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|-------------------------- Acorn News Service --------------------------|
| http://www.acornusers.org/ans/ |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| The Acorn News Service is an independent service. |
| It is in no way connected with, or supported by the Acorn Group PLC. |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| ISSUE 21 29 November 1998 |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Editor: E.Abrahams ------ eytan@acornusers.org |
| Sub-Editor: J.Sears ------ james@acornusers.org |
| Webmaster: S.Courtney ------ stephen@acornusers.org |
| Features-Webmaster: P.Price ------ peter@acornusers.org |
| Life-Webmaster: R.Hesketh ------ richard@acornusers.org |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| To send in your news items or comments, use the ANS website, |
| or e-mail them to ans@acornusers.org. |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| * * * TAKE A LOOK AT THE NEW LOOK ANS SITE * * * |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| We've done it! Well over the 500 member mark! |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Contents
--------
1) Editorial
2) General News
3) Commercial News
4) PD/Shareware News
5) Club News
6) ANS information
Editorial
---------
CURRENT MEMBERS: 560+
Welcome once again to another issue of ANS. This is a special issue of
ANS. First of all we would like to welcome nearly 100 NEW subscribers that
have joined in the last two WEEKS!! This is all down to a special effort
by the whole ANS team in helping on the new site, but especially the
webmaster Stephen.
As promised, the new features have nearly been implemented. Two of the new
features that are nearly ready for release, and which you will be informed
about by a separate e-mail, are:
* A fully automatic CLASSIFIED ADS section on the ANS site.
* A new moderated discussion list, which ANS members have the first
chance to join.
All this and MUCH more is now being updated on the site. Check out the
site every day daily for something new. Peter, the features webmaster, is
doing a smashing job with the classified ads page, and he's got another
great feature coming soon.
As always, please remember to send in those news items, and keep an eye on
the site <http://www.acornusers.org/ans/>!
The Editors
editor@ans.acornusers.org
General News
------------
1) The Great Acorn Comic Relief Auction update
The Great Acorn Comic Relief Auction now has it's own mailing list so
people can keep up to date with the latest bid prices. To subscribe send
a message, with just your e-mail address in the body, to
auctionlist@physchem.freeserve.co.uk
Also an FAQ <http://www.acornusers.org/comicrelief/FAQ.html> is now
available on the Comic Relief website. It covers just about everything
anyone needs to know about the auction.
The whole campaign is being hosted by acornusers.org and supported by the
Acorn News Service <http://www.acornusers.org/ans/>. For the latest bids
and news check the Acorn Comic Relief Auction web site at
http://www.acornusers.org/comicrelief/
2) New mailing list for Acorn musicians
A new e-mail discussion list for Acorn musicians has been created. The
list is aimed at all Acorn musicians, whether you create simple Maestro or
MOD tunes or more complex Studio Sound, Sibelius, and MelIDI music.
Oregan launched the oreganda mailing list but it was a moderated mailing
list and since they are gone, Acorn musicians can not easily exchange tips
or ideas, and so this (unmoderated) list has been created.
To subscribe simply send any message to armusic-subscribe@egroups.com.
3) Wakefield Show 1999
The Wakefield Acorn Computer Group are delighted to be able to announce
that they will again be running the "Wakefield Acorn Spring Show" aka
Acorn World North, over the weekend of 15 and 16 May 1999. The show is
being held in the Thornes Park Athletics Stadium, Wakefield, the same
venue as used for the past two years.
The Wakefield show is now the 'premier' show in the Acorn calendar. A
number of special attractions are planned including a show theatre and
prize draw. The show is currently being sponsored by Acorn User Magazine
and Cerilica Ltd.
For opening times, ticket prices, and other details see the show website
at http://www.cybervillage.co.uk/acorn/wakefield/
Commercial News
---------------
1) CJE Micro's programming resources offer
How would you like to buy the best in Acorn programming tools for half
price? CJE Micro's have some amazing deals on the items below:
* RISC OS PRMs Vol 1-4 GBP 55
* Acorn C/C++ GBP 125
* RISC OS PRM Vol 5a GBP 31
Or all the above together in one bundle for GBP200 (RRP GBP379). All
prices include VAT and delivery. To order e-mail sales@cje.co.uk or
telephone +44 (0) 1903 523222.
Also keep and eye on the CJE Micro's web site, the special offers page
<http://www.cje.co.uk/micros/offers/> will be updated monthly.
2) New Writer pro versions from Icon Technologies
Icon Technologies have announced version 5 of their EasiWriter and
TechWriter pro products which have been released at the Acorn Midlands
Show. New features include the ability to import Impression DDF files, a
style editor, and better HTML handling with support for splitting large
documents into multiple HTML files with appropriate links and an index.
For details see their web site at http://www.iconsupport.demon.co.uk/
3) LanMan98
LanMan98 is a replacement for LanManFS, which allows the use of long
filenames when connected to a PC running Microsoft Windows 95, 98 or NT
(or running a Unix and Samba).
For machines on the Internet LanMan98 will allow you to remote mount other
sites running the appropriate servers - such as sunsite.doc.ic.ac.uk.
LanMan98 costs GBP35 (+VAT) for a single user license. Site licenses etc
are available, but costings have not been finalised. Contact Robin Watts
<Robin.Watts@wss.co.uk> of Warm Silence Software for more information.
4) HTMLEdit v4.21 released
R-Comp are pleased to announce the release of HTMLEdit v4.21 which adds
comprehensive HTML 4 syntax support and document validation to the already
impressive list of features supported by the software.
This update is free to all existing HTMLEdit 4+ or Studio customers. For
more information on HTMLEdit, check out the R-Comp web site at
http://www.rcomp.co.uk/
5) Beta Testers Required for NoticeBoard 2
The main development of the Really Good Software Company's NoticeBoard 2
(written by Tony Houghton) is now complete and RGSC are looking for a
small number of beta testers to give it a going over.
NoticeBoard 2 is a presentation manager based on the highly successful
earlier version (by Ben Summers) but addressing all the earlier users
requests.
Allowing many different types of renderer (including Draw, Sprite and
Artworks) NoticeBoard 2 allows different categories of pages to displayed
randomly (according to a priority algorithm), for use in stand-alone
announcement environments, or under the control of a user -- ideal for
individual presentations.
The display system will operate in any mode and can be either single
tasking taking over the whole screen, or multi-tasking in a window.
Contact rgsc@turnbull.cix.co.uk if you are interested in beta testing this
software, with a description of the environment you will be using it in.
6) Impact-3 - New version released
For current users of the Impact database the latest version, 3.08, has now
been released. This is a free upgrade from lesser 3.xx versions. To
upgrade return your master disc, and a stamped, self addressed label.
For users of earlier versions - Impact2, ImpactPro, etc - a special offer
upgrade price of GBP20 inc VAT is available until 31 Dec 1998.
For non-users, a VERY special offer, again until 31 Dec 1998 ONLY, offered
as a much needed Christmas present to all Acorn users, and in an effort to
cheer you all up, Impact-3 is now available for just GBP76 (seventy-six)
plus VAT.
Note this is a once only offer. In January, the price goes back to GBP145
plus VAT.
Contact Circle Software on support@circlesw.demon.co.uk or 01208 850790.
7) Acorn User magazine availability
With all the recent discussion in the comp.sys.acorn.misc newsgroup
regarding the availability of Acorn User magazine in users' local area,
Stephen Scott of Tau Press is preparing a page within the new, soon to be
unveiled, AU Online website. The page will be able to tell you where you
can obtain a copy of Acorn User, without having to resort to ordering one
as a back issue.
In order to do this he needs your help. Just e-mail scotts@post.idg.co.uk
(with a subject line like 'AU Availability') indicating where you found
copies on the shelf.
With this information, Tau Press can start to address the problem of
easily obtaining copies. In the meantime, the best thing to do would be to
approach your local newsagent and get them to order a copy for you each
month.
8) Interconnex UK Ltd, IMS, and Peanut portable
Interconnex UK Ltd have announced that they have taken over Innovative
Media Solutions Ltd with immediate effect.
The IMS Windows CD-ROM / Reader products are no longer available. This is
mainly due to the difficulty in obtaining the relevant Windows CD-ROMs.
Interconnex will continue to sell off any remaining stock, currently this
is Ancient Lands (GBP20) and Kiyeko (GBP10).
WebMaster is subject to ongoing negotiations - it will continue to be sold
by Interconnex while negotiations continue.
All Interconnex products which were available through IMS will now be
available direct from Interconnex. This includes:
* PsiRisc - recently updated with its first S5 converter
* Camera drivers (separate announcement to follow)
Interconnex will continue to supply Psion machines, with a free copy of
PsiRisc included with each, but not Geofox machines, since Geofox have
ceased trading.
Portable
========
Originally, the portable ("Peanut") was to be produced by Interconnex and
sold by IMS. Interconnex decided that it would make more sense to buy IMS
and sell it direct (it is also expected that Peanut will be available
through the dealer network within a few months of the launch).
Development of the portable is ongoing, and is not affected by this
takeover. Due to the turmoil within the market, and a couple of technical
hitches, Interconnex estimate that the portable is 2-3 months behind
schedule.
Contact
=======
Interconnex are using IMS' old phone number, but note that IMS' fax number
is discontinued (the Interconnex Fax is on 522880).
Email addresses which used to end @ims-bristol.co.uk can now (mostly) be
reached by using @interconnex.co.uk instead, eg sales@interconnex.co.uk.
Please start using the new addresses as soon as possible, as the
ims-bristol domain will cease to work early next year.
The old IMS website will soon be closed down. The Interconnex website is
now online and operating at: http://www.interconnex.co.uk/
9) Lion Publishing resource material for !HolyBible
ExpLAN's HolyBible software suite continues to grow, with the release of
another multimedia resource - the Lion Electronic Reference Library for
Acorn computers.
The Lion books, the "Handbook to the Bible" and "Handbook of Christian
Belief", have been best-sellers since 1973, and have been published as a
Windows software product for the last 5 years.
Now the same resources are to be issued as an add-on module for HolyBible.
The 4500 text, maps, timelines and photographic items are linked to each
other and to the Bible-text. ExpLAN have added a further 2500 Bible
references and over 12000 hotlinks, making this the most comprehensive
product yet.
Each Bible passage displays relevant commentary material with links to a
dictionary and background articles on history, geography, theology and
beliefs. People and places mentioned in the Bible are keyed to specific
timelines and maps where the name is highlighted with an auto-locator box.
Prices: single user GBP45, site-licence GBP60.
ExpLAN is now the only UK-based Bible software developer. Those wanting
British material are now served only by the Acorn RISC OS computer
platform.
10) iSV Products Christmas offers
iSV Products' new Christmas offers, including a free font CD with every
purchase, have now been posted at http://members.aol.com/isvproduct/
For example you can save 30% on best selling products such as DrawWorks
Designer and Dr Fonty. Many other products are also discounted. All
special offers apply while stocks last and run from now until the start of
January.
11) Photodesk Accessory CD-ROM
Spacetech are pleased to announce that they have pressed a CD-ROM
containing tutorials and resources for their range of Photodesk packages.
It has been compiled from archives of Photodesk submissions as well as new
contributions of tutorials and artwork.
The accessory CD-ROM will be included free of charge in all future
shippings of Photodesk Light, Photodesk 2 and Photodesk 3. Existing users
may purchase this CD-ROM for GBP24.95.
The CD-ROM includes a comprehensive tutorial and worksheets, information
on photo restoration and tinting, tips for using Photodesk on the
Internet, all the archived enhancements, updates and patches for Photodesk
2 and 3, new brushes, palettes, named colours, keystrip, and many other
items.
TopModel VRML viewer, Photofiler thumbnail application, WebsterLT,
OHP_Show and TeView are also included.
PD/Shareware News
-----------------
1) Acorn ICQ users update
The Acorn ICQ users webpages have been updated quite a bit and includes
information and downloads of AcornICQ v0.12, plans for v0.13, general ICQ
information, and Web-to-ICQ - a message sender for those without ICQ
wanting to contact an ICQ user. ICQ is an Internet messaging program.
2) Batch_FSI 2.4
The latest version of Batch_FSI, which adds an extra button and corrects a
few minor bugs, is now online at http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/tudor/
Batch_FSI is a front-end to ChangeFSI and allows you to convert many files
automatically. All of the features of ChangeFSI are supported in a single
window. Batch_FSI supports multiple spritefiles and can convert Acorn
sprites to the high resolution format.
3) Demo of Cambridge Latin Course Quiz available
Quiz is an application by Andrew Hill which allows the student to answer
multiple choice questions illustrated by graphics, gives percentage
scores, etc.
The software currently provides a series of questions on the "background
material" of Unit IIB of the Cambridge Latin Course, with Unit IIA in
preparation. It costs GBP10 for a site license, which also includes five
single user licenses for use by pupils at home.
There is now a demonstration version of the software, which includes
questions on one stage (as opposed to the four which come with the full
version), available from http://www.acorn.manchester.ac.uk/latin.html
Alternatively, you can e-mail the author at AndrewHill@cryogen.com.
The software is designed for RISC OS 3 and above, and runs quite happily
on a StrongARM RiscPC. It is also extensible, so that extra sets of
questions (on any topic) can be added.
4) raFS v1.15 / draw2latex / replacement for system icons
A new version of the extremely useful raFS filing system, a new utility
(draw2latex), and a new icon set, are now available from
http://home.augsburg.baynet.de/richard.atterer/
raFS v1.15
==========
raFS is a filing system which allows you to have filenames and disc names
of more than 10 characters in length, and does not impose a limit on the
maximum number of files that can be stored in a directory. It also
features directory cacheing and an easy-to-use Wimp frontend. raFS is
freeware.
New features in v1.15 include:
* Less stringent behaviour when 'Lock' files are found in discs'
storage directories.
* The "storage dirs mounted on startup" are mounted *before* the desktop
starts up if '!raFS' is in 'Choices.Boot.PreDesk'.
* A click on the icon-bar icon can open a menu of disc names, with a
user-defined command being executed for the chosen disc.
* The 'rafsln' utility allows you to read raFS discs under ARMLinux
(or any other Un*x).
draw2latex
==========
This small but flexible utility (released under the GPL) translates Acorn
Drawfiles into commands for LaTeX's 'picture' environment.
Replacement icon set
====================
This set of 256-colour sprites is definitely *not* just another icon set.
Some of the icons are loosely based on the RISC OS 4 icons, others are a
complete re-design.
People who prefer to use 16-colour modes might want to have a look at the
older (and slightly smaller) set of 16-colour replacement icons.
5) John Williams' web site
The following items are available on John Williams' web site
<http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/jrw/>:
* MonthCal
This is a monthly A4 calendar sheet creator. It creates sheets as
printable drawfiles. Year 2000 compliancy checked.
* PatchPhas
PatchPhas is for patching versions of Phases, the children's
word-processor, including early versions of FullPhase, so that it will
work with the newer printer drivers (later than 0.33).
* SplTrim
Children often do excellent pictures in Splosh which would be useful as
clip-art if only there were not the huge blank bits around the edges.
The SplTrim program is a trimmer to remove superfluous bits specifically
from Splosh files, though it may work with other similar sprite files.
* VDetect
VDetect provides a simple way of auto-loading the Pineapple VProtect
module from a printers disc transparently but with an application icon
to highlight its presence. On a floppy system used in school, the first
action will normally be to load a printer driver from a floppy disc.
There is also information on the following topics:
* What to do if your Hard Disc Fails to Boot - stepwise instructions
(useful to download and print out!).
* Automatic Watering System for Plants in Containers - schematic.
* Buying a House in France.
6) Smaller guavac files
Peter Naulls has broken up the archive of guavac into slightly more
manageable pieces. It is still the same version, so don't go running off
to get it if you've got the current one!
guavac is a free Java compiler, released under a GNU license and ported to
RISC OS by Peter Naulls. He is planning to have a new release by about
Christmas, so would appreciate any submissions on improvements you would
like to see by then.
guavac can be found at http://chocky.home.ml.org/java/guavac/
7) Portscan v0.03
Version 0.03 of Portscan is now available from
http://www.rz.tu-ilmenau.de/~yahoo/portscan/
Portscan is an utility that allows you to scan TCP ports on any computer
on your LAN or on the Internet. This is useful to check what services are
running on a certain machine.
8) TrackConv v3.17 (StrongARM compatible)
TrackConv version 3.17 is now available on HENSA (in the converters
section). This version is now StrongARM compatible.
TrackConv is a freeware application to allow conversion between many
different tracker/mod file formats.
Club News
---------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Brought to you with The Association of Acorn User Groups*
The AAUG website provides details of all the user groups worldwide, and
how you can benefit from becoming a member. For more information, visit:
http://www.argonet.co.uk/scs/AAUG/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) December meeting dates
The following user group meetings are planned for December. Always check
the AAUG website <http://www.argonet.co.uk/scs/AAUG/> to confirm details.
December 1998
=============
2nd - Wakefield meeting - Auction
4th - Welwyn / Hatfield meeting
7th - Nottingham Microcomputer Club meeting
8th - Bottisham Acorn User Group meeting
8th - Liverpool Acorn User Group meeting - Clares
14th - Nottingham Microcomputer Club meeting
14th - SASAUG meeting
18th - Welwyn / Hatfield meeting
18th - Blackpool meeting - Victoria Hotel
21st - Nottingham Microcomputer Club meeting
22nd - Blackpool Computer Club meeting
2) News from Fraug
The Fraug is The French Acorn User Group. You can now find a lot of new
things (applications, picture, etc.) on the new Fraug web site at:
http://www.multimania.com/fraug/
Fraug's website is bigger than 4.9Mo and nearly contains 3.2Mo of software
for RISC OS.
3) Charity Auction at Wakefield Acorn Computer Group Meeting 2nd Dec
The next WACG meeting, on Wednesday 2nd December, will be their Charity
Bring & Buy Auction. As well as the more normal auction (the User Group is
not taking any commission), WACG will also be raising money for the
'National Childrens Trust'. Whatever money is raised from the sale of
donated items will go to the National Childrens Trust.
So come on, find anything you think that might be sellable and bring it
along. Everyone's welcome.
Details of the rules/conditions of the auction are available on request
and will be on the websites shortly. For details, times, location, etc,
see http://www.cumbrian.demon.co.uk/wacg/
4) Offer from The ARM Club to Clan Members
The ARM Club <http://www.armclub.org.uk/> is the international user group
for all owners of 32 bit RISC OS computers. Members enjoy many benefits
including:
* Quarterly magazine and disc, written by members for members.
* Members' discounts from a number of well known companies.
* Open Days and Shows organised around the country.
* Training days now being planned.
* Technical help scheme run by members for members.
Membership for a year costs GBP12 (GBP15 for new members including a
joining pack). As a special offer to members of Clan Acorn, following
Acorn's decision to pull out of the desktop computer market, we are not
charging the joining fee until 31st January 1999 if you quote your Clan
number, saving you 3 pounds.
ANS Information
---------------
1) How to send in news
To send in your news items simply include the information below and send
it to ans@acornusers.org. Alternatively use the form on the ANS website at
http://www.acornusers.org/ans/newsdesk.html
First name:
Surname:
E-mail address:
Text of news item:
2) How to subscribe to ANS
If you are reading this on the ANS web site, or have received a forwarded
copy of ANS and would like to subscribe to the mailing list, simply use
the online form on the site <http://www.acornusers.org/ans/>, or send
an e-mail to majordomo@lists.barnet.ac.uk with the text "subscribe ans"
(without quotes) in the body.
3) Fetching web pages via e-mail
If you do not have web access you can fetch any URL referenced in ANS by
using the KFS web by e-mail service. To use this free service send an
e-mail to www@kfs.org with the subject header "send <URL>". For example to
fetch the web by e-mail service information page send an e-mail like this:
From: youraddress@example.com
To: www@kfs.org
Subject: send http://www.kfs.org/web-by-mail.html
------------ Acorn News Service, http://www.acornusers.org/ans/ ------------