Archive Magazine 1995/ARCHIVE95.iso/text/products/volume_08/issue_08

Text File | 1995-04-06 | 23KB | 379 lines

Acorn Replay Starter Kit Ö Not really a new product, but new to Archive
is this package from Acorn. It includes a CD containing sample videos,
stills and examples of multimedia applications, plus AREncode which
allows you to compress your own films or add/change the accompanying
soundtracks. There are also two manuals: the user guide, which has
details of the software supplied, and ÉA Guide to Desktop Multimediaæ
with advice on creating your own multimedia applications, shooting
video, locating material as well as tips on layout and style, etc.
8.8
Archive BBS closing Ö Sadly, we have decided that we cannot justify the
cost of keeping the Archive BBS running for the very few people who are
using it. If you want to send messages to us, leave articles, small ads,
etc, then please either use email ([e-mail]) or log
onto Arcade BBS (0181Ö654Ö2212 Ö user number 21) which Paul accesses a
couple of times a week or Archiboard Central (01603-744231) which, if
people use it, I will also check reasonably regularly. Keith Marlow has
also kindly agreed to put the Archive Monthly Disks on Archiboard
Central. So if you need anything in a hurry, give Archiboard a ring on
01603-744231.
8.8
AVP Picturebase CDs Ö This range of multimedia resources has been
enlarged to cover additional topics. Each disk, containing video, sound
images and text is controlled by database software, allowing the user to
customise their own encyclopedia. Grouped appropriately for National
Curriculum use, disks currently available are Britain Since 1930,
Victorian Britain, The Era of the Second World War, The First World War
and its Consequences, English Architecture, World Habitats, UK Habitats,
Expansion, Trade and Industry, Earth and Atmosphere which are all ú99
+VAT for a single user copy (ú115 through Archive). Also, there are two
art-based disks, Art in the National Curriculum and Impressionism up to
the Twentieth Century which are available at ú75 +VAT for a single user
copy (ú86 through Archive).
8.8
Buttons Ö A simple application launcher and hard disk protection system
for classroom use. It has a window which opens when the machine starts
up, before any other windows. Listed in the window are the applications
necessary; single clicking will load the task. Other actions can also be
linked, so the same click could, for example, also load the printer
driver and open a work directory. The hard drive is protected by either
removing the hard drive icon or limiting its use (for example, it could
open the work directory rather than the disk root). Other areas of the
hard disk are only accessible via Buttons, so that hidden applications
can be loaded. The price is ú24.95 +VAT for a single user licence and
ú75 +VAT for a site licence, from Lindis International.
8.8
CD-Circle Ö Last month we had a review of CD-Circle (p68) but we didnæt
give the address of the producers, Desktop Laminations. We have
corrected that in this monthæs Factfile at the back of the magazine.
8.8
CD drivers Ö VTi have released four drivers for SCSI and IDE drives Ö
Sony CDU55-S and CDU-55E, Toshiba 3401, 5201 and 4101, NEC SCSI drives
and Wearnes CDD-120 series (IDE drives). The drivers cost ú19 +VAT each
from VTi.
8.8
ClassRom upgrade Ö Oak Solutionsæ ClassRom products are now supplied by
Network Solutions, who have announced the upgrade to version 1.28.
Additional features are CMOS RAM protection and restoration (also
prevents factory resets), optional machine protection via password, two
physical drives can now be seen as two ClassRom partitions, as well as
being able to partition single drives. Support for the Risc PC is now
also available. Existing ClassRom cards can be upgraded for ú15 +VAT.
The upgrade consists of a new EPROM, updated ClassRom software and
manual. The upgrade is also available for Oak Ethernet cards (ClassNet).
8.8
Cross Stitch Ö iSV Products has launched XStitch, a cross stitch design
package for RISC OS. Any sprite can be used as input, to produce a full
cross stitch pattern, using up to 64 colours from 512 named industry-
standard thread colours. The design can be saved as a drawfile for
importing into DTP packages, as a colour or black and white design. A
wide variety of materials are supported, automatic conversion of sprite
colours to named colours, automatic calculation of finished design size,
definable background colour and over 10,000 stitches per pattern. The
price is ú21.50 including p&p from iSV or ú20 through Archive.
8.8
Cumana Bravo Ö This CD drive comes in two variants Ö the first connects
via the computeræs bi-directional parallel port and is therefore not
suitable for the A3xx/4xx/5xx or the A3000. The second uses an SLCD
interface available as a standard podule or an SLCD upgrade for an EMU
interface card. The drive is a double speed, draw loading device and has
a built-in audio mixer so that the computer and CD sound are combined,
so both are available through the same headphones or speakers without
needing to swap cables. Either type costs ú254.47 +VAT + p&p or ú300
through Archive. If you do not have an EMU card fitted to your machine,
the drive, EMU board and EMU upgrade will cost ú297 +VAT + p&p or ú350
through Archive.
8.8
Cumana Indigo Ö The Indigo CD drive is an internal drive for the Risc
PC. The 300iA is supplied with an IDE interface and therefore does not
need an additional interface. It is also supplied with an audio mixing
board to allow computer and CD sound to be merged. The cost is now
ú211.91 +VAT + p&p or ú250 through Archive.
8.8
(There is a problem here in that the board requires the same sound
connection on the pcb as the Acorn/ESP 16-bit sound upgrade. If you want
to use both, you will need a small adaptor board for which Cumana are
charging ú10 +VAT, although, it is possible that they may be supplied
f.o.c. with the drive if you need it.)
8.8
Cumana Oscar Ö The Oscar CD drive is an external, double-speed device
which connects to the computeræs bi-directional parallel port (so it is
only suitable for use with the Risc PC, A5000, A3010, A3020, A4000 and
A4 models). A second CD drive or a printer can be daisy-chained via a
through-connector, so you do not lose use of the parallel port. The
price is ú211.91 +VAT + p&p, or ú250 through Archive.
8.8
Cumana Victor Ö These CD drives require a SCSI interface to work, and
there are a large number of options available. Stand-alone drives start
at ú299 +VAT + p&p. Auto-changer drives are also available with double
and quad-speed 6-disk versions as well as an 18-disk quad-speed drive.
For situations where the time taken to change between disks is
unacceptable (for example, on a network) multi-drive units are available
with six separate mechanisms.
8.8
Cumana SCSI cards Ö The price of the Cumana SCSI cards has now dropped.
The SCSI II card is now ú169.36 +VAT + p&p or ú200 through Archive.
(Remember that you need the SCSI II cable if you wish to attach external
devices Ö ú27 through Archive.) The original SCSI I podule is now ú84.26
+VAT + p&p from Cumana.
8.8
Datasafe Tapestreamer Ö i│ have released a tapestreamer package, which
includes software for backing up over networks for both Acorn and PC
machines. The system needs a bi-directional parallel port, so you do not
need a SCSI card (although you will need a A3010, A3020, A4000, A5000,
A4 or a Risc PC). Software is supplied for both Acorn and PC compatible
systems so dual platform schools do not need to buy a backup system for
both machines. The price is ú430 + p&p +VAT or ú505 through Archive.
8.8
DMI / PowerWAVE Ö Audio Dynamics have a new range of audio cards. The
DMI (Dual MIDI Interface) card has two independent Midi interfaces (each
with an in and out connection) The PowerWAVE board is an upgrade to the
DMI cards and contains a 32 channel Ensoniq general Midi synthesizer
with 128 instrument and 49 percussion sounds, removing the need to have
external sound modules. The 30 range are for computers with a mini-
expansion card (A3000, A3010, A3020, A4000), the DMI 30 card is ú74 +VAT
or ú85 through Archive, the PowerWAVE 30 is ú182.97 +VAT or ú215 through
Archive. The 50 range will be for computers with a standard size podule,
and have the added benefit of an optional 16-bit sampler port on the
same card, and should be available shortly Ö prices will be announced.
Or, to save the complication(!) order them from Archive for ú36, ú40 and
ú36 respectively.
8.8
Droom Trilogy Ö This set of educational adventure games from Resource
has been upgraded with music, enhanced graphics and easier to read text,
and all three titles will run on the Risc PC. The characters in the
games pose various problems for the pupils to solve, particular emphasis
being placed on developing skills in mathematics and logical thinking.
The games are Dragon Droom (ú30), Dragon Droomæs Revenge (ú34) and
StarDust (ú30). Upgrades from an earlier version, ú10 per package.
Primary and Secondary site licences are also available. To those prices,
add VAT and 4% of the order price for p&p Ö minimum ú1.50.
8.8
Eesox Gold CD drive Ö Eesox can no longer get the style of CD drive they
were using as their Gold drive and have replaced it with a caddy-less
drive. This means that you cannot use it in the ötowerò mode. However,
it is faster Ö 4.4 speed with an access time of 150ms compared with 4
speed and an access time of 225ms. The price is unchanged at ú360
inclusive for an internal (Risc PC) drive and ú440 for an external drive
through Archive.
8.8
Full-colour poster printing Ö Acorn have added an A0 colour poster
printer to its range of pre-press products Ö the NovaJET III large-
format inkjet printer. Acorn has combined its Risc PC-based Publishing
System with the NovaJET III to provide the Acorn Poster Publisher, a
complete poster creation and printing system for öunder ú11,000ò.
8.8
The NovaJET uses European standard CMYK inks, operates at 300╫300 dpi
and is suitable for producing everything from simple text and line art
to colour proofs, graphic design visuals as well as short-run, full-
colour posters up to A0. Acorn have specifically developed one of the
standard Risc PC printer drivers to increase the speed and enhance the
colour calibration for the NovaJET III.
8.8
The system will be targeted at large retailers, corporate publishers,
quick printers and commercial printers. In addition to marketing the
complete solution, Acorn will offer individual printers to existing
Acorn users. So, if you already have a RiscáPC and would like a 14Mb
NovaJET III printer plus driver, we can sell you one through Archive.
The cost would be about ú7,500 +VAT. Let me know if you are interested!
8.8
Acornæs press release says that öinitial tests with Risc PC have shown
significant improvements in both speed and quality compared to the
results achieved when the NovaJET is driven by a Mac or PCò and talks
about öphotographic quality imagesò. Having seen the output, I would
agree and can say that it is nothing less than stunning. Iæll bet it
eats up the ink but that will be nothing compared to the cost of getting
posters printed commercially. To give an example of the speed, the
NovaJET can produce an A1-format, photographic quality poster in
approximately 20 minutes.
8.8
This is actually a very significant announcement because it is another
example of something you can do on Acorn machines that canæt be matched
on other platforms, i.e. itæs an example where someone would buy a
RiscáPC in order to run the application.
8.8
If you want to run one of these printers to use with a Mac or a PC, you
would need to have a separate computer entirely dedicated to driving the
printer (probably a Pentium or a ÉBig Macæ of some sort) so the cost of
that would probably be ú15Ö16,000. Also, you would have to use
networking to throw PostScript at it from your separate design station.
This means that, to run it, you need (a) about twice as much money as
using an Acorn and (b) someone with networking expertise because the
task, even in networking terms, is not a simple one. With the Acorn
solution, the printer is (almost) just like any other printer attached
to your workstation computer Ö thereæs no need to have someone with
specialist knowledge of networking and/or PostScript to run it.
8.8
I say öalmostò because there is the issue of colour calibration. The
resultant colour does depend to a great extent on the type and quality
of paper used. Acorn provide preset calibration files for a number of
standard types of paper but if you choose to use different paper, you
will need to go through a calibration procedure.
8.8
For further information, please contact Simon Woodward, Publishing
Manager at Acorn Computers on 01223-254460.
8.8
Hazelnut CD Ö Hazelnut have released a CD which includes all three of
their multimedia learning packages. Times Tables: 12 disks covering 2╫
to 12╫ tables, 132 different animations, text and sound (disk price
ú30); Number Bonds, ú15 Ö three disks covering addition and subtraction
bonds up to 10, plus two worksheets (disk price ú15 for all three, or ú5
each); and a new release, Tell Time with four disks covering hours,
half-past and quarters (disk price ú20). Any of the above can be bought
as separate packages (add ú2.50 p&p) or all three on one CD costs ú50 +
ú1.50 p&p. (No VAT as Hazelnut are not VAT registered.)
8.8
Lambda 16 Ö The Irlam 16-bit sound sampler/player on a standard
expansion card. The included software controls the settings for the
card, and sampling is via a simple-to-use tape recorder-style interface.
The card has stereo line-in phono connectors, 3.5mm Mic, 16-bit stereo
line-out (3.5mm jack), variable input gain and line-out volume. Stereo
and mono file formats are supported, in 16 or 8-bit, from a wide range
of sampling rates, from 5.51kHz to 48.0kHz. It integrates the standard
sound system, allowing the computeræs sound to be sampled or the 16-bit
and VIDC outputs to be mixed. The introductory price, including
expansion card and sampling software, lead and manual, is ú99 + ú3.50
p&p +VAT or ú118 through Archive. Tsunami, the sound editing software,
is not yet ready, but when it is, a joint package will be available for
ú159 + p&p +VAT (standard Tsunami price will be ú99 + p&p +VAT). The
samples created can, however, be edited using other packages such as
!AudioWorks in the meantime.
8.8
Landmarks: PinPoint data file Ancient Civilisations Ö Information in
this datafile covers eleven civilisations, such as the Egyptians, Aztecs
and the Romans. A number of activity sheets are included, focusing on
historical and geographical aspects, covering river valleys, landmarks,
leaders, Egyptian writing and numbers, beliefs and customs, and also a
quiz. To use the data, you will need either Junior PinPoint or PinPoint.
This costs ú14 +ú3 p&p +VAT from Longman Logotron.
8.8
Landmarks: Victorian Era Ö New to Longman Logotronæs Landmarks series of
TV tie-in educational software, the Victorian Era allows children to
investigate English village life at various times between 1780 and 1880.
The effects of the agricultural and industrial revolutions, represented
by the arrival of a mill, canal and railway, can be seen, showing both
the impact on the people, and the changes to the village itself. A top-
down view of the village is used to discover information about the
scene. Worksheets are also included. This costs ú25.50 +ú3 p&p +VAT from
Longman Logotron.
8.8
Mechanisms CD Ö This graphical demonstration of mechanical theory and
practice is ideal for maths, technology and physics. Suitable for use on
either an Acorn Computer or a Windows machine, the price is ú49 +VAT
(single user) and ú99 +VAT (site licence) from Creative Curriculum
Software. (ú57 and ú115 through Archive respectively.)
8.8
PC card for RiscáPC Ö Acorn say... öInitial stock is expected during
April with a steady ramp-up in production during the next few months. If
you have already purchased a RiscáPC, you are entitled to buy a PC card
for ú99 +VAT (ú116.32) within the next three months. After that time,
the price will be ú199 +VAT if purchased separately.ò Presumably, it
will be ú99 if actually with a RiscáPC.
8.8
The problem which NCS now have is that there is no discount on the PC
cards Ö Acorn are charging us ú99 +VAT which means that we are making a
loss on every PC card we sell, especially when you take into account the
admin and the cost of postage and packing. Weære not asking for sympathy
or any extra cash but just that you bear with us as we handle the huge
backlog of orders. In particular, may we ask you NOT to keep ringing us
up. We will send the cards out to you as soon as we possibly can, and we
will let you know in the magazine where we are up to by saying things
like öwe have so far supplied all PC cards ordered before May 13th 1994ò
or whatever. Also, weæll put that information on the ansaphone so that
you can ring up out of office hours and find out what is happening.
8.8
One other problem is that some of you sent cheques which are now more
than six months old! They will have to come back to you to have the
dates changed. Thanks, in advance, for your cooperation.
8.8
Pocketbook leather cases Ö Network Solutions can now supply leather
carrying cases for the Acorn Pocketbook and Psion Series 3. The student
holster is a padded case with a belt loop, for ú12.20. The Executive, a
wallet style case, holds the Pocketbook and up to two PCMCIA cards, and
costs ú22.20. Finally, the storage card holds up to six PCMCIA cards
(but not the Pocketbook itself) for ú17.00. Carriage at ú1.50 per order
and VAT need to be added to the above prices.
8.8
RiscáPC Acorn Access Ö The price has changed on the Acorn Access card
for the Risc PC. The new price is ú140 through Archive. However, it
isnæt actually available yet as there are still various issues to be
resolved about Ethernet revisions, etc. In the meantime, we can get a
RiscáPC Access look-alike from Atomwide which will cost ú150 through
Archive.
8.8
RiscáPC case expansion Ö If you want to expand your RiscáPC to three or
four slices (i.e. to take six or eight expansion cards), they are now
available through Archive. To upgrade an ACB15/25 to two slices, as
previously, costs ú116, to three slices costs ú316 and to four slices
ú352. If you already have a two-slice machine then to go to three slices
will cost ú257 and to four slices ú316.
8.8
SAS2 Ö Morley Electronics have updated their SAS backup software. It has
been completely rewritten for enhanced performance and offers a flexible
and easy-to-use system. Timed backups, either using a proprietary format
or the Unix standard TAR format can be configured and data can be
compressed using the RISC OS 3 !Squash application. A Log file is saved
to aid restoration, allowing individual or multiple files/directories to
be restored. Possible target devices include SCSI tape streamers, hard
drives, removable hard disks and floppy disk drives. The cost is ú99
+VAT from Morley or ú110 through Archive (or ú49 +VAT for an upgrade
from version 1 from Morley).
8.8
TeleText Turbo Ö XOB have a new version of their TeleCard Network
software. The TeleText Turbo can capture and distribute eight live and
eight local services from each of up to six TeleCards. Data is cached at
the server, so access, even from a remote client, is regularly quicker
than a teletext television. The cache is updated automatically so each
page will, on average, be no more than a few seconds out of date or, if
desired, the client can request that pages are grabbed directly off air.
A viewdata editor is supplied to permit the setting up of local services
for departments, for example. The server can coexist with other servers,
such as level 4. The Card and software costs ú299 from XOB. The standard
network version of the telecard is now available for ú190. The Teletext
Turbo software costs ú169.
8.8
Tesco scheme starts again Ö The Tesco Computers for Schools scheme
starts again on 24th April and runs up to 2nd July. Schools requiring
additional packs or with enquiries about the scheme can contact the
Schoolsæ Helpline on 0171-580-9370 or send an email to
É[e-mail]æ. With Tescoæs recent
acquisition of over fifty William Low stores, the scope of participation
is extended in Scotland.
8.8
VerbMaster-French Ö This is a multitasking verb management and learning
application, which supports a range of tenses and features automatic
conjugation of regular verbs, easy entering of irregular verbs, addition
of new tenses, and production of printed verb tests and verb tables. The
supplied version includes a help file and a selection of conjugated
verbs. The registered version has additional verb files, along with
text-only and Impression DDF format versions of the manual for printing.
Registration of VerbMaster costs ú7.50 single-user, or ú15 for a site
licence, and will offer a discount on VerbMaster-German when it is
available. Unregistered versions are available from APDL and other PD
libraries or direct from the author Nigel Caplan.
8.8
VZap Ö The shareware virus killing software from Digital Phenomena has
just been updated, although the price remains at ú5. New features
include redesigned windows (using NewLook), and suspicious !Boot files
are no longer deleted, but suspicious lines are commented out for later
inspection. Automatic virus elimination is available and there are, if
required, free upgrades and support for registered users. It can scan
all known filing systems with a single click, and it prevents known
viruses from loading.
8.8
World War II on the Home Front Another in the set of Anglia Televisionæs
Key datafiles, this CD contains a number of resources. Aálarge selection
of photographs from the Hulton Deutsch Collection which illustrate the
period between 1938 and 1947 are included, along with their own
historical text, with captions often written by the photographers and
additional comments from todayæs perspective. The price is ú40 +VAT or
ú45 through Archive.
8.8
Review software received...
8.8
We have received review copies of the following: ÅCDFast (for Networks)
(u), ÅGarden Wildlife CDá(e), ÅMore Stage 2 Talking Stories (e),
ÅPicturePoint (e), ÅRainbow Multimedia (e), ÅPIMSá(Primary Management
System) (e), ÅTableCalc (u), ÅTalking Animated Alphabet (e), ÅVerbMaster
(French) (e).