Archive Magazine 1995/ARCHIVE95.iso/text/products/volume_02/issue_10

Text File | 1995-02-21 | 19KB | 361 lines

Å  RISC-OS price rise!! Ö We do now, at last, have RISC-OS in stock.
Indeed, we can get as many as we want so you can send in your orders.
However, please note that the price is due to increase at the end of
June to ú69 + VAT (ú70 through Archive). Yes, I know that, by the time
you read this, the deadline will be past, but we have bought in some
stocks at the old price (ú36). As they have gone, however, the price
will have to go up to ú70.
2.10
Å  A305 RAM Upgrades down in price Ö The price of 1/2 Mbyte RAM upgrades
for the A305 has come down from ú159 to ú130. The reason for this is to
clear the existing stocks that I have got. Because it was impossible to
buy them for months, I assumed there would be lots of people waiting to
buy them so, to get a better price, I bought lots of them. Now I canæt
get rid of them! So to avoid cash-flow problems Iæm having to sell them
off at a loss. Weæll even fit them f.o.c. if you can call in to the
office!
2.10
Å  A410æs, A420æs or A440æs anyone? Ö I have now managed to get hold of
some A410æs (I think the supply must be improving!) but no A420æs and
A440/1æs are even further off. However, I do have 20M and 40M upgrade
drives for the A410 and upgrade RAM in stock (which has now gone down in
price, see below!), so I can make up various configurations for you, at
the following VAT and UK carriage inclusive prices: (and each comes with
a voucher for ú100 worth of free software)
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A410 + 2M + 20M drive (i.e. an A420)  ú1780
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A410 + 4M + 20M drive  ú2160
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A410 + 2M + 40M drive  ú1980
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A410 + 4M + 40M drive (i.e. an A440)  ú2360
2.10
Add ú60 for the M version (i.e. with the PC emulator) and/or ú230 for an
Acorn colour monitor. If you want to include a multisync monitor (Eizo
9060S or N.E.C. 3D) , add ú535 to the prices above.
2.10
Å  A410/420 RAM Upgrades down in price Ö The price of 1 Mbyte RAM
upgrades for the A410/20 has come down from ú205 to ú185.
2.10
Å  ArcComm Ö New comms software from BBC Enterprises. ú29.95 (or ú28
through Archive) offers videotext and scrolling terminals with Hayes,
DTI or manual modems. (RISC-OS only).
2.10
Å  Atelier Ö the Minerva art package (ú85 through Archive) is now
available. It will allow you to create 256-colour graphics and claims
370 effects, including 60 shades of black and white, rotate and distort,
texture mapping, air brush simulation and the ability to create
perspective, light and shade.
2.10
Å  Careware N╝ 1 Ö Since my comments in last monthæs magazine we have
received enough good software to set up Careware N╝1. It contains:
Othello game, LabelPrinter, öMakeò utility, Calendar, Headstand module
(= turn the screen upside down!), Sliding Block puzzles, ÉSimonæ game,
plus lots of simple games programs and graphics demos, e.g. Biorhythms
etc. The cost is ú6 so that ú3 is divided between the three charities
mentioned on page 7 last month.
2.10
Stop Press: Matthew reckons he will have Careware N╝2 ready by the time
you read this and also Shareware N╝12 and also a RISC-OS update disc
which we will do as Shareware N╝13. This will contain programs that have
been on previous Shareware or program discs but which have been updated
(and, in some cases, improved) to run under RISC-OS. If these are ready
in time, Iæll put information on the back of the Price List.
2.10
Å  DTP from Acorn is here! (Well, in limited quantity, anyway Ö sounds a
familiar story.) At last, a full function DTP taking text and graphics
from various sources and outputting the resulting document to a range of
printers from cheap 9-pin DM printers to high-performance laser
printers. The price is ú149 + VAT (ú145 through Archive).
2.10
Å  Euclid update Ö A RISC-OS version of Euclid 3-D modelling and
animation system is now available for just ú70 inc VAT (or ú60 through
Archive.) Registered Euclid users can upgrade through Ace Computing for
ú25. Euclid öattachmentsò available include Mogul (ú20) which allows the
production of films of moving objects, Projector (free) Ö a PD projector
for Mogul films and Splice (ú30) Ö a full function version of the
Projector program allowing single frame editing, film splicing, sound
tracks etc.
2.10
Å  First Fonts (Maths/Scientific) is now available for 9-pin printers and
also for the H.P. LaserJet and DeskJet. Thereæs no need to specify the
printer because the different drivers are all in the one package, still
at ú19 +VAT (ú20 through Archive).
2.10
Å  Hard Drives now Exportable Ö Computerware have now found a supply of
hard drives on which there are no re-export restrictions, so we can
supply complete hard drive systems to any part of the world. The costs
for overseas customers of buying podules only, was given in the April
issue, page 2. If you want to buy a complete drive system, take the
prices on the current price list, divide by 1.15 to subtract VAT. Then
European customers should add ú20 for carriage and those further afield
should write or ring for a quotation for the cost of carriage.
2.10
Å  MewSoft programs are now fully RISC-OS compatible Ö Faxfile Manager
for the owner of a personal organiser, Forms Manager combining large
size and standard text with lines boxes and grids, standard and sideways
A4 and Fancy Labeller which gives (8) fancy fonts and (20) fancy frames.
Each program is ú27.90 inc p&p.
2.10
Å  Micro-Librarian ÉProfessionalæ (version 3.0) ú300 from Micro-Librarian
Systems is a suite of over 30 integrated programs which can easily be
transferred to hard disc. A training/demo disc with sample catalogue and
readership is available for ú5.
2.10
Å  Modems down in price! Ö The prices of the two 2400 baud modems that we
sell through Archive have been reduced thanks to two eagle-eyed readers
who found better sources for us. The Miracle WS3000 is down by ú40 to
ú350 and the Amstrad SM2400 is down by ú30 to ú235.
2.10
Å  Monthly program discs Ö öWhatæs on the program discsò is a question I
get asked fairly frequently, so here is a summary of the story so far:
2.10
Volume One
2.10
1Ö6: Arthur 1.2 desktop accessories, findfile, *commands and structured
directory listing.
2.10
7:  RS423 patch (v1.24), FastRM updates, Mandelbrot screens, Life
update
2.10
8:  Tunes for the Music Editor
2.10
9:  Phone number database
2.10
10: FWP printer drivers (Canons + Kaga), Mode conversion programs,
Mandelbrot program
2.10
11: Desktop accessories, more FWP printer drivers (Citizen & Kaga Taxan
120),  Partial renumber program, Beebugæs PD ÉArcæ compression prog-ram,
hard-disc boot program, more screen shots
2.10
12: Another FWP printer driver (Star Gemini 10xi), Alerion & GammaPlot
screen shots, Hard Disc backup program, ÉThe Gigæ animation demo
2.10
Volume Two
2.10
1:  Freddyæs Folly, Leonardo, & Orion screenshots
2.10
2:  Speeding up the ARM, FWP printer driver generator program, a new
window system?, Fractal landscape screen shots
2.10
3:  FWP IBM fonts
2.10
4:  FWP printer driver (HP-DeskJet), Musical Mandelbrots, Quazar
screen shots
2.10
5:  ArcTerm v3.09, Serial Fix v1.24, Logistix examples, Mandelbrot
Sprites
2.10
6:  FWP & Pipedream titbits, more compression programs, Artisan
example screen shots, fade routines
2.10
7:  Repton utility, screen loading programs, FWP fonts (NEC) and font
designer
2.10
8:  More tunes, Hard disc backup update
2.10
9:  RISC-OS disc copier, RISC-OS window demo, new BASIC error
messages, full list of Repton passwords, BASIC timing program.
2.10
The other question I get is, öIs there a program disc subscription? Or
one for the Shareware/Careware discs for that matter?ò The answer is
basically that at ú3 each, (unchanged since Archive started nearly two
years ago)  we cannot really discount them. What we can do is to accept
pre-payment for discs. As long as you state clearly what you want, we
can just prepare some pre-printed address labels and will send you a
reminder when we send out your last pre-paid disc.
2.10
Å  News for NewsMaster users! Ö For those people using NewsMaster, the
desktop publishing package that runs under the PC Emulator, MGA
Microsystems are selling some additional Art Galleries. They also have a
graphics editor and a whole load of other goodies. They have a compre
hensive catalogue available on request.
2.10
Å  RISC-OS Companion Ö Software Solutions have launched a set of RISC-OS
utilities disc, which enhance the facilities offered by the desktop. The
utilities adhere to the RISC-OS user interface guidelines and so provide
consistency between applications. The disc includes utilities such as a
terminal emulator, changing filetypes, a note pad, the bin (as on the
Apple Mac), additional star commands, file conversion programs for View,
Wordwise, First Word Plus and !Edit. The disc costs ú49.95 + VAT (site
licences are available).
2.10
Å  SPARK Ö David Pilling, who originally wrote the Beebug file compressor
utility called ARC, has now extended and improved it. It now works under
RISC-OS and is very simple to use Ö just drag the file in question onto
the SPARK icon on desktop iconbar. The disc costs ú5.99 and is available
direct from David Pilling.
2.10
Å  Z88æs down in price Ö Cambridge Micros have dropped the price of the
Z88 computer so we can now offer it for just ú240 instead of ú280. (When
comparing prices, remember that our price includes VAT and carriage.)
2.10
Å  Review Software Received... Apart from reviews already written. we
have received review copies of the following software: ÅStructural
Analysis from VisionSix (needs a qualified engineer to review it),
ÅEpBAS(*) from Abacus Training Ö Extended precision from BASIC, ÅGeoscan
Ö an educational database and program on world development and ÅFaxfile,
ÅForms Manager, and ÅFancy Labeller from MewSoft (see above).
2.10
(*I think I may have already sent an older version of this to someone
but if I have, I canæt remember who! Ö If I have, thereæs an updated
version for you and, if not, someone else can have a go!)
2.10
Å  A3000 Ö Acornæs new machine will be on sale for the first time at the
1989 BBC Acorn User show. The doors will open at Alexandra Place on 21st
July, visitors will be offered instant 0% finance and a special carry-
away service. To take advantage of this offer, you must first sign up
with any exhibitor displaying the machine. Once this is done, you will
be able to pick up your A3000 from a giant pantechnicon lorry which will
be parked outside. The 0% finance option (underwritten by Acorn) can be
obtained from Mercantile Credit, who will be at the show. (Norwich
Computer Services will be at the Show, stand 93A, but we will not be
involved in 0% finance selling. Ed.)
2.10
Å  A3000 products Ö PRES are launching several new products to compliment
the A3000, some of which will appear at the 1989 BBC Acorn User Show.
One of the products is a plinth (costing around ú20╩Ö╩ú30), which has
been produced because the design of the new machine does not allow a
monitor to rest on top of it. If desk space is tight, the machine can be
stored under the plinth and slides out only when needed. You can also
buy a plinth which can contain a Winchester hard drive and one or two
floppy disc drives (either two 3.5 inch drives or one 3.5 inch drive and
one 5.25 inch drive). PRES have also turned their attentions to A3000
expansion cards Ö they have designed a case for the external expansion
port so that Archimedes cards can be used without any alterations. In
addition, the company is in the process of producing an extra board
which will allow up to four extension cards (mini podules) to be fitted.
2.10
Å  Adventure games Ö Topologika will be launching compilations of
adventure games for the Archimedes. The games were originally written on
the BBC for Acornsoft and are being expanded and re-released in Énativeæ
Archimedes code. Two compilations will be available at the BBC Acorn
User Show. The first contains öCountdown to Doomò, öReturn to Doomò and
öPhilosopheræs Questò at ú19.95; and the second contains öKingdom of
Hamilò and öAchetonò also at ú19.95. Topologika will also be launching a
brand new title at the show. It is based on the plays of William
Shakespeare and it is claimed that you donæt have to be an expert to
play it. The game is called öAVONò and will sell at ú19.95.
2.10
Å  ARM-Tracker Ö 8-channel sound sequencer from The Serial Port for
producing music suitable for insertion into games and demos, or just for
your own listening. Mouse-driven front end includes VU meters, spectrum
analyser, pattern display and timecounter.
2.10
Å  Dabs Press are bringing out 3 new products╔
2.10
Å  ABC65 is an Archimedes-to-6502 cross com-piler, running on the
Archimedes. It will convert programs written in BBC BASIC V into stand
alone 6502 machine code that can be run on any BBC Microcomputer. It
will sell at ú69.95 inc VAT and includes 2 discs and a 150-page user
guide.
2.10
Å  ABC Dynamic Extensions, priced at ú49.95 inc VAT, provides utilities
which extends Dabs Pressæ Archimedes BASIC Compiler. It comes with a
user guide and includes three programs: Library Maker, Cross Referencer
and Profiler.
2.10
Å  Instigator provides extension to the Archimedes operating system. It
is a module which contains over 80 star commands which extend and
simplify existing features of both Arthur 1.2 and RISC-OS. The main
features are: single command windows, command archiving, a file finder,
colour palette utilities, a file compressor, a comprehensive line
editor, an internal clipboard, memory manipulation facilities and a
screen dumper. It is supplied with a 120 page user guide and will cost
ú49.95 inc VAT.
2.10
Å  Disc copier (as yet un-named) from The Serial Port Ö öThe most
powerful bit copier available for the Archimedesò. It is claimed to be
able to copy almost any Archimedes/PC/ST discs.
2.10
Å  DTP from AVP Ö The new multi-tasking RISC-OS version of Pixel Perfect
from AVP will be on demonstration at the Acorn User Show. It is öthe
only DTP package for the Archimedes written specifically with the school
user in mind.ò
2.10
Å  DTP from Beebug Ö Joining the DTP race are Beebug, whose new package
is to be on demonstration at the Acorn User Show.
2.10
Å  External Expansion Boxes Ö SGB Computer Services will be producing
external expansion boxes with PSU, linked to the Archimedes via a buffer
card. They hope to offer a 10 watt version, supporting either 3 single
or 3 double podules and a 25 watt version, supporting up to 5 single
width podules or 3 double width podules. This will allow the A300 and
A400 series to have 4 to 8 slot and the A3000 2 (1 mini, 1 standard
size) to 6 slots. They are planned for release in early August.
2.10
Å  Graphics Tablet from Watford Electronics Ö launch price ú259 including
tablet, leads and soft-ware which allows mouse-based applications to be
run from the tablet. The pointer is moved over the 12ö x 12ò tablet via
a four button puck with trans-parent lens with cross hairs. Three
buttons emulate the normal mouse buttons and the fourth is used for
special effects.
2.10
Å  Holed Out Ö More courses are being made available for Holed Out Ö
harder than the existing courses. Impact are going to be releasing two
packages, each with two courses, but each will be a complete Holed Out
package in itself and they will only cost ú16.95 (ú16 through Archive)
instead of ú18.95 which is what the original Holed Out costs.
2.10
Å  Mach Technology Update Ö Further to the comments in last monthæs
magazine, the latest word from Mach Technology (22nd June) is that
nothing is actually ready for shipping yet, but many of the products are
önearly ready to go outò.
2.10
Å  Pipedream3 from Colton Software(ú169.05) is due to be launched at the
Acorn User Show. This is a fully RISC-OS version and includes lots of
extra features: Åmany documents loaded at once (to one copy of PipeD
ream), each in separate window Åslot protection Ånatural recalculation
with optimised minimal recalculation Åexternal references between
several loaded files for 3-D modelling Åiteration Åoptional splitting/
joining of line on carriage return, delete Åinclusion, display and
printing of pictures generated by other applications  ÅZ88 filing system
provided to load and save files directly to Z88 via serial port. (This
requires the PC LINK II EPROM fitted to the Z88 and a Z88-Archimedes
leadand it also requires serial port upgrade if used with Archimedes
A3000) ÅBuilt-in Spelling Checker (93,000 words) ÅMulti-tasking User
Interface ÅFiles loaded by double-clicking PipeDream icons in directory
viewer or dragging file to PipeDream icon ÅDrag files to/from other
windows, including Edit, Acorn DTP ÅAutomatic context-sensitive dynamic
help system Åextra öthousandsò display format, i.e. 1,234,567.89 instead
of 1234567.89 Åextra spreadsheet functions: atn2, rand, round, month-
days, dcounta.
2.10
Å  Presenter II Ö an upgraded version of Lingen-uityæs Presenter will be
available at the BBC Acorn User Show. It works under RISC-OS and
includes greater choice of chart options, 3D pie charts and a larger
data area. It will retail at ú39.95 + VAT and existing owners of
Presenter can obtain an upgrade for ú14.95.
2.10
Å  Presenter Story has been designed to cater for most professional
presentation requirements. It was developed by X-AMPLE Technology in
Holland and will be distributed by Lingenuity at the BBC Acorn User
Show. It includes features such as a logo editor, business graphics,
charts, histograms, anti-aliased fonts with various styles and a variety
of screen scrolling features. It is claimed that screens can be prepared
quickly and altered easily to allow for last minute changes. It supports
a screen resolution of 640 x 256 pixels in 16 colours (i.e. mode 12) and
will retail at ú199.95 + VAT.
2.10
Å  RISC-OS P.R.M. Ö Rumour has it that the new RISC-OS PRM will be
available late in the 3rd quarter. It is expected to consist of four
volumes, totalling 1400 pages.
2.10
Å  Scanner Ö a hand-held scanner for ú149 from Watford Electronics Ö up
to 400 d.p.i., 4ö wide. RISC-OS software allows cropping and scaling to
any size including stretching in X and Y directions separately, colour
tinting, X and Y flip, edge detection which turns solid objects into
outlines, selective directional copying allowing features like lines or
text to be made thicker or thinner.
2.10
Å  Scanner Ö a hand-held scanner for öunder ú200 inc VATò from Beebug is
to be on demonstration at the Acorn User Show.
2.10
Å  SCSI Interface and Real Time Digitiser Ö Lindis International (alias
Lingenuity) are planning to produce a hard disc drive interface (approx.
price ú199.95 + VAT) and a real time digitiser which allows for frame
grabbing (approx. ú699.95)
2.10