|-------------------------- Acorn News Service --------------------------|
| http://www.acornusers.org/ans/ |
| ISSUE 43 24 October 1999 |
| |
| An independent fortnightly newsletter for the Acorn world. |
| Send your news items or comments to ans@acornusers.org. |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Featured site this issue: http://www.armclub.org.uk/shows/riscos99/ |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Contents
--------
1) Editorial
2) General News
3) Commercial News
4) PD/Shareware News
5) Club News
6) ANS information
Editorial
---------
News of work starting on a new browser for RISC OS is exciting, with
Fresco and Browse aging we really need something which is up to date with
W3C standards, while being fast and reliable.
Full support for HTML 4.0 and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) would be very
useful, and hopefully the goal of the RiscStation project. While other
things such as JavaScript may be convenient to cope with poorly designed
web sites and inconsiderate authors, their lack is neither as irritating
nor shameful as not being able to keep up with core open HTML standards.
Input to the RISC OS world from new companies such as RiscStation should
be significant, especially with software projects like this accompanying
new hardware. However meanwhile there are a noticeable number of companies
quietly leaving the market or diversifying, which is at times worrying.
James Sears, Editor
james@ans.acornusers.org
General News
------------
1) RISC OS '99 show
The RISC OS '99 show will be taking place next weekend in Surrey, England.
Opening hours:
Saturday 30th October 10am to 5pm
Sunday 31st October 10am to 4pm
For more details visit the show web site at:
http://www.armclub.org.uk/shows/riscos99/
Spacetech, joint sponsors of the RISC OS '99 Show will be demonstrating
their range of studio quality graphics software for RISC OS, along with
associated hardware. http://www.spacetech.co.uk/
The other sponsors are Acorn User magazine, Castle Technology, and
RiscStation.
2) Font site update
Harry Decker has updated his font site, doubling the size again to over
2000 free RISC OS format fonts.
http://www.argonet.co.uk/bladerunner/fonts/
Commercial News
---------------
1) Dates for Acorn Training Courses from Insight
Insight Training offer a number of Acorn-related training courses ranging
from software courses to Technical Support and Servicing. Forthcoming
courses include:
* Acorn Support and Servicing: a two-day course scheduled for
8-9 November, 3-4 February.
* DataPower: a one-day course at beginner/intermediate level for users
on RISC OS or Microsoft Windows systems. Running on 19 November and
9 February.
* Microsoft Windows NT Server Administrator: a three-day course for
managers of multi-platform networks with Omniclient stations.
For a full list of courses and a course calendar, contact Insight:
Insight Training, PO Box 864, Cambridge, CB5 9RX. Tel: 01223 812927
e-mail insight@argonet.co.uk, http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/insight/.
2) RISC OS 4 Authorised Installers
RISCOS Ltd has published a list of Authorised Installers, grouped by
territory, on the web http://www.riscos.com/authorised_installers/.
The Authorised Installer scheme was set up to ensure that users can move
to RISC OS 4, taking advantage of all the new features as smoothly as
possible with the minimum of fuss.
Most Authorised Installers will offer additional services such as supply
of RO4, new hard discs, CD drives and memory, as well as further services
such as data backup and storage.
3) RiscStation Ltd working on new web browser
RiscStation UK recently announced that programmers are now firmly
committed to the development of a new web browser, which will be HTML 4
compliant. The browser is expected to be ready for release at Wakefield
next year.
This is certainly good news, RISC OS needs capable browsers. Extras and
closed formats are not important, but a browser which is reliable and
supports the latest W3C HTML and CSS standards is vital.
4) BBC Master 128 year 2000 problem
BBC Master users may be worried that their machine will roll back to 1900
at the end of this year.
Doomsday is a ROM solution to fix the problem and extend the date range to
1800-2199. It also adds a TIMEZONE configuration option as well as other
handy commands.
The latest version (1.22) is now available, any existing users with older
versions should return their ROM with 2 stamps for return postage.
Doomsday ROM costs GBP9, including postage and manual. For details see
http://www.sprow.co.uk/bbc/.
5) Oregan Software clearance sale
Oregan Software is having a clearance sale, with reductions of over 60%
available on most product lines. Also buy any three products, and get
the cheapest absolutely free.
To qualify for these prices all orders should be received by Oregan sales
department before 15th November 1999, at the following address:
Oregan Developments Ltd
36 Grosvenor Avenue
Streetly
Sutton Coldfield
B74 3PE
Tel: +44 (0) 121 353 6044
Fax: +44 (0) 121 353 6472
http://www.oregan.com/
Products include ProSound (GBP39.95), MidiWorks (GBP59.95), CineWorks
(GBP49.95), and Oregan Disc Doctor (GBP19.95). Contact Oregan for other
prices, and see http://www.oregan.com/index2.html for product details.
6) Acorn User magazine cover discs
To match reader's facilities, Acorn User are replacing the cover discs
with a combination of cover CDs and Internet support.
For every issue, what would have been the cover disc will be put onto the
Acorn User web site for downloading.
Every third issue AU will put a CD on the cover containing not only the
last three 'cover discs' but additional content as well, probably taking
a particular theme, such as graphics, programming, and DTP.
http://www.acornuser.com/
7) A3 scanner
Following extensive development, Castle are now selling the A3 size,
'ScanExpress A3 SP' scanner. This scanner, the first of its kind on an
Acorn machine, represents stunning value at only GBP199 + delivery VAT.
The A3 SP is a SCSI scanner, meaning quick scan times even at high
resolutions. It also boasts a wide range of other features including:
* 600dpi x 300dpi optical resolution.
* Full A3 scan area (297mm x 431mm)
* 36 bit colour internally
* Black and White, and Greyscale modes also supported.
The scanner is supplied with the powerful ImageMaster software and the
latest version of Castle's TWAIN 2 driver, allowing brightness, contrast
and gamma controls, amongst many other features.
The A3 SP Scanner will be demonstrated at the upcoming RISC OS '99 show,
on the 30th and 31st October.
http://www.castle.org.uk/castle/201099.htm
8) Acorn "Kids Keyboard"
Castle have released a lower case keyboard, 'Kids Keyboard', for all Acorn
Risc PC and A7000+ computers. The keyboard will prove particularly useful
in primary schools, and environments where young children are using
computers. The new keyboard features:
* Large, easily read, lower case character keys.
* Rugged construction for a long life.
* Soft, tactile feel.
* Euro symbol.
* Raised bar on the 'f', 'j' and '5' keys for row identification.
* 100% Acorn compatible.
* Fully labelled 'Return', 'Shift', 'Control', 'Delete' and 'Tab' keys
for ease of identification.
The 'Kids Keyboard' retails for GBP39 (GBP58.75 inc. VAT and delivery),
and is also available as an optional extra on new computers. For more
details see http://www.castle.org.uk/castle/211099.htm.
9) S-Base 2.4i Released
S-Base is a Visual Development Environment with its own screen designer,
database engine and programming language. It also includes a compiler for
making stand alone applications. If you are looking for a faster way to
write software, this could be it.
S-Base is being actively developed under the control of its new owner and
the original developer.
There is a mailing list for users which provides support and ideas. New
releases are made every month or so.
S-Base 2.4i has now been released. It includes new debugging facilities
among other things.
For more details see http://www.bluewaternz.com/s-base/.
10) PICSuite now handles 8 pin PICs
The latest version of the versatile PIC programming software for RISC OS
is now available, and has been enhanced to handle the tiny 8 pin PICs
which find uses inside appliances from games machines to satellites.
PICSuite consists of the required programming hardware connecting to the
parallel port, necessary software, and full printed manual.
The assembler and some demo projects can be downloaded for free from
http://www.sprow.co.uk/pics/. The complete package costs GBP99 - opening
the doorway to the world of PICs.
11) Free software from iSV Products
To celebrate the opening of iSV Products' new web site at
http://www.isvproducts.co.uk/, you can now download the following
full applications for free:
* DrawWorksSE
* Font Designers Toolkit
* XStitch 1
PD/Shareware News
-----------------
1) New software
* BuildHTML
A utility to build HTML pages from text files. Whilst it tries to work
out what it should do from the layout of your text file, it also
incorporates a simple, optional markup to give a greater measure of
control where needed.
http://homepages.enterprise.net/iainlogan/miscellany/free2.html
* Commune
A multi user system for RISC OS. Allows many people to use the same
computer with different choices.
http://members.xoom.com/zmjagroup/soft.html
* Executive
An alarm, clock and screen saver system.
http://members.xoom.com/zmjagroup/soft.html
* FontCat
FontCat is a quick and easy way of visually displaying all the fonts
installed in your system.
http://www.vigay.com/riscos/utils.html#fontcat.
* IndexHTML
A utility to index web pages which produces a nicely formatted HTML
index page. It works recursively down the directory structure, and is
also able to penetrate archives if you have SparkFS running.
http://homepages.enterprise.net/iainlogan/miscellany/free2.html
2) Updated software summary
* AntUtils v1.26
Utilities for ANT Internet Suite users. Bug fixes.
http://www.vigay.com/riscos/comms.html#antutils
* Calc v2.03
A CLI floating-point calculator, re-written using Flex and Bison, so the
program is smaller and more efficient.
http://home.freeuk.net/guy.griffin/download.htm
* FileFlick v2.20
FileFlick is a small utility that lets you navigate through your filing
system using menus instead of filer windows. It also provides back-up
and hot-key facilities. New version works with RISC OS 4 long filenames.
http://www.organizer.ukgateway.net/files/filefk.zip
ftp://ftp.arcsite.de/pub/chrismorison/filefk.zip
* FTPc v1.19
Freeware File Transfer Protocol (FTP) client. New version includes
improved gateway/proxy features, display problem fix, and is faster.
http://www.c-granville.freeserve.co.uk/
* RiscFree v1.51
RiscFree is a package that simply integrates and configures most
Internet software simply and easily.
http://members.xoom.com/zmjagroup/riscfree/
Club News
---------
1) October / November meeting dates from AAUG
The following user group meetings are planned for October and November.
Always check the AAUG web site http://www.aaug.net/ to confirm details.
October 1999
============
26th - Acorn Club NorthEast meeting
26th - Blackpool meeting
27th - Bristol Acorn User Group meeting
November 1999
=============
3rd - SARC meeting
3rd - Wakefield meeting - 200th meeting
30th - Blackpool meeting
The AAUG website provides details of all the user groups worldwide, and
how you can benefit from becoming a member. For more information, visit
http://www.aaug.net/.
2) BARUG: October Meeting
Bristol Acorn RISC Users Group's next meeting in on 27 October 1999, and
will feature the RISC OS 4 Roadshow, with Andrew Rawnsley, Technical
Director, and supporting cast from RISCOS Ltd.
Also John Stonier, organiser of the South West Show, will be present to
outline plans for the show in February next year.
BARUG meet regularly on the last Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm at the
Burden Neurological Institute, Coldharbour Lane, just along the road from
the University of the West of England. For map, see our website.
Annual subscription is GBP7 but the first visit is free.
http://www.snave.demon.co.uk/BARUG/.
ANS Information
---------------
1) Contact ANS
Editor - James Sears - james@ans.acornusers.org
Webmaster - Stephen Courtney - stephen@ans.acornusers.org
Founder - Eytan Abrahams - eytan@ans.acornusers.org
Life-Webmaster - Richard Hesketh - richard@ans.acornusers.org
ADL Moderator - Paul Johnson - paul@ans.acornusers.org
Translator - Michael Gerbracht - michael@ans.acornusers.org
2) How to send in news
To send in your news items simply e-mail ans@acornusers.org, or use the
form on the ANS website http://www.acornusers.org/ans/newsdesk.html.
Also if you have an Acorn related announcements mailing list, feel free
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3) How to subscribe to ANS
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To: www@kfs.org
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------------ Acorn News Service,
http://www.acornusers.org/ans/
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