Acorn News Service Newsletter
Issue: 161 (27 June 2004)
Featured site this issue: http://www.drobe.co.uk/extra/expo2004/
General News
Castle terminate RISCOS Ltd's licence
Following recent press rumours of a legal dispute in the RISC OS community
Castle Technology Ltd ("Castle") would like to make the following
statement:
On 11th May 2004 Castle, as owner of the underlying intellectual property
of RISC OS, terminated RISCOS Ltd's ("ROL") licence to sell RISC OS. This
was due to the wilful and persistent failure of ROL to correct breaches
in the terms of its licence.
For nearly 12 months Castle has been trying to resolve these issues, but
has met with nothing but delaying tactics, intransigence and belligerence
from the management of ROL. Castle has regrettably taken this action
having had no other option after following due legal process, during
which ROL's management were given every possible opportunity to negotiate
a solution with Castle. They declined to do so and are entirely
responsible for the current situation.
Other companies who are sub-licensees of ROL, have been notified of the
licence termination. As an extremely unfortunate consequence of the
termination of ROL's licence these companies' products are now
unlicensed. Castle has no desire or intention to harm these businesses,
or act against the interests of the RISC OS community as a whole, and has
been working very hard over the last few weeks to find a solution for
them. However, ROL has refused to comply with the legal obligations
placed on them by the licence termination and until it does so, Castle is
unable to grant new licences to these sub-licensees.
Over the last year Castle has invested very significant amounts of money
both in the purchase of RISC OS and in its ongoing development. This will
become apparent to all users in the coming months as new solutions are
brought to market. Moreover, Castle's recent announcement of the Merlin
project shows a strong and continued dedication to bring to the desktop
market the features it deserves and move the OS forward into the future
with the many exciting new 32-bit ARM processors becoming available from
various silicon manufacturers.
Castle has attempted to involve ROL in its plans, but has been thwarted
by the lack of vision shown by ROL's management. Clearly, ROL cannot now
continue its current business without a licence; Castle is in discussions
with the shareholders of ROL to find a way to offer RISC OS 4 and Select
to users. It is expected this will lead to a satisfactory conclusion in
the very near future and offer a clear way forward for the whole RISC OS
community.
Undesirable as the current situation may be, Castle believes it will end
with a clear definition of the future which is inclusive for all RISC OS
users and software companies. Contrary to some commentators, Castle is
committed to supporting 3rd party licensees of RISC OS, even when they
are competitors. Anyone wishing to license RISC OS is most welcome to
contact Castle to discuss terms.
Jack Lillingston, Managing Director Castle Technology
<http://www.iyonix.com/iyonix/news/statement.shtml>
Statement from RISCOS Ltd. in reply to Castle
In March 1999 RISCOS Ltd entered into a licensing agreement with
Element 14 Ltd which gave it exclusive rights to develop and market
RISC OS for the desktop market.
Over the past five years it has licensed RISC OS 4 to many AMSs including
Castle Technology Ltd, RiscStation, MicroDigital, A6 and Virtual Acorn
without any concerns from Element 14 or Pace PLC that it was breaching
the agreement in any way.
RISCOS Ltd has always adhered to all the conditions of the Head Licence
and totally refutes all allegations now made by Castle Technology Ltd to
the contrary. It is greatly saddened by the attitude that Castle has
taken which has forced A6 and Virtual Acorn to reluctantly announce that
they are ceasing shipments of their fully licensed and paid for RISC OS
products.
A considerable amount of discussion and negotiation has actually taken
place between Castle, Pace and RISCOS Ltd over the past two years,
concerning both Castle's ongoing disputed use of RISC OS in the Iyonix PC
as well as the more recent demands made by Castle against RISCOS Ltd and
the AMSs.
RISCOS Ltd has worked for the benefit of all the companies in the RISC OS
community (not just one) and will continue to do so. It trusts that
Castle will constructively discuss the situation to enable an equitable
and amicable resolution to be reached for the good of all parties.
Paul Middleton, Managing Director RISCOS Ltd
<http://www.riscos.com/news/news_items/PR160604.htm>
RISC OS licence dispute news links
Commercial News
Select 3 Issue 4 now available for download by subscribers
RISCOS Ltd is pleased to announce that the latest update of the RISC OS
Select scheme - Select 3i4 - is now available for download by subscribers
from the Select web site <http://select.riscos.com/>. In keeping with
their policy of allowing subscribers to see what is available before
committing to a new subscription, anyone whose membership was valid up
until March 2004 will be able to download this latest update even if they
have not yet renewed.
RISCOS Ltd is also pleased to report that Castle have approached them
with a view to incorporating some of the Select features into the Merlin
project.
Select 4 development has been underway since before the completion of the
Adjust ROM project back in May and the first fruits of Select 4 are
expected before Christmas. Full details are as usual under constant
review, but one item will be the completion of the full set of Postscript
compatible fonts to match those originally planned by Acorn way back in
RISC OS 2 days.
<http://www.riscos.com/news/news_items/PR250604.htm>
AcornEvolution IDE CompactFlash Interface
AcornEvolution has relaunched as an upgrades and spares provider for the
RISC OS/Acorn market. They currently sell RAM upgrades and refurbished
Risc PCs, as well as the first upgrade to be developed with their hardware
partner, an IDE CompactFlash Interface.
The interface has been tested on a wide range of RISC OS equipment and is
fully guaranteed. It allows a CompactFlash card to be used as an IDE drive
- in other words, it turns a CF card into your boot drive (or backup
drive). This has the advantage of noise reduction, reliability and energy
efficiency. It is also ideal for use with embedded RISC OS hardware and
other custom projects.
The IDE CompactFlash Interface is priced at GBP20 and comes with full
RISC OS support and guarantee. AcornEvolution are happy to provide advice
to customers on the purchase of CompactFlash cards, as not all are
suitable for IDE use, and can also supply CF cards at competitive prices.
Enquiries are very welcome from those outside the UK as well as within.
AcornEvolution have several items of hardware planned for launch this year
- to receive news updates directly you can subscribe to their mailing list
by sending a blank e-mail to <lists@acornevolution.com> with the
subject "Subscribe".
<http://www.acornevolution.com/>
Castle Launch the Panther TC
The Panther TC, a new 1GB RAM version of the limited edition Panther, is
now available for GBP1599 plus delivery.
The Panther houses an IYONIX pc motherboard in a modern, sleek, black,
full ATX case.
1GB 200MHz DDR RAM modules are available as an upgrade for all other
IYONIX pcs for GBP249 including VAT.
<http://www.iyonix.com/iyonix/news/panthertc.shtml>
Castle extend LCD offer
Castle will take GBP165 off the retail cost of any special offer LCD
monitor bought at the same time as an IYONIX pc, X100 pc, or Panther pc,
purchased before the end of August 2004.
Flat panel LCD monitors have been created to maximise computing space.
Using less than half the space and power requirements of a CRT, they
dramatically reduce energy costs and contribute towards a cooler working
environment. The flicker free nature of LCD technology promotes increased
productivity by reducing eye strain and increasing user comfort.
The following LCD monitors are included in the offer:
- 17" LCD (1280 x 1024) was GBP329 now GBP164
- 18" LCD Dual Input was GBP535 now GBP369
- 20" LCD (1600 x 1200) was GBP779 now GBP614
- 21" LCD Dual Input was GBP1149 now GBP984
<http://www.iyonix.com/iyonix/news/extendedLCD.shtml>
CJE Micro's to distribute Photodesk's products
CJE Micro's and Photodesk Ltd. are please to announce that with immediate
effect CJE Micro's will take over all sales, distribution and marketing of
Photodesk products including OHP2, PhotoReal drivers, CameraDesk and the
award winning PhotoDesk.
Photodesk v3.06 is now available from:
<http://www.cjemicros.co.uk/photodesk/>
The upgrade provides a workaround to a problem relating to high dynamic
areas when running Photodesk 3.05 on the Iyonix. The upgrade requires you
to have Photodesk 3.05 already installed. Anyone wanting the upgrade
supplied on disc can purchase a copy for GBP10.
<http://www.cjemicros.co.uk/>
GBP1 to 10 Software sale
For those who were not able to attend the Wakefield Show and take
advantage of their many software bargains, CJE Micro's and The Fourth
Dimension are now offering the 300+ software bargains priced GBP1 to
GBP10 to everyone.
Examples:
- GBP1 - Archive CD 1995, Aztecs, Explorers of New Zealand and Australia
- GBP2 - ColorMobile S/w Driver, ShapeFX, A Mouse in Holland, Paint Pot
- GBP3 - Darryl the Dragon, TinyArt, Chuck Rock
- GBP4 - King Arthur, World War 2 on the home front
- GBP5 - Arcterm 7, Tekkie CD, Impressive, Zenta Fonts CD, Watchdog, Just Pictures - Romans, Science Series 1,2 or 3, Playdays, Battlechess, Bloodlust, Inertia
- GBP10 - QuickLynk software, CDSampler, Portfolio, Castle Life, Science, In Action, Alone in the Dark, Eclipse Collection, Cataclysm, Carnage, Virtual Golf
Post and packing from GBP1.50. The 300 titles are just a small selection
from over 1000 RISC OS titles held in stock. Many of the titles are
'whilst stocks last'. A product description is given for many titles.
Full listings are available at:
New printer and scanner for RISC OS
The new 7 colour Canon i990 printer and 9600dpi Epson Perfection 4870
scanner are now available from CJE Micro's with RISC OS drivers. Scanner
features include:
- Maximum 48 bit scanning depth (24 bit under RISC OS)
- 4800 x 9600 dpi optical resolution
- Built in 6 frame, 35mm transparency unit
- RISC OS TWAIN 2 driver included
- 27.6 x 45 x 11.6 cm (WxDxH)
- 3.1 Kg
Suitable for an Iyonix or other RISC OS computer with a USB port. Epson
Perfection 4870 with RISC OS Twain driver GBP460 inc VAT and UK delivery
(exceptions apply). The Epson Perfection scanner range starts at GBP210.
Canon i990 printer features include:
- Up to 4800 x 2400dpi (600dpi on RISC OS)
- 7 ink tanks (Black, cyan, magenta, yellow, red, photo cyan and photo magenta)
- Up to 16ppm mono, 12ppm colour
- USB, USB2.0 and PictBridge interfaces (no parallel port)
- Up to 150 page sheet feeder
- 20 page photo paper tray
Whilst the printer does produce a very good quality output using the CJE
Micro's RISC OS drivers at 600dpi, to take full advantage of the high
resolution and 7 inks you will need to use a print server or UniPrint.
Suitable for an Iyonix or other RISC OS computer with a USB port.
The Canon i990 including RISC OS driver costs GBP335 inc VAT & UK delivery
(exceptions apply). UniPrint, if required, costs GBP40.
<http://www.cjemicros.co.uk/>
PD/Shareware News
Updated software summary
- ButtonBar 1.61
Allows you to easily create and use definable button bars for any
program which allows keyboard input and shortcuts. Iyonix compatible.
<http://www.flypig.co.uk/dnload.htm#buttonbar>
- Codeflow v1.03
A long distance game for two players. Can be played on two unconnected
computers without the need for an Internet link. Iyonix compatible.
<http://www.flypig.co.uk/dnload.htm#codeflow>
- ConnecT
A board game for two people involving 2 sets of tiles. Now compatible
with they Iyonix, but it should still work on a Risc PC if it has enough
video memory.
<http://rogerdarlington.members.beeb.net/DownL.htm>
- dy/dx v1.00
Program to differentiate mathematical expressions algebraically. Iyonix
compatible.
<http://www.flypig.co.uk/dnload.htm#dydx>
- EnBank v3.01
Multi-currency accounts package. This version can import and export data
in QIF, Quicken Interchange Format, and importing transactions from data
sources that provide minimal information is now easier.
<http://www.envsoft.co.uk//riscos/enbank.html>
- Graphite v0.20
An application for creating and editing of graphs. This beta release
fixes several bugs, makes resizing nodes easier, and comes with more
documentation.
<http://www.zpages.de/>
- Mellow demo v3.00
A very small program to display a set of random shots of the Mandelbrot
set, and then gently cycle the colours to provide a nauseous effect.
Iyonix compatible.
<http://www.flypig.co.uk/dnload.htm#mellow>
- SmartQuotes v1.52
Converts all quotes typed in at the keyboard into their sexed
counterparts. Iyonix compatible.
<http://www.flypig.co.uk/dnload.htm#quotes>
- SpecialFX v1.05
Desktop enhancement module which provides three basic functions: calls
to the Draw module are redirected to Computer Concepts' GDraw module,
thus providing an anti-aliased display in applications such as Draw,
Ovation Pro etc; causes outline font painting operations to be performed
with background blending; can cause all printing to occur from low
memory in applications which use dynamic areas, to work around a problem
in in certain printer drivers, such as those for Calligraph direct drive
laser printers. This version fixes a long-standing problem which could
cause graphical output produced by some software (notably EasiWriter and
TechWriter) to be corrupted.
<http://www.hallas.net/Software/SFX/>
- Two Mice v1.02
Use two mice pointers simultaneously! Control one as normal (using the
mouse) and the second using the keyboard keypad. Iyonix compatible.
<http://www.flypig.co.uk/dnload.htm#2mice>
- Variations v0.33
Free "variations on a theme" image processing program. This version
includes a great deal of work on the new thumbnail viewer and adds a
simple slideshow program.
<http://www.compo.iconbar.com/variation.htm>
- VirtuDesk v1.12
A multiple desktop utility: you can switch between various screens and
effectively you get a larger desktop area. Iyonix compatible.
<http://www.flypig.co.uk/dnload.htm#virtudesk>
Club News
Upcoming meetings
- BARUG (Bristol), 30th June - Dave Ruck: Photodesk tutorial
<http://www.barug.co.uk/>
- ICENI (Ipswich), 7th July - Richard Brown, Oregano UK
<http://www.btinternet.com/~icenicomputerclub/>
- WROCC (Wakefield), 7th July - Networking workshop
<http://www.wrocc.org.uk/>
- NKACC (Kent), 8th July - VoIP, instant messaging, P/P, Netmeeting
<http://nkacc.roundel.net/>
- WAUG (Wessex), 10th July
<http://www.mfraz.freeserve.co.uk/waug/>
- DARC (Derbyshire), 12th July - Xara X; Personalising a music collection
<http://www.darc-comp.org.uk/>
- SASAUG (Surrey/Sussex), 12th July
<http://www.poppyfields.net/sasaug/>
- EAUG (Essex), 13th July
<http://www.wattys.fsnet.co.uk/eaug/>
- LAUG (Liverpool), 13th July
<http://www.italia.co.uk/laug/>
- ROUGOL (London), 19th July - Harriet Bazley: StrongEd
<http://rougol.jellybaby.net/>
- RONWUG (North West), 21st July
<http://www.ronwug.org/>
ANS Information
Contact ANS
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.ans.org.uk/newsdesk>.
Also if you have an Acorn related announcements mailing list, feel free
to subscribe <ans@acornusers.org>.
How to subscribe to ANS
If you are reading this on the ANS web site, or have received a forwarded
copy of ANS and would like to subscribe to the mailing list, simply send
any e-mail to <ans-subscribe@ans.acornusers.org>. Alternatively use the form
on the ANS web site at <http://www.ans.org.uk/subscribe>.
For details of other commands e-mail <ans-help@ans.acornusers.org>. |
![[Filler Image]](/images/blank){kind=small}
