Archive Magazine 1996/ARCHIVE_96.iso/text/products/volume_09/issue_08

Text File | 1996-04-02 | 21KB | 353 lines

Products Available
9.8
Archive monthly program disc Ö We have been getting more material sent
to us for the disc, and so we decided to see if we could go over to
using 1.6Mb discs. Only two people said they were still using 800Kb
discs and so weæll just send out 2╫800Kb discs where necessary Ö and
hope they both buy RiscPCs from us soon! (Iæm sure we could arrange a
special discount!) The price of the discs remains at ú2 a disc or ú20
for a year Ö overseas rates are shown on the back cover of the magazine.
9.8
The content of the discs is, as always, completely unguaranteed. We put
on the disc whatever comes to hand that relates to the articles in the
magazine, plus any utilities and/or information that is sent in by
subscribers or dragged off the Net.
9.8
Christian Acorn Users Group Ö The library of PD software available to
members of the CAUG (not to be confused with the C (language) Acorn
Users Group!) is growing steadily and the latest catalogue has just been
issued. The latest CAUG newsletter has also just been issued but (Colin
tells me) will only be sent to those who have renewed their
subscriptions! This issue includes articles on keeping church records,
Christians on the Internet and the latest news about ExpLANæs Holy
Bible. Details from Rev. Colin Randall, The Rectory, Swan Lane, Long
Hanborough, Witney, Oxon, OX8 8BT. (01993-881270)
9.8
ClassNet upgrade Ö A new AUN (Acorn Universal Networking) DC14 upgrade
EPROM is now available for Oak Solutionsæ ClassNet cards. This makes
them compatible with Ethernet cards from other manufacturers and also
enables them to run the latest network products such as School Server,
InterTalk and OmniClient. Future networking developments will also
require this upgrade to AUN DC14. Included in the upgrade is CMOS RAM
protection which prevents unauthorised re¡configuration and protects the
setup of the machine. System Manageræs software is provided and is
password protected. It is fully compatible with existing ClassShare
Application Server and ClassRom hard disc protection products. The
upgrade is supplied as an EPROM exchange and includes a new manual and
management disc. The price is ú15 +VAT from Oak Solutions.
9.8
DTP design book Ö (With apologies to all those who already own a
copy...) This is just a reminder about the Non-Designeræs Design book
(below). This is the most helpful book about DTP layout and typography
that I (and many other people) have ever seen, and it is now owned by
almost 25% of Archive subscribers! We offered it (and still do so) on a
guaranteed full refund if not 100% satisfied. On this basis, only two
books have ever been returned from the hundreds and hundreds of copies
we have sold. i.e it is your recommendation, as the buyers, not just
mine as a salesman!
9.8
Non-Designeræs Design Book Ö This book by Robin Williams has absolutely
nothing to do with Acorn computers! However, it is a really excellent
guide showing how to make the best use of those DTP facilities that most
of us possess, yet few of us have ever been trained to use properly. It
explains the basic principles of page layout, using fonts, etc, in such
a way that (a) it is easy to understand and (b)áit is memorable. This
means that you actually put into practice the things that you have read.
(See Mark Howeæs review, 8.6 p23.) The price is ú13 inc p&p.
9.8
High speed serial card from Intelligent Interfaces provides two
additional RS232 compatible serial interfaces, with standard 9-pin
D¡type connectors, capable of communicating at baud rates from 50 to
230400 including 9,600, 19,200, 38,400, 57,600 and 115,200 baud. The
software supplied now includes Block Drivers for Hearsay II, ArcFax,
ARCterm 7, Termite, Voyager, the Internet Starter Pack, ANT Suite (users
require a PPP module, obtainable from: [e-mail] Ö they also
need version 3.47 of the Dual Card module) and the new version of
Acornæs InterTalk. The card can be used in any computer with a backplane
but requires RISC OS 3.1 or later. The dual high speed serial interface
card is available from Intelligent Interfaces for ú149 +VAT +p&p or ú175
through Archive.
9.8
Eesox have reduced the price of some of their CD-ROM drives. Included in
the reductions are: the Quad-speed IDE Gold series drive, now ú99 + ú8
p&p +VAT or ú120 through Archive; and the Six-speed IDE Platinum series,
now ú149 + ú8 p&p +VAT or ú180 through Archive. As always, the drives
are supplied with an IDE cable, an audio cable, driver software,
installation guide and fixing screws. The drives work on all RiscPC 600/
700æs and the A7000 range, using the CDFS driver supplied. The audio
cable is only suitable for machines with an audio mixer board, i.e. any
machine apart from the old RiscPC 600æs.
9.8
New from Eesox is the CD-ROM Recorder which allows you to write your own
CD-ROMs. Included in the package is the CD-ROM recorder, writer
software, and driver software to use the writer as a reader. As a
writer, the CD-ROM Recorder works as a dual-speed device, taking about
35 minutes to write 650Mb of information. As a reader it works at quad-
speed. Itæs a SCSI based device and so a SCSI card is required Ö Eesox
recommend a fairly fast one Ö and you will also need the hard disc
capacity to hold the data you wish to write to a CD-ROM. The internal
CD-ROM writer package costs ú799 +p&p +VAT or ú895 through Archive. The
external package costs ú859 +p&p +VAT or ú965 through Archive.
9.8
Elements and Nuclides Ö Atomic Software say that, following customer
feedback, both Elements and Nuclides have undergone major improvements.
They can now save text as RTF files and data as CSV files, as well as
many other significant additions. This has necessitated a price increase
from ú9.95 each to ú14.95 each, or ú19.95 for both, effective from 1
July 1996. (Update prices and policy remain the same at ú2 each, upon
receipt of original disc.) The earlier version of the software was
reviewed in Archive 9.6 p39.
9.8
Encode is a file protection utility which provides complete security of
data and applications where they are in danger from illegal access or
copying, while at the same time maintaining a friendly and intuitive
feel to the user. A further feature of Encode is automatic 12-bit LZW
file compression as used by Acorn. Possible environments where this
application will be valuable include computer shows, schools and
businesses. The software is completely transparent to the authorised
users, encrypting both files and applications. Applications and data can
be easily secured and may be accessed without decoding. Alternatively,
they can be decoded easily without risk to the data itself. A full range
of password systems is implemented and the application can be customised
to meet the needs of individual users.
9.8
Encode requires a 1Mb RISCáOS 3 machine and is available at ú19.50
(inclusive) from Grasshopper.
9.8
Essential Steps to Swimming has got to be the definitive CD-ROM on
swimming. Designed with the help of leading youth coaches, this CD¡ROM
is aimed both at teachers and students. There is something for everyone
Ö absolute beginners can learn how to get into a pool safely, while
experienced swimmers and coaches are able to analyse in detail every
aspect of a stroke. Water safety is constantly emphasised, with sections
on potential risks, survival techniques and a game to reinforce the
Water Safety Code.
9.8
Information is presented as spoken and written text, based on poolside
instruction. Clear and colourful animations show complicated movements,
and videos show each stroke in action. Interactive word games and
quizzes not only test knowledge but also encourage close observation and
independent thought. The CD-ROM provides the stroke analysis, and water
safety aspects of external PE examinations, and provides hints for keep-
fit swimming for those preparing for the sport and leisure industry. It
can be used by individuals, class groups and both specialist and non-
specialist teachers.
9.8
Essential Steps to Swimming is available from Yorkshire International
Thomson Multimedia and costs ú53.58 +VAT or ú60 through Archive.
9.8
Iota Software are now on the Net! They can be found at http://
www.iota.co.uk Ö youæll find information about their latest product
releases as well as hints and tips on using existing software, including
an FAQ page on DataPower. You can also pick up some free screen-saver
programs which use animations from their Complete Animator.
9.8
Learning Through Computing have launched a new range of primary
education programs. The Doorway Classroom Pack introduces children to a
wide range of topics covering time, numeracy and early literacy. In many
of the programs, the curriculum level can be set allowing the program to
be used throughout primary and into secondary education. The programs in
the pack include: AboutTime, WeighOut, Simple Spreadsheet, two Turtle
control programs, Number Table, Pelmanism, Texttype, FirstWord,
FirstLetter, SameAgain, Cashing In and Upto Ten. Teachersæ notes for
each of the programs on the pack are supplied in a robust ring binder,
along with a number of worksheets. In addition, a selection of Design
Conceptæs outline fonts, including the Foundation handwriting font, come
with the pack. The Classroom programs are run using Doorway, LTCæs
Hypermedia system Ö a Doorway browser program is supplied with the pack.
9.8
The Foreign Language Packs are a selection of programs available in
French, German, Spanish and Italian, covering Food and Drink, Clothing,
Body Parts and Animals. Students can use the programs to look up various
words in their singular and plural forms. They can be tested in a number
of ways, including having to match words with pictures, typing in names
of objects, and typing the singular and plural words. The programs will
mark and keep a score of correct answers. When a test is completed, the
student is presented with a list of words that he/she has had difficulty
with. To use the programs, LTCæs Doorway Browser is required, available
with the Classroom pack above, or separately.
9.8
Doorway Classroom Pack costs ú35 +VAT. The normal price for the Foreign
Language Packs is ú20 +VAT but for a limited period you can buy them for
ú16 +VAT. Doorway Browser costs ú35 +VAT. Site licences are available
from LTC.
9.8
Logic Gates and Counters is a software package for learning about logic
gates and digital counters. The package, from Camboard Technology,
includes three applications: Logic Gates introduces the main logic gate,
with on-screen user-enabled simulations of each gate. The simulations
mimic actual hardware by using switches and LEDs. The Camboard approach
enhances this by including dynamic binary logic status values, so the
user can see a representation of the logic level by way of a simulated
LED and its boolean property. Each logic gate has a dedicated text
screen with questions to answer. Counters is the main 4-bit counter
system and is described incorporating a
9.8
 similar approach to Logic Gates. The application starts with the 4-bit
counter and leads on to hexadecimal counters. Simulate combines solely
logic gates and three digital counters from the main applications. This
allows all logic gates and counters to be used together on screen.
9.8
Logic Gates and Counters costs ú16.95 +VAT from Camboard Technology.
9.8
Merlin Raytracer price reduction Ö Merlin Raytracer is a program which
allows you to create images using a technique called ray-tracing, where
each pixel is affected by light sources, shadows, reflection, refraction
etc. Merlin offers an excellent 3D editor (until now Acorn machines have
only had textual script files with which you are meant to Édescribeæ
your scene), a texture/material editor and, of course, a ray-tracer. Its
features include texture-mapping, Phong and Gouraud shading, anti-
aliasing, polygons-into-lines, transparency, mist/fog, different classes
of light-sources, various cameras and the ability to import Draw and DXF
(professional CAD) files, and it is designed with ease-of-use in mind.
Merlin costs ú80 p&p +VAT available from the Datafile or ú90 inclusive
through Archive. Upgrades are available from Datafile for ú2. (Merlin
was reviewed in Archive 8.11 p9)á
9.8
Number Time 2 is what you might call a compilation album plus. Hazelnut
Software have put together, on CD-ROM, some of their best known maths
programs and, in so doing, have re-vamped them and reduced the price of
the whole collection. In past reviews, the collection has received some
very encouraging comments (8.5 p51 and 9.1 p79). Now the collection
comes with 15 worksheets for teachers to print, covering tables, time
and number bonds. The original programs have been added to and include:
Number Bonds, covering simple addition and subtraction bonds, Tell Time,
covering hours, half past, quarters and the 24 hour clock Ö each has a
clock to make and print, and Times Table which covers two to twelve
times tables with over 130 animations, text and sound, and certificates
to print out. All of the programs come in six versions for 2Mb and 4Mb
machines and RiscPC, with an older or younger voice-over. (There is also
a PC version on the CD-ROM.) For educational establishments, there is a
28 day Étry before you buyæ offer. The collection is aimed at Primary
and Special Needs.
9.8
The CD-ROM costs ú29 +p&p from Hazelnut. The education price is ú26.50
+p&p. All programs have a free site licence. Times Tables, Tell Time and
Number Bonds are also available on floppy discs.
9.8
PC CD-ROMs Ö We announced last month the interesting developments coming
from Innovative Media Solutions, using their PC to Acorn Reader. The
Readers have been designed to read PC CD-ROMs and display the
information on the Acorn platform Ö this includes data, photos, video
and speech. Each month they hope to release a new title from the PC
world and are already busy on such titles as Microsoftæs Encarta and Art
Gallery. Ancient Lands and Dangerous Creatures will be the next two
titles available from the Microsoft HOME Series and will cost ú39 +VAT
+p&p or ú46 through Archive. From the Dorling Kindersley collection,
TheáWay Things Work is ready to ship and will be followed closely by My
First Incredible Amazing Dictionary, each at ú42.90 +VAT +p&p. The
Dorling Kindersley titles are only available from the DK Family Library,
IMS or CD Circle for the first six months of their release; thereafter
they will be obtainable from other Acorn outlets. The Microsoft series
CD-ROMs are available through Archive.
9.8
PenDown DTP is a new development of the ever popular writing and
publishing tool for children of all ages and abilities. PenDown DTP now
has three configurable levels and HTML capability. Level 1 features the
familiar PenDown style click and type approach, with full text editing,
speech capability and interactive spell-checking. Level 2 adds the
sophistication of a frame-based DTP environment. Level 3 features
multiple floating toolbars, hypertext documents and easy-to-use
mailmerge and label printing. Educational extensions, such as assessment
of reading difficulty and the generation of cloze procedures, are also
available at this level.
9.8
Still under development is a partner product which can be used to
convert PenDown DTP pages into HTML pages suitable for uploading to
Internet Web servers. It builds upon the Hypertext capabilities already
in place in PenDown DTP. The software is currently in its early testing
stages, and can be downloaded free by all PenDown DTP users from the
Logotron Web Server http://www/logo.com/pendtp/index.html Ö the complete
product will be available for release later in the year. In the
meantime, Longman would welcome any feedback from users, and those
downloading are asked to register their name and contact details.
9.8
PenDown DTP costs ú59 +VAT +p&p, or ú68 through Archive. A 5, 10, 20 and
40-user licence costs ú67, ú118, ú207 and ú354 respectively, or ú77,
ú132, ú232 and ú395 through Archive. Existing users of PenDown, PenDown
Plus, Talking PenDown and First Page may upgrade to PenDown DTP Ö
contact Longman Logotron for details.
9.8
PocketMedia Ltd is a new company set up to exploit the emerging market
for palmtop computers. Headed by Mike Collett, and with a team of
educationalists, graphic designers, programmers and teachers,
PocketMedia intends to become the leading developer of educational
software for hand-held devices. Initial development will be for Acornæs
PocketBook II and the Psion 3a organiser. Among their first products are
Pond Life, the first in a series called PocketExplorer, and a version of
the Three Little Pigs. Pond Life allows children to explore a pond
environment using scrolling pictures, sound and animation. They can also
learn about the different creatures which are found in the pond. Pond
Life will be followed by a number of other PocketExplorer products,
including Farm Life and City Life. TheáThree Little Pigs is a version of
the CD-ROM talking story and includes graphics, sounds and animations.
Also included are some educational games and activities based around the
story. The software is aimed at Key Stage 1 for use in school and at
home. Both products will cost under ú30.
9.8
Really Good Software Ö from the Really Good Software Company. Montage is
a program for creating and exploring the world of fractals. It enables
the complexities of fractal geometry to be explored easily as an art
form, by the creation of simple or complex pictures, and be fully
understood as a mathematical process. Pictures of objects or scenes can
be created by users with little or no knowledge of mathematics. The
program comes with a seventy page manual, a twenty page tutorial and an
on-disc guide. It requires at least 2Mb of memory for most applications,
and 4Mb for hi-res colour work. Montage costs ú45 for a single user and
ú180 for a site licence from RGSC.
9.8
Two programs for transferring information from older machines to newer
ones are MultiLink and Z¡Link. MultiLink allows users to transfer data
between 8-bit BBCæs and Acorn 32-bit machines, including the RiscPC Ö
you simply use the mouse to drag information between windows. Z-Link
does the same for the Z88 portable Ö it comes complete with special
serial cable and instructions. MultiLink costs ú24.94 or ú29.95 with
cable to link serial ports from RGSC.
9.8
SIMM prices drop Ö There have been some sudden and dramatic drops in the
price of SIMM memory just lately. Currently, the 4Mb is ú90 through
Archive, 8Mb is ú160, 16Mb is ú280 and 32Mb is ú650.
9.8

9.8
Table Aliens, from Sherston Software, is a new maths adventure designed
to put the fun back into learning tables. Earth is in grave danger from
an invasion of the Table Aliens Ö primary school pupils must sharpen up
their number skills to help save the planet. First, each pupil will have
to qualify to join the special task force which has been set up to
combat the alien invaders; then, they are faced with a series of
exciting adventures as they bravely do battle with these number-obsessed
creatures from outer-space.
9.8
Table Aliens includes full teacher control and can be set to teach,
practice and test any combination of tables up to twelve. The program
features ten different table activities which can be accessed directly
or through the four adventures. In addition to the program, the package
contains photocopiable worksheets to promote work away from the
computer. Table Aliens will be available after 15th April and will cost
ú24.95 +VAT +p&p or ú30 through Archive.
9.8
TopModel is now distributed directly from Sincronia and will soon be
sold in the UK and in the rest of the world by local distributors.
Sincronia is also developing a VRML browser based on the new Gemini MPGE
(Multi-Processor Graphic Engine), that will be the core of the next
release of TopModel. TopModel is now shipped with filters for importing
Imagine, DXF, Envisage, 3D Studio, Sculpt3D, Illusionist, RenderBender
II, Fems, TPoly and GEO ASCII file and for exporting in DXF, POVRay and
GEO ASCII formats. Z-Buffer management has been added for perfect image
management.
9.8
WatchDog/Padlock Ö The desktop security manager from Base5 Technical
Graphics was reviewed last month, p76. Unfortunately, we forgot that the
name had been changed from Padlock to WatchDog because ICS have an
application by the name of Padlock. WatchDog costs ú49 inclusive from
Base5 (no VAT) and WatchPup (i.e. Padlock Junior!) costs ú15 inclusive.
(Acorn User have also just published a review... under the name
Padlock!)
9.8
Xword is a powerful and sophisticated, multitasking crossword setting
and solving application capable of producing any size of crossword grid.
It was last reviewed by Roger King (7.5 p59) who gave it an unreserved
recommendation. Now Panda Discs have reduced the price to ú29.95.áuá
9.8