Acorn User 10/AU_CD10.iso/Archived/Websites/ANS/ans.arc/archive/i08_text

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 |-------------------------- Acorn News Service --------------------------|
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 |                      http://www.acornusers.org/ans/                    |
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 |          The Acorn News Service is an independent service.             |
 |  It is in no way connected with, or supported by the Acorn Group Plc.  |
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 | ISSUE 8                                                    29 MAY 1998 |
 |------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 |         Editor: E.Abrahams    ------  [e-mail]             |
 |         Webmaster: R.Hesketh  ------  [e-mail]           |
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 |    To send in your news items use the ANS website, or e-mail them      |
 |                 using the layout explained below.                      |
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 |  <*><*><*><*><*><*>   Now with over 350 members!   <*><*><*><*><*><*>  |
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 Contents
 --------
 1) Editorial
 2) General News
 3) Commercial News
 4) PD/Shareware News
 5) Club News
 6) How to Send in News



Editorial
---------

I hope all who went to Wakefield enjoyed it.  I'm checking out the Archive
website to tell me what went on, although I have seen pictures of the
RPC II and the Peanut!

Anyway, we've encountered a few problems.  The first one is that we're
still not sure why issue 7 went out twice (when I sent it out the first
time)! I hope it does not happen again.  Secondly, the mail service we
use to send news and subscriptions through the web is closing down, and due
to a mix up of e-mail addresses I don't think I got the info on how to
change it to Richard in time...  So, somewhere in the net are some ANS
news items and subscriptions.  Oh well, such is life! ;-)

Hopefully by the time you read this the website will have been updated to
use the Barnet College list server for subscriptions, and the mail service
used for news items sorted out.  Thanks to Richard once again for the
great help.

Remember to send in those news items.......and enjoy!

Eytan Abrahams,
Editor



General News
------------

1) Acorn Banner Exchange

The Acorn Banner Exchange has served over 17,000 banners!

The Acorn Banner Exchange is a banner exchange for Acorn users who have
websites.  Quite simply, you show banners on your page and your banner
gets shown on other pages.  It's easy and free to join and use.  Banner
sizes are 400x40.  Animation is okay, but you are limited to 15k.

New HTML stats pages are coming soon, offering much more than the old format:

 Features:

  * HTML-based
  * Real-time

 Shows:

  * Total hits on site
  * Graphs of browsers and operating systems used
  * Hits by month and domain
  * Hits per day
    ...and more!

Acorn Banner Exchange is at:

  http://jump.to/acorn


2) TOTH

TOTH is the only Acorn talker.  Reachable via telnet at toth.org.uk, it has
been going for over 2 years now and during the day typically has more than
20 users on-line.

TOTH has a regular weekly magazine that goes out to members, and holds
occasional spodmeets around the country.  New users are welcome, and they do
encourage a for-all-the-family attitude on the talker.

Why not pay TOTH a visit?  Don't forget to mention where you heard about
it!  Check out their new website at:

  http://www.toth.org.uk/

...or telnet to TOTH now!


3) Wakefield Show Charity Stall

The Wakefield Show Charity Stall raised 1593.70 ukp!  The proceeds will go
to charities in both Wakefield and Norwich.



Commercial News
---------------

1) New scanner drivers

David Pilling has announced new scanner drivers for:

Canon CanonScan 2700F - 2700 dpi 35mm slide/negative scanner,
                        with APS capability

20 ukp for driver only, 35 ukp for driver and ImageMaster
(prices include VAT and carriage)

For more info, mail David at:

  [e-mail]

...or see his web pages at:

  http://www.pilling.demon.co.uk/


2) WimpBASIC 2

Clares Micro Supplies have announced that WimpBASIC 2 is now shipping.

WimpBASIC 2 is the next stage in the development of this award winning
(Acorn User Awards 1997 - 'Best Programming Tool') programming environment.
All the original features are still there, but they have added many new
features and keywords, and then made the whole lot run faster!  (That is,
your applications will run faster.)  WimpBASIC works by removing lots of the
work from you.  It deals with all the windows, menus etc. and leaves you free
to concentrate on the idea and structure in your application.  If you have
ever had an idea for a program but have not been able to put it into
practice then WimpBASIC is the answer to your prayers.

WimpBASIC gives you inbuilt designers to create icons, windows and menus,
then allows you to attach procedures to them.  The amount of actual code
that needs to be written is minimised, and in some cases amounts to just a
few lines of BASIC!  Using the supplied tutorials, Clares guarantee that you
will be able to create your first application within 30 minutes!  On top of
the tutorials, you get templates for windows and icons as well as useful
code routines.  You can add to these libraries very simply, to extend
your resources and speed up your development.

Here are just a few of the new features in WimpBASIC 2:

  * Optimise function - some code runs up to 2000% faster!
  * Re-designed Window Designer with Grid option
  * Facility to save & re-use icons
  * New keywords for manipulating files and directories
  * New keywords to load, plot, scale and remove Draw files

  * A whole range of keywords dealing with fonts:
      You can easily create font menus, check for fonts, set font name, size
      and colour.  You can also find the height and width of a font string.

  * New keywords for plotting, moving, hiding and colouring icons

  * A complete section dealing with panes, enabling you to open panes, use
    fixed panes and attach them to parent windows.

  * Free planned upgrades, improving optimisation and adding new keywords

Normal price: 110 ukp
Introductory discount price for WimpBASIC users: 50 ukp
Introductory discount price (limited period): 100 ukp
(all prices include VAT)

Don't forget the dedicated WimpBASIC web site, where you can find hints and
tips, applications, sample code and lots more - all supplied by users just
like yourself.


3) Rhapsody 4

Clares Micro Supplies have announced that Rhapsody 4 is now shipping.

Rhapsody 4 is the latest in the highly successful Rhapsody range of music
notation packages.  Clares have tried to incorporate all the features and
ideas that people have suggested.  Rhapsody 4 is a major enhancement - just
take a look at some of the new features on offer:

  * Completely rewritten code
  * New file format - holds more information
  * Many new musical symbols - yes, even more!
  * Draggable spacing for lyrics
  * Kerning and micro-adjustment of notes & objects for improved presentation
  * Greatly improved selection panel
  * Clickable lists of common musical terms for entering into score
  * Three user levels (Beginner, Standard & Advanced) - all user-configurable
  * Full use of outline fonts
  * Multiple views of score with editing in various modes,
      including 'Manuscript' mode
  * Typeset quality hardcopy
  * Improved control over page layout
  * Export of Draw files direct to DTP etc.
  * 'Expression' option - add feeling to your music
  * MIDI event editor
  * Full support for General MIDI and bank change messages
  * Single step 'undo' facility
  * Intelligent capture mode - will even transcribe four parts on two staves
  * Completely automatic quantization

Clares also aim to make Rhapsody 4 compatible with PMS so that it acts like
a front end for PMS.

Normal price: 135 ukp
Discount price for Rhapsody3 users: 69.95 ukp
Discount price for Rhapsody2 users: 79.95 ukp
Introductory discount price (limited period) 99.95 ukp
(all prices include VAT)

Deduct a further 10 ukp if you also have ScoreDraw.

Rhapsody 4 is not recommended for pre-ARM3 computers - i.e. A300, 400, 3000,
3010, 3020 & A4000, due to high processing overheads, although one reviewer
has stated that it is usable on a 4MB A3000.  You need at least RISC OS 3.1
and a minimum 4MB of RAM plus a hard disc.


4) MelIDI

Liquid Silicon have announced the latest version of MelIDI, the highly
acclaimed MIDI sequencer for RISC OS.

Highlights of this latest version include:

  * An unlimited number of tracks
  * Support for up to 12 MIDI outputs (i.e. 192 MIDI channels!)
  * Easy to use drag-and-drop editing
  * Can read and write industry standard MIDI files (formats 0 and 1)
  * No need to learn lots of patch numbers - select instruments by name
  * Graphical map displays allow you to simply draw in tempo, pitch bend
      or any other controller changes using the mouse
  * Powerful transformation functions, now including time stretching and/or
      shifting of patterns
  * Expandable, flexible plug-in interface

MelIDI supports any MIDI interface (including parallel and serial) and
requires RISC OS 3 and 2Mb of memory.  A Risc PC and large monitor are *not*
essential.  The demo and manual are available from the MelIDI web site at:

  http://wkweb1.cableinet.co.uk/liquid/melidi/


5) New RapIDE drivers

The latest version of the driver for Yellowstone's RapIDE ATA-2 interface
(version 2.29) is now available from the YES web site at:

  http://www.yellowstone.co.uk/downloads.html

This upgrade enables the user to partition and format larger drives (>8GB)
and also fixes a bug which prevented very small files being saved in the
root directory of the first partition of certain sizes of disc.


6) 3rd beta release of CDFSFiler

PEP Associates have announced the 3rd beta release of their drop-in
replacement for Acorn's CDFSFiler.  Find it at:

  http://www.pep-assoc.co.uk/

Bugs fixed:

  * Problems caused by the ShareFS support have been fixed
  * If the window manager was configured to allow windows to open off to the
      left, audio windows could open half off the screen
  * CDFSFiler could just die without warning
  * The priority used when creating the icons has been changed

New features:

  * Better free space detection in the cache configuration window
  * Improved uninstall option in the installer
  * Support for CD-Net included

CDFS Filer is a drop-in replacement for Acorn's CDFS filer (i.e. it does
everything that theirs does, and then some).  Note, though, that it does NOT
fix any problems inherent in CDFS itself.

In addition to the original functionality, CDFSFiler offers easy control
over audio CDs (in all drives) with the usual playback widgets and database
functionality, along with play list creation and auto-detection of drive
contents.  It also integrates with VirtuaCD and includes support for ShareFS
and CD-Net.


7) Technical Details of Phoebe and Peanut

The Archive Website now carries technical details of both Acorn's Phoebe
and IMS' Peanut.

  http://www.cybervillage.co.uk/acorn/archive/News/Wakefield/

Work continues to collate and clarify the large volumes of information that
were made available at the Wakefield Show.  The reports will be enhanced and
expanded as progress is made.

Any comments, on the site or the information it contains, are welcome.

(Great idea! Ed.)


8) New Zealand NC Roadshow

Educational Software and Devices (ESD) of Auckland, with the support of
Acorn Computers UK, are touring New Zealand in the first week of June in a
roadshow demonstrating the Network Computer (NC). The roadshow will be
especially useful for educational establishments (schools, polytechnics and
universities), to explore alternative methods of computing which address a
lower cost of ownership, while being able to provide more computers per
person.

In the sessions, which will run for up to two hours, you'll be introduced to
the technology and be able to see NCs using a live Internet feed.
Applications running on the NCs requiring Acorn's RISC OS and Microsoft
Windows will be shown, and visitors will be able to try out the NCs for
themselves and discuss any ideas or ask any questions to the ESD staff.
Although it will not be shown, ESD can provide UNIX solutions enabling X
applications to be run.

Acorn will be accompanying ESD on the roadshow giving a presentation, and
you can talk to them about the future direction of Acorn and their
products, especially Phoebe.

The roadshow will be visiting Auckland, New Plymouth, Napier, Christchurch
and Dunedin and you should get in touch with the following people to
indicate your interest:

         AUCKLAND          NEW PLYMOUTH                 NAPIER
Date:    2 June            3 June                       4 June
Contact: ESD - Sharon,     Acorn Education Services -   Technology Concepts
         Chris, Ainsley    Dennis Krutz                 John Phelps
Email:   [e-mail]    [e-mail]          [e-mail]
Phone:   [phone]     [phone]                [phone]
Fax:     [phone]     [phone]                [phone]

         CHRISTCHURCH                 DUNEDIN
Date:    5 June                       6 June
Contact: Southern Acorn -             Otago Boys High School -
         Graham Jones                 Peter Foster
Email:   [e-mail]
Phone:   [phone]                [phone]
Fax:     [phone]                [phone]

If you live outside these areas but would like to attend, please get in
touch with your local Acorn dealer to be included in a travelling group.
If you are unsure who the closest Acorn dealer is to you, please visit the
Wellington Acorn Computer Club's home pages at:

  http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/pbrowne/WACC/DealSupp.html

...for more information.

If you want more information on the roadshow for any reason, contact ESD
(details above).  For more information on NCs, visit Acorn's website at:

  http://www.acorn.com/acorn/products/nc/



PD/Shareware News
-----------------

1) !MoveSite 1.17

The latest version of !MoveSite is now available from:

  http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/tudor/

Movesite will convert an Acorn website to a PC website, so that it can be
tested in Netscape or whatever. In practical terms, this means that the
program will copy the complete site to a target directory while changing all
file extensions like, for example, "JPEG" and "HTML" to "JPG" and "HTM".
It will copy the directory structure as well - as long as this is only one
directory deep.

A second button will convert all references inside HTML files to the new
filenames.

The program does not have a big help file yet, but you are advised to read
what little there is.

!MoveSite is shareware.


2) Shareware utilities from ECS

Six utilities are on line now, inc;uding desktop enhancers, programming
tools, an Acorn millenium bug spotter (that won't go wrong until 2248) and
more to come if you like it, at:

  http://www.innotts.co.uk/~ecsltd/


3) SA-compatible Version of TrackerModule

This version of the old TrackerModule is 4.09/C [dev], and works on all
Acorn machines, including StrongARM.  So, if you are finding the music to
Wavelength fairly fast, then swap it with this version and everything will
be hunkydory.

As usual, you can get VOTI games on the site:

  http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Campus/3873/index.html


4) ECS - !Mytils update - Argo ZipFS dismounter

Now available to all registered users of the ECS Shareware product !Mytils
is an upgrade which adds a utility to provide safe dismounting of Argo ZipFS
discs by clicking Adjust on the ZipFS icon.  Also, a warning beep is issued
when the pointer strays over the Format menu option on the ZipFS filer menu.

!Mytils can now:

  * Change the display mode as used in individual filer windows:
     full info F1, small icons, F2, large icons F3 - on the fly!
     (Also currently sets the sort order to Date)

  * Provide a quick and easy dumping ground for random files.  Move the
     pointer to the right hand edge of the screen in any mode and click
     Select.  A Notes directory viewing window will open where you can
     save stuff.  It will open during a save drag operation and will close
     as soon as the pointer leaves the window's minimum X value.

  * Bring windows to the front of the stack with a press of F6

  * Put windows to the back of the stack with a press of F5

  * Snapshot windows in any mode, saving them with unique names to a
     temporary directory.  Option to automatically bring the window to
     the front of the stack as it is snapped.

  * Give a warning beep when the pointer is over the Argo Zip drive
     Format icon.

  * Dismounts and ejects IZipFS discs with an Adjust click on the iconbar
     icon when used with Argo IZipFS software.

Get it from:

  http://www.innotts.co.uk/~ecsltd/

...follow the links to Acorn Shareware.


5) !FSI_Batch 1.35

The latest version of this application is now available from:

http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/tudor/

FSI_Batch is a frontend to ChangeFSI and allows you to process lots of
graphics, while you go off and drink a cup of whatever.

Apart from a very slight change in the front-end, the major new feature is
the inclusion of x and y flip, as well as turning graphics by +90 or -90
degrees.

The program is shareware.


6) !Png2Spr

The standalone PNG to sprite conversion program, !PNG2Spr has now been
released:

http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/ttehtann/

This is the same as the version in the March Acorn User but with the
"alias" alias included in the boot file, and some slightly more helpful
error messages.



7) StuntRacer 2000 Track Editor

The StuntRacer 2000 Track Editor is now available for download from
the Visions Of The Impossible web site at:

  http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Campus/3873/index2.html

It is the version that the original programmers used, so is fairly short
on instructions.

If anyone can write some instructions for it, then please send them to Nathan
so they can be included on his web pages, and you'll get your name mentioned
all over the program.  :)

One last thing - this program may not be put on anyone's web site or FTP
site apart from Liam Gretton's, due to the changes which are to be made soon.



Club News
---------

Well....none this time!   ;-)



How to Send in News
-------------------

To send in your news items, simply include the following information, and
send it to:

  [e-mail]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

First name:
Surname:
E-mail address:


Subject of item (Person, company, and/or product):


Subject's contact details (E-mail and/or WWW addresses):


Source of information (Include relevant e-mail and/or WWW addresses):


Text of news item:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------




*** End of ANS - Issue 8 ***

*** Updated: Mon 1st June 1998 ***