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ReadMe
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Text File
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1989-09-22
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9KB
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196 lines
RISC OS 2.00 Extras Disc Part number 0283,390 issue 1
-------------------------------------------------------
This disc contains updated versions of some applications in the RISC OS 2.00
Application Suite, and some replacement and additional modules for the RISC
OS 2.00 ROM.
The applications on this disc may be used in preference to the versions in
the Application Suite. For details of the changes implemented, read on
within this file.
It is suggested that users who are new to RISC OS should first familiarise
themselves with the system in general by reading the Welcome Guide and using
the Application Suite discs 1 and 2 before using or merging-in modules from
this extras disc.
The software on this disc may be copied for use on any computer system
containing the RISC OS Operating System, provided that all the requirements
of the End-User License Conditions for the RISC OS Operating System are
complied with, and that a copy of this ReadMe file accompanies every copy of
the software. A copy of the End-User License Conditions for the RISC OS
Operating System is supplied with every computer system containing the RISC
OS Operating System.
This software is provided "as is"; Acorn Computers Limited ("Acorn") makes
no warranty, express or implied, of the merchantability of this software or
its fitness for any particular purpose. In no circumstances shall Acorn be
liable for any damage, loss of profits, or any indirect or consequential
loss arising out of the use of this software or inability to use this
software, even if Acorn has been advised of the possibility of such loss.
Versions
--------
This disc contains the following updated versions of certain RISC OS
applications and modules and some additional modules, in addition to this
ReadMe file.
!PrinterPS 1.12
!PrinterDM 1.12
!PrinterLJ 1.12 [for driving Hewlett Packard 'LaserJet' laser printers]
!PrinterIx 1.12 [for driving Integrex colour inkjet printers]
!System 0.45
!65Host 1.40
modules.NetFS 5.48
modules.NetPrint 5.30
modules.NetFiler 0.24
modules.NetStatus 2.01
modules.Hourglass 2.02
modules.Sound2 1.13
modules.IRQUtils 0.09
modules.WimpUtils 0.04
Printer drivers
---------------
The printer drivers include various improvements, and are almost exactly the
same as those in the Acorn Desktop Publisher product. They should be used
in preference to the ones supplied with the RISC OS 2.00 Application Suite.
When used to drive an Econet connected printer the NetPrint module supplied
on this extras disc (or a later version of NetPrint) MUST be used.
Functional enhancements to each printer driver since the RISC OS 2.00
Application Suite release are described in a ReadMe file inside each
application. If you wish to read these files, double-click on the
application in question whilst holding down the SHIFT key. The resource
files for the application will appear in a directory viewer; the ReadMe
file, if present, will be a Text file (like this one).
!System
-------
!System is a replacement for the !System application provided on your
original Applications disc 1. It contains the following updated modules:
Clib 3.50
Colours 0.52
FPEmulator 2.80
If your current !System is the original, you should replace it (and any
copies) with the version supplied on this disc. If your current !System
contains additional modules or material (perhaps as a result of installing
one or more third party applications) you should merge the new version
with the old.
!65Host
-------
This is a replacement for the !65Host supplied with the RISC OS Application
Suite. A number of significant enhancements have been made, including
parallel printer support and sound emulation. For full details, see the
ReadMe file within the !65Host directory. To read this, double-click on the
!65Host application while holding down the SHIFT key. The resource files for
!65Host will appear in a directory viewer. The ReadMe file is a Text file
(like this one).
Econet network modules
----------------------
The replacement modules NetFS, NetPrint, NetStatus and NetFiler correct
various minor problems in those modules. Most users should notice no
difference, except for improved error messages from NetPrint. Remember, if
you wish to use one of the printer drivers on this disc with an Econet
printer, you must use the NetPrint from this disc, or a later version. The
net modules are direct replacements for the similar modules in the RISC OS
2.00 ROM.
The simplest way to load the new econet modules is to *RMLoad each one
before logging onto the Econet, and before entering the desktop, in a
machine boot sequence.
It is also possible to load them from within the desktop, and from the net.
The following points should be noted about this procedure.
NetStatus module - this can be loaded at any time, even from the Econet.
NetFS module - loading this logs you off the network. After loading it,
simply log back on again.
NetFiler module - loading this causes your network icons to disappear from
the icon bar. It also causes an error message to appear ("Use *Desktop to
start NetFiler"), which can safely be ignored. To make the net icons
reappear, exit from the desktop (using the Task manager's Exit menu entry)
and then re-enter by typing *Desktop.
WimpUtils
---------
The module WimpUtils fixes a problem that can cause an extremely rare crash
of the desktop environment, when using the Wimp in the RISC OS 2.00 ROM.
Any subsequent Wimp modules will have this problem fixed, but because the
Wimp module is 50K in size this smaller 'fix' module has been produced.
Simply RMLoad it; you should notice no difference in the operation of the
machine.
IRQUtils
--------
Since the development of RISC OS, a new module IRQUtils has been produced
which improves the IRQ latency of RISC OS 2.00 under some circumstances.
This can make it easier to use certain devices (such as the serial line) in
the desktop environment. It can also improve operation outside the desktop,
especially when the device is being used in background.
Related to this is the development of new versions of the Hourglass and
SoundScheduler (in the file Sound2) modules. These should be used in
conjunction with IRQUtils.
IRQUtils only has any effect when loaded with RISC OS 2.00. If loaded with a
later version of RISC OS it will have no effect (future versions of RISC OS
will have the IRQUtils functionality built in). As a general rule it is best
to only load IRQUtils if this precise kernel is being used, and to use
*RMEnsure for the other modules.
In general, IRQ latency is kept to less than 1 millisecond when these new
modules are in use. IRQ latency can be adversely affected if multiple
IRQ-intensive devices are in use. The use of very high resolution screen
modes (e.g. 21 and 24), and the changing of screen mode, can also affect it.
It is also worth noting that RISC OS applications can easily insert code
that is executed in IRQ mode or with IRQ disabled, and unwisely written
applications or device drivers can also lead to problems in this area.
When changing screen mode from a mode that requires little memory to one
that requires more, RISC OS sometimes has to shuffle the use of memory pages
in the machine because the video circuitry can only access certain physical
pages. This has to be done with IRQ disabled because the pages might
contain the workspace of some IRQ code. Thus, a whole page of memory must
be copied with IRQ disabled; the effect is worse on a 4Mb system (with 32K
pagesize) than on a 1Mb system (with 8K pagesize).
OS_AddCallBack
--------------
From version 0.09, IRQUtils also fixes a bug in the SWI OS_AddCallBack
mechanism.
The bug normally only causes problems for programs which make regular
requests for callbacks (eg on a ticker event). It results in the system
heap filling up with blocks which have not been freed, and eventually the
call to request a callback will return with 'System heap full'.
The bug also means there is a small risk of the whole machine crashing, if a
request for callback occurs before an earlier request has been granted, and
the second requester (which will be 'called' first) issues a SWI which
claims a block from the system heap.
Programmers who wish to use SWI OS_AddCallBack should therefore RMEnsure the
IRQUtils module, and should also 'build' it into application directories if
appropriate. The same comments above apply about loading on versions other
than RISC OS 2.00.
END OF README FILE