ARM Club 3/TheARMClub_PDCD3.iso/mag_discs/12/readme/!ReadME

Text File | 1994-08-08 | 19KB | 445 lines

THE ARM CLUB
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EUREKA 12 MAGAZINE DISC - SUMMER 1994
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Release 2

Hello, and welcome to Eureka Disc 12. As usual, this text file
contains news and information which didn't make it into the
printed magazine for one reason or another.

If you find any defects on this disc, please return it to the Club's
Freepost address for a free replacement.

As with Issue 11 of Eureka, there was too much material to be included
in the latest magazine, so some of it has had to be carried forward to
Issue 13. Please don't let this put you off contributing articles though!

All members are welcome to contribute reviews, articles, software and any
other material suitable for inclusion in Eureka Magazine or on this disc.
Letters and Hints & Tips are always welcomed. The more you get involved
with the Club, the more you will get out of it!

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ACORN WORLD '94 - ACORN WORLD '94 - ACORN WORLD '94 - ACORN WORLD '94

Don't forget that the Acorn World '94 Show is taking place from 28th-
30th October at the Wembley Exhibition Centre. Organised by Acorn and
co-sponsored by Acorn User and Acorn Computing Magazines, it looks set
to be a very interesting show, with Acorn showing the new PC Card for
the Risc PC.

As usual, The ARM Club will be present at the Show, exhibiting on stand 25.
We'll be promoting the Club, providing free impartial technical advice,
accepting membership renewals, selling PD discs from our library and
promoting the Club's software products. Don't miss it!
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AUTUMN OPEN DAY - MIDLANDS AREA

The Club is holding an Open Day on Saturday 19th November at Sedgley
near Wolverhampton between 10.00am and 4.00pm. You are invited to
attend and bring family or friends. Final details in Eureka 13.

We are looking for assistance from members who would like to demonstrate
aspects of their use of an Archimedes or Risc PC at the Open Day, for
example publishing/printing, video titling, comms, genealogy.

The Club PD Library will be on hand supplying the latest PD software,
as well as an Acorn Authorised Education Dealer, and there will be
lots to see and do.

If you can assist in any way, or have suggestions, please contact
Ralph Sillett at the Club Office or give him a call on:

0785 714535 (evenings/weekends)
021 522 2000 (daytime office hours)
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SUMMER OPEN DAY - SIDCUP, KENT

On Sunday 10th July the Club held an Open Day in Sidcup, Kent at the
Merton Court School. A wide range of activities were being demonstrated,
thanks to all the helpers and exhibitors who took part. It was not a
commercially oriented day, but special thanks go to PTW Software and
The Data Store for their participation.

Everybody who came along said how much they enjoyed the Open Day, thanks
to Geoff Stilwell and Chris Price for making it happen, not forgetting
our Acting Chairman Steve.
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A3000 JOYSTICK INTERFACES

The joystick interfaces discussed in the magazine are available in three
different variants:

Kit, complete with all components      £ 9.95

Ready-built                            £12.95

Bare PCB (supply own components)       £ 5.95

All of the above prices include a disc of software and full instructions.
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FREEPOST ADDRESS: Please remember that postage for items sent to the
Freepost address is paid by the Club, whether or not you use a stamp.
If you wish to pay your own postage, or live outside the UK, please
use the "ordinary" form of our address:

The ARM Club
40 Barlow Road
West Hampstead
London
NW6 2BJ

Tel [phone] (Club/Membership Enquiries)
Fax [phone] (All Enquiries including technical support)

The Club can also be contacted by Internet Electronic Mail as follows:

[e-mail]  (Club/Membership Enquiries)
[e-mail]   (Technical Support)

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Club Accounts
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The time of year has come for the Club's Financial Accounts to be audited
and we are looking for somebody prepared to undertake this for a nominal
remuneration. Please contact the Club Treasurer, John Bancroft, at the
Club Office for more information.

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COMPANY NEWS
============

The following information is largely taken from Press Releases received
from the respective companies. Please note that opinions may be those
of the publishers and not those of Eureka Magazine. Due to time
constaints it has only been possible to include a small selection
of information from the many press releases received.


ACORN COMPUTERS LTD (supplementary to news in Eureka Magazine)
-------------------

Acorn recently helped nearly 100 schoolchildren to explore the world of
information technology this summer by co-sponsoring two week-long
residential summer camps. The camps, which took place at the end of
July at schools in Surrey and Staffordshire, were organised as part
of Europe-wide celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of the data
storage supplier, Verbatim.

Also in July Acorn sponsored the series of "Concerts for Children" run
by Mari Markus Gomori in the Cambridge area, providing thousands of
children with the opportunity to experience live, classical music in
a fun and accessible environment.

The National Council for Educational Technology (NCET) announced the
winners of the National Educational Multimedia Awards competition back
in June, the majority of which used Acorn computers to create their
prize-winning entries. The prizes were awarded at the National Museum
of Photography, Film and Television in Bradford.

In early July Acorn held its annual "Access IT" Training Conference in
Leicestershire. In its fourth year, this important educational conference
focused on multimedia, networking and portable computing, with a guest
speaker from the City & Guilds Institute, London.

Acorn Computer Group plc, parent company of Acorn Computers Ltd, announced
its annual results for last year at the beginning of June. Revenue for the
year increased 13% to £54.3M. Operating costs increased by 6%, principally
from a £0.7M investment in establishing an operating presence in Germany.
Operating Profit was £0.1M (1992: £1.6M). The Group's 43% stake in
Advanced RISC Machines (ARM) Ltd provided for the first time a positive
pre-tax contribution, of £0.2M (1992: nil). Interest costs fell from
£0.3M to £0.2M for the year. Profit before and after taxations was
£0.1M (1992: £1.3M).

Acorn has announced a scheme to help independent schools to lease Acorn
equipment. Known as Independent Options, the scheme allows independent
schools to install state-of-the-art computer systems without paying out
large sums up front. Independent Options is part of Acorn Options, a
leasing scheme for schools. For more information contact the Options
Administrator, Dawn McKenna on 061 832 6925.

Acorn has teamed up with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds -
Acorn's "Birds" promotion extends the Department for Education's recent
CD-ROM initiative; when schools buy an Archimedes with CD-ROM drive and
RSPB "Birds" CD-ROM, they receive a free £50 RSPB voucher, redeemable
against a class visit to an RSPB reserve.

A new Hardware Conformance Scheme has been launched by Acorn offering
greater peace of mind to hardware purchasers. Products bearing certification
under the scheme should fully conform with agreed Acorn specifications,
leading to greater consistency and reliability of third party hardware
upgrades. It should enable customers to be more confident and better
informed when making hardware purchases.

Swanage-based Purbeck Press has installed a Graphtex 400 Publishing System
from AB Dick Itek. This system includes a powerful Acorn computer, 21"
monitor, A4 flatbed scanner, full page production software and a 600dpi
A3 laser printer. This was chosen in preference to Apple Mac systems.


ADVANCED RISC MACHINES (ARM) LTD
--------------------------------

Samsung Electronics Company has signed a licence to embed ARM6,
ARM7 and ARM610 RISC processor cores in some of its products.
IBM and VLSI have announced a memorandum of understanding for
the development of silicon chips for IBM's Serial Storage
Architecture (SSA) interface. SSA, which is vigorously being
promoted as an industry standard by IBM, offers much higher
operating speeds than existing serial protocols such as RS232.

In July ARM announced that it had agreed a licence agreement with
Asahi Chemical Industry Company Ltd and its wholly-owned semiconductor
unit, Asahi Kasei Microsystems Company Ltd (AKM), Tokyo. AKM will
combine the ARM7 microprocessor with its advanced mixed signal
technology to provide ARM Powered communications solutions.

SPYRUS, a Californian-based electronic security company, has launched
an innovative new product using the ARM610 processor. LYNKS is a
credit-card sized single board computer, part of SPYRUS' integrated
data security system, using PCMCIA technology and offering high
security encryption/decryption, user authentication and advanced
key management functions. In future SPYRUS are looking to embed
the ARM7 core in a custom chip containing much of the other
circuitry contained on the LYNKS card, further reducing cost.
ARM tel [phone].

ARM is taking part in the European Community EITC (previously ESPRIT)
initiative known as CASCADE to develop smart card security systems
incorporating analysis techniques such as voice recognition.

As reported elsewhere, ARM chips will form the basis of interactive
multimedia products produced by Online Media.


ALEPH ONE
---------

Aleph One is now shipping its improved range of PC Cards for Acorn
RISC computers. The new cards incorporate various design improvements,
including support for a local IDE hard disc connected directly to the
PC Card. Faster processors are also available, along with various
optional extras including additional serial port and networking.

Typical prices:

486-25 PC Card with 4Mb RAM   £535 ex VAT
486-50 PC Card with 4Mb RAM   £612 ex VAT
Networking software           £ 25 ex VAT
Additional serial port        £ 25 ex VAT

Existing PC Cards can be upgraded with faster processors. These upgrades
are being provided from First SMT Ltd, tel [phone].


CLARES MICRO SUPPLIES
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ProArtisan 2CD is the latest version of Clares' ProArtisan 2 program,
including support for PhotoCD images. It is supplied on CD-ROM with
an additional CD disc containing 80 images of diverse objects.
Price: £169.95 inc VAT. Upgrade from ProArtisan2 £29.95. With any
Cumana CD-ROM or CDFS product £58.69 inc VAT. Clares tel [phone].

Version 2 of Schema, Clares' advanced spreadsheet package, is now
available, priced at £135 inc VAT. Upgrades from Schema £67.50 inc VAT.

ProArtisan 24 is Clares' latest offering, specific to the Risc PC
providing full support for painting in 24 bit colour, with many
other tools including PhotoCD support. Price £169.95 inc VAT.


COLTON SOFTWARE
---------------

Until the end of September Colton Software is drastically reducing
the prices of its Z family of applications for RISC OS machines.

Single User:

Wordz:      £59 ex VAT.
Resultz:    £79 ex VAT.
Fireworkz:  £99 ex VAT.

Substantial reductions have also been made to the cost of site licences.
Fireworkz for Windows was due for launch in July.


CUMANA
------

Cumana has been appointed as an educational distributor for Pioneer's
powerful new range of autochanger CD-ROM drives. Three new drives form
part of Cumana's Victor range, the DRM-602X double-speed, DRM-604X
quad-speed autochangers, both capable of accommodating up to 6 CD-ROM
disks in their single magazines. The DRM-1804X quad-speed can hold
up to 18 disks in its three magazines. Cumana tel [phone].

Risc PC owners can now add a CD-ROM drive to their system by installing
the Cumana 300iA CD-ROM drive, which incorporates a new audio-mixing
feature. Priced at £249 ex VAT, the new drive includes an interface
board which plugs into the computer's IDE hard disc socket avoiding
the need for a SCSI interface. The in-built audio mixer combines the
sound from the CD-ROM with that of the computer. The bundle includes
Clares' ProArtisan 2CD and Cumana's PhotoAlbum CD. The drive itself
is double-speed, PhotoCD compatible and tray loading. Included are
Acorn's PhotoView and !CDPlayer applications, as well as £130 worth
of software vouchers.

Cumana has appointed Mr Mike Frisby as its Technical Sales Manager.

It has been revealed that the largest portion of the £4.5 million
funding, provided by the Department for Education (DFE) under the
CD-ROM in Primary Initiative Scheme, was spent on Acorn's A5000
multimedia system, featuring Cumana's 300 series CD-ROM drive.
The 1127 Acorn systems were selected by schools from a total of
2297 machines.


FABIS COMPUTING
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A new version of Easy Font is now available, with free upgrades for
existing owners on receipt of the original disc plus 2x1st class stamps.
Also a number of Impression Border packs are available priced at £9.99
inc VAT. Tel [phone].


LONGMAN LOGOTRON
----------------

Longman Logotron and the BBC are about to start publishing a new series
of software titles for History Key Stage 2 - Zig Zag. The first to be
released will be The Anglo Saxons, due out in the autumn. The Zig Zag
software programs are colourful interactive simulations which encourage
pupils to examine different environments. Price: £29.00 ex VAT for The
Anglo Saxons, £87.00 ex VAT. Tel [phone].

Longman Logotron have also launched First Page, a low cost desktop
publishing application offering many sophisticated features while
being easy to learn and use. First Page costs £49.00 ex VAT for a single
user, or £190 ex VAT for a secondary licence.


NORTHWEST SEMERC
----------------

NorthWest SEMERC, the Oldham-based special needs centre, has been named
as "The Best Software Publisher" in The Book Trust's 1994 "Read Easy Awards",
sponsored by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

The Micros for Special Needs Exhibition is taking place from 6-7 October
at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham. Free tickets are available from
SEMERC, telephone [phone].

The IT Co-ordinator Show is taking place on 5 October at the same venue,
with free tickets available from the same source.

Two resources discs have been launched based on World War 2, one for My World
2 and the other for Optima. More details from Northwest SEMERC on 061 627 4469.


OAK SOLUTIONS
-------------

Rephorm, Oak's morphing package, has been updated to include additional
features and to take advantage of the Risc PC. Rephorm costs £50 ex VAT,
upgrades are available from previous versions.

Oak's plotter driver, DrawPlot, has been updated to support a wider range
of output devices. Machines now supported include Linear Graphics A3M and
A4M machines and Graphtex plotters using the Graphtec language. All HPGL
compatible plotters are supported, this includes Roland plotters and CAMM
machines. DrawPlot retails for £30 ex VAT, inc P&P - upgrades £15.
Oak tel [phone].

Oak has launched Repro, a professional tool which allows the user to
manipulate the exact translation of colours from screen to paper when
using Acorn's printer drivers version 1.22 or later. Repro costs £50
ex VAT, inc P&P.

Oak has appointed Mr Vorn Hancock as its Technical Support Manager.

The Design Processor package, OakPCB, has recently undergone its first
major revision to become OakPCB II, with changes made on the basis of
user feedback and changes for RISC OS 3. OakPCB II costs £70 ex VAT,
inc P&P, and upgrades cost £35 ex VAT, inc P&P.

Oak has launched Goldilocks, a Genesis application designed to introduce
young children to IT skills through a professionally produced audio CD
and high-quality visual interpretation of the traditional fairytale.
Goldilocks costs £40 ex VAT, inc P&P.


RISC Developments
-----------------

The price of the Ovation DTP package has been reduced to £69 ex VAT.
Until the end of August, this price includes a copy of RISC Developments'
Desktop Thesaurus package plus a 68 page book "Getting into Ovation".

Easy C has been updated with a new Source Level Debugger. Easy C with
the debugger costs £59 + £2.70 carriage + VAT. The debugger is available
to existing owners of Easy C for £10 + £1.70 carriage + VAT.

A new version of Hard Disc Companion has been released, including support
for removable hard drives and a number of other improvements. The price
is £45 + £2.70 carriage + VAT, and upgrades are available from previous
versions. Tel [phone].

SKILLSWARE
----------

SkillsWare is a new company which has evolved out of the entertainment
company GamesWare. The aim of SkillsWare is to produce high quality
educational products that are easy to use. Playdays, its first release,
is nearing completion, based on the popular children's TV series. Price
£25.99. SkillsWare tel [phone].

SMART DTP
---------

A number of SMART DTP's products are now available direct from Acorn dealers,
thanks to distribution via Sonamara Distribution.

Colourfun is the name of Smart's latest resource pack. It is a collection of
pictures for young children, supplied in Draw format. Price £14.95.
Smart tel [phone].

TOPOLOGIKA
----------

Topologika has now moved to a new address:

Topologika Software
Islington Wharf
Church Hill, Penryn
FALMOUTH
Cornwall TR10 8AT     Tel/Fax [phone]

Freddy Teddy's Playground is one of Topologika's most popular RISC OS
programs. Some human characters, Izzy and Lizzy, are now available as
an upgrade to it, replacing the bear. The price for Freddy owners is
£10.00+VAT, as a separate package it costs £25.00+VAT.

Topologika has also announced two releases for computers running Microsoft
Windows, My Word (a junior word-processor) and Datagraph (graphing package).

A package called Mottik has been developed by Topologika and is being used
by children at Birmingham's Gas Hall gallery from 11 June to 4 September.
Written by well-known programmer Andrew Hersee, Mottik is based on some
new play materials for children (rather difficult to describe in words!).

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Eureka Magazine and this disc are Copyright © 1994 The ARM Club. All
Rights Reserved. All opinions are those of the respective authors, and
not necessarily those of The ARM Club or its Committee. Please note that
we cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage of any sort caused by
material contained in the magazine or on this disc.
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