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Archive Magazine 1996
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volume_05
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issue_12
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1995-02-16
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274 lines
Å 12 new Acorn computers!!!!! Yes, this month, Acorn have launched
twelve new computers as well as some other new products. Actually the
twelve are variants of four new computers (A3010, A3020, A4000 and Acorn
Pocket Book) and the A5000. Here are brief details but for full
technical details, see the enclosed supplement.
5.12
Å A3010 Family Solution is based on the exciting new A3010 computer and
is aimed at the home user. The A3010 uses an ARM250 processor which
gives it 50% more processing power than the current A3000. For ú499 inc
VAT you get a computer that will connect to either a TV or a standard
resolution monitor or a multisync monitor. It has two joystick inter
faces (Atari switched-type), 1M RAM, upgradable to 2M, and comes with a
game (Quest For Gold), a wordprocessor (the new version of Easiword Ö
see below) and an audio training tape.
5.12
Å A3010 Learning Curve uses the same computer as the Family Solution but
is upgraded to 2M of RAM and is bundled with more software and comes
complete with an Acorn AKF40 monitor. For ú799 inc VAT, in addition to
Easiword and Quest For Gold, you get a set of Genesis applications and
PCSoft (PC Emulator, by any other name, but now with DR-DOS 6).
5.12
Å A3020 is also an ARM250-based computer. However, in place of the TV
modulator it has an interface for an IDE hard drive and, in place of the
two joystick ports, there is space for networking circuits, either
Econet or Ethernet. The basic A3020 has 2M (upgradable to 4M) and comes
with an AKF40 monitor (see below) for ú749 +VAT (ú880) or ú799 +VAT
(ú939) with an AKF18 multisync monitor. There is also a 4M version with
a 60M internal IDE drive (which does not take up the mini-podule slot).
This costs ú899 +VAT (ú1056) with the AKF40 or ú949 +VAT (ú1115) with
the AKF18 multisync. (The exVAT education prices of the A3020 computers
are all ú100 less than the end user prices.)
5.12
Å A4000 Ö The A4000 is basically an A3020 in a metal case but with a
larger (80M) hard drive. The A4000 looks very much like a Éslim-lineæ
A5000. Like the A3020, it takes just one internal mini-podule. With an
AKF40 standard resolution monitor, it costs ú949 +VAT (ú1115) or with an
AKF18 multisync, it costs ú999 +VAT (ú1174). The exVAT educational
prices of the A4000 are ú100 less than the end-user prices.
5.12
Å A4000 Home Office Ö This is a package aimed at the serious home user
and consists of an A4000 system, an advanced wordprocessor (EasiWriter
II from Icon Technology) and Desktop Database from Iota Software. With
an AKF40 monitor, it costs ú999 +VAT (ú1174) or with an AKF18 multisync,
it costs ú1049 +VAT (ú1233).
5.12
Å A5000 prices DOWN (and drive sizes UP!) The A5000 is now available in
two formats: the 2M/HD80, similar to the current A5000 but with 80M
drive instead of 40M at ú1399 +VAT (ú1644) and the 4M/HD120 with 4M of
RAM and a 120M hard drive for ú1599 +VAT (ú1879). (The education prices
are ú1199 and ú1399 +VAT respectively.) The A5000 Learning Curve version
is ú1699 inc VAT and is based on the 2M/HD80 version. These computers
are still supplied with the AKF18 multisync monitor although some
dealers (including N.C.S.) may be persuaded to trade in an AKF18 against
a more expensive multisync monitor.
5.12
Å A5000 hard-drive-less computers Ö There are now two A5000 computers
available without hard drives (but with AKF18 multisync monitors). The
A5000 ES has an Econet interface and 2M of RAM and costs ú1299 +VAT. The
A5000 NS has an Ethernet interface and 2M of RAM and costs ú1399 +VAT.
(The education prices of these two computers are ú1199 and ú1299 +VAT
respectively.)
5.12
Å Acorn Pocket Book Ö Acorn have launched a pocket-sized computer
(developed in co-operation with Psion and bearing a remarkable similar
ity to the Psion Series 3). These will have an Archimedes link with
software that will make the Pocket Book appear as a filing system on the
host computer. The cost is ú249.95 inc VAT.
5.12
Å AKF40 monitor Ö Acorn have launched a new monitor aimed particularly
at the A3010 and A3020 computers. It is functionally the same as the new
AKF17 standard resolution monitor with stereo sound output but it has a
tilt and swivel stand. The A3010 and the A3020 are not as deep as the
A3000, so the monitor can be self-standing, behind the computer.
5.12
Å AUN Level 4 Fileserver Ö The new version of Acornæs Fileserver
incorporates the Acorn Universal Networking software. The price is ú399
+VAT.
5.12
Å 10 Out of 10 Maths is the first of a new series of educational
programs from Triple R, the educational arm of Fourth Dimension. Each of
the 10 out of 10 packages, including 10 Out of 10 Maths, consists of six
educational games. Each package will have two manuals Ö one for the
teachers and one for the pupils. Also, each will come with three sets of
graphics, the idea being that they are designed to appeal to different
age groups. This package covers areas of addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, percentages, estimation,
units and powers. The software also includes a scoring system so that
teachers can see how the pupils are progressing. The price is ú25.95
from Fourth Dimension or ú24 through Archive.
5.12
Å 2067 BC Ö öA wacky arcade caper, set in a weird era where just about
anything can and will happen. As Terrance Pterodactyl, youære challenged
to complete your missions to resume life as you know it in 2067 BC.ò
This new game from Oregan Developments costs ú16.95 (no VAT).
5.12
Å Analogue simulation package Ö Mijas Software has produced a general
purpose Éanalogueæ simulation package called ArcSimp. It provides
integrators, summers, function generators, trig functions, etc and will
allow you to model all sorts of different systems. ArcSimp costs ú50
including VAT and p&p from Mijas and they also sell a demonstration
version for ú5 refundable against a purchase of the full system.
5.12
Å Colorgraf 0516 is an 8-pen A3 plotter for ú295 (no VAT). It is HPGL
compatible, so as long as you have an appropriate driver such as
DrawPrint & Plot, it represents a very cheap plotting option. It can use
cheap felt-tip pens (e.g. a box of 50 for ú2.99 from Asda). These
plotters are being imported from Czechoslovakia by O G Brown, 2áWestend
Villas, Westend Parade, Gloucester GL1 2RY. If you want to do a screen-
dump, software is available from the same source for ú35 (no VAT).
5.12
Å Cyber Chess Ö Fourth Dimension have added chess to their long list of
games for the Archimedes. This is a RISC-OS compliant, 3D simulation
version Ö with 2D as an option. It implements full chess laws including
en passant, underpromotions and the 50/75 move rule. Cyber Chess is
ú49.95 from Fourth Dimension or ú46 through Archive.
5.12
Å Desktop Office version 2 Ö This is a slightly updated version of
Desktop Office from Minerva with a few extra features. The main change
is that it also includes a copy of the new Easiword as well as the
Wordwise Plus look-alike that version 1 contains. The price is ú99 +VAT
or ú108 through Archive.
5.12
Å Easiword version 2 Ö The original Easiword was a multi-tasking
Wordwise Plus look-alike and the new version is a First Word Plus look-
alike. The price is ú59 +VAT or ú64 through Archive.
5.12
Å Geordie Racer Ö This software from Longman Logotron is based on the
popular BBC School TV series, öLook & Read : Geordie Racerò which is due
for its next broadcast in Spring 1993. The TV programmes are aimed at
young readers aged 7 Ö 9 years and the software is an adventure game
designed to improve their reading skills. The price is ú24 +VAT or ú26
through Archive.
5.12
Å Grid Algebra Ö This is the first Archimedes package produced by the
Open University Centre for Mathematics Education. It provides a dynamic
visual approach to algebra for primary and secondary level teaching. The
program relates horizontal and vertical movements over a grid to the
four basic operations of number. Algebraic expressions are generated by
journeys made over the grid. The price is ú25 inc VAT from the O.U.
5.12
Å Molecular modeller Ö Arachne Software are producing a molecular
modelling package which, when completed, will sell at around ú50. In the
meantime, if anyone wants a demonstration disc, they are available from
Arachne for ú5 refundable against a purchase of the full package.
5.12
Å Nevryon II Ö This is an upgrade of the original Nevryon shot-em-up
game from the Fourth Dimension. The main enhancement is the two-player
mode so that you can work together to defeat the aliens. The price is
ú19.95 from Fourth Dimension or ú19 through Archive.
5.12
Å PlayBack Ö Risc Developments have produced a real-time mouse and
keyboard recording and replay system called PlayBack. A PD version of
PlayBack is also supplied which can be distributed freely to allow
others to replay the sequences you have recorded. The price is ú19 + VAT
from Risc Developments.
5.12
Å RISC-OS 3 is now available for all Acorn Risc-based computers. The
full upgrade will cost ú89 inc VAT but, until mid-1993, it will be
available at the special price of ú49 inc VAT (ú50 through Archive
including postage because the manuals are so very heavy). For this, you
get a set of ROMs, fitting instructions, new Applications Discs and the
full RISC-OS 3 documentation and 3.10 Release Notes.
5.12
Owners of A305, A310 and A440 (not A440/1) will need larger ROM sockets
fitted. These are available as a dealer upgrade for ú30 inc VAT.
5.12
Schools (or anyone else for that matter!) wanting large numbers of RISC-
OS 3 upgrades can buy a 10-station set for ú399 inc VAT. This includes
one set of discs, one set of documentation and ten sets of ROMs.
5.12
A5000 owners can get an upgrade from RISC-OS 3.00 to 3.10, the latest
release, for ú19 inc VAT. This includes the ROMs and the 3.10 release
notes Ö a 40 page document giving the extra features of RISC-OS 3.10.
5.12
(Knowing what happened when RISC-OS 2 was released, I suggest you send a
SEPARATE cheque just in case demand outstrips initial supply. We will
hold your cheques in the order in which they arrive and send out the
upgrades in strict order. Archive readers are the first to know about
this upgrade, so you can be at the head of the queue if you send a
cheque straight away.)
5.12
Å Saloon Cars De-Luxe Extra Courses Volume 1 Ö 4th Dimension have now
added an extra courses disc to their De-Luxe Saloon Cars game. It costs
ú19.95 or ú18 through Archive. (N.B. Saloon Cars Deluxe does not work on
Archimedes computers using Taxan 795 monitors.)
5.12
Å ScanLight Professional Ö A new version of ScanLight Professional is
now available. It utilises a new model of scanner and although it will
be functionally the same, an A4 flat-bed 300dpi SCSI device, it has a
number of advantages. It is only a little bigger than actual A4 size and
it operates marginally faster than the previous model. Most importantly,
it is cheaper than its predecessor! This new version is ú595 +VAT (ú665
inc VAT through Archive). It should work with all SCSI cards, provided
the manufacturers have followed all Acornæs guidelines. (It has been
successfully tested with Oak, Acorn, Morley and Lingenuity cards.) N.B.
This scanner can produce images over 8M in size, so you need to think
carefully about what type of machine you are going to use with it.
5.12
Å SCSI hard drives Ö We have another supplier for Mac SCSI hard drives
that work out cheaper than their Archimedes equivalents. (The price
advantage of the Mac drives from Frog Systems has decreased so we have
stopped selling them.)
5.12
Internal External Access
5.12
40M ú230 ú320 20ms
5.12
100M ú375 ú465 17ms
5.12
180M ú500 ú590 17ms
5.12
400M ú890 ú980 14ms
5.12
650M Ö ú1340 14ms
5.12
1000M Ö ú1760 14ms
5.12
All the drives come with 5-year warranty except the 40M drives which
have 2 year warranty.
5.12
Å Shareware 48 Ö The latest Shareware disc is Acornæs Pascal for use
with their Desktop Development Environment. Full details are on page 41.
5.12
Å Silicon Vision prices drop Ö Silicon Vision has decided that öto
encourage higher volume salesò it is dropping the price its Archimedes
software. The new prices, including VAT, are as follows, the Archive
prices being in brackets after each one.
5.12
ArcPCB ú125 (ú116)
5.12
Solid Tools ú275 (ú255)
5.12
Solid CAD ú99.95 (ú93)
5.12
FilmMaker ú79.95 (ú74)
5.12
Solids Render ú99.95 (ú93)
5.12
RoboLOGO ú49.95 (ú46)
5.12
RiscBasic Compiler ú99.95
(ú93)
5.12
RiscFORTH Compiler ú99.95
(ú93)
5.12
SuperPlot ú24.95 (ú23)
5.12
SuperDump ú24.95 (ú23)
5.12
ShareHolder ú125 (ú116)
5.12
Datavision ú99.95 (ú93)
5.12
These prices supersede the ones we reported last month (which came from
an earlier Silicon Vision press release).
5.12
Å Talking Pictures is öA colouring book that talksò from Wyddfa Software
(ú20 inc VAT). This RISC-OS compliant package is a colouring book with
digitised speech aimed at encouraging language development in the under
fives.
5.12
Å Vector 1.02 is now available. This includes the missing text-to-path
feature that RISC-OS 2 users need. It also allows corrupted drawfiles to
be loaded and provides automatic creation of mask substitutes which,
unlike Vectoræs own masks, are renderable by other applications.
Existing users can upgrade free of charge by returning their Vector
Applications disc to 4Mation.
5.12
Å Vision Digitiser is a very low-priced video digitiser from H.C.C.S. Ö
ú49 +VAT or ú55 through Archive. For more details, see the review on
page 43.
5.12