, the game will appeal
to more than just adventure fanatics, because it has that basic element
missing in so many games − FUN.
8.4
Back to basics
8.4
Right, so we know that this game is good, but what’s it all about? OK,
we start with a puppy, just an ordinary puppy, and we place a dusty old
book in his mouth. Said dog is then received into the home of 12 year
old lad, Simon (aha!). The aforementioned grimoire is then dumped in an
attic, until puppy retrieves it. Suddenly, and at this point we get by
with some fancy special effects, Simon (and puppy) are dumped
unceremoniously into another dimension via the pages of this magic
libram.
8.4
Upon reading a handy note, it turns out that you [Simon] were selected
from millions of hopeful candidates to save the local wizard Calypso,
and knock the evil Sordid to kingdom come. All in a day’s work for a 12
year old cockney? Perhaps, but not when Dial-a-Pizza don’t deliver to
your dimension!
8.4
Style
8.4
Unlike traditional adventures, absolutely no keyboard skills are
required to play. Indeed, the entire game is played with just twelve
verbs displayed in the lower third of the screen. All you do is point
and click, then select the appropriate objects. Initially, this approach
worried me − after all, how was I to communicate all the detailed
commands if all I could do was click on buttons? However, as I moved
Simon around the beautifully drawn rooms, opening doors, cutting off
beards (clue there!), and generally getting in the way, all my
apprehensions fell away.
8.4
It’s hard to describe the quality of the graphics, they are so
attractive, but there certainly isn’t space for a full screenshot. As
for the music, after playing the game once, I couldn’t stop humming the
tunes.
8.4
Humour
8.4
This style of graphic adventure has always been associated with humour,
right from the days of Monkey Island and its sequel, Le Chuck’s Revenge
on the Amiga. However, the big problem with these games was that their
American origin meant that most people simply didn’t understand half the
jokes. Since Simon (the game, not the character!) originated in
Birmingham, this is not a problem. Indeed, many of the situations are
reworkings of popular english fairy tales and nursery rhymes.
8.4
Take the classic story Billy Goats Gruff, for example. As we all know,
the troll had problems catching the goats, but this time he’s hungry,
and er.... on strike?
8.4
Conclusions
8.4
Simon the Sorcerer represents the best waste of 8Mb of disc space I can
possibly imagine (I say ‘waste’, because Publisher et al eats up similar
amounts and are perhaps a tad more useful?!?). What’s more it can be
played off floppy, and even comes with a special VGA mode. My advice:
BUY IT NOW − £39.95 from Gamesware or £38 through Archive.  A
8.4
PD Column
8.4
David Holden
8.4
Another takeover
8.4
One of the newer PD libraries, Gem PD, has just been taken over by The
Datafile. The main reason for this was that the people who ran Gem were
due to start college in the near future and were therefore unable to
continue to operate the library.
8.4
Although perhaps not as well known as some of the older libraries, Gem
has, in its comparatively short life, earned a good reputation, so I’m
pleased that its customers will now be looked after by the Datafile.
8.4
Second Datafile PD CD
8.4
Further news from The DataFile. Their second CD of PD programs was
unveiled at Acorn World 94. This is much better than the first, which
appeared a few months ago. Not only does it contain more material, and
almost all of it Risc PC compatible, but it is all archived. This hasn’t
been done to save space as the CD is certainly not full, but to avoid
the long delays that occur when the filer opens a directory full of
applications and then reads all the !Boot and !Sprites files. As the
applications are archived, these files are only read when an individual
archive is opened, which makes things very much faster without recourse
to any special software. A secondary advantage is that it is very much
quicker to copy an archive, which is only a single file, than an
application, which normally consists of many files.
8.4
The price of the second Datafile PD CD is £33. Although this is more
expensive than the first, it contains more material and comes with a
small booklet with a short description of each program.
8.4
Clipart CD
8.4
I’ve been saying for some time that APDL would be releasing a CD ‘soon’
and it is now in production. It contains over 9,000 files totalling
around 500Mb. Most of this is clipart and artwork suitable for use in
DTP work and general illustration, but there are also around 580
pictures, mostly 256 colour, covering a wide range of subjects. All of
the material is in either sprite, drawfile or Artworks format.
8.4
Although it will be of interest to anyone who uses any type of clipart,
it will be of particular benefit to schools, and most schools will be
entitled to a free network licence.
8.4
The CD is produced by APDL but most of the work in compiling, selecting
and ‘tidying up’ the material was done by Alan Wilburn, who may be
recognised by readers as an Archive contributor.
8.4
The normal price will be £28 but as a special Christmas offer to Archive
readers it will cost only £25 if you order before 31st December 1994
from either APDL or Archive.
8.4
Adventure games
8.4
A few new text adventure games have appeared recently, notably Ashkeva
Alyedin from Andrew Flintham. There seems to be a trend away from shoot-
em-up’s and towards more cerebral pursuits, or is that just wishful
thinking on my part? Anyway, this month’s special offer disc will be
full of adventure games. At the time of writing, I don’t know what I
will put on the disc but it will, as usual, be full.
8.4
A lot of readers have already responded to my offer of a disc of
seasonal clipart, and because there will still be a couple of weeks to
Christmas by the time this appears in print, I will bend my usual ‘one
month only’ rule and extend the offer for a further month for those who
forgot to send for the disc last month or are new subscribers.
8.4
Either disc will, as usual, cost just £1 (cheque or stamps) from the
APDL address inside the back cover.  A
8.4
CC
8.4
New artwork
8.4
Quantum
8.4
From 8.3 page 19
8.4
NCS Technical Services
8.4
Paul Beverley
8.4
The technical service that NCS / Archive has offered over the years have
been greatly appreciated by many people. We are always keen to give the
best support we can and, within this article, I want to tell you about
some changes that we are currently making.
8.4
The history
8.4
At first, we had time to deal with all the technical queries that came
up − people just rang us and we tried to help. As the user-base grew, it
soon became clear that there were just too many calls for our engineers
to handle and, as it was a free service, it could not be justified on a
purely commercial basis.
8.4
Enter “THS”
8.4
We set up the Technical Help Service so that Archive subscribers could
pay an extra £15 a year for the privilege of being able to telephone the
NCS office with technical queries. Other people could send in written
queries but obviously they didn’t have the advantage of being talked
through their problems over the phone − flying doctor style!
8.4
As the THS became more frequently used, we found it was clogging up the
main phone line and stopping sales enquiries − and we didn’t want to
inhibit that particular activity! So we installed a special phone line
whose number was only released to THS subscribers.
8.4
Enter the recession
8.4
Even though the effects of the recession were beginning to bite at NCS,
we tried to maintain the sort of service we felt was appropriate. We
have always tried to work on the basis of... “If I were buying a
computer or some peripherals, what service would I want from the company
supplying it?”
8.4
Until recently, we have maintained a level of engineering staff such
that we could provide the following technical services:
8.4
a) THS telephone support (£15 per year) − any technical query to do with
Acorn computers and peripherals.
8.4
b) Telephone sales support (free) − e.g. “Which is the best CD-ROM drive
to buy?”
8.4
c) Telephone after-sales service (free) − e.g. “I’ve bought a disc drive
and I can’t work out how to fit it in my computer.”
8.4
d) Written sales support (free)
8.4
e) Written technical questions (free)
8.4
f) Written after-sales service (free)
8.4
The problem
8.4
Over a period of time, certain companies having developed a policy of
selling Acorn computers, peripherals and software at bigger and bigger
discounts. I have commented on this policy in the past and said that it
is very short-sighted.
8.4
At NCS, we are finding, more and more, that people come to us because of
our reputation for giving unbiased advice and ask, e.g. “Which is the
best CD-ROM drive to buy?” But then they find that Xxx Ltd sells the
same CD-ROM at £20 less than NCS. Well, £20 is £20 and, in a time of
recession, we are all looking to save money, aren’t we? So they buy it
from Xxx Ltd. The result? NCS is not earning enough to maintain the
level of staffing that I feel is ideal.
8.4
Now that Dave Webb has moved down to Bath, I do not feel able to replace
him with a full-time member of staff. Instead, I am seeking part-time
help and, at the same time, cutting some of the services NCS provides.
8.4
I very much regret reducing the standard of service but, sadly, I have
to make decisions on purely commercial terms. Gone are the days when I
could afford to be altruistic in my decision-making.
8.4
However, Archive does have a resource that is not available to any other
Acorn dealer − i.e. you! Let me explain how the services are going to
change and then explain how you could help...
8.4
Sales advice stays
8.4
We are keeping the free telephone sales advice but we would ask, please,
that you do not misuse it. By all means, if you know what you want to
buy, get it from the cheapest source, but do you think it is fair to ask
us to spend time helping you through your decision-making and then go
off and buy it elsewhere? If you want the cheapest prices, please ring
up one of the ‘box-shifters’ and ask them for advice.
8.4
Farewell THS
8.4
The THS has been suspended and credit notes sent to all those with
outstanding subscriptions. To make it commercially viable, we would have
had to charge more like £50 a year − and that just isn’t worth it for
most of you, I guess.
8.4
Written technical help
8.4
Please continue to send us your technical queries by letter, e-mail or
via the Archive bulletin board on 0603-766585. However, we will respond
to your question(s) in a number of different ways depending on the
nature of the query.
8.4
a) If the answer to your question is likely to be of interest to other
readers, we will write it up and put it in the next issue of Archive.
However, you won’t have to wait for the magazine, as we will send you a
copy of our reply as soon as it is written.
8.4
b) If the question is one which has been dealt with in earlier issues of
Archive, we will have a proforma letter on which we will note the
relevant references. (Back issue sets are still available − volumes 4 to
7 inclusive for £23.)
8.4
c) If your area of interest is one which is covered by one of the
specialist Columns in Archive, e.g. Multimedia, Pocket Books, Risc PC,
etc, we will send your letter on to the relevant editor to see if they
can help. (Note to editors: If at any time, you feel uneasy about the
amount of time you are spending on responding to queries, please let me
know straight away and I will see if I can find someone else who could
take over or offer you some help. Also, if you have out-of-pocket
expenses that you would like covering, such as postage, stationery, etc,
just send in a note of how much you have spent and I will reimburse you.
Thanks. Ed.)
8.4
d) If your question is a more general one, Gerald Fitton has said that
he would try to answer it and/or find someone else who could answer it.
Perhaps Gerald could set up a database of Archive expertise? (This is
where I say that Archive has the edge because it has you, the readers,
as a resource to provide help to other readers.) If you have views on
this suggestion and/or want to offer to answer questions about any
particular subject(s) please write either to us or direct to Gerald at
Abacus Training.
8.4
Helping the Technical Helpers!
8.4
If you want to help those who are offering technical help, please avoid
asking several questions about different areas at once. I’m sure that,
with the wonders of modern word-processing, you could produce a number
of letters instead of one, each letter dealing with a different topic.
If you did, it would certainly avoid us having to photocopy your letter
and circle and cross out various bits of it before sending it on to
different helpers.
8.4
Another way of helping is to provide an SAE for each letter. It’s not
just the cost of the stamp and the envelope but the convenience of just
scribbling an answer on a piece of paper and popping it into the ready-
made envelope and putting it into the postbox. (There’s no need to
bother with an SAE if you are just writing to NCS − it’s the helpers
that I want to help because they do it for love!!)
8.4
Also, it can often be a great help to send your letter on disc as well
as on paper − and, perhaps, send some example file(s) to make the
problem easier to solve. The point of sending the letter on disc, as
well as on paper, is that it saves typing out bits of the letter if we
want to use it in the magazine.
8.4
What happens to the discs? The NCS procedure is that if you send in an
article or a substantial hint or comment, we send the disc back, when
the magazine is ready, with a copy of that month’s magazine disc as a
small ‘thank you’. Otherwise, and this is what I think is reasonable for
the volunteer helpers to do, unless the disc is accompanied by a stamped
addressed sticky label or a suitable SAE’d paddibag, we would re-format
the disc and use it as a ‘charity sale’ disc or to send something on to
someone else. (Some contributors specifically write on their discs ‘do
not return’ so they go straight to the charity sale.)
8.4
Free hard disc installation
8.4
Another consequence of the changes in our Technical Services brings a
distinct an advantage for you... If you are buying an internal hard
disc, we have decided to offer free collection and installation. The
reasoning behind this is that there are so many complications which can
arise when fitting an internal hard drive, that it is cheaper to pay a
carrier to collect your computer, fit the drive and return it to you
than have an engineer spend ages on the phone trying to help you work
out why the drive won’t work with your particular setup.
8.4
NCS − The future?
8.4
Our aim has always been to give the best service we can to customers and
this has, in some ways (mostly financial!) worked against us. However,
we will do what we can to maintain that quality of service whilst still
staying financially viable. I, personally, appreciate the support and
loyalty of the NCS customers. I’m grateful to those of you who have
continued to buy through NCS even when you suspected that there was a
‘box-shifter’ who would ‘do it cheaper’, and I’m grateful to the
hundreds of you who have contributed in one way or other to the
magazine. I hope that the new arrangements in NCS Technical Services
will prove to be of benefit in the long-term.
8.4
Thanks again for all your support. All of us at NCS enjoy what we do and
we hope we can continue to supply your computing needs in the future,
whether it is hardware, software or information.  A
8.4
Earth Warp
8.4
Robert Lytton
8.4
The program is based on the BBC’s Look and Read, Earth Warp series for
7-9 year olds. The series is good, the content is relevant and the
presentation fun, although I wish they had not changed Wordy for Zot, an
american mechanised meatball. There have been some poor Look and Read
series but Earth Warp will be used year after year after year... The
program does not follow the television story-line but the situation and
the characters are the same. Their personalities also come over as being
the same.
8.4
What you will receive
8.4
You will receive a 30 page A4 booklet and an unprotected disc, so the
program may be copied onto a hard disc. The booklet is very well written
with an introduction for teachers, a synopsis of the story-line for
children and a section on how to get started. The bulk of the booklet
contains detailed descriptions for each “chapter” with quality extension
ideas for the teacher to consider. At the back (not to be forgotten) is
the, soon to be obsolete, “been there done that”, list of National
Curriculum Statements of Attainment!
8.4
Description of the program
8.4
The first thing you will notice from “Getting started” is that the
program is also available for the BBC B, B+ and Master. I asked Longman
about these versions and the prices are the same. The Archimedes version
does make use of the superior graphics (it is not run under emulation!)
but apart from the graphic detail, the programs are identical.
8.4
When you double click on the Earth Warp icon, the program takes over the
machine and gives you a short opening sequence with the familiar Earth
Warp theme tune. You are given the opportunity to turn off any further
sound, although this is minimal. You are also given the chance to jump
past the introduction which involves a familiarisation routine, where
you are encouraged to press the space bar, and a short introduction is
given to the story. The controls are very simple from the keyboard or
mouse and it is usually a case of choosing items from a list. The main
body of the program is broken down into twelve problem solving chapters.
These may be visited in any order, although it is worth keeping to the
story-line. If you press <escape> at any time, you are returned to a
menu, allowing you to revisit chapters if they were not completed or to
resume to a set point at a later date. The overall structure of the
program is consistent and intuitive. The children do not find the
program a hindrance, only what they are asked to puzzle through.
8.4
Chapter contents
8.4
There are twelve chapters varying in the degree of skill, knowledge and
information needed. Where appropriate, Easy and Hard option are offered.
The activities are of an applied nature for consolidation, which does
mean you need to cover the ideas and material in the classroom before
sitting a child in front of the screen! All the activities are
worthwhile and there are well thought through extension ideas you can
try in the classroom. I found these extension ideas practical and
helpful and used a lot of them.
8.4
•  How long in space?: You have to find a number between 1 and 15.
Children should develop a strategy of logical deduction.
8.4
•  Word Search: A 7×7 word search on space.
8.4
•  Cleaning the beach: You need to pick up rubbish using co-ordinates.
Either letters and numbers, or just numbers.
8.4
•  Crossing the river: Follow the colour sequence on the stepping stones
to cross over. The extension ideas cover other sequences and
mathematical patterns.
8.4
•  Ollie’s lost Orb: This is a simple dungeons and dragons type
adventure where you can select from a list of options. You are not given
a plan but I gave the children a blank plan to fill in with details as
they saw fit. As well as solving problems and ordering your moves, you
need to finish off the patterns on symmetrical door locks. The task
seems daunting at first but it is not necessary for the player to
specify how to solve the problems. If the right object has been taken to
the right place, the computer reports on how the problem was solved.
8.4
•  Repairing Ollie’s spacecraft: Two problems to solve, what should it
look like and how to rearrange the pieces. At first it seem impossible
to do but you quickly realise that you need to choose the top pieces
first.
8.4
•  Mending Ollie’s communicator: Match eight words up to make four
compound words.
8.4
•  Guiding Ellie: Using a compass marked off in 30° intervals drawn on
the screen you need to direct Ellie from solar system to solar system −
or is it planet to planet?
8.4
•  Homing in on Earth: A diagrammatic picture of our solar system.
Shuffle the planet names from box to box to get the names in the right
places.
8.4
•  Which is Earth?: Ellie gives you a report on a planet’s surface, you
need to decide which planet it describes. If you choose incorrectly you
are given a report for your chosen planet, to help you distinguish them
apart. Ellie’s report and your correction report are different, to keep
you thinking. I found the surface descriptions very interesting and they
certainly encouraged conversation.
8.4
•  Race against time: A race against time to solve anagrams.
8.4
•  All right: No matter how many times you ask, children still bring you
work to look at and read when they have not even read it themselves!
Will this exercise help? I hope so. They are given a newspaper story
written by Jenny for correction. This task is not easy but the computer
can help by finding the words for you and even giving you the answer if
they get it wrong twice. Good practice for using spell checkers I’m
sure!
8.4
Conclusion
8.4
I liked the program very much. It is well presented with a host of
interesting thing to do on the computer and away from it. I used it with
some 7-8 year olds and they enjoyed it and coped well with the
activities. The extension ideas were sensible and not there for the sake
of it. However, you do need to spend time to make it all fit together
and work. If you are watching the Earth Warp television series and
possibly Music Time’s Planets series and have been allocated the science
unit “The Earth and beyond”, buy it and make a mini topic out of it. I
personally am not sure if I will find the time to it justice but if I
do, I will definitely buy the BBC B version. If you are like me, your
Archimedes is already working flat out on statistical and DTP or
multimedia projects and you may have one or two BBCs asking for a job
like this to do.
8.4
Earth Warp costs £24 (+VAT +p&p) from Longman Logotron or £27 through
Archive.  A
8.4
Programming Workshop − Part 1
8.4
Matthew Hunter, NCS
8.4
One of the comments that repeatedly occurred in the recent Archive
questionnaires was a wish for more articles about programming,
particularly with regard to the wimp. Many technical help calls and
letters have also been about programming in some form or another. It
therefore makes sense to bring all these together into one shared
resource, which is what this column aims to be. Unlike previous wimp
programming articles, I am not aiming to show you how to write an entire
application. It is an unfortunate truth that any example application
would fail to implement the one piece of code that you need to finish
your masterpiece! Instead, I will try to pool ideas and solutions. If
you want a piece of code to do a particular task then write in, or if
you have a solution for an unanswered problem, or a better solution than
one which has already been offered, or indeed a solution to a problem
that has not yet been asked then please send that in too. This then
means that the content and the level will be determined by you, the
reader.
8.4
It is not intended that this should be an ‘experts only’ column, I will
try to answer any queries appropriately, trying not to assume too much.
In an effort to reduce duplication, I will refer back to previous
issues. One assumption I will make is that you are using RISC OS 3,
because it is the current version of the operating system and therefore
essential for serious use of your computer. All references given will be
to the RISC OS 3 PRMs.
8.4
Languages
8.4
I do not mind which language you use although I would prefer Basic or C,
as I use those most regularly. Any solutions should, where possible, be
generic. If it is written in Basic then try to ensure that it is easy
for someone to follow, so that others can use it in C/Fortran/Pascal or
whatever they wish. Feel free to use ‘phantom’ procedures if they make
something clearer. For example, use the ‘setcolour’ procedure from my
graphics articles (8.1 p75) rather than explicitly calling ColourTrans.
Over a period of time, there will be a library of such procedures,
making new solutions easier. If you are reading an article and find that
you do not understand an undefined procedure then, again, write in and
all will (hopefully!) be explained.
8.4
New to programming?
8.4
For those of you who are new to Acorn RISC machines or have not
previously programmed them, you may not realise just how easy it is to
get started. If there are people who are interested, we may do an
“Introduction to Programming” series. Please let us know if you would be
interested in such a column.
8.4
Just to prove the point, try the following: Load the !Edit application
from Applications Disc 1 or your hard drive as appropriate. Click <menu>
over the iconbar icon, slide off over the ‘Create’ submenu, and choose
‘BASIC’. A new window will open. Into it type:
8.4
PRINT “Hello World”
8.4
END
8.4
Then save the file as normal. You will see that it has a blue and white
(Basic program) icon, rather than the usual black and white one
generated by !Edit. Double click on the file in the directory and you
will see the results. You have just written and run a Basic program!
8.4
Large text
8.4
I have had several queries recently regarding large text, when using the
system font. This can be useful for display purposes, titles and so on,
or for compensating for the small text size in large desktop area screen
modes. There is a VDU sequence which controls character sizes but,
unfortunately, it only works when the computer is plotting text at the
graphics cursor. For this program, I will assume that you already have
“PROCModeInfo” defined, as given in Archive 8.1, page 75 (and on this
month’s program disc), which must have been called before the procedures
given here.
8.4
DEF PROCInitGraphicText
8.4
VDU 5
8.4
MOVE 0,Mode_LogicalY%−1
8.4
PROCScaleText(1,1)
8.4
ENDPROC
8.4
This first procedure simply sets the text ‘printing’ (that is,
‘printing’ to the screen, not to paper) to graphics mode (VDU5) and
moves the graphics cursor to the top left corner. Unlike standard text
printing which starts top left, graphics co-ordinates start at the
bottom right.
8.4
DEF PROCSetTextSize(xs%,ys%)
8.4
BigText_X%=xs%
8.4
BigText_Y%=ys%
8.4
VDU 23,17,7,6,xs%;ys%;0,0
8.4
ENDPROC
8.4
This sets the size and spacing of the text to xs% pixels wide, and ys%
pixels high, and gives an easier access than trying to remember all the
numbers every time you need it. Another useful variant is:
8.4
DEF PROCScaleText(xsc%,ysc%)
8.4
BigText_X%=xsc%*8
8.4
BigText_Y%=ysc%*8
8.4
VDU 23,17,7,6,BigText_X%;BigText_Y%;0,0
8.4
ENDPROC
8.4
This sets the text size relative to the default size of 8 by 8 pixels,
so for example, to get double height text use PROCScaleText(1,2)
8.4
One problem with graphics text printing, compared to standard text
printing, is that you reference the positions on the screen differently.
Also, the background is not cleared before text is printed, resulting in
a mess if you try and to overwrite previous text.
8.4
DEF PROCTabText(x%,y%,t$)
8.4
LOCAL sx%,sy%
8.4
sx%=(x%*BigText_X%)<<Mode_EX%
8.4
sy%=(Mode_LogicalY%−1)−((y%*BigText_Y%)
8.4
<<Mode_EY%)
8.4
MOVE sx%,sy%
8.4
PRINT t$
8.4
ENDPROC
8.4
This acts like a PRINTTAB command, the text t$ will be indented x%
characters from the left edge, and y% characters from the top edge,
based on the current size of the characters. The x position (sx%) is
calculated by multiplying the number of characters to indent (x%) and
the width of each character in pixels (BigText_X%), and this is then
shifted by Mode_EX% − as supplied by PROCModeInfo  − which is the
mapping from pixels to screen co-ordinates. The y position (sy%) is
slightly more complicated, since it is necessary to move the text, down
from the top of the screen.
8.4
DEF PROCClearWindow(l%,t%,r%,b%)
8.4
LOCAL x%,y%,w%,h%
8.4
x%=(l%*BigText_X%)<<Mode_EX%
8.4
y%=(Mode_LogicalY%−1)−((b%*BigText_Y%)
8.4
<<Mode_EY%)
8.4
w%=((r%−l%)*BigText_X%)<<Mode_EX%
8.4
h%=((b%−t%)*BigText_Y%)<<Mode_EY%
8.4
RECTANGLE FILL x%,y%,w%,h%
8.4
ENDPROC
8.4
This will blank out an area of the screen. Note that all text, and the
area blanked, will use the current graphics foreground colour, so
remember to set it before use. There is a short program on the monthly
disc which includes all these procedures and demonstrates their use.  A
8.4
Small Ads
8.4
(Small ads for Acorn computers and related products are free for
subscribers but we reserve the right to publish all, part or none of the
material you send, as we think fit. i.e. some people don’t know what
‘small’ means and there are certain things, as you can imagine, that we
would not be prepared to advertise as a matter of principle. Sending
small ads (especially long ones!) on disc is helpful but not essential.
Ed)
8.4
•  A3 Colour Printer (Canon BJC 800 engine), nine months old, superb
condition, works with Acorn and CC printer drivers £1000. A4 Model II,
4Mb RAM, 80Mb hard disc, plus carry case and extra battery £1300.
Contact Adrian on 01603-748253.
8.4
•  A3000, 80Mb hard disc, hand scanner and multisync monitor. All
manuals and loads of software £580 o.n.o. Phone [phone].
8.4
•  A3000 OS3.1, 2Mb, AKF17, 180E printer and software £350. A3000 user
port £15, OS2 Programmers Reference Manuals £25, RISC OS 3 Style Guide
+New Look disc £5, PC Emulator 1.82 & DR-DOS 6.0 £55, Acorn ANSI C £15,
Software Developers Toolbox £5, Twin £5, several OS user guides just
p&p. Offers welcome on all! Phone Bob on 0113-275-5276 after 7pm.
8.4
•  A410/1, 4Mb RAM, 30MHz ARM3, 90Mb HD, VIDC enhancer, CC ROM/RAM
podule (with battery backup), 4-slot backplane, RISC OS 3.1, AKF11
colour monitor, some software £450 o.n.o. Eizo 9060S Multisync monitor
£300 o.n.o. Phone [phone].
8.4
•  A410/1, 4Mb RAM, 33MHz ARM3, 50Mb HD, Newlook desktop, I/O podule,
Midi, sound sampler, Black Angel, Chopper Force, Gods, Lemmings, Chocks
Away Compendium, keyboard extension cable and postage £620. Also new and
unused RISC OS Style Guide with disc £10 and Pineapple PAL encoder
(allows your computer to connect to video equipment and SCART, BNC) £50.
Series 3 OPL manual (not software), same as OPL on Pocket Book, £4.
Phone Mark after 6pm on 01905-754277.
8.4
•  A440/1 with 4Mb RAM, 47Mb, ARM3, RISC OS 3.1, VIDC enhancer, Taxan
775 multisync monitor. Watford Mk 2 scanner − A4 version with sheet
feeder. £800. Phone [phone].
8.4
•  A440 with OS3, ARM3, and FPA10, 14“ NEC Multisync monitor £750.
Computer Concepts ROM board with battery backed 32K RAM chip, InterWord,
InterSheet, and SpellMaster, £90. Twin 5¼” and single 3½“ external disc
drives with Beebug interface for A300/400 computers £90. Phone 01925-
811420.
8.4
•  A5000 with 40Mb drive, 4Mb memory £785 o.n.o. Phone Mike on 081-576-
9516.
8.4
•  A540, 8Mb, 120Mb hard disc, RISC OS 3.1, ARM3, £900. Taxan 770
monitor £250. Cumana CD-ROM £80. Pineapple Video Digitiser £80. CC
Scanlight Plus £80. Complete package £1350. Ring/fax John on 01962-
774352.
8.4
•  A540 8Mb, 120Mb SCSI hard drive, RISC OS3.11, Beebug high density
disc drive, Alpha Scan Plus Monitor and a great deal of software. £1150
o.n.o. Canon BJ10 inkjet printer with sheet feeder and CC Turbo Driver
£110. Phone [phone].
8.4
•  Acorn Advance £50. Acorn Midi expansion card £40. Phone Dave 0181-
992-1720.
8.4
•  CC Turbo Driver for Hewlett Packard £25. ExpLAN Event desktop diary
(unregistered); £18. Phone [phone].
8.4
•  Integrex 132 colour printer, only about 3 hours use from new, £125.
01953-883953 (Norfolk)
8.4
•  Irlam I-Scan 400dpi Scanner (Roller Feed), £150; A540, 100 Mb HD,
16Mb RAM, ARM 3, Colour Card, Eizo 560i £1900; A5000, 4 Mb RAM, IDE
drive £650; Scanlight Professional Flat Bed B&W scanner £350. Phone
0483-455564.
8.4
•  Irlam Moving Image 24 bit digitiser. RISC OS2 and 3.1 compatible.
£350. Phone Malcolm on 0181-310-5617.
8.4
•  NEC double speed external CD-ROM drive (SCSI). Boxed, only 2 weeks
old, £180. Phone [phone].
8.4
•  Oak SCSI interface, 120 Mb hard disc, 2-slot backplane and fan £150;
Watford Video Digitiser, and Lingenuity Colour Convertor £75; 2Mb SIMM
for Risc PC £40; IFEL 4 slot backplane & fan £20. All prices excluding
delivery. Phone Tamworth 01827-330118 evenings or weekends.
8.4
•  Scanlight 256 inc. latest software. A300/400/5000 version (not Risc
PC) £75. Phone [phone].  A
8.4
Charity Sales
8.4
The following items are available for sale in aid of charity. PLEASE do
not just send money − ring us on 01603-766592 to check if the items are
still available. Thank you.
8.4
N.B. These items are sold AS SEEN (even though you can’t see them!),
i.e. we are not able to give refunds if the items are not suitable for
your computer or whatever. All the money paid goes straight to charity
therefore NCS cannot be involved in correspondence etc over these items.
If it turns out to be no good for you but might do for someone else,
please send it back with a note and we will sell it again with the
proviso you state, e.g. “It doesn’t work on a Risc PC.”
8.4
Software: MahJongg (Simtron) £5, Archway £10, Leading Edge Midi Tracker
£4, Pysanki £2, Rotor £2, Datavision database £6, Autograph (Maths
teaching) £15, Boogie Buggie £3, Colour Fun £3, Impression Business
Supplement £5, Chuck Rock £5, Populous £8.
8.4
Hardware: CJE 5¼“ interface £5, 3-way parallel printer port switch and
some cables £10, Acorn Ethernet interface (A5000) £50, external 5¼”
floppy drive £25, Joystick Interface (Serial Port) £8.
8.4
(If you have unwanted software or hardware for Archimedes computers that
you could donate in aid of charity, please send it to the Archive
office. If you have larger items where post would be expensive, just
send us details of the item(s) and how the purchaser can get hold of
them.)  A
8.4
UK School Internet Primer
8.4
Andrew Rawnsley
8.4
There has been much hype about the Internet recently, particularly in
the daily press. To read many of their articles, you would think it was
a recent innovation, but this impression is very wrong. The Internet
Primer from Koeksuster Publications aims to cut through much of this
uninformed publicity, and to introduce the reader to a little of what’s
available, and how it can be of use. Although the book is targeted at
the educational establishment, it has much to offer the interested third
party.
8.4
Getting going
8.4
This book certainly isn’t a definitive work, but then this is not what
the author ever intended, and that market has been cornered by various
American volumes, usually retailing at £30+. The Internet Primer gives a
British perspective to this ever-expanding bank of information. Advice
is given on what hardware you need to get going, and a list of service
providers is included to help you decide which best suits your needs.
This is just the kind of information required by anyone interested in
Internet connection.
8.4
What’s available
8.4
Much of the book is dedicated to what the Internet actually offers.
There is a discussion of the advantages of e-mail, newsgroups, file
transfer and the World Wide Web (WWW). Newsgroups are given particular
attention, and the author recommends some useful groups to read. Other
‘alternative’ groups are mentioned to show the diversity of material
available, e.g. alt.nuke.the.USA − I’ll leave that to your imagination.
8.4
The author takes common Internet criticisms, such as the content of some
alternative newsgroups, and strips away the media hype, giving a much
clearer understanding of what to watch out for, e.g. ‘flame wars’. These
are Internet arguments which can develop into personal abuse. These
often start with the ‘my computer’s better than yours’ syndrome. The
author then explains how such messages can be avoided by selecting users
whose messages you don’t want to read and putting them in a ‘kill file’.
8.4
Comments and criticisms
8.4
It is hard to criticise the book − it certainly clarified a lot of
things in my mind. However, it is rather platform independent, in that
it avoids naming particular packages that are good at particular jobs on
different computer makes. All the screenshots are taken from the
Macintosh, and are often from this version of NCSA Mosaic − the most
popular WWW browser. Personally, I would have preferred some appendices
containing machine specific material and advice. On the other hand, a
note supplied with the book indicated that a selection of machine-
specific books could follow, building on the material contained within
this first volume.
8.4
Conclusions
8.4
Retailing at £8.50, the UK School Internet Primer is an essential
purchase for all schools trying to bring themselves into the 21st
century. It is very easy to read, and clearly explains the education
potential of this huge resource. I would also recommend the book to
anyone who is considering obtaining an Internet connection − it offers
much useful advice, and you’ll be able to get going quickly should you
decide to go ahead. It certainly saves all the fumbling around so often
connected with computer communications.
8.4
The UK School Internet Primer is available through Archive for £9 inc
p&p.  A
8.4
Avie Electronics
8.4
New artwork
8.4
Around the World in 80 Days
8.4
Richard Rymarz
8.4
Now, how about an adventure story written for 9, 10 and 11 year olds
that has a story line to grab their attention; provide a whole
succession of geographical tasks; give them apparent deadlines; and
provide endless opportunities for teachers to broaden learning
opportunities beyond the computer.
8.4
Having read the opening comments from the teacher’s booklet from
Sherston’s ‘Around the World in 80 Days’, I was looking forward to
encountering all these aims with the prospect of a major topic on
journeys as part of this autumn’s curriculum for my group of upper
junior children.
8.4
The package
8.4
Certainly, the package looks impressive. There are four discs, three of
which provide the program and one which is filled with picture
resources; a user guide which supplies all the information needed for
lazy adults who cannot manage the adventure themselves (absolutely
essential); a book full of classroom ideas ranging across all areas of
the curriculum; a list of books, fiction and non-fiction and a
comprehensive catalogue of organisations to contact such as foreign
embassies, trusts and museums; four double-sided A4 maps including the
British Isles, Europe, the Americas and the World; and finally, a set of
ten A5 worksheets that cover a whole span of geographical skills such as
the 24hr clock, 4- and 6-digit grid references, time tables, contour
lines and latitude and longitude. Finally, there is a daily log to keep
track of the journey and a glossary of 15 words that the children may
find new. To be fair, they are brilliant and an excellent example of
resources that busy teachers need in order to make the planning of a
topic easy, well organised and progressive.
8.4
The plot
8.4
A reasonable introduction to the program would be a reading of Joules
Verne’s famous story of the same name (even the old film or the cartoon
version would be an asset). The central theme follows the famous journey
by Phileas Fogg. In fact, the two heroes of the adventure are related to
the famous adventurer. The plot involves the saving of an area of
outstanding natural beauty which is being threatened by Wiley Windbag, a
ruthless property speculator. Freddy and Francis Fogg camp out on the
reserve and refuse to move. Angered by the children’s interference,
Wiley throws down a challenge: if the twins can succeed in circum-
navigating the world in 80 days, just as their ancestor did, without
using mechanical air transport, not only will he stop his development
plans, he will give £500,000 towards ensuring its preservation. Of
course, Wiley plans to do his best to thwart the twins. This provides
immediate empathy with the children taking part in the adventure. There
is an obvious objective, there is a ‘baddie’ and there is a challenge.
The two 12 yr olds that I use to test the programs I review, couldn’t
wait to get started.
8.4
The program
8.4
The program installs itself onto hard disc although Disc 1 is needed
when beginning the adventure. A hot air balloon appears on the iconbar
where clicking <menu> accesses the set-up screen. Here positions can be
saved, volume control altered, reading speed changed and start-up
position chosen.
8.4
Clicking on the balloon with <select> results in the whole screen being
taken over by the title followed by a picture of ‘Sleepy Hollow’, the
threatened area of beauty. Sampled sounds of bird song are heard and
everything looks idyllic. Getting back to the desktop is simply a matter
of pressing <ctrl-Q> and returning to the adventure just needs a click
on the balloon − all very simple.
8.4
After setting the scene, the journey begins at the Reform Club where the
twins set off by taxi to the station. Immediately, they are tricked by
Wiley who leaves them in a taxi well away from the station. Using maps
and symbols the children ‘drive’ the car to the station using left,
right, straight on and so on. They arrive just in time to board the
‘Orient Express’ that will take them to Venice (some poetic licence here
but does it really matter?). Whilst on the train, the children have to
read a simple timetable and have to piece together a map of Europe that
the dastardly Wiley has torn to shreds. They reach Dover and, since they
have time to spare, they place the names of Europe on the map, make sure
they know the capital cities of the European countries and mark the
first stages of their route across Europe. All this happens on Day 1
and, to finish the day, the twins discover their passports and money
have been stolen. This delays them in Boulogne for three days.
Eventually, the British Embassy helps them out and, having seen Paris at
night, they find themselves by day 5 in Switzerland.
8.4
The journey progresses in similar vein for the next 75 days with Wiley
doing his best to stop the children succeeding. There are further
adventures including being hijacked by terrorists. At the end, the
children not only succeed in completing their journey in 80 days but
they also manage to put Wiley behind bars. Sleepy Hollow, of course,
remains safe.
8.4
Conclusions
8.4
‘Around the World in 80 Days’ does work. It kept my testers happy for
nearly two hours and they had no word of criticism. How much they
learned, I wouldn’t like to hazard a guess, but I am sure that, with the
aid of the worksheets, children will gain a great deal of knowledge from
the adventure. The graphics are not great but are quite adequate. There
is some simple animation, and sound effects add to the atmosphere.
Conversation is through the medium of speech bubbles which the children
are quite familiar with through their own reading experiences.
Altogether, there are 63 different starting positions and the number of
problems the children have to face is considerable. This adventure will
take some time to complete and, with the backup teaching that is needed
to ensure understanding, there is enough here to keep a class going for
many weeks. If use is made of even a small number of the follow up
suggestions in the teachers book, there is enough to keep a class busy
for a term.
8.4
At £39.95 +VAT for a single user version (£44 through Archive) and with
site licences available, this will provide a resource that will stand
the test of time. Recommended.  A
8.4
Oak
8.4
From 8.3 page 23
8.4
Hints and Tips
8.4
• Risc PC monitor configuration − One of the biggest problems people
have had with the Risc PC is finding that their machine will not drive
the monitor correctly, either because they are using a non-standard
monitor, or they have accidentally configured the machine incorrectly.
The !Mon application aims to rescue you from this situation.
8.4
The program has a number of local monitor definition files, which it
will try in turn. One of them should give a usable display on your
monitor, after which you should set up your machine again so that the
configuration is correct.
8.4
In order to use the program, you will need to do the following, typing
blind where necessary:
8.4
a) Turn on the computer and wait for it to finish booting up (wait until
the hard disc activity stops).
8.4
b) Insert the program disc into the floppy drive.
8.4
c) Press <f12>.
8.4
d) type “adfs” and press <return>.
8.4
e) type “mount 0” and press <return>.
8.4
f) type “start” and press <return>.
8.4
This will start the program and try the first monitor definition file
AKF11/12 which will not work on the AKF60’s/85’s supplied with the Risc
PC, but it is better to try this one first than a high end monitor
definition file which could damage a TV resolution monitor. You can
cycle through the available monitors by pressing <space>. Alternatively
you can jump to any of the files by pressing the appropriate number key,
the most useful are 4 (AKF60) and 5(AKF85). When the program loads a new
monitor definition file it will pause for two seconds, to give the
monitor time to catch up, and then beep. If you have a stable picture€,
press <y> to finish, followed by <return> to get back to the desktop.
Note that this will not reconfigure your machine – if you switch off
without reconfiguring, you will have the same problems next time – but
it will get you a working system. This program is on the monthly program
disc. Matthew Hunter, NCS.  A
8.4
CC
8.4
From 8.3 page 20
8.4
Gerald’s Column
8.4
Gerald Fitton
8.4
My December 1994 Archive arrived only a few days ago and yet I’ve
already received many letters relating to it. You reinforce the views
expressed last month, namely that you approve of the broader base of
topics for this column.
8.4
Knowing that you like the new column I must risk causing some of you a
measure of disappointment by postponing the article I drafted for this
month in order to give coverage to some of the other topics about which
you’ve written to me.
8.4
This month, I shall explain how saving your sprites in unusual modes
might cause you problems in the future when you upgrade your operating
system. The subject of cross checks in spreadsheets has arisen in many
letters and I have a further point to make on this topic.
8.4
Acorn World 94
8.4
At Acorn World 94, I detected a renewed faith (I use the word rather
than ‘interest’) in Acorn products on the part of “the average user”. In
the discussions I had with those of you who came and chatted to Jill and
me on the Colton Software stand, this renewal of faith came across most
strongly.
8.4
The message I received from many of you at Harrogate in the spring was
that you were wondering if Acorn was on the way out and you were
seriously thinking of defecting to the PC world! At Harrogate, because
of those doubts, you didn’t spend much. However, at Wembley, those
doubts and fears were gone. Nearly all the stand holders that I spoke to
reported substantially increased takings.
8.4
One possible reason for your increased faith is that Acorn priced the
Risc PC lower than I (and many others) thought that they would. Even if
you are one of those not interested or not able to buy a Risc PC yet,
the combination of the specification and price encourages you to believe
that Acorn will survive and maybe become an important force in the world
of computers. For my own part, I see the Set Top Box as an interesting
development which will create volume for Acorn’s Risc PC components and
hence guarantee the future of this type of computer.
8.4
Software
8.4
I found that, on the stands, in contrast to your optimism, many
suppliers of software (and hardware) were most pessimistic in spite of
the increase in their takings! The strongest position expressed to me
personally (and I must make clear that this was not from anyone at
Colton Software) was that their company would build up a PC market for
its products and, when that becomes sufficiently viable, they would get
out of the Acorn market all together. I can see sense in separating the
two operations (Acorn and PC markets) and then, maybe later, selling off
the Acorn part of the business as a going concern. Expressing a wish to
drop out completely from the Acorn market sounds to me more like
disenchantment than a sound business strategy.
8.4
As an aside, let me say that, although it is early days yet, Jill and I
have not sold a single subscription to FireLine. FireLine is our user
group for users of Fireworkz for Windows (i.e. on a PC). We have put
FireLine on hold until some time next year.
8.4
In the Archive DTP column, 8.3 p58, Mark Howe says “I have observed a
change in CC’s approach to customer service... ”. He goes on to say
“Impression 2.19 was far from bug free... yet no upgrade or bug fix was
made available... (until) several months later”. Let me tell Mark (and
all of you) that Computer Concepts are not the only software company who
have hardened their hearts towards issuing a multiplicity of free
upgrades. Previously, in this column, I have said that V 1.07 is the
most recent version of Fireworkz; it is dated 11th November 1993 and,
like V 2.19 of Impression II, far from bug free. I know that many of you
don’t like that, because you’ve told me so in no uncertain way. I don’t
think I’d go as far as one of my correspondents who says that “Software
containing bugs contravene the Trade Descriptions Act and must be
upgraded free of charge at the earliest opportunity”; but I do
sympathise.
8.4
Although it’s difficult to count a lack of something I’m sure you’ll
follow me if I say that free upgrades are a cost which many software
suppliers are avoiding with increasing frequency. As Mark Howe says, the
situation is far from satisfactory and (at least as far as the Acorn
market is concerned) it is not going to go away. I do not want Acorn
software suppliers to take the PC route (i.e. to make a substantial
charge for upgrades which are often no more than bug fixes). I prefer
the four suggestions which Mark makes for improving the current
situation.
8.4
By the way, like Mark, I don’t like the CC dongle; if I ‘downgrade’ from
Publisher to Style then can I get rid of it?
8.4
The customised Risc PC
8.4
Now to hardware. At Acorn World 94, I found that many of the better
hardware suppliers were concerned enough about margins to want to drop
out of the Acorn hardware market altogether. Although this is
understandable (I believe that Acorn offer minimal margins to retailers)
I wonder about this strategy too.
8.4
An advantage of the Risc PC over the Archimedes is that it will allow
users to upgrade piecemeal in the same way as PC users do now by buying
sound blaster cards, CD ROM, video cards, hard discs, monitors, etc. My
son has made me a PC from component parts this way.
8.4
In the Risc PC, I see the possibility of buying similar mix-and-match
combinations which will allow the purchaser to buy a set of hardware
customised to their own requirements. Up to now, Acorn has deliberately
locked out this potentially lucrative market for hardware suppliers by
insisting that you can’t buy part systems. I expect that, sooner or
later, Acorn will realise that their current policy will leave only the
‘box shifters’ who compete only on price and not on service. I believe
that they will relent and allow registered Enthusiasts to buy tailor-
made hardware systems from those agents (such as Norwich Computer
Services) with the necessary expertise to supply a hardware support
service. At present, only registered Enthusiasts can buy a box without a
monitor but, at least that’s a step in the right direction.
8.4
Other letters
8.4
Some of the letters I’ve received ask me for advice or have questions
which I feel incompetent to answer.
8.4
Here is a small sample: (a) Whether to buy a proper cheap PC or a
Risc PC (b) Whether to sell an A310 and buy a secondhand A3000 which is
going cheap (c) Whether I agree that a 5¼“ drive is an “essential” that
is missing from the current Risc PC specification (d) Whether I believe
that the price of the Canon BJC-600 printer will fall further in the
next few months (e) Will Interdictor 2 run on a Risc PC? (f) Will
Chicago, NT, Windows 95 run as well on a Risc PC as it will on a (yet to
be upgraded) PC?
8.4
If you have any comment then please write to the appropriate column of
Archive − I don’t know the answers!
8.4
One of the questions that has come up in about a dozen of my letters but
in slightly different forms is: “Will the Risc PC with upgrades manage
keep up with a ‘true’ PC which (referring to the PC) has got all the
avenues for upgrading built in?”. My answer is that the Risc PC is ahead
of the PC at present and, I believe, it will remain ahead.
8.4
The implication of the question is that you’ve bought a Risc PC to run
PC software (or to add PC hardware)! If you want PC hardware and
software then the best way to do that is to buy (or get your son to
make!) a PC and keep buying the hardware and software upgrades.
8.4
I believe that the Acorn machines are better in many ways. I find that
the Desktop is far more friendly than Windows; I find that the packages
I use on the Archimedes are faster than the packages I use on the PC; on
the Archimedes I can link Draw to Publisher, Fireworkz and PipeDream and
all of them use the same printer driver and fonts; I like the OLE
feature of Publisher and I expect OLE to be included in many more
packages.
8.4
Cross checks
8.4
The interest shown in this topic (see 8.2 p34), has been much greater
than I expected. It would seem that many of you are now successfully
using the custom function which I gave, namely:
8.4
...function(“same_number”,“first:number”,
8.4
“second: number”)
8.4
...result(if(abs(@first−@second)/(@first+
8.4
@second)<(1e−16),“OK”,“Error”))
8.4
to determine whether your spreadsheet is working correctly or whether it
has failed in some way. The only criticism I have received is a
suggestion that maybe the value of (1e−16) is too small. All but one of
those expressing this view do not use PipeDream 4 or Fireworkz.
Naturally, before I suggested this value, I ran extensive checks on many
PipeDream and Fireworkz spreadsheets and, in nearly all cases, the value
of (1e−16) does its stuff! When it doesn’t work properly, I have found
that (1e−15) overcomes the problem.
8.4
Colin Singleton points out to me that this low value, (1e−16),
corresponds to double-precision floating point arithmetic. The
conclusion is that both PipeDream 4 and Fireworkz do use double-
precision floating point arithmetic! Colton Software confirm that this
is the case. Colin and others who have written to me are quite right
that, if you use standard Acorn Basic (not the Basic64), the precision
is such that you need the rather larger number, (1e−9), instead of
(1e−16) in the check function.
8.4
A puzzle
8.4
Colin has also proposed a puzzle which relates to integer arithmetic and
rounding. I’ve discovered that many of you who read this column do like
numerical puzzles so here it is.
8.4
My day job is as a (currently much overworked, stressed, harassed and
recently inspected) lecturer at Swindon College where I teach almost
anything which is Mathematical! One topic I teach is Applications of
Statistics. Many tables of statistics (particularly those published by
the Central Statistics Office) include a footnote which reads
“Components may not add up to totals because they have been rounded
independently”. Let me explain. Consider the sum 12.4 + 8.4 = 20.8. If
you round the components (the two 12.4 and 8.4) to get 12 and 8 and then
add them you get 20. If you round the total, 20.8, you get 21. There is
a temptation amongst those who have not been taught properly (e.g. by
me!) to cheat and change some of the rounded values so that the rounded
values do add to the total. You should never do this with a statistical
table; include the footnote I’ve quoted from the CSO publications
instead.
8.4
However, accountants do it all the time! They teach the subject of
rounding differently − just to confuse the students!
8.4
Colin Singleton (are you an accountant?) wants an algorithm which will
round the total correctly but will then go through the components
adjusting one (or more if necessary) so that the components do add to
the total.
8.4
The rules for this puzzle are: (a) That the component which is chosen
for adjustment must be the one most suitable. By this I mean that you
should round up a value such as 12.4 to 13 before you round up a 12.3.
Similarly, you should round down a 12.6 to 12 before you round down a
12.7. (b) The minimum number of components should be adjusted this way.
(c) You must round by less than one unit.
8.4
If you do come up with an algorithm (i.e. a solution) then please send
it to me on a disc rather than in printed form so that I can more easily
make it available to others.
8.4
New modes
8.4
Another topic which seems to be very popular with you and has lead to
much correspondence appeared in this column under the heading TaskX.
8.4
If you create sprites in one of the Risc PC new modes and import them
into Fireworkz, you may find the area which should be occupied by the
sprite is blank! The solution is to update your TaskX module. Send me a
blank formatted disc and I’ll send you a copy of the new TaskX. Please
note that if you use this new TaskX with RISC OS 3.1, not only will it
do nothing extra for you but it will stop Fireworkz working properly.
So, don’t fit the new TaskX unless you have RISC OS 3.5 (or later).
8.4
Non standard modes
8.4
In my best desk-side manner, let me be nice and thank all of you who
send me discs before being nasty and telling you of something you do
which causes me problems. I guess that it’s not only me that has the
problem but also the Archive editor and many authors of columns in
Archive. Before I start, let me thank Jim Nottingham for raising my
awareness of this problem from which many Archive authors must suffer.
8.4
The utility VIDCModes, to which I referred in the November 1994 Archive,
defines a new mode, mode 102, which, in characters, allows me (just
under) twice the width and twice the height of a mode 12 screen. I like
to use it with my 17“ Eizo 9070S monitor because I can get more windows
on the screen in that mode than in any other. Once upon a time, shortly
after I got my 17” monitor, I sent my PipeLine column to Archive (on
disc) containing sprites (screenshots) I had created in mode 102. I got
a call from Paul saying that he couldn’t read my sprites. They gave an
error message which I think was something like “Bad Mode”. After a
little discussion, Paul loaded the mode defining module (which is on one
of his Shareware discs) and then his Impression accepted the screenshots
which I’d created in mode 102.
8.4
In the past, I’ve had many similar problems with contributions to
PipeLine; these problems were nearly always with files sent to me by
users of Impression II. It took me quite a while before I found out why.
One day, instead of using the A540, I used the A440 machine on which I
had Impression II installed (I’ve got only one dongle) and, to my
surprise, the sprite which wouldn’t load into PipeDream on the A540 did
so on the A440. What was the cause? A utility called !NewModes is
packaged with Impression II which allows those with a standard non-
multisync monitor to increase the area (in pixels) used by their
desktop. It would seem that mode 66 is the most popular mode for non-
multisync use. I hadn’t got the NewModes utility loaded on the A540 and
couldn’t read the sprites. The solution was simple. Load the CC NewModes
module into the A540 machine and all the sprites from my correspondents
(remember that the sprites are hidden in a PipeDream or Fireworkz
document) could be read even though Impression II wasn’t loaded.
8.4
When you upgrade to a Risc PC
8.4
Part of the most recent letter I received from Jim Nottingham refers to
loading sprites he’s received from others. He says: “I still haven’t had
much joy with the Risc PC as this doesn’t seem to want to recognise
‘non-standard’ modes, even if the extra (mode defining) modules are
loaded”. Does this imply that the Risc PC can’t make use of the NewModes
or VIDCModes modules? Does this mean that all my mode 102 sprites (which
use the VIDCModes module) won’t be accepted by my Risc PC when I get it?
8.4
This feature of the Risc PC (if true) is important to many of you now
since, at some time or other, you may consider buying a Risc PC (or you
may want to send documents containing sprites to someone who has only a
Risc PC). When you do, you will want all the old documents you created
on the earlier platform to work with your new machine.
8.4
Sending me sprites
8.4
So, there we are. When you send me (or any of the Archive authors) a
disc please make sure that they are going to be able to read your
sprites! As a general rule, you should apply the principle, “Use the
least sophisticated mode which contains all the attributes you need to
make your point”. For example, don’t send an Archive author a 16M colour
mode sprite if a 256 (or 16) colour mode will make your point equally
effectively.
8.4
Let me be specific. If you have a Risc PC and you send me a disc
containing a sprite, remember that I don’t have a Risc PC and so I can
read only numbered modes such as 12, 15, 27 and 28. I can’t read 16M
colour modes. If your screenshot has been taken in some unnumbered mode
on a Risc PC then I won’t be able to read it (yet).
8.4
ChangeFSI
8.4
So what can you do about ensuring that authors can read your sprites?
There is no need to change the mode you’re working in. By all means save
your screenshot in a 16M colour mode but then use the utility program
!ChangeFSI (supplied by Acorn and on the Archive Utilities Disc Nº 8) to
convert your sprite to one of the numbered modes which I (Paul, Jim and
others) can read more easily.
8.4
The screenshot below shows you how to set up ChangeFSI so that your
sprites will be converted into mode 12 sprites. Mode 12 is a 16 colour
mode so, if you want 256 colours then you will find it beneficial to
convert to mode 15 rather than 12. I suggest you don’t convert to mode
27 or 28 since these modes cannot be read by machines having the
RISC OS 2 operating system.
8.4
Finally
8.4
In this issue, I had intended to include a brief note explaining the
differences in the nature of Styles in Impression and Fireworkz. That,
together with my draft for the next part of my series on future proofing
will have to wait for another day.
8.4
It must be time again to remind you that my address is that of Abacus
Training which you will find on the inside back cover of this magazine.
Writing to me via the Archive office causes delay and extra expense.
Please send me your comments, examples, questions and problems in the
form of a disc file. It makes things much easier for me if I decide to
publish them or to make your comments available to others.  A
8.4
Gerald and I agree that “Document Production Column” doesn’t really do
justice to the range of topics he is covering. “Gerald’s Column” is a
bit unimaginative so how about a competition for the best alternative?
I’ll give a year’s free subscription to the magazine for (what I think)
is the best title. Ed.
8.4
Pocket Book Column
8.4
Audrey Laski
8.4
Hardware matters
8.4
Ian Ford, of Stockport had to send his 3A back to Psion because of two
problems which other users may be concerned to hear about. The keyboard
had to be replaced because some of the key legends were wearing away,
and the screen had become badly scratched, apparently by the top row of
keys. Psion suggested that the keyboard had become dirty and transmitted
the dirt to the screen, and then the frequent opening and closing had
caused the scratches. His advice is to clean keyboard and screen
regularly, probably with a spectacle or lens cleaner. However, I was
somewhat shocked to see that he had had these troubles while his 3A was
still under guarantee. It seems as if either he had a rogue specimen, or
that the Psion is seriously less well finished than the Pocket Book,
since mine, uncleaned for fifteen months and heavily used, has shown no
sign of similar problems.
8.4
In relation to the question of ruggedness, he mentions that his 3A has
survived getting wet while sharing a bicycle basket with a leaking
mineral water bottle. This is reassuring, since Pocket Books are often
in danger from spillages of various sorts.
8.4
Roger Jackman, of Slough, warns of the possible risks inherent in using
rechargeable batteries, which he had hoped would be as useful in the
Pocket Book as in other devices. He notes that these batteries “suddenly
run out of juice”, so that the Pocket Book has to switch to the backup
battery without the user’s noticing the fact. His advice is to change
rechargeable batteries regularly, but points out that the frequency will
vary with use, so what “regularly” implies, every user will need to
establish individually. It may be more economical in the long run to
stick to ordinary throwaway batteries. Incidentally, have other users
been troubled, like me, by a discrepancy between battery power messages?
When I had been using a set of batteries for some time, I started to get
the battery warning on switching on, but found the battery information
accessed from the desktop still saying “Good”; I didn’t know what to
believe.
8.4
Hot keys
8.4
The query from Peter Young, of Cheltenham, in last month’s column, about
adding hot-key shortcuts stirred much interest. Ian Ford suggests that
another useful Write shortcut would be one for case swapping. John
Woodthorpe, of Rugby, who first alerted us to the useful programs
available from 3-Lib, recommends a macro-generating program they have
for the 3A, which will presumably also work for Pocket Book 2, as a way
of ‘rolling your own’.
8.4
Printing problems
8.4
I have had some queries about discrepancies between what appears on the
screen and what is printed out. I’d be glad of more examples so that
they can be tackled as a group, and it would be particularly useful to
know if printing is being done directly or via the A-Link to another
machine.
8.4
For those in the vanguard
8.4
The goodies available to those who have advanced to the Psion 3A or
Pocket Book 2 continue to make the rest of us greenish. John Woodthorpe
also draws attention to a Shareware application by Steve Litchfield of
3-Lib which provides a 3A road and hotel mapping system which shows
distances, main roads and motorways between given places. Picture the
Psion 3A/Pocket Book 2 user, arriving fresh as a daisy in Southampton
after an easy drive during which she has dictated part of her memoirs on
the recorder, sending a few faxes via the Psion 3Fax, relaxing with a
glass of wine, chosen with the advice of the Hugh Johnson Wine Guide,
and a crossword assisted by Spell 2 and the Thesaurus, before settling
to some serious programming with the latest version of OPL...
8.4
Endnote
8.4
It isn’t quite a flood yet, but the letters are beginning to flow again,
as the column shows. I look forward to even more in the New Year, and
wish all Pocket Book and Psion users a very happy one.  A
8.4
Puzzle Corner
8.4
Colin Singleton
8.4
In this column last month, I stated my policy of offering original
puzzles only − and this month I am going to break this rule! The second
puzzle, The Hole, is a classic in the field of Recreational Mathematics,
but if you haven’t seen it before, the answer is quite surprising.
Please be honest, and do not submit an answer cribbed from elsewhere.
8.4
The two puzzles this month have one thing in common − there does not
seem to be enough information to answer the question. Nevertheless, they
can both be solved. They are mathematical puzzles rather than computer
exercises, but you can, perhaps, use your machine as a tool to assist
your investigation. Isn’t that what computers are for? Try experimenting
with different values of the ‘missing’ variables. Good Luck!
8.4
Here are this month’s two puzzles ...
8.4
(5) Cheat!
8.4
I have just received from the Editor of a certain magazine (not
Archive), the bundle of entries to the the puzzle I set in the magazine
a few weeks ago. There were a number of wrong answers, but 26 entrants
got it right. One lady submitted two correct entries − I don’t know
whether she was trying to cheat, or to altruistically increase the
chance of a female winner in a male-dominated field! She did, of course,
give herself two chances, to everyone else’s one, of being drawn out of
the Editor’s hat.
8.4
If I really wanted to cheat at this type of competition, I could send a
couple of dozen entries in separate envelopes under false names. I could
never be sure of winning the prize, unless mine were the only correct
entries, but I would improve the chance of one of my entries being
drawn. On the debit side, if I send too many entries, the postage will
cost more than the value of the prize.
8.4
So, if I am confident of my answers, and I want to maximise the return
on my ‘investment’ in postage, how many entries should I send to each
puzzle?
8.4
(6) The Hole
8.4
A cylindrical hole is drilled through the centre of a steel sphere. The
remaining steel is then melted down and re-cast into a new sphere. If
the diameter of this sphere is five inches, what was the length of the
hole in the original sphere?
8.4
... and last month’s two answers ...
8.4
(3) Tithes
8.4
Charlie won the toss 21 times (Not 20!)
8.4
If Charlie had staked equal amounts on each toss, we could deduce that
he had won exactly half the tosses. But if he stakes a fixed percentage
on each toss, the result is different.
8.4
A win multiplies his holding by 1·1, a loss multiplies it by 0·9.
Starting with £100·00, twenty wins and twenty losses (in any sequence)
would leave Charlie with only 100 × 1·120 × 0·920 ® 81·79. However, 21
wins and 19 losses leaves 100 × 1·121 × 0·919 ® 99·97; 22 wins and 18
losses leaves 100 × 1·122 × 0·918 ® 122·18.
8.4
With each stake rounded to the nearest penny, the final amount can vary
by a few pence either side of the theoretical figure, depending on the
sequence of wins and losses. But a discrepancy of around £20 is not
possible.
8.4
(4) Prime Post
8.4
100 can be expressed as the total of different Prime Numbers in 198
different ways.
8.4
Yes, it is as straightforward as it looks. Nothing clever, no hidden
twists. You can do it with pencil and paper, if you set about it
systematically, but it is very easy to miss a few. You could, of course,
make Archimedes do the donkey-work, but make sure you get the program
logic right. The 198 partitions are listed in the file PrimePost on this
month’s disc.
8.4
(N.B. The number one is not prime! If it were, the prime factorisations
of composite numbers would not be unique.)
8.4
... and congratulations to the previous month’s winners.
8.4
(1) This is 1994
8.4
Winner − Rev D Broster, Kilbirnie, Ayrshire
8.4
The only correct answer found was ((·1)–Ú9–Ú9)×Ú4. Sorry, you are not
allowed e or p, or the indices -1 or 2, since these are all numbers, and
the only numbers allowed are 1 9 9 4.
8.4
(2) Conversations
8.4
Winner − Jonathan Ormond, Ludlow, Shropshire
8.4
Jonathan sent a detailed explanation of his solution, which was
essentially the same as the one I gave in last month’s column. The
series 1 2 5 15 52 203 876 ... are known as Bell Numbers after the
Scottish-American mathematician Eric Temple Bell, who investigated it in
connection with a number of mathematical problems.
8.4
Comments and solutions
8.4
Please send comments, contributions and solutions to me at 41 St Quentin
Drive, Sheffield, S17 4PN. Solutions by Friday 6th January, 1995,
please.  A
8.4
Supreme Software
8.4
New artwork
8.4
The Civil War − Key Datafiles
8.4
Phyllis Brighouse
8.4
To run the datafile, you need the KeyPlus database. If you are using
KeyPlus for the first time, you are going to have to get to grips with
the package first. KeyPlus comes with a resources disc and very
comprehensive instructions in a ring bound folder, so you can take pages
out and attach them to clipboards, etc. It takes you through in simple
steps and is easy to follow.
8.4
This is an extremely powerful database program, however, with a
correspondingly steep learning curve. It is the sort of package that
should be included in staff training on “Baker Days” to enable teachers
to use the package in class. Having said that, pupils do not need to
master the entire package and should be able to use the datafiles more
quickly.
8.4
KeyPlus is aimed at Secondary School pupils working towards Key Stage 3
and 4. As well as being able to sort and to search databases and then
output the results in spreadsheet format, KeyPlus provides a powerful
mapping system. This means that pupils can plot data onto maps if the
datafile gives the latitude and longitude of a place. Data can thus be
displayed visually as well as in the form of tables of raw data.
8.4
Schools which also have the spreadsheet program KeyCalc can transfer the
Civil War data across from KeyPlus to KeyCalc to use as spreadsheet
data.
8.4
Loading and starting up the program
8.4
KeyPlus can be loaded onto the hard disc, but you must have the key disc
in your floppy drive. If the key disc is missing, the program demands it
and will not load. This protects against unauthorised copying of
programs without preventing you copying to the hard disc; you have to
encode the key disc with the name of the person to whom the licence is
issued. Anglia can then identify illegal copies.
8.4
The Civil War datafiles and booklet
8.4
The Civil War package consists of a slim book and a disc. The disc
contains four KeyPlus files, called !Battles, !Biogs, !GarrisonI and
!Garrison0. The files !Battles and !Biogs are text files describing the
major battles of the Civil War and biographies of the major
participants. !Battles has information on the latitude and longitude of
battles as well as the date, place and outcome, so KeyPlus can paste
data onto maps. Two maps are supplied: CivilWar and GB. A Swords
drawfile is supplied as the symbol for use on the maps.
8.4
The two databases starting with the name Garrison are the actual records
of the Parliamentary garrison at Chalfield and provide an opportunity to
use a computer to manipulate primary evidence. They are the financial
records of the garrison and payments made are recorded in both modern
currency and the ‘old money’ of pounds, shillings and pence.
8.4
A file called MoneyOld provides an ‘old money’ to ‘new money’
spreadsheet file in KeyCalc/KeyCount format to help pupils convert
decimal money to pounds, shillings and pence, and assist in
understanding the old money. This file cannot be run unless one of the
two spreadsheets is available.
8.4
There is a directory of eight drawfiles − these are eight of the
pictures in the booklet, including Charles I, Charles II and Cromwell −
so pupils can illustrate any writing they do about their work on the
Civil War.
8.4
The Civil War Booklet is full of information about the Civil War, and is
a small, multimedia history book rather than an instruction manual on
running the program. Ability to manipulate the program is assumed. It
includes a timeline, and tells the story of how Charles I clashed with
Cromwell and finally lost his head. It uses quotations from primary
sources, and suggests sources of evidence available to a historian.
8.4
The booklet gives a map marking the principle battles of the Civil War
and suggests that the reader then utilises the Battles datafile and
other KeyPlus maps to obtain more detailed information. At the end of
the booklet are four pupil worksheets, detailing what is in the
datafiles and asking questions which would be answered by using them.
The !Battles text datafile can, for instance, be sorted by date,
searched for the battles and skirmishes which took place in 1642 (brief
instructions on how to do this are given); the results of such a search
can then be plotted onto a map (supplied as a computer file).
8.4
There is plenty of material for pupils to work with and all the files
are large datafiles so you get value for your money.
8.4
Conclusion
8.4
Computer packages should enable pupils to use computers across the
curriculum and carry out activities that books, diagrams and other
teaching aids cannot. Tasks carried out should meet the requirements of
the National Curriculum, and allow both the least able and the most able
pupils to demonstrate what they can do. This package does it in spades.
It has the ability to plot the results of searches of the Battles file
onto a map. After a series of searches, pupils can create maps
presenting the results of searches visually rather than as raw data
tables. They can manipulate the Garrison datafiles (IT in history using
primary evidence), and output and publish the results. The data in the
Garrison, Biographies and Battles datafiles can all be output into ASCII
files, edited and dropped into a publishing package, illustrated with
the supplied drawfiles.
8.4
Schools which also have the spreadsheet program KeyCalc can transfer the
Civil War data across to use as spreadsheet data.
8.4
The Civil War is produced by Anglia Television and works with version
3.0 of KeyPlus. Instructions for using earlier versions of KeyPlus are
found in a ReadMe file on the disc. The Civil War costs £22 +VAT from
Anglia Television and KeyPlus v3.0 is £60 +VAT.  A
8.4
Help!!!!
8.4
•  AgendA − Does anyone still have an AgendA seven-button chording
keyboard from MicroWriter Systems? The company has gone bust and I can’t
contact them any more. The machines die of neglect when their Nicad
batteries run down and won’t recharge. I can fix them but I need spares
to keep mine going. Help!  Simon Anthony, 62 Rutland Road, West
Bridgeford, Nottingham, NG2 5DG.
8.4
•  Printer drivers − Does anyone have a printer driver for the Acorn
JP101 sparkjet printer, please?  Simon Anthony, Nottingham.
8.4
•  Qume laser printers − Has anyone got a spare CC driver card for a
Qume Laser Direct printer, please? We have the printer but the computer
containing the driver card was stolen from our college. (What about
someone who has bought a Risc PC and found that their Qume no longer
works? Ed.)  Simon Anthony, Nottingham.
8.4
•  Slideshow software − Can anyone give me any suggestions for software
to simulate a ‘slide show’ with user-controllable wipes and fades,
either to the Archimedes video output or a separate card. All comments
and reports (positive and negative) much appreciated.  Stuart Bell, 23
Ryecroft Drive, Horsham, RH12 2AW.
8.4
•  Video to VCR − Can anyone give suggestions for an economical way of
sending video output to a VCR − either the Archimedes’ own signal or
else from a separate card − the highest possible quality.  Stuart Bell,
Horsham.
8.4
Help Offered
8.4
• Scientific software − Some time ago, I offered to act as a collator
for any type of scientific and mathematical software. There are now two
discs of applications, which can be obtained by sending two formatted
(800Kb) blank discs, together with return postage. I should also be
pleased to receive any software for inclusion on further discs. A list
of the software appears on this month’s program disc.  Chris Johnson, 7,
Lovedale Grove, Balerno, Edinburgh, EH14 7DR.
8.4
•  Unit Conversion − On this month’s disc is a new version of Chris’
unit conversion program. The old one had liquid measures in American
units, not in British (Imperial)!  Chris Johnson, Edinburgh.  A
8.4
PrimeSolver
8.4
Doug Weller
8.4
PrimeSolver is, to quote the manual, “a fun way of creating and solving
puzzles.” The puzzles in question fall under the subject headings of
science and technology.
8.4
To assist in solving and designing puzzles, there are 56 gadgets,
including bricks, water, candles, eggs, nuts, generators, motors,
boilers, lasers, mirrors, wickets, etc. Some interesting characters,
Mike the Bike, Henrietta Henworthy (a hen), Biggles the Fly, and
Felicity Green the Frog are also available to help and amuse.
8.4
These are all put together to allow children (and adults!) to solve
problems and to experiment. Minerva has thought through this program
very carefully and has provided an excellent graded set of puzzles which
are the best way to get into this program. When you load PrimeSolver and
click on the icon bar, a ‘startup file’ is loaded. This brings up two
already solved puzzles which give you a good flavour of how the program
works.
8.4
The first involves Felicity the Frog, a flag, a tennis ball, a bomb, a
curtain, a fan, electric sockets, some bricks, cog wheels, an electric
motor, pulleys, drive belts, and a rope. (I may have missed something!)
The frog jumps on a switch which starts the fan which blows the ball
(which has already fallen and switched on the motor) down a ramp into a
lift which is being raised by the motor which then knocks a bomb off a
stand which falls against a candle (knew I’d missed something) and
lights and then falls on the curtains, explodes and destroys the
curtains only to reveal.... well, I guess you have the general idea by
now.
8.4
Also on the disc are several files of example problems. The ‘starter’
file has sixteen puzzles (the maximum that can be stored in one file)
which offer simple examples of all the different gadgets, and the manual
offers a tutorial taking you through each puzzle. (You might want to try
them without reading the manual first, though.)
8.4
The first puzzle has, in its action window, our old friend the frog, the
framework for a swimming pool and a diving board. The gadgetbox has
tiles and water, and the objective (each puzzle has an objective) is to
fill the pool with water so that Felicity can have a dip. Another puzzle
requires you to use a radio, two lengths of cable, a generator, a drive
belt and a pipe bend, to suck a ball out of a basin using the radio.
Once completed, a Well done message is displayed which also shows how
long you spent finding the solution.
8.4
Experiment and design modes
8.4
Experiment mode allows access to an unlimited number of all the
available gadgets, either to devise your own simulations or to find
alternative solutions to existing puzzles. These can’t be saved (to
prevent overwriting existing problems accidentally).
8.4
Design mode allows users to set up their own problems including the
number of type of gadgets that can be used and an objective for the
problem. This objective (or goal) must be reached for the problem to be
solved and the Well done message to appear, e.g. a puzzle might have the
goal ‘Break the jar without frightening the chicken.’
8.4
Other features
8.4
PrimeSolver has too many special features to be mentioned in this
review. Some of the more important include:
8.4
Configurable button bar to control activities.
8.4
Gravity which can be adjusted from 0 to 200%.
8.4
Air pressure which can also be adjusted from normal down to 0% (which
kills animals, stops candles from lighting, etc).
8.4
Sound (of balloons bursting, etc) can be off or on.
8.4
Keyboard shortcuts for common actions.
8.4
Snapshot will save the current work area as a sprite.
8.4
Backdrops can be created in applications such as Paint and used to
provide decorative backgrounds (or indeed as stationary objects which
will interact with the simulation, allowing things to bounce off them or
even to be destroyed by explosions and thus become part of the goal).
8.4
Interactive Help via Acorn’s !Help is also available to show how the
various features and gadgets work. This is very useful when first using
the program with children.
8.4
Summary
8.4
This is an ingenious and well thought out program, with an excellent
tutorial and a manual to match. It can be used with a wide range of ages
(7 to 70 plus), and is both challenging and entertaining. It is truly a
unique program − which may actually be a slight disadvantage. Those who
have not seen it may be put off by its price, which would be a shame. At
the time of writing, it is being offered by Minerva at a special price:
Single User: £39.95 inc VAT, Primary Site Licence: £118 +VAT, Secondary
Site Licence: £252 +VAT. (The single user version is available through
Archive at £39.)  A
8.4
Text Import − Part 2
8.4
Jim Nottingham
8.4
In Part 1 (Archive 8.3 p63), we considered how the various characters
that we see on screen and paper are designated and also looked at the
range of methods we can use to enter characters into the computer. In
this part, we turn to the actual business of importing text from
‘foreign’ sources and specifically how we can filter out the unwanted
control characters. Some of the word-processor (WP) and DTP applications
for Acorn machines have built-in routines and facilities to allow this
to be done in part but, as we all have access to Edit, we will use this
powerful text editor − in particular its invaluable Find and Replace
function − as the primary tool.
8.4
At the outset, let me stress that there will always be two or more
methods of achieving the same result in Edit and I can only cover a
small fraction of the entire repertoire in this article. So my intention
is to deal with a limited number of situations we might meet in practice
and suggest solutions, considering not only the ‘how’ but also the
‘why’, in some detail. My aim is to give you sufficient familiarity with
the workings of Edit so that, when you meet a situation we have not
discussed, you will quickly be able to deduce a working solution from
the basic principles.
8.4
For convention throughout the article, anything I ask you to type in at
the keyboard will be enclosed in <> brackets, so <Text><return> would
mean type in the word “Text” and then press the return key. Similarly,
<Alt-169> would mean hold down the Alt key, type in the numerals 169 (on
the numeric keypad) and then release the Alt key.
8.4
Preparation
8.4
For the sake of this exercise, I will assume that you have either
received the ‘foreign’ text on floppy disc or already imported it into
your computer via a serial link or through a modem. At the end of the
day, you will want to have the text converted to Acorn-speak and
displayed by your WP or DTP application. So, for starters, load Edit and
the WP/DTP package onto the iconbar.
8.4
My first and most important bit of advice is that you should make at
least one back-up copy of what you receive. Having learnt the hard way,
I always make two copies on different storage media as a matter of
course, one as a working copy and − most importantly − one I can still
get at should the original be corrupted. (I still come out in a sweat
when I remember the floppy that arrived from Saudi Arabia, two weeks
late, with a cracked case and a mangled metal slider − arrghh!)
8.4
When you have the text file copied onto your hard disc or whatever, you
may well find the icon above the filename will represent a PC. This is
because the filetype has been set to the PC disc operating system − DOS.
Some applications (e.g. Impression Publisher) will not accept such files
so, initially, it is necessary to convert their filetype to Text. I
always convert the files as a matter of course because I prefer to see
Acorn-style icons on the desktop!
8.4
To do this, click <menu> over the file icon and follow through the
Filer−File−Set type sub-menus. Delete “DOS” in the dialogue box and type
in <Text><return>.
8.4
The file icon will change to the more familiar Text style and double-
clicking on it will load the file into Edit as normal. If you will be
processing multiple files, you can change their filetype at one go by
selecting them all and, this time, stepping through the
Filer−Selection−Set type sub-menus.
8.4
Importing ASCII text
8.4
The most common and straightforward situation is when you need to import
some text which has been sent in the standard, ASCII format, so let’s
have a look at a practical example of that. On the monthly disc is the
file Example1 which we can use so, for the moment, drop the file icon
onto whichever WP or DTP package you have loaded on the iconbar.
8.4
Don’t worry if you don’t have the monthly disc, here is a truncated
section of what the file should look like in your WP/DTP package window
(with acknowledgements to Richard Torrens):
8.4
These days, a fax facility is almost a
8.4
necessity for running a business. When
8.4
people asked for our fax number, they
8.4
were most put out to find that we didn’t
8.4
have one − so we invested in David
8.4
Pilling’s ArcFax and bought ourselves
8.4
a fax modem.
8.4
What is a computer fax?
8.4
The Acorn computer prints by sending to
8.4
the printer a graphic image of the page
8.4
which is made up as a series of dots.
8.4
Normally, an electronic representation
8.4
of those dots is sent up the cable to the
8.4
printer. The fax modem can be thought of
8.4
as a ‘printer’ which turns these dots
8.4
into sounds which can be sent down the
8.4
telephone line to a remote receiver.
8.4
The main characteristic to note from this example is that the text does
not fill the column width. This is because ‘hard’ linefeeds have become
embedded (invisibly) in the ‘foreign’ text and have been imported with
it. It is possible to re-format the text manually, line by line, but
that’s even less exciting than watching Corel Draw re-draw on a PC
screen(!), so we need a better method.
8.4
Find and replace
8.4
Let’s see how we can use Edit to help us. Close and discard the WP/DTP
document and load the Example1 file into Edit. For reasons which will be
discussed later, it is advisable to set the Edit display to something
other than the System font (for clarity, I prefer Homerton). To do this,
click Menu in the Edit window and follow through the Display−Font sub-
menus.
8.4
Initially, the caret will already be in the top left-hand corner but, as
in later activities it can and will be elsewhere in the file, so get
used to pressing the <home> key to re-set it. Finally, press <f4> which
will open up Edit’s Find text box.
8.4
In normal usage, this allows us to replace one string of text with
another desired string, either singly or globally, for instance
replacing “Archivers” with “Archive readers” throughout a document. This
is a very powerful and flexible function and will handle not only text
strings, but also individual or groups of odd characters including those
from the top-bit set and even, as we shall see, control characters. I
believe the only limitation is that, when using window-based character-
select utilities such as !Chars, we cannot enter characters into the
Edit Find/Replace dialogue boxes by clicking <select>, so we must either
press <shift> (as described in Ed’s note in Part 1) or fall back on the
keyboard entry methods. For this reason, you may find it handy to have
available the table included in Archive 8.3 p64 (reading specs from Ed.
please, not me...).
8.4
Embedded linefeeds
8.4
To deal with the unwanted linefeeds in Example1, we can strip them out
by entering the appropriate character in the Find: dialogue box and
globally replacing it with something else. But what is the linefeed
character? If we hunt through the table, we will find that a linefeed
(LF) is the control character which has the ASCII decimal number 10.
Unfortunately, a quirk of Edit is that we can’t use the (Alt-xxx) system
to enter the control characters in the ASCII range 00-31 into the Find:
box (try it − you will get the superscript “¹” instead). So we are
forced to use an alternative method, in this case by entering the
equivalent hexadecimal number (&0a).
8.4
Magic characters
8.4
To enable this to work, we must first click on the “Magic characters”
radio button in the Find text box which extends the window to display
various options. (Users of RISC OS 2 will already see these options in
the Find text window, but you will need to click on Magic characters
anyway.)
8.4
As shown by “hex char”, we could enter the linefeed character by typing
<\x> followed by the appropriate 2-digit hex number (excluding the ‘&’).
So, in this case, typing <\x0a> would do the trick. However, this is not
exactly friendly so, again as shown, Edit allows us to type in <\n>
instead, which represents a linefeed or what it calls a “newline”
character.
8.4
So, having typed <\n> in the Find: box and pressed <return>, what do we
replace it with? The answer is either a space − or nothing at all! Our
problem is that this decision depends on where the text originally came
from (i.e. the ‘foreign’ application used) so, initially, I always play
safe by pressing the Space bar before pressing <return> (more on that
anon).
8.4
This will bring up the Text found window, indicating that Edit has found
the first instance of the linefeed character.
8.4
Normally, the first find would be marked in inverse text in the Edit
window but, because these linefeed characters are ‘invisible’, it cannot
do that; however, the caret has moved to the correct position of the
linefeed, i.e. the end of the first line of text.
8.4
Next, click “End of file replace” which will bring up 38 finds − the
number of lines of text and paragraph breaks in the file. Now, before
doing anything else, look at the result in the Edit window. You will see
that the text is now ranged across the full width of the window,
confirming that the unwanted linefeeds have been stripped out
successfully.
8.4
Paragraph breaks
8.4
Unfortunately, the double-spaces between the paragraphs, and either side
of the heading, have also been stripped out! As Harry Enfield would say,
we didn’t want to do that... The straightforward reason for the hiccup
is that, when you think about it, double-spacing is simply two linefeeds
back-to-back (in the same way that we would normally press <return>
twice to get double-spacing in a document). In these cases, Edit has
simply found pairs of linefeeds, back-to-back, and obediently replaced
them with two spaces.
8.4
Before we correct the error, look again at the text in the Edit window,
specifically where the linefeeds used to be. You will see that −
appropriately in this case − there is a single space, indicating that we
were correct to have replaced the linefeeds with a space. If we hadn’t,
the words at the end of each line and the start of the next would have
been joined together which would be a pain to untangle. Had there been
double spaces (i.e. an unwanted space had been added in each case), this
would have indicated that we should have replaced the linefeeds with
nothing.
8.4
Back to the problem of how to retain paragraph spacing. In this case
we’ve messed it up, so we can either go back one step by clicking on
“Undo” in the Text found box and then clicking on “Stop” or,
alternatively, discard the Edit file altogether and start again.
8.4
What we need to do is devise a method of getting Edit to recognise and
strip out single linefeeds while ignoring double linefeeds. We can
achieve this by running through the following procedure:
8.4
a)  Temporarily replace each double linefeed (\n\n) with something
completely different (a ‘dummy’).
8.4
b)  Strip out the single linefeeds as above (the ‘dummies’ representing
the double linefeeds will be disregarded).
8.4
c)  Replace/restore the ‘dummies’ with double linefeeds (or single
linefeeds, if you prefer).
8.4
What we use as the temporary dummy is not important except that it must
be uniquely different; that is, when we come to replace it with a double
linefeed, there must be no possibility of inadvertently replacing a
matching string in the wanted text. I’ve seen people using a variety of
dummy strings; “ZCZC”, “%$%” and the like. For this exercise, we will
use “%%”.
8.4
Working procedure
8.4
So the suggested, full procedure for importing ASCII text with embedded
linefeeds is as follows:
8.4
a)  Press <home> followed by <f4>
8.4
  “Find:” Type in <\n\n><return>
8.4
  “Replace with:” Type in <%%><return>
8.4
  Click on “End of file replace” (5 finds)
8.4
  Click on “Stop” (or press <return>)
8.4
(Note: The five paragraph spaces − double linefeeds − have now been
replaced with the “%%” dummy string).
8.4
b)  Press <home> followed by <f4>
8.4
  “Find:” Type in <\n><return>
8.4
  “Replace with:” Press <space><return>
8.4
  Click on “End of file replace” (28 finds)
8.4
  Click on “Stop” (or press <return>)
8.4
(Note: The 28 remaining single linefeeds have now been replaced with
spaces.)
8.4
c)  Press <home> followed by <f4>
8.4
  “Find:” <%%><return>
8.4
  “Replace with:” <\n\n><return>
8.4
  Click on “End of file replace” (5 finds)
8.4
  Click on “Stop” (or press <return>)
8.4
(Note: The five instances of “%%” have been deleted and double linefeeds
restored.)
8.4
If all has gone well, the text in the Edit window will now be ranged
across its full width but the original paragraph and heading spacings
will have been retained. As proof of the pudding, open an Edit save box,
drag it to the WP/DTP icon and marvel at your undoubted skill in
converting the ‘foreign’ text into fully-formatted Acorn-speak.
8.4
Familiarity and (semi-)automation
8.4
For what seems such a straightforward problem, this might appear to be a
very heavy-handed procedure. However, familiarity with it comes very
quickly and what we have done here for a fairly trivial sample applies
equally well for the majority of ASCII-text import problems that I have
met. Helping Edit to massage a 30-page ‘foreign’ document into perfectly
formatted text in a couple of minutes can be extremely satisfying.
8.4
Indeed, because it is a relatively standard procedure, it can be semi-
automated by the use of an appropriate module built into applications
such as the Impression family or by using a utility such as the
wonderful Keystroke. I prefer to use the latter because we can
capitalise on its inherent flexibility to get round the inevitable
variations in foreign-text format which, on occasions, seem to upset the
built-in routines. For example, the ASCII-text output option from my
Magic Note (Archive 8.1 p31) is slightly odd-ball but, by pressing <Alt-
L>, Keystroke converts it to Acorn-speak at the rate of around 2 secs/
page. There’s productivity for you.
8.4
Next month...
8.4
With Archive space at a premium this month, this is a convenient point
to break off for the moment. In the final part, planned for next month,
we will look at a more complex series of problems which are typical of
those we might meet in text imported directly from common ‘foreign’
word-processors such as Word, Word-Perfect, Wordstar and the like. With
our knowledge and experience to date, we shall have no difficulty using
Edit to convert the text to pure Acorn-speak, honest...
8.4
For further practice, I’m putting together a disc of example files
imported from as many foreign sources as I can get my hands on,
including the examples used in this series of articles. It should be
ready by the time this appears in print so, if you would like a copy,
please send me a formatted disc, address label and return postage. Jim
Nottingham, 16 Westfield Close, Pocklington, York, YO4 2EY.  A
8.4
Comment Column
8.4
•  Apple are at it again! − After having been told off by the
Advertising Standards Authority, Apple have changed their Power Mac
adverts. However, they are now saying “we can offer Power Macintosh
systems for as little as £1299...” (my italics). Next to the price is an
asterisk and this is covered in a minute piece of small print at the
bottom the page saying that these so-called “systems” do not include
keyboard or monitor! The above sentence continues “...complete with a
160Mb hard drive, 8Mb of RAM, 16-bit video support up to a 17“ monitor,
sound, and built-in Ethernet networking and file sharing.” Which of the
above is included in the £1299 price and which not? Good question!  Ed.
8.4
Stan Hasleton of Abbots Langley wrote to say that, last time we
mentioned dubious claims from Apple, he complained to the ASA and was
singularly unimpressed by the time taken by them to stop the offending
material. I quote from his letter, “My case here is not the time taken
for the ASA to deliberate on the complaint, rather the unexplained delay
in promulgating the results to the public having arrived at their
decision, bearing in mind that the ASA acknowledge that the offending
material was still being circulated by Apple and therefore the damage to
Acorn was not being limited.” The point was that he received a letter
dated 22nd July saying that the complaint had been upheld and enclosing
a copy of the Complaint Final Report. However, he was asked to “treat
the matter as confidential” because the report was not going to be
published until 7th September!
8.4
• ARM7500 − The news of the ARM7500 device (Archive 8.3, p.17) seems to
me to be the most important Acorn-related development since the ARM600
and the Risc PC. Though nominally developed for ‘set-top boxes’, since
its relationship to the ARM700 CPU is apparently like that of the ARM250
to the ARM2 CPU, but with the extra benefit of retaining a 4K cache, it
doesn’t take a genius to envisage applications for the ARM7500 in the
Acorn computer range: a ‘single-box’ Risc PC; a portable Risc PC; a
cheaper Risc PC; a cheaper, portable, single-box Risc PC? What
potential! – and what a clear demonstration of the power and flexibility
of the ARM ‘building-block’ approach! Stuart Bell, Horsham.
8.4
• Beware of the ‘Expert’! − The Problem − My old A410/1 was equipped
with a Morley cached SCSI podule, so I thought that transferring my data
to the new Risc PC would be very simple indeed. However, when I plugged
the card into new machine, not only did it not work, but the computer
even refused to acknowledge the very existence of the card. Disaster!
8.4
The “solution” − The local dealer who had sold the Risc PC to me said
that he would consult another dealer who was considered an expert on
SCSI matters. The information he received was this: My card was so old
that a group of chips on it could not work with the new machine. If I
sent the card to the expert, he would − for a modest fee − solder some
replacement chips onto the card.
8.4
The solution! − Morley had always rendered such excellent service that I
thought I had better send the card straight to them. I phoned Gary
Partis to ask for the price of the upgrade.
8.4
He had no idea what I was talking about. Those chips I had mentioned
have been the same ever since the first card, so the only thing needed
to make mine work was the software upgrade to version 1.17, which I had
installed anyway!
8.4
Gary told me a number of things I might try ... and (he hardly dared
mention it) had I made sure that the backplane was pushed all the way
down? I had not, of course! Actually, I had hardly looked at it,
blithely assuming that it was screwed to the motherboard just as in my
old machine.
8.4
A slight pressure on the top caused it to descend another three
millimetres or so, and suddenly everything worked perfectly. Bliss!
8.4
The moral − If you do find someone (like Morley or NCS) you can trust,
be happy, be thankful − and be faithful!
8.4
The postscript − In the course of our conversation, Gary also told me
that Acorn have fitted the Risc PC with an electromagnetic shield in the
shape of a metal film sprayed into the interior. Some parts of the case
are very close beneath two of the podule slots, and there have been a
few extremely nasty short circuits as a consequence. To avoid all risk
(or is it risc?) of damage, he advises the use of a few strips of
insulating tape.  Jochen Konietzko, Köln, Germany.
8.4
•  C Books (8.1 p38) − Much has already been said on this but I am using
“Programming in ANSI standard C” by Gordon Horsington (Sigma Press ISBN
1-85058-257-2). It is a good book with the Acorn machines in mind. Nice
for beginners.  Jan Maagdenberg, Hekendorp, Netherlands.
8.4
•  DTP Column (8.3 p54) − Congratulations to Mark Howe for taking up the
challenge of producing this column. Mark has his views of Impression,
related to his requirements. The Editor has disagreed with him on one or
two points, based on his needs, and I can disagree with both of them on
certain points! It is to CC’s credit that Impression is sufficiently
versatile for all of us to swear by it.
8.4
I will half agree with Mark’s comments about the toolbar. I don’t use
the top line − in fact, I would need to consult the manual to remind
myself what most of the icons meant! I do use the second line − the
Style, Effects and Rulers features. There are three different ways of
implementing most features, and I use them all, as convenient, although
I now tend not to use the <menu> key on the mouse. It’s a matter of
personal choice, and I complement CC on providing multi-method options
so that we may choose − unlike certain rival packages on certain rival
machines. It must be said, though, that the Publisher toolbar does bear
more than a passing resemblance to that in Word for Windows.
8.4
I must disagree with Mark’s comments about <ctrl-B> and <ctrl-I> for
bold and italic. These provide the bold and italic versions of whatever
font you are using (provided it exists, and is suitably named) − the old
<f3> and <f4> provided Trinity.bold and Trinity.medium.italic (or
whatever font was set in the Style Definition) irrespective of which
regular font you had been using. I prefer the new implementation − it is
more logical and more versatile. I wondered if it would be possible to
change the name of a font in the Font Directory, to force <ctrl-B> to
find it. I tried it and it seems to work. (That’s fine if you only ever
print out on one system but if you transfer your material elsewhere for
printing, the aliased fonts will cause great confusion! Ed.)
8.4
Despite Mark’s dislike of the new Style Definition dialogue boxes, I
like them! There are so many more features in Publisher that a single
box would be very long and would require extensive scrolling. The four-
box method is much neater − no scrolling − though I do need to know
which box to ask for. In fact, I do not need to edit styles very often.
(Now that may be the difference between you and Mark. He needs to be
able to change styles quickly and often which is, I think, why the new
layout doesn’t suit his particular needs. Ed.)
8.4
I do sometimes need to change the ruler, but I can do this without going
through the Edit Style function. Prompted by the comments in the last
issue of Archive, I am now finding out how. If I simply change the tabs
while I am typing, the modified ruler is used from there on. It is
created as a numbered effect. If I select a section of text (possibly
all of it), and adjust the tabs, this too creates a new numbered effect
and applies it to the selected text. If you save text with styles, and
then view the result using Edit, you will see the definitions of the
numbered effects, and where in the text they are switched on and off. I
am glad I have sorted this out, as it will make life a bit easier.
Thanks for the nudge!
8.4
I agree with Mark’s dislike of the old underline and I, too, have set my
own parameters. I have also set parameters for superscript and
subscript. With my definition, a superscript 1 (¹) now produces the same
effect as <alt-185> (¹), which was not quite true with the default
superscript parameters.
8.4
Another feature I hadn’t discovered (or had forgotten) is zooming with
the mouse. I like the zoom rectangle feature, although you cannot easily
get back to the original zoom factor. Thanks, Mark.  Colin Singleton,
Sheffield.
8.4
• Ecology and the Risc PC − In December ’94, the leading German PC
magazine (Magazin für Computertechnik) published a fascinating article
by Andreas Grote about the ecological side of computers.
8.4
The author compiled data from an American study and from various other
sources. The result is a rough estimate of the real costs behind one of
those marvellously cheap PCs. I quote some of the findings here with
kind permission from Heise Verlag, Hannover.
8.4
The article looks at the production of an average PC with keyboard,
mouse, floppy drive, hard disc and CD-ROM drive. (There is no mention of
a monitor, so I am not sure if it’s included.)
8.4
The key figures emerging from this article, listing all the waste
products and all the necessary resources, from mining the raw materials
to putting the finished product into its box, are:
8.4
− 5335 kWh of electric energy are used,
8.4
− 33,000 litres of water are polluted (the water is used mainly for
cleaning),
8.4
− 56,000,000 m3 of air are polluted (this is the volume needed so that
the pollution does not exceed the legal limit),
8.4
− 320 kg of waste materials are produced,
8.4
− 20 kg of this is poisonous waste,
8.4
− more than 3,000 kg of CO2 are blown into the atmosphere (greenhouse
effect!).
8.4
The author lists some comparisons:
8.4
− One average Indian uses 2450 kWh per year,
8.4
− one inhabitant of Madagascar uses 5.6 litres of water per day or
33,000 litres in 16 years,
8.4
− one Indian produces about 2,000 kg CO2 per year,
8.4
− even one German produces only about 12,000 kg of CO2 per year with his
car, his central heating, his electrical appliances, ...
8.4
− the average German produces 320 kg of “home garbage” (wrappings, tins,
...) per year.
8.4
The poisonous waste includes dioxins, mercury, thallium, lead,
strontium, barium, etc.
8.4
The energy needed for the production makes the values during the time
that the computer is used appear quite irrelevant; the author quotes
typical values for home use of about 50 to 85kWh per year, and for
business use (40h working week) of about 500 to 800kWh per year; a
“Green PC” can theoretically reduce this by 50 to 70%.
8.4
One final point the author makes is cost: In Germany, a typical 486
computer with monitor costs £600 to £800 inc. VAT. The environmental
cost for energy, cleaning up water and air, waste disposal and recycling
raises this to well over £2,000 − the difference being paid by “the
community”.
8.4
This brings me back to the title of this article: If what I have read so
far about the Risc PC holds true for the near future, it will be
possible to keep one of those machines for quite a number of years, just
replacing parts like the CPU when needed; and it may even be possible to
upgrade one’s SIMMs with second hand ones (I think Paul made such an
offer) once they become available.
8.4
I wonder what will become of those CPUs one sends back for the upgrade;
will even they be used again?
8.4
Seen in this light, the Risc PC is really the ultimate Green Machine,
and not just (as has been mentioned repeatedly) because it uses less
energy when working than a Pentium Green PC uses while idle!  Jochen
Konietzko, Köln, Germany.
8.4
•  Graphic Loaders with Impression (8.1 p73) − I am still using
Impression 2.19 and have no problems loading JPEG files, but I don’t use
the CC Loaders. Imagebank from Irlam is a splendid solution − just drag
the file from the Imagebank filer into the Impression frame. And the
Imagebank application is cheaper and much more versatile. (£28 through
Archive, cf £43. Ed.)  Jan Maagdenberg, Hekendorp, Netherlands.
8.4
• Keystroke − Phew! At least I’m not the only one to find the manual for
the excellent !Keystroke quite impenetrable (Archive 8.3, p.13). I
really was worried that senility was creeping up fast when I found it
incredibly difficult to create even the simplest Keystroke utility. I
look forward to a Keystroke Column; how about a demonstration of the
“Keystroke-ing” of the common text editing sequence a) replace all
double <CR>s by, say, ZXZ, b) replace all <CR>s by <SP>, c) replace all
double <SP>s by single a <SP>, d) replace all ZXZs by <CR>? Stuart Bell,
Horsham.
8.4
•  Lazy calendar? − (8.3 pp27/45) My comment on Cain Hunt’s rather lazy
calendar program (p27) has ‘crossed in the post’ with his article (p45),
of which I would make the same comment. The Day of the Week (0=Sunday
... 6=Saturday) for any Day−Month−Year is given by:
8.4
DEFFNWeekDay(D%,M%,Y%)=(D%+((M%+9)MOD12*
8.4
153+2)DIV5+(Y%+(M%<3))*1461DIV4−((Y%
8.4
+(M%<3))DIV100+1)*3DIV4+2)MOD7
8.4
If the user enters the first date he wants on the Diary sheets, the
program can calculate the Day of the Week of that date, and step back to
the previous Sunday.  Colin Singleton, Sheffield.
8.4
•  Marketing the Acorn? − As an American living in the UK (as the
European Sales and Marketing Director for a very large US-based IBM
compatible company) you may be surprised to learn that I use an Acorn
Risc PC at home. My love affair with the Acorn, this is my fourth,
started with my daughter’s school − they had some A3000’s − I was
amazed! I have to say that the Risc PC is Acorn’s best ever machine and
is better than comparably priced Pentiums and PowerMacs!!
8.4
However, one aspect has always concerned me − the supply of, or rather
the apparent shortfall in market penetration. My offices are just off
Tottenham Court Road − the so-called heart of English retail IT. I can
purchase Amigas (who?), Ataris (what?), Macs and PC’s but not Acorn. I
regularly asked myself and these stores why?
8.4
I read the Acorn magazines and have talked to people and I believe that
Acorn has retreated (for far too long) into its own comfort zone −
education! That’s fine − in fact, hats off to you guys in Histon − Swell
Job... but limited! Now I know it’s the game these days to knock Acorn
but whilst I can see the frustration of Acorn fans, I just want to stick
my fingers in the wind and run with it!
8.4
Firstly, Clan Acorn ’94 − Well done Acorn! About time too. Your best
resource (that’s free) is your fans. Don’t just patronize them with
competitions and late beta releases (good though that is) − get them
involved! If Acorn receives an enquiry from a potential enthusiast refer
that enquiry to a registered enthusiast − then reward the enthusiast
with points! If the enquirer then orders, award more points because we
know what points make, don’t we? Acorn needs to supply these enthusiasts
with lots of POS (literature) etc, but overall this is cheap but quality
marketing! Remember, talking to somebody who has put his hand in his
pocket and purchased, often means more than a salesperson with a sales
story! So that is one idea to widen the user base!
8.4
Secondly, how about a Clan for professionals? The same scenario applies
here but with greater impact. If the registered professional is making
money then he is going to relate better than a salesman does (who makes
money even if he sells zip!). As with the enthusiasts, award them points
in a similar two stage way. So there’s another idea to widen and deepen
the user base!
8.4
Thirdly, the difficult one. Acorn has to bite a couple of bullets! It
has to ensure its dealers have the right image and train its staff to
professionally promote its products. Then it has to encourage dealers
(and reward them) to go out and search for new markets (new to them and
Acorn). Finally, Acorn has to demonstrate that it is committed to its
current and potential users. How can it do that? It needs to use adverts
and better POS, TV (perhaps), etc, but only after the user base shows
signs of widening and deepening. It needs to get some of the more
esoteric hardware/software onto the Acorn platform − I am thinking
particularly about drum scanners and imagesetters (RIP’s). I do not
expect Acorn to reinvent the wheel and start from scratch but to get out
there and pay these companies to port their hardware and software over.
It will not be easy or cheap but the positive message it would impart
would ring loud and clear that Acorn is serious and in for the long
term!
8.4
I like Acorn and I’m amazed at the unfulfilled potential. Still, let’s
put all this into perspective − my company spends some $78m on European
R&D and $48m on UK marketing per annum. Acorn has an annual turnover of
$108m (everything)! If Acorn uses its own fans and lays out some
seedcorn then 1995/6 could be the time when Acorn becomes an oAkcorn!
Anon (for obvious reasons!)
8.4
•  Slide scanning service − In a photography magazine, I saw an
advertisement for a slide scanning service. I sent off a number of
slides to see how good this was and I am very pleased with the resulting
JPEG files. I’ve given Paul three of them to put on the Archive magazine
disc as and when space allows. (No room this month, I’m afraid, but I
can say that they looked very good on the Risc PC. Ed.)
8.4
The company offering this service is Bluebell Software, 42 Honeysuckle
Way, Witham, Essex, CM8 2XQ. Tel/Fax: [phone].
8.4
They offer a range of qualities of scan up to very high resolution
suitable for professional publication. I had them do ‘Standard’ scans on
twelve slides and this cost £2 each. The cost goes down to £1.15 per
slide for 100+. The costs include discs and postage. The company will
supply anyone interested in the service with a demonstration disc
including JPEG files and PC software.
8.4
I am very pleased with the results and would recommend any Archive
reader with an interest in photography to try having some of their 35mm
slides digitised.  Alan Angus, Blyth.
8.4
•  Squirrel 2 (1) − I have been a user of Squirrel for a few years now.
Earlier version were so buggy as to be unusable for serious
applications. When version 2 came on the scene, I tried it only to find
that there were still a number of peculiar bugs. Now that I have reached
version 2.08, the bug level is acceptably low. I like the program very
much and have always found the support staff very helpful and
courteous.  Bernard Veasey, Bognor Regis.
8.4
•  Squirrel 2 (2) − I use Squirrel 2 in an office environment for
records of schools and individual teachers using our museum (yes we are
registered under the Data Protection Act!). I went over to Squirrel 2
from Minerva’s Delta Base. My staff all use the Squirrel 2 files but
they are not interested in the finer points of the program − they just
want the information to be easy to access.
8.4
The non-standard key combinations of Squirrel 2 are a problem. It takes
quite a while to understand the different combinations and how they
change depending on which task the program is doing. I find the
confirmation box for each key-press annoying as it means using both the
keys and the mouse to accomplish, for example, writing one record.
8.4
The learning curve for the basic data entry and search parts of the
program was quite easy but getting to grips with the report set-up has
proved to be much harder. I am quite fussy about how reports look and I
often find that I am spending hours fiddling with the annoying habits of
Squirrel 2 in its report design mode to get data positioned properly on
the page. There is much trial and error involved and this takes a lot of
time − I long for the ability to set up a report page quickly and know
exactly where things will end up without having to go through the
preview option and often a trial printout too.
8.4
There are one or two problems that I have not yet been able to solve −
there may be a way round them but a good program should have led me to
the solution via a menu or the manual by now. Boolean fields in reports
cannot have a font assigned to them − the only choice seems to be rather
ugly sprite for the ticks and crosses. I have never found an easy way to
remove extra space at the end of each record in a report − it is too
easy to create this while moving fields around, and I often resort to
starting again rather than fiddling about for ages. I often seem to lose
the font definitions for some fields in reports and the printout appears
in the system font. The same seems to happen when a file is loaded − the
font definitions, that looked OK before, have mysteriously vanished.
8.4
However, there are some aspects of the program that I like a lot. The
search functions work very well and I like the way that the field
containing the cursor can be searched in order. Data entry is simple and
it is easy to alter the design of the record without losing data. Once I
had persuaded Delta Base to output files in the correct format, Squirrel
2 imported them easily. The ability to design a report and then get an
output file automatically is a real advantage − it means that I can set
up a report for, say, an address database and then a colleague can
create a CSV or Text file for easy merging into Impression by simply
running one Squirrel query file. The mail-merge links with Impression
are also useful (they operate via a separate CSV file) and it is now
quite easy to set up a mail shot and get good results quickly.
8.4
One problem I had was to insert a text field at the end of each address
record in a Squirrel report to include the Impression command “
8.4
” to produce a sheet of address labels − the report output file kept
losing the last bracket of the field. Digital Services were excellent
and gave helpful telephone advice until the problem was solved by
dragging the field size in the report set-up to much larger than the
text field. Other problems have also been dealt with efficiently and
with good humour by them.
8.4
So overall what do I think of Squirrel 2? It is good, but not quite up
to professional standards and the report set-up is not easy for a non-
experienced user. Perhaps I am asking for too much but isn’t it possible
to combine the power of a full-facility database with the ease of use
that enables a ‘normal’ user to access all its facilities and increase
their productivity without having to spend excessive time getting up a
too-steep learning curve?  Peter Clarke, Warwickshire Museum.
8.4
•  Squirrel 2 (3) − €As a regular and enthusiastic user of Squirrel, I
am sorry that I have not been quicker in leaping to its defence and to
the defence of Digital Services in response to the criticism they have
received in your columns. I teach GCSE and A-Level Computing at Forest
School, a large independent school with over 1200 pupils in North-East
London. Each year we have over 100 GCSE candidates in Computer Studies
and about a dozen A-level candidates, the majority of whom use Squirrel
as the major software tool for their project work. Additionally, I have
the task of managing all the school’s internal data with the exception
of Billing and Accounts. This data (around 100 Squirrel tables) is held
on a central server from which it is accessed from terminals throughout
the campus, including the three main administrative offices who have the
database in constant use throughout the school day.
8.4
Séan Kelly, claims that Squirrel ‘is unsuitable for a more demanding
environment’. One of the greatest requirements of a Database Management
System is that it should be responsive to change. In a school like ours
the user requirements are constantly evolving. Almost every day,
somebody wants a new report designing, a new field added to a record, a
completely new view of the database. Not only are new views, queries and
reports easy and quick to design but a complete table with hundreds of
existing records can be modified in a few minutes with no need to export
or import any of the existing data. I would maintain that our school is
a most demanding environment. Our Squirrel Server runs night and day 365
days a year and I simply cannot remember the last time it crashed.
8.4
I have been using Squirrel ever since it first appeared on the market
over three years ago and from the first it has been the strength of its
performance across the network which has attracted me to it. I am often
told how deficient our Econet networks are compared to the best
available today, so it is a constant delight how rapidly Squirrel can
retrieve data across it. As an example, the Pupil table which is at the
heart of my database has 1235 records with 38 fields including two
variable length text fields. Sitting at my desk here on the opposite
side of the school from the server I have just executed a query
requesting all the pupils in the school with brothers or sisters in the
school. It took Squirrel just over four seconds to locate 436 records
and sort them into surname order. Now that the query has executed, I can
move backwards and forwards between records with no appreciable delay
between clicking on the icon and the record appearing.
8.4
Of course, every system has ‘the odd peculiarity’ but if we were not
prepared to overlook the odd peculiarity in our friends then we would
have precious few of them! In any case, I can find no trace of the bugs
he mentions in version 2.08. It takes time to learn to get the best out
of Squirrel but I defy anyone to find a complex software package where
this is not the case. In a multi-user system like ours, a great deal can
be done to ease the path for the inexperienced user. Over the years, we
have built up a very large library of queries and reports which can be
accessed from a menu. Squirrel 2 was a great step forward in this area.
Setting up a view involving two or more tables is too complex for most
users but, in Squirrel 2, it is possible to hide the relational join
inside a Query filter and still allow the casual user to type search
values into the fields as if it were a simple query on a single table.
8.4
One feature which has proved very useful to us is the ability to use
system variables as query selection criteria. I must admit that I
pestered Ian Bastable at Digital Services long and hard to provide this
facility and he responded too late to document it in the new manual.
Information about it is therefore in the Errata provided with the
package. The power of this is that it allows a channel of communication
between user-written programs and Squirrel, and consequently increases
enormously the customisation potential of the system. As an adjunct to
our own system, I have written a utility called !SqlFront which can be
used to provide a simple front end to regularly used queries or reports
with a single parameter. There is a program and template which is common
to all versions of the application. To develop a new use, all you need
to do is define a query where the query filter is set as ‘@User$Query’,
provide any necessary sprites, and define a few settings in a small text
file. The resulting window might look something like the illustration,
which is one I devised for myself for searching my CD collection.
8.4
Features which can be varied are the title bar text, the heading and
sprite, the prompt message, which field or fields are to be searched,
whether the application installs itself on the iconbar or not, and
whether the text should be converted to upper, lower or mixed case. In
addition, the OK button can be replaced by Print and Preview buttons for
a report. Even the writable icon is optional. I am very happy to
distribute this utility to anyone who wants it. I hope it may inspire
someone to develop it further. (I’ve put it on this month’s program
disc. Ed.)
8.4
I would not disagree that there are features missing from Squirrel.
There is talk at Digital Services of a Squirrel 3. How soon this appears
must depend to a great extent on how large DS perceive the market for a
new version to be. Personally, I have always found the staff at Cosham
unfailingly polite and helpful and willing to listen to all my comments.
If you are a Squirrel user, let them know what your wish list is. If you
are not, take my word that Squirrel is already an excellent package and
amazing value for money. The only DBMS at the moment with more power is
S-Base but only competent programmers can get the best out of it and
developing applications is much more time-consuming. As for DataPower,
it still cannot handle relational queries.  Robert Bishop, London
E17.  A
8.4
Multimedia Column
8.4
Paul Hooper
8.4
Over the past month, I have had over fifty letters which have asked me
to tackle various problems with multimedia, so I shall be devoting much
of this column to trying to solve them. With this amount of post, I must
admit that I have got a little behind in the letter-writing stakes. If
you are still waiting for a reply, please bear with me!
8.4
Quite a number of readers raised the problem of animation within a
multimedia application but the solutions are different depending on
which of the multimedia packages you are using.
8.4
Magpie and animation
8.4
Replay is the only animation file format that Magpie can handle. It is
just a matter of dropping these onto a page. Although this may at first
seem limiting, the use of ‘Hide and Reveal’ and ‘transparent’ overlay
pages can be used to give a style of animation. If you want an example
of this, the ‘Insects’ binder from the swap shop catalogue shows the
life cycle of a butterfly using this technique.
8.4
Genesis and animation
8.4
Genesis can also handle Replay and, with the more modern versions, it is
just a question of dropping them onto the page and setting up the style
box. Genesis can also handle Ace films − again a drop technique can be
used. A number of readers were unsure how to create Ace films and, as
far as I am aware, the following packages can save out in Ace format:
Euclid, Mogul, Rephorm and Tween. If you know of any other programs that
save in this format, please let me know. Although Rephorm is a good tool
for animation, the other programs are beginning to look a little long in
the tooth − indeed they all need to be patched to work under RISC OS 3.
8.4
While the limitations on Genesis are less than those on Magpie, don’t
forget that Genesis has the ability to run other programs within an
application. Drag and drop the application onto the page and the icon
will appear − but please note that all Genesis does is store the path
name so you will need to be careful about how you use this. As an
example of this technique, I have included a Professional application on
this month’s disc, but you will need to uncompact !Exam, !PENGUIN2 and
the directory ‘Paul’ onto a floppy disc and rename the disc as
‘Archive2’.
8.4
Key Author and animation
8.4
Key Author can also cope with Replay − again drag and drop is used but
you must specify whether it is an event or an object on the timer. Ace
films can also be used and saved onto the timer and run or looped. Many
of the CD ROMs from Anglia TV make good use of animation to emphasise
points.
8.4
Although not yet implemented, the new versions of Key Author will also
allow the use of MPEG files, provided an MPEG board is fitted. It will
operate in a similar way to Replay files, and the program will allow
transparent selection so that it will check if a board is fitted and
select the best format.
8.4
Key Author also allows you to drop out of the application that you have
created into the desktop and run an external program and when you quit
the linked application, Key Author will resume at the last position in
the Key Author presentation.
8.4
Animation in multimedia
8.4
As noted above, the Acorn range seems to be badly served for animations
that can be used within multimedia applications. The Ace films format
seems to be the common standard but the programs that generate these
films are, with the exception of Rephorm, very old. If the common format
of Ace films is the standard then it appears that there is room in the
market for a new animation program that will produce this file format.
8.4
Genesis Professional problems
8.4
After my appeal in the November issue for your experiences with the new
versions of Genesis, I would like to thank all of you that have written
or phoned. My thanks in particular go to Trevor Sutton, Stephen Williams
and Christopher Jarman, all of whom sent me examples on disc. I have now
compiled an extensive list and hope to get some answers out of Oak soon.
I’ll let you know the answers in the next issue.
8.4
Family trees
8.4
I’ve also had a number of queries about how to compile a family tree
using any of the multimedia programs. At the moment, I have only
composed a direct line tree that follows the way an inherited title
flowed down a family. The way I did this was to set up buttons which
stepped up and down a generation following the title from father to son.
8.4
A full family tree could be made using a main page, with just the
skeleton family tree shown and then each entry on the page linked to a
further page showing details and pictures, along with sound samples of
the person involved. To illustrate what can be done, I am writing a
Magpie binder of the Cubbitt family tree which should be available
through the Swap Shop by the time you read this.
8.4
Free PR
8.4
My article a few months back about using multimedia to provide free PR
for your organisation has, it seems, inspired many of you to create your
own applications. I have received eight different ‘guides’ to schools,
plus a number of Parents’ Evening displays. I have compiled these into a
PR suite that is available from the Swap Shop and may give you some
ideas about how to compile one of these applications. The suite takes
four DD discs or two HD discs and all are Magpie format.
8.4
Geography and multimedia
8.4
Looking through all the applications in the Swap Shop the other day, I
realised that we have little to offer the geography teacher or student.
I would like to rectify this in the coming months and would like to hear
from any geography teacher who has ideas as what would be useful in the
classroom. I’m particularly interested in topics or subjects that tie in
with the National Curriculum. If you would like to help, please feel
free to write or ring me, and if you have your own artwork and text that
I could combine into an interactive multimedia application then please
let me know.
8.4
The Swap Shop
8.4
The Swap Shop now includes nearly sixty applications, which occupy over
40Mb on my hard disc, and it continues to grow at an astonishing rate.
The following applications have been added this month − ‘Navigation
Quiz’, a Genesis application by Christopher Jarman aimed at teaching you
sailing navigation. ‘HardDisc’, a Magpie binder written by Bill Brooks
of Trevelyan Middle School, which was an appeal to the School PTA to
fund hard discs for his machines. He also sent me a guided tour of his
school which has been added as part of the PR suite. Steve Williams of
Liverpool sent me a couple of Genesis applications which he uses to
introduce his Network and Desktop set up to his year 7 pupils. My thanks
go to all of the above. Without your input, the Swap Shop would not be
such a success.
8.4
In the early days of the Swap Shop, I used to reply to each letter
individually. This has become increasingly difficult with the number of
letters I am getting, so I have set up a number of standard letters.
Please don’t feel I don’t care but I’m afraid my time to run the Swap
Shop is very limited!
8.4
The end bit
8.4
If you have any questions on multimedia or if you want a copy of the
Swap Shop catalogue, please write to Paul Hooper, 11 Rochford Road,
Martham, Great Yarmouth, NR29 4RL. (01493-748474).  A
8.4
Schema 2
8.4
Simon Coulthurst
8.4
Schema 2 is available from Clares Micro Supplies for £135 inc VAT or
£125 through Archive. This new version of Clares’ spreadsheet program is
more than just an upgrade of the original program. Clares point out that
the program has been completely rewritten and is substantially different
from Schema (version 1). The file format has also changed although
Schema 2 can import the original Schema files. Some of the new features
are: better storage giving more economical use of memory and an increase
in spe