Archive Magazine 1996/ARCHIVE_96.iso/text/products/volume_09/issue_07

Text File | 1996-03-07 | 21KB | 364 lines

Products Available
9.7
3Gb for the price of 2Gb Ö We have some 3Gb external SCSI drives on sale
for ú750, virtually the same price as the 2Gb (ú730). We have two
available, so ring if you would like one of them.
9.7
5-ARM processor boards Ö Simtec are hoping to have development versions
of their 5-ARM multiprocessor cards available by the time you read this
(the boards are due at Simtecæs on 13/3/96). For ú250 +VAT +p&p (ú290
through Archive), you get a backplane which plugs into the second
processor slot on your RiscPC, and into which you plug your main ARM
processor. It then has slots on it for up to four slave ARM processor
cards and one PC processor. Unfortunately, at this stage, the PC side of
it isnæt working properly due to timing problems. The five ARM cards
work together beautifully, but the timing on the PCs has been optimised
so acutely (well, they have to, to get the last ounce of speed out of
them!), that they arenæt very tolerant in cooperative mode. (I see a
certain parallel here!)
9.7
When production boards are available, they will cost ú150 +VAT +p&p
(ú175 through Archive) for the backplane and software. You can then
populate it with whatever processors you wish: ARM610 (ú50 through
Archive Ö while stocks last), ARM710 (ú147 through Archive), ARM810
(TBA!) and StrongARM (TBA!!). (Anyone fancy a 5-StrongARM RiscPC?!)
9.7
Anglia Multimedia have gone live on the Web! Anglia Multimedia are well
known for their CD-ROMs, and now the facilities offered by Anglia have
been extended through a new web site, offering educational materials,
on-line ordering, previews, and an opportunity to join their multimedia
club. Other products such as datafiles and maps, which can be
downloaded, will also be available from the site. The service is
designed for teachers, parents and children at school and at home.
Potential purchasers will be able to view examples of Anglia products
and access information and special offers. News and support areas will
allow users to gain upgrade information, and will also include an ideas
area in which teachers can exchange project information and tips for
using Anglia products in the classroom. The multimedia club is for
parents and children at home, offering a range of opportunities based on
themes in Angliaæs educational CD-ROMs. It is hoped that competitions
and projects will encourage childrenæs participation in the club Ö
membership is free. For further information, visit Anglia Multimedia at:
9.7
http://www.iats.norfolk.gov.uk/anglia
9.7
Cambridge Reading Ö Talking Books are disc-based versions of the six
books in the ÉBeginning to Readæ phase of Cambridge Reading, aimed
mainly at children in Reception/Primary 1. Each talking book is a
computer version of a real book and includes all the text (read aloud),
and all the pictures, each with additional animation. The pages are
presented one at a time Ö unless the illustration is a double-page
spread, in which case the spread is shown as one picture. Children can
use the mouse to turn pages on-screen, to move forward or to re-visit
previous pages. The text for each book is read by a clear-speaking
adult. If a child selects the ear icon, to hear all the text shown on
the screen, they will hear it read using appropriate speed and
intonation, with each word highlighted as it is spoken. The six titles
in this collection are: My Pet; The Picnic; Walking in the Jungle; I
went to School this Morning; A very Hot Day; and What For?
9.7
Cambridge Reading Talking Books cost ú40 +VAT +p&p for a single user, or
ú47 through Archive.
9.7
ClickART, Sports and Games, from Matt Black, is another of their
excellent clipart selections. This collection is made up of 180 colour
images on the theme of Sports & Games. There are twelve categories
spread over four discs including: borders, courts, fitness, flags,
flying, horses, gear, ice & snow, water, sports, flying and icons. The
images are in Draw format and the package includes Hugh Eagleæs PickAPic
application making the viewing and loading of saved images that much
easier. There is also a 32-page printed booklet showing the images, and
giving advice on how to use them. ClickArt Sports and Games costs ú35
+p&p. The pack includes a free school site licence. Purchasers will also
be able to obtain a free disc of clipart worth up to ú30.
9.7
Computer Concepts have reduced the cost of their Impression range of
software, and produced new versions of Édongle-lessæ Artworks, Style and
Publisher. The new prices are: Artworks ú116.32 for single user, ú517
for a site licence; Style ú92.82 for a single user, ú411.25 for a site
licence; Publisher ú151.57 for a single user, ú517 for a site licence;
Publisher Plus ú269.07. To upgrade to Publisher Plus from Publisher
costs ú116.32.
9.7
Through Archive, Artworks costs ú110 for a single user, and ú490 for a
site licence. Style costs ú85 for single user, ú390 for a site licence;
Publisher costs ú144 for a single user, and ú490 for a site licence.
Publisher Plus costs ú255 and the upgrade from Publisher is ú110.
9.7
To exchange your current versions of Artworks and Publisher for the new
dongle-less versions, you need to return your dongle, with a note of
your serial number, and a payment of ú15 to Computer Concepts. So far,
Publisher Plus is not included in the dongle-less collection so,
according to CC, if you upgrade from a non-dongled Publisher to a
dongled Plus, the upgrade price will include a dongle!
9.7
This is good news indeed as there is still no sign of Ovation Pro, but
Beebug are saying they hope it will be available öin the next couple of
months or soò.
9.7
Essential Selection CD-ROM is a free sampler CD-ROM from Yorkshire
International Thompson Multimedia showing examples from some of their
products. Included on the CD-ROM are examples from: Aspects of Religion,
British Birds, Directions 2000, En Marchai, En Route, Inventors and
Inventions, Max and the Machines, The Physical World, Scrapbook, World
War II Ö Global Conflict, and World War II Ö Sources and Analysis. From
the Environmental Series: Water, Land and Air; Climate Change;
Conservation; and Dwindling Resources. From the Science Series:
Elements; and Materials. The CD-ROM can be obtained direct from YITM.
9.7
Heavy mouse balls Ö These are now available through Archive for ú3 each.
9.7
HyperStudio is a sort of electronic scrapbook that allows text and
graphics, sound and animations, video and, in the latest versions,
material from the Internet and other online sources, to be assembled
creatively into CD style multimedia pages called stacks. It has been
designed to support the most inexperienced users, constantly relating to
the way we actually think and learn. Its uses are almost endless e.g.
lively presentation of work, records of achievement, student portfolio
work, records, exam and test results, interactive school or class
magazines, interactive revision notes, pupil and staff information lists
with pictures, etc.
9.7
Although aimed at education, it does have a place in corporate and home
environments, providing a means of collecting and displaying any kind of
information.
9.7
The educational prices from TAG Developments for HyperStudio are: ú99.95
for a single user licence; ú299.95 for a 5-pack site licence Ö
thereafter each new licence costs ú37.
9.7
For non-educational users, a single user licence is ú149.95; a 5-pack
site licence is ú499.95. All prices are +VAT +p&p. Through Archive, the
non-educational single user licence is ú168.
9.7
Loudspeakers Ö Eesox have three loudspeakers suitable for Acorn
computers. The speakers are 12W, 25W and 80Watt models (Peak Music Power
Output), and come with a cable to connect to a mini jack socket. This
means that they can be used with Walkmans etc, as well as Acorn
computers. All speakers are magnetically shielded making them suitable
for use next to a computer. Eesox have evaluated a number of different
speakers and chose these for their good all round quality.
9.7
The 25W and 80W have noticeably more bass than the 12W, but the 12W
donæt take up as much desk space and are the most popular. The sound
quality is slightly better with the 25W and 80W. All speakers have a
volume adjuster, but the 25W and 80W also include a bass and treble
adjuster. They cost ú25 for the 12W (size: 80mm wide ╫ 180mm high ╫
115mm deep); ú35 for the 25W (size: 105╫160╫130) and ú49 for 80W (size:
140╫190╫140), all +p&p +VAT; or ú32, ú43 and ú60 respectively through
Archive.
9.7
Modems Ö Because of the huge growth in interest in the Internet, the
sales of modems are increasing and so the price is dropping whilst, at
the same time, the facilities are improving. The Sportster modems we
sell now cost ú135 for the 14.4k and ú220 for the 28.8k. Not only are
these modems cheaper but they now also handle voice (for ansaphone-type
applications) as well as fax.
9.7
PD drive pricing Ö The price of the PD drive (as used in the Cumana
proTeus) has dropped to ú495 for an internal RiscPC drive and ú595 for
an external drive. We announced this as a öSpecial Purchaseò last month
but, actually, we were misled by our suppliers. This is a continuing
price because Panasonic have dropped their prices.
9.7
Praktikum Ö Since Archive went on-line on the net, we have had a lot of
useful contact with a number of companies in the UK and overseas.
Praktikum came to our attention through contact with Feldner & Braun
Software, Germany.
9.7
Praktikum is a formula-based program for processing numerical series.
Its advantages show especially when a formula is used many times with
different entries (e.g. tables of functions, processing of data series
from scientific experiments). Praktikum does not work in a matrix
representation mode as spreadsheet programs do, but all the given data
is held in named variables and referred to under these names in the
formulae. Here a variable can be a whole series of data from an
experiment or it can be defined as a formula depending on other
variables. The variables can then be presented in either tables or
graphs.
9.7
Graphs can be exported as drawfiles. Tables can be exported as CSV, TSV
or TeX files. Formulae can be exported as TeX source code. Formulae
(including automatically generated ones) can be imported as text files,
and data series as CSV files.
9.7
As yet, we do not have any pricing information on this product, but you
can find out more by browsing their web site at: http://www.acorn.co.uk/
acorn/university/praktikum
9.7
Serial switch Ö As an alternative to adding an extra serial port (ú92
and it takes up one precious podule slot), how about a serial switch box
for ú25 through Archive? This product was born out of necessity Ö having
started using a Pocket Book, the A-Link became an essential connection
to the Editoræs computer as well as the modem!
9.7
Smudge is the central character in a number of stories from Storm
Educational Software, aimed at the 5+ age group. Already in the
collection are: Smudge the Spaniel (looking at mathematics, English,
number recognition, sequencing, adding counting and multiplication);
First Words with Smudge (looking at spelling, letter shapes and
writing); and Smudge the Scientist (looking at Science). Two new titles
are now available. Smudge Discovers the World is designed to equip
children with basic geographical skills; in part one, Smudge looks at
different types of housing in villages, towns and cities Ö discovering
the UK and Europe. In part two, compass co-ordinates and mapping skills
are introduced. Smudge Punctuates deals with English punctuation. Itæs a
graded package designed for 5-9 year olds, helping to show that
punctuation makes written work interesting and enjoyable. Smudge is
suitable for school or home use.
9.7
Smudge Punctuates costs ú34.99 +p&p or ú35 through Archive. Smudge
Discovers the World costs ú45.99 +p&p or ú45 through Archive.
9.7
Speak was reviewed in the March edition of Archive (9.6 p8), where the
reviewer suggested that the only thing it lacked was a spell checker.
Well, it now has one. It even uses the pronunciation information in the
speak module to help produce a list of similar sounding words to a given
word. It seems considerably better at finding words from a Ésounds likeæ
mis-spelling than any other RISC OS product Ö confirmed by tests run by
Ted Pottage of the British Dyslexia Association computer committee. It
deals with typographical errors in the usual way. According to its
author, Jonathan Duddington, Speak is constantly under development and
he hopes to announce other improvements in the near future. Toáupgrade
from earlier versions, send the original disc with a 25p stamp for
return postage, to: JonathanáDoddington, 6a Old Mill Avenue, Coventry
CV4á7DY.
9.7
Studio24Pro is a new version of Pineapple Softwareæs much respected
bitmap program. Among the new features is the ability to move, scale,
rotate and edit Draw-type objects as though they were in a vector
graphics program Ö the same applies to text. There are more filters and
effects available, texture generation, more brush options, improved use
of colour channels, and much much more. For a full review, see last
monthæs magazine (9.6 p43). At the moment, the manuals for Studio24Pro
are not yet finished but, as a special offer, Pineapple are offering
Studio24Pro free if you buy Studio24 Ö this will only last until the new
manuals are printed. You will receive a copy of the manual once itæs
finished, and then there will be a new price for the Pro package. Until
then, the price of Studio24 (with Pro) is ú125 +VAT +p&p or ú140 through
Archive.
9.7
PC CD-ROMs Ö There should be some interesting developments with PC CD-
ROMs over the next few months! Using a PC-to-Acorn Reader, Innovative
Media Solutions have already managed to read a number of PC CD-ROMs;
some, apparently, actually work faster with the Reader than on native PC
architecture. So far, the following titles are available: from the
Dorling Kindersley range: PBáBearæs Birthday Party ú33.19 +VAT +p&p; and
The Way Things Work ú42.90 +VAT +p&p, and from the Microsoft Home
Series: Dinosaurs, and Musical Instruments, at ú39 +VAT +p&p each, or
ú46 through Archive. (These were reviewed in Archive 9.6 p67.) Other
titles will be available throughout the rest of the year. (Ancient Lands
and Dangerous Creatures, also at ú39 +VAT +p&p each, or ú46 through
Archive, should be available by the time you read this.)
9.7
Photobase Primary Images is another in the collection of Photobase
images from Longman Logotron. Images cover over 30 categories including
Environment, Entertainment, Birthplaces, Pets, History and People. Each
photograph is accompanied by a brief description, and keywords which
will enable users to retrieve images related to a specific topic. The
images have been chosen for their quality and relevance to the Primary
National Curriculum. The idea is to allow children to compare a wide
range of images with their own environment and gain experience in
searching and classifying information. The images included were
considered to be the best from entries in a photographic competition
organised by MAPE (Micro and Primary Education). All the images are
copyright free. The CD-ROM costs ú52 +VAT +p&p, or ú60 through Archive.
9.7
QuickLynk, from Desktop Projects, provides a useful way of transferring
data from one RISC OS computer to another. The package comprises one
disc of software and 5 or 10 metres of cable for linking the two
computers. Once attached to the serial port, either by the local cabling
or remotely via a modem, QuickLynk allows users to transfer files to and
fro quickly and easily. For security, there is a password system which
prohibits access by unauthorised users. The QuickLynk software on its
own costs ú28; with 5 metres of cable ú34; and with 10 metres of cable
ú39. All prices are +VAT. Through Archive, the software on its own costs
ú32; with 5 metres of cable ú38; and with 10 metres of cable ú44.
9.7
SignalBox is a computer simulation of the Kidderminster signal box, with
a selection of different timetables, fully functional interlocking on-
screen clock and a display of your score, updated at every mistake! A
cut-down version was distributed on the Archive monthly disc (9.5). The
full version costs ú25 and part of the money will be donated to the
Severn Valley Railway. Available from: C K Hall, 3áRockleaze Court,
Sneyd Park, Bristol BS9 1NN.
9.7
Simple Circuits is a combined software and hardware product designed to
teach children the basic fundamentals of electricity and simple electric
circuits, based on the requirements of Key Stage 2 (science) of the
National Curriculum. Children build circuits from the software, and
answer questions about their findings. Camboard Technology, the
designers of Simple Circuits, have now introduced a new low cost site
licence for primary schools. The new site licence costs ú49.95 +VAT and
includes one hardware pack. The single user price is still ú20.95 +VAT.
Single users can upgrade to a site licence for ú20 +VAT. More
information can be obtained by writing to Camboard Technology or
visiting their web pages at: http://ourworld.compuserve.com:80/
homepages/camboard/
9.7
Tele-card is a standard Acorn format expansion card which carries tuning
and decoding circuitry to allow the reception of television signals and
display of teletext pages. As well as delivering decoded teletext pages
directly into the computer, it can supply audio and video signals
suitable for feeding into domestic entertainment systems, video
recorders, video digitisers and many computer monitors. XOB, the company
behind Tele-Card, have added some new features to their system. The
first is an application which allows sub-titles to be grabbed in real
time and accumulated as text files. The second is an application which
shows how teletext is received in real time, line by line. This allows
users to investigate the way some of the newer teletext services are
being implemented, including Program Delivery Control.
9.7
A single user system costs ú152 +VAT +p&p or ú175 through Archive. The
network version costs ú342 +VAT +p&p. Existing users can get a free
upgrade from XOB.
9.7
Virtualise is Claresæ new virtual memory management application. It will
benefit users of ProArt 24 and Composition who have less than 16Mb of
DRAM. It will also help users of programs which utilise Dynamic Memory,
such as Publisher and ImageFS. The updated versions of ProArt 24
(version 1.02) and Composition (version 1.02) now have support for
Virtualise. Prices are: for ProArt 24 ú169.95; the upgrade from ProArt2
or ProArt2CD is ú49.95; to upgrade from any other art package is ú85.00.
All prices include VAT and p&p. Through Archive, the price for ProArt 24
is ú160.
9.7
Composition costs ú169.95; the price for ProArt 24 owners is ú85.00; the
price for owners of other art packages is ú99.95 All prices include VAT
and p&p. Through Archive, the price for Composition is ú160.
9.7
Virtualise costs ú24.95 from Clares or ú24 through Archive.
9.7
Yellowstone will be shipping some new products by the end of March.
9.7
UltraSCSI3 is a state-of-the-art SCSI controller card for the RiscPC. It
supports the latest SCSI-3 specification, using 32-bit transfers and DMA
access to give performance of up to 7Mb/s using asynchronous SCSI
transfers and 8Mb/s using synchronous ones. The UltraSCSI3 controller
can be used with up to seven SCSI devices and supports SCSI, SCSI-2,
Fast SCSI-2 and SCSI-3 standards. UltraSCSI3 costs ú165 +VAT +p&p or
ú190 through Archive.
9.7
DesktopTV is a modular audio multimedia card, incorporating a complete
television receiver and audio processor. The video digitizer has been
specifically designed to provide full motion colour desktop video at
full frame rate for smooth display of TV pictures. The latest one-chip
front end digital colour decoder from Phillips is used as the basis for
the digitizer Ö brightness, contrast, saturation and hue are controlled
in real time. DesktopTV cost ú165 +VAT +p&p or ú190 through Archive.
9.7
Already available is Mozart, a 16-bit digital sound card with a four-
channel mixer. This enables sound from two sources to be mixed with 8-
bit sound produced on the motherboard by VIDC, along with the sound
output from the 16-bit sound circuit. The 16-bit audio circuit
incorporates over-sampling techniques along with a digital tracking
filter. Mozart costs ú59.95 +VAT +p&p or ú69 through Archive.
9.7
Review software received...
9.7
We have received review copies of the following: ÅStrike (eg),
ÅEssential Selection CD (e), ÅBeginning to Read (e), ÅArcVenture IV Ö
The Anglo Saxons (e), ÅElf Tales (e), ÅESP Midi Synthesiser (m), ÅNelson
and his Navy (e), ÅSignalBox (?), QuickLynk (u).
Products Available