home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Acorn User 10
/
AU_CD10.iso
/
Archived
/
Websites
/
ANS
/
ans.arc
/
archive
/
ie48_text
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
2000-06-01
|
14KB
|
373 lines
|-------------------------- Acorn News Service --------------------------|
| http://www.acornusers.org/ans/ |
| ISSUE 48 9 January 2000 |
| |
| An independent fortnightly newsletter for the Acorn world. |
| Send your news items or comments to ans@acornusers.org. |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Featured site this issue: http://www.arcsite.de/ |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Contents
--------
1) Editorial
2) General News
3) Commercial News
4) PD/Shareware News
5) ANS information
Editorial
---------
2000 is here, finally. My only comment this issue is to suggest reading
Weaving the Web by Tim Berners-Lee - a fascinating book about the
development of the web and his vision for the future.
James Sears, Editor
james@ans.acornusers.org
<http://www.w3.org/People/Berners-Lee/Weaving/Overview.html>
General News
------------
1) New official RISC OS 4 ROM patch
RISCOS Ltd has released a new patch to correct some problems users have
experienced with RISC OS 4.
Version 4 of the patch is now available from
<http://www.riscos.com/devsupport/public/>.
2) New look for ArcSite
ArcSite now has a new and better look, a new German magazine, and better
support for visitors who want to view the English pages.
ArcSite <http://www.arcsite.de/> is a RISC OS web site featuring German
RISC OS news, magazine, forum, free adverts, over 800 searchable links,
and an FTP search engine, ArcArchie, to find RISC OS programs.
ArcSite also provides free web space for RISC OS users' homepages.
3) Molecular Biology for RISC OS
Robert Hartley is creating a Molecular Biology for RISC OS web site, at
<http://home.freeuk.com/r.hartley/>, initially featuring cell biology
analysis and application reviews it will be expanded to a launcher for
biology and medical software for RISC OS.
4) Mailing list for users of Calligraph printers
Now that Calligraph are no longer trading, Richard Torrens has set up a
mailing list as a mutual self-help group for users.
To subscribe e-mail <calligraph@4qd.co.uk> with the subject Subscribe.
5) Submissions for May 2000 Acorn User CD
The May 2000 Acorn User magazine cover CD will feature fonts and clipart,
and AU is looking for displayer and general graphics and font utilities to
include.
If you have any appropriate software, or would like to include your
virtual web site (especially if relevant to the CD theme), contact
aucd@acornuser.com.
Commercial News
---------------
1) Drobe Launch Pad adds accessible chat
Drobe Launch Pad <http://www.drobe.co.uk/>, the RISC OS portal, has
launched a new Instant Chat service for RISC OS users.
The Java-free software is easy to use for both new and experienced users
of chat systems, offering a user-friendly interface to well known IRC
principles.
The service is open 24 hours a day and anyone can join in. You can log in
from the Drobe Launch Pad homepage at <http://www.drobe.co.uk/>.
2) RISC World - CD-ROM magazine for RISC OS users
APDL will launch of RISC World, a new CD-ROM based magazine edited by
David Matthewman, in February 2000.
RISC World is a bi-monthly magazine intended to complement the existing
printed publications available to RISC OS users and enthusiasts. Producing
the magazine on a CD enables the price to be kept low, particularly for
overseas readers, without compromising quality or content.
RISC World will cost just GBP17.90 per year for UK subscribers, and only
GBP19.90 overseas.
For more information see the RISC World web site at
<http://www.riscworld.com/>.
RISC World is currently looking to commission contributors for one-off
articles and series. Contact editor@riscworld.com for more details if you
are interested.
3) WebFX3D reduced
WebFX3D can now be obtained for GBP25 (including postage). Details are
available at <http://www.dansoft.co.nz/webfx3d/>, and there is also a new
manual available <http://www.dansoft.co.nz/manual/>.
4) RiscStations in Australia
The first RiscStation R7500Lites assembled in Australia went to their new
owners on Christmas Eve. The bulk of the first production is now with
resellers, with further stock being available soon.
Some pictures from the recent Reseller's Workshop can be seen at:
<http://www.riscstation.com.au/launch/workshop.htm>
5) KiwiSoft Virus Slayer v0.62
Virus Slayer v0.62 is now available, and contains numerous bug fixes and
a couple of new features, including support for RISC OS 3.00 and 4.
<http://www.kiwisoft.co.uk/>
6) "Digisnap" CD-ROM from Spacetech
Spacetech has launched a new photographic resource for digital artists
comprising over 100 digital photographs taken by the well known artist
and photographer, David Cowell. This is the third CD in a series to
complement his Introduction to Digital Art and Creative Digital Imaging.
The Digisnaps CD by David Cowell is available from Spacetech Ltd for
GBP12.50 including VAT. For details see <http://www.spacetech.co.uk/>.
7) WimpBasic 2.08
An update from WimpBasic 2.03 to version 2.08 is now available from
<http://www.claresmicro.com/support/wbsupp.html>.
This adds a quick save icon, improved icon array support and fixes for
problems reported in 2.03.
WimpBasic 2 is a programming language based on BBC BASIC which allows you
write desktop applications without having to learn about Wimp SWIs and
polling loops. Details: <http://www.claresmicro.com/misc/wbasic.html>.
PD/Shareware News
-----------------
1) MouseAxess
Stefan Bellon has set up a web page to promote Christian Floter's module,
MouseAxess. The module adds various useful functions to the RISC OS
desktop, a feature list is available on the new web site.
<http://rupert.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/~bellonsn/software/mouseaxess/>
2) Millennium bugfix for older versions of PC
Older versions of the PC card software, such as 1.92, suffer from the
millennium bug; it does not report the correct century to DOS, it gets
confused and so sets the clock back to 1984.
The bug can, however, be tediously overcome by using DOS's DATE command to
reset the clock when DOS starts up.
PCY2K, which runs within RISC OS, creates a small batch file containing
the date which DOS can pick up when it runs. The clock is reset to the
correct date, and your Microsoft Windows applications are happy.
Once installed correctly the program is transparent in operation. Download
the 9KB archive from: <http://web.ukonline.co.uk/david.thomson/>.
3) CBSA and Acorn education web sites updated
The CBSA web site has been updated adding a new audio section, including
various players and audio MPEG encoders. <http://www.acornusers.org/cbsa/>
The education software site has also been updated, and some HTML errors
fixed. <http://www.acornusers.org/education/>
Files from both sites are also accessible with FTP in the cbsa and
education directories of <ftp://ftp.acornusers.org/pub/>.
4) Build, mapping data to HTML
Build (provisional name) takes mapping data (Ordnance Survey grid
references) from a number of databases and Drawfiles, and processes
them to generate HTML. The HTML comprises an image map and a table.
The pages reached from <http://www.armage.demon.co.uk/nuff/maps/>
are an example of a set of pages created using this software.
Build is freeware and both source and executable are available from
<http://www.armage.demon.co.uk/software/>.
In the source, and available for use by others, there is:
* A partial implementation of a simple database in the source.
* Functions for manipulating Ordnance Survey Grid References.
* A start at a graphics system based on drawfiles.
* Sundry other odds and ends that might be useful to other programmers.
eg extra_fopenUnix(). As fopen, but takes a unix style filename.
5) Site address change for Attacher, UUcoder, Z88Link
<http://www.bramber.org.uk/> is now the new home of John Allen's various
programs, including Attacher, UUcoder, 64coder (for coding and decoding
uucode and base64 attachments to e-mail or newsgroups), and Z88Link, ZLink
and PsionLink.
Also on the site are details of John Allen's book on the Z88, and an
archive about using the Z88 with the BBC Micro and Arc.
6) StrongHelp SWI manuals
StrongHelp manuals with useful information on SWIs are available from
<http://eh.org/~koschei/manuals/>. There is now also a mailing list for
discussion of the manuals and anything else StrongHelp related.
7) Other new software
* FresUtils, AntUtils for Fresco
A stripped down version of AntUtils, containing just the bits that are
of relevance to Fresco - such as launching search engines, toggling
cookies/Javascript on and off and altering the various faking options.
<http://www.vigay.com/riscos/comms.html#fresutils>
* Toolkit, calculate icon and window flags
Calculates either the icon or window flags for a particular window or
icon. Requires WimpBASIC2 runtime modules and RISC OS 3.1 or above.
<http://www.acornusers.org/cbsa/Program.html#Toolkit>
8) Updated software summary
* DigitalCD v2.44
A desktop music player compatible with RISC OS 3.1 or later. It provides
independent control panels for any connected CD drive and music files
playlists. New version is easier to upgrade and can load MIDI files.
<http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Horizon/4471/digital.htm>
* Nuke v0.91
Nuke, by Tony Hopstaken, is a convenient front end for Sergio Monesi's
powerful utility 'nuke', which enables you to overwrite the sectors
occupied by files or free space on disc, making it impossible to recover
the data by means of disc editors or 'undelete' utilities. The new
version is fully compatible with RISC OS 4.
<http://web.bham.ac.uk/N.M.Queen/pgp/acorn.html>
* Planets
Planets simulates a three body planetary system, where most of the
parameters can be adjusted. Planets is shareware and will only run on
a Risc PC. New version has new features and a redesigned front end.
<http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/tudor/english/share.html>
* RiscPCB v0.40
RiscPCB is a freeware printed circuit board designer.
<http://www.idealist.demon.co.uk/soft.htm>
* SibToDraw v2.00e
A complete vector software which can be used together with Sibelius to
build music scores of any complexity. Final version includes a thorough
and unlimited Undo/Redo, and other major improvements. Demo from:
<http://space.tin.it/musica/glonigr/>
* Tiles, v3.67
Tiles is a visually attractive and entertaining crossword game that
provides a basis for learning spelling, vocabulary, strategy and
computer literacy. It is now been equipped with computer generated play
so that any or all of the players can be selected to be autoplayers,
with different levels of competence of play.
<http://www.maceng.demon.co.uk/BG.html>
Club News
---------
1) Upcoming meetings
* Southampton Acorn Users Group, Monday 10th January
<http://www.argonet.co.uk/scs/AAUG/southampton/>
* Surrey and Sussex, Monday 10th January, with The ARM Club
<http://www.poppyfields.net/sasaug/>
* Wolfen, Germany, Saturday 15th January
<http://acorn.orcom.de/>
* Welwyn Hatfield Computer Club, Friday 21 January
<http://www.bigfoot.com/~whcc>
* North Kent Amateur Computer Club, Thursday 13th January
<http://www.nkacc.roundel.net/>
ANS Information
---------------
1) Contact ANS
Editor - James Sears - james@ans.acornusers.org
Webmaster - Stephen Courtney - stephen@ans.acornusers.org
Founder - Eytan Abrahams - eytan@ans.acornusers.org
Life-Webmaster - Richard Hesketh - richard@ans.acornusers.org
ADL Moderator - Paul Johnson - paul@ans.acornusers.org
Translator - Michael Gerbracht - michael@ans.acornusers.org
2) How to send in news
To send in your news items simply e-mail ans@acornusers.org, or use the
form on the ANS website <http://www.acornusers.org/ans/newsdesk.html>.
Also if you have an Acorn related announcements mailing list, feel free
to subscribe ans@acornusers.org.
3) 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 send
any e-mail to ans-subscribe@ans.acornusers.org. Alternatively use the form
on the ANS web site at <http://www.acornusers.org/ans/subscribe.html>.
For details of other commands e-mail ans-help@ans.acornusers.org.
4) 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/ ------------