Archive Magazine 1996/ARCHIVE_96.iso/text/magazine/volume_08/issue_04

Text File | 1995-06-25 | 274KB | 5,720 lines

All change at NCS
8.4
Please accept our apologies if you havenæt been served by NCS öin the
manner to which you have become accustomedò! Itæs been all-change time
and we still havenæt sorted ourselves out properly yet. Dave Webb has
gone off to Bath to take up a programming job there so we are one
engineer down at the moment. We wish Dave the very best for the future
and thank him for all he has done here. Many customers have commented
about his friendly and helpful manner in dealing with their questions
and difficulties.
8.4
Still going strong
8.4
(Iæm trying desperately to put things in a positive way but I have to be
myself, and that includes being honest.) NCS has had its difficulties
this year Ö but what computer company hasnæt?! Lack of RiscáPCs to sell
hasnæt exactly helped but at least we now have all models of the RiscáPC
in stock! I believe we are over the worst although we have had to make
some regrettable changes at NCS (details on page 17). Things are much
more encouraging both on a personal level (my depression has now
completely lifted, for which I thank God) and within the company. In
particular, the subscription base is continuing to grow steadily which
is very good news in these times of recession. Welcome to all the
newcomers this month!
8.4
Look to the future
8.4
So, letæs look to the future and wait and see what technological
innovations Acorn has up its sleeve. OK, they are not the worldæs best
company when it comes to marketing(!) but they are exciting to work with
Ö thereæs never a dull moment with Acorn!!!
8.4
Very best wishes for a joyful Christmas and a prosperous (in the true
sense) New Year,
8.4
Products Available
8.4
Å  10/10 Driving Test ù Six games designed to make learning and revising
the essential facts of driving fun. You can choose which areas you wish
to work on, and progress at your own speed. You can also use the
questions from the games outside of the game environment if you just
want to test your knowledge. The price is ú25.95, from Ten out of Ten,
or ú24 from through Archive.
8.4
Å  Acorn Desktop C and Assembler Ö The copies of Acornæs C and Assembler
packages we had on special offer last month all went very quickly. Those
who were disappointed may be interested to know that Acorn have now
dropped the standard prices of these items. They are now: Desktop C
ú149.95 inc VAT (or ú138 through Archive) and Desktop Assembler ú99.95
inc VAT (or ú92 through Archive).
8.4
(As a special offer up to 31st December only, those who tried to get the
really cheap offer copies can order them at ú120 and ú80 respectively.
Ed.)
8.4
Å  Acorn RiscáPC PC486 Cards (almost!) Ö The latest news on the PC card
is that the first 500 will be built as evaluation cards in Q1 1995. The
first cards will be shipped to press, key dealers, educationalists and
customers starting in January. (Does Anyone know what defines a Ékeyæ
customer?) Acorn has committed to produce 10,000 cards and anticipates
any order backlog will be fulfilled by the end of Q1 1995. The cards
will use the TI 486 SXL chip running at 33MHz. (Watch out for the flags
flying over 96a Vauxhall Street! Ed.)
8.4
Å APDL Clipart CD Number 1 Ö This contains nearly 500Mb of sprites,
Artworks files and drawfiles. Most is black and white clipart of
reasonable size to give clear printout for DTP purposes. These are
placed in directories divided by subject, and there are directories on
Animals, Cartoons, History, People, DTP (borders, corners, decorations,
etc), Places, Religion and Transport. There are also over 580 256-colour
sprites covering a variety of subjects. The CD also contains CCæs
Artworks Viewer and the Earthmap application. The price is ú28 inclusive
(no VAT) from APDL or ú28 including VAT from Archive.
8.4
Introductory special offer Ö ú25 from APDL or Archive on orders received
up to 31st December 1994.
8.4
Å  Archiboard IAP ù The Supreme Software Systemsæ BBS Software
Archiboard (which we use to run Archive BBS) now has Internet support.
The range of packages has been increased, starting from the entry level
version at ú50, giving full BBS functionality. A network version which,
in addition, allows access to the BBS from another machine over an AUN
network is ú89. These can be purchased with the Internet Access Package
(IAP) which includes a yearæs access to the Internet via Demon Internet
Ltd. The Entry level version is ú200, and the network version is ú240.
Postage is ú2 within the mainland UK, ú5 elsewhere. Full details and
site licence details are available from Supreme Software Systems. (VAT
not applicable.)
8.4
Å  Archive indexes? Ö Several readers have asked recently whether we
produce annual indexes to the Archive magazine. The answer is that we
used to do so but felt that, for the huge amount of work involved, they
were not really worthwhile, especially as there are electronic
alternatives.
8.4
I personally have to refer to old articles very frequently and find the
ArcScan database and the Archive words discs invaluable...
8.4
Å  ArcScan Data Ö For many, many years Eric Ayers has faithfully
generated the ArcScan data month by month and this is available on
Archive Utilities Disc N║ 3 for ú2. When there is space on the monthly
disc, we put on an update to this data. ArcScan itself costs ú14 through
Archive.
8.4
Å  Archive Words Discs Ö For those of you with 4Mb+ machines, the Words
Discs form an alternative and very effective way of searching for that
elusive reference that you are sure you have read somewhere in Archive.
Just load up the appropriate file into Edit and search for the relevant
word or words. Each disc is ú2 and contains the words from four
magazines. (There is so much information that you canæt fit five
magazines on an 800Kb disc even though it is just the text and no
diagrams!) If you have a machine with a fair amount of memory, you can
join these text files together and search two or three volumes at a time
Ö which is very helpful, I find. (What would make my life complete would
be if someone would write a search routine that had two words as input
and looked for occurrences of one word appearing within x-number of
bytes of an occurrence of the other word. Any offers, anyone?)
8.4
Å  Archive Utility Disc 8 ù This is the RISC OS 3.1 Upgrade Disc. There
are new versions of !Alarm (2.61), !Calc (0.53), !ChangeFSI (0.95),
!Chars (1.17), !PrintEdit (0.38), !T1ToFont (1.26) and a couple of
utilities to select and deselect the 3D desktop. All applications now
check the 3D bit in CMOS ram and load the 3D templates if appropriate.
Previously, this was done via !NewLook. Unfortunately, they cannot be
installed into the Apps icon on the iconbar, but will need to be loaded
from disc. This disc is available from Archive for ú2.
8.4
Å  Bitfolio Clipart Ö LOOKsystems have two more packs each with 100
drawfile cartoons. The first öMore Cartoonsò is a general selection and
the second öXmas Collectionò is more specifically festive Ö holly,
reindeers, Santas, penguins, turkeys, TV, presents, booze, etc. These
cost ú20 each from LOOKsystems or ú20 through Archive.
8.4
(The Xmas Collection also contains a strange cartoon of a baby
surrounded by some men in fancy dress Ö has anyone got any idea what
that has got to do with Xmas? Ed.)
8.4
Å  Chess II Ö David Pillingæs popular Chess program has been updated
with a choice of 2D or 3D boards, save game as sprite, drawfile or text,
rotate board, show hint, easy play-level setting, replay last move, show
history in continuously updated window, display possible moves for
pieces, improved game play, RISCáOS printer driver support. Chess II is
ú16 either from David Pilling or through Archive. Upgrade from Chess I
by sending old disc plus ú10 to DP (not to NCS).
8.4
Å  Clan Acorn æ94 Ö This is a club designed to bring the people who use
Acorn Computers together with those designing and making them. All
members will receive a membership card with a unique number offering
Clan members exclusive offers and information from Acorn.
8.4
The first offer will be the chance to take out an Acorn Visa credit
card. Then members will have the opportunity to obtain Acornæs C++ and
the new developer toolkit at a special price. Third parties are also
working with Acorn to provide multiprocessor capabilities for RiscáPC
computers and connectivity kits to allow users to access the Internet.
8.4
Members will also receive information about projects and technologies,
opportunities to acquire appropriate early releases and beta-releases,
discounts on current products and a chance for end users to give Acorn
input on new developments.
8.4
Life membership of the Clan is ú15 which includes a promotional pack of
Acorn merchandise. To join Clan Acorn, contact Acorn Direct (Vector
Services) on 01933-279300 and ask for an application form to be sent to
you.
8.4
Å  DrawWorks ù a suite of five programs to increase the power of Acornæs
standard Draw application. DrawExtra allows you to control the defaults
for Draw, increase the undo buffer size, and gives a new buttonbar with
features missing from the Draw toolbox, including Zoom, Save and Print.
DrawInfo gives details of the size, number of objects and so on of a
drawfile. DrawKern allows the kerning of font within drawfiles.
DrawMerge takes several objects and merges them to create a single path,
making interesting patterns, and some strange effects Ö some clipart is
included to demonstrate. DrawScrunch distorts draw files as if they had
been drawn on a öpiece of scrunched up paper.ò The price is ú15
inclusive from iSV Products.
8.4
Å  Eidoscope ù The Eidos home video editing system is now available. To
use it, you will need a Risc PC (minimum 4Mb) fitted with an Eagle M2
card. Features include easy to use control panel; real time edits, mixes
and wipes; Full video/audio synchronisation; Imports sprite animations;
single frame export; 12.5 frames per second @ 160╫120 pixels and 32,000
colours. Full screen playback is possible, and the files are fully
compatible with other Acorn packages. The package can be purchased for
ú169 +VAT from Computer Concepts or ú185 through Archive.
8.4
Å  EMR products Ö Anyone wishing to get hold of any of EMRæs music
products should contact Le Computer in Chelmsford who will be handling
them in future.
8.4
Å  Eureka 3 Ö Longman Logotron have released version three of their
spreadsheet package. Amongst the enhancements are: easy interchange with
Lotus and Excel, easy linking of spreadsheets with Impression, triple
toolbar, improved graphics support and background printing. Eureka 3
costs ú99 +VAT or ú110 through Archive. Site licences are available:
ú240 +VAT for primary and ú400 +VAT for secondary (ú265 and ú440 through
Archive). Upgrades are available through Longman Logotron: ú29 +VAT for
single user and ú99 +VAT for S/L.
8.4
Å  Fonts Ö A new Acorn font company has been formed by Adrian Look of
LOOKsystems and Dave McCartney of The Datafile. The first two offerings
from The Font Company Ltd, as it is called, were Letraset Digital
Typefaces (29 typefaces for ú35 inclusive), and URW Typeface Library (75
typefaces for ú75 inclusive). These are highly professional font
conversions from well-established font companies, Letraset and URW.
These font packs are available through Archive for ú34 and ú72 inclusive
of p&p.
8.4
The very latest release is a huge range of Monotype Classic Fonts giving
you access to hundreds of top quality fonts at Acorn-level pricing Ö
rather less than PC or Mac users would have to pay! There are eight
packs of fonts, each with between 50 and 60 faces and each costing ú60
inclusive from the Font Company or ú58 through Archive. If you would
like a full listing of these eight Font Packs, so that you can select
the fonts you would like, give the Font Company a ring.
8.4
Å  Heavy mouse balls ù Weighing in at four times the weight of the
standard mouse ball, these fit neatly into the Acorn mouse, giving it a
more positive response. They are available from Oak Consultants for ú3
including postage, packing and VAT.
8.4
(Message to Oak Consultants: Sorry but we have lost your address!
Anyway, that means you get two mentions in Archive because weæll have to
put it in again next month and put your address in the Factfile. Ed.)
8.4
Å  In Ancient Egypt Times ù This is a range of materials in printed and
disc form for the study of Ancient Egypt. You will need a copy of
KeyNote or Key Plus data handling packages to use the disc information.
Topics include Gods and Pyramids, the Nile and Farming, Everyday Life,
and Modern Discovery. Text can be converted to Hieroglyphics, and the
text and graphics in the package can be exported for use in childrenæs
own projects. The price is ú17 +ú2.50p&p +VAT from Anglia Television.
8.4
Å  iSV 100 outline fonts ù A new pack of 100 RISC OS 3 format fonts, in
36 separate families has been launched by iSV Products. Both book and
display fonts are included in the pack and all fonts include the full
latin 1 character set, scaffold lines and automatic kerning data. The
price is ú40 inclusive.
8.4
Å  iSV Font Designersæ Toolkit 2.5 ù This is made up of four
applications for designing fonts. Font Catalogue is used for creating
printed font catalogues, with on-screen WYSIWYG display of printed
results. FontKern allows you to edit the kerning information of RISC OS
3 fonts, and even convert RISC OS 2 fonts to RISC OS 3. FontTrix allows
the generation of font families from one master font. Oblique, Mirror
Semibold and many more weights can all be generated quickly, viewed, and
made available to other applications. Finally, iSVMetric allows editing
of a fontæs metric data, to tighten character widths, for example. The
pack price (including a free copy of FontED, Acornæs font editing
program) is ú30 inclusive.
8.4
Å  Ladakh ù A geography information pack containing parallel datafiles
for families and life in the United Kingdom and Ladakh (Northern India).
Records of 200 children are provided, half from a Tibetan village, and
half from three schools in the UK. Accommodation, travel, eating habits,
pets and many other fields can be compared, and a print pack helps
teachers with ideas and worksheets. The price is ú15 +ú2.50p&p +VAT from
Anglia Television, and you will need a copy of KeyNote or Key Plus data
handling packages.
8.4
Å  Laser printers Ö Computer Concepts are no longer able to supply any
direct drive laser printers because Canon have discontinued both the
LBP4 and the LBP8 and have not yet replaced either of them with anything
suitable. This leaves Acorn users with two alternatives...
8.4
Ö Calligraph direct drive lasers Ö If you want an A4 direct drive laser,
Calligraph do a 1200 dpi single bin Sharp printer at ú999 +VAT (ú1150
through Archive) and a dual bin version at ú1149 +VAT (ú1290 through
Archive). If you can afford to go to A3, they do a 1200 dpi Toshiba TQ-
1200 at ú4995 +VAT or ú5575 through Archive. These printers all do 8
pages/minute. Toner for the Sharp is ú120 through Archive (estimated
15,000 pages), the drum kits are ú135 through Archive (estimated 30,000
pages), and the toner and drum for the Toshiba are ú85 (5,000 pages) and
ú475 (20,000 pages) respectively through Archive.
8.4
Ö Standard laser printers Ö We have selected a couple of the best non-
direct-drive laser printers which can be driven from Acornæs own printer
drivers or CCæs Turbo Drivers. The Panasonic KXP4410 is a 5 ppm, 300
dpi, 0.5Mb laser of proven pedigree which costs ú570 (or ú620 with a
Turbo Driver) through Archive and the Epson EPL5600 is the latest 6 ppm,
600 dpi laser which has 2Mb RAM as standard and yet only costs ú820 (or
ú870 with a Turbo Driver) through Archive. In between these two is the
Epson EPL5200 which is a 6 ppm, 300 dpi laser with 0.5Mb RAM
(expandable) and costs ú650 (or ú700 with a Turbo Driver) through
Archive. All three of these laser printers come with a 12-month on-site
warranty.
8.4
Å  MacFS Light Ö Computer Concepts are now offering a floppy-only
version of MacFS at ú49 +VAT (ú55 through Archive). If you want to read
and write SCSI devices such as removable hard drives then you will need
the full version at ú108 through Archive. MacFS Light needs an Acorn
machine with high density floppy drive (i.e. A5000 or later) and RISCáOS
3.1 or later. (The price now compares favourably with AppleFS from
Oregan, which is also floppy-only, at ú58 through Archive.)
8.4
Å  PipeEd for PipeDream ù A new teaching pack designed to help teach
first time users of PipeDream. The pack includes two sets of A4 cards ù
teacher and student sets, written as a series of nine lessons, each
around ninety minutes, to introduce the ways in which PipeDream can be
used. The teaching notes are detailed, giving topics for discussion, and
describing the tasks to be completed. The Student pack briefly outlines
each of the tasks, and includes a disc containing all the tasks for the
lessons. It can also be used at home or in the office Ö it is not
limited to education. The packs are available for ú25, extra teacher
packs may be purchased at ú10, and student packs at ú15.
8.4
Å  Pocket Book II Programmeræs Guide Ö (No, donæt get too excited, itæs
not available yet Ö that was just to get you to read this paragraph!)
Until the proper PB II Programmeræs Guide is available, the best you can
do is to get a copy of the Psion 3a Programmeræs Guide which is
available by sending a cheque for ú6 (made out to Psion UK Ltd, I
presume) to Customer Services, Psion UK Ltd, 85 Frampton Street, NW8 8NQ
or ring them on 0171-262-5580.
8.4
Å  PrimeMover Ö Minervaæs new release is claimed to be öthe first real-
time animation program for the Acorn platformò. It allows you to create
animation from sprites and, once the animation is created, it can easily
be changed by simply clicking and dragging with the mouse. It allows you
to trim and/or mask your sprites and to reverse them horizontally or
vertically. PrimeMover costs ú69.95 inc VAT from Minerva or ú66
inclusive through Archive and will run in 1Mb but 2Mb is recommended.
8.4
Å  ProArtisan 24 Ö Clares have launched their 24-bit art package,
ProArtisan 24. It costs ú169.95 inc VAT (or ú155 through Archive) and
there is an upgrade through Clares of ú49.95 from PA2 or from öANY other
art packageò for ú85 inc VAT. Site licences are available at ú499 +VAT
for primary and ú699 +VAT for secondary.
8.4
Å  Risc Disc CD ù This is a new CD-ROM aimed at Risc PC owners. Contents
include utilities (programming, DTP, disc, desktop), Replay movies,
Photo CD images, JPEG images, Artworks files, drawfiles, PC animation
players (AVI, FLI and MPEG), MPEG movies, as well as demonstration
software from many Acorn software houses. The price is ú19.95 from
Uniqueway Ltd, or ú19 through Archive.
8.4
Å  Rosie & Jim Talking Activity Packs Ö For young infants who are fans
of TVæs Rosie & Jim programme, Sherston Software have produced the first
two of their talking activity packs: öDuck loses his Quackò and öJim
gets the Sneezesò. These allow early or non-readers to enjoy the company
of Jim & Rosie and all their friends. Click on the pictures and words
and hear the digitally-recorded voices of Rosie and Jim speak from the
computer. Each pack costs ú10 +VAT from Sherston or ú12 including p&p
through Archive.
8.4
Å  Scrabble for the Archimedes/Risc PC Ö My favourite game is here at
last! US Gold have finally released Scrabble for Acorn computers and,
not surprisingly, itæs excellent. You can play against each other or
against the computer Ö or get the computer to play against itself,
although itæs so fast you could do with an Éaction replayæ facility. You
can set the level of vocabulary and ingenuity that the computer uses
when it is playing against you, so you can use it to build up your own
level of skill. In the practice mode, every time you play, if it thinks
it could have done better, it suggest dozens of alternatives that you
could have played and shows you how many more points you could have got
(but doesnæt allow you to go back and have your go again. Drat! The
manual (which I have had to photo-enlarge from A5 to A4 because the type
is so small) lists all the permissible two letter words (105 in all) and
the gameplay uses them all to very high-scoring effect, sometimes. The
trouble is that when you then play örealò Scrabble with your friends and
relations at Christmas, you wonæt be too popular. You score 22 points
with öAYEò as in the illustration and they will challenge it. They wonæt
be too impressed when you say that öNAò is the Scottish way of saying
önoò and that öAYò means öalwaysò or, for that matter that öOOò is wool
(Scots), öDAò is a heavy Burmese knife and öAIò is a three-toed sloth!
They will probably refuse to play with you any more Ö still, at least
youæll be able to play against the computer!
8.4
Scrabble costs ú27.99 + p&p from US Gold or ú27 through Archive.
8.4
Å  SCSI II interfaces Ö The Cumana SCSI II interfaces are now available
at ú199 +ú7.50 carriage +VAT from Cumana or ú235 inclusive through
Archive. A cable for connection to external drives is available through
Archive for ú27. This has the new SCSI II connector on one end and an
Amphenol (Centronics) on the other end. For connection to internal
drives, a standard IDC cable is all that is needed.
8.4
Å  Shoemaker-Levy CD-ROM ù This is the Network Cybernetics Corporationæs
CD-ROM title SL9: Impact æ94. It contains hundreds of images, movie
sequences and technical information related to the July 1994 collision
of the periodic comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, and the planet Jupiter. Stills
are stored as JPEG, GIF and TIFF, video sequences as MPEG and FLI/FLC.
The technical information is stored as ASCII or PostScript.
Unfortunately, the viewer applications are all for PCs or Macs, but with
ChangeFSI and Edit, the stills and texts are accessible on RISCáOS
machines, and there are PD MPEG and FLI/FLC players available. The price
is ú25 including postage from Lambda Publications.
8.4
Å  TextEase ù This is a new presentation package for letters, posters,
notices and so on. Features include a button bar for the frequently used
functions, and dynamic text. The prices is ú25 from Ivoryash limited,
and a demo disc is available for ú2.
8.4
Å  UK Schools Internet Primer Ö Koeksuster Publications have produced a
book to provide information, mainly aimed at schools, on how to use
Internet and what facilities are available through Internet. This costs
ú9.95 + p&p from Koeksuster or ú9 inc p&p through Archive. For more
details, see the review on page 24.
8.4
Review software received...
8.4
We have received review copies of the following: ÅAncient Egypt Key
Datafile (e), ÅAPDL CD (PD/a), ÅBitFolio Christmas Cartoons (a),
ÅBitFolio More Cartoons (a), ÅBlinds (u), ÅGameOn! (g/u), ÅGrasshopper
(e), ÅLadakh (Tibetan) Key Datafile (e), ÅLook! Hear! (e), ÅMap Importer
(e), ÅMouse in Holland (e), ÅMouseTrap (u), ÅPrimeMover (e/a),
ÅTableMate 2 (u).
8.4
e=Education, b=Business, bk=Book, c=Comms, g=Game, h=Hardware,
l=Language, u=Utility, a=Art.
8.4
If you would like to review any of these products, please contact the
Archive office. Potential reviewers will need to show that they would
use the product in a professional capacity or that they have some
knowledge of the particular field.ááAá
8.4
Government Health Warning Ö Reading this could seriously affect your
spiritual health.
8.4
It could be you! How many tickets have you bought for the National
Lottery? Just think what life would be like if you won a million pounds!
Think of all those things you could buy. Think of the security it would
bring Ö no more financial worries for the rest of your life. It really
would be great, wouldnæt it?!
8.4
But have you really thought about the implications of suddenly having
pots of money? Have you thought how it would affect your friendships and
your relationships with your family? Have a think now.
8.4
How can you be sure that all those Éfriendsæ that you seem to be getting
are really Éfriendsæ and arenæt just after your money? Can you really
trust them? How will your real friends feel if they think that you donæt
trust them? Suddenly, you donæt know who you can trust. What did we just
say about Ésecurityæ?
8.4
Iæm not trying to argue against the National Lottery but Iæm trying to
use it as an example to show how easily we swallow the lies of the
media. Iæm sorry but I just donæt believe that life would be wonderful
if I had lots of money... or the Érightæ car or the Érightæ clothes, or
whatever other material goods they say I Éneedæ.
8.4
The only things that are really important are our relationships with one
another. (I would use the word Éloveæ but that too has been hijacked!)
Proverbs 15v17 puts it well, öBetter a meal of vegetables where there is
love than a fattened calf with hatred.ò Simple but profound.
8.4
And I know I canæt prove this, but from my experience, what is really,
really important is our relationship with God. Get that right and many
other things suddenly make sense. Again from Proverbs, in the same
chapter, but verse 16: öBetter a little with the fear of the Lord than
great wealth with turmoil.ò
8.4
Anyone who has come to know the love of God as seen in Jesus knows what
true riches are.
8.4
P.B.
8.4
Fact-File
8.4
(The numbers in italic are fax numbers)
8.4
4th Dimension   1 Percy Street, Sheffield, S3 8AU. (0114-270-0661)
(0114-278-1091)
8.4
4Mation    14 Castle Park Road, Whiddon Valley, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32
8PA. (01271-25353) (01271-22974)
8.4
Abacus Training    29 Okus Grove, Upper Stratton, Swindon, Wilts, SN2
6QA.
8.4
Acorn Computers Ltd    Acorn House, Vision Park, Histon, Cambridge, CB4
4AE. (01223-254254) (01223-254262)
8.4
Anglia Television   Media Development, Anglia House, Norwich, NR1 3JG.
(01603-615151) (01603-631032)
8.4
APDL    39 Knighton Park Road, Sydenham, London, SE26 5RN.
8.4
Aspex Software   Heather House, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 9AG. (01822-
611060)
8.4
  (01822-611061)
8.4
Avie Electronics (p25)  7 Overbury Road, Norwich. (01603-416863) (01603-
788640)
8.4
Beebug Ltd (p65)  117 Hatfield Road, St Albans, Herts, AL1 4JS. (01727-
840303)
8.4
  (01727-860263)
8.4
Cherisha Software (p9)  51 Swallowfield Road, Charlton, London, SE7 7NT.
8.4
Clares Micro Supplies   98 Middlewich Road, Rudheath, Northwich,
Cheshire, CW9 7DA.
8.4
  (01606-48511) (01606-48512)
8.4
Colton Software (p30)   2 Signet Court, Swanns Road, Cambridge, CB5 8LA.
(01223-311881) (01223-312010)
8.4
Computer Concepts (pp15/29)   Gaddesden Place, Hemel Hempstead, Herts,
HP2 6EX. (01442-63933) (01442-231632)
8.4
Creative Curriculum Software   5 Clover Hill Road, Savile Park, Halifax,
HX1 2YG. (01422-340524) (01422-346388)
8.4
Cumana Ltd   Pines Trading Estate, Broad Street, Guilford, GU3 3BH.
(01483-503121)   (01483-503326)
8.4
Dalriada Data Technology (p8)  145 Albion Street, Kenilworth,
Warkwickshire, CV8 2FY. (01926-53901)
8.4
Datafile   71 Anson Road, Locking, Weston-super-Mare, Avon, BS24 7DQ.
8.4
  (01934-823005)
8.4
David Pilling   P.O.Box 22, Thornton Cleveleys, Blackpool, FY5 1LR.
8.4
Dave Lawrence (p25)  33 High Street, Farnborough, GU14 6ES.
8.4
Doggysoft   7 Blackhorse Crescent, Amersham, Bucks., HP6 6HP.
8.4
Font Company Ltd    47 Goodhale Road, Bowthorpe, Norwich, NR5 9AY.
(01603-748253) (01603-740203)
8.4
GamesWare   Unit 26, The Bartletts, Hamble, Hants., SO35 5RP.
(01703Ö456523)
8.4
  (or 0243-531194) (01703Ö456523)
8.4
Hodge Electronic Services    16 Mold Road, Mynydd Isa, Clwyd, CH7 6TD.
(01244-550803)
8.4
Honormead Software Solutions   Admin House, The Grange, Hospital Lane,
Michleover, Derby, DE3 5DR. (01332-512848)
8.4
iSV Products   86, Turnberry, Home Farm, Bracknell, Berks, RG11 8ZH.
(01334-55769)
8.4
Ivoryash Ltd   14 Perwell Close, Bredon, Tewkesbury, Gloucester, GL20
7LJ.
8.4
  (01684-73173)
8.4
Koeksuster Publications   St Augustineæs Cottage, High Street, Mill
Hill, London NW7 1QY.
8.4
  (0181-959-3321) ([e-mail])
8.4
Kudlian Soft   8 Barrow Road, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8á1EH. (01926-
851147)
8.4
Lambda Publications   194 Cheney Manor Road, Swindon SN2 2NZ. (01793-
695296)
8.4
Le Computer   Main Road, Willows Green, Chelmsford, CM3 1QB. (01245-
362225) (01245-362225)
8.4
Longman Logotron   124 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge
CB4 4ZS.
8.4
  (01223-425558) (01223-425349)
8.4
LOOKsystems (pp40/41)  47 Goodhale Road, Bowthorpe, Norwich, NR5 9AY.
(01603-748253) (01603-740203)
8.4
Micro Laser Designs   105 Midford Road, Combe Downs, Bath BA2 5RX. Tel
(01225-833266)
8.4
Minerva Systems   Minerva House, Baring Crescent, Exeter, EX1 1TL.
(01392-437756) (01392-421762)
8.4
Mycroft Software   53 Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, AL1 2ER.
8.4
Oak Solutions (p26)   Dial House, 12 Chapel Street, Halton, Leeds, LS15
7RN (0113-232-6992) (0113-232-6993)
8.4
Octopus Systems   9 Randwell Close, Ipswich, IP4 5ES. (01473-728943)
(01473-270643)
8.4
Quantum Software (p16)  35 Pinewood Park, Deans, Livingston, EH54 8NN.
(01506-411162 after 6)
8.4
Sherston Software   Angel House, Sherston, Malmesbury, Wilts. SN16 0LH.
(01666-840433) (01666-840048)
8.4
Supreme Software Ltd (p37)   21 Courtenay Close, Chapel Break,
Bowthorpe, Norwich, NR5 9LB.
8.4
T-J Reproductions   Unit D, Canada House, Blackburn Road, West
Hampstead, London
8.4
  NW6 1RZ. (0171-372-4430) (0171-372-0515)
8.4
Uniqueway   42 Crwys Road, Cardiff, CF2 4NN.  (01222-644611) (01222-
644622)
8.4
US Gold Ltd   Units 2/3, Holford Way, Holford, Birmingham, B6 7AX.
(0121-625-3366) (0121-606-1822)
8.4
Norwich Computer Services  96a Vauxhall Street, Norwich, NR2 2SD.
(01603-766592) (01603-764011)
8.4
Archive Monthly Program Disc Contents
8.4
Å  Various files and applications from Paul HobbsæáAdvanced Basic
Programming ColumnáÖápage 66.
8.4
Å  Screengrab module for !ChangeFSI from Gerald Fittonæs ColumnáÖápage
31.
8.4
Å  Monitor recovery program from Hints & Tips Column Ö page 28.
8.4
Å  Applications from Paul Hooperæs Multimedia column Ö page 53.
8.4
Å  PD Pocket Book applications from Pocket Book Column Ö page 35.
8.4
Å  Sample program from Matthew Hunteræs Programming Workshop Ö page 21.
8.4
Å  Monitor definitions & Mac reading software from Keith Hodgeæs RiscáPC
ColumnáÖápage 11.
8.4
Å  List of free scientific software + updated !UnitConv from Chris
Johnson Ö page 39.
8.4
Å  Squirrel query file from Robert Bishop, Comment Column Ö page 52.
8.4
Paul Beverley
8.4
CD-ROM for only ú29 ?!
8.4
Yes, you can have a CD-ROM drive for just ú29 inc VAT Ö all you have to
do is to buy the RiscáPC to put it in before 31st December 1994! Send us
your order for either an ACB25 (5Mb) or ACB45 (9Mb) and we will give you
a voucher which you send (with a cheque for ú29) to Acorn who supply the
CD-ROM. This is the Cumana 300i CD-ROM, not the iA, i.e. without the
audio mixer but this mixer can be bought separately for ú49 +VAT from
Cumana.
8.4
RiscáPC? Ö Buy now, pay later
8.4
Another special offer (which can be taken with or without the CD-ROM
offer) is a deferred payment plan. Pay a deposit now and make 24 monthly
payments at 1.08% (APR 13.75%) but your first payment is delayed for
four months, i.e. not until April. (You can also pay off the full amount
at any time.) For more information, ring 01223-254428 or the NCS office
on 01603-766592.
8.4
Acorn Christmas Computer Sale...
8.4
Up to Christmas, A3010s are available at up to 29% off.
8.4
A3010 AP (1Mb)  ú399 Ö Ö> ú299  25% off rrp
8.4
A3010 AP (1Mb) + AKF52  ú699 Ö Ö> ú499  29% off rrp
8.4
A3010 EY or LC (2Mb)  ú499 Ö Ö> ú399 + free AP!  20% off rrp
8.4
A3010 EY or LC (2Mb) + AKF52  ú799 Ö Ö> ú599 + free AP!  25% off rrp
8.4
EY= Early Years Pack = Talking Start-Write, Flossy the Frog, Mouse in
Holland, Doris the Dotty Dog, Gemini, Amazing Maths & Paint Pot.
8.4
LC = Learning Curve Pack = Advance + PC Emulator + various demos.
8.4
AP = Action Pack = Zool + StartWrite + various demos.
8.4
Dalriada
8.4
From 8.2 page 39
8.4
Observess
8.4
New artwork
8.4
Applied Photophysics
8.4
New artwork
8.4
LOOKsystems
8.4
New artwork
8.4
LOOKsystems
8.4
New artwork
8.4
Risc PC Column
8.4
Keith Hodge
8.4
Monitors
8.4
Bob Bourne reports that he has been experiencing problems with colour
impurity on the three(!) AKF85 monitors that have passed through his
hands. There does seem to be a hint of magnetic radiation from the
computer power supply involved in this problem, as Acorn/Granada
MicroCare can now reproduce the problem when they use the same desk
layout as Bob.
8.4
Software information
8.4
In Archive 8.1 p39, I mentioned that Arthur Brend had been having
problems with the speed of operation of Knowledge Organiser 2. I have
received a most informative letter from Mr D Jackson of Clares Micro
Supplies. In it, he points out that the two biggest factors with file
searches are disc speed and the size of the configured ADFSBuffers. An
example search of a 7Mb file took 5 min 59 seconds, with ADFSBuffers set
to 0, but just 1 min 17 seconds with ADFSBuffers set to 40. The RiscáPC
was then noticeably faster than the comparison A540.
8.4
Software compatibility
8.4
Now that I am using a dual serial port card, with the fax modem on the
second port, I have realised that there are real problems in store when
I receive my 486áPC card. My intention is to operate the remote access
regional telemetry software using the PC card. However, the PCáEmulator
only supports the built-in serial port I believe. Will the new PCácard
BIOS software allow ports on extension serial port cards to be mapped
(via the block drivers?) to the DOS COMx commands? This is a must as far
as I am concerned, and will be so for a very large proportion of the
IBMáPC users who are persuaded to purchase a RiscáPC. They are used to
being able to purchase a dual card, plug it into an expansion slot, then
add a line to the öAUTOEXEC.BATò file and away it goes, giving full
access to the extra ports via the öCOMxò command. They are not going to
want to know about the Acorn side of programming.
8.4
One further point on the serial port is worth mentioning. There are
still programs around which do not seem to comply with the Acorn rules
even though they are described as öcompliantò. I was downloading some
files from the local Packet Radio Bulletin Board and noticed that every
time I held <select> down on the title bar of MultiStore (v2.00), the
serial data stopped flowing! Further tests revealed that this happens
not only with MultiStore, but also with Style (v3.04), but not filer
windows, ArcFax, TeleCFax, Printers. Are these applications faulty? Or
are they interpreting the guidelines in a different way?
8.4
For those of you who, like myself, have an occasional requirement to
read Apple Mac discs (high density), I have sent Paul a copy of a PD
program which runs under the PC Emulator and which will read these
discs. Please note, (1) it is fragile! (2) I accept no responsibility if
it eats your disc, so use a backup! (Itæs on the monthly disc. Ed.)
8.4
In two very interesting letters, Bob Bourne reports that he has been
experiencing problems with Eureka 2 on the RiscáPC when printing to CCæs
TurboDrivers(v4.0). The two products are incompatible, and the only
solution found so far is to print to disc via the Acorn driver and then
print the file from the TurboDriver. The long term solution is to
upgrade to Eureka 3, which should be available soon.
8.4
Also, there was a problem with Fabis Computingæs EasyFont 2 but, in just
two days, an update was received and all was well again.
8.4
Thank you to all the readers who have written about the Wimpslot
problems with the RiscáPC. As you have all pointed out, and as Dave
Holden mentioned last month (8.3 p39) the problem occurs because memory
is assigned in fixed 4Kb blocks, unlike the Archimedes, which assigns
memory in variable sized blocks up to 32Kb (dependent on main memory
size). Basic programs are therefore often given less free memory to work
with on the new machine. So far so good, but it would really be nice if
Basic complained with öInsufficient free memoryò, or some other sensible
error message, and not, öToo many nested loopsò, etc. Surely, Basic
keeps track of its memory pointers and knows when they are going to
clash?
8.4
Hardware and software news
8.4
David Evershed has purchased a Cumana SCSIáII interface, but ran head
first into a number of problems. The first was a clash with the virus
killer supplied with the machine, but this was easily cleared by
shifting the load line to a position later in the bootup sequence. The
second problem has hopefully also been resolved... David had already
purchased a Pioneer DR-U104X CDáROM drive, a single disc, quadspeed
drive, but then found to his dismay, that there is no driver module
available for the drive. Cumana have now advised him that they will be
supporting this model so the driver module is now eagerly awaited. It
would seem that it is essential before purchasing a CDáROM drive, to
check with your SCSI interface manufacturer that a suitable driver is
available.
8.4
Further to my comments on desktop boot sequence last month, please note
that although the directory ö$.!Boot.Choices.Boot.PreDeskò does not
contain any applications, just obey files, this does not mean that you
cannot place applications here. A typical use for this area is for
applications such as SerialDev which is provided with the Serial PortÉs
dual serial port card and which just sets up a path to a directory
inside the application. This path must be defined before any
applications make use of the card. By placing software here, it is
guaranteed to be run before anything in the ö$.!Boot.Choices.Boot.
Tasksò directory Ö most useful!
8.4
Readersæ comments
8.4
Don Lewis mentioned in his recent letter how difficult he was finding
the change to the new RiscáPC keyboard layout. Coincidentally, I have
(after a long break) been using the BBC Master for Eprom programming.
This has been a real shock, I had forgotten the terrible trouble I had
changing from the Master to the original Archimedes keyboard... Don also
mentions that he does not like the screen blanking as the re-activation
takes so long. I personally find that screen blanking (and by this I
mean turning off the video signals so the screen goes blank, thereby
preventing screen burn, not shutting down the monitor to save power), is
much overrated, as in commercial use, monitors have to run for thousands
of hours with a stationary image before a permanent residual image
starts to appear.
8.4
Wish list for next RiscáPC / New issues of Basic
8.4
Please, Acorn, with the next issue of Basic, can we have an extension to
the öCASEò statement? Thus:
8.4
CASE variable OF
8.4
WHEN 1 TO 4
8.4
ENDCASE
8.4
The TO function is provided in a number of other basics and makes
translations from one platform to another much easier. Also how about
öIFEXISTSò, for file handling and öREDIMò for array handling.
8.4
Gripe of the month
8.4
Where is my ARM 710?
8.4
Questions of the month
8.4
(1)áDoes anyone have a version of the editor, Zap, which works on the
RiscáPC?
8.4
(2)áMy machine spends all day waiting to receive fax messages and so the
utility to spin down the IDE drive is brilliant! But, I also have a SCSI
drive, which is used for backups. I would dearly like to be able to stop
this spinning whilst the RiscáPC is acting as a fax machine. Can it be
done?
8.4
Tailpiece
8.4
I have now been using my Canon BJ230 inkjet printer with the same
cartridge, for over 12 months! How? By refilling it with Rotring
öBrilliantò black ink which is available from most art shops and at
ú1.99p per bottle, each of which does three to four refills Ö it is very
economical! Plus, the print quality for text work is, I find,
indistinguishable from the original ink.
8.4
Paul has asked if I would like to provide some information about packet
radio on the RiscáPC. During the Christmas holidays, I will try to put
together a small article explaining what it is used for and how you can
get involved. You do require a Amateur Radio licence, but there is no
problem here, a short course at the local Technical College will soon
get you through the City and Guilds examination. More details next
month.
8.4
Would anybody like to assist with the software compatibility list? As a
user of mainly business software, I get little contact with games and
other general software. This means that I find it difficult to be
öinátouchò and hence aware of what is happening in different areas. If
anybody would like to run the list please get in touch Ö possibly more
than one person, each covering their own interest and I will bring it
all together.
8.4
As usual, I can be contacted by letter at the HES address on the back
page, by telephone after 7p.m. or by Packet Radio, from anywhere in the
World, as GW4NEI@GB7OAR.#16.GBR.EU.ááAá
8.4
Simon the Sorcerer
8.4
Andrew Rawnsley
8.4
Gameswareæs latest release is only one year late! After being much hyped
before last yearæs Acorn World show, and continually Éalmost readyæ for
the last twelve months, Acorn World 94 was the ideal launch venue for
this awesome adventure. Indeed, after last yearæs disappointment,
Gamesware didnæt even send a press release concerning its new releases,
and so Simon the Sorcerer magiced his way onto an unsuspecting public.
8.4
Still, itæs been worth the wait Ö indeed some would say that, as a
result, many more of us will be enticed by the lure of nine discs (yes,
nine!) packed with 34 soundtracks and 6Mb of animation, all mixed up
with lashings of gameplay and humour.
8.4
Read this first!
8.4
Before I go any further, Iæd like you to bear with me as I rave about
this game just a little more. Until Simonæs release, Flashback would
have had my vote for the single best Acorn game, but suffice it to say,
that in two weeks since the show, Iæve spent some 15 minutes playing
Flashback, to about 15 hours on Simon. (OK, maybe thatæs a slight
exaggeration, but you get the point.) Whatæs more, the game will appeal
to more than just adventure fanatics, because it has that basic element
missing in so many games Ö FUN.
8.4
Back to basics
8.4
Right, so we know that this game is good, but whatæs it all about? OK,
we start with a puppy, just an ordinary puppy, and we place a dusty old
book in his mouth. Said dog is then received into the home of 12 year
old lad, Simon (aha!). The aforementioned grimoire is then dumped in an
attic, until puppy retrieves it. Suddenly, and at this point we get by
with some fancy special effects, Simon (and puppy) are dumped
unceremoniously into another dimension via the pages of this magic
libram.
8.4
Upon reading a handy note, it turns out that you [Simon] were selected
from millions of hopeful candidates to save the local wizard Calypso,
and knock the evil Sordid to kingdom come. All in a dayæs work for a 12
year old cockney? Perhaps, but not when Dial-a-Pizza donæt deliver to
your dimension!
8.4
Style
8.4
Unlike traditional adventures, absolutely no keyboard skills are
required to play. Indeed, the entire game is played with just twelve
verbs displayed in the lower third of the screen. All you do is point
and click, then select the appropriate objects. Initially, this approach
worried me Ö after all, how was I to communicate all the detailed
commands if all I could do was click on buttons? However, as I moved
Simon around the beautifully drawn rooms, opening doors, cutting off
beards (clue there!), and generally getting in the way, all my
apprehensions fell away.
8.4
Itæs hard to describe the quality of the graphics, they are so
attractive, but there certainly isnæt space for a full screenshot. As
for the music, after playing the game once, I couldnæt stop humming the
tunes.
8.4
Humour
8.4
This style of graphic adventure has always been associated with humour,
right from the days of Monkey Island and its sequel, Le Chuckæs Revenge
on the Amiga. However, the big problem with these games was that their
American origin meant that most people simply didnæt understand half the
jokes. Since Simon (the game, not the character!) originated in
Birmingham, this is not a problem. Indeed, many of the situations are
reworkings of popular english fairy tales and nursery rhymes.
8.4
Take the classic story Billy Goats Gruff, for example. As we all know,
the troll had problems catching the goats, but this time heæs hungry,
and er.... on strike?
8.4
Conclusions
8.4
Simon the Sorcerer represents the best waste of 8Mb of disc space I can
possibly imagine (I say Éwasteæ, because Publisher et al eats up similar
amounts and are perhaps a tad more useful?!?). Whatæs more it can be
played off floppy, and even comes with a special VGA mode. My advice:
BUY IT NOW Ö ú39.95 from Gamesware or ú38 through Archive.ááAá
8.4
PD Column
8.4
David Holden
8.4
Another takeover
8.4
One of the newer PD libraries, Gem PD, has just been taken over by The
Datafile. The main reason for this was that the people who ran Gem were
due to start college in the near future and were therefore unable to
continue to operate the library.
8.4
Although perhaps not as well known as some of the older libraries, Gem
has, in its comparatively short life, earned a good reputation, so Iæm
pleased that its customers will now be looked after by the Datafile.
8.4
Second Datafile PD CD
8.4
Further news from The DataFile. Their second CD of PD programs was
unveiled at Acorn World 94. This is much better than the first, which
appeared a few months ago. Not only does it contain more material, and
almost all of it Risc PC compatible, but it is all archived. This hasnæt
been done to save space as the CD is certainly not full, but to avoid
the long delays that occur when the filer opens a directory full of
applications and then reads all the !Boot and !Sprites files. As the
applications are archived, these files are only read when an individual
archive is opened, which makes things very much faster without recourse
to any special software. A secondary advantage is that it is very much
quicker to copy an archive, which is only a single file, than an
application, which normally consists of many files.
8.4
The price of the second Datafile PD CD is ú33. Although this is more
expensive than the first, it contains more material and comes with a
small booklet with a short description of each program.
8.4
Clipart CD
8.4
Iæve been saying for some time that APDL would be releasing a CD Ésoonæ
and it is now in production. It contains over 9,000 files totalling
around 500Mb. Most of this is clipart and artwork suitable for use in
DTP work and general illustration, but there are also around 580
pictures, mostly 256 colour, covering a wide range of subjects. All of
the material is in either sprite, drawfile or Artworks format.
8.4
Although it will be of interest to anyone who uses any type of clipart,
it will be of particular benefit to schools, and most schools will be
entitled to a free network licence.
8.4
The CD is produced by APDL but most of the work in compiling, selecting
and Étidying upæ the material was done by Alan Wilburn, who may be
recognised by readers as an Archive contributor.
8.4
The normal price will be ú28 but as a special Christmas offer to Archive
readers it will cost only ú25 if you order before 31st December 1994
from either APDL or Archive.
8.4
Adventure games
8.4
A few new text adventure games have appeared recently, notably Ashkeva
Alyedin from Andrew Flintham. There seems to be a trend away from shoot-
em-upæs and towards more cerebral pursuits, or is that just wishful
thinking on my part? Anyway, this monthæs special offer disc will be
full of adventure games. At the time of writing, I donæt know what I
will put on the disc but it will, as usual, be full.
8.4
A lot of readers have already responded to my offer of a disc of
seasonal clipart, and because there will still be a couple of weeks to
Christmas by the time this appears in print, I will bend my usual Éone
month onlyæ rule and extend the offer for a further month for those who
forgot to send for the disc last month or are new subscribers.
8.4
Either disc will, as usual, cost just ú1 (cheque or stamps) from the
APDL address inside the back cover.ááAá
8.4
CC
8.4
New artwork
8.4
Quantum
8.4
From 8.3 page 19
8.4
NCS Technical Services
8.4
Paul Beverley
8.4
The technical service that NCS / Archive has offered over the years have
been greatly appreciated by many people. We are always keen to give the
best support we can and, within this article, I want to tell you about
some changes that we are currently making.
8.4
The history
8.4
At first, we had time to deal with all the technical queries that came
up Ö people just rang us and we tried to help. As the user-base grew, it
soon became clear that there were just too many calls for our engineers
to handle and, as it was a free service, it could not be justified on a
purely commercial basis.
8.4
Enter öTHSò
8.4
We set up the Technical Help Service so that Archive subscribers could
pay an extra ú15 a year for the privilege of being able to telephone the
NCS office with technical queries. Other people could send in written
queries but obviously they didnæt have the advantage of being talked
through their problems over the phone Ö flying doctor style!
8.4
As the THS became more frequently used, we found it was clogging up the
main phone line and stopping sales enquiries Ö and we didnæt want to
inhibit that particular activity! So we installed a special phone line
whose number was only released to THS subscribers.
8.4
Enter the recession
8.4
Even though the effects of the recession were beginning to bite at NCS,
we tried to maintain the sort of service we felt was appropriate. We
have always tried to work on the basis of... öIf I were buying a
computer or some peripherals, what service would I want from the company
supplying it?ò
8.4
Until recently, we have maintained a level of engineering staff such
that we could provide the following technical services:
8.4
a)áTHS telephone support (ú15 per year) Ö any technical query to do with
Acorn computers and peripherals.
8.4
b)áTelephone sales support (free) Ö e.g. öWhich is the best CD-ROM drive
to buy?ò
8.4
c)áTelephone after-sales service (free) Ö e.g. öIæve bought a disc drive
and I canæt work out how to fit it in my computer.ò
8.4
d)áWritten sales support (free)
8.4
e)áWritten technical questions (free)
8.4
f)áWritten after-sales service (free)
8.4
The problem
8.4
Over a period of time, certain companies having developed a policy of
selling Acorn computers, peripherals and software at bigger and bigger
discounts. I have commented on this policy in the past and said that it
is very short-sighted.
8.4
At NCS, we are finding, more and more, that people come to us because of
our reputation for giving unbiased advice and ask, e.g. öWhich is the
best CD-ROM drive to buy?ò But then they find that Xxx Ltd sells the
same CD-ROM at ú20 less than NCS. Well, ú20 is ú20 and, in a time of
recession, we are all looking to save money, arenæt we? So they buy it
from Xxx Ltd. The result? NCS is not earning enough to maintain the
level of staffing that I feel is ideal.
8.4
Now that Dave Webb has moved down to Bath, I do not feel able to replace
him with a full-time member of staff. Instead, I am seeking part-time
help and, at the same time, cutting some of the services NCS provides.
8.4
I very much regret reducing the standard of service but, sadly, I have
to make decisions on purely commercial terms. Gone are the days when I
could afford to be altruistic in my decision-making.
8.4
However, Archive does have a resource that is not available to any other
Acorn dealer Ö i.e. you! Let me explain how the services are going to
change and then explain how you could help...
8.4
Sales advice stays
8.4
We are keeping the free telephone sales advice but we would ask, please,
that you do not misuse it. By all means, if you know what you want to
buy, get it from the cheapest source, but do you think it is fair to ask
us to spend time helping you through your decision-making and then go
off and buy it elsewhere? If you want the cheapest prices, please ring
up one of the Ébox-shiftersæ and ask them for advice.
8.4
Farewell THS
8.4
The THS has been suspended and credit notes sent to all those with
outstanding subscriptions. To make it commercially viable, we would have
had to charge more like ú50 a year Ö and that just isnæt worth it for
most of you, I guess.
8.4
Written technical help
8.4
Please continue to send us your technical queries by letter, e-mail or
via the Archive bulletin board on 0603-766585. However, we will respond
to your question(s) in a number of different ways depending on the
nature of the query.
8.4
a)áIf the answer to your question is likely to be of interest to other
readers, we will write it up and put it in the next issue of Archive.
However, you wonæt have to wait for the magazine, as we will send you a
copy of our reply as soon as it is written.
8.4
b)áIf the question is one which has been dealt with in earlier issues of
Archive, we will have a proforma letter on which we will note the
relevant references. (Back issue sets are still available Ö volumes 4 to
7 inclusive for ú23.)
8.4
c)áIf your area of interest is one which is covered by one of the
specialist Columns in Archive, e.g. Multimedia, Pocket Books, RiscáPC,
etc, we will send your letter on to the relevant editor to see if they
can help. (Note to editors: If at any time, you feel uneasy about the
amount of time you are spending on responding to queries, please let me
know straight away and I will see if I can find someone else who could
take over or offer you some help. Also, if you have out-of-pocket
expenses that you would like covering, such as postage, stationery, etc,
just send in a note of how much you have spent and I will reimburse you.
Thanks. Ed.)
8.4
d)áIf your question is a more general one, Gerald Fitton has said that
he would try to answer it and/or find someone else who could answer it.
Perhaps Gerald could set up a database of Archive expertise? (This is
where I say that Archive has the edge because it has you, the readers,
as a resource to provide help to other readers.) If you have views on
this suggestion and/or want to offer to answer questions about any
particular subject(s) please write either to us or direct to Gerald at
Abacus Training.
8.4
Helping the Technical Helpers!
8.4
If you want to help those who are offering technical help, please avoid
asking several questions about different areas at once. Iæm sure that,
with the wonders of modern word-processing, you could produce a number
of letters instead of one, each letter dealing with a different topic.
If you did, it would certainly avoid us having to photocopy your letter
and circle and cross out various bits of it before sending it on to
different helpers.
8.4
Another way of helping is to provide an SAE for each letter. Itæs not
just the cost of the stamp and the envelope but the convenience of just
scribbling an answer on a piece of paper and popping it into the ready-
made envelope and putting it into the postbox. (Thereæs no need to
bother with an SAE if you are just writing to NCS Ö itæs the helpers
that I want to help because they do it for love!!)
8.4
Also, it can often be a great help to send your letter on disc as well
as on paper Ö and, perhaps, send some example file(s) to make the
problem easier to solve. The point of sending the letter on disc, as
well as on paper, is that it saves typing out bits of the letter if we
want to use it in the magazine.
8.4
What happens to the discs? The NCS procedure is that if you send in an
article or a substantial hint or comment, we send the disc back, when
the magazine is ready, with a copy of that monthæs magazine disc as a
small Éthank youæ. Otherwise, and this is what I think is reasonable for
the volunteer helpers to do, unless the disc is accompanied by a stamped
addressed sticky label or a suitable SAEæd paddibag, we would re-format
the disc and use it as a Écharity saleæ disc or to send something on to
someone else. (Some contributors specifically write on their discs Édo
not returnæ so they go straight to the charity sale.)
8.4
Free hard disc installation
8.4
Another consequence of the changes in our Technical Services brings a
distinct an advantage for you... If you are buying an internal hard
disc, we have decided to offer free collection and installation. The
reasoning behind this is that there are so many complications which can
arise when fitting an internal hard drive, that it is cheaper to pay a
carrier to collect your computer, fit the drive and return it to you
than have an engineer spend ages on the phone trying to help you work
out why the drive wonæt work with your particular setup.
8.4
NCS Ö The future?
8.4
Our aim has always been to give the best service we can to customers and
this has, in some ways (mostly financial!) worked against us. However,
we will do what we can to maintain that quality of service whilst still
staying financially viable. I, personally, appreciate the support and
loyalty of the NCS customers. Iæm grateful to those of you who have
continued to buy through NCS even when you suspected that there was a
Ébox-shifteræ who would Édo it cheaperæ, and Iæm grateful to the
hundreds of you who have contributed in one way or other to the
magazine. I hope that the new arrangements in NCS Technical Services
will prove to be of benefit in the long-term.
8.4
Thanks again for all your support. All of us at NCS enjoy what we do and
we hope we can continue to supply your computing needs in the future,
whether it is hardware, software or information.ááAá
8.4
Earth Warp
8.4
Robert Lytton
8.4
The program is based on the BBCæs Look and Read, Earth Warp series for
7-9 year olds. The series is good, the content is relevant and the
presentation fun, although I wish they had not changed Wordy for Zot, an
american mechanised meatball. There have been some poor Look and Read
series but Earth Warp will be used year after year after year... The
program does not follow the television story-line but the situation and
the characters are the same. Their personalities also come over as being
the same.
8.4
What you will receive
8.4
You will receive a 30 page A4 booklet and an unprotected disc, so the
program may be copied onto a hard disc. The booklet is very well written
with an introduction for teachers, a synopsis of the story-line for
children and a section on how to get started. The bulk of the booklet
contains detailed descriptions for each öchapterò with quality extension
ideas for the teacher to consider. At the back (not to be forgotten) is
the, soon to be obsolete, öbeen there done thatò, list of National
Curriculum Statements of Attainment!
8.4
Description of the program
8.4
The first thing you will notice from öGetting startedò is that the
program is also available for the BBC B, B+ and Master. I asked Longman
about these versions and the prices are the same. The Archimedes version
does make use of the superior graphics (it is not run under emulation!)
but apart from the graphic detail, the programs are identical.
8.4
When you double click on the Earth Warp icon, the program takes over the
machine and gives you a short opening sequence with the familiar Earth
Warp theme tune. You are given the opportunity to turn off any further
sound, although this is minimal. You are also given the chance to jump
past the introduction which involves a familiarisation routine, where
you are encouraged to press the space bar, and a short introduction is
given to the story. The controls are very simple from the keyboard or
mouse and it is usually a case of choosing items from a list. The main
body of the program is broken down into twelve problem solving chapters.
These may be visited in any order, although it is worth keeping to the
story-line. If you press <escape> at any time, you are returned to a
menu, allowing you to revisit chapters if they were not completed or to
resume to a set point at a later date. The overall structure of the
program is consistent and intuitive. The children do not find the
program a hindrance, only what they are asked to puzzle through.
8.4
Chapter contents
8.4
There are twelve chapters varying in the degree of skill, knowledge and
information needed. Where appropriate, Easy and Hard option are offered.
The activities are of an applied nature for consolidation, which does
mean you need to cover the ideas and material in the classroom before
sitting a child in front of the screen! All the activities are
worthwhile and there are well thought through extension ideas you can
try in the classroom. I found these extension ideas practical and
helpful and used a lot of them.
8.4
Å  How long in space?: You have to find a number between 1 and 15.
Children should develop a strategy of logical deduction.
8.4
Å  Word Search: A 7╫7 word search on space.
8.4
Å  Cleaning the beach: You need to pick up rubbish using co-ordinates.
Either letters and numbers, or just numbers.
8.4
Å  Crossing the river: Follow the colour sequence on the stepping stones
to cross over. The extension ideas cover other sequences and
mathematical patterns.
8.4
Å  Ollieæs lost Orb: This is a simple dungeons and dragons type
adventure where you can select from a list of options. You are not given
a plan but I gave the children a blank plan to fill in with details as
they saw fit. As well as solving problems and ordering your moves, you
need to finish off the patterns on symmetrical door locks. The task
seems daunting at first but it is not necessary for the player to
specify how to solve the problems. If the right object has been taken to
the right place, the computer reports on how the problem was solved.
8.4
Å  Repairing Ollieæs spacecraft: Two problems to solve, what should it
look like and how to rearrange the pieces. At first it seem impossible
to do but you quickly realise that you need to choose the top pieces
first.
8.4
Å  Mending Ollieæs communicator: Match eight words up to make four
compound words.
8.4
Å  Guiding Ellie: Using a compass marked off in 30░ intervals drawn on
the screen you need to direct Ellie from solar system to solar system Ö
or is it planet to planet?
8.4
Å  Homing in on Earth: A diagrammatic picture of our solar system.
Shuffle the planet names from box to box to get the names in the right
places.
8.4
Å  Which is Earth?: Ellie gives you a report on a planetæs surface, you
need to decide which planet it describes. If you choose incorrectly you
are given a report for your chosen planet, to help you distinguish them
apart. Ellieæs report and your correction report are different, to keep
you thinking. I found the surface descriptions very interesting and they
certainly encouraged conversation.
8.4
Å  Race against time: A race against time to solve anagrams.
8.4
Å  All right: No matter how many times you ask, children still bring you
work to look at and read when they have not even read it themselves!
Will this exercise help? I hope so. They are given a newspaper story
written by Jenny for correction. This task is not easy but the computer
can help by finding the words for you and even giving you the answer if
they get it wrong twice. Good practice for using spell checkers Iæm
sure!
8.4
Conclusion
8.4
I liked the program very much. It is well presented with a host of
interesting thing to do on the computer and away from it. I used it with
some 7-8 year olds and they enjoyed it and coped well with the
activities. The extension ideas were sensible and not there for the sake
of it. However, you do need to spend time to make it all fit together
and work. If you are watching the Earth Warp television series and
possibly Music Timeæs Planets series and have been allocated the science
unit öThe Earth and beyondò, buy it and make a mini topic out of it. I
personally am not sure if I will find the time to it justice but if I
do, I will definitely buy the BBC B version. If you are like me, your
Archimedes is already working flat out on statistical and DTP or
multimedia projects and you may have one or two BBCs asking for a job
like this to do.
8.4
Earth Warp costs ú24 (+VAT +p&p) from Longman Logotron or ú27 through
Archive.ááAá
8.4
Programming Workshop Ö Part 1
8.4
Matthew Hunter, NCS
8.4
One of the comments that repeatedly occurred in the recent Archive
questionnaires was a wish for more articles about programming,
particularly with regard to the wimp. Many technical help calls and
letters have also been about programming in some form or another. It
therefore makes sense to bring all these together into one shared
resource, which is what this column aims to be. Unlike previous wimp
programming articles, I am not aiming to show you how to write an entire
application. It is an unfortunate truth that any example application
would fail to implement the one piece of code that you need to finish
your masterpiece! Instead, I will try to pool ideas and solutions. If
you want a piece of code to do a particular task then write in, or if
you have a solution for an unanswered problem, or a better solution than
one which has already been offered, or indeed a solution to a problem
that has not yet been asked then please send that in too. This then
means that the content and the level will be determined by you, the
reader.
8.4
It is not intended that this should be an Éexperts onlyæ column, I will
try to answer any queries appropriately, trying not to assume too much.
In an effort to reduce duplication, I will refer back to previous
issues. One assumption I will make is that you are using RISC OS 3,
because it is the current version of the operating system and therefore
essential for serious use of your computer. All references given will be
to the RISC OS 3 PRMs.
8.4
Languages
8.4
I do not mind which language you use although I would prefer Basic or C,
as I use those most regularly. Any solutions should, where possible, be
generic. If it is written in Basic then try to ensure that it is easy
for someone to follow, so that others can use it in C/Fortran/Pascal or
whatever they wish. Feel free to use Éphantomæ procedures if they make
something clearer. For example, use the Ésetcolouræ procedure from my
graphics articles (8.1 p75) rather than explicitly calling ColourTrans.
Over a period of time, there will be a library of such procedures,
making new solutions easier. If you are reading an article and find that
you do not understand an undefined procedure then, again, write in and
all will (hopefully!) be explained.
8.4
New to programming?
8.4
For those of you who are new to Acorn RISC machines or have not
previously programmed them, you may not realise just how easy it is to
get started. If there are people who are interested, we may do an
öIntroduction to Programmingò series. Please let us know if you would be
interested in such a column.
8.4
Just to prove the point, try the following: Load the !Edit application
from Applications Disc 1 or your hard drive as appropriate. Click <menu>
over the iconbar icon, slide off over the ÉCreateæ submenu, and choose
ÉBASICæ. A new window will open. Into it type:
8.4
PRINT öHello Worldò
8.4
END
8.4
Then save the file as normal. You will see that it has a blue and white
(Basic program) icon, rather than the usual black and white one
generated by !Edit. Double click on the file in the directory and you
will see the results. You have just written and run a Basic program!
8.4
Large text
8.4
I have had several queries recently regarding large text, when using the
system font. This can be useful for display purposes, titles and so on,
or for compensating for the small text size in large desktop area screen
modes. There is a VDU sequence which controls character sizes but,
unfortunately, it only works when the computer is plotting text at the
graphics cursor. For this program, I will assume that you already have
öPROCModeInfoò defined, as given in Archive 8.1, page 75 (and on this
monthæs program disc), which must have been called before the procedures
given here.
8.4
DEF PROCInitGraphicText
8.4
VDU 5
8.4
MOVE 0,Mode_LogicalY%Ö1
8.4
PROCScaleText(1,1)
8.4
ENDPROC
8.4
This first procedure simply sets the text Éprintingæ (that is,
Éprintingæ to the screen, not to paper) to graphics mode (VDU5) and
moves the graphics cursor to the top left corner. Unlike standard text
printing which starts top left, graphics co-ordinates start at the
bottom right.
8.4
DEF PROCSetTextSize(xs%,ys%)
8.4
BigText_X%=xs%
8.4
BigText_Y%=ys%
8.4
VDU 23,17,7,6,xs%;ys%;0,0
8.4
ENDPROC
8.4
This sets the size and spacing of the text to xs% pixels wide, and ys%
pixels high, and gives an easier access than trying to remember all the
numbers every time you need it. Another useful variant is:
8.4
DEF PROCScaleText(xsc%,ysc%)
8.4
BigText_X%=xsc%*8
8.4
BigText_Y%=ysc%*8
8.4
VDU 23,17,7,6,BigText_X%;BigText_Y%;0,0
8.4
ENDPROC
8.4
This sets the text size relative to the default size of 8 by 8 pixels,
so for example, to get double height text use PROCScaleText(1,2)
8.4
One problem with graphics text printing, compared to standard text
printing, is that you reference the positions on the screen differently.
Also, the background is not cleared before text is printed, resulting in
a mess if you try and to overwrite previous text.
8.4
DEF PROCTabText(x%,y%,t$)
8.4
LOCAL sx%,sy%
8.4
sx%=(x%*BigText_X%)<<Mode_EX%
8.4
sy%=(Mode_LogicalY%Ö1)Ö((y%*BigText_Y%)
8.4
<<Mode_EY%)
8.4
MOVE sx%,sy%
8.4
PRINT t$
8.4
ENDPROC
8.4
This acts like a PRINTTAB command, the text t$ will be indented x%
characters from the left edge, and y% characters from the top edge,
based on the current size of the characters. The x position (sx%) is
calculated by multiplying the number of characters to indent (x%) and
the width of each character in pixels (BigText_X%), and this is then
shifted by Mode_EX% Ö as supplied by PROCModeInfo  Ö which is the
mapping from pixels to screen co-ordinates. The y position (sy%) is
slightly more complicated, since it is necessary to move the text, down
from the top of the screen.
8.4
DEF PROCClearWindow(l%,t%,r%,b%)
8.4
LOCAL x%,y%,w%,h%
8.4
x%=(l%*BigText_X%)<<Mode_EX%
8.4
y%=(Mode_LogicalY%Ö1)Ö((b%*BigText_Y%)
8.4
<<Mode_EY%)
8.4
w%=((r%Öl%)*BigText_X%)<<Mode_EX%
8.4
h%=((b%Öt%)*BigText_Y%)<<Mode_EY%
8.4
RECTANGLE FILL x%,y%,w%,h%
8.4
ENDPROC
8.4
This will blank out an area of the screen. Note that all text, and the
area blanked, will use the current graphics foreground colour, so
remember to set it before use. There is a short program on the monthly
disc which includes all these procedures and demonstrates their use.ááAá
8.4
Small Ads
8.4
(Small ads for Acorn computers and related products are free for
subscribers but we reserve the right to publish all, part or none of the
material you send, as we think fit. i.e. some people donæt know what
Ésmallæ means and there are certain things, as you can imagine, that we
would not be prepared to advertise as a matter of principle. Sending
small ads (especially long ones!) on disc is helpful but not essential.
Ed)
8.4
Å  A3 Colour Printer (Canon BJC 800 engine), nine months old, superb
condition, works with Acorn and CC printer drivers ú1000. A4 Model II,
4Mb RAM, 80Mb hard disc, plus carry case and extra battery ú1300.
Contact Adrian on 01603-748253.
8.4
Å  A3000, 80Mb hard disc, hand scanner and multisync monitor. All
manuals and loads of software ú580 o.n.o. Phone [phone].
8.4
Å  A3000 OS3.1, 2Mb, AKF17, 180E printer and software ú350. A3000 user
port ú15, OS2 Programmers Reference Manuals ú25, RISC OS 3 Style Guide
+New Look disc ú5, PC Emulator 1.82 & DR-DOS 6.0 ú55, Acorn ANSI C ú15,
Software Developers Toolbox ú5, Twin ú5, several OS user guides just
p&p. Offers welcome on all! Phone Bob on 0113-275-5276 after 7pm.
8.4
Å  A410/1, 4Mb RAM, 30MHz ARM3, 90Mb HD, VIDC enhancer, CC ROM/RAM
podule (with battery backup), 4-slot backplane, RISC OS 3.1, AKF11
colour monitor, some software ú450 o.n.o. Eizo 9060S Multisync monitor
ú300 o.n.o. Phone [phone].
8.4
Å  A410/1, 4Mb RAM, 33MHz ARM3, 50Mb HD, Newlook desktop, I/O podule,
Midi, sound sampler, Black Angel, Chopper Force, Gods, Lemmings, Chocks
Away Compendium, keyboard extension cable and postage ú620. Also new and
unused RISC OS Style Guide with disc ú10 and Pineapple PAL encoder
(allows your computer to connect to video equipment and SCART, BNC) ú50.
Series 3 OPL manual (not software), same as OPL on Pocket Book, ú4.
Phone Mark after 6pm on 01905-754277.
8.4
Å  A440/1 with 4Mb RAM, 47Mb, ARM3, RISC OS 3.1, VIDC enhancer, Taxan
775 multisync monitor. Watford Mk 2 scanner Ö A4 version with sheet
feeder. ú800. Phone [phone].
8.4
Å  A440 with OS3, ARM3, and FPA10, 14ö NEC Multisync monitor ú750.
Computer Concepts ROM board with battery backed 32K RAM chip, InterWord,
InterSheet, and SpellMaster, ú90. Twin 5╝ò and single 3╜ö external disc
drives with Beebug interface for A300/400 computers ú90. Phone 01925-
811420.
8.4
Å  A5000 with 40Mb drive, 4Mb memory ú785 o.n.o. Phone Mike on 081-576-
9516.
8.4
Å  A540, 8Mb, 120Mb hard disc, RISC OS 3.1, ARM3, ú900. Taxan 770
monitor ú250. Cumana CD-ROM ú80. Pineapple Video Digitiser ú80. CC
Scanlight Plus ú80. Complete package ú1350. Ring/fax John on 01962-
774352.
8.4
Å  A540 8Mb, 120Mb SCSI hard drive, RISC OS3.11, Beebug high density
disc drive, Alpha Scan Plus Monitor and a great deal of software. ú1150
o.n.o. Canon BJ10 inkjet printer with sheet feeder and CC Turbo Driver
ú110. Phone [phone].
8.4
Å  Acorn Advance ú50. Acorn Midi expansion card ú40. Phone Dave 0181-
992-1720.
8.4
Å  CC Turbo Driver for Hewlett Packard ú25. ExpLAN Event desktop diary
(unregistered); ú18. Phone [phone].
8.4
Å  Integrex 132 colour printer, only about 3 hours use from new, ú125.
01953-883953 (Norfolk)
8.4
Å  Irlam I-Scan 400dpi Scanner (Roller Feed), ú150; A540, 100 Mb HD,
16Mb RAM, ARM 3, Colour Card, Eizo 560i ú1900; A5000, 4 Mb RAM, IDE
drive ú650; Scanlight Professional Flat Bed B&W scanner ú350. Phone
0483-455564.
8.4
Å  Irlam Moving Image 24 bit digitiser. RISC OS2 and 3.1 compatible.
ú350. Phone Malcolm on 0181-310-5617.
8.4
Å  NEC double speed external CD-ROM drive (SCSI). Boxed, only 2 weeks
old, ú180. Phone [phone].
8.4
Å  Oak SCSI interface, 120 Mb hard disc, 2-slot backplane and fan ú150;
Watford Video Digitiser, and Lingenuity Colour Convertor ú75; 2Mb SIMM
for Risc PC ú40; IFEL 4 slot backplane & fan ú20. All prices excluding
delivery. Phone Tamworth 01827-330118 evenings or weekends.
8.4
Å  Scanlight 256 inc. latest software. A300/400/5000 version (not Risc
PC) ú75. Phone [phone].ááAá
8.4
Charity Sales
8.4
The following items are available for sale in aid of charity. PLEASE do
not just send money Ö ring us on 01603-766592 to check if the items are
still available. Thank you.
8.4
N.B. These items are sold AS SEEN (even though you canæt see them!),
i.e. we are not able to give refunds if the items are not suitable for
your computer or whatever. All the money paid goes straight to charity
therefore NCS cannot be involved in correspondence etc over these items.
If it turns out to be no good for you but might do for someone else,
please send it back with a note and we will sell it again with the
proviso you state, e.g. öIt doesnæt work on a RiscáPC.ò
8.4
Software: MahJongg (Simtron) ú5, Archway ú10, Leading Edge Midi Tracker
ú4, Pysanki ú2, Rotor ú2, Datavision database ú6, Autograph (Maths
teaching) ú15, Boogie Buggie ú3, Colour Fun ú3, Impression Business
Supplement ú5, Chuck Rock ú5, Populous ú8.
8.4
Hardware: CJE 5╝ö interface ú5, 3-way parallel printer port switch and
some cables ú10, Acorn Ethernet interface (A5000) ú50, external 5╝ò
floppy drive ú25, Joystick Interface (Serial Port) ú8.
8.4
(If you have unwanted software or hardware for Archimedes computers that
you could donate in aid of charity, please send it to the Archive
office. If you have larger items where post would be expensive, just
send us details of the item(s) and how the purchaser can get hold of
them.)ááAá
8.4
UK School Internet Primer
8.4
Andrew Rawnsley
8.4
There has been much hype about the Internet recently, particularly in
the daily press. To read many of their articles, you would think it was
a recent innovation, but this impression is very wrong. The Internet
Primer from Koeksuster Publications aims to cut through much of this
uninformed publicity, and to introduce the reader to a little of whatæs
available, and how it can be of use. Although the book is targeted at
the educational establishment, it has much to offer the interested third
party.
8.4
Getting going
8.4
This book certainly isnæt a definitive work, but then this is not what
the author ever intended, and that market has been cornered by various
American volumes, usually retailing at ú30+. The Internet Primer gives a
British perspective to this ever-expanding bank of information. Advice
is given on what hardware you need to get going, and a list of service
providers is included to help you decide which best suits your needs.
This is just the kind of information required by anyone interested in
Internet connection.
8.4
Whatæs available
8.4
Much of the book is dedicated to what the Internet actually offers.
There is a discussion of the advantages of e-mail, newsgroups, file
transfer and the World Wide Web (WWW). Newsgroups are given particular
attention, and the author recommends some useful groups to read. Other
Éalternativeæ groups are mentioned to show the diversity of material
available, e.g. alt.nuke.the.USA Ö Iæll leave that to your imagination.
8.4
The author takes common Internet criticisms, such as the content of some
alternative newsgroups, and strips away the media hype, giving a much
clearer understanding of what to watch out for, e.g. Éflame warsæ. These
are Internet arguments which can develop into personal abuse. These
often start with the Émy computeræs better than yoursæ syndrome. The
author then explains how such messages can be avoided by selecting users
whose messages you donæt want to read and putting them in a Ékill fileæ.
8.4
Comments and criticisms
8.4
It is hard to criticise the book Ö it certainly clarified a lot of
things in my mind. However, it is rather platform independent, in that
it avoids naming particular packages that are good at particular jobs on
different computer makes. All the screenshots are taken from the
Macintosh, and are often from this version of NCSA Mosaic Ö the most
popular WWW browser. Personally, I would have preferred some appendices
containing machine specific material and advice. On the other hand, a
note supplied with the book indicated that a selection of machine-
specific books could follow, building on the material contained within
this first volume.
8.4
Conclusions
8.4
Retailing at ú8.50, the UK School Internet Primer is an essential
purchase for all schools trying to bring themselves into the 21st
century. It is very easy to read, and clearly explains the education
potential of this huge resource. I would also recommend the book to
anyone who is considering obtaining an Internet connection Ö it offers
much useful advice, and youæll be able to get going quickly should you
decide to go ahead. It certainly saves all the fumbling around so often
connected with computer communications.
8.4
The UK School Internet Primer is available through Archive for ú9 inc
p&p. áAá
8.4
Avie Electronics
8.4
New artwork
8.4
Around the World in 80 Days
8.4
Richard Rymarz
8.4
Now, how about an adventure story written for 9, 10 and 11 year olds
that has a story line to grab their attention; provide a whole
succession of geographical tasks; give them apparent deadlines; and
provide endless opportunities for teachers to broaden learning
opportunities beyond the computer.
8.4
Having read the opening comments from the teacheræs booklet from
Sherstonæs ÉAround the World in 80 Daysæ, I was looking forward to
encountering all these aims with the prospect of a major topic on
journeys as part of this autumnæs curriculum for my group of upper
junior children.
8.4
The package
8.4
Certainly, the package looks impressive. There are four discs, three of
which provide the program and one which is filled with picture
resources; a user guide which supplies all the information needed for
lazy adults who cannot manage the adventure themselves (absolutely
essential); a book full of classroom ideas ranging across all areas of
the curriculum; a list of books, fiction and non-fiction and a
comprehensive catalogue of organisations to contact such as foreign
embassies, trusts and museums; four double-sided A4 maps including the
British Isles, Europe, the Americas and the World; and finally, a set of
ten A5 worksheets that cover a whole span of geographical skills such as
the 24hr clock, 4- and 6-digit grid references, time tables, contour
lines and latitude and longitude. Finally, there is a daily log to keep
track of the journey and a glossary of 15 words that the children may
find new. To be fair, they are brilliant and an excellent example of
resources that busy teachers need in order to make the planning of a
topic easy, well organised and progressive.
8.4
The plot
8.4
A reasonable introduction to the program would be a reading of Joules
Verneæs famous story of the same name (even the old film or the cartoon
version would be an asset). The central theme follows the famous journey
by Phileas Fogg. In fact, the two heroes of the adventure are related to
the famous adventurer. The plot involves the saving of an area of
outstanding natural beauty which is being threatened by Wiley Windbag, a
ruthless property speculator. Freddy and Francis Fogg camp out on the
reserve and refuse to move. Angered by the childrenæs interference,
Wiley throws down a challenge: if the twins can succeed in circum-
navigating the world in 80 days, just as their ancestor did, without
using mechanical air transport, not only will he stop his development
plans, he will give ú500,000 towards ensuring its preservation. Of
course, Wiley plans to do his best to thwart the twins. This provides
immediate empathy with the children taking part in the adventure. There
is an obvious objective, there is a Ébaddieæ and there is a challenge.
The two 12 yr olds that I use to test the programs I review, couldnæt
wait to get started.
8.4
The program
8.4
The program installs itself onto hard disc although Disc 1 is needed
when beginning the adventure. A hot air balloon appears on the iconbar
where clicking <menu> accesses the set-up screen. Here positions can be
saved, volume control altered, reading speed changed and start-up
position chosen.
8.4
Clicking on the balloon with <select> results in the whole screen being
taken over by the title followed by a picture of ÉSleepy Hollowæ, the
threatened area of beauty. Sampled sounds of bird song are heard and
everything looks idyllic. Getting back to the desktop is simply a matter
of pressing <ctrl-Q> and returning to the adventure just needs a click
on the balloon Ö all very simple.
8.4
After setting the scene, the journey begins at the Reform Club where the
twins set off by taxi to the station. Immediately, they are tricked by
Wiley who leaves them in a taxi well away from the station. Using maps
and symbols the children Édriveæ the car to the station using left,
right, straight on and so on. They arrive just in time to board the
ÉOrient Expressæ that will take them to Venice (some poetic licence here
but does it really matter?). Whilst on the train, the children have to
read a simple timetable and have to piece together a map of Europe that
the dastardly Wiley has torn to shreds. They reach Dover and, since they
have time to spare, they place the names of Europe on the map, make sure
they know the capital cities of the European countries and mark the
first stages of their route across Europe. All this happens on Day 1
and, to finish the day, the twins discover their passports and money
have been stolen. This delays them in Boulogne for three days.
Eventually, the British Embassy helps them out and, having seen Paris at
night, they find themselves by day 5 in Switzerland.
8.4
The journey progresses in similar vein for the next 75 days with Wiley
doing his best to stop the children succeeding. There are further
adventures including being hijacked by terrorists. At the end, the
children not only succeed in completing their journey in 80 days but
they also manage to put Wiley behind bars. Sleepy Hollow, of course,
remains safe.
8.4
Conclusions
8.4
ÉAround the World in 80 Daysæ does work. It kept my testers happy for
nearly two hours and they had no word of criticism. How much they
learned, I wouldnæt like to hazard a guess, but I am sure that, with the
aid of the worksheets, children will gain a great deal of knowledge from
the adventure. The graphics are not great but are quite adequate. There
is some simple animation, and sound effects add to the atmosphere.
Conversation is through the medium of speech bubbles which the children
are quite familiar with through their own reading experiences.
Altogether, there are 63 different starting positions and the number of
problems the children have to face is considerable. This adventure will
take some time to complete and, with the backup teaching that is needed
to ensure understanding, there is enough here to keep a class going for
many weeks. If use is made of even a small number of the follow up
suggestions in the teachers book, there is enough to keep a class busy
for a term.
8.4
At ú39.95 +VAT for a single user version (ú44 through Archive) and with
site licences available, this will provide a resource that will stand
the test of time. Recommended.ááAá
8.4
Oak
8.4
From 8.3 page 23
8.4
Hints and Tips
8.4
Å Risc PC monitor configuration Ö One of the biggest problems people
have had with the Risc PC is finding that their machine will not drive
the monitor correctly, either because they are using a non-standard
monitor, or they have accidentally configured the machine incorrectly.
The !Mon application aims to rescue you from this situation.
8.4
The program has a number of local monitor definition files, which it
will try in turn. One of them should give a usable display on your
monitor, after which you should set up your machine again so that the
configuration is correct.
8.4
In order to use the program, you will need to do the following, typing
blind where necessary:
8.4
a) Turn on the computer and wait for it to finish booting up (wait until
the hard disc activity stops).
8.4
b) Insert the program disc into the floppy drive.
8.4
c) Press <f12>.
8.4
d) type öadfsò and press <return>.
8.4
e) type ömount 0ò and press <return>.
8.4
f) type östartò and press <return>.
8.4
This will start the program and try the first monitor definition file
AKF11/12 which will not work on the AKF60æs/85æs supplied with the Risc
PC, but it is better to try this one first than a high end monitor
definition file which could damage a TV resolution monitor. You can
cycle through the available monitors by pressing <space>. Alternatively
you can jump to any of the files by pressing the appropriate number key,
the most useful are 4 (AKF60) and 5(AKF85). When the program loads a new
monitor definition file it will pause for two seconds, to give the
monitor time to catch up, and then beep. If you have a stable pictureÇ,
press <y> to finish, followed by <return> to get back to the desktop.
Note that this will not reconfigure your machine ù if you switch off
without reconfiguring, you will have the same problems next time ù but
it will get you a working system. This program is on the monthly program
disc. Matthew Hunter, NCS.ááAá
8.4
CC
8.4
From 8.3 page 20
8.4
Geraldæs Column
8.4
Gerald Fitton
8.4
My Decemberá1994 Archive arrived only a few days ago and yet Iæve
already received many letters relating to it. You reinforce the views
expressed last month, namely that you approve of the broader base of
topics for this column.
8.4
Knowing that you like the new column I must risk causing some of you a
measure of disappointment by postponing the article I drafted for this
month in order to give coverage to some of the other topics about which
youæve written to me.
8.4
This month, I shall explain how saving your sprites in unusual modes
might cause you problems in the future when you upgrade your operating
system. The subject of cross checks in spreadsheets has arisen in many
letters and I have a further point to make on this topic.
8.4
Acorn World 94
8.4
At Acorn World 94, I detected a renewed faith (I use the word rather
than Éinterestæ) in Acorn products on the part of öthe average userò. In
the discussions I had with those of you who came and chatted to Jill and
me on the Colton Software stand, this renewal of faith came across most
strongly.
8.4
The message I received from many of you at Harrogate in the spring was
that you were wondering if Acorn was on the way out and you were
seriously thinking of defecting to the PC world! At Harrogate, because
of those doubts, you didnæt spend much. However, at Wembley, those
doubts and fears were gone. Nearly all the stand holders that I spoke to
reported substantially increased takings.
8.4
One possible reason for your increased faith is that Acorn priced the
RiscáPC lower than I (and many others) thought that they would. Even if
you are one of those not interested or not able to buy a RiscáPC yet,
the combination of the specification and price encourages you to believe
that Acorn will survive and maybe become an important force in the world
of computers. For my own part, I see the Set Top Box as an interesting
development which will create volume for Acornæs RiscáPC components and
hence guarantee the future of this type of computer.
8.4
Software
8.4
I found that, on the stands, in contrast to your optimism, many
suppliers of software (and hardware) were most pessimistic in spite of
the increase in their takings! The strongest position expressed to me
personally (and I must make clear that this was not from anyone at
Colton Software) was that their company would build up a PC market for
its products and, when that becomes sufficiently viable, they would get
out of the Acorn market all together. I can see sense in separating the
two operations (Acorn and PC markets) and then, maybe later, selling off
the Acorn part of the business as a going concern. Expressing a wish to
drop out completely from the Acorn market sounds to me more like
disenchantment than a sound business strategy.
8.4
As an aside, let me say that, although it is early days yet, Jill and I
have not sold a single subscription to FireLine. FireLine is our user
group for users of Fireworkz for Windows (i.e. on a PC). We have put
FireLine on hold until some time next year.
8.4
In the Archive DTP column, 8.3 p58, Mark Howe says öI have observed a
change in CCæs approach to customer service... ò. He goes on to say
öImpression 2.19 was far from bug free... yet no upgrade or bug fix was
made available...á(until) several months laterò. Let me tell Mark (and
all of you) that Computer Concepts are not the only software company who
have hardened their hearts towards issuing a multiplicity of free
upgrades. Previously, in this column, I have said that Vá1.07 is the
most recent version of Fireworkz; it is dated 11tháNovember 1993 and,
like Vá2.19 of ImpressionáII, far from bug free. I know that many of you
donæt like that, because youæve told me so in no uncertain way. I donæt
think Iæd go as far as one of my correspondents who says that öSoftware
containing bugs contravene the Trade Descriptions Act and must be
upgraded free of charge at the earliest opportunityò; but I do
sympathise.
8.4
Although itæs difficult to count a lack of something Iæm sure youæll
follow me if I say that free upgrades are a cost which many software
suppliers are avoiding with increasing frequency. As Mark Howe says, the
situation is far from satisfactory and (at least as far as the Acorn
market is concerned) it is not going to go away. I do not want Acorn
software suppliers to take the PC route (i.e. to make a substantial
charge for upgrades which are often no more than bug fixes). I prefer
the four suggestions which Mark makes for improving the current
situation.
8.4
By the way, like Mark, I donæt like the CC dongle; if I Édowngradeæ from
Publisher to Style then can I get rid of it?
8.4
The customised RiscáPC
8.4
Now to hardware. At Acorn World 94, I found that many of the better
hardware suppliers were concerned enough about margins to want to drop
out of the Acorn hardware market altogether. Although this is
understandable (I believe that Acorn offer minimal margins to retailers)
I wonder about this strategy too.
8.4
An advantage of the RiscáPC over the Archimedes is that it will allow
users to upgrade piecemeal in the same way as PC users do now by buying
sound blaster cards, CDáROM, video cards, hard discs, monitors, etc. My
son has made me a PC from component parts this way.
8.4
In the RiscáPC, I see the possibility of buying similar mix-and-match
combinations which will allow the purchaser to buy a set of hardware
customised to their own requirements. Up to now, Acorn has deliberately
locked out this potentially lucrative market for hardware suppliers by
insisting that you canæt buy part systems. I expect that, sooner or
later, Acorn will realise that their current policy will leave only the
Éboxáshiftersæ who compete only on price and not on service. I believe
that they will relent and allow registered Enthusiasts to buy tailor-
made hardware systems from those agents (such as Norwich Computer
Services) with the necessary expertise to supply a hardware support
service. At present, only registered Enthusiasts can buy a box without a
monitor but, at least thatæs a step in the right direction.
8.4
Other letters
8.4
Some of the letters Iæve received ask me for advice or have questions
which I feel incompetent to answer.
8.4
Here is a small sample: (a) Whether to buy a proper cheap PC or a
RiscáPC (b) Whether to sell an A310 and buy a secondhand A3000 which is
going cheap (c) Whether I agree that a 5╝ö drive is an öessentialò that
is missing from the current RiscáPC specification (d) Whether I believe
that the price of the Canon BJC-600 printer will fall further in the
next few months (e) Will Interdictorá2 run on a RiscáPC? (f) Will
Chicago, NT, Windowsá95 run as well on a RiscáPC as it will on a (yet to
be upgraded) PC?
8.4
If you have any comment then please write to the appropriate column of
Archive Ö I donæt know the answers!
8.4
One of the questions that has come up in about a dozen of my letters but
in slightly different forms is: öWill the RiscáPC with upgrades manage
keep up with a Étrueæ PC which (referring to the PC) has got all the
avenues for upgrading built in?ò. My answer is that the RiscáPC is ahead
of the PC at present and, I believe, it will remain ahead.
8.4
The implication of the question is that youæve bought a RiscáPC to run
PC software (or to add PC hardware)! If you want PC hardware and
software then the best way to do that is to buy (or get your son to
make!) a PC and keep buying the hardware and software upgrades.
8.4
I believe that the Acorn machines are better in many ways. I find that
the Desktop is far more friendly than Windows; I find that the packages
I use on the Archimedes are faster than the packages I use on the PC; on
the Archimedes I can link Draw to Publisher, Fireworkz and PipeDream and
all of them use the same printer driver and fonts; I like the OLE
feature of Publisher and I expect OLE to be included in many more
packages.
8.4
Cross checks
8.4
The interest shown in this topic (see 8.2 p34), has been much greater
than I expected. It would seem that many of you are now successfully
using the custom function which I gave, namely:
8.4
...function(ösame_numberò,öfirst:numberò,
8.4
ösecond: numberò)
8.4
...result(if(abs(@firstÖ@second)/(@first+
8.4
@second)<(1eÖ16),öOKò,öErrorò))
8.4
to determine whether your spreadsheet is working correctly or whether it
has failed in some way. The only criticism I have received is a
suggestion that maybe the value of (1eÖ16) is too small. All but one of
those expressing this view do not use PipeDreamá4 or Fireworkz.
Naturally, before I suggested this value, I ran extensive checks on many
PipeDream and Fireworkz spreadsheets and, in nearly all cases, the value
of (1eÖ16) does its stuff! When it doesnæt work properly, I have found
that (1eÖ15) overcomes the problem.
8.4
Colin Singleton points out to me that this low value, (1eÖ16),
corresponds to double-precision floating point arithmetic. The
conclusion is that both PipeDreamá4 and Fireworkz do use double-
precision floating point arithmetic! Colton Software confirm that this
is the case. Colin and others who have written to me are quite right
that, if you use standard Acorn Basic (not the Basic64), the precision
is such that you need the rather larger number, (1eÖ9), instead of
(1eÖ16) in the check function.
8.4
A puzzle
8.4
Colin has also proposed a puzzle which relates to integer arithmetic and
rounding. Iæve discovered that many of you who read this column do like
numerical puzzles so here it is.
8.4
My day job is as a (currently much overworked, stressed, harassed and
recently inspected) lecturer at Swindon College where I teach almost
anything which is Mathematical! One topic I teach is Applications of
Statistics. Many tables of statistics (particularly those published by
the Central Statistics Office) include a footnote which reads
öComponents may not add up to totals because they have been rounded
independentlyò. Let me explain. Consider the sum 12.4á+á8.4á=á20.8. If
you round the components (the two 12.4 and 8.4) to get 12 and 8 and then
add them you get 20. If you round the total, 20.8, you get 21. There is
a temptation amongst those who have not been taught properly (e.g. by
me!) to cheat and change some of the rounded values so that the rounded
values do add to the total. You should never do this with a statistical
table; include the footnote Iæve quoted from the CSO publications
instead.
8.4
However, accountants do it all the time! They teach the subject of
rounding differently Ö just to confuse the students!
8.4
Colin Singleton (are you an accountant?) wants an algorithm which will
round the total correctly but will then go through the components
adjusting one (or more if necessary) so that the components do add to
the total.
8.4
The rules for this puzzle are: (a) That the component which is chosen
for adjustment must be the one most suitable. By this I mean that you
should round up a value such as 12.4 to 13 before you round up a 12.3.
Similarly, you should round down a 12.6 to 12 before you round down a
12.7. (b) The minimum number of components should be adjusted this way.
(c) You must round by less than one unit.
8.4
If you do come up with an algorithm (i.e. a solution) then please send
it to me on a disc rather than in printed form so that I can more easily
make it available to others.
8.4
New modes
8.4
Another topic which seems to be very popular with you and has lead to
much correspondence appeared in this column under the heading TaskX.
8.4
If you create sprites in one of the RiscáPC new modes and import them
into Fireworkz, you may find the area which should be occupied by the
sprite is blank! The solution is to update your TaskX module. Send me a
blank formatted disc and Iæll send you a copy of the new TaskX. Please
note that if you use this new TaskX with RISCáOSá3.1, not only will it
do nothing extra for you but it will stop Fireworkz working properly.
So, donæt fit the new TaskX unless you have RISCáOSá3.5 (or later).
8.4
Non standard modes
8.4
In my best desk-side manner, let me be nice and thank all of you who
send me discs before being nasty and telling you of something you do
which causes me problems. I guess that itæs not only me that has the
problem but also the Archive editor and many authors of columns in
Archive. Before I start, let me thank Jim Nottingham for raising my
awareness of this problem from which many Archive authors must suffer.
8.4
The utility VIDCModes, to which I referred in the Novemberá1994 Archive,
defines a new mode, mode 102, which, in characters, allows me (just
under) twice the width and twice the height of a modeá12 screen. I like
to use it with my 17ö Eizo 9070S monitor because I can get more windows
on the screen in that mode than in any other. Once upon a time, shortly
after I got my 17ò monitor, I sent my PipeLine column to Archive (on
disc) containing sprites (screenshots) I had created in mode 102. I got
a call from Paul saying that he couldnæt read my sprites. They gave an
error message which I think was something like öBad Modeò. After a
little discussion, Paul loaded the mode defining module (which is on one
of his Shareware discs) and then his Impression accepted the screenshots
which Iæd created in modeá102.
8.4
In the past, Iæve had many similar problems with contributions to
PipeLine; these problems were nearly always with files sent to me by
users of ImpressionáII. It took me quite a while before I found out why.
One day, instead of using the A540, I used the A440 machine on which I
had ImpressionáII installed (Iæve got only one dongle) and, to my
surprise, the sprite which wouldnæt load into PipeDream on the A540 did
so on the A440. What was the cause? A utility called !NewModes is
packaged with ImpressionáII which allows those with a standard non-
multisync monitor to increase the area (in pixels) used by their
desktop. It would seem that modeá66 is the most popular mode for non-
multisync use. I hadnæt got the NewModes utility loaded on the A540 and
couldnæt read the sprites. The solution was simple. Load the CC NewModes
module into the A540 machine and all the sprites from my correspondents
(remember that the sprites are hidden in a PipeDream or Fireworkz
document) could be read even though ImpressionáII wasnæt loaded.
8.4
When you upgrade to a RiscáPC
8.4
Part of the most recent letter I received from Jim Nottingham refers to
loading sprites heæs received from others. He says: öI still havenæt had
much joy with the RiscáPC as this doesnæt seem to want to recognise
Énon-standardæ modes, even if the extra (mode defining) modules are
loadedò. Does this imply that the RiscáPC canæt make use of the NewModes
or VIDCModes modules? Does this mean that all my modeá102 sprites (which
use the VIDCModes module) wonæt be accepted by my RiscáPC when I get it?
8.4
This feature of the RiscáPC (if true) is important to many of you now
since, at some time or other, you may consider buying a RiscáPC (or you
may want to send documents containing sprites to someone who has only a
RiscáPC). When you do, you will want all the old documents you created
on the earlier platform to work with your new machine.
8.4
Sending me sprites
8.4
So, there we are. When you send me (or any of the Archive authors) a
disc please make sure that they are going to be able to read your
sprites! As a general rule, you should apply the principle, öUse the
least sophisticated mode which contains all the attributes you need to
make your pointò. For example, donæt send an Archive author a 16M colour
mode sprite if a 256 (or 16) colour mode will make your point equally
effectively.
8.4
Let me be specific. If you have a RiscáPC and you send me a disc
containing a sprite, remember that I donæt have a RiscáPC and so I can
read only numbered modes such as 12, 15, 27 and 28. I canæt read 16M
colour modes. If your screenshot has been taken in some unnumbered mode
on a RiscáPC then I wonæt be able to read it (yet).
8.4
ChangeFSI
8.4
So what can you do about ensuring that authors can read your sprites?
There is no need to change the mode youære working in. By all means save
your screenshot in a 16M colour mode but then use the utility program
!ChangeFSI (supplied by Acorn and on the Archive Utilities Disc N║ 8) to
convert your sprite to one of the numbered modes which I (Paul, Jim and
others) can read more easily.
8.4
The screenshot below shows you how to set up ChangeFSI so that your
sprites will be converted into modeá12 sprites. Modeá12 is a 16 colour
mode so, if you want 256 colours then you will find it beneficial to
convert to mode 15 rather than 12. I suggest you donæt convert to mode
27 or 28 since these modes cannot be read by machines having the
RISCáOSá2 operating system.
8.4
Finally
8.4
In this issue, I had intended to include a brief note explaining the
differences in the nature of Styles in Impression and Fireworkz. That,
together with my draft for the next part of my series on future proofing
will have to wait for another day.
8.4
It must be time again to remind you that my address is that of Abacus
Training which you will find on the inside back cover of this magazine.
Writing to me via the Archive office causes delay and extra expense.
Please send me your comments, examples, questions and problems in the
form of a disc file. It makes things much easier for me if I decide to
publish them or to make your comments available to others.ááAá
8.4
Gerald and I agree that öDocument Production Columnò doesnæt really do
justice to the range of topics he is covering. öGeraldæs Columnò is a
bit unimaginative so how about a competition for the best alternative?
Iæll give a yearæs free subscription to the magazine for (what I think)
is the best title. Ed.
8.4
Pocket Book Column
8.4
Audrey Laski
8.4
Hardware matters
8.4
Ian Ford, of Stockport had to send his 3A back to Psion because of two
problems which other users may be concerned to hear about. The keyboard
had to be replaced because some of the key legends were wearing away,
and the screen had become badly scratched, apparently by the top row of
keys. Psion suggested that the keyboard had become dirty and transmitted
the dirt to the screen, and then the frequent opening and closing had
caused the scratches. His advice is to clean keyboard and screen
regularly, probably with a spectacle or lens cleaner. However, I was
somewhat shocked to see that he had had these troubles while his 3A was
still under guarantee. It seems as if either he had a rogue specimen, or
that the Psion is seriously less well finished than the Pocket Book,
since mine, uncleaned for fifteen months and heavily used, has shown no
sign of similar problems.
8.4
In relation to the question of ruggedness, he mentions that his 3A has
survived getting wet while sharing a bicycle basket with a leaking
mineral water bottle. This is reassuring, since Pocket Books are often
in danger from spillages of various sorts.
8.4
Roger Jackman, of Slough, warns of the possible risks inherent in using
rechargeable batteries, which he had hoped would be as useful in the
Pocket Book as in other devices. He notes that these batteries ösuddenly
run out of juiceò, so that the Pocket Book has to switch to the backup
battery without the useræs noticing the fact. His advice is to change
rechargeable batteries regularly, but points out that the frequency will
vary with use, so what öregularlyò implies, every user will need to
establish individually. It may be more economical in the long run to
stick to ordinary throwaway batteries. Incidentally, have other users
been troubled, like me, by a discrepancy between battery power messages?
When I had been using a set of batteries for some time, I started to get
the battery warning on switching on, but found the battery information
accessed from the desktop still saying öGoodò; I didnæt know what to
believe.
8.4
Hot keys
8.4
The query from Peter Young, of Cheltenham, in last monthæs column, about
adding hot-key shortcuts stirred much interest. Ian Ford suggests that
another useful Write shortcut would be one for case swapping. John
Woodthorpe, of Rugby, who first alerted us to the useful programs
available from 3-Lib, recommends a macro-generating program they have
for the 3A, which will presumably also work for Pocket Book 2, as a way
of Érolling your ownæ.
8.4
Printing problems
8.4
I have had some queries about discrepancies between what appears on the
screen and what is printed out. Iæd be glad of more examples so that
they can be tackled as a group, and it would be particularly useful to
know if printing is being done directly or via the A-Link to another
machine.
8.4
For those in the vanguard
8.4
The goodies available to those who have advanced to the Psion 3A or
Pocket Book 2 continue to make the rest of us greenish. John Woodthorpe
also draws attention to a Shareware application by Steve Litchfield of
3-Lib which provides a 3A road and hotel mapping system which shows
distances, main roads and motorways between given places. Picture the
Psion 3A/Pocket Book 2 user, arriving fresh as a daisy in Southampton
after an easy drive during which she has dictated part of her memoirs on
the recorder, sending a few faxes via the Psion 3Fax, relaxing with a
glass of wine, chosen with the advice of the Hugh Johnson Wine Guide,
and a crossword assisted by Spell 2 and the Thesaurus, before settling
to some serious programming with the latest version of OPL...
8.4
Endnote
8.4
It isnæt quite a flood yet, but the letters are beginning to flow again,
as the column shows. I look forward to even more in the New Year, and
wish all Pocket Book and Psion users a very happy one.ááAá
8.4
Puzzle Corner
8.4
Colin Singleton
8.4
In this column last month, I stated my policy of offering original
puzzles onlyáÖáand this month I am going to break this rule! The second
puzzle, The Hole, is a classic in the field of Recreational Mathematics,
but if you havenæt seen it before, the answer is quite surprising.
Please be honest, and do not submit an answer cribbed from elsewhere.
8.4
The two puzzles this month have one thing in common Ö there does not
seem to be enough information to answer the question. Nevertheless, they
can both be solved. They are mathematical puzzles rather than computer
exercises, but you can, perhaps, use your machine as a tool to assist
your investigation. Isnæt that what computers are for? Try experimenting
with different values of the Émissingæ variables. Good Luck!
8.4
Here are this monthæs two puzzles ...
8.4
(5) Cheat!
8.4
I have just received from the Editor of a certain magazine (not
Archive), the bundle of entries to the the puzzle I set in the magazine
a few weeks ago. There were a number of wrong answers, but 26 entrants
got it right. One lady submitted two correct entries Ö I donæt know
whether she was trying to cheat, or to altruistically increase the
chance of a female winner in a male-dominated field! She did, of course,
give herself two chances, to everyone elseæs one, of being drawn out of
the Editoræs hat.
8.4
If I really wanted to cheat at this type of competition, I could send a
couple of dozen entries in separate envelopes under false names. I could
never be sure of winning the prize, unless mine were the only correct
entries, but I would improve the chance of one of my entries being
drawn. On the debit side, if I send too many entries, the postage will
cost more than the value of the prize.
8.4
So, if I am confident of my answers, and I want to maximise the return
on my Éinvestmentæ in postage, how many entries should I send to each
puzzle?
8.4
(6) The Hole
8.4
A cylindrical hole is drilled through the centre of a steel sphere. The
remaining steel is then melted down and re-cast into a new sphere. If
the diameter of this sphere is five inches, what was the length of the
hole in the original sphere?
8.4
... and last monthæs two answers ...
8.4
(3) Tithes
8.4
Charlie won the toss 21 times (Not 20!)
8.4
If Charlie had staked equal amounts on each toss, we could deduce that
he had won exactly half the tosses. But if he stakes a fixed percentage
on each toss, the result is different.
8.4
A win multiplies his holding by 1╖1, a loss multiplies it by 0╖9.
Starting with ú100╖00, twenty wins and twenty losses (in any sequence)
would leave Charlie with only 100á╫á1╖120á╫á0╖920á«á81╖79. However, 21
wins and 19 losses leaves 100á╫á1╖121á╫á0╖919á« 99╖97; 22 wins and 18
losses leaves 100á╫á1╖122á╫ 0╖918á«á122╖18.
8.4
With each stake rounded to the nearest penny, the final amount can vary
by a few pence either side of the theoretical figure, depending on the
sequence of wins and losses. But a discrepancy of around ú20 is not
possible.
8.4
(4) Prime Post
8.4
100 can be expressed as the total of different Prime Numbers in 198
different ways.
8.4
Yes, it is as straightforward as it looks. Nothing clever, no hidden
twists. You can do it with pencil and paper, if you set about it
systematically, but it is very easy to miss a few. You could, of course,
make Archimedes do the donkey-work, but make sure you get the program
logic right. The 198 partitions are listed in the file PrimePost on this
monthæs disc.
8.4
(N.B. The number one is not prime! If it were, the prime factorisations
of composite numbers would not be unique.)
8.4
... and congratulations to the previous monthæs winners.
8.4
(1) This is 1994
8.4
Winner Ö Rev D Broster, Kilbirnie, Ayrshire
8.4
The only correct answer found was ((╖1)ù┌9ù┌9)╫┌4. Sorry, you are not
allowed e or p, or the indices -1 or 2, since these are all numbers, and
the only numbers allowed are 1 9 9 4.
8.4
(2) Conversations
8.4
Winner Ö Jonathan Ormond, Ludlow, Shropshire
8.4
Jonathan sent a detailed explanation of his solution, which was
essentially the same as the one I gave in last monthæs column. The
series 1 2 5 15 52 203 876 ... are known as Bell Numbers after the
Scottish-American mathematician Eric Temple Bell, who investigated it in
connection with a number of mathematical problems.
8.4
Comments and solutions
8.4
Please send comments, contributions and solutions to me at 41 St Quentin
Drive, Sheffield, S17 4PN. Solutions by Friday 6th January, 1995,
please.ááAá
8.4
Supreme Software
8.4
New artwork
8.4
The Civil War Ö Key Datafiles
8.4
Phyllis Brighouse
8.4
To run the datafile, you need the KeyPlus database. If you are using
KeyPlus for the first time, you are going to have to get to grips with
the package first. KeyPlus comes with a resources disc and very
comprehensive instructions in a ring bound folder, so you can take pages
out and attach them to clipboards, etc. It takes you through in simple
steps and is easy to follow.
8.4
This is an extremely powerful database program, however, with a
correspondingly steep learning curve. It is the sort of package that
should be included in staff training on öBaker Daysò to enable teachers
to use the package in class. Having said that, pupils do not need to
master the entire package and should be able to use the datafiles more
quickly.
8.4
KeyPlus is aimed at Secondary School pupils working towards Key Stage 3
and 4. As well as being able to sort and to search databases and then
output the results in spreadsheet format, KeyPlus provides a powerful
mapping system. This means that pupils can plot data onto maps if the
datafile gives the latitude and longitude of a place. Data can thus be
displayed visually as well as in the form of tables of raw data.
8.4
Schools which also have the spreadsheet program KeyCalc can transfer the
Civil War data across from KeyPlus to KeyCalc to use as spreadsheet
data.
8.4
Loading and starting up the program
8.4
KeyPlus can be loaded onto the hard disc, but you must have the key disc
in your floppy drive. If the key disc is missing, the program demands it
and will not load. This protects against unauthorised copying of
programs without preventing you copying to the hard disc; you have to
encode the key disc with the name of the person to whom the licence is
issued. Anglia can then identify illegal copies.
8.4
The Civil War datafiles and booklet
8.4
The Civil War package consists of a slim book and a disc. The disc
contains four KeyPlus files, called !Battles, !Biogs, !GarrisonI and
!Garrison0. The files !Battles and !Biogs are text files describing the
major battles of the Civil War and biographies of the major
participants. !Battles has information on the latitude and longitude of
battles as well as the date, place and outcome, so KeyPlus can paste
data onto maps. Two maps are supplied: CivilWar and GB. A Swords
drawfile is supplied as the symbol for use on the maps.
8.4
The two databases starting with the name Garrison are the actual records
of the Parliamentary garrison at Chalfield and provide an opportunity to
use a computer to manipulate primary evidence. They are the financial
records of the garrison and payments made are recorded in both modern
currency and the Éold moneyæ of pounds, shillings and pence.
8.4
A file called MoneyOld provides an Éold moneyæ to Énew moneyæ
spreadsheet file in KeyCalc/KeyCount format to help pupils convert
decimal money to pounds, shillings and pence, and assist in
understanding the old money. This file cannot be run unless one of the
two spreadsheets is available.
8.4
There is a directory of eight drawfiles Ö these are eight of the
pictures in the booklet, including Charles I, Charles II and Cromwell Ö
so pupils can illustrate any writing they do about their work on the
Civil War.
8.4
The Civil War Booklet is full of information about the Civil War, and is
a small, multimedia history book rather than an instruction manual on
running the program. Ability to manipulate the program is assumed. It
includes a timeline, and tells the story of how Charles I clashed with
Cromwell and finally lost his head. It uses quotations from primary
sources, and suggests sources of evidence available to a historian.
8.4
The booklet gives a map marking the principle battles of the Civil War
and suggests that the reader then utilises the Battles datafile and
other KeyPlus maps to obtain more detailed information. At the end of
the booklet are four pupil worksheets, detailing what is in the
datafiles and asking questions which would be answered by using them.
The !Battles text datafile can, for instance, be sorted by date,
searched for the battles and skirmishes which took place in 1642 (brief
instructions on how to do this are given); the results of such a search
can then be plotted onto a map (supplied as a computer file).
8.4
There is plenty of material for pupils to work with and all the files
are large datafiles so you get value for your money.
8.4
Conclusion
8.4
Computer packages should enable pupils to use computers across the
curriculum and carry out activities that books, diagrams and other
teaching aids cannot. Tasks carried out should meet the requirements of
the National Curriculum, and allow both the least able and the most able
pupils to demonstrate what they can do. This package does it in spades.
It has the ability to plot the results of searches of the Battles file
onto a map. After a series of searches, pupils can create maps
presenting the results of searches visually rather than as raw data
tables. They can manipulate the Garrison datafiles (IT in history using
primary evidence), and output and publish the results. The data in the
Garrison, Biographies and Battles datafiles can all be output into ASCII
files, edited and dropped into a publishing package, illustrated with
the supplied drawfiles.
8.4
Schools which also have the spreadsheet program KeyCalc can transfer the
Civil War data across to use as spreadsheet data.
8.4
The Civil War is produced by Anglia Television and works with version
3.0 of KeyPlus. Instructions for using earlier versions of KeyPlus are
found in a ReadMe file on the disc. The Civil War costs ú22 +VAT from
Anglia Television and KeyPlus v3.0 is ú60 +VAT.ááAá
8.4
Help!!!!
8.4
Å  AgendA Ö Does anyone still have an AgendA seven-button chording
keyboard from MicroWriter Systems? The company has gone bust and I canæt
contact them any more. The machines die of neglect when their Nicad
batteries run down and wonæt recharge. I can fix them but I need spares
to keep mine going. Help!á Simon Anthony, 62 Rutland Road, West
Bridgeford, Nottingham, NG2 5DG.
8.4
Å  Printer drivers Ö Does anyone have a printer driver for the Acorn
JP101 sparkjet printer, please?á Simon Anthony, Nottingham.
8.4
Å  Qume laser printers Ö Has anyone got a spare CC driver card for a
Qume Laser Direct printer, please? We have the printer but the computer
containing the driver card was stolen from our college. (What about
someone who has bought a RiscáPC and found that their Qume no longer
works? Ed.)á Simon Anthony, Nottingham.
8.4
Å  Slideshow software Ö Can anyone give me any suggestions for software
to simulate a Éslide showæ with user-controllable wipes and fades,
either to the Archimedes video output or a separate card. All comments
and reports (positive and negative) much appreciated.á Stuart Bell, 23
Ryecroft Drive, Horsham, RH12 2AW.
8.4
Å  Video to VCR Ö Can anyone give suggestions for an economical way of
sending video output to a VCR Ö either the Archimedesæ own signal or
else from a separate card Ö the highest possible quality.á Stuart Bell,
Horsham.
8.4
Help Offered
8.4
Å Scientific software Ö Some time ago, I offered to act as a collator
for any type of scientific and mathematical software. There are now two
discs of applications, which can be obtained by sending two formatted
(800Kb) blank discs, together with return postage. I should also be
pleased to receive any software for inclusion on further discs. A list
of the software appears on this monthæs program disc.á Chris Johnson, 7,
Lovedale Grove, Balerno, Edinburgh, EH14 7DR.
8.4
Å  Unit Conversion Ö On this monthæs disc is a new version of Chrisæ
unit conversion program. The old one had liquid measures in American
units, not in British (Imperial)!á Chris Johnson, Edinburgh.ááAá
8.4
PrimeSolver
8.4
Doug Weller
8.4
PrimeSolver is, to quote the manual, öa fun way of creating and solving
puzzles.ò The puzzles in question fall under the subject headings of
science and technology.
8.4
To assist in solving and designing puzzles, there are 56 gadgets,
including bricks, water, candles, eggs, nuts, generators, motors,
boilers, lasers, mirrors, wickets, etc. Some interesting characters,
Mike the Bike, Henrietta Henworthy (a hen), Biggles the Fly, and
Felicity Green the Frog are also available to help and amuse.
8.4
These are all put together to allow children (and adults!) to solve
problems and to experiment. Minerva has thought through this program
very carefully and has provided an excellent graded set of puzzles which
are the best way to get into this program. When you load PrimeSolver and
click on the icon bar, a Éstartup fileæ is loaded. This brings up two
already solved puzzles which give you a good flavour of how the program
works.
8.4
The first involves Felicity the Frog, a flag, a tennis ball, a bomb, a
curtain, a fan, electric sockets, some bricks, cog wheels, an electric
motor, pulleys, drive belts, and a rope. (I may have missed something!)
The frog jumps on a switch which starts the fan which blows the ball
(which has already fallen and switched on the motor) down a ramp into a
lift which is being raised by the motor which then knocks a bomb off a
stand which falls against a candle (knew Iæd missed something) and
lights and then falls on the curtains, explodes and destroys the
curtains only to reveal.... well, I guess you have the general idea by
now.
8.4
Also on the disc are several files of example problems. The Éstarteræ
file has sixteen puzzles (the maximum that can be stored in one file)
which offer simple examples of all the different gadgets, and the manual
offers a tutorial taking you through each puzzle. (You might want to try
them without reading the manual first, though.)
8.4
The first puzzle has, in its action window, our old friend the frog, the
framework for a swimming pool and a diving board. The gadgetbox has
tiles and water, and the objective (each puzzle has an objective) is to
fill the pool with water so that Felicity can have a dip. Another puzzle
requires you to use a radio, two lengths of cable, a generator, a drive
belt and a pipe bend, to suck a ball out of a basin using the radio.
Once completed, a Well done message is displayed which also shows how
long you spent finding the solution.
8.4
Experiment and design modes
8.4
Experiment mode allows access to an unlimited number of all the
available gadgets, either to devise your own simulations or to find
alternative solutions to existing puzzles. These canæt be saved (to
prevent overwriting existing problems accidentally).
8.4
Design mode allows users to set up their own problems including the
number of type of gadgets that can be used and an objective for the
problem. This objective (or goal) must be reached for the problem to be
solved and the Well done message to appear, e.g. a puzzle might have the
goal ÉBreak the jar without frightening the chicken.æ
8.4
Other features
8.4
PrimeSolver has too many special features to be mentioned in this
review. Some of the more important include:
8.4
Configurable button bar to control activities.
8.4
Gravity which can be adjusted from 0 to 200%.
8.4
Air pressure which can also be adjusted from normal down to 0% (which
kills animals, stops candles from lighting, etc).
8.4
Sound (of balloons bursting, etc) can be off or on.
8.4
Keyboard shortcuts for common actions.
8.4
Snapshot will save the current work area as a sprite.
8.4
Backdrops can be created in applications such as Paint and used to
provide decorative backgrounds (or indeed as stationary objects which
will interact with the simulation, allowing things to bounce off them or
even to be destroyed by explosions and thus become part of the goal).
8.4
Interactive Help via Acornæs !Help is also available to show how the
various features and gadgets work. This is very useful when first using
the program with children.
8.4
Summary
8.4
This is an ingenious and well thought out program, with an excellent
tutorial and a manual to match. It can be used with a wide range of ages
(7 to 70 plus), and is both challenging and entertaining. It is truly a
unique program Ö which may actually be a slight disadvantage. Those who
have not seen it may be put off by its price, which would be a shame. At
the time of writing, it is being offered by Minerva at a special price:
Single User: ú39.95 inc VAT, Primary Site Licence: ú118 +VAT, Secondary
Site Licence: ú252 +VAT. (The single user version is available through
Archive at ú39.)ááAá
8.4
Text Import Ö Part 2
8.4
Jim Nottingham
8.4
In Part 1 (Archive 8.3 p63), we considered how the various characters
that we see on screen and paper are designated and also looked at the
range of methods we can use to enter characters into the computer. In
this part, we turn to the actual business of importing text from
Éforeignæ sources and specifically how we can filter out the unwanted
control characters. Some of the word-processor (WP) and DTP applications
for Acorn machines have built-in routines and facilities to allow this
to be done in part but, as we all have access to Edit, we will use this
powerful text editor Ö in particular its invaluable Find and Replace
function Ö as the primary tool.
8.4
At the outset, let me stress that there will always be two or more
methods of achieving the same result in Edit and I can only cover a
small fraction of the entire repertoire in this article. So my intention
is to deal with a limited number of situations we might meet in practice
and suggest solutions, considering not only the Éhowæ but also the
Éwhyæ, in some detail. My aim is to give you sufficient familiarity with
the workings of Edit so that, when you meet a situation we have not
discussed, you will quickly be able to deduce a working solution from
the basic principles.
8.4
For convention throughout the article, anything I ask you to type in at
the keyboard will be enclosed in <> brackets, so <Text><return> would
mean type in the word öTextò and then press the return key. Similarly,
<Alt-169> would mean hold down the Alt key, type in the numerals 169 (on
the numeric keypad) and then release the Alt key.
8.4
Preparation
8.4
For the sake of this exercise, I will assume that you have either
received the Éforeignæ text on floppy disc or already imported it into
your computer via a serial link or through a modem. At the end of the
day, you will want to have the text converted to Acorn-speak and
displayed by your WP or DTP application. So, for starters, load Edit and
the WP/DTP package onto the iconbar.
8.4
My first and most important bit of advice is that you should make at
least one back-up copy of what you receive. Having learnt the hard way,
I always make two copies on different storage media as a matter of
course, one as a working copy and Ö most importantly Ö one I can still
get at should the original be corrupted. (I still come out in a sweat
when I remember the floppy that arrived from Saudi Arabia, two weeks
late, with a cracked case and a mangled metal slider Ö arrghh!)
8.4
When you have the text file copied onto your hard disc or whatever, you
may well find the icon above the filename will represent a PC. This is
because the filetype has been set to the PC disc operating system Ö DOS.
Some applications (e.g. Impression Publisher) will not accept such files
so, initially, it is necessary to convert their filetype to Text. I
always convert the files as a matter of course because I prefer to see
Acorn-style icons on the desktop!
8.4
To do this, click <menu> over the file icon and follow through the
FilerÖFileÖSet type sub-menus. Delete öDOSò in the dialogue box and type
in <Text><return>.
8.4
The file icon will change to the more familiar Text style and double-
clicking on it will load the file into Edit as normal. If you will be
processing multiple files, you can change their filetype at one go by
selecting them all and, this time, stepping through the
FilerÖSelectionÖSet type sub-menus.
8.4
Importing ASCII text
8.4
The most common and straightforward situation is when you need to import
some text which has been sent in the standard, ASCII format, so letæs
have a look at a practical example of that. On the monthly disc is the
file Example1 which we can use so, for the moment, drop the file icon
onto whichever WP or DTP package you have loaded on the iconbar.
8.4
Donæt worry if you donæt have the monthly disc, here is a truncated
section of what the file should look like in your WP/DTP package window
(with acknowledgements to Richard Torrens):
8.4
These days, a fax facility is almost a
8.4
necessity for running a business. When
8.4
people asked for our fax number, they
8.4
were most put out to find that we didnæt
8.4
have one Ö so we invested in David
8.4
Pillingæs ArcFax and bought ourselves
8.4
a fax modem.
8.4
What is a computer fax?
8.4
The Acorn computer prints by sending to
8.4
the printer a graphic image of the page
8.4
which is made up as a series of dots.
8.4
Normally, an electronic representation
8.4
of those dots is sent up the cable to the
8.4
printer. The fax modem can be thought of
8.4
as a Éprinteræ which turns these dots
8.4
into sounds which can be sent down the
8.4
telephone line to a remote receiver.
8.4
The main characteristic to note from this example is that the text does
not fill the column width. This is because Éhardæ linefeeds have become
embedded (invisibly) in the Éforeignæ text and have been imported with
it. It is possible to re-format the text manually, line by line, but
thatæs even less exciting than watching Corel Draw re-draw on a PC
screen(!), so we need a better method.
8.4
Find and replace
8.4
Letæs see how we can use Edit to help us. Close and discard the WP/DTP
document and load the Example1 file into Edit. For reasons which will be
discussed later, it is advisable to set the Edit display to something
other than the System font (for clarity, I prefer Homerton). To do this,
click Menu in the Edit window and follow through the DisplayÖFont sub-
menus.
8.4
Initially, the caret will already be in the top left-hand corner but, as
in later activities it can and will be elsewhere in the file, so get
used to pressing the <home> key to re-set it. Finally, press <f4> which
will open up Editæs Find text box.
8.4
In normal usage, this allows us to replace one string of text with
another desired string, either singly or globally, for instance
replacing öArchiversò with öArchive readersò throughout a document. This
is a very powerful and flexible function and will handle not only text
strings, but also individual or groups of odd characters including those
from the top-bit set and even, as we shall see, control characters. I
believe the only limitation is that, when using window-based character-
select utilities such as !Chars, we cannot enter characters into the
Edit Find/Replace dialogue boxes by clicking <select>, so we must either
press <shift> (as described in Edæs note in Part 1) or fall back on the
keyboard entry methods. For this reason, you may find it handy to have
available the table included in Archive 8.3 p64 (reading specs from Ed.
please, not me...).
8.4
Embedded linefeeds
8.4
To deal with the unwanted linefeeds in Example1, we can strip them out
by entering the appropriate character in the Find: dialogue box and
globally replacing it with something else. But what is the linefeed
character? If we hunt through the table, we will find that a linefeed
(LF) is the control character which has the ASCII decimal number 10.
Unfortunately, a quirk of Edit is that we canæt use the (Alt-xxx) system
to enter the control characters in the ASCII range 00-31 into the Find:
box (try it Ö you will get the superscript ö╣ò instead). So we are
forced to use an alternative method, in this case by entering the
equivalent hexadecimal number (&0a).
8.4
Magic characters
8.4
To enable this to work, we must first click on the öMagic charactersò
radio button in the Find text box which extends the window to display
various options. (Users of RISC OS 2 will already see these options in
the Find text window, but you will need to click on Magic characters
anyway.)
8.4
As shown by öhex charò, we could enter the linefeed character by typing
<\x> followed by the appropriate 2-digit hex number (excluding the É&æ).
So, in this case, typing <\x0a> would do the trick. However, this is not
exactly friendly so, again as shown, Edit allows us to type in <\n>
instead, which represents a linefeed or what it calls a önewlineò
character.
8.4
So, having typed <\n> in the Find: box and pressed <return>, what do we
replace it with? The answer is either a space Ö or nothing at all! Our
problem is that this decision depends on where the text originally came
from (i.e. the Éforeignæ application used) so, initially, I always play
safe by pressing the Space bar before pressing <return> (more on that
anon).
8.4
This will bring up the Text found window, indicating that Edit has found
the first instance of the linefeed character.
8.4
Normally, the first find would be marked in inverse text in the Edit
window but, because these linefeed characters are Éinvisibleæ, it cannot
do that; however, the caret has moved to the correct position of the
linefeed, i.e. the end of the first line of text.
8.4
Next, click öEnd of file replaceò which will bring up 38 finds Ö the
number of lines of text and paragraph breaks in the file. Now, before
doing anything else, look at the result in the Edit window. You will see
that the text is now ranged across the full width of the window,
confirming that the unwanted linefeeds have been stripped out
successfully.
8.4
Paragraph breaks
8.4
Unfortunately, the double-spaces between the paragraphs, and either side
of the heading, have also been stripped out! As Harry Enfield would say,
we didnæt want to do that... The straightforward reason for the hiccup
is that, when you think about it, double-spacing is simply two linefeeds
back-to-back (in the same way that we would normally press <return>
twice to get double-spacing in a document). In these cases, Edit has
simply found pairs of linefeeds, back-to-back, and obediently replaced
them with two spaces.
8.4
Before we correct the error, look again at the text in the Edit window,
specifically where the linefeeds used to be. You will see that Ö
appropriately in this case Ö there is a single space, indicating that we
were correct to have replaced the linefeeds with a space. If we hadnæt,
the words at the end of each line and the start of the next would have
been joined together which would be a pain to untangle. Had there been
double spaces (i.e. an unwanted space had been added in each case), this
would have indicated that we should have replaced the linefeeds with
nothing.
8.4
Back to the problem of how to retain paragraph spacing. In this case
weæve messed it up, so we can either go back one step by clicking on
öUndoò in the Text found box and then clicking on öStopò or,
alternatively, discard the Edit file altogether and start again.
8.4
What we need to do is devise a method of getting Edit to recognise and
strip out single linefeeds while ignoring double linefeeds. We can
achieve this by running through the following procedure:
8.4
a)  Temporarily replace each double linefeed (\n\n) with something
completely different (a Édummyæ).
8.4
b)  Strip out the single linefeeds as above (the Édummiesæ representing
the double linefeeds will be disregarded).
8.4
c)  Replace/restore the Édummiesæ with double linefeeds (or single
linefeeds, if you prefer).
8.4
What we use as the temporary dummy is not important except that it must
be uniquely different; that is, when we come to replace it with a double
linefeed, there must be no possibility of inadvertently replacing a
matching string in the wanted text. Iæve seen people using a variety of
dummy strings; öZCZCò, ö%$%ò and the like. For this exercise, we will
use ö%%ò.
8.4
Working procedure
8.4
So the suggested, full procedure for importing ASCII text with embedded
linefeeds is as follows:
8.4
a)  Press <home> followed by <f4>
8.4
  öFind:ò Type in <\n\n><return>
8.4
  öReplace with:ò Type in <%%><return>
8.4
  Click on öEnd of file replaceò (5 finds)
8.4
  Click on öStopò (or press <return>)
8.4
(Note: The five paragraph spaces Ö double linefeeds Ö have now been
replaced with the ö%%ò dummy string).
8.4
b)  Press <home> followed by <f4>
8.4
  öFind:ò Type in <\n><return>
8.4
  öReplace with:ò Press <space><return>
8.4
  Click on öEnd of file replaceò (28 finds)
8.4
  Click on öStopò (or press <return>)
8.4
(Note: The 28 remaining single linefeeds have now been replaced with
spaces.)
8.4
c)  Press <home> followed by <f4>
8.4
  öFind:ò <%%><return>
8.4
  öReplace with:ò <\n\n><return>
8.4
  Click on öEnd of file replaceò (5 finds)
8.4
  Click on öStopò (or press <return>)
8.4
(Note: The five instances of ö%%ò have been deleted and double linefeeds
restored.)
8.4
If all has gone well, the text in the Edit window will now be ranged
across its full width but the original paragraph and heading spacings
will have been retained. As proof of the pudding, open an Edit save box,
drag it to the WP/DTP icon and marvel at your undoubted skill in
converting the Éforeignæ text into fully-formatted Acorn-speak.
8.4
Familiarity and (semi-)automation
8.4
For what seems such a straightforward problem, this might appear to be a
very heavy-handed procedure. However, familiarity with it comes very
quickly and what we have done here for a fairly trivial sample applies
equally well for the majority of ASCII-text import problems that I have
met. Helping Edit to massage a 30-page Éforeignæ document into perfectly
formatted text in a couple of minutes can be extremely satisfying.
8.4
Indeed, because it is a relatively standard procedure, it can be semi-
automated by the use of an appropriate module built into applications
such as the Impression family or by using a utility such as the
wonderful Keystroke. I prefer to use the latter because we can
capitalise on its inherent flexibility to get round the inevitable
variations in foreign-text format which, on occasions, seem to upset the
built-in routines. For example, the ASCII-text output option from my
Magic Note (Archive 8.1 p31) is slightly odd-ball but, by pressing <Alt-
L>, Keystroke converts it to Acorn-speak at the rate of around 2ásecs/
page. Thereæs productivity for you.
8.4
Next month...
8.4
With Archive space at a premium this month, this is a convenient point
to break off for the moment. In the final part, planned for next month,
we will look at a more complex series of problems which are typical of
those we might meet in text imported directly from common Éforeignæ
word-processors such as Word, Word-Perfect, Wordstar and the like. With
our knowledge and experience to date, we shall have no difficulty using
Edit to convert the text to pure Acorn-speak, honest...
8.4
For further practice, Iæm putting together a disc of example files
imported from as many foreign sources as I can get my hands on,
including the examples used in this series of articles. It should be
ready by the time this appears in print so, if you would like a copy,
please send me a formatted disc, address label and return postage. Jim
Nottingham, 16 Westfield Close, Pocklington, York, YO4 2EY.ááAá
8.4
Comment Column
8.4
Å  Apple are at it again! Ö After having been told off by the
Advertising Standards Authority, Apple have changed their Power Mac
adverts. However, they are now saying öwe can offer Power Macintosh
systems for as little as ú1299...ò (my italics). Next to the price is an
asterisk and this is covered in a minute piece of small print at the
bottom the page saying that these so-called ösystemsò do not include
keyboard or monitor! The above sentence continues ö...complete with a
160Mb hard drive, 8Mb of RAM, 16-bit video support up to a 17ö monitor,
sound, and built-in Ethernet networking and file sharing.ò Which of the
above is included in the ú1299 price and which not? Good question!á Ed.
8.4
Stan Hasleton of Abbots Langley wrote to say that, last time we
mentioned dubious claims from Apple, he complained to the ASA and was
singularly unimpressed by the time taken by them to stop the offending
material. I quote from his letter, öMy case here is not the time taken
for the ASA to deliberate on the complaint, rather the unexplained delay
in promulgating the results to the public having arrived at their
decision, bearing in mind that the ASA acknowledge that the offending
material was still being circulated by Apple and therefore the damage to
Acorn was not being limited.ò The point was that he received a letter
dated 22nd July saying that the complaint had been upheld and enclosing
a copy of the Complaint Final Report. However, he was asked to ötreat
the matter as confidentialò because the report was not going to be
published until 7th September!
8.4
Å ARM7500 Ö The news of the ARM7500 device (Archive 8.3, p.17) seems to
me to be the most important Acorn-related development since the ARM600
and the Risc PC. Though nominally developed for Éset-top boxesæ, since
its relationship to the ARM700 CPU is apparently like that of the ARM250
to the ARM2 CPU, but with the extra benefit of retaining a 4K cache, it
doesnæt take a genius to envisage applications for the ARM7500 in the
Acorn computer range: a Ésingle-boxæ Risc PC; a portable Risc PC; a
cheaper Risc PC; a cheaper, portable, single-box Risc PC? What
potential! ù and what a clear demonstration of the power and flexibility
of the ARM Ébuilding-blockæ approach! Stuart Bell, Horsham.
8.4
Å Beware of the ÉExpertæ! Ö The Problem Ö My old A410/1 was equipped
with a Morley cached SCSI podule, so I thought that transferring my data
to the new Risc PC would be very simple indeed. However, when I plugged
the card into new machine, not only did it not work, but the computer
even refused to acknowledge the very existence of the card. Disaster!
8.4
The ösolutionò Ö The local dealer who had sold the Risc PC to me said
that he would consult another dealer who was considered an expert on
SCSI matters. The information he received was this: My card was so old
that a group of chips on it could not work with the new machine. If I
sent the card to the expert, he would Ö for a modest fee Ö solder some
replacement chips onto the card.
8.4
The solution! Ö Morley had always rendered such excellent service that I
thought I had better send the card straight to them. I phoned Gary
Partis to ask for the price of the upgrade.
8.4
He had no idea what I was talking about. Those chips I had mentioned
have been the same ever since the first card, so the only thing needed
to make mine work was the software upgrade to version 1.17, which I had
installed anyway!
8.4
Gary told me a number of things I might try ... and (he hardly dared
mention it) had I made sure that the backplane was pushed all the way
down? I had not, of course! Actually, I had hardly looked at it,
blithely assuming that it was screwed to the motherboard just as in my
old machine.
8.4
A slight pressure on the top caused it to descend another three
millimetres or so, and suddenly everything worked perfectly. Bliss!
8.4
The moral Ö If you do find someone (like Morley or NCS) you can trust,
be happy, be thankful Ö and be faithful!
8.4
The postscript Ö In the course of our conversation, Gary also told me
that Acorn have fitted the Risc PC with an electromagnetic shield in the
shape of a metal film sprayed into the interior. Some parts of the case
are very close beneath two of the podule slots, and there have been a
few extremely nasty short circuits as a consequence. To avoid all risk
(or is it risc?) of damage, he advises the use of a few strips of
insulating tape.á Jochen Konietzko, K÷ln, Germany.
8.4
Å  C Books (8.1 p38) Ö Much has already been said on this but I am using
öProgramming in ANSI standard Cò by Gordon Horsington (Sigma Press ISBN
1-85058-257-2). It is a good book with the Acorn machines in mind. Nice
for beginners.á Jan Maagdenberg, Hekendorp, Netherlands.
8.4
Å  DTP Column (8.3 p54) Ö Congratulations to Mark Howe for taking up the
challenge of producing this column. Mark has his views of Impression,
related to his requirements. The Editor has disagreed with him on one or
two points, based on his needs, and I can disagree with both of them on
certain points! It is to CCæs credit that Impression is sufficiently
versatile for all of us to swear by it.
8.4
I will half agree with Markæs comments about the toolbar. I donæt use
the top line Ö in fact, I would need to consult the manual to remind
myself what most of the icons meant! I do use the second line Ö the
Style, Effects and Rulers features. There are three different ways of
implementing most features, and I use them all, as convenient, although
I now tend not to use the <menu> key on the mouse. Itæs a matter of
personal choice, and I complement CC on providing multi-method options
so that we may choose Ö unlike certain rival packages on certain rival
machines. It must be said, though, that the Publisher toolbar does bear
more than a passing resemblance to that in Word for Windows.
8.4
I must disagree with Markæs comments about <ctrl-B> and <ctrl-I> for
bold and italic. These provide the bold and italic versions of whatever
font you are using (provided it exists, and is suitably named) Ö the old
<f3> and <f4> provided Trinity.bold and Trinity.medium.italic (or
whatever font was set in the Style Definition) irrespective of which
regular font you had been using. I prefer the new implementation Ö it is
more logical and more versatile. I wondered if it would be possible to
change the name of a font in the Font Directory, to force <ctrl-B> to
find it. I tried it and it seems to work. (Thatæs fine if you only ever
print out on one system but if you transfer your material elsewhere for
printing, the aliased fonts will cause great confusion! Ed.)
8.4
Despite Markæs dislike of the new Style Definition dialogue boxes, I
like them! There are so many more features in Publisher that a single
box would be very long and would require extensive scrolling. The four-
box method is much neater Ö no scrolling Ö though I do need to know
which box to ask for. In fact, I do not need to edit styles very often.
(Now that may be the difference between you and Mark. He needs to be
able to change styles quickly and often which is, I think, why the new
layout doesnæt suit his particular needs. Ed.)
8.4
I do sometimes need to change the ruler, but I can do this without going
through the Edit Style function. Prompted by the comments in the last
issue of Archive, I am now finding out how. If I simply change the tabs
while I am typing, the modified ruler is used from there on. It is
created as a numbered effect. If I select a section of text (possibly
all of it), and adjust the tabs, this too creates a new numbered effect
and applies it to the selected text. If you save text with styles, and
then view the result using Edit, you will see the definitions of the
numbered effects, and where in the text they are switched on and off. I
am glad I have sorted this out, as it will make life a bit easier.
Thanks for the nudge!
8.4
I agree with Markæs dislike of the old underline and I, too, have set my
own parameters. I have also set parameters for superscript and
subscript. With my definition, a superscript 1 (╣) now produces the same
effect as <alt-185> (╣), which was not quite true with the default
superscript parameters.
8.4
Another feature I hadnæt discovered (or had forgotten) is zooming with
the mouse. I like the zoom rectangle feature, although you cannot easily
get back to the original zoom factor. Thanks, Mark.á Colin Singleton,
Sheffield.
8.4
Å Ecology and the Risc PC Ö In December æ94, the leading German PC
magazine (Magazin fⁿr Computertechnik) published a fascinating article
by Andreas Grote about the ecological side of computers.
8.4
The author compiled data from an American study and from various other
sources. The result is a rough estimate of the real costs behind one of
those marvellously cheap PCs. I quote some of the findings here with
kind permission from Heise Verlag, Hannover.
8.4
The article looks at the production of an average PC with keyboard,
mouse, floppy drive, hard disc and CD-ROM drive. (There is no mention of
a monitor, so I am not sure if itæs included.)
8.4
The key figures emerging from this article, listing all the waste
products and all the necessary resources, from mining the raw materials
to putting the finished product into its box, are:
8.4
Öá5335 kWh of electric energy are used,
8.4
Öá33,000 litres of water are polluted (the water is used mainly for
cleaning),
8.4
Öá56,000,000 m3 of air are polluted (this is the volume needed so that
the pollution does not exceed the legal limit),
8.4
Öá320 kg of waste materials are produced,
8.4
Öá20 kg of this is poisonous waste,
8.4
Öámore than 3,000 kg of CO2 are blown into the atmosphere (greenhouse
effect!).
8.4
The author lists some comparisons:
8.4
ÖáOne average Indian uses 2450 kWh per year,
8.4
Öáone inhabitant of Madagascar uses 5.6 litres of water per day or
33,000 litres in 16 years,
8.4
Öáone Indian produces about 2,000 kg CO2 per year,
8.4
Öáeven one German produces only about 12,000 kg of CO2 per year with his
car, his central heating, his electrical appliances, ...
8.4
Öáthe average German produces 320 kg of öhome garbageò (wrappings, tins,
...) per year.
8.4
The poisonous waste includes dioxins, mercury, thallium, lead,
strontium, barium, etc.
8.4
The energy needed for the production makes the values during the time
that the computer is used appear quite irrelevant; the author quotes
typical values for home use of about 50 to 85kWh per year, and for
business use (40h working week) of about 500 to 800kWh per year; a
öGreen PCò can theoretically reduce this by 50 to 70%.
8.4
One final point the author makes is cost: In Germany, a typical 486
computer with monitor costs ú600 to ú800 inc. VAT. The environmental
cost for energy, cleaning up water and air, waste disposal and recycling
raises this to well over ú2,000 Ö the difference being paid by öthe
communityò.
8.4
This brings me back to the title of this article: If what I have read so
far about the Risc PC holds true for the near future, it will be
possible to keep one of those machines for quite a number of years, just
replacing parts like the CPU when needed; and it may even be possible to
upgrade oneæs SIMMs with second hand ones (I think Paul made such an
offer) once they become available.
8.4
I wonder what will become of those CPUs one sends back for the upgrade;
will even they be used again?
8.4
Seen in this light, the Risc PC is really the ultimate Green Machine,
and not just (as has been mentioned repeatedly) because it uses less
energy when working than aáPentium Green PC uses while idle!á Jochen
Konietzko, K÷ln, Germany.
8.4
Å  Graphic Loaders with Impression (8.1 p73) Ö I am still using
Impression 2.19 and have no problems loading JPEG files, but I donæt use
the CC Loaders. Imagebank from Irlam is a splendid solution Ö just drag
the file from the Imagebank filer into the Impression frame. And the
Imagebank application is cheaper and much more versatile. (ú28 through
Archive, cf ú43. Ed.)á Jan Maagdenberg, Hekendorp, Netherlands.
8.4
Å Keystroke Ö Phew! At least Iæm not the only one to find the manual for
the excellent !Keystroke quite impenetrable (Archive 8.3, p.13). I
really was worried that senility was creeping up fast when I found it
incredibly difficult to create even the simplest Keystroke utility. I
look forward to a Keystroke Column; how about a demonstration of the
öKeystroke-ingò of the common text editing sequence a) replace all
double <CR>s by, say, ZXZ, b) replace all <CR>s by <SP>, c) replace all
double <SP>s by single a <SP>, d) replace all ZXZs by <CR>? Stuart Bell,
Horsham.
8.4
Å  Lazy calendar? Ö (8.3 pp27/45) My comment on Cain Huntæs rather lazy
calendar program (p27) has Écrossed in the postæ with his article (p45),
of which I would make the same comment. The Day of the Week (0=Sunday
... 6=Saturday) for any DayÖMonthÖYear is given by:
8.4
DEFFNWeekDay(D%,M%,Y%)=(D%+((M%+9)MOD12*
8.4
153+2)DIV5+(Y%+(M%<3))*1461DIV4Ö((Y%
8.4
+(M%<3))DIV100+1)*3DIV4+2)MOD7
8.4
If the user enters the first date he wants on the Diary sheets, the
program can calculate the Day of the Week of that date, and step back to
the previous Sunday.á Colin Singleton, Sheffield.
8.4
Å  Marketing the Acorn? Ö As an American living in the UK (as the
European Sales and Marketing Director for a very large US-based IBM
compatible company) you may be surprised to learn that I use an Acorn
Risc PC at home. My love affair with the Acorn, this is my fourth,
started with my daughteræs school Ö they had some A3000æs Ö I was
amazed! I have to say that the Risc PC is Acornæs best ever machine and
is better than comparably priced Pentiums and PowerMacs!!
8.4
However, one aspect has always concerned me Ö the supply of, or rather
the apparent shortfall in market penetration. My offices are just off
Tottenham Court Road Ö the so-called heart of English retail IT. I can
purchase Amigas (who?), Ataris (what?), Macs and PCæs but not Acorn. I
regularly asked myself and these stores why?
8.4
I read the Acorn magazines and have talked to people and I believe that
Acorn has retreated (for far too long) into its own comfort zone Ö
education! Thatæs fine Ö in fact, hats off to you guys in Histon Ö Swell
Job... but limited! Now I know itæs the game these days to knock Acorn
but whilst I can see the frustration of Acorn fans, I just want to stick
my fingers in the wind and run with it!
8.4
Firstly, Clan Acorn æ94 Ö Well done Acorn! About time too. Your best
resource (thatæs free) is your fans. Donæt just patronize them with
competitions and late beta releases (good though that is) Ö get them
involved! If Acorn receives an enquiry from a potential enthusiast refer
that enquiry to a registered enthusiast Ö then reward the enthusiast
with points! If the enquirer then orders, award more points because we
know what points make, donæt we? Acorn needs to supply these enthusiasts
with lots of POS (literature) etc, but overall this is cheap but quality
marketing! Remember, talking to somebody who has put his hand in his
pocket and purchased, often means more than a salesperson with a sales
story! So that is one idea to widen the user base!
8.4
Secondly, how about a Clan for professionals? The same scenario applies
here but with greater impact. If the registered professional is making
money then he is going to relate better than a salesman does (who makes
money even if he sells zip!). As with the enthusiasts, award them points
in a similar two stage way. So thereæs another idea to widen and deepen
the user base!
8.4
Thirdly, the difficult one. Acorn has to bite a couple of bullets! It
has to ensure its dealers have the right image and train its staff to
professionally promote its products. Then it has to encourage dealers
(and reward them) to go out and search for new markets (new to them and
Acorn). Finally, Acorn has to demonstrate that it is committed to its
current and potential users. How can it do that? It needs to use adverts
and better POS, TV (perhaps), etc, but only after the user base shows
signs of widening and deepening. It needs to get some of the more
esoteric hardware/software onto the Acorn platform Ö I am thinking
particularly about drum scanners and imagesetters (RIPæs). I do not
expect Acorn to reinvent the wheel and start from scratch but to get out
there and pay these companies to port their hardware and software over.
It will not be easy or cheap but the positive message it would impart
would ring loud and clear that Acorn is serious and in for the long
term!
8.4
I like Acorn and Iæm amazed at the unfulfilled potential. Still, letæs
put all this into perspective Ö my company spends some $78m on European
R&D and $48m on UK marketing per annum. Acorn has an annual turnover of
$108m (everything)! If Acorn uses its own fans and lays out some
seedcorn then 1995/6 could be the time when Acorn becomes an oAkcorn!á
Anon (for obvious reasons!)
8.4
Å  Slide scanning service Ö In a photography magazine, I saw an
advertisement for a slide scanning service. I sent off a number of
slides to see how good this was and I am very pleased with the resulting
JPEG files. Iæve given Paul three of them to put on the Archive magazine
disc as and when space allows. (No room this month, Iæm afraid, but I
can say that they looked very good on the RiscáPC. Ed.)
8.4
The company offering this service is Bluebell Software, 42 Honeysuckle
Way, Witham, Essex, CM8 2XQ. Tel/Fax: [phone].
8.4
They offer a range of qualities of scan up to very high resolution
suitable for professional publication. I had them do ÉStandardæ scans on
twelve slides and this cost ú2 each. The cost goes down to ú1.15 per
slide for 100+. The costs include discs and postage. The company will
supply anyone interested in the service with a demonstration disc
including JPEG files and PC software.
8.4
I am very pleased with the results and would recommend any Archive
reader with an interest in photography to try having some of their 35mm
slides digitised.á Alan Angus, Blyth.
8.4
Å  Squirrel 2 (1) Ö I have been a user of Squirrel for a few years now.
Earlier version were so buggy as to be unusable for serious
applications. When version 2 came on the scene, I tried it only to find
that there were still a number of peculiar bugs. Now that I have reached
version 2.08, the bug level is acceptably low. I like the program very
much and have always found the support staff very helpful and
courteous.á Bernard Veasey, Bognor Regis.
8.4
Å  Squirrel 2 (2) Ö I use Squirrel 2 in an office environment for
records of schools and individual teachers using our museum (yes we are
registered under the Data Protection Act!). I went over to Squirrel 2
from Minervaæs Delta Base. My staff all use the Squirrel 2 files but
they are not interested in the finer points of the program Ö they just
want the information to be easy to access.
8.4
The non-standard key combinations of Squirrel 2 are a problem. It takes
quite a while to understand the different combinations and how they
change depending on which task the program is doing. I find the
confirmation box for each key-press annoying as it means using both the
keys and the mouse to accomplish, for example, writing one record.
8.4
The learning curve for the basic data entry and search parts of the
program was quite easy but getting to grips with the report set-up has
proved to be much harder. I am quite fussy about how reports look and I
often find that I am spending hours fiddling with the annoying habits of
Squirrel 2 in its report design mode to get data positioned properly on
the page. There is much trial and error involved and this takes a lot of
time Ö I long for the ability to set up a report page quickly and know
exactly where things will end up without having to go through the
preview option and often a trial printout too.
8.4
There are one or two problems that I have not yet been able to solve Ö
there may be a way round them but a good program should have led me to
the solution via a menu or the manual by now. Boolean fields in reports
cannot have a font assigned to them Ö the only choice seems to be rather
ugly sprite for the ticks and crosses. I have never found an easy way to
remove extra space at the end of each record in a report Ö it is too
easy to create this while moving fields around, and I often resort to
starting again rather than fiddling about for ages. I often seem to lose
the font definitions for some fields in reports and the printout appears
in the system font. The same seems to happen when a file is loaded Ö the
font definitions, that looked OK before, have mysteriously vanished.
8.4
However, there are some aspects of the program that I like a lot. The
search functions work very well and I like the way that the field
containing the cursor can be searched in order. Data entry is simple and
it is easy to alter the design of the record without losing data. Once I
had persuaded Delta Base to output files in the correct format, Squirrel
2 imported them easily. The ability to design a report and then get an
output file automatically is a real advantage Ö it means that I can set
up a report for, say, an address database and then a colleague can
create a CSV or Text file for easy merging into Impression by simply
running one Squirrel query file. The mail-merge links with Impression
are also useful (they operate via a separate CSV file) and it is now
quite easy to set up a mail shot and get good results quickly.
8.4
One problem I had was to insert a text field at the end of each address
record in a Squirrel report to include the Impression command ö
8.4
ò to produce a sheet of address labels Ö the report output file kept
losing the last bracket of the field. Digital Services were excellent
and gave helpful telephone advice until the problem was solved by
dragging the field size in the report set-up to much larger than the
text field. Other problems have also been dealt with efficiently and
with good humour by them.
8.4
So overall what do I think of Squirrel 2? It is good, but not quite up
to professional standards and the report set-up is not easy for a non-
experienced user. Perhaps I am asking for too much but isnæt it possible
to combine the power of a full-facility database with the ease of use
that enables a Énormalæ user to access all its facilities and increase
their productivity without having to spend excessive time getting up a
too-steep learning curve?á Peter Clarke, Warwickshire Museum.
8.4
Å  Squirrel 2 (3) Ö ÇAs a regular and enthusiastic user of Squirrel, I
am sorry that I have not been quicker in leaping to its defence and to
the defence of Digital Services in response to the criticism they have
received in your columns. I teach GCSE and A-Level Computing at Forest
School, a large independent school with over 1200 pupils in North-East
London. Each year we have over 100 GCSE candidates in Computer Studies
and about a dozen A-level candidates, the majority of whom use Squirrel
as the major software tool for their project work. Additionally, I have
the task of managing all the schoolæs internal data with the exception
of Billing and Accounts. This data (around 100 Squirrel tables) is held
on a central server from which it is accessed from terminals throughout
the campus, including the three main administrative offices who have the
database in constant use throughout the school day.
8.4
SΘan Kelly, claims that Squirrel Éis unsuitable for a more demanding
environmentæ. One of the greatest requirements of a Database Management
System is that it should be responsive to change. In a school like ours
the user requirements are constantly evolving. Almost every day,
somebody wants a new report designing, a new field added to a record, a
completely new view of the database. Not only are new views, queries and
reports easy and quick to design but a complete table with hundreds of
existing records can be modified in a few minutes with no need to export
or import any of the existing data. I would maintain that our school is
a most demanding environment. Our Squirrel Server runs night and day 365
days a year and I simply cannot remember the last time it crashed.
8.4
I have been using Squirrel ever since it first appeared on the market
over three years ago and from the first it has been the strength of its
performance across the network which has attracted me to it. I am often
told how deficient our Econet networks are compared to the best
available today, so it is a constant delight how rapidly Squirrel can
retrieve data across it. As an example, the Pupil table which is at the
heart of my database has 1235 records with 38 fields including two
variable length text fields. Sitting at my desk here on the opposite
side of the school from the server I have just executed a query
requesting all the pupils in the school with brothers or sisters in the
school. It took Squirrel just over four seconds to locate 436 records
and sort them into surname order. Now that the query has executed, I can
move backwards and forwards between records with no appreciable delay
between clicking on the icon and the record appearing.
8.4
Of course, every system has Éthe odd peculiarityæ but if we were not
prepared to overlook the odd peculiarity in our friends then we would
have precious few of them! In any case, I can find no trace of the bugs
he mentions in version 2.08. It takes time to learn to get the best out
of Squirrel but I defy anyone to find a complex software package where
this is not the case. In a multi-user system like ours, a great deal can
be done to ease the path for the inexperienced user. Over the years, we
have built up a very large library of queries and reports which can be
accessed from a menu. Squirrel 2 was a great step forward in this area.
Setting up a view involving two or more tables is too complex for most
users but, in Squirrel 2, it is possible to hide the relational join
inside a Query filter and still allow the casual user to type search
values into the fields as if it were a simple query on a single table.
8.4
One feature which has proved very useful to us is the ability to use
system variables as query selection criteria. I must admit that I
pestered Ian Bastable at Digital Services long and hard to provide this
facility and he responded too late to document it in the new manual.
Information about it is therefore in the Errata provided with the
package. The power of this is that it allows a channel of communication
between user-written programs and Squirrel, and consequently increases
enormously the customisation potential of the system. As an adjunct to
our own system, I have written a utility called !SqlFront which can be
used to provide a simple front end to regularly used queries or reports
with a single parameter. There is a program and template which is common
to all versions of the application. To develop a new use, all you need
to do is define a query where the query filter is set as É@User$Queryæ,
provide any necessary sprites, and define a few settings in a small text
file. The resulting window might look something like the illustration,
which is one I devised for myself for searching my CD collection.
8.4
Features which can be varied are the title bar text, the heading and
sprite, the prompt message, which field or fields are to be searched,
whether the application installs itself on the iconbar or not, and
whether the text should be converted to upper, lower or mixed case. In
addition, the OK button can be replaced by Print and Preview buttons for
a report. Even the writable icon is optional. I am very happy to
distribute this utility to anyone who wants it. I hope it may inspire
someone to develop it further. (Iæve put it on this monthæs program
disc. Ed.)
8.4
I would not disagree that there are features missing from Squirrel.
There is talk at Digital Services of a Squirrel 3. How soon this appears
must depend to a great extent on how large DS perceive the market for a
new version to be. Personally, I have always found the staff at Cosham
unfailingly polite and helpful and willing to listen to all my comments.
If you are a Squirrel user, let them know what your wish list is. If you
are not, take my word that Squirrel is already an excellent package and
amazing value for money. The only DBMS at the moment with more power is
S-Base but only competent programmers can get the best out of it and
developing applications is much more time-consuming. As for DataPower,
it still cannot handle relational queries.á Robert Bishop, London
E17.ááAá
8.4
Multimedia Column
8.4
Paul Hooper
8.4
Over the past month, I have had over fifty letters which have asked me
to tackle various problems with multimedia, so I shall be devoting much
of this column to trying to solve them. With this amount of post, I must
admit that I have got a little behind in the letter-writing stakes. If
you are still waiting for a reply, please bear with me!
8.4
Quite a number of readers raised the problem of animation within a
multimedia application but the solutions are different depending on
which of the multimedia packages you are using.
8.4
Magpie and animation
8.4
Replay is the only animation file format that Magpie can handle. It is
just a matter of dropping these onto a page. Although this may at first
seem limiting, the use of ÉHide and Revealæ and Étransparentæ overlay
pages can be used to give a style of animation. If you want an example
of this, the ÉInsectsæ binder from the swap shop catalogue shows the
life cycle of a butterfly using this technique.
8.4
Genesis and animation
8.4
Genesis can also handle Replay and, with the more modern versions, it is
just a question of dropping them onto the page and setting up the style
box. Genesis can also handle Ace films Ö again a drop technique can be
used. A number of readers were unsure how to create Ace films and, as
far as I am aware, the following packages can save out in Ace format:
Euclid, Mogul, Rephorm and Tween. If you know of any other programs that
save in this format, please let me know. Although Rephorm is a good tool
for animation, the other programs are beginning to look a little long in
the tooth Ö indeed they all need to be patched to work under RISC OS 3.
8.4
While the limitations on Genesis are less than those on Magpie, donæt
forget that Genesis has the ability to run other programs within an
application. Drag and drop the application onto the page and the icon
will appear Ö but please note that all Genesis does is store the path
name so you will need to be careful about how you use this. As an
example of this technique, I have included a Professional application on
this monthæs disc, but you will need to uncompact !Exam, !PENGUIN2 and
the directory ÉPaulæ onto a floppy disc and rename the disc as
ÉArchive2æ.
8.4
Key Author and animation
8.4
Key Author can also cope with Replay Ö again drag and drop is used but
you must specify whether it is an event or an object on the timer. Ace
films can also be used and saved onto the timer and run or looped. Many
of the CD ROMs from Anglia TV make good use of animation to emphasise
points.
8.4
Although not yet implemented, the new versions of Key Author will also
allow the use of MPEG files, provided an MPEG board is fitted. It will
operate in a similar way to Replay files, and the program will allow
transparent selection so that it will check if a board is fitted and
select the best format.
8.4
Key Author also allows you to drop out of the application that you have
created into the desktop and run an external program and when you quit
the linked application, Key Author will resume at the last position in
the Key Author presentation.
8.4
Animation in multimedia
8.4
As noted above, the Acorn range seems to be badly served for animations
that can be used within multimedia applications. The Ace films format
seems to be the common standard but the programs that generate these
films are, with the exception of Rephorm, very old. If the common format
of Ace films is the standard then it appears that there is room in the
market for a new animation program that will produce this file format.
8.4
Genesis Professional problems
8.4
After my appeal in the November issue for your experiences with the new
versions of Genesis, I would like to thank all of you that have written
or phoned. My thanks in particular go to Trevor Sutton, Stephen Williams
and Christopher Jarman, all of whom sent me examples on disc. I have now
compiled an extensive list and hope to get some answers out of Oak soon.
Iæll let you know the answers in the next issue.
8.4
Family trees
8.4
Iæve also had a number of queries about how to compile a family tree
using any of the multimedia programs. At the moment, I have only
composed a direct line tree that follows the way an inherited title
flowed down a family. The way I did this was to set up buttons which
stepped up and down a generation following the title from father to son.
8.4
A full family tree could be made using a main page, with just the
skeleton family tree shown and then each entry on the page linked to a
further page showing details and pictures, along with sound samples of
the person involved. To illustrate what can be done, I am writing a
Magpie binder of the Cubbitt family tree which should be available
through the Swap Shop by the time you read this.
8.4
Free PR
8.4
My article a few months back about using multimedia to provide free PR
for your organisation has, it seems, inspired many of you to create your
own applications. I have received eight different Éguidesæ to schools,
plus a number of Parentsæ Evening displays. I have compiled these into a
PR suite that is available from the Swap Shop and may give you some
ideas about how to compile one of these applications. The suite takes
four DD discs or two HD discs and all are Magpie format.
8.4
Geography and multimedia
8.4
Looking through all the applications in the Swap Shop the other day, I
realised that we have little to offer the geography teacher or student.
I would like to rectify this in the coming months and would like to hear
from any geography teacher who has ideas as what would be useful in the
classroom. Iæm particularly interested in topics or subjects that tie in
with the National Curriculum. If you would like to help, please feel
free to write or ring me, and if you have your own artwork and text that
I could combine into an interactive multimedia application then please
let me know.
8.4
The Swap Shop
8.4
The Swap Shop now includes nearly sixty applications, which occupy over
40Mb on my hard disc, and it continues to grow at an astonishing rate.
The following applications have been added this month Ö ÉNavigation
Quizæ, a Genesis application by Christopher Jarman aimed at teaching you
sailing navigation. ÉHardDiscæ, a Magpie binder written by Bill Brooks
of Trevelyan Middle School, which was an appeal to the School PTA to
fund hard discs for his machines. He also sent me a guided tour of his
school which has been added as part of the PR suite. Steve Williams of
Liverpool sent me a couple of Genesis applications which he uses to
introduce his Network and Desktop set up to his year 7 pupils. My thanks
go to all of the above. Without your input, the Swap Shop would not be
such a success.
8.4
In the early days of the Swap Shop, I used to reply to each letter
individually. This has become increasingly difficult with the number of
letters I am getting, so I have set up a number of standard letters.
Please donæt feel I donæt care but Iæm afraid my time to run the Swap
Shop is very limited!
8.4
The end bit
8.4
If you have any questions on multimedia or if you want a copy of the
Swap Shop catalogue, please write to Paul Hooper, 11 Rochford Road,
Martham, Great Yarmouth, NR29 4RL. (01493-748474).ááAá
8.4
Schema 2
8.4
Simon Coulthurst
8.4
Schemaá2 is available from Clares Micro Supplies for ú135 inc VAT or
ú125 through Archive. This new version of Claresæ spreadsheet program is
more than just an upgrade of the original program. Clares point out that
the program has been completely rewritten and is substantially different
from Schema (version 1). The file format has also changed although
Schemaá2 can import the original Schema files. Some of the new features
are: better storage giving more economical use of memory and an increase
in speed of some 300% in computations; a revised, and simpler, method of
applying colours, fonts, point sizes and number formats; improved
handling of dates and times; use of ÉBigæ cells capable of holding text
justified over several lines; graphs, sprites and other images within
cells complete with automatic scaling; graphs can be live-linked to data
in the spreadsheet. In addition to these enhancements, there are many
others including an integrated macro compiler. That is as far as I can
go comparing this version with the first one as I have never used the
original. So to the current version...
8.4
Sensible installation
8.4
The installation instructions have, sensibly, been placed as an appendix
of the manual. How often do you read the installation instructions for a
piece of software? Usually, only once, so it seems sensible to put it at
the back of the manual with a clear instruction at the front referring
to the relevant appendix. Good thinking, Clares!
8.4
With Schemaá2, the program disc must be initialised with the purchaseræs
name and address before it can be backed up, either to another floppy or
to hard disc. To my mind, this is the best form of copy protection. It
is of no inconvenience to the user, whilst still making it possible for
the software house to protect their investment. Users are unlikely to
pass on copies, knowing that those copies will be easy to trace. Once
the disc is initialised, you copy the program icon to your working disc
and then run the !SysMerge application to ensure that your !System file
contains any modules required by Schemaá2.
8.4
Learning by example
8.4
Schemaá2 comes with a 370 page, spiral bound, manual. The first 100 or
so pages form a tutorial using examples from the ÉCollege of Irrational
Sciencesæ, a fictitious teaching establishment. This is a comprehensive
and detailed series of lessons gradually building experience in the use
of the spreadsheet. I wish more software came with this level of hand-
holding Ö nothing beats a good tutorial when learning a new package,
except perhaps having a knowledgeable teacher hovering over your
shoulder. Having been unable to find a reliable method of pre-packing
teachers, Clares have had to make do with a good manual.
8.4
In the manual, the lessons are structured around nine separate examples,
each covering a different, and increasingly more complex, use of the
spreadsheet. This means that even when you have finished working your
way through the tutorial exercises, they can still be used as an
occasional reference when a quick refresher is needed on how to achieve
something specific.
8.4
I do have one minor criticism of the manual. The exercises are
undoubtedly useful and contribute to getting up to speed quickly in the
use of the program but I feel that they should have been placed towards
the back of the manual, or preferably in a separate book, rather than
taking up the first third of the book. Once you have worked your way
through the tutorial, you will refer less and less to the exercises and
more and more to the rest of the manual. Only a small point but it
detracts from what is otherwise an excellent example of the way a
software manual should be written.
8.4
Start her up...
8.4
Schemaá2 is run in the usual manner Ö by a double-click, which installs
the programæs Éabacusæ icon on the iconbar. Clicking <select> on this
icon opens a spreadsheet window at the top of which is an input area,
containing the icon ribbon and data entry area. Below this are the
standard spreadsheet cells, bordered by row numbers and column letters.
This initial sheet is based on the ÉDefault Documentæ which can be
modified to suit your own requirements.
8.4
When you click the Écloseæ icon on a spreadsheet window, even if you
have made changes to it, you will not get a message asking you if you
wish to save any changes. This is because closing a Schemaá2 window does
not remove the sheet from memory but simply closes the window. In order
to re-open or remove the sheet from memory, you must use the iconbar
menu. You will be warned of any unsaved spreadsheets when you try to
quit Schema.
8.4
Importing
8.4
Schemaá2 will import TSV (Tab Separated Values), CSV (Comma Separated
Values), SID (Software Independent Data) and WK1 Ö the original Lotus 1-
2-3 file format that is now almost a universal format for the
interchange of spreadsheet data Ö as well as the original Schema files.
8.4
(An interesting point here is that Clares mention in the manual that
Schema is now obsolete. Does this mean that users of the original
program will find that they are unable to get support? It is usual
practice, when a company no longer wishes to provide technical support,
to declare the product obsolete Ö this also helps ensure that as many
users as possible upgrade to the new version! It is unusual, however,
for a company to declare the previous version persona non grata this
quickly.)
8.4
There are two possible ways of importing a WK1 format sheet: by dragging
the WK1 file icon directly to the Schemaá2 icon or by using the !ConvWK1
application. I tried both methods with some WK1 files from one of our
DOS PCs. Some files refused to translate when dropped directly into
Schemaá2. This didnæt seem to have any relationship to size or
complexity of the WK1 file and, as I have 25Mb of memory on my Risc PC,
it canæt have been lack of memory. There was no such problem when using
the second method Ö every file translated perfectly, first time.
8.4
The majority of files imported need tidying up in some way. Usually, it
is just a matter of changing numbers and dates to the appropriate
format, perhaps using some text Éeffectsæ to smarten up the appearance
of headings and titles. Where my original file contained macros, these
were of no use in Schemaá2 and needed to be re-done. My files came
originally from Microsoft Excel and so the macros had been lost when
saving the files in WK1 format. Schemaá2 will actually try to use any
macros it finds in a Lotus 1-2-3 file.
8.4
All in all, I found that I was able to get my spreadsheets transferred
with a minimum of fuss from our DOS computer to Schemaá2, although, for
us, this was a once only and a one way process. If translation were
needed on a more regular basis, it might not be so convenient. (What we
need is some clever person to design a system like ÉSparkFSæ or
ÉPocketFSæ that will automatically translate between RISCáOS and DOS
formats. Now that would be a useful utility!)
8.4
In use
8.4
Schemaá2 works just like any other spreadsheet I have ever used, at a
fundamental level. It has a grid of cells labelled by the intersecting
column letters and row numbers. Information is entered into the cells by
typing into the ÉData entry baræ at the top of the window and then
pressing either <return> which will take you down to the next cell or
<tab> which will move you right to the next cell. Use of the scroll bars
will move your view of the grid around within the window, leaving the
column and cell labels within sight.
8.4
You can change the number of rows and/or columns in the sheet, up to a
maximum of 30,000 rows by 30,000 columns (or a number limited by the
amount of memory in your machine). This is done either by creating a new
sheet from the iconbar menu, or by using the window menu to change an
existing spreadsheet. Whilst this is reasonably flexible, I still prefer
the Microsoft Excel way of working. In Excel, the sheet is always a
full-size grid and memory is only used up by those cells containing any
data. When the time comes to print, the Excel program assumes that you
are only wanting to print those parts of the sheet containing
information. You can limit the print range to a particular area if
necessary.
8.4
Excel versus Schemaá2
8.4
Whilst on the subject of Excel versus Schemaá2, or indeed most RISCáOS
spreadsheets, the Acorn platform still has some catching up to do. The
user interface, in most respects, is superior, due primarily to RISCáOS
itself rather than the applications. However, there are a lot of program
features available within Windows spreadsheets that have yet to find
their way into Schemaá2. Ones I particularly like in Excel are: (a)áThe
automatic help system Ö when the program sees you carrying out an
operation it thinks could have been done in a simpler manner, it tells
you so; (b)áWizards Ö a method of automating spreadsheet design. If, for
instance, you wish to design a spreadsheet to calculate an invoice, the
program asks you a few pertinent questions then builds the sheet for
you; (c)áGraphs Ö very intelligent, and logical. If you have set up a
graph with a set of figures and subsequently add a new set of figures to
your data, there is no need to redraw the graph, just drag a box around
the new set of figures and then drag and drop them onto the existing
graph. Excel will then redraw the graph including the new data.
8.4
Of course, Excel takes huge chunks of valuable hard disc space and
memory in order to perform these feats of spreadsheet virtuosity,
whereas Schemaá2 occupies less than 1.4Mb on my RiscáPCæs hard disc and
under 0.9Mb of memory. It will be interesting to see if the arrival of
the RiscáPC, and its ability to use a lot more memory, will result in
larger, more complex programs.
8.4
Data entry
8.4
Having set the sheet size, we need to enter information and formulae
into Schemaá2 Ö this is where a spreadsheet lives or dies. How easy is
it to use and do you have to constantly turn to the manual in order to
get anything done? Well, itæs pretty good news for the Schemaá2 user.
You can just go ahead and type the various figures and text into the
cells where required and then, using the ÉFunctionæ icon on the iconbar,
you can choose from the logically presented cascading menu containing
the 79 standard functions. In addition to these standard functions, the
program contains a selection of user defined functions (macros) Ö most
of the Lotus 1-2-3 compatible commands have been included in this way.
Once the function has been selected (having Acornæs interactive help
open at the bottom of the screen can help here) it is presented in the
ÉData entry baræ with the cursor placed ready for the entry of the
variable(s). Clicking on a cell or selecting a range of cells will
insert the relevant reference into the formula. Cell selection is
carried out in the normal RISCáOS manner using <select> to click a
single cell followed by <adjust> to extend the range. Or by <select>-
dragging the desired range. A complete row or column may be selected by
clicking on the relevant row or column label.
8.4
One particular function, ÉSumæ, has its own button on the iconbar.
Selecting this, will insert the =SUM( ) function into the ÉData entryæ
bar. Pressing <return> will then execute the formula.
8.4
Big cells
8.4
One of the new features in Schemaá2 is the use of ÉBigæ cells. These are
created by selecting a range of cells and then changing the selected
range into one large cell by selecting <Edit><Big cell> from the main
menu. If there was any information in any of the cells, it will all be
lost except for the information in the top left cell, which is then
placed in the ÉBigæ cell itself. Text entered into the ÉBigæ cell will
wrap around and may be justified left, right, centre or fully. A graph
may be embedded in a ÉBigæ cell, and when Éhot-linkedæ to the data in
the sheet, will update in real time to reflect any changes in the data.
Drawfiles may also be placed in a ÉBigæ cell, or indeed in a normal
cell.
8.4
A graph speaks volumes
8.4
Schemaá2 comes with a built-in graphing option. It can produce: Bar
charts Ö vertical and horizontal, stacked or otherwise; Pie charts Ö
single and multiple; Line charts; Scatter diagrams; Pictograms (similar
to bar charts, but using small pictures in place of the bar). Where
appropriate,áthe graph may be shown with a pseudo 3D effect and certain
sections exploded from the rest. All the graphs may be further
embellished using fonts and colours plus the use of some simple Draw-
type effects (lines, boxes, circles, etc). As well as this, it is also
possible to import a drawfile into the graph for decorative purposes Ö
perhaps a company logo.
8.4
A few problems
8.4
For all this power, there are a couple of drawbacks. I found that, when
using data with more than 5 digits to the left of the decimal point
(e.g. ú500,000), the graph would default to showing the number in
scientific notation (5.00e5). Whilst this may be OK in some
circumstances, it certainly made my graphs harder to read and
understand. When I talked to Clares about this, it turned out that there
was no simple way to change the format of the numbers used in graphs.
The only way to do it was to edit one of the macros that make up the
graphing section of the application and then re-compile this macro.
8.4
The other difficulty I had was trying to get the text labels for my
graph columns to be readable. Whilst the labels were short (e.g. Jan,
Feb, Mar etc) there was no problem but if the labels were much longer
than this (e.g. January), I found the label was being split over more
than one line. This tended to make the graph look untidy and
unprofessional. Again, the only solution was to go in and modify the
macro code for the graphs.
8.4
These two problems help to highlight both the strength and weakness of
Schema 2. The strength is that it is possible (if you are willing to
take the time to learn) to modify the basic program to do almost
anything you would like it to do. The weakness is that the majority of
users are unlikely to want to have to modify the program just in order
to do something that should really be achievable by making a choice from
a menu!
8.4
I also felt that some of the error messages were a little unhelpful. For
instance, when I missed the closing bracket from a formula, I received a
öBad call to spreadsheet engineò message Ö Que?! I would have thought
öMissing end bracketò would have been a lot more helpful.
8.4
Conclusion
8.4
In spite of its obvious weaknesses, Schemaá2 is a worthwhile addition to
my software collection. If your requirement is for a powerful and
flexible spreadsheet on the Acorn platform, Schemaá2 could fill your
needs. In order to get the best out of the package, you must be prepared
to roll your sleeves up and get stuck into the macro language. If you
are prepared to do this, you will be rewarded with a program that can be
tailored to suit most spreadsheet needs. If, however, you are not
prepared for this degree of involvement in the program, you may be
better advised going for another package.ááAá
8.4
Desktop Hacker
8.4
Andrew Rawnsley
8.4
Not so long ago, I reviewed the then most recent version of Gameswareæs
Games Wizard utility. I considered it a rather limited offering and, at
the time, recommended Doggysoftæs The Hacker which was vastly superior
and only cost ú5. As if to add insult to injury, Doggysoft have now
released a totally revised and updated version of the Hacker which runs
inside the desktop thus offering unparalleled ease of use.
8.4
Desktop compatibility
8.4
All of the old features have been retained and updated, so that they are
now more user-friendly, making hacking into a game even easier than in
the past. Just over 95% of the functions work in the desktop, the
exceptions being those which need to take over the whole screen to
display the contents of screen memory and other mode specific data.
8.4
The new version is now fully Risc PC compatible, offering specially
optimised routines. Naturally, due to the technicalities involved,
previous versions are not very happy running on the new machine.
However, games players should be warned that few games work on the Risc
PC, and you might well find yourself returning to your A440 or the like
for playing and hacking.
8.4
New features
8.4
The iconbar menu for the utility offers a slow-down option, making
difficult sections of games somewhat easier to play. You should note
that the entire game is slowed down, rather than just the enemies, but
this does allow accurate positioning for jumps and tricky shots.
8.4
Searches can now have wildcards in them and lists blocks selected. This
makes it easy to include or rule out addresses from a search. Various
bugs which sometimes occurred in previous versions when handling large
lists have been fixed.
8.4
Desktop Hacker offers printing at various stages via the RISC OS printer
drivers, which is useful if you want to keep a hard copy of exactly
which addresses, etc you changed.
8.4
Since Desktop hacker fully multitasks, its handling of memory is much
more efficient, with memory allocated and deallocated as and when
required. This means that you donæt get lots of Éout of memoryæ errors
when you know quite well youæve got enough free.
8.4
The number of lists has been increased from 9 to 99, which should keep
most users happy!
8.4
The functionality of the disassembly feature has been extended
considerably, offering far more than the original or RISC OS. There are
now keyboard shortcuts for the most commonly used functions throughout
the program.
8.4
Various other small changes have been made, for example, the CheatMod
creator has been moved from the main program to a separate editor.
8.4
Conclusions
8.4
Desktop Hacker is a completely revised utility with the ability to hack
from desktop, with extra memory handling and full RISC PC compatibility.
Although twice the price of previous versions, it is still excellent
value Ö and you get 169 cheat modules giving a total of nearly 200
individual cheats!
8.4
Availability
8.4
Desktop Hacker costs ú10 from Doggysoft (but cheques should be made
payable to öA Cloverò), with an upgrade available for ÉThe Hackeræ
owners at ú5 when you return your original disc.ááAá
8.4
DTP Column
8.4
Mark Howe
8.4
This monthæs column starts with an apology and then a partial
retraction...ç
8.4
Look, no records!
8.4
I have received quite a few letters, articles etc from various readers.
I had actioned most of the urgent ones, and took the rest away with me
on a trip to Paris. Unfortunately, my briefcase containing the file was
stolen from my car! So, if you are waiting for a reply from me, I would
be grateful if you could write again. I would particularly like to know
the name of the person who sent me a short article on embedded frames (I
still have the article on disc). (And the name of the person who stole
the briefcase?!)
8.4
More on Publisher
8.4
The article that appeared last month was written after a large amount of
discussion between Computer Concepts, Paul and myself. After producing
the version of the article that was finally published, I spent several
hours with Mark Goodall of CC, and was able to go through the points I
had raised in some detail. The next day I returned to France and asked
my office in England to send off the disc, but my suggestions for
modifying the article somehow went missing between ChΓlon-sur-SΓone,
Guildford and Norwich. I stand by the gist of what was printed but I
would like to correct and expand a few points.
8.4
Mark pointed out that the toolbar gives added functionality as, for
example, in the new way of designing styles from a collection of
effects. I have to admit that I still value the space on my screen more
than these features, but maybe I am a closet luddite.
8.4
It is still possible to use <f3> and <f4> for bold and italic, but since
Publisher deletes these definitions when loading an old file, it is hard
to maintain consistency for new users working on both old and new files.
8.4
I did try to load JPEG images into Impression 2.5 but I was not using
the CC loaders. Publisher will display the low-res bit-mapped images
supplied with most EPS files, but it cannot display the vector
information or print it to a non-PostScript printer. This means, for
example, that EPS files cannot be printed at high resolution on a Laser
Direct printer.
8.4
The example I gave of faulty PostScript output from Publisher Plus turns
out to have been due to a breakdown of communication between T-J
Reproductions and myself. T-J always resets all the PostScript settings
unless specifically told otherwise, to ensure that files print correctly
Ö sorry about that!
8.4
It is possible to ask for a dongle-less version of Publisher or Artworks
that will only run on one machine. I picked up the necessary discs but,
on reading the documentation, I have decided that this solution is not
going to help me. Having gone dongle-less, it is necessary to swap your
serial number chip whenever you change your machine and it is not
possible to use conventional upgrades (a major consideration when post
takes a week to arrive).
8.4
As for stability, Mark Goodall expressed some exasperation that all
kinds of problems were attributed to Publisher when, in fact, they were
often due to bugs in other applications, fonts, RISC OS or the Acorn
printer drivers. Last week, I spent a good hour fighting with what I
thought was a problem with Publisher separations. It turned out to be an
esoteric problem with Turbo Driver: right company, wrong product! The
situation is not helped by the tendency of Publisher and Artworks to
Éclaimæ errors elsewhere in the system (e.g. öError outside of
Impression, do you want to quit?ò)
8.4
I have not used Publisher for anything very taxing since my visit to
Computer Concepts, but I do seem to be having fewer crashes. I suspect
that some of my difficulties come from using old documents, but the
suggestion to remake them all in Publisher and scrap any document that
produces an address exception is not realistic. (I estimate that I have
over 5,000 Publisher documents, and it is rare for me to produce a
brochure completely from scratch.) As Paul mentioned in the Comments
Column last month, please report any repeatable problems to CC at once.
8.4
Finally, on this subject, can anyone think of a way to convert batches
of Publisher documents from multi-file to single file format? (Yes, use
Keystroke! Ed.) If I could change the format of all my small Impression
documents, I reckon I could save several megabytes on my hard disc.
8.4
From Acorn to Offset via PostScript
8.4
Mark Howe
8.4
In this article I hope to give an introduction to imagesetting. I have
tried to keep things simple but, unfortunately, both imagesetting and
printing are inherently technical processes. Only a few years ago, film-
making was the exclusive domain of larger printing companies and
reprographics houses. Computer technology has made it possible for far
more people to produce films and plates, but a certain amount of
background is still necessary to achieve satisfactory results.
8.4
A quick look at offset printing
8.4
It is easier to produce usable artwork if you understand roughly what
happens after you hand it to your printer.
8.4
An offset litho works by taking an image from a plate and transferring
it onto paper via a roller (hence the name offset: plate and paper never
touch). The plates are usually made by a photographic process from film
(a transparent sheet of plastic not unlike an OHP foil), although the
technology to make them digitally is developing rapidly. The films may
be positive or negative, depending on the chemistry of the plates used
by the printer. One plate is needed for each colour to be printed.
8.4
The plates come in various sizes, but are usually larger Ö sometimes
much larger Ö than A3. Your printer may therefore lay out (or Éplanæ)
several copies of your artwork onto one plate. Alternatively, he may
plan both sides of a two-sided leaflet or several pages of a book onto
the same plate.
8.4
After printing, the sheets are cut to size and, if necessary, collated,
stapled and folded. Booklets are usually trimmed again, after folding
and stapling, in order to remove any untidy edges.
8.4
Output media Ö Paper/Bromide
8.4
Simple artwork can be produced on paper using any desktop printer. Most
imagesetters can also produce output onto a special type of paper known
as bromide (so called because of the chemical process used to develop
the image).
8.4
A film will usually have to be made from paper or bromide artwork. This
is done using a repro camera, hence the term Écamera-ready artworkæ. It
might therefore seem more sensible to produce all artwork directly onto
film. However, you may not be able to produce films in the correct
format for your printer (e.g. larger than A2 or A1) and, in this case,
it will be cheaper to make final films from bromide originals than from
films. Bromides are easier to paste together than films, so they are
often preferred by newspapers and magazines.
8.4
A small loss of quality is involved in making films from bromides but,
for most purposes, this is not significant.
8.4
Films
8.4
Until recently, only imagesetters could produce films, but it is now
also possible to make them using laser printers. In my experience, laser
films are not very satisfactory for artwork involving large black or
halftoned areas, but can give reasonable results for text and line
graphics.
8.4
Plates
8.4
In the last few years, a number of systems have been developed for
making plastic plates directly: Plazer and Novadom are two of the
better-known brand names. The plates are produced using an A3 laser
printer or a dedicated plate-making machine.
8.4
These systems are very quick to use, as the plates can be taken from the
laser printer delivery tray and put straight onto the press. They are
also cheaper than conventional plate-making techniques. However, they
are not suitable for very long print runs, or for spot or process colour
printing where fine registration is required. The image quality does not
yet compare with metal plates and, to my knowledge, it is not possible
to prepare plates larger than A3 (which means a printing area
significantly smaller than A3).
8.4
Designing the artwork
8.4
The diagram below shows the layout of a typical piece of artwork. The
following should be noted:
8.4
1: The size of the finished leaflet is shown by four crop marks. These
marks will be used to set a guillotine after printing. The position of
any folds may also be marked on the artwork, although generally this is
less important.
8.4
2: The exact position of the guillotine cut may vary by a couple of
millimetres between sheets. This is not usually a problem if there is a
white margin around the edge of the finished leaflet. If, however, the
design continued exactly to the edge of the leaflet, a small error in
trimming could leave a thin white strip on the edge of the leaflet. The
solution is to öbleedò the design beyond the crop marks, as shown below.
8.4
3: If the leaflet is to be printed in more than one colour, registration
marks are required to ensure that the colours line up correctly. The
name of each colour is usually marked on the artwork to avoid costly
mistakes at the printers.
8.4
Limitations of desktop printers
8.4
It is possible to produce acceptable artwork using laser, inkjet or even
dot matrix printers. None-the-less, most desktop printers suffer from
several limitations.
8.4
Paper size
8.4
Most printers cannot use paper larger than A4. This obviously rules out
the production of A3 artwork, as well as A4 artwork with bleeds. One way
round this is to make the leaflets slightly smaller than A4, thus
leaving room on the page for printeræs marks. Another solution is to
produce the artwork on several sheets, but you will have to pay a repro
house to assemble them.
8.4
Imagesetters can typically print A3 artwork with all the necessary
printersæ marks.
8.4
Resolution
8.4
Most laser printers work at a resolution of 300 or 600 dots per inch.
This is adequate for text and line drawings, but is not really good
enough for halftone shading or photos. Even small text can appear
indistinct at 300 dpi.
8.4
The effective resolution of artwork can be increased by photographically
reducing over-sized originals. However, this adds to the cost of making
the plates and is only feasible for small page sizes.
8.4
Imagesetters offer resolutions between 1200 and 3600 dpi. For photos and
graduated tints, most bureaus recommend a minimum resolution of 2400
dpi, which gives sixteen times more detail than a 600 dpi printer. In
addition, the individual dots produced by an imagesetter are far more
regular than those produced by a laser printer, improving the print
quality still further. All in all, the difference in resolution between
a good laser printer and a modern imagesetter is at least as great as
that between a laser printer and a nine-pin dot matrix printer.
8.4
Control over screens
8.4
Impression Publisher offers a high degree of control over the screens
used to render halftone images on a PostScript printer or imagesetter.
These settings are ignored by other classes of printer, including direct
drive laser printers. Computer Concepts may provide support for their
own LaserDirect printers in the future (a few letters might encourage
them in this direction)!
8.4
Making the choice
8.4
How do you decide on the best way of producing camera-ready output? It
all depends on your precise needs and your budget, but the following
guidelines may help.
8.4
1: If you are producing artwork for printing on anything but the most
occasional basis, and still using a dot-matrix printer, give it to your
local school and get an inkjet or, preferably, a laser printer. This
will enable you to achieve much better quality, and will save your time
and your eardrums. In the long-term, it may even save you money, because
the price of ribbons has increased recently and bit-image printing wears
them out at an alarming rate.
8.4
If you do not have a laser printer yet, consider buying a PostScript
model instead of a LaserJet or direct drive one. It will be painfully
slow for complex graphics, but you will have better control over the
output and be able to check your imagesetting before going to your
bureau.
8.4
2: If you are going to photocopy your artwork, an inkjet or laser
printer is more than adequate. Choose a fairly coarse screen (e.g. the
default setting on Laser Direct printers is too fine to copy
satisfactorily). Alternatively, if you need 100 copies or so and you
have a heavy-duty laser printer, you could run off all the copies
directly from your computer.
8.4
3: If you are producing more than a couple of hundred copies of simple
one or two-colour A4 designs, get a quote for printing using plastic
plate technology.
8.4
4: If your artwork does not involve lots of shading, you may be able to
produce reasonable results using your desktop printer. It is worth
experimenting with the type of paper and/or the toner density control to
achieve the best results.
8.4
5: For complex 2-colour or 4-colour printing, large formats, or anything
involving photos, graduated tints or very small text, go for imageset
films.
8.4
6: If you want to produce a simple leaflet with photos, but do not have
access to an imagesetter, produce the artwork minus the photos and ask
your printer to Éstrip them inæ (insert them manually) when he makes the
plate.
8.4
Calling all Acorn imagesetters!
8.4
Mac and PC users are at an advantage when it comes to imagesetting.
Bureaus test their equipment using files from Macs and PCs and, in many
cases, they also accept files directly from programs such as XPress or
PageMaker. There are few bureaus, so far, who cater specifically for the
Acorn market, but if you can find one who offers the services you need,
you can avoid most of the potential pitfalls inherent in producing your
own PostScript.
8.4
T-J Reproductions are the only company I know of with their own
imagesetter. Others, such as Micro Laser Designs, will accept Acorn
files and give it to a bureau. Micro Laser Designs can also produce
plastic plates using their own 600 dpi A3 laser printer. I have given
quite a lot of work to both these companies, and have generally received
very good service from them. Also (and very importantly for me), they
both accept files by FaxPack. (Remember that I live in France.)
8.4
I believe that there are other companies who offer similar services in
the Acorn world, ranging from laser printing up to full imagesetting. In
a few monthæs time, I would like to publish a directory of such
services, so please send me any information you have.
8.4
PostScript from Publisher
8.4
If, for whatever reasons, you cannot use an Acorn bureau, you will have
to produce your own PostScript. Space forbids a full discussion of what
is involved this month, but as a starting point, there follows a
checklist for imagesetting from Publisher which was kindly sent to me by
Computer Concepts, together with a few explanatory comments of my own.
8.4
Planning your document....
8.4
: Do you need to change the master page? Is a standard master page
suitable? Is a bleed required? If necessary, create a new master page.
Use Edit > Alter chapter to select the new master page.
8.4
Before printing the document...
8.4
2: If required, set Overprint on selected objects.
8.4
3: Check spelling. (Utilities > Spelling > Check entire text.)
8.4
4: Check layout for frames, lines and words still correctly stacked and
positioned, no orphans, etc.
8.4
5: Choose Utilities > Compile font usage list to check for missing
fonts. (Avoid PD fonts.)
8.4
6: Check correct colour table (usually PostScript imagesetter, normal)
selected in iconbar menu Preferences.
8.4
Printing the document...
8.4
7: Load !Printers. Select correct printer driver. See page 16 of the
Commercial Printing Guide (CPG). Select output to file.
8.4
8: If necessary, change the page size set in the printer driver. (Some
versions of Acorn printer drivers produce incorrect PostScript with non-
standard page sizes. One way round this, which was suggested to me by
Micro Laser Designs, is to create a very small page definition, for
example 10mm ╫ 10mm. When you print, Publisher will then offer to
produce a new page which should be the right size.)
8.4
9: Display Print dialogue box. (File > Print.) Select which pages to
print. Set required Scale. Select Upright/Sideways.
8.4
10: Choose View > Print borders to check correct page size/orientation.
8.4
11: Click on Setup... This displays the Print setup dialogue box. Check
correct colour table selected. Check Ignore page border on. Check Centre
pages on. Check No illustrations off. Close Print setup dialogue box.
8.4
12: Click on Typesetting... This displays the Typesetting print dialogue
box. Set Separation names, Registration marks, Crop marks, as required
(CPG p6). Select Separations. Select which separations to output (User
Manual p78). If required, select ink level overprint. (I always set
black to overprint, as this avoids thin white lines around the text if
registration is less then perfect.) Select Use recommended. Set required
Screen density (CPG p18). Set required Screen type (usually Spot 1). Set
required Printer resolution (CPG p18). Select Reflect pages, if required
(CPG p18). Close Typesetting print dialogue box.
8.4
13: Use View > Separation to check overprinting etc.
8.4
14: Click on Print to start printing. Impression warns you if the
document is larger than the page size set in !Printers and suggests an
alternative, larger page size. Click OK to use the suggested size.
8.4
Afterwards...
8.4
15: Check PostScript files in ShowPage or to a PostScript printer, if
available. (I have a copy of ShowPage, but it does not work reliably
under RISC OS 3.1 and CC have no plans to update it as apparently there
is no demand for the product.)
8.4
16: Send the files to typesetting bureau. Tell them: number of files on
the disc; size and number of pages; output medium required (Paper or
Film); if you want negatives; if you think the files will take a long
time to run. Remember to tell them if you want HQS or high resolution
(2400 or 2540 dpi).
8.4
When you get the typesetting back
8.4
17: Check that all the files have run and that there are no missing
pages/separations.
8.4
18: Check that the layout of the typeset document is correct.
8.4
19: Check the typesetting for any missing fonts or physical defects in
the material.
8.4
Over to you!
8.4
Next month, I hope to look at some aspects of imagesetting in more
detail. I am also awaiting articles and reviews from other readers, and
plan to include some hints and tips.
8.4
If you have any advice on any aspect of imagesetting, or if you have
encountered specific problems, please let me know. In particular, I
would be interested in hearing from anyone:
8.4
Å who is producing 4-colour separations including their own scanned, 24-
bit photos;
8.4
Å who has used OPI;
8.4
Å who has experimented with !FontPrint.
8.4
You can contact me via the Archive office, or directly at 2, MontΘe des
Carrelets, 84360 Lauris, France. Fax: [phone].ááAá
8.4
Advanced Basic Ö More On Impulse II
8.4
Paul Hobbs
8.4
When discussing ÉMethodsæ in the last column, I should have mentioned a
couple of things about naming them Ö firstly, the names are treated as
case independent so ÉGetæ is treated the same as ÉGETæ. Secondly, if you
have a short method name such as ÉGetæ that is also used as the first
part of a longer name (ÉGetFileæ for example) it should appear after
ÉGetFileæ in the method table.
8.4
This month, we are going to look at how an Impulse request can be sent
and responded to. The requesting applications code should be as follows:
8.4
REM some code...
8.4
REM Send a request to any listening
8.4
REM application, supplying a unique
8.4
REM tag so that the reply can be
8.4
REM recognised and decoded..
8.4
PROCshell_ImpulseSendRequest(öAn impulse
8.4
 commandò,FNImpulse_NextTxTag)
8.4
REM more code...
8.4
DEF PROCshell_ImpulseSendRequest(Request$,Tag%)
8.4
SYS öImpulse_SendMessageò,IMPULSE_REQUEST,
8.4
Request$,0,0,0,Tag%,TASK_ID%
8.4
ENDPROC
8.4
DEF FNImpulse_NextTxTag
8.4
G_Impulse_TxTag% += 1
8.4
= G_Impulse_TxTag%
8.4
The receiving applicationæs wimp poll loop should be as follows:
8.4
WHILE NOT quit%:
8.4
 REM start of poll loop
8.4
 SYS öWimp_Pollò,1,bk% TO reason%
8.4
 SYS öImpulse_Decodeò,reason%,bk%,,,,
8.4
IMPULSE_METHOD_TABLE,TASK_ID% TO reason%,,,,,token,params,object
8.4
 CASE reason% OF
8.4
   REM Handle other poll events..
8.4
   WHEN IMPULSE_COMMAND,IMPULSE_REQUEST:
8.4
      PROCcommand(token,params,object)
8.4
 ENDCASE
8.4
ENDWHILE
8.4
To decode the command and send a reply:
8.4
DEF PROCcommand(token,params,object)
8.4
CASE token OF
8.4
  WHEN Token_SomeCommand%  :
8.4
    REM Method has been found in method
8.4
    REM table, perform required
8.4
    REM actions and send the reply..
8.4
    PROCshell_ImpulseSendReply(öReply
8.4
 string..ò,token)
8.4
ENDCASE
8.4
ENDPROC
8.4

8.4
DEF PROCshell_ImpulseSendReply(Reply$,Tag%)
8.4
LOCAL Size%
8.4
Size% = G_Impulse_TxTop% Ö G_Impulse_TxPtr%
8.4
SYS öImpulse_SendMessageò,IMPULSE_REPLY
8.4
,Reply$,,,,Tag%,TASK_ID%,Size%
8.4
ENDPROC
8.4
The monthly disc contains a couple of demonstration programs to show how
this all works. However, I must admit that I am still not entirely sure
I have fully understood what is going on as either the documentation for
the Impulse module is wrong or the module simply does not work properly.
Although I have managed to get it to work, it does not seem to be as
easy as it should be! If anyone has any further comments, or has managed
a more in depth understanding, I would be glad to here from them.
8.4
The monthly program disc also contains a PD program called !Calendar
which produces calendars by using the Impulse module to communicate with
Impression.
8.4
Acorn application notes
8.4
A very useful source of information about programming techniques is
Acorn itself, in the form of Application Notes. These give details of
such things as the ÉDrag æn Dropæ protocol used by Impression Style and
how to implement a clipboard for cutting and pasting data.
8.4
Acorn have over 260 of these available to any interested parties. You
just have to ask (although I am sure that a large SAE would be
appreciated). The monthly disc contains an index of the Application
Notes for those who want to see what is on offer.
8.4
Some highlights are:
8.4
237 Writing wimp module tasks in C
8.4
240 Cut and Paste protocol
8.4
241 Drag and Drop protocol
8.4
253 New features of RISC OS 3 Version 3.5
8.4
260 Writing applications for CD ROM
8.4
266 Developing CD-ROM products for Acorn machines
8.4
Some Application Notes also come with a disc of example programs, such
as ÉWriting Wimp Module Tasks in Cæ.
8.4
More on memory claiming
8.4
One of the first things to be covered in this column was the subject of
claiming memory blocks. I have since found that there was a fundamental
flaw in one of the routines presented Ö but because nobody complained, I
canæt have caused too many problems! The routine in question was the one
to extend a memory block which resided in the applicationæs wimpslot
rather than in the RMA and the problem was that the wimpslot was not
extended if there was insufficient space to allocate memory within the
current wimpslot.
8.4
So, to put the record straight, here is an amended version that works
properly:
8.4
DEF PROC_heap_resize(RETURN ptr%,change%)
8.4
LOCAL flg%
8.4
REM Returns a new pointer to the block (it
8.4
REM may be moved in memory). Any data
8.4
REM in the block will be copied to the new
8.4
REM location if necessary.
8.4
REM Returns -1 if the block now has a size
8.4
REM of 0 or less
8.4
REM Returns -2 if claim fails due to lack
8.4
REM of memory
8.4
REM Returns -3 if block does not exist
8.4
SYS öXOS_Heapò,6,_Heap%,ptr% TO,,,size%;flg%
8.4
:REM Read size of block
8.4
to check it exists
8.4
IF (flg% AND 1) THEN
8.4
  REM It doesnæt exist..
8.4
  ptr% = -3
8.4
ELSE
8.4
  REM It does,so attempt to perform resize..
8.4
  SYS öXOS_Heapò,4,_Heap%,ptr%,change% TO
8.4
 ,,ptr%;flg%
8.4
  IF (flg% AND 1) THEN
8.4
    nrpages% = 1 + ((size%+change%) DIV
8.4
 _PageSize%) : REM required #
8.4
 pages of memory
8.4
    SYS öWimp_SlotSizeò,_SlotSize%+nrpages%
8.4
 * _PageSize%,Ö1 TO _SlotSize%
8.4
    oldheapend% = _HeapEnd%
8.4
    _HeapEnd%   = _SlotSize% + &8000
8.4
    SYS öOS_Heapò,5,_Heap%,,_HeapEnd% Ö
8.4
 oldheapend%
8.4
    SYS öXOS_Heapò,4,_Heap%,ptr%,change% TO
8.4
 ,,ptr%;flg%
8.4
    IF (flg% AND 1) THEN
8.4
      ptr% = -2
8.4
    ENDIF
8.4
  ENDIF
8.4
ENDIF
8.4
ENDPROC
8.4
The monthly disc contains the whole library again as the above routine
cannot be used in isolation.
8.4
Save DBoxes
8.4
There was some discussion in previous issues of Archive about the Acorn
Style Guide recommendations and, for what it is worth, I would like to
add a comment about dialog boxes used for saving a file.
8.4
If an invalid path (for example, just a leaf name) is present in the
writable icon, why doesnæt anybody grey out the ÉOKæ or ÉSaveæ icon? My
wife occasionally uses Impression and this seems to cause her more
confusion than anything else! She clears the writable icon, types in a
name for the document and clicks OK to save it which, of course,
generates an error. This in my view is extremely unhelpful in that the
user should ideally not be able to do something if it would cause an
error.
8.4
In order to achieve this, we need to check the contents of the writable
icon containing the file name every 0.5 seconds or so and, if the
pathname is invalid, grey out icon 0 (which should be the Édefault
actionæ icon in the window). The code for calling a routine every n
centiseconds via Wimp_PollIdle has been covered in this column a couple
of issues back during the OLE discussion.
8.4
Appearance of applications under RISC OS3.5
8.4
A previous column mentioned the fact that because the Risc PC normally
uses an outline font in the desktop, it is tricky to ensure that
applications written on older machines look OK on the newer ones. In
particular, it is difficult to ensure that icons are large enough to
contain the text, and also that menus are wide enough to display the
menu items. I wrote to Acorn enquiring as to whether the new wimp
manager module would work on older machines and the reply read as
follows, ÉAs Acorn currently have no plans to release RISC OS 3.5 for
the older generation machines, the only way in which a programmer can
truly judge how an application will look under RISC OS 3.5 is to run it
on a Risc PCæ.
8.4
This wasnæt actually the question I asked but the answer seems pretty
final. The only suggestion I have is to use !DeskFonts to change the
desktop font to Homerton.Medium 12pt. (!DeskFonts will be on the monthly
disc if Paul has enough room!) This doesnæt solve the problems with
menus though as !DeskFonts doesnæt handle short cut keys the same way as
RISC OS 3.5.
8.4
And finally
8.4
This is the last column that I shall be writing for a while because, due
to pressure of work, I am going to have little time for programming or
writing in the near future. Should there be any queries arising from
topics I have already covered, I will do my best to answer them. Write
to the following address: Paul Hobbs, Rheinpfalzstrasse 2, 85049
Ingolstadt, Germany.ááAá
8.4
Scribble
8.4
Christopher Jarman
8.4
Scribble is very easy to use, and a lot of fun! Once it is loaded, you
are given the choice of a default set of eight colours, tools and a set
of black and white outline östampsò which can be placed anywhere on the
screen and easily coloured in, using the flood tool. There are dozens of
stamp designs from cats to ships, rabbits and strands of grass. Colours
can be simply selected by a little hand which is the mouse pointer, and
scribbling may commence! The pupil age interest level is very wide, from
5 year-old to adult.
8.4
The actual drawings or paintings on the screen can become quite
sophisticated once the initial playing about has taught you the skills
of handling the simple tool array. I particularly liked the easy way the
tool sizes are altered merely by pressing a little longer on <Select> or
<Adjust>. Like many children, I suspect, I enjoyed the power which the
öFloodò tool gave, to constantly move around and change the colours of
anything and everything.
8.4
A particularly good educational use is that it is perfectly possible to
do some lettering and joined up writing using the mouse as a writing
implement. There is also the usual text tool for adding a brief word or
two, but the font choice is the rather doubtful ösystemò style. (I wish
programmers would not always assume that a cheap and badly designed font
is good enough for infants to print with. In fact, they should always be
offered the very best.)
8.4
An excellent feature of Scribble is the facility to mix colours and to
save and name your own choice of palettes. This is done by a very clever
visual of three paint tubes, red, green and blue, being poured into a
funnel and spilling out on the floor in the mixed colour!
8.4
These öSet-upsò as they are termed, are very useful, as you can pre-
determine whole colour schemes and name them ready for future use. The
more one plays about with this deceptively simple program, the more
possibilities come to light. Pictures are easily saved as sprites, and
an excellent feature is that when you select SAVE, your whole computer
filing system is displayed on a scroll for you to choose where to put
the sprite. Very convenient, and well worth noting for other programs.
8.4
It is possible to load sprites from all sorts of other programs such as
Paint, Arctist, and so on. I found it would even load in my sprites from
the Video digitiser, turning the black and white photos into a wide
variety of coloured graphic images which were exciting enough to use in
serious DTP applications.
8.4
Altogether an attractive and worthwhile package with a well written
booklet. Good value at ú29.95 +VAT from Honormead Software
Solutions.ááAá
8.4
Jumble Fun & Complete the Picture
8.4
Christopher Jarman
8.4
Jumble Fun
8.4
This program is aimed at pre-school and keystage 1 children and is a
series of jigsaws which can be broken into four, six or eight pieces and
assembled using mouse, keyboard or touch-window. It is well-designed and
has amusing pictures which will appeal to children in the intended age
range. Teachers would need to decide for themselves to what purpose they
would put the program because the activity is as much to do with
computer familiarisation as anything.
8.4
Complete the picture
8.4
A very easy program indeed to use because it is aimed especially at pre-
school and children with special needs. It works with both mouse and
touch-window. The child simply has to select up to three items in turn
to complete a picture on the screen. Success is guaranteed and the
rewards are pleasantly animated with suitable sound effects. This
program would suit quite severely handicapped youngsters because the
final placing of the missing piece is snapped into place using three
levels of difficulty. For any teacher looking for a really simple
program with high motivation in order to introduce a reluctant
handicapped pupil of any age to the Archimedes I would recommend
Complete the Picture without hesitation.
8.4
These two programs cost ú14.95 +VAT each from Honormead Software
Solutions. All the Honormead product prices include site licences.ááAá
8.4
HQ-Tracker
8.4
Andrew Clover
8.4
Mycroft Softwareæs ₧rst Acorn release is a suite of audio-related
programs providing control of sound samples and, most importantly, their
sequencing to form music. It repeatedly claims to be more than Éjust
another soundtracker editoræ. However, with a range of features more
than similar to other editors, and with the name of HQ-Tracker, it is
clear that it is a soundtracker editor. If it is to make much of an
impact in the already overcrowded Acorn market, then it will have to be
a good one.
8.4
At ú25, HQ-Tracker costs only half as much as the two commercial
soundtrackers that dominate the Acorn market at the moment. The software
comes on one disc, with two discs of instruments and a smart ring-bound
manual which gives a reasonable introduction to creating soundtrackers.
Inserting the software disc reveals the ₧ve applications that make up
the package and, because HQ-Tracker is an extendable suite rather than a
single application, there is also the shared SystemHQ directory. This
contains the player module that all the applications use. Strangely, the
player module is loaded when the SystemHQ folder is ₧rst seen, rather
than when needed. But this is a small gripe in a suite which is
generally well-designed.
8.4
The player module
8.4
At half the price of Digital Symphony and Desktop Tracker, you might
expect HQ-Tracker to be less powerful that the competitors... and youæd
be right! HQ-Tracker can only handle four voices of the eight available
on the Archimedes and Risc PC, and it has fewer effects than other
soundtracker systems. The ₧rst point is not as important as it sounds:
almost all soundtracker music, even that created on Acorn machines, uses
only four voices. The latter, though, is a problem.
8.4
HQ-Tracker supports only six effects: sequence jump, sequence abort,
volume, stereo, speed and pitch bend. Each of these effects is encoded
using separate bits of an Éevent wordæ, which means that, with the
exception of sequence jump, any or all of the effects may be applied to
a single note at the same time. This is an elegant, user-friendly
solution and avoids many of the more bizarre Digital Symphony effects
(such as ÉVolume slide & ₧ne slide downæ), but means that the number of
effects may not be extended beyond the basic six without a substantial
overhaul of the software. The effects are all right but I did, in
particular, miss arpeggio, an effect vital to four-voice soundtrackers.
8.4
Player module  Version tested  ARM6 time  ARM2 time
8.4
TrackerModule  4.00  12%  20%
8.4
QTMTracker  1.20  8%  12%
8.4
DigitalSymphony  1.30  9%  22%
8.4
DesktopTracker  1.11  unknown  29%
8.4
HQ-Tracker  1.00  9%  25%
8.4
The table above shows the results of tests applied to the main
soundtracker player modules. The results are percentages of processor
time used by the player; the lower the percentage, the quicker and
better the player. The results are not significant in absolute terms but
they are accurate relative to each other. The players were tested using
the same soundtracker ₧le on two different systems: a Risc PC with ARM6
and fast memory and an A3000 with ARM2 and slow memory. Desktop Tracker
could not be tested on the ARM6 system as it would not work with the
Risc PC. In the speed test, HQ-Tracker performed quite well: slightly
slower than Symphony, but faster than Desktop Tracker. Nothing was close
to QTMæs astonishing speed on the ARM2.
8.4
The player module provides all the SWIs needed to manage and play music
and any sound effects. It is very flexible, allowing sequences, samples
and sequence lists to be loaded and played from anywhere. The advantage
of this is that many pieces of music may be played, using the same set
of samples, and that the samples may also be used to create sound
effects where appropriate. The disadvantage is that the system is over-
complicated in many cases Ö to play a single piece of music could
require over twenty SWI calls. Perhaps a simple star command should have
been included to load and play a piece of music Ö for the faint-hearted
Basic programmer!
8.4
Creating music with HQTracker
8.4
Most soundtrackers are stored as single ₧les containing the sequence of
the music and all the samples. HQ-Tracker takes a different approach,
saving an application directory that contains the music sequence and
each of the samples as separate ₧les. This makes it easy to move samples
around but, as Impression users will appreciate, it does have its
disadvantages: lots of music sprites in the WIMP pool and the inability
to use names that other applications use Ö call a soundtracker ÉEditæ
and either the music will turn into a pen or Edit will look like a music
₧le!
8.4
HQ-Tracker also takes a slightly different approach to the management of
samples. Although it is possible to leave samples scattered about the
hard disc, and just drag them in when you want to use them, you can also
organise them in libraries. These libraries may then be loaded into the
HQ-Tracker editor, which categorises samples from all installed
libraries into various types and allows you to choose from them using a
menu (above), which is very handy when identifying and choosing samples.
8.4
The central editing mechanism is similar to that of every other
soundtracker: the lower keys on the Archimedes keyboard enter notes in
the current octave and the upper keys enter notes in the octave above
it. In addition, there is a piano-style keyboard window, the keys of
which may be clicked to enter their notes. It is also possible to edit
multiple notes by selecting them as a block, using the note editor
window (below). This works selectively, so it is possible, for example,
to change all notes played by one instrument to another. This works very
well with one drawback: when dragging the pointer across the window to
make a selection, the window does not scroll; neither can you use
<adjust> to alter the selection. This means that you canæt select more
than a windowful of music without using the less-than-intuitive method
of moving the cursor and pressing <f6>.
8.4
Effects, again, are a problem in the HQ-Tracker editor. The method of
selecting one or more notes and editing their effects using a special
window (below) is great, but none of the effects are actually visible in
the music window, which can make it dif₧cult to work out what exactly is
happening in the music. The Effects window only applies effects to
areas, instead of editing existing effects Ö so you canæt see where
effects are, even when you attempt to edit them! Itæs all too easy, when
creating soundtrackers, to leave a pitch bend or stereo setting in the
file accidentally. You donæt notice it until you play the music, which
then sounds not quite right. This, together with the lack of any sort of
highlighting in the music window to show which part of the sequence is
currently being played (which one usually gets with single-tasking
soundtracker editors), can make it dif₧cult to Édebugæ soundtrackers.
8.4
In use, I found it easier to create music in HQ-Tracker than in Digital
Symphony or Desktop Tracker, apart from the invisible effects problem.
(This may be a bug Ö there is room for them in the music window, and the
SWI that creates the note names does, according to the manual, show the
effects.) The ability to select a block of any length and number of
voices and copy it elsewhere in the music saved an awful lot of time.
8.4
The rest of the suite
8.4
The other program that gets used often when creating music is LibMaker.
This application accepts a collection of samples dragged in, allows them
to have various attributes (such as description, category and repeat
loop bounds) edited and saves out a library containing the samples which
can then be used by HQ-Tracker. This, too, has a few shortcomings.
Firstly, unlike HQTracker itself, there is no viewer on the waveform of
the sample, which makes it quite dif₧cult to set the repeat loop
accurately. Secondly, it is not possible to re-load libraries once made.
To alter any of the samples, or add new ones, you must open up a library
and drag all the samples in it into LibMaker. These points aside,
LibMaker works ₧ne.
8.4
HQ-Bars shows the volume of each voice as a set of VU-bars in a window Ö
pointless but pretty. HQ-Player is a public domain player that loads and
plays music applications. Finally, thereæs ST-Ripper. This application
attempts to convert soundtrackers into HQ-Tracker compatible music.
Considering that HQ-Tracker has fewer effects than most soundtrackers,
and that they work differently, few soundtrackers are converted with
complete accuracy. Additionally, ST-Ripper only knows how to convert
music from the Archimedes Tracker package, not the more common Amiga
soundtracker formats or Digital Symphony ₧les or Desktop Trackers. These
have to be converted to Tracker format ₧rst; the public domain program
TrackConv will do the job.
8.4
Conclusion
8.4
With its lack of effects, HQ-Tracker is not the package for those who
wish to convert music from other computers. Those authors needing the
more esoteric effects may also need to look at Symphony, and those who
really want sixteen voices may prefer Desktop Tracker. However, if you
wish to create your own music easily and donæt really need the
complexities of vibrato, tremolo, and arpeggio, HQ-Tracker is a most
effective soundtracker. At only ú25 from Mycroft Software (or ú20 if you
mention you are an Archive subscriber), HQ-Tracker is very good value
for money Ö and you even get a discount voucher for a forthcoming
morphing package.ááAá
8.4
Conjugez!
8.4
Charles Hill
8.4
Conjugez! is a French verb conjugation package. The version reviewed
(v3.01) was for a single user, but a site licence version is also
available. The program is supplied as a single disc together with a 26
page A5 manual. The single user version can be installed (and
deinstalled) to a hard disc using an !Install program which was easy to
use. It can also be installed (but not deinstalled) to a floppy disc.
Once installed the master disc was not required. Also included are
applications to configure/deconfigure the program to run on 1Mb
machines.
8.4
Running the program
8.4
Once the program is loaded, clicking <select> on the icon brings up a
window which contains a candle and a Étoolboxæ which allows accented
characters to be typed, either by pressing a function key or by clicking
on the character with <select>. <Menu> brings up a menu in French. The
ÉJeuæ option allows a game to be started, finished, paused and
restarted. Another option allows verb tenses to be selected with a
choice of 14 tenses in all together with active and passive options for
each as available. Yet another option gives control of the candle which
can be set to burn down in a preset (but alterable) time so that there
is a time limit on each turn, and the timeout may be set to terminate
the turn or just register the passage of a set time.
8.4
Options are available which control the verbs in use, display the
current score and select help. On commencing the game, the window
displays the numerical score, the number of the current turn, the verb
infinitive with an English translation, the required tense (in French)
and the personal pronoun. It is then necessary to type in the
appropriate part of the verb. Pressing <return> will bring up a box
confirming a correct response, allowing a retry or the viewing of the
correct response. The same dialogue box allows access to the help system
and specific information (in French) on the appropriate verb.
8.4
Curriculum use
8.4
I have shown the program to my Modern Language colleagues at school who
were quite impressed with the scope of the program. They felt that there
was now less emphasis on grammar in their courses, particularly with
lower years, but, as the program had the facility to choose appropriate
levels of difficulty, it could have a use with most ages from 11-18. The
self-tuition facility would be particularly useful to Sixth Form
students. Motivation could be improved by the use of the timed candle
and as a studentæs skill improves, the time can, of course, be
shortened. The Score option from the game menu allows the current score
to be broken down and displayed as a bar chart which shows the number of
correct responses for each test Ö a useful diagnostic aid as it
demonstrates visually the performance with different tenses.
8.4
There is also an extensive Help facility (in English!) which gives
access to 186 pages of grammatical instruction. The help facility has a
simple toolbar to allow movement between pages (or 10 pages at a time)
and there is a comprehensive index which is colour-coded into main and
minor topics. An easy to use search facility is also provided. The help
facility is available by function keypress, the game menu or the icon
bar menu.
8.4
Also available from the icon bar menu is a conjugation option which will
display the conjugation of the selected verb in the chosen tense,
masculine/feminine (or both for 3rd person and compound verb endings)
and active/passive.
8.4
Configuring the program
8.4
It is possible to change tenses and change the candle burn time from the
main menu but these and additional facilities are available from the
iconbar menu. This enables the user to load verb files, obtain help on
verbs, set preferences and look at complete conjugations of the verb
file currently loaded. The preferences option allows four things to be
preset; the time taken for the candle to burn down, the scoring system
(e.g. how many points and how many attempts are allowed), the way in
which verb files are loaded and the level of difficulty. The level of
difficulty ranges from level 1 (avoir, Ωtre and a few regular -er verbs)
to level 9 (over 3500 verbs for A level) with level 6 (GCSE level) in
between.
8.4
Verdict
8.4
My language colleagues and I were impressed by the scope of this
program. It is easy to use Ö I could access most features without
reference to the manual. The aim of the program in the Info window is
öto replace the teacherò Ö it certainly adds a dimension to verb
learning which should motivate many students and it is reasonably self-
contained. I think the help system, which I have not really accessed in
any detail, is impressive in its content and scope (even as judged by
the index).
8.4
The network version also adds the facility to create and edit verb files
which gives the teacher more flexibility and additional verbs are
matched to existing verb models.
8.4
There is only one serious criticism I would make of the software which
is the legibility of the verb conjugations with some monitors. There
were no problems with mode 27 on my A5000 but mode 15 made reading very
difficult, especially on the A310s at school with the Philips 8033
monitors.
8.4
I was surprised that there seemed to be no printout facilities, the
provision of which might be a useful resource for modern language
teachers. I also discovered a possible bug in that under some conditions
(Iæve not yet worked out how) pressing a function key for an accented
character produced two of them! (The other software loaded at the time
was PipeDream4 which I used to type this review.)
8.4
Overall, the program seems excellent value for money and keen travellers
might also bear it in mind as a different means of brushing up on their
vocabulary.
8.4
Conjugez! is available from Creative Curriculum Software. The cost for a
single user is ú25.48 +VAT and a site licence version is available for
ú89 +VAT.ááAá
8.4
Sleuth OCR Upgraded
8.4
Peter Jennings
8.4
Beebug have released the first major upgrade to their optical character
recognition program, Sleuth. The upgrade first appeared as version 1.5
and this review is of the slightly later version 1.51.
8.4
Sleuth will now recognise three more fonts: American Typewriter,
Benguiat and New Baskerville. It also knows six extra characters: # ^ *
@ _  and can now deal with bold typefaces. There is a new option for the
removal of end-of-line hyphens and Twain is supported, allowing direct
scanning with Canon, Epson and HP flatbed scanners. Mode 25 and 29
sprites are also accepted, as well as 18, and so are sprites which have
been compressed using Squash.
8.4
Sleuth also now stores more information about each character which
improves its accuracy, particularly with letters which appear very
similar, such as öcò and öeò.
8.4
I tested the improved accuracy by making new conversions of scanned
sprites used during tests for the original version. All were improved
and most errors now seemed to be caused by characters that the program
has still not been taught to recognise. A typical result came from the
paragraph published in the original review last October (Archive 7.1
p53). Then there were nine errors from 330 characters, giving an
accuracy of 97.27%. This time there were only four errors, improving
accuracy to 98.78%. Put another way, the number of errors had been
reduced to less than half.
8.4
Bold type is dealt with by using a new öSelect fontsò option. For normal
text, the option should be set to öDefaultò, which is quicker and more
accurate, but will not recognise bold styles. When öPlusBoldò is
selected, however, the emboldened words magically appear although at the
expense of a slower conversion and possibly less accuracy when dealing
with the normal text.
8.4
Improving speed
8.4
I commented in a previous review that Sleuth was considerably slower,
although more accurate, than the rival OCR program, Optical. This is
still the case although as Sleuth has fewer errors, the output needs
less correcting and this will probably make it quicker to produce a
final version. The ReadMe file suggests improving speed by using a lower
definition mode, such as 0 or 12, and removing unnecessary applications
from the iconbar and this can make a marked difference. I re-ran a
previous test with my standard set-up, using mode 20, and the conversion
took 2 minutes 35 seconds. In mode 12, it took 2 minutes 17 seconds. I
then stripped my iconbar and, in mode 20, it took 1 minute 47 seconds
while in mode 12, it was 1 minute 28 seconds. The timings for Optical
ranged from 35 to 31 seconds.
8.4
Twain
8.4
I have seen a demonstration of Sleuth using Twain to work with the
output from a flatbed scanner but Richard Readings, of Wokingham, has
been testing Sleuth 1.5 with a Canon IX-4015 A4 scanner for some time
and he has written in with some interesting comments. He writes: öI
found that Sleuth is very sensitive to the Éthresholdæ selected when
scanning. In a bi-tonal scan, as required by Sleuth (and most other OCR
programs), each Épixelæ is interpreted as either black or white. The
Éthresholdæ is the level of grey beyond which it is considered to be
black rather than white. If the threshold is set too low, Énoiseæ on the
original will be picked up, but if too high, some of the text may be
lost. Noise will confuse the recognition process and patchy text will be
difficult to recognise. Somewhat misleadingly, the Écontrastæ control in
Twain is used to adjust the threshold for the Canon scanner. I often
have to make two or three attempts to find the optimum threshold for the
scan, but the Canon scanner is fast and because Sleuth displays its
output on a line by line basis, it doesnæt take long to see how accurate
the result is.ò
8.4
More and better
8.4
Beebugæs declared policy is to develop Sleuth in stages. In the original
review, I said that Sleuth worked well within its restrictions. The new
version of Sleuth does a little more and does it even better. Registered
owners have been sent details of the new upgrade, which is available for
ú5 plus VAT and postage.
8.4
Future plans
8.4
So what of future plans? The development of a Sleuth version 2 is well
advanced and this could be available before the end of the year,
although 1995 is seen as a more realistic target. Work is also going
ahead on version 2.5! Surprisingly, Beebug now seem to be moving away
from the idea of user-training for new fonts. Their thinking now is that
this should not be necessary if the program has been taught to recognise
a sufficient variety of typefaces. Sleuth has now been trained to handle
eleven fonts and it will, in fact, deal with a much wider range of
similar designs.
8.4
Version 2 will probably be capable of recognising more than forty and
translating them with increased accuracy. Other enhancements under
development include recognising more styles including italic, detecting
and handling columns of type and detecting and ignoring graphics.
Automatic spell-checking is also possible although this would use more
computer memory. User-training has not been completely ruled out but it
will be introduced only if it can be done efficiently and much more
quickly than is now possible.
8.4
Sleuth 2 costs ú49 +VAT from Beebug or ú54 through Archive.ááAá
8.4
Equate
8.4
Robert Chrismas
8.4
Equate is a graph plotting program which can also find numerical
solutions to equations. It can handle cartesian, parametric and polar
equations and the finished graphs can be printed or saved as drawfiles.
8.4
Equate is RISC OS compatible.
8.4
Expressions
8.4
Expressions are entered in a format which is as near as possible to the
standard algebraic notation but with the limitation that all the
characters must be on one line. Expressions like Ç(x▓+cos2x▓) are
interpreted correctly.
8.4
Trigonometrical, hyperbolic and exponential functions and their inverses
are all supported. Eight banks of Éinsertion iconsæ allow these
functions to be entered easily. There are lots of buttons so, should you
need it, a function like cosech│ can be entered with a single click.
8.4
Three types of function
8.4
Equate can superimpose the graphs of different equations. It has no
difficulty handling different types of equation simultaneously so the
graph of a polar equation can easily be superimposed on the graph of a
parametric equation. Each equation can be edited or deleted separately
and the display will update accordingly.
8.4
Some simple functions
8.4
The Érangeæ
8.4
There are several ways of specifying which part of the graph is to be
displayed. Maximum and minimum values for x, y, t and a can be entered
directly in a dialogue box. Alternatively, you can zoom in by dragging a
rectangle or zoom out by specifying a scale factor. It is also possible
to set a Élocal rangeæ for each function Ö this causes just a part of
the graph to be plotted.
8.4
Finally, there is the Éautorangeæ menu option. For cartesian equations,
autorange adjusts the y scale to include the whole graph for the given x
values. For polar and parametric equations, both the x and y scales will
be adjusted to display the whole graph.
8.4
A question
8.4
While checking the autorange option, it occurred to me that it would be
very difficult to get a program to choose the set of x values which
would display a graph including all the roots, all the turning points,
and any discontinuities of a function, or at least enough of the graph
for any repeating pattern to become apparent. With polynomials, it is
easy enough but for more complicated functions it might not always be
computable. Does anyone know?
8.4
The axes
8.4
By default, Equate will choose sensible divisions and subdivisions for
the axis but the user can overrule these settings. You might want to do
this if you needed to produce a graph which appeared to have been drawn
on graph paper. The default subdivisions are usually too far apart to
read off coordinates accurately by eye.
8.4
It is possible to choose suitable divisions and sub-divisions so that
the x axis can be read either in degrees or radians.
8.4
Accuracy and discontinuities
8.4
Equate evaluates coordinates at regularly spaced intervals. The user can
set the Éaccuracyæ which determines the number of points to be
calculated. The higher the accuracy, the longer the calculation time.
8.4
Some discontinuities are not detected
8.4
If the expression is undefined (infinite) at any point, Equate will
leave a gap. If the discontinuity lies between two calculated points,
Equate will join the points. To make sure that no obvious
discontinuities are missed, Equate also checks all the x division values
for discontinuities.
8.4
The display
8.4
The colour and thickness of the axis and of each curve can be adjusted.
8.4
The whole display can be saved as a drawfile or printed out at once. In
the drawfile, curves are constructed of (straight) line segments. If the
graph is straight, the number of segments is adjusted automatically so
that they are drawn with a single line segment. If the graph is curved,
the size of the drawfile depends on the chosen accuracy. A (probably
excessive) accuracy setting of 1000 requires about 13Kb per equation.
8.4
You can also save a file in Equate format. This file contains all the
functions and all the other settings of the program. The manual includes
an appendix which describes the file format. I thought this was a good
idea.
8.4
Solving problems
8.4
Equate can be used to find numerical solutions to equations. You can
enter an x value for a cartesian equation and Equate will calculate the
corresponding y value and the gradient at that point. For polar and
parametric graphs, you will have to specify the value of the angle or
the parameter.
8.4
In the trace mode, you can track along a graph with a display showing
the co-ordinates and the gradient at each point. Equate can also find a
numerical solution for the point of intersection of two graphs.
8.4
The manual
8.4
The manual covers all the features of the program and includes some
example problems with explanations and solutions. So far as is possible,
the manual avoids technical mathematical terms. I think this may have
been taken too far. Potential users of the program will probably have a
mathematical background and some may be irritated by the manualæs use of
the term Érangeæ to refer to the set of values which the independent
variable may take. There would have been no harm in introducing the term
Édomainæ with a brief explanation but this is only a pedantic criticism
Ö the manual is perfectly clear.
8.4
Good value?
8.4
I suppose most people who use this program will be involved in
education. Equate could be used individually or with a class to Étry
outæ a lot of functions very quickly. Teachers will also find it useful
for producing neat, accurate, pre-drawn graphs on handouts and work
sheets.
8.4
If you are not familiar with this sort of program, you should be warned
that there are functions which will upset any computer algorithm. For
example, 1/(sin(1/x)) is always going to be tricky to draw. In cases
like this, all you can expect is that the program will not crash. Equate
does not crash and it draws a curve from which you should be able to
deduce the true shape of the graph.
8.4
Since the program is RISC OS compatible, I suppose it is suitable for
use by children of any age who are capable of finding their way around
the desktop. How much they will understand of the graphs depends on the
difficulty of the functions chosen and the childrenæs mathematical
ability and not on their computer competence.
8.4
Thinking about my own A level mathematics class, I would certainly
prefer to use Equate instead of the rather antiquated single-tasking
program which we use now. However, our present program is able to use
numerical estimates of the gradient to produce an approximate graph of
the gradient function. Equate would benefit from a similar feature and
if it could also do numerical integration, that would be very welcome.
8.4
Equate, from PTW Software, costs ú17.95 inclusive of VAT, post and
packing, unlimited site licence, free upgrade path and technical
support. This is a reasonable price for a single user, but since it
includes an unlimited site licence, it represents excellent value for
educational establishments.ááAá
8.4
ArchiTech
8.4
Jim Wyllie
8.4
ArchiTech is a 3D modelling package written by the same company that
brought us SPEX and is designed to be intuitive in use with options to
suit most users. I have run ArchiTech on every Risc computer at our
school Ö from A3000, 2Mb, ARM2 to Risc PC Ö with no serious troubles at
all. The obvious advantages of speed, memory and colour availability are
taken for granted. Certainly, I have yet to come across an unsatisfied
customer, of any age.
8.4
Installing
8.4
ArchiTech comes in a hardbacked ring folder similar to Impression and
comprises a series of six example discs and a single compressed master
program. The protection included is, in my opinion, the most effective,
especially for school. The master disc is named before use Ö with the
master, after installation, safely stored away in its box.
8.4
The manual is excellent, full of useful graphics and written in a
readable language. It must have been good because I actually read it Ö
not a common phenomenon with me.
8.4
The mixture of example files is very varied, demonstrates just what can
be achieved with this program and gives a good starting point to
prospective users. You are given a series of ArchiTech models,
interesting backgrounds, textures for your own drawings and a group of
Ace films. One disc also includes a three-sided function strip in
drawfile format.
8.4
Installation is handled in a similar manner to Style. Double click the
installation program, answer the questions and do as instructed Ö with
the program decompressing efficiently onto anything from 800Kb floppy
(leaving enough free space for printer and system resources) to hard
drive.
8.4
Starting up
8.4
On loading the application, a banner screen (including the registered
useræs details) is displayed while ArchiTech installs itself onto the
iconbar. Clicking once on this icon opens a user-defined number of
windows, each of which is now described in turn. A complex option list
is acted upon when the program is first loaded, setting various things
including the scale, grid type, hardcopy format, and an automatically
saved backup file. If you are using a locked Risc PC, make sure the
backup file is saved into the Public folder.
8.4
Edit window
8.4
This is the main input window providing ten different complex 3D forms
which can be selected from either a graphic menu, a normal menu or
preset function keys. They range from the simplest cube to complex
extrusions, sweeps and wedge shapes. As the number of sides of any
figure can be fully defined, a four-sided cone would give a square
pyramid.
8.4
A grid, with lock, is provided and you can copy, move, resize and rotate
any of the selected forms. A very useful addition is that the dimensions
are shown as you draw, together with the co-ordinates of the cursor, so
that working to a certain size is straight forward. The unit of
measurement and scale of the drawing are also user-definable.
8.4
Drawing a selected form could not be simpler Ö choose the elevation in
which to begin and construct the first section of the shape using an
intelligent 2D rubber-banding system to help. You are now moved
automatically to the second view and led through the completion of the
form. Some of the possible forms are more complex than others but all
are quickly learnt and you are always shown the outlines of the form as
it is built.
8.4
A further, and very powerful, construction method is also available Ö
that of importing a drawfile and extruding it to a suitable dimension.
Drop the drawfile onto the Edit window, enter the depth of the intended
extrusion plus a number of the optional effects and within a few seconds
the extruded form is constructed.
8.4
When using the lower power Acorn computers, we found that patience must
be applied during the construction stage, to give the processor time to
work Ö drawing too quickly sometimes gave problems. The excellent backup
file system was utilised as a safety net.
8.4
View window
8.4
This window shows, in either three point Perspective or in Isometric, a
view of your design which is constantly updated as you work in the Edit
window. You can pan and magnify the view of your form, select single or
multiple facets for colouring, manipulate the single lighting source and
add a suitable backdrop in the form of a sprite, all from simple tool
icons. The effect of the lighting makes the object come to life, giving
a more three dimensional feel.
8.4
Rendering a form could not be easier Ö select the surface(s), then the
required colour or texture, click the painting icon and the colour is
added immediately. This can be updated, with ease, at any time in the
future.
8.4
The animation possibilities are also very versatile, although, one word
of warning, save your design before you start. After making an animation
mistake, I found that recovering your basic design took some patience.
Models can animate automatically or operate only after a specific mouse
action.
8.4
Render tools
8.4
This is the effects window. It allows the selection of colour or texture
from a series of three active graphic menus, addition of colour to the
edges, removal of individual facets and the making of transparent
surfaces. A drawfile or sprite can be wrapped, or mapped, around one or
more surfaces with the further option of making invisible any black
portions Ö a useful method of making odd shaped holes or windows. You
can make your object look like any material from glass to granite, steel
to plastic and all at the click of the mouse button.
8.4
An interactive help line is provided. This helps the beginner and
supplies the correct page in the manual for more information, updating
continually, no matter which of the ArchiTech windows you are accessing.
8.4
Full screen view
8.4
One of the options from the View window is the full screen mode. You are
given selected modes to see your final model in full colour together
with the selected background. Selecting this mode moves the computer to
single task, taking over the whole screen and providing a far greater
redraw speed. Your model can now be moved, in real-time, by selected
mouse movements. If any animation is available, this can be operated
easily with a single key press. If your model is that of a building, or
similar, then you can set the mouse to walk you through, or around, the
model, giving the illusion of a virtual reality demonstration.
Everything shown in this full screen mode can be recorded as either Ace
or Replay film, for display later without the main program. Some of the
available modes give superb results Ö even modes 13 or 15 give ample
results for most needs.
8.4
At this point the smaller memories and the slower processors of our
A3000s show their age although the machines are still quick enough if
the drawing is not too large.
8.4
Net window
8.4
As if we had not had enough for our money, every form that you draw can
be plotted, or drawn, as a surface development (Net), including gluing
tabs, with or without the appropriate rendering details and choosing any
of the given output hardware options Ö anything from A4 printer to A2
plotter. Preparing a hardcopy of our practice design, using an HP550C,
was straightforward, produced a reasonable rendition and printed evenly,
minimising the streaking effects.
8.4
Output
8.4
To be of any serious use, a 3D package must enable you to transfer your
drawings to other programs. ArchiTech allows you to save in native
format, export the view window image as a sprite or a drawfile or as a
Working Drawing Ö a drawfile showing the object without dimensions, in
three elevations, in either first or third angle, together with a
perspective view. I had a small problem here with the working drawing as
it required enlarging, vertically, by a factor of approximately 1.8.
This bug is being worked on at the moment, does not occur on the Risc PC
and is easily rectified with a Keystroke action file.
8.4
You can also output any design in a format suitable for SPEX, the sister
3D manipulation package from the same company.
8.4
Support
8.4
The quality of support from Aspex has been excellent. One phone call
brought a result in ten minutes. An open day was held with one of the
team for all interested bodies in Edinburgh. Demonstrations were given
of how to get the best from ArchiTech. Most importantly for its users,
Aspex acted on our list of wants/needs immediately. The programmers are
continuing to improve ArchiTech with the inclusion of 24-bit colour
almost complete, two more drawing tools being developed and printer
routines being improved. At the moment, all upgrades are free (provided
you enclose a SAE) and are turned round efficiently.
8.4
Conclusion
8.4
This program is designed with the Risc PC in mind, but is still capable
of running on a lowly 2Mb A3000. I have now taught classes of different
age groups and watched them enjoying success with ArchiTech within a
very short time. My friendæs son, aged seven, can understand the basic
system and loves to show his creations to all who are available.
8.4
The program does have a few problems but these are all being addressed
and few make the platform unstable. Imagine taking a colour scan of a
biscuit wrapper, mapping it onto a drawing of a cylinder, adding a
suitable background and rotating the result in real-time Ö itæs been
done Ö it took no time at all and the final result was very effective
indeed.
8.4
I have used many different 3D modelling packages and I cannot recommend
this one enough Ö simple and easy to use, plenty of features and
excellent value for money. ArchiTech can be bought from Aspex for ú169
+VAT or ú185 through Archive.ááAá
8.4
4th Dimension   1 Percy Street, Sheffield, S3 8AU. (0114-270-0661)
(0114-278-1091)
8.4
4Mation    14 Castle Park Road, Whiddon Valley, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32
8PA. (01271-25353) (01271-22974)
8.4
Abacus Training    29 Okus Grove, Upper Stratton, Swindon, Wilts, SN2
6QA.
8.4
Acorn Computers Ltd    Acorn House, Vision Park, Histon, Cambridge, CB4
4AE. (01223-254254) (01223-254262)
8.4
Anglia Television   Media Development, Anglia House, Norwich, NR1 3JG.
(01603-615151) (01603-631032)
8.4
APDL    39 Knighton Park Road, Sydenham, London, SE26 5RN.
8.4
Aspex Software   Heather House, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 9AG. (01822-
611060)
8.4
  (01822-611061)
8.4
Avie Electronics (p25)  7 Overbury Road, Norwich. (01603-416863) (01603-
788640)
8.4
Beebug Ltd (p65)  117 Hatfield Road, St Albans, Herts, AL1 4JS. (01727-
840303)
8.4
  (01727-860263)
8.4
Cherisha Software (p9)  51 Swallowfield Road, Charlton, London, SE7 7NT.
8.4
Clares Micro Supplies   98 Middlewich Road, Rudheath, Northwich,
Cheshire, CW9 7DA.
8.4
  (01606-48511) (01606-48512)
8.4
Colton Software (p30)   2 Signet Court, Swanns Road, Cambridge, CB5 8LA.
(01223-311881) (01223-312010)
8.4
Computer Concepts (pp15/29)   Gaddesden Place, Hemel Hempstead, Herts,
HP2 6EX. (01442-63933) (01442-231632)
8.4
Creative Curriculum Software   5 Clover Hill Road, Savile Park, Halifax,
HX1 2YG. (01422-340524) (01422-346388)
8.4
Cumana Ltd   Pines Trading Estate, Broad Street, Guilford, GU3 3BH.
(01483-503121)   (01483-503326)
8.4
Dalriada Data Technology (p8)  145 Albion Street, Kenilworth,
Warkwickshire, CV8 2FY. (01926-53901)
8.4
Datafile   71 Anson Road, Locking, Weston-super-Mare, Avon, BS24 7DQ.
8.4
  (01934-823005)
8.4
David Pilling   P.O.Box 22, Thornton Cleveleys, Blackpool, FY5 1LR.
8.4
Dave Lawrence (p25)  33 High Street, Farnborough, GU14 6ES.
8.4
Doggysoft   7 Blackhorse Crescent, Amersham, Bucks., HP6 6HP.
8.4
Font Company Ltd    47 Goodhale Road, Bowthorpe, Norwich, NR5 9AY.
(01603-748253) (01603-740203)
8.4
GamesWare   Unit 26, The Bartletts, Hamble, Hants., SO35 5RP.
(01703Ö456523)
8.4
  (or 0243-531194) (01703Ö456523)
8.4
Hodge Electronic Services    16 Mold Road, Mynydd Isa, Clwyd, CH7 6TD.
(01244-550803)
8.4
Honormead Software Solutions   Admin House, The Grange, Hospital Lane,
Michleover, Derby, DE3 5DR. (01332-512848)
8.4
iSV Products   86, Turnberry, Home Farm, Bracknell, Berks, RG11 8ZH.
(01334-55769)
8.4
Ivoryash Ltd   14 Perwell Close, Bredon, Tewkesbury, Gloucester, GL20
7LJ.
8.4
  (01684-73173)
8.4
Koeksuster Publications   St Augustineæs Cottage, High Street, Mill
Hill, London NW7 1QY.
8.4
  (0181-959-3321) ([e-mail])
8.4
Kudlian Soft   8 Barrow Road, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8á1EH. (01926-
851147)
8.4
Lambda Publications   194 Cheney Manor Road, Swindon SN2 2NZ. (01793-
695296)
8.4
Le Computer   Main Road, Willows Green, Chelmsford, CM3 1QB. (01245-
362225) (01245-362225)
8.4
Longman Logotron   124 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge
CB4 4ZS.
8.4
  (01223-425558) (01223-425349)
8.4
LOOKsystems (pp40/41)  47 Goodhale Road, Bowthorpe, Norwich, NR5 9AY.
(01603-748253) (01603-740203)
8.4
Micro Laser Designs   105 Midford Road, Combe Downs, Bath BA2 5RX. Tel
(01225-833266)
8.4
Minerva Systems   Minerva House, Baring Crescent, Exeter, EX1 1TL.
(01392-437756) (01392-421762)
8.4
Mycroft Software   53 Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, AL1 2ER.
8.4
Oak Solutions (p26)   Dial House, 12 Chapel Street, Halton, Leeds, LS15
7RN (0113-232-6992) (0113-232-6993)
8.4
Octopus Systems   9 Randwell Close, Ipswich, IP4 5ES. (01473-728943)
(01473-270643)
8.4
Quantum Software (p16)  35 Pinewood Park, Deans, Livingston, EH54 8NN.
(01506-411162 after 6)
8.4
Sherston Software   Angel House, Sherston, Malmesbury, Wilts. SN16 0LH.
(01666-840433) (01666-840048)
8.4
Supreme Software Ltd (p37)   21 Courtenay Close, Chapel Break,
Bowthorpe, Norwich, NR5 9LB.
8.4
T-J Reproductions   Unit D, Canada House, Blackburn Road, West
Hampstead, London
8.4
  NW6 1RZ. (0171-372-4430) (0171-372-0515)
8.4
Uniqueway   42 Crwys Road, Cardiff, CF2 4NN.  (01222-644611) (01222-
644622)
8.4
US Gold Ltd   Units 2/3, Holford Way, Holford, Birmingham, B6 7AX.
(0121-625-3366) (0121-606-1822)
8.4
Norwich Computer Services  96a Vauxhall Street, Norwich, NR2 2SD.
(01603-766592) (01603-764011)
8.4
Government Health Warning Ö Reading this could seriously affect your
spiritual health.
8.4
It could be you! How many tickets have you bought for the National
Lottery? Just think what life would be like if you won a million pounds!
Think of all those things you could buy. Think of the security it would
bring Ö no more financial worries for the rest of your life. It really
would be great, wouldnæt it?!
8.4
But have you really thought about the implications of suddenly having
pots of money? Have you thought how it would affect your friendships and
your relationships with your family? Have a think now.
8.4
How can you be sure that all those Éfriendsæ that you seem to be getting
are really Éfriendsæ and arenæt just after your money? Can you really
trust them? How will your real friends feel if they think that you donæt
trust them? Suddenly, you donæt know who you can trust. What did we just
say about Ésecurityæ?
8.4
Iæm not trying to argue against the National Lottery but Iæm trying to
use it as an example to show how easily we swallow the lies of the
media. Iæm sorry but I just donæt believe that life would be wonderful
if I had lots of money... or the Érightæ car or the Érightæ clothes, or
whatever other material goods they say I Éneedæ.
8.4
The only things that are really important are our relationships with one
another. (I would use the word Éloveæ but that too has been hijacked!)
Proverbs 15v17 puts it well, öBetter a meal of vegetables where there is
love than a fattened calf with hatred.ò Simple but profound.
8.4
And I know I canæt prove this, but from my experience, what is really,
really important is our relationship with God. Get that right and many
other things suddenly make sense. Again from Proverbs, in the same
chapter, but verse 16: öBetter a little with the fear of the Lord than
great wealth with turmoil.ò
8.4
Anyone who has come to know the love of God as seen in Jesus knows what
true riches are.
8.4