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|-------------------------- Acorn News Service --------------------------|
| http://www.acornusers.org/ans/ |
| ISSUE 51 20 February 2000 |
| |
| An independent fortnightly newsletter for the Acorn world. |
| Send your news items or comments to ans@acornusers.org. |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Featured site this issue: http://filebase.acornusers.org/ |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Contents
--------
1) Editorial
2) General News
3) Commercial News
4) PD/Shareware News
5) ANS information
Editorial
---------
Welcome to the second anniversary edition of ANS!
The first issue of ANS was published on the 18th February 1998, by
Eytan Abrahams who had identified the need for an e-mail news source
for Acorn users.
Since then ANS has provided regular news updates to a growing number
of subscribers, currently over 900. Last year we added a German
language edition of ANS, translated by Michael Gerbracht, to make
the newsletter available to even more people.
Last week, on the second anniversary of the publication of Issue 1,
we launched the new ANS RISC OS Filebase to mark the event. The ANS
Filebase web site <http://filebase.acornusers.org/>, developed by
ANS webmaster Stephen Courtney, provides a searchable database of
categorised RISC OS software.
Please help ANS continue to provide a useful service to Acorn users
by adding details of more software to the ANS Filebase, telling other
users about ANS subscription, linking to the ANS and ANS Filebase
web sites, and sending any news you have to ans@acornusers.org for
inclusion in the next newsletter.
Thank you for reading and supporting ANS.
James Sears, Editor
james@ans.acornusers.org
General News
------------
1) RISC OS Wish list web site
As result of very lively discussion in the comp.sys.acorn.misc newsgroup
about possible features for future versions of RISC OS, there is now a
web site available which lists all wishes.
The site already contains many ideas from the newsgroup, and you can vote
for each item or add a positive or negative comment.
<http://www.acornusers.org/wishlist/>
2) ANS RISC OS Filebase
ANS has launched ANS RISC OS Filebase <http://filebase.acornusers.org/>,
a web site providing a searchable database of useful information on
RISC OS software, with links for instant downloads.
The ANS Filebase already contains information on over 250 programs
across 20 categories, and will continue to grow. All users and
developers can contribute to the site by adding or correcting
details of programs, with a simple web form for instant results.
To access the ANS Filebase go to <http://filebase.acornusers.org/>.
3) Andrew Rawnsley departs RISCOS Ltd
Andrew Rawnsley, Technical Director and founding member of RISCOS Ltd,
left the company at the beginning of the month, to pursue his own RISC OS
based software development business, R-Comp.
Commenting on his departure, Andrew said, "I have very much enjoyed
working with the RISCOS Ltd team for the past year, helping to build the
company from a seed of imagination into a healthy, growing business."
"When we started, none of us knew what to expect, and what has been
achieved in such a space of time is a testament to us all. Now I have seen
RISCOS Ltd through its fledgling period, it is time to step back and
return to developing the software to run on RISC OS."
Paul Middleton, Managing Director said, "I'd like to thank Andrew for his
hard work over the last year, and wish him all the best for his future
software developments - no doubt we'll be hearing more on this soon!"
Paul Middleton, Andrew Rawnsley, Matthew Bullock and Justin Fletcher were
the founding members of RISCOS Ltd in January 1999, licensing RISC OS from
Element 14 in February of that year. Andrew will remain a director of the
company, and continue with outstanding engagements.
<http://www.riscos.com/>
Commercial News
---------------
1) Cerilica RiScript in stock
Cerilica RiScript is now in stock ready for immediate despatch.
RiScript can view both PDF and PostScript files, and also compliments the
current RISC OS PostScript creation ability by allowing PDFs to be saved.
These PDF files may then be viewed with on Microsoft and Mac systems using
software such as Adobe's Acrobat.
For more information, or to download an order form, visit the Cerilica web
site: <http://www.cerilica.com/riscript/intro.htm>.
RiScript is available for GBP59.00 in the UK which includes VAT, package
and postage. The product comprises of an all-new 64 page printed manual
and two 3.5" floppy discs within a case.
Upgrades are GBP29.00 fully inclusive with the option to purchase the
manual at a charge of GBP5.00 (when ordered with the upgrade).
RiScript is already available overseas from Orcom (Germany) and other
Cerilica dealers have expressed an interest in stocking RiScript. Check
the Cerilica web site for details.
2) R-Comp Internet Pack
R-Comp Interactive, publishers of leading RISC OS Internet applications
such as Messenger Pro and HTMLEdit Studio, have put together a "Get
online" pack.
The bundle consists of a 56kbps external modem, connection software,
WebsterXL and Messenger Pro, for GBP105 including VAT, as well as a ready
to use FreeUK Internet dialup account.
<http://www.rcomp.co.uk/>
3) New magazines: RiscAction, RISC Nation, Foundation RISC User
RiscAction
==========
The first issue of RiscAction, a new print magazine for RISC OS users, was
available at the Southwest Show. It contains:
* News & Views
* How iSV Products came to be (a historical retrospective)
* DrawWorks Millennium reviewed
* Best BETT yet
* Tudors & Numbertime reviewed
* Kings Quest 8: Mask of Eternity reviewed
* Heroes of Might & Magic II reviewed
* Internet Basics Guide (part 1)
The accompanying disc (included with this issue) contains DrawWorks SE,
Master Break, and Superior Golf.
To buy a copy contact raeditor@hotmail.com with your address, it will be
mailed and you can send the GBP3 payment by return.
RISC Nation
===========
Another new magazine, RISC Nation, is now taking subscriptions. RISC
Nation is StrongHelp based and comes on a disk with additional software.
Subscriptions cost GBP15 per year. Contact kezs@ukgateway.net for details.
Foundation RISC User
===================
The RISC OS Foundation, formed a year ago as a replacement for Acorn's
Clan, has completed the first of the new CD magazines for Foundation
members, Foundation RISC User.
The CD also includes the Foundation area from the RISCOS Ltd web site,
software from RISCOS Ltd and other developers, and other resources.
The magazine is free to existing Foundation member. Users who are not
already Foundation members can still join in order to receive the CD,
see <http://www.riscos.com/foundation/> for full details.
4) R-Comp and Fabis strike deal for EasyClip 2 and AddressIt
R-Comp and Fabis Computing have finalised the full transfer of the
EasyClip 2 and AddressIt products from Fabis to their new home at R-Comp.
This deal ensures that support and upgrades for these products can
continue to be offered by R-Comp, and also allows for future development
and sales.
Information/pricing on EasyClip 2 and AddressIt will be forthcoming, and
various updates are planned. EasyClip 2 is now fully RISC OS 4 compatible,
and upgrades to v2.05 are available for existing customers, priced at GBP7
for version 2 users or GBP15 for version 1 users.
<http://www.rcomp.co.uk/>
5) OHP2 - New presentation package from Spacetech
OHP2, a new version of Spacetech's presentation package for RISC OS,
was released at the Acorn South West Show yesterday.
OHP2 lets the user compile presentations comprised of a number of graphics
files, which may be created using native RISC OS applications like Draw or
Paint, or more sophisticated packages like Cerilica Vantage or Photodesk,
and then show them on the computer's VDU as a full-screen presentation.
New features of OHP2 include:
* Artworks file support added.
* Sound effects can be associated with slides.
* Unique Slide Hopper added, skim to whichever slide you choose.
* Presentation engine enhanced to allow hidden slides.
OHP2 is available on CD-ROM for GBP39.95 including VAT and UK carriage.
It requires RISC OS 3.5 or higher. Upgrade from OHP for GBP12.95.
OHP_show and a demonstration presentation is available for free
download from the Spacetech web site <http://www.spacetech.co.uk/ohp/>.
6) Archive magazine just gets better!
For the third month out of four, Archive magazine has had to be printed at
96 pages instead of the normal 80 pages because there is just so much
material.
* UK subscription (12 issues): GBP28
* Rest of Europe: GBP33
* Rest of the world: GBP41
For more details, including the try-before-buy scheme, see the Archive
magazine web site at <http://www.archivemag.co.uk/>.
PD/Shareware News
-----------------
1) New software summary
* ChangePSI, Psion/EPOC32 file conversion
ChangePSI converts files between EPOC32 based Psion organisers and file
formats suitable for RISC OS. ChangePSI is an implementation of the file
format documentation work by Frodo Looijaard. This version of ChangePSI
converts Psion Word, OPL, Sketch, and MBM to various useful formats.
<http://www.mountside.nl/people/gertjan/changepsi/>
* Hyper Index, index Archive Magazine CD Volume 12
After performing a search in TextFind, drag the results to the Hyper
Index icon, and it will produce an HTML file giving hyper-links to the
HTML versions of the articles.
<http://users.ox.ac.uk/~chri0264/software/>
* MEPtelnet, connect Webster and FreeTerm
If you use Webster for web browsing and FreeTerm for telnet connections,
then this program will allow you to set up Webster so that clicking on a
"telnet:" URL will start up FreeTerm and connect to the given host.
<http://users.ox.ac.uk/~chri0264/software/>
* PHP, RISC OS port of HTML server scripting language
PHP, which stands for "PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor", is an HTML-embedded
scripting language. The goal of the language is to allow web developers
to write dynamically generated pages quickly. Scripts are interpreted by
the server, so it works with all browsers. A RISC OS port of PHP 3.0.14
is now available, use alone or with a server such as Navaho or NetPlex.
<http://www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/~ajw498/php/>
* Stronghelp CGI gateway
A program written in C to give a Unix web server the ability to serve an
HTML conversion of normal RISC OS StrongHelp manual files.
<http://www.inkvine.fluff.org/~vince/>
* SWL-Tools, Audio processing and radio listening
Short Wave Listeners Tools is the first of its kind for RISC OS and its
main purpose is to support listening to weak and noisy radio stations
from the far away parts of the world. Requires StrongARM Risc PC, 16MB
RAM, VRAM, and an Irlam 24i16 card. The audio source can be any but an
AOR7030 radio is ideal.
<http://pweb.uunet.de/schwalm.hb/>
* Telephone, fix Impact modem command
A little program for users of the Impact database. If you have an
internal modem you will find that Impact's "modem" script command
assumes that the modem is connected to the serial port. This program
allows you to get round this.
<http://users.ox.ac.uk/~chri0264/software/>
2) Updated software summary
* AntUtils v1.35
Shareware utilities for ANT Internet Suite users. Bug fixes.
<http://www.vigay.com/riscos/comms.html#antutils>
* BeebIt v0.12
BeebIt is a freeware BBC Micro computer emulator for RISC OS versions
3.00 and above. It emulates an Acorn BBC Model B computer with 32K RAM.
The new version includes cursors emulation, 6845CRTC code bug fix,
working flashing colours, and other improvements and fixes.
<http://www.voyager.co.nz/~mikef/bbc.htm>
* CDViewer v2.00 beta
CDViewer is a replacement for Acorn's CDFSFiler, adding things like a
built in CD player and easier usage. CDViewer is RISC OS 4 compatible
and works with CDROMFS and CDFS.
<http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/jeremy.poulter/Software.html>
* Delirium v2.30
Delirium is a highly configurable screen saver with Demo-style effects.
It has been designed to get the most out of high spec computers, and so
a StrongARM Risc PC with VRAM is recommended, A7000 minimum. The new
version includes several improvements, including saver groups.
<http://www.various-artists.freeserve.co.uk/delirium/>
* JPEGTrans v1.18
A front end for the Independent JPEG Group's 'JPEGTran' program, has
been updated. The new version just contains an updated 'JPEGTran'
program compiled by Jrme Mathevet. This seems to make the program a
tiny bit faster.
<http://www.eganc.demon.co.uk/skullsoft/soft_utils.htm>
* LAME v3.62beta
A patch to build LAME 3.62beta for RISC OS is now available. LAME
creates audio MPEG files.
<http://rupert.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/~bellonsn/software/
lame-info.html>
* OSLib v5.61
OSLib, the free, type-safe and consistent API library for C, C++ and
assembler under RISC OS, has now been updated with all the latest
support for RISC OS 4, as well as a new Event Library.
<http://www.mk-net.demon.co.uk/oslib/>
* PsiFS v1.20
Connect Psion computers (SIBO and EPOC, eg Series 3 or 5) to RISC OS.
The new version includes an incremental backup facility, battery
information display, clock synchronisation, and bug fixes.
<http://www.thouky.btinternet.co.uk/software/psifs/>
* RiscPCB v0.41
RiscPCB is a freeware printed circuit board designer.
<http://www.idealist.demon.co.uk/>
* RISC OS Samba Server v0.06
A port of Samba which allows Microsoft Windows and Unix machines to
share RISC OS discs using CIFS. Passwords supported, detects LanMan98
clients, and some fixes.
<http://www.merddin.demon.co.uk/riscos.html>
* SESType v2.00
A freeware touch typing course, that takes the user through a series of
exercises to improve typing speed. Version 2 has better options setting,
support for more than one person learning, 900+ exercises of words and
sentences to improve speed, and a separate two player typing game.
<http://www.ee.ed.ac.uk/~pmh/ART/Type.html>
* Tortils name change form ECS Utils
ECS Utils, software which adds various useful features to the desktop,
is now known as Tortils, and is available from a new website.
<http://www.torty.org.uk/sware.html>
* Zonk v1.35
Build HTML files from plain text data files and templates, a highly
specialised form of mail merge really. This version has a few bug fixes
and quite a number of enhancements over the previous release. The Mac OS
build of a slightly earlier version is the one that Electronic Telegraph
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/> now uses for its daily updates.
<http://www.theknow.co.uk/zonk/acorn.htm>
Club News
---------
1) Upcoming meetings
* North Kent Amateur Computer Club, 9th March
<http://www.humperdink.demon.co.uk/nkacc/>
* Essex Acorn User Group, 14th March 2000 - PCPro and other developments
<http://www.watsnees.demon.co.uk/eaug.html>
2) Belgian RISC OS User Group - RISCOS.be
The Belgian RISC OS User Group is has announced its new name, RISCOS.be,
to reflect the new exciting developments around the RISC OS operating
system.
Since September 1988 Belgian Acorn/RISC OS users had two regular meetings
per month, as an independent user group in the Belgian HCC (Hobby Computer
Club) organisation and for three years, as a user group in the ACC
(Algemene Computer Club) organisation together with other user groups
like the Linux User Group, PC User Group and the Tandy User Group.
More information on RISCOS.be can be found on the web pages:
<URL:http://gallery.uunet.be/John.Tytgat/riscosbe/>. Note that this is a
temporary host for the "RISCOS.be" web pages until a more appropriate
web server has been set up.
ANS Information
---------------
1) Contact ANS
Editor - James Sears - james@ans.acornusers.org
Webmaster - Stephen Courtney - stephen@ans.acornusers.org
Translator - Michael Gerbracht - michael@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
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/ ------------