4^:^^
eD6st-§elling RISC OS magazine in the world
i
I
Find out what Rf|
achines can do
::j!:azj
m
tau
ISSUE 215 CHRISTMAS 1999 £4.20
Computers for Education
Business and Home
HARDWARE i
PERIPHERALS
ACORN A7000+ tOHniTERS
A?000 4. Ciasm [D
A7000+(l3isnhO
A71100+0(lyHeyCD
|aTODCH- Odysse)- Nmotk
30 I- Odyssey Primary
I 47000 I OdyssEc Setoiidary
A700Oi OdyssEr^uil
£499 mil
£449 W.il
£549 mil
£525 mm
£599 flOJ ai
£599 mm
£699 Lih.il
ACORN NC COMPUTERS
Sprin[(rl6f1B £299 BSI.Jll
Spriiiier 16MB - Topcai rtady £299 OSI.H
SpfinLfr iplm I6HB inc M" MonnDt £379 t4<S.il |
ACORN RISC PC COMPUTERS
|flMPC!3!T;GB8HBEWrim
RMpajJT4GEI6HBEWtim
|Rri(pa)3T[D
RucPGJSTDVD
Ri!( ?Um Web Wr;ard
CD ROM DRIVES
CD ROM tumg ki: (daia I. audio (Able)
IDE 24x speed CD KOH drive
IDE 44ii spseiJ CD ROM dfive
IDE CD driver lor Msc PC fi A7000
SCSI 32> speed CD ROM drivf
SCSI ^i speed (D ROM drive
i«l h speed CD ROM drtvc
CD TOWERS
fix CO 7 drivf Wer
£749
(880.1
£799
mi
£879
miu
£929
urns
£1149
(IJSCO
£4
H
UM
GO
mi
as
LiWl
as
mil
£69
m
£29
04,(1
£30
C!U5
£549
iMs.or
£379
!MS.!?
GREAT V
■^251
CD WRITERS
Ui^jiie SCSI CO in[ RcWmei m ICDBiirN
6<4«l6SCSItiiCDItaWri[eri[ic!CDBum
FIXING K.
2d slice lor Rlst PC int 1 waj L ,!.:., £76 jj) i( 1
M IDE hard drive liting kir £|2 £14.10
mW i- baikplane (not il CO aJrody insialled) £34 [3).!S
Fixing km for hard drives £S ff.40
HoniiDr cable lor all Acorn (lelecdon) £|0 fll iS |
Podule mi lor A3D00 £|6
Rise PC I slo[ backplane £29 ii4.B I
SCSI I S II [abteclioice from £io [II JS
SCSI lerniiiiarar/adapiors (seledion) £|0 (II.JS
SCSI/IDE ribbon cables Irom £S lyj
FLOPPY DISC DRIVES
Fli)ppydiivfA![llDo(A!070
Fluppy drive A4/S000A7000Rii(P[:
Floppy drive lor AiUOD
Riiphiemeni lloppy drive tor A4
£29 tiWl I
£29 imi
£29 BiW
£20 0!,SO
HARD DRIVES
IOE2l!}i1BJ.Si<iforA4DDO£A50DD
IOE500HBi.SinlofA4000S/lSCH)[)
IO[1.2GB5iinforRiscPCU7MI)/+
IDE2GB3,SinlorRiitP[aA700O/ +
!D£4GB3.Sin(orRiscP[8A70OQ/+
SCSllOOMBi.Sm
SCSI 2GB J.Sin
SCSI 4GB 5,5ir
SCSI SOOMB J,5in
SCSI 9GB ].Sin
£40
£45
£49
£59
£70
£39
HIM
mi
tsi.s?
imi
am
imi
£90 (l«.!S
£129
£49
ilSl.i7
(S?.S?
£199 am
HARD DRIVES inc Interface
CD WRITER
SPECIAL OFFER!
6x record
4x re-write
I6xread
Dtetrlbute your
resources, back-up
your data and give
youneK unlimited
ttorage!
I70M6 IDE
nOMBIDE
170MB IDE
I I7nM6 IDE
IDE
hOtlllBIDE
soohbide
soomb ide
km/mo interface inclnded
AJDOO Interlace Inrlnded
A3010 Idicrtace Incliided
A] 030 firiine kit included
A3D0/A400 in[erlace Included
AJOOOiniei face included
AJOIOInjerfac? Included
A302O fining kii included
£100
illJ.SO
£85
imi
£8S
Bm
£49
mi
£130 flS27S
£115 umi
£115 Limi
£79 Lm
HARD DRIVES Video
1 9GB Video SCSI eternal
I Video SCSt external
£599
£899
HARD DRIVES Xtra
! Xira SCSI iiiiernal
I Xira SCSI iniernal
£169 ilSSSlj
£299 fiSuH
IDE INTERFACES
Ai/400 IDE interface foi 2.Siii S l.Sin luiii dnvti £60 OOSCl
AJOOO IDE inierlace kii - I.Sm hard drive £S2 fiJ.IO
A3I1I0 IDE hierface Kit - 2,iin Hard Drive £52 [61 10
AJD20 Imng tii 2. Sin hard drive £8 H.40 1
£219
£249
OS?!!
t29JSJ
KEYBOARDS
AilRA Acain keyboard fur A700CI and Rise PC
Erjo keyboard
1^ Ergo keyboard for pre Rlic Pt
Ke^boaid cable |'6 waf)
£29 m il I
£39 £4S.!!
£69 £11.07
£10 CII.IS
COMBOS (HO A CD)
MEMORY
(CDSIOOHeHD-eMernalSCSI
1 8y CD S SOOME HD - e«mnal SCSI
£99
£129
EXTENDED WARRANTY
A7000/A7000 • e*l(nded warranty - I yclr
A7000/A7000 • exiended warranty - 7 year
A70OO/A7DOO !- UKiended warranty -4 year
Rise PC (600/700) eitended warranty - I ftsr
Rise PC (600/700) extended warranty - 3 year
Uist PC (S00./700) emended warranty -4 year
SifongARM Rise PC eiiended warranty - I year
SirongARH Rise PC eiiended warranty - 1 year
StronjARM Rise PC emended warranty - 4 year
£S9
£109 inm I
£189 £227117
£89
£159
£279
£99
£179
1104.57
ilEiSi
07/ il
m.n
ami
A30USA')00l-4MB
AiOOO I -4MB
A3O00 4-8HB
A3000 serial port upgrade
A3Q!OI-2MB
AJ0I0I-4MB
A3020SA4000 2-'1H6
|A4004-aHB-
00 2-4MB
[AS00D4liMB
OS
£55
li\ I!
iiUl
£124 (14110
£B
£25
£55
£35
am
aw
mi
UI.I7
£99 (111,32
£45 iS7,87
£119 IDImI
MEMORY RISC PC A7000
£319 074!
EXTERNAL SCSI CASES
AtornHEU2<CD ; (r«S2S'nslot £49 (!?S?|
Case for single SCSI dewe £40 ffl.t
I Combo case for 2 SCSI devices £60 t/dSi 1
4HB SIMM lor Rise PC and A7U00
KMB SIMM fur RISC PC and A700I)
16MBSIMH-RiscPCAT000/r
32MB SIMM -Rise PC A7000/ 1
IS4HB SIMM -Rise PC A7000/+
ll2BMB SIMM-Rise PC A7000/ +
Rise PC 2MB VRAM
£7
£10
£39
£59
£85
£f4 (17S0II
an
tii.is I
Hi.8
fS9J2 I
House balls heavy (packol 10)
Mouse lor A7000/r- N/C
Mouse for all Aciirns (not A70DQ etr)
Original mouse for all Atoms (not A7K)
£15 illSJ
£10 fii.rs
£12 II4.II1
£16 urn
SPECIAL OFFER!
ISDN MODEM + FREE
INTERNET CONNEaiON
2x 64k bpi ehaniiels
IS9xU0«40mm
;;! ^ footprint
.Wf^ ■»«* 2 analogue ports
Argonet ISP trial
iiiiVAluidd[li«ry iSDNiintmrtri
MODEM
I23k ISDN + 2 analogue ptione ports £99 iliyj I
I2flk ISDN hub louier with lOBaseT £249 0921!
l2Bk ISDN modem £99 f.llU2
l2Bk ISDN nioden\ router (managed) £385 C4S2.37
SSk modem £59 ii'l!
MONITORS
£259
(iM.i!
I4inliyama colour ICD display
£575
£WS.(!
I4in SKA
£79
C!l!)
ISin digital SVGA
£99
IIIU7
ISm digiial SVGA liyania
£125
il4i,8J
I7in digital SVGA
£149
(115.07
I7in fiyama Pro 410
£269
£316.07
2lrn liyania Pro SIO
£649
£16257
NETWORK CARDS
Ethernet Card A3D0/A400/ASk (R)4S) £94 £IIO« I
Ethernet Card A300/A400/ASk (RJ4S/BNC) £99 (116.32
Ethernet Card A]020/A4k (BNC MAU) £94 £111.45
Ethernet Caid A3O20/A4I! {R|4S MAO) £94 £111.45
Ethernet Card A30iO/A4k (Rj4S) £94 £111.45
Eihernei Card A30«0/A4k i RJ4S/BNC) £99 (II6JJ
Ethernet Card Rite PC/A7k (Rj4S) £94 £110.45
Eihernei Card Rut PC/A7k {RJ4VBNC| £99 (116.32 1
PRINTERS INKJET
Acorn prmtw driver for any hsted printer
CANON B{(.200D
CANON BJf -4400
CANON BIC-46S0 (A3)
CANON ajC-6000
CANON B]C-7I00
EPSON Stylus coloin 4iO
EPSON Stylus colour m
EPSON Stylui colour B60
Parallel prmtfr cable
TCP/IP (LPR}pnstii.prriirEr driver
£10 £11.75
£86 (lOI.OS
£129 {151.52
£225 Q64i7
£189 Dim
£219 (IS737
£85
£99
mil
mil
£194 £227.!S
£t0 £117!
£175 £!I]S(I
NEW!
233MHz StrongARM (revt)
UPGRADE WITH RISC OS 4
I Ok performance
increase whh
StrongARM
upgrade
49% performance
incrense with
RISC OS 4
{call for details)
PROCESSORS
ARM 3 processor lor AiOOO A300 A4(KI £||S (I3i.|i I
ARM 610 processor (2nd user) £69 (J|.07 1
StrongARM processor & RISE OS 4 £254.47 IW
StrongARM processor (tevi) S RISC OS 3 1 £229 £269.(17 1
REMOVABLE DRIVES
i ZIP drive external SCSI £99 il|(,Jj I
i ZIP drive parallel not A300 etc £109 £I7S,0I
1 250HB 7IP drive external SCSI £129 fiSfJ) |
Mm MO dive internal £239 fJSO.S
b^Wi HO ejtsrnal drivt £279 £327,8
lomtga Parallel ZIP driver (lOOMBI £25 ll1.il \
)AZ ;G8 eiternal SCSI drive £279 (ill.!
)AZ ;Ga iniemal SCSI drive £259 £304J! I
PD 34« CD S ii30MB optical SCSI drive £249 'M SJ |
640HS Media lot MO dri.c £|9 £!2J]|
CD 630t1B re-wriie niedia £S tS.il
CD 630MB vrriie once raedis (Pk ol 10) £|0 £11.15
JAZ IGB midta £58 £68.15 1
|AZ 2GB media £69 [i
PD 630MS media £18 tll.lS I
Syid 1.5GB media £S8 £S!IS
Syquest lOSMB media £45 [S28I
SytfuestOiMB media £45 islSjl
)f[|iit'iij![IMB media £45 tS2S
Syqufit 770HB media £45 (Sji? I
Zip lOOHBraetfia £8 (Ml
Zip iOOMB media 1; pack) £35 awl]
Zip2S0HBmedia £11.50 (I4.i
RISC OS UPGRADES
Rise OS 3.11 chip sti
RiitOSJ.II hardware upgrade - A300
I RiicQS }.ll tnannahei
ili«0SJ.7fl(Ri!(PC0nly)
I a-sc 0! 4 (RiscPt/A700CI)
SCANNERS
I CanoScan 27001 film scanner
I mage Master & Iwain
I Parallel ScanEipress 6000
ScanExptess iranspartnty kit-slides etc
Seaiflai transparency til ■ iltdei eic
SCSI Scantspresi 12000
SCSI Stan Eipress 6000
SCSI ScanExpress A) SP
SCSI Seanflai 1200 pro
£20 am I
£10 (73-51}
£20 am
£25 f7!.37
£99 (Hi 32
£499 £586.32
SCSI INTERFACES
Storm BS(SI2miecrace-A3DiOA4000
SitirmliSCSI2i/f-A100/A40DAS/7D00
Siorml6/IQBaseT SCSI! S Ethernet i/l
Storm 16,'Combo SCSI2 5 Ethernet i/( £196 (ZSO.JO !
I StomiDHAJZ SCSI2 i/l ftPC £|2B £ISO^
£49
£57.5!
£99
£114,31
£75
£8812
£149
illi.OI
£149
i 175.07
£119
imn
£199
£133.82
099
IB
(468.8!
£88
£IOj.4ll
£96
£11191 1
£148
f t73.?l 1
SOFTWARE
RisCafelavaioftwarMCD)
04.03
am
Acom C/C * -^
£160
£168,10
initniernei Suite
£95
£'ll.i!
TOPCAT NT server iottware
£500
tSS7.S0
SPECIALS
A-link for pocket book (AHAJO) £|0 £11. /S
A4 LCD Screen £30 0S.7i
A4PSUPa(k £10 01.75
ASOOO PoHiT Supply Unit £|0 (||,7S
A/000 Computer £299 £3Sl.i7
Acorn Econet i/t ■ all Ktepi RPC £5 iS.SI
Aiwa h CO player £49 (SJ,s;
Alcatel voice auto aittiidani leltphont PC card £500 £587.5)
DIS Upgrade £5 (SSI
German keyboards RiscPC/A7000 etc £|0 (II 7S
)PI50 sheet feeder £I0 (IL7i
Mailer 128 motherboard £|0 £Ii 75
MailT internal SOOHB SCSI drive £99 (l|iJ2
Mustek I2000P Scanner (PC Only) £55 iifl.JI
Netprodutti Netitaiion £120 (141.01)
PC card lor A3000 A30I0 A3020 AJOOO £49 £57.i7
Rf Modulator N/C etc (phono in - TV out] £|5 (ll.j)
Rise PC sound card (ACDOS) £|0 £JI7i
Sj Econet Bridge £20 £7i.S(l
SJ Etnnti starter kit £20 IZi.Sil
DELIVERY CHARGES - next dny insured
Orders over £200 paid by debit card FREE fltE[
Small Items £6 fJ.OS
All other orders £11 £11,93
Fitting charge (inc collecDon) £18 £11 15
We welcome payment by cheque (allow
S days to clear). Credit and Dehii cards,
EDUCATIONAL ORDERS WELCOMED.
CASTLE TECHNOLOGY Ltd, Ore Trading Estate
WoDdbndge Road. Framlingham, Suffolk iPI3 9LL
TEL0172e723200 FAX. 0300 783 9638
Sales lines open Monday to Fnday 9,00am [ill 5 OOpm
Sattirday lO.OOamill I.OOpm
Contact us by e-mail: salei@casdB.org.Lk
Visit our web site' www.casrle org.uk
All trademarks acknowledged.
E80E All produces carry
a full I year warranty unless
odierwise stared
CASTLE
0800 783 9638
www.castle.org.uk
01728 72320U
contents
Hands on
68
70
Run the Rise
Mike Cooks lends his talents to the area
of garden pest control in Bash a Mole
Rambles
Mr Cook takes a break from being a
John Peel look-a-iike to answer your
questions
Published by
PRESS
Unit 2A, Heapriding Business Park, Ford Street,
Stockport, Ctieshire SK3 OBT
e-mail: erniuiries@acomuser.coni
h ttp : / / WW w.aconi use r.coni /
Teh 101611 429 8902 Fax: (01611 429 1)685
Printed bv The Manson Gniup l-td, SI Albans
Editor Steve TurnbuU
Deputy Editor Duns Ian Orchard
Production Manager Aian (ones
Art Editor Anthony Broughlon
Contributors
Simon Anthony, TrCTor .\ttewcll, Alasdair Bailey,
Mike Battersby. Ian Burley. Mike CiMk, David Dade,
Andrew Green, Simon MelliUBli, Mux Palnier, lill Regan,
Colin Sutton, I'ani TurnbuU, ?aul Vigay
Account Manager David Bradfcirth
Ad Production Dun^tan Orchard
Finance Manager Charlie Moran
Subscription Manager Richard Siggee
Circulation Director Darren Whiteman
Distribution COMAG 1018951 444(55
Managing Director Steve Tumbull
Subscriptions:
0870 606O424
E-m<iik sutiscrtpSacornuser.com
ascription rate; £43-9') (UKl,
''eU), £63,99 (World)
'\i-fTn I ii-cr i^avniUblLtasspneLh tajru tliL'
i,iiii:i^s;pH;sprtp6i .AsB'iidiition UK
rii,ilL'i--,il 111 I !..■ iiTiui,(ii,-,.J til whole L'l !■] ;.J|I ■nlLlvjul
V.I I '. ^■o\-t>ry cjnj is taken,
liir ]ii,i . II Id le^llj' rehpiiiwWii.dH'
em' uirtir- a. ihlhIit. li'.lingMir odviSrllSEnienliaiid
■ Ihi! vk'vi'5 ol tuntcll'utoi-ii do not nnoisaiirlly reflect
^Jj^lmvfrjilhr.' pubhshei's
r^^OJi^L, vv%vw,argL>nEl.c<i,xik
Regulars
6
13
News
What happened at the RISC OS '99
show plufa what's coming up
Comms
Latest on broadband Internet
connection; what does your browser
reveal on the Web
1 A Graphics page
16
Spacetech hitorials, Chris Jarman's art
and the hfe of Nick van der Walle
Public domain
Looking at a little known graphics
ix)nverter, d SLTtwi grabberdnd
perspecti vised Draw
Game show
Getting jiggy with some of the older
game stuff in emulation formats
40
^2 Subscriptions
73
74
Get every issue of Acorn ikcr dehvered
to your door and the back issura
Letters
Make your views, news and opinions
known on our regular page
Regan files
Talking to that crazy hardware man of
the Pennines: Stuart Tyrrell
Competitions
'2 '2 Win a RiscStation
One of the new RISC OS machines is
up for grabs in this excitmg
competition
C'l Win an enormous
Software bundle!
LlOOOs of pounds of software could be
yours in this great competition
Free ads , Page 59
AdverHsers' Index Page 56
Contact us Page 56
Back issues Page 70
Subscriptions Page 70
Reviews
24
45
60
Artworks plugins
Colin Sutton takes an overdue look at
add-ons for this popular art package
ParaFS
Networking two RISC OS machines
without pricey network cards?
Digital projector
Mike Battersbv points the way in the
world of digital projectors
Features
New machines
18
2ft Planetary visions
Steve Tiirnbull looks at the hardware
behind RiscStation's machines
Trevor Attewell explains how the
most detailed global image ever was
created (with help from Acon\s)
'24 TopModel tutorial
46
52
Max Palmer gets down fo basics in
Pari I of this helpful series
Net graphics
Find out how you can compile data
and draw Web graphics on-the-fly
Intro to Draw
Getting to grips with the basics of
this versatile drawing package
Education
(i'l Education news
Bringing together all the latest news tor
educationalists
/^CT Education reviews
^ ^ The latest Keyioonis product from
Sherston and what's with Argosphere?
Next month
Nexl month's Issue >ees articles on keeping your old machines
running; Uiinn TWAIN scanner driver?; creating your own
Mailing I'ni; what goes into writing a RISC OS game; and
reviews of the 2S0Ub Zip drive; the Archive CD; JM's mouse
mat; and Castle's new Iteyboard, plus all the on-going series.
lanuary issue on srIp 23rd December
http://www.acornuser.com Christmas 1 999
m
EMAIL: sales@cta.u-net.com http;//www.cta.u-net.coni Tel - 01942 797777 Fax - 01942 79771 1
Curriculum Training Associates
Depl. Xnias. 168 Elliott Si.
Ty Ides ley
Gtr. Manchester
M29 8DS
0% Interest FREE credit (6 months) or LOW cost finance available on all new systems.
6 iiiiiiiHis liiU-rfst Frt'c (_ rt-dil On All SvnI^iiis mc [iiTipluTals. sullwure and 273 >r upliuiul \<;irrHntics (minimuiu spt-iid CKOO iiic \all
OfTWO^^'iFUflCStatiOn WscStaiUon
Rise Basad TechnolOQJes
Networx?Oraip
Arm 7500 system with
buill in MiJi, 3D sound.
sampler. IDhiiscT pi>n.
High speed serial &
piirallcl ptirts, RISCOS 4
Si.im.irr Hiirnllt"
Netwiirx base only OW + Vat (Wfif* Kll
Netwnrx 14" system 1:47') t Var i£5fi2 fi3j
NelvKirx 15" system £499 + Vat lf586 33)
Nctworx 17" system £54'* + Vat ItM.'i.OXI
Networx 19" system £649 + Vat (£762,5«l
Sw "Hw.risi-stiitiiiD.eii.iik fur nmif di'taiK
Immf
R7.*i(K) 50 itiip system
wirh Midi, 3Ds(.iuii(l,
sound sampler,
lOhaseTpiiri. High
speed serial & parallel
ports, RISC OS 4
M:i|iM Suliwure Biimlk'
£499 + Vat(t:5K6.33)
£579 + Va((£6M0,33l
£5'W + Vul(£70.1.K3)
£649 + Val (£762,58)
£749 + Val(i;KKI).0SI
Sff it»it.risi'st(iliiin.i:i>.iik liir moivrfi'luils
Base onJy
14" monitor system
15" monitor system
17" monitor system
19" monitor .svstem
SA233T" Web Wizard
34Mb/t!G/DvdCD/1 7" mon/Slereo Spk. Am
Inteniel & Jarva with a SfiK niiKlem Tor only
£1145 + VAT
(incliidi's Ki'.i:OS4)
On LCF. for only a-i.OO
per month
233Mhz SA RiscPC Offers
RFC SA bases from £830 inc VAT or
C22.(M)/m(mIh via X.X'.V. * AND «i- will
niKti'h or Ittal your hesi ofFi-r
We can supply any combinution or
confi^ratitm you require.
A7000 + Series Machines
A7t)0(l+ Cla^'.k :^ Mips RO.I.T SM /
]fi HD/niiCR 1:444.1x1 (£S27.5t()
A7U00+ rhLsMt 29 Mips R03,7 l<iM /
2GHD/2-t)irD t4iW.(K)(i:5Kft..'?l
A70M1+ (Myvscy NliTWORK
WMipsRtnT(41)ilf.M
i:52-'i.()0(i''l!'-«8l
A7000+ 0(lysM-y CD
50Mip-RO3 7(4.Oi I6M/4GHD/
40s CD £.M9.00 (£M5.0S)
A700CH- Odyssey Primury or Sec. Puck
50 Mips RTO.T (4.01 lft'M/4CiHD/
4flxCD tS'iO.OO (£70XS3)
A7()00 + Odyssey Surl
5fl Mjfh R(B.7 |4(i) I6M /4G HD /
DVD £6W.0O (£821.33)
Al<in* inii'r^ih' nnl mcliulr monrliut
*fff wptintlf pnt'i' livt
m
RISC OS 4
£99.00 +vat
(£1 16.33) place your
order now
Fitting & dala iraiisfcr, if required. £25
inc val (£)5 wiih new HD).
Stock Available NOW
StrongARM
Rev "T"
with
RISC OS 4
only £299
inc VAT
All nK>ml^r^ jne 3 yi-. JVf OMITOR S
^.ly tl^lo^'.^fx■cineJ IVlV-^l^l H^IVJ
Ei VAT Ire VAT
M" SVGA 0.28 Oyrofi-srlol E79.00 E92.B3
14" SVGA 0.2S Multi-Media £99.110 £116 32
IS" SVGA 0.28 Oytod-site] £95.00 t1 11.62
IE' SVGA 0.28 Muiti-Medta £119.00 £13Q.a3
:■ E.Vr.A0 2flnvr RTRi Ct2re;S £149.e9
17"SVGAa28(3yfOfi.sitBl flJSOO £175.06
rrSVGA 0.29 m-mediat3yr) £169.00 £198.58
I Fl" SVGA 2fi |.l,i ijti-srr»j E?49 00 £292.57
£1 " SVGA 0.25 (3yt On-BilB| £540.00 £634.50
18" liV'jA M Mdvi u"-l,i1p1| EH.ISOO E1697.BS
15' llyBfTia Vision Mnslsi 350 C125.CW £146. 87
17" llyama Vision Masler Fsr K35.1XI £276.12
17''llyamHPro410 E267.00 £313 73
10' livama Pro 450 C400.i« E470.00
21- llyama Pro DIamondlron £630.00 £740,25
AKF53 Mullisync 14" lyrflTB E149 00 £175 08
AKF50 Mullisync 14" lyrHTB £19000 E223.25
AKF12PAL l4-Tah,niMaif= £155.00 E76 37
AKFS2/53 Maync leiuib BO Qays £99 00 C 11 6 32
AKF60SVGA M'rsiN-DSOdiys £6500 E76 37
Multi sync A30(V A 3000 cable EB.50 £9.99
THE BEST PRINTER PRICES
I Please ring Tor laicM prices )
E« VAT Inc VAT
A4
Canor BJC 1000 colour
Canon BJC 2000 colour « A4
Canon BJC 2000 Scan U \ A4
Canon BJC 4650 colour # A3
Canon BJC 4650 Scan K
£77 00 £90 4B
£89 00 £104 58
£158,00 £185 65
£228 00 £267 90
A3 £275.00 E323 13
Canon BJC 7000 colour » A4 E169.O0 £198.58
Epson Stylus 440 C<Mour A4 £85.00 £99.88
E0Son Stylus 660 colour
E^ivi.'Fi ■'.■lylij', fi^i.i'iolour
Epson Stylus 1 520 colour
A4 £116.00 £13630
A4 [165 I.".. •.■I'.'Hii/
A3 £360 CO £41 1 25
Epson Slylus Pholo 700 * A4 £135,00 £158.63
Epson Stylus Pholo EX # A3 £265.00 £311.38
HF 61(1C r*.llMif
HP 895CXI colour
HP LASERJET 1100
HP LASERJET 21 00 POL
HP LASERJET 2100 PS
Pholo drivers (or »
Scanner drivers tor I
■■■VHfiFAviun.t
A4
E200.00 E235 00
£249.00 £292.58
£454.00 £533 45
£514.00 £603.93
£58 72 £69.00
£29.79 . £35,00
f h% rl;[fUL-^l^"
ACORN MKII
TRACKBALL
& MOUSE
£29.79 + VAT
(£35.00 inc)
HARD DRIVES AND SUB-SYSTEMS WH y m Y MORE?
A3020 A30X0 & l/F A4000/A5000/A4(X1 RPC/A7()00/RiscStalion
Ex VAT
InoVAT
Ex VAT inc VAT
El VAT
Inc VAT
Ex VAT
Inc VAT
6a«0UB
£39 00
£45 a3
£79.00 E92 83
210Mb (refurb)
£25 00
£39 37
2.1GB
£60,00
£70 50
170MB
£49 00
£57 S8
£89.00 El 04 .57
250MB
£30.00
£35 25
4.3GB
£70,00
£82 25
340MB
£59,00
£69 33
£99,00 Cits 32
34DMa
£35.00
£41 12
6.4GB
£75 00
£88 12
500MB
£79.00
£92 83
£tt9.00 £139.83
4E0MB
£40.00
£4? 00
a4GQ
£85.00
£99 87
eiDMBIt
£99.00
£116.32
£12500 £14637
500B
£49.00
EST 58
12.9GB -
£95.00
£11162
1 0Gb e
£109.00
£128 08
£13400 £157 45
1 2QB
£95 00
£11162
16.808 •
£110 00
£129 25
2 16B B
£123.00
£144 53
£149 00 E175 0a
21GS
£100.00
£117.50
20.1GB'
£125.00
£14687
3 2Ga »
£129,00
£151 sa
£15500 £183 12
3.2G8
£105,00
£12337
25 0GB-
£168,00
£197 40
4 3GB H
£149.00
CI7S0e £17500 £20562
es CD ROM l/f which can alsu
A4(X)0. For esicnial A.IOOO i/r
rifludt's p^miliuHing w.il"1v.jre
4.3GB
' inc. iniemal
ROM 1/1. For
0!ll> lil-dULl ^
• £110.00
£129 25
36 4GB*
£240.00
£282 00
A
JOXO versicin iiielm
vustiliiiA.'OlOor
itlil I^U.UO +VAT #
removable HD & CD
pail ill on ing .M)flwarc
25.0()+iji(£2y..'Ki
" rcquicc. RISCOS 4 or
Paniiuming s/w fur RISCOS 3.5
/ .3,6 / .1,7 iiiily as.m + val
Removable Drives
IDE Drives
II It -I.p.h:- Jiypptr, -ipi(,,hk. ,1ii'vl* nlurfiKuiv
LSI20inl please nng
Zip lOOirrl E5500 (E94.63)
Zlp2Mim CI 19 00 [SMsa.BSl
Parallel Drives
I'dfaiklilfiifMriLlikJr ,\L,kniS->Jthiii(
SCSI Removable Drives
ZiplOOMin
Zip 2SaM e«
PD651VC0
\Dmal 750
Jb2 2Q in!
Jaz2Geiit
rasoo
IfSg 88)
tneoo
(£136. 30)
CI 39.00
(£163 33)
C16S0O
(£193 88)
E235.00
(f276 13)
£235 00
(C276 13)
Zip 100
Zip 250
Jai2G
EB3.00
£139.00
E290OO
IE1 16.33)
{E1B3.33)
(£351 33)
SCSI HARD DRIVES
t-IOM(j n imiiied Bupi)iv tJi»
iGli E50
2Gb (5400 rpm) special E80
-■".ii. i;;3n riKn, n Eio(;
4.3eb 15400 or 7200rpm| £140
9 iObi72O0ipni) £195
18.6Gb|7200Tpm| £329
36 4Gb (7200 rpm) £640.
hirt.XT. SCSI lal^cO(HKl
hiittXT SCSIIIi.-d>,i:tS.\IM)
(£41.131
(£50 ,-i
[E94.00)
lt117 50)
(£164.50)
(£229 13.1
(£386.58)
(£752.00)
VAT lint L-ahicl
V..\r (muMhlcl
C D-ROM WRITERS
', - Prices Start
1 . * from
'; . ^ £149.00 +
2x2x6x £149.00 (£175.00)
4x4«16« £199.00 (E233,83)
CD-BURN £49,00 (E57.58)
CD-SCRIBE 2 £49.00 (£57.58)
6 Drive
4«\
SCSI
CDROM
Towers
£499
(£5m.33)
SCSI 8x
Autochanger
£85.(X1 + vai
(£99.88)
CD-ROMS
IDE
48x £39,00 (£45,83) 40x
40x £35-00 (£41.13) 32x
8x £30.00 (£35.25) 8x
SCSI
£65.00 (£76.38)
£55.00 (£64.63)
£30.00 (£35.25)
Forcstt-rnallDtnrSCSE 1 add £511,00 + VATfinL.tahlcl
For cik-rriiil SCSI 1! aJd ES5.00+ Vul, (inc. tabid
IDF drivtr lor Rist OS 3.1 £15 + viil
IDE ml. filling kil i'S inc. Inl. SCSI fitting kil^ Irani t)U + v,
IlKMbZip
e«VitT
CB.EH
C3S00
mcVAT
E41.13
5 !Gb DVD HAU
9lV«T
ESS 00
Inc VAT
r.-. IMI l"i ■
fU If.
E7.00
t:B,Z3
0713
t;DBC[>,BOM
CDR III pKh
CI m
tHJOO
El 50
Cll 75
rsOMDMonill
casoo
r44.ES
CDHSCmn lOpOi
Eisnci
Fia 10
1 Gn .tn/j
UftDO
CGBIS
ClinB0min!5pa.
a5.53
ncoo
JGBJftW
Eiaoo
L'SI DS
1 5GDSvai«31
tsauo
tee IS
1 1 ■■■, , .. .
Desktop FAX MODEMS
56k X2/V90 3Com USR
56k FieftiVgO (Rockwell)
ISDN modem le«em,nl)
ANT Inlemei Suite
Webster XL
IJava CD
AfcFax Fax software
£11B-J0
£55 32
£99 00
£99,00
£2128
£33,19
£26-38
£129 00
M5 00
£1 16 33
£116.33
£25.00
£39,00
£31,00
Interface Adapters
EE50X SCSI 32-bit DMA £84.26 £99.00
Storm SCSI 8-bit (A30x9 int) £88.00 ei 03.40
Storm SCSI 16-bit (podule) £96.00 £112.80
Storm SCSI 32-blt DMA (podule) £128,00 £150.40
Stmtec 8-bit (A3000/A3010) £55.00 £64.63
Simtec 16-bit (AXOO/A5000/RPC) £45.00 £52.88
APDL 16-bit DMA £45.00 £52.88
APDLBiitZ 32-bit DMA £99-00 £116.33
Removable IDE or SCSI housing unit £20.00 £23.50
High speed serial cards single £67.23 £79,00
High speed serial cards dual £75.75 £89,00
High speed serial cards triple £84.26 £99.00
3 yr Warranty on ALL Acorn MEMORY why pay More??
NEW LOWER PRICES
oitt\ whils! ctinciti s!(>ck-\ last
A3tt)^M6 upgrade
A310 FISC OS camei Board
ASTOUeMClaiipgtaOeliit
A400/1 two Upgrade (per MB)
A30tlU i-aMbfton-UpqraaeHble
A3000 1 4Mt] Upgrade
AMOO Serial PoM Upgrade
4.aUl. Up. IA310. WQ, 3000')
A301DI-aUt> Upgrade
A30i0i-4Mb Upgrade
A3020/'1DOO 2-4 Mb Upgrade
ASOOa 2- 4Mb Uograde
A5000 4-aMb 2M!- a 33Hh/
r-iEW A-r,.io MM.
FPA10 Inr A5000 of Arm 3 Card
Replace mem VI DC or IOC ctiips
■ rework il requifsd
EicVAT
IneVAT
■E3S
E«1.13
■CI 9
eZ2 33
i2Q
£23.50
C25
£29.38
£15
E17 63
£35
£41.13
£19
£22 33
ESS
£64, B3
£20
£23.50
E4&
E52.BB
C40
£47.00
£45
£52.88
E5S
£64. S3
f^S
£5cBfl
£45
£52.58
E20
£23 SO
£25
1129.36
liISC P(
MF.MOHY '
Also lor A700(l
Ex VAT
IfWVAT
8MD SIMM
EtOOO
El 1.75
16Mb SIMM
£20.00
£23.50
32Mb SIMM
£38.00
tw.es
32Mb fiigb clearance
£44.00
E51.70
64Mb SIMM
£65.00
£76.37
12BMbSIMMtrorti
£130.00
£152.75
1Mb VRAM
£38 30
£45.00
3Mb VRAM
£76 00
£09.30
l-2Mb (Bxgtiange)
£65.00
£77.55
3.1 Mhz Arm 3 upgrade SPtiCI.M.
with FPA socket
FPA10(25Mhz)
£45.00
£84.26
£55,88 inc.
£99,00 inc.
Kisv 0!«3.il Rum upgrades
t.:5.IKIi.-.v^- V:il a2')..lNt
RPC 16 hit audio & mixer £59 inc
RPC audio mixer £35 inc
MICE & KEYBOARDS
Acorn IrackerbalL^ouse 'Jt v
Aeon Original Mouse
Acorn E'lii-'MoioeriLW
Ergo (siflj Rise PC KayBMua
Ergo curbed flisc PC Kcytioara
A400^A5[X)0 rgp^aCnmDETl K/brd
A400IASM0 Ergo Kayboarfl
Hij!hQu;tliiy
Ac urn
ERGO
Mciu.sc
tIKKI
(£14.10)
E« VAT
Inc VAI
i2»T»
E35M
€25 00
(2S^
cia.w
€14.10
« tUM
(14 to
I51M
EHOO
EM.Tfl
OS DO
£59 00
€69 33
C6S00
EBtca
Replacement Floppy Drives
.A.^(HK)/4(K)/,'i()() t2y.{K)+vat {t;34.()Sl
.A,30X()/4(M)0/5()(H) tltippy allows
cross - formalting ol' HD and DD
discs £29.{H)+v:il(£34.(lK)
POWERED SPEAKERS
Ex. VAT Inc. VAT
60 watls with PSU £13.50 E15.86
240 walls with PSU £21.00 £24.68
Subwooler system £42.00 £49.35
COLOUR SCSI SCANNERS
Ail siiimiers iiii' Amni Sojhuiir
•^
P'llal Mustek; eoodpi £99.00 (£116.33)
Mustek A4 600dpi £119,00 (£139.83)
MusleKA4 1200dpi £149,00 (£175.08)
Epson GT7000 £199.00 (£233.83)
Epson GT7000P £249.00 (£292,58}
Imiivfiunter & Iwiiin iihii iivtiiliil'lf
\rpuniirh
Ch aracter Mouse Mats
Soul hparii Kenny E4.99
SoulhpartiCannian £4.99
Disney MicKsy, Pooh, Donald, elc £"1.99
X-FrlH3 (tour lypesi £4.99
Garfield ar roi/ally £4.99
Slandard niatei.DO'Ecor CO 65
Switch Boxes
2-1 With cable £15.00 £17.63
2-1 AulQ with cable £15.00 £1763
4-1 wiThcabie £1900 £2233
2-1 Monttor'K'board £29.79 £35 OQ
F'n-mit
Single refills
Twin refills
Triple refills
Tri- Colour
Quad-Colour
125 ml
250ml
500ml
1 litre
Consumables
r Qiuilin Ink Rejilh
(lK22ml) £6.00 inc
(2x22ml) £10.00 inc
(3x22ml) £14.00 inc
ICM.Y) £15 00mc
(C.M.Y.Kl £20.00 inc
£21.00 inc
£38-00 inc
£50,00 inc
£70.00 inc
iivailahic in CM. Y.K
FLOPPY DISKS @ 20p!!
DD Re-label Acorn fml 10
DD Re-laDel Acorn hnl lOO
HD bulk Acorn or PC 10
HD bulk Acorn or PC 100
HD Branded lOoack
20 cap Disk Bon
40 cap Disk Box
100 rap Disk Bo"
Mouse cleaner
3 5' Floppy head cleaners
CD-ROM cleaner
Ex VAT
£2.00
£17.02
£3.00
£17.02
£3.00
CI .69
C2.54
£2.98
£4.99
£2.50
£4.25
Inc VAT
£2.35
£20.00
£3 35
£20.00
£3.53
£2 00
£2 98
£3.50
C5.B6
E2.94
£4 99
NETWORK Specials
Refurbished DCI4
Podule combo cards
10base2&T
or
RPC network podule
10base2
only £79.00 + VAT
ARCSHARE
Acorn networking for PCs
i;29.95 exc Val US.IM inc \al
sec network section for Cards etc
RiscPC PC Cards
DX2-66 £135.00 inc VAT
SSe-ICX) (Aleph) £225 00 inc VAT
586-133 (CJE 512) £225,00 inc VAT
R-Comp CD-ROM Soft ware
ABijSE f»00 Ouakis [flue-ioorn fl3M
Dssoorrl K7 00 Syr>i>Celo E^P 90
Dmrn. Tfllagy t30M Iwtrsol Darkness eaOM
(i:3Z 50 «>th DooK)
Heroes til Wight
(Haisn Tnpis!
£32 no Doom sattBls Bml 1 1
(CTA Speolall
■ w
Prinler Ribbons, Inkjet
Cartridges.
New/Recycled Laser Toner Carts
I'dlo- .n.iilahlc kill ri'i.|iii_'^t
We can repair/upgrade your
machine(s) and monitors at
competitive prices please ask
All Acorn's. BBCs& PCs
{All Prices below include VAT)
THE BARGAIN BASEMENT
Acorn Software Bin
Ai^Drn Pocliel Book Stheflule
C10.D0
Alone in the Dark
£39.00
Aim Tech LatiallBr
£9 00
Arm Teth CllpArl (various per pEickl
£8 0li
BirOs ol War
£20.00
Boxing Manager
£8.00
ChlklPlav ((iesklnp)
EI4.B5
ColQurSep IColour Separation Software;
£6 00
Crealcr 2
£25 00
DRIB Foni Pack i Academy)
ClOOO
OF lie Foni Pack (Balmwall
ElOOO
DFite Foiil Pack (FteeSryla Sciipl|
£10.00
DFIIa Font Pach (Mantiawin)
ElOOO
D'File Fonl Pack (Maslercard)
CIO.OO
D'Fite Fom Pack (OIO Towne 5361
El 2.00
Diary -t
£9,00
Drifter
£30,00
FIPE and ICE
£15.00
Frah ((rar RPC)
£13.00
Gaiaclic Dan
E10.O0
Game ON [lor RPC/ A700U)
£15.00
Global Etlecl
£25,00
Guile
£10.00
HERO QUEST
£15.00
Imagerv An Package
£25 00
Jahangir Khan Squash
£8 00
KV ( Plartorm Garnet
£8.00
My Wcrkd Suffljorl Disc AncianI Egypt
E12,0Q
My World Suppciri Disc Ancieni Greece
£1300
Nuclides II and Elements II (save C5.O0
£35.00
Quest lor GOLD E5 00
RAMplJfy £17.95
Revalalion 2 £29.00
Shuggy £14.95
SllverBall £9.99
SlrongQuard £25.00
TANK.S. £1695
TURBO DRIVER - Epson Slylus £45 00
Visual Backup Eis.oo
Waveiengm £12.00
World Class LeaOarlKiartl (GOLF) £10.00
CD General Resource Titles
10000 Clip An (Draw Format) £5.00
SSOtonls £5,00
Symphony Music collection £5.00
Internet Clipart (new) £25 00
COREL DRAWS £29 00
We have a large collection ol*
Budget PC software suitable for
RPC Pc Emulators and PC clones
inc. Education. Home, games an
utilities please ring lor lisl
Acorn CD-ROM Software
CryslalMaze £15.00
D'File PDCD 4 £5 00
D'FilePDCDS £10.00
Hutchinson Encyclopedia £39.00
Rtrtiert Duncan Cartoon KIT £39.00
TopicAn CD £srX)
Tots TV ABC £15.00
YITM Electricity and magnelism £15,00
YITM Elements £15,00
YITM Materials E15.00
YITM (all three rittes) £35.00
1/2 price (or less) Book Bargains
Dabliand Guide 'Budget DTP" £3.00
Dabhand Guide "C" vsr 3 £8.50
Dabhand Guide "C ver 2 £3 00
Dabhand "Graphics on the ARM £7 50
Dabhand Guide "Impression" E7 50
Internet info server £20 00
SQL £17.50
Various Hardware Bargains
A30OO IMt Dases troni •
A3I1 1 ZtfD tiBseb from •
A30ao 2Mb Bases Irom I
A40aO2MBDa39Blram •
A5DO0 4Mb irasef tiom ■
A70DD<lMb be^es Inxn I
At PorubiH (D momru wtyl f
RPC 700 Bases Irom •
SVGA Monilors Various Ircm «
Pioneer SCSI 4i6i slack
• as 31 III iBBf nvrni SlU ito« IW,
css.ou
£85.00
£115.00
Et5OO0
£210 00
tJ7S.D0
cno.oo
E435,00
£4600
C139O0
£64 52
£99 SB
£135 12
£176 35
£246 75
f333 (3
£SS7,S0
£511 13
£52 BS
El 63 33
Alternative PC Bases
I.e. Siciitaiis Ni\orl Pcmiuin
:()() MMX from ONLY t24'>.ll()
+ V/Vr ring lot laiesi price-..
now fo()Ki>i;k
UY MAlL.it PlIONTi ("iiC4iic. i.r PO,v ^bimlJ It
ni.i,lt piiyahlc m C\.\ WRBCT.
CREDIT CARD/ SWITCH pltii^c give na-nc.
jdilres-;. id, no, card nil, expirv diile. issue mi,
UY EMAIL \ale^(?oui,u-nel.fom
OKHClAt.ORDKRShj MAILorFAX p^ea^e
(^■imjtfi: ctijj^c; mil in\ A ^xiLkJtfint^ ^lur^cd .it co.l
.Sm.ill iicnn (umler 2K^) \\'< imin; ihjii £h + idt
One lK>^ ol riciiis lulalling uplo 2Skj;„.£6.5U + tui
(iimpuici \>iieins JI13 i- vji
All prices ;u^ CDrrcct going to press, E&OE
All gLKids arc full) yuarjuieedhuinnl supplied on
jppnii ill
z^ij-i^-y
J
Intel and ARM
ook to the future
After a long period of uncertainty
between the two companies, Intel,
which owns the StrongARM variant
of the ARM RISC processor, and
ARM Ltd have announced that they
have jointly forged an agreed
roadmap for the ftihire. The news
seals the future for StrongARM and
ensures that new, faster, versions will
be produced, hopefully during 2000.
StrongARM, which can be
thanked as the saviour of the Rise PC
in the mid'90s, was originally the
work of Digital Semiconductor.
ARMs have always been
impressively quick for their size and
lack of complexity, but ARM Ltd
made no bones of the fact that it was
primarily concerned with the
lucrative market for current-frugal
battery-powered devices, like mobile
phones.
Tills policy has enabled ARM Ltd
to be one of the best performing
companies on the stock markets in
the last year and the company is now
valued at over $3 billion. That's not
bad for a chip which was basically
designed on a BBC Micro at Acorn in
the early 1980s. But RISC OS users
needed more power than ARM Ltd
could provide with the original
ARM600 and 700-series cliips. Digital
applied their Alpha monster-RISC
processor design techniques to the
ARM platform and delivered a
200MHz StrongARM, which was
over four times more powerful than
the fastest ARM700.
Digital, though, was in financial
chaos and the company was broken
up, with Compaq snapping up its
computer products division and Intel
acquiring its semiconductor business.
For a while, it was feared that
StrongARM, which was considered
an alien technology by Intel insiders,
was to be jettisoned in order to
concentrate on the Alpha platform.
But it was soon realised within
Intel that StrongARM was, if
anything, a more valuable asset than
Alpha and so Intel has now
swallowed its pride and committed
itself to developing StrongARM in
co-operation with ARM.
The newly announced deal reveals
a licensing agreement which will
enable Intel to develop a full range of
soiutioi"is based on current and future
versions of the ARM architecture
beginning with version 5TE.
"We believe the ARM architecture
has proven itself as a leading
processor platform in applied
computing and embedded
applications. Intel's StrongARM
implementation utilises Intel's
unique microarchitecture and low
power technologies while remaining
fully compatible with software
available for ARM cores," said
Tliomas R. Franz, vice president.
Computing Enhancement Group,
and general manager. Applied
Computing Products Division, Intel
Corpctration. He added: "The high-
performance, low-power StrongARM
microprocessor family is essential to
Intel's success in the portable,
handheld and applied computing
market segments.
"Intel has joined the growing
ranks of companies that have
embraced the ARM architecture and
the ARM Partnership Model," said
Reynette Au, vice president.
Worldwide Marketing, ARM, adding:
"Intel's technological expertise helps
push the envelope of the ARM
roadmap. This agreement further
validates ARM's acceptance as the
architecture of choice in a wide range
of high-performance, power-efficient,
cost-effecHve solutions targeting
applications such as portable
telephony, digital consumer and e-
commerce driven, Internet-enabled
products."
Intel has confirmed that
StrongARM processors are being re-
engtneered to reach target
performance levels of 600 MHz (or
an estimated 750 MIPS). That's just
what a Rise PC needs!
RISC OS sub-
notebook?
*\
Well, not really, but sort of. In fact at
the recent RISC OS show in Epsom,
RISCOS Ltd had on display a
Hewlett Packard StrongARM-based
Jornada sub-notebook, which would
normally nm Windows CE. On its
LCD screen instead was a RISC OS
desktop. RISCOS.Ltd have plans to
port RISC OS 4 to machines like the
Christmas 1 999 http://www.acornuser.com
Jornada, but the display
machine was a bit of a cheat,
simply displaying a picture
of a RISC OS 4 screen as it
might appear in future.
Nevertheless, it was a potent
sign that there are plenty of
opportmiities for RISCOS
Ltd, given the opportunity
RISC OS radar
(lews
You may never have heard of
Denbridge Digital, but the
Merseyside-based company is a
long-time user of Acorn technology
in its specialised line of high-tech
products, including, of all things,
radar control systems. In fact we first
learned about Denbridge Digital last
month when we heard about one of
their products, a RISC OS-controlled
accident black box recorder system
for ferry ships.
Wliat we didn't know tlien was
that several radar systems around
the country are controlled using
ruggedised Rise PCs and one was on
display at the AAUG stand during
the RISC OS '99 show at Epsom Race
Course. Dr. Colin Wright, Principal
Researcher at Denbridge Digital,
enthused about the programmability
of the host Rise PC.
Although he isn't born and bred
on RISC OS, he quickly appreciated
its streamlined nature and the
manner in which it interfaced with
the hardware.
At the show, the demo radar
controller was showing a simulated
display of a real installation
somewhere in the UK. Not only does
the equipment display the radar
scan, but it can control the strength
of the scan, take snapshots and
archive too, It's likely that Acorn User
will be featuring Denbridge Digital
in more depth in a future issue of the
magazine.
1 St RISC OS
Show is a success
The first RISC OS Show, organised by
the AAUG and the ARM Club, was
held over the last two days of October
at the novel venue of the Queens
Stand at the Epsom Race Course,
more readily recognised as the home
of The Derby.
Some 1,200 visitors attended the
show and while the size of the show
was smaller than the Acorn World
Show which used to fill this autumn
slot, most exhibitors we spoke to were
very complimentary. The opening
Saturday of the show saw 800
through the doors and tiie term
'chaotic' was often repeated - not in a
negative sense, although it did get a
bit crowded, but more because of the
enthusiasm of the attendees.
Castle Technolog)''s Jack
Lillijigston reported that he sold an
unexpectedly high number of Rise
PCs and that in general perhaps more
visitors wanted to buy things than in
previous shows - probably because of
RISC OS 4 and the general upswing
in the market. CJE's Chi'is Evans also
reported that business was brisk, as
did Cumana/Cannon Computing's
Nigel Cannon, The show venue, in
the swish Queens
Stand building
split the exhibits
into upstairs and
downstairs levels
and the only big
complaint from
exhibitors was that
access for getHng
up upstairs wasn't
ideal.
In all, the RISC
OS Show was a
success and we all
hope and expect it
to make a re-
appearance next
year.
Up-to-date Beeb
As we approach the Millennium,
support for the venerable old Beeb
soldiers on as the trusty 2MHz 8-bit
warhorse nears its 20th birthday.
This month we've heard from R.P.
Sprowson, who has made a trio of
offerings available for die-hard Beeb
users. The first is a Zip file
compression utility and what's more,
it's free, Secondly, there is a Year 2000
bug fix for BBC Masters - earlier
Beebs mostly escape from the Y2K
bug as they don't have real time
clocks. The fix is a ROM upgrade and
adds several new/enhanced
commands, including *CONFIGURE
TIMEZONE as provided by RISC OS.
The charge for this is a very
reasonable £9, inc. postage and a
printed manual. Existing users can
upgrade to this latest vl.22 by
returning their ROM with 2 first class
stamps. Finally, there is an updated
version of PICstiitc for RISC OS.
PJCSuite consists of an assembler,
disassembler, simulator, programmer,
and launcher and the programming
hardware for under £100. It now
supports both 12- and 14-bit PIC
chips, allowing almost all of
Microchip's devices to be
programmed - including 8-pin ones
used in games machines and satellite
decoders.
The assembler on its own is
available for free down-load. For
more information on all these
products, check the Web at
http://www.sprow.co.uk or
e-mail: rpsl02@york.ac.uk
hltp://wvvw.acornuser.com Christmas 1999
(lews
ood repair
Following on from our feature on
them in the November issue of Acorn
User, Reflex Electronics have
armoLmced that they have signed a
five year deal with Cabot 2 Ltd
(formerly Acorn Computers Ltd)
which will see Reflex officially take
responsibility for all Acorn-
manufactured product warranty work
and technical support for the next five
years. Cabot 2 is the company which
was set up in the aftermath of the
splithng up of Acorn between Element
14 and Pace in order to tidy up
remaining contractual and logistical
obligations.
That term 'Acom-manufactured' is
important. Since
shortly after Acorn
closed down its
Workstation division
in 19*^8, Castle
Technology has had
exclusive rights to
build and distribute
Acorn-branded
products. Part of
Castle's stocks were
originally built by, and
came from, Acorn,
while others were
assembled and
Reflex
Electronics
CASTLE
packaged by Castle.
Original Acorn stock will be
covered by warranties which will be
honoured by Reflex Electronics, while
computers built by Castle are
supported by Castle's own scheme. If
you are unsure as to which company
to approach if you have a warranty
enquiry, Reflex Electronics will be able
to determine from
serial numbers
whether or not they
are dealing with an
Acorn warranty or a
Castle warranty.
Reflex Electronics'
operations director,
David Lumley,
commented:
"Everyone at Reflex is
delighted with this
agreement which
validates our past and
present commitment to
Acorn. Now we and our customers
can look to the future with confidence,
For Acorn users the agreement means
that from now on they should refer all
questions relating to the warranty,
repair, service, maintenance and
support of Acorn products direct to us
at Reflex."
Based in Stevenage, Reflex
Electronics have been fixing Acorn
equipment for over four years and
were contracted by Acorn to carry out
warranty work before the company
was broken up. David Lumley also
stressed that his company are keen to
carry out non-warranty work, act as a
source of spares to anyone as well as
provide technical support and even
training. The company are also able to
supply extended warranties both to
individual customers and to resellers.
For further informahon, the Reflex
Electronics enquiry number is: 01438
720 379.
Wakefield
2000 show
revealed
The Wakefield Acorn Computer
(User) Group has announced that
the fifth Wakefield show has been
booked for the weekend of the
20th and 21st May, 2000 at the
now familiar venue of the
Thome's Park Athletics Stadium
in Wakefield.
The previous four events have
all been very successful, spurred
on by the enthusiasm and
professionalism of the Wakefield
Acorn Computer User Group
which belies their non-profit
status.
For more information keep an
eye on the Web site: http://www.
cybervilla ge. CO. uk / a corn /
Wakefield
Christmas 1 999 http://www.acomuser.com
Latest releases
from Castle
CTL have a pair of new productions
this month, including an A3 format
SCSI scanner and a keyboard
specifically aimed at youngsters. The
new scanner is priced £199 plus VAT
and is claimed by CTL to be the first of
its type for Acorn users. Its full name is
the ScanExpress A3 SP and it has 600 x
300 dpi optical resolution, 36-bit colour
capability as well as monochrome grey
scale modes. The scanner is bundled
with David Pilling's popular Image
Muster software and the latest version
of Castle's Twain 1 driver which allows
control of brightness, contrast and
gamma settings.
Schools and parents with small
children could be interested in Castle's
Kids Keyboard which is suitable for
Acorn Rise PC and A7000+ computers.
This keyboard differs from others in
that the key top legends are lower case
characters instead of upper case - in
Primary Schools children start by
learning the alphabet in lower case -
and the key action is also soft and
tactile, better for small fingers.
Meanwhile, grown-ups haven't
been left out - for example, the
keyboard is equipped with the new
Euro symbol. The Kids Keyboard is
priced £39 plus VAT and is also
available as an option on new
computers purchased from Castle as a
£20 upgrade. CTL, tel: 01728 723200,
e-mail: aco m@castle.org, uk
3.5" IDE Hard Discs Public Domain, Shareware and other low cost hardware and software for RISC-OS computers
Drive + i/face
Dnve
420 Mb
£89
£47
540 Mb
£102
£57
1.2 (ib
£110
£63
2.1 Cb
£120
£73
2.5 Gb
£122
£75
3.2 Cb
£126
£79
4.2 (ib
£129
£82
6.3 C;b
£IJM
£87
10 (;b
£155
£IOK
12.7 Gb
£166
£119
l6.»Gb
£178
£131
18.8 Gb 5
£1%
£149
'+ i/face' price includes an
APDIJasI IDE interface.
Part-exchange available if
you need a bigger drive.
Please ptwne far prices.
2.5" IDE Hard Discs
A302O
3010/3000
80 Mb
£49
£97
120 Mb
£53
£103
170 Mb
£60
£110
210 Mb
£66
£116
250 Mb
£72
£122
330 Mb
£79
£129
420 Mb
£86
£136
512 Mb
£93
£143
1.8 Gl)
-
£149
AMIIOBOm includes APDL IDE
interface, -\.V)20 includes fitting kit
larger sizes and HD+CD availahle
Blit/
Is here!
The ultimate super fast IDE
interface for your Rise PC.
Over 6 M/b per second!
Only £11'^ or just £109
when purchased with a drive.
Blitz + RISC OS 4 + drive,
just i222 + cost of hard drive
SCSI Hard Discs
210 Mb
£29
420 Mb h/h
£49
4.2 Gb h/h
£131
4.2 Gb
£147
IDE CD ROM drives
Internal
lirive willt all cables and drivers
for RO 3.6+ yvhere required
32x £42
50\ £49
Drive including APIil. IDE interface\
32x £89
50x £96
External
Drive in case with pnwer suppiv and
including an Al'DL IDE interface.
frohahly the best vay to fit a CD to a
pre- RISC-PC machine.
32x £149
CD ROM driver softwarf
Works with ini'si ATAPI {'D\ eK-Piiiiifii
Giililshii: Punasimic, Lhe-im, Mimiiiu,
Si'iiv. Huuchi, NEC. Tiishihii. Sanvii. ivi,
hhliuk's CDFS [<" use with RO .',.\
liiwutnl l"r liPC hul nin In' iisf<l wiih
an ■\.V)<Hi. Only £8 or £7 with a drive
e\
lafi}
b'."ii:K^rli\.''-'L
|[pD<
Dataftk
Prices Include VAT and UK carriage except hard drives add £5 for internal drives, £6 external
This is only a Iractiun ol uliai wc have availahle, Wc also have thousands of discs PD and Shareware and around ^(Kl dise;- of
Acorn furnial clip an. For a full catalogue on SUDK or 1 ,6Mh dist please send 5()p or two 1 si tlas^ stamps or sec our web site.
APDL, 39 Knighton Park Road, Sydenham, London SE26 5RN n^Hi
Phone: QiSl 778 2659 Fa.x: 018/488 0487 u ww,apdLa>.,tik/ ""^^
APDL Public Domain, Clip Art and other CDs
APDL PD-1 Issue 4
APDL PD-2 Issue 4
DTP-1 and DTP-2
DTP-3
DTP-1 plus DTP-2 plus
DTP-4
Games CD 1
Games CD 2
SkullSOft Collection
Soft Rock Collection
Fantasy Pictures
The Grafix CD
Earth in Space
Earth Data
New Ergane
' collection '
£12 50 '"''^ ''*-^' '**' *"** ''"'"' *''^" ''*^'*' ^^ library. Over 1,800 programs and utilities,
more than 11)0 novels, etc. No games, clip art. muNic, or other non-serious stuff.
£1 2 50 ■^■"'^''"*' "^^ sanies and novelties, over 250 games cheats and over 200 demos,
plus over 2,000 music files and more than 550 digitised sound samples.
£14> 50 ^■'''^^ '""^^ over 500Mh of clip art (lies, all ready to use in Acorn Draw-, Sprite
orArtvsorks format. Ideal for use in education.
£17 50 ^^"^ highly acclaimed APDI- clip art CD. Over 720Mb of material. Great for
schools or anyone who needs a huge collection of clip art at a sensible price.
DTP-3, just £34.50
£1 Q 50 ^'""^ latest clip art CD. Over I2.(MMI images, plus more than 400 Artworks tiles
and 170 high quality colour pictures. All catalogued complete with thumbnails
£7.90 -^ collection of twenty of the best PD games of all types. Ready to run direct
from the CD on almost any machine. Hours of fun for an unbeatable price.
£ / .90 Our Games Collection No. I CD was so popular we've done it again. Another
twenty of the best best games at a real budget price.
£9.90 '^ great budget priced games CD from APDL. Pull versions of three popular
games from Skullsofl. lArya, !Xenocide and IFIig
£9 90 ^'^ classic games from Soft Ruck Software, plus a new version of .'Treilis, Ilie
adventure game creator/interpreter with two adventures
£7.90 ^y "^quest from our cu-stomers, the pictures from the Fantasy section of the
APDL catalogue. Lots of Sword 'n Sorcery pics and many others
£7.90 "**N*'^ «f photo (juality pictures, background textures, buttons for web pages,
and much more. An invaluable resource for everyone.
£1 6 50 '^ ^^ '''*^^' '""^ schfHiIs. AM the things we know you want. Over 5,000 Acorn
format clip art images, 1 OO's of e-te\ts, over MHi useful programs, and more.
£Q Qn Pi'^'tures, databases, information on stars, planets, moons, space missions, etc.
etc. A massive amount of data at a realistic price.
£9 90 Geographical database with a huge variety of data and statistics on every
country. Simple menu-based interface. Including !E'-iii Ihmiip
£7.90 Transialing dictionary program by David O'.Shea with dictionary files for over !
50 languages, although some are limited to a few hundred words.
£1 6 50 ^'^^ "''^ eight games. AlfaXL5. Pharoahs Secret Tombs, Last Cybermoch.
Sea Trek. Caves of Confusion. Kobocalch, (>old Runand Jewels of Jezahar.
APDL ideA fast IDE Interface
No complicated setting up. It's self-configuring so just plug i( in!
• Uses DMA (Direct Memory Access* on Rise PC. Over twice as fast as the
built in IDL interface or others which don't use DMA.
• Includes CDFS and ATAPI CD drivers for many popular CD ROMs.
■ Four devices, any combination of CDs and hard drit es.
• Up to 8 partitions, so you can have large drives on pre RO 3.A machines
■ Software in flash LLPROM for easy update (including VProtect).
• Supports the new range of Syquest .SparQ low cost IGb removable drives.
• Connectors arc available for external drives or CD ROMs
• Fits A3I0. A400. A5000. A540. A7000 and any RiscPC.
All these features for the incredibly low price of just ^52
I A version for the A30O0. A4000, A3010 or A3020 is available with all the
above features. .Supports two internal and two external devices - t()2
New - Orb 2.2 Gb Removable media drives
The latest removybii: media hard drive. Fits in floppy drive bay on the Rise PC and
works from either of aiir IDE cards. Bare drive with one disc - t.209
Special package deal. Orb internal IDE drive, two 2.2 Gb discs,
plus our IDK interface - l'2S-4 Extra 2 2 Gbdisesjust t.''' eaeh
Ancestor +
Available at last! The long awaited successor (o (iraham Crovv's highly
popular genealogy program Ancestry, previously sold by Minerva. Lpgrades!
from Ancestrv 1 and Ancestrv 2 available. Can import Ancestrv 1 and 11, |
IFainily and CLDCOM files and export (JLDCOM and HTML Only tW
General software
FiisUt P(' - t20 The alternative XT PC I
emulator. Works on anv model with 2Mb|
RAM from A3000 to Strong ARM RPC.
rmvcrliasc - tl5 Popular extremely I
p<iwerful but very easy to use database. |
With examples, tutorials and printed
manuals. Better than most products costing
many times the price. [)oes everything that {
9'>% of database users will ever need.
MciltiBar - tl5 The very best pull-down |
menu system. An absolute essential for any
hard disc user. Vou can switch between up {
to .^0 different menu bars. Incredibly easy to
set up, add items to menus, move them. etc.
I i^ier - il5 Lets you use very long
descriptive filenames. Unlike some products
this is very robust as it works in parallel
with the filer so can't corrupt discs.
\V nrk rop -US Switch between up to 30 I
different environments with a single mouse
click. Stars the tasks you require, opens |
directories, loads files, changes screen mode,
.lust like nuivint: to another computer. An |
essential nniduetivttv lixil.
Connect 32 fast SCSI
We have a limited number of these verv fast
interfaces (up to 7.5 Mb/sec) at only tS'*
Data Safe - A new concept in backup and data security
RIscPC and A7000 RAM
8Mb £K
Iti Mb £25
32 Mb £47
.12 Mb High Clearance £52
64Mb Imm £7*1
128 Mb from £139
2 Mb VRAM £69
1 Mb to 2 Mb exthange £47
Datafite PD CDs 1
PD CD- 3 £6.50
PD CD - 4 £8.50 j
PD CD -5 £6.50
L
Data Safe consists of an external case to hold a 3.5" IDL bard drive, connected to
your machine's printer port. This gives a large capacity portable drive, movable
between machines and locations. Ideal for backup, secure data storage and
transport. Software has all the features of our ide.\ card, partitioning, password
protection,, etc. Great for schools. Supply your own drive or we'll fit one for you.
Data Safe Super has the drive fitted in a removable drawer. You can fit a similar
drawer to your Rise PC ibest if you use our IDE card) and then just unplug the
drive from the RPC and transfer data to another machine using the Data Safe.
Prices start at V)^l orwith 4.2Gb drive just tl7'> or with 10 Gb only t21)5
And now. the new DataSafe 'mini'
DataSafe has been highly praised by users, but they've made jast one critici-sm - they would like it to be smaller and lighter to
make carrying bet^^een home and olTice <or school) even easier. So we've introduced the DataSafe 'mini'. This has all the
features of the standard version, but by using a 2.5" 'notebook' drive we've been able to make il very small, about 5" by 5"
and less than 2" high, and by using a separate power supply it weighs around 14 ounces! So small and light you'll hardly
notice il in your briefcase lor bandhag). Pricesstart at tUlM without a drive or with a 1.8 Gb drive just tl^'i
'Data (O'SAFE
ifii^fe
• --i.rr> --'^ '-:■■;
-■».'-,-ry^-gt"c^
Qg
-JLw
ARM grows stron
Your reporter can remember once
asking Jamie Urquhart, one of ARM
Ltd's Senior Managers, why it was
that in analyst reports addressing the
RISC processor market ARM chip
statistics were never featured. Tliat
wasn't very long ago - five years
maybe? Today, such reports don't
dare overlook ARM. In its latest
quarterly statement, ARM reveals
that it received licensing fees tor 33.2
million ARM processors shipped in
the second quarter of this year by its
growing band of licensees. ARM's
revenues in the quarter to tlie end of
September rose hy A0"/o to £15.7
million and profit before taxation
was up 77% to £4.4 million.
Besides the news from Intel (see
separate story), ARM has also been
boosted by news of a deal with Texas
Instruments (Tl) and the news that
Symbian, the Psion-based OS
technology which runs on ARM
diips, has been licensed by the
worlds' largest pocket computer
maker, 3Com, which produces the
Palm family of devices,
The TI deal sees ARM join forces
with one of the world's biggest
players in DSP (digital signal
processor) technology. The two
companies will develop DSP chips
controlled by ARM processors to
supply lucrative markets, from
networking hardware to mobile
phones and computer and
multimedia products.
Meanwhile, Symbian 's deal with
3Com sees a teclinology licensing
exchange between the two
companies which should eventually
see the Symbian Epoc32 operating
system kernel running on future
Palm products, though the Palm OS
front-end will be retained.
Logically, this represents an
opportunity for future Palm products
to be ARM-based too. As the deal
also aims to harmonise the source
code compatibility of both Palm and
other Symbian applications.
Symbian 's prospects are also
strengthened. Symbian is already
backed by the main mobile phone
manufacturers, including Nokia,
Ericsson and Motorola and most of
their future products will be based
around ARM chips and the Symbian
operating system.
It's also bad news for Microsoft
Windows CE which, incidentally,
saw Philips abandon its loss-making
CE pocket computer product line
recently. Philips is likely to be a user
of Symbian in its mobile phone
range.
ARM's continuing success is
rewarding to Acorn and RISC OS
fans because, of course, we
remember that ARM was bom of
Acorn and RISC OS depends on
ARM-based hardware for its future.
However, these positive senhments
are slightly tinged with the
knowledge that had Acorn played its
cards better, Symbian too might have
been based on an Acorn OS.
10
iHI
nternet portal launched
It's about time there was a
commercial Internet site dedicated to
RISC OS in the form of a 'portal' and
here it is, the Drobe Laundi Pad at
http://www.drobe.co.uk. The site
offers links, news imd information
concerning RISC OS and other
Acorn-related topics from one central
home page. Peter Price, Drobe RISC
Software's Web Development
Manager explained that the site even
has a news feed usually only found
on larger, mainstream portals.
Other goodies include a POP e-
mail checker without banner adverts,
a search engine incorporating
AcomSearch.com and over 20 other
popular engines and links to the
majority of the RISC OS industry's
Web sites. Drobe is urging RISC OS
Internet users to set http://www.
drobe.co.uk as their browser's
homepage.
In order to promote the start of
tflL<til1p-'
this RISC OS portal on the Web and
widen the visibility of RISC OS on
the Internet, Drobe RISC Software is
offering all RISC OS users a free
barmer advertisement which will run
across the entire Fudgecake network
for one month. In one sense
the offer is practically
unlimited in that even if
your business is not RISC
OS related you can use the
offer to promote your
personal Web site or
somebody else's.
However, free banner
adverts are restricted to one
per Web site, the site being
promoted must be broadly
RISC OS related or at least
display an icon advertising
RISC OS and the banner
must be 468 pixels long by
60 pixels high and no larger
than lOK. You have until the
end of November to take up the
offer. To submit your site just go to
http: / / WW w.drobe.co.uk/submit_ad
.phtml. For more information, e-mail
peter@everymans.com, tel/fax: 0870
740 2734
-TBitgljLnBhPid
9 a]iJt»j ^/]alH|l^! nj
IQi
. pissKar a-— FBB a [
Ifnsgt ftCfwiB Don^MIt rron
Christmas 1999 http://www.acornuser.com
RISC OS '99
Show Awards
Best non-game,
ever, for RISC OS
Apart from the wit who suggested the
perhaps-never- to-be- released game
Karma there were really only two
products in the running, one old and
one new and they scored the same, so
it's a joint first place for:
Impression family
EasiWriter/TechWriter
Best game, ever,
for RISC OS
While there were plenty of games to
choose from in this category, it's
probably not surprising that the winner
is:
Elite
Best RISC OS Dealer 1999
Even more controversial and the first
position was tied the final winners are:
CTA
CJE
Best non-game software
Although there have been plenty of new
releases this year the ones that polled
the highest were hardly unexpected.
EasiWriter/TechWriter would have come
out on top if it hadn't been for:
RISC OS 4
A real CD Burner
At the begijining of this year, a 4x CD
Writer drive was pretty fast. Now
Yamaha have introduced an 8x writer.
Their new CRW-8424 also has a 24x read
speed and maintains a 4x read/write
speed. To put the writing performance
into context it only takes 9 minutes to fill
an entire 74 minute CD ROM compared
with 18 minutes for a 4x writer. Apart
from that, it's a conventional drive
available in both IDE and SCSI versions.
Pricing wasn't available at the time of
writing.
Yamaha's Media Products Web site is
at: http://www. yamaha.co.uk/
online /mediate
Best non-game hardware
There haven't been a huge number of
hardware releases tfiis year and there
were quite a few people who decided
that RISC OS 4 was a hardware product
rather than software, however even they
were unable to beat the votes for:
Riscstation R7500 Lite
Best game for
RISC OS 99
With all the new games releases, mostly
from R-Comp, there was at least a choice
this year and the winner by a hair was:
Heroes of Might and Magic
RISC OS
Personality for 1999
A controversial category, but by a long
way the winner was:
Justin Fletcher
New version
of Compo
Clares Micro Supplies have
announced version 1.15 of their
Compo image composition
application. New features include
additional PCA protocol plug*ti"is
including drawing, painting, text
input, stamping and cropping. Tliese
plug-in applets will work with any
PCA2 application which works with
sprites. Compo itself is now a PCA-
compliant tool and can be used to in-
place edit any 32K colour or 16
million colour sprite image within
another PCA-compliant application.
Users will also find much-
improved masking tools, including
ant-aiiased brushes and masked PNG
file format generation. The
improvements Ust is much longer
than we have room for. For further
information, check Clares' Web site at
h ttp: / / www.claresmicro.com
The upgrade price is £29.95 inc.
VAT, plus £3 postage. Clares can be
contacted at tel: 01606 833999, or via
e-mail: sales@claresmicro.com
In brief
3-CD Quake
Resurrection available
If you didn't visit the recent RISC OS
'99 Show, you might not be aware that
the official version of the classic
Quake 3D shoot'em up game is now
available for RISC OS users in the
form of the Resurrection Pack, which
includes 3 CDs containing the original
version of Quake, Malice and Q'.Zone.
All this, along with a disc
containing the Acorn driver software
produced by R-Comp, is priced £23
including VAT and postage. R-Comp
sold out at the show but as we went to
press, the back orders were just being
cleared. For more information, contact
R-Comp on tel: 01925 755 1)43,
e-mail: rci@rcomp.co.uk, or browse
htlp://www.rcomp.co.uk
RISC OS PDF development
Adobe's Acrobat portable document
format {PDF) standard is in the process
of being taken on board by RISCOS
Ltd. The PDF standard is widely
adopted and supported on other
platforms. Based on the Adobe
PostScript page description language,
PDF documents retain a high degree of
original layout design and formatting
when displayed on-screen, and should
match the output generated when the
document is printed (in fact. Acorn
User is sent to the printers as PDFs).
To start with RISCOS Ltd are
making a restricted application called
Taborca available for use with RISC
OS 4. This version will only generate
the first three pages of a document. In
a few months' time a full commercial
version is expected to be available.
Taborca is available for download at:
http://vvww, riscos.com
What? No
cover disc?
Nowadays 800K discs are too
small but many users still own
older machines - but even they
own CD-ROM drives - and
most RISC OS people have
Internet connections.
So for every issue, what
would have been the cover disc
will be on the Acorn User Web
site for downloading and every
third issue we will put a CD on
the cover with the last three
month's "cover discs" plus
extra stuff.
http://www.acornuser.com Christmas 1 999
Based Te
The future starts here . .
The RiscStation R7500 is a major departure from previous RISC OS
compatible machines. Not only does the R7SOO have RISC OS 4 (the
latest version of the popular incorruptible operating system} built in.
but also an amazing feature count only previously found on non RISC
OS based machines.
Onboard lObaseT networking, full onboard IGbit sound sampling and
mixing as well as a Midi controller and games port can all be found on
even the basic R7SOO Lite model And with an affordable pricetag too.
this maizes the R7SOO Lite the affordable alternative to other home,
office or school computers.
So what of the quality of the machineP RiscStation do not believe in
cutting corners, from design through to construction quality has been
of upmost importance in order to provide a robust system with an
expected lifespan far exceeding that of a non RISC OS based
computer- Even the third party components have been carefully
chosen to match the quality of the R7SOO in performance and
reliability.
-When you buy a RiscStation computer you will know that you have
purchased a quality. British made computer that is second to none."
Specif ica tions
Casing
RISC OS A
Micro Desktop layout or
16 Mb COO Memory
Tower configuration
■4 Mb Flash Memory
4.3Gb eioe Hard Drive
Software
40x Atapi €106 CDROM
RISC OS 4
Onboard
DrawWorks Millennium
2 X High Speed ID€ Port
Fireworkz Professional
B X Serial Port
PipeDream 4.5
1 X lO baser Network
easiWriter Professional
1 X Parallel Port
^>^
1 X Infrared Port
Ankh ^
1 X PC Style Gameport
Botkiller 2
1 X Microphone Port
Frak I
1 X Audio Line In Port
1 X Headphone Port
More titles yet to be
1 X PSB Style Keyboard
confirmed as well as an
1x3 Button P5S Mouse
extensive shareware
Midi In Out /Through
and demo collection
..^cSt^^.
From £499 + VAT
For more information contact your local RISC OS
dealer or RiscStation on +44 (O) 1942 7ST777
ImnI tlvakr
r
Mfi^iia
■ ,.,.:^r...-.nt^v.- , ..t^>.^:-.
comms
Broadband future
In brief
Broadband is the new buzzword for data
communications that transcend the speed
capabiHties of the now-humbled audio
modem. The term is appHed to optical
fibre and co-axial cable-modem technology
and to ADSL (Asymmetric Digital
Subscriber Line - or Loop in the USA)
which uses existing copper-wire
installations.
Following BT's belated ADSL trial,
other broadband ISPs and players are
emerging. The Acorn users' friend
-and-foe online organ "The Register"
(http://www.theregister.co.uk/) reports
that as the BT pre-launch ADSL trial
charges are upped to £50 a month and the
bandwidth chopped, Dixon's Frceserve is
launching its ADSL broadband trial
service in December for £59.99 per
month, before BT's own spring 2G00
roll -out.
Meanwhile Kingston Communications,
supplying independent telecomms services
in and around the city of Kingston upon
Hull already operates its Interactive
Television package. This includes video-
on-demand, digital multi-channel TV, e-
mail and fast 256kbps Internet access using
ADSL over their existing network. Costing
£14.99 per month inc. VAT the full package
uses a set-top box to access the Internet
with an infra-red keyboard available
as an extra.
Compare these
with what US
subscribers can get.
US West's latest
RADSL ser\ice in
Denver, Colorado offers
25hkbps 'always-on' ser\-ice
simultaneously down the
same pair of wires as the
analogue phone, with a
current offer of free ADSL
modem and circuit acti\'ation
for just $29.95 per month -
about £19. Know any good
immigration lawyers?
Remember Webite?
Webite has re-surfaced as a freeware
development version of the HTML 3.2
Web browser that was part of
DoggySoft's Termite internet package.
Now usable as a standalone browser.
The Oil] Do^ i-cnewi'd
Webite uses Acorn's Internet module via
a Term itelP- wrapper, so the 1.48 version
I downloaded can't actually be used yet
with the original DoggySoft Termite
Suite.
Richard Walker's Webite Central site
has both compiled program and source
code available for download, and
Richard hopes that interested
programmers will vohmteer to assist
with further development. The next
release should allow multiple windows
and other significant improvements. Will
the old 'Acorn spirit' of friendly
co-operation between dedicated
programmers prevail? This 'stopgap'
version isn't perfect by any means but it
shows that there's life in the old
DoggySoft yet!
Webite Central
littp://uww.iictv.freeserve.co.iil(/iniiex.htin!
Opening the Boot
Paul Vigay's Web site database
of the RISC OS !Boot structure
and contents of ISystem is a
timely resource for users
upgrading to RISC OS 4.
Through the years of various
releases and changes these
directories can accumulate
duplicate and extraneous files
thai may not now be required.
To help you with the clear-out,
Paul's page describes Ihe files
and directories that should be
there and Iheir functions.
Rise OS Support
http://www.vigay.com/
riscos/mods.html
Word in your ear
Privacy.net is a consumer
information organisation whose
Web site demonstrates just what
can be gleaned from visiting
browsers. Your IP address,
computer or proxy name,
browser type, software serial
number and even your name are
all likely to be sent out to sites
that you visit. The Anonymizer
at http://www.privacy.net/
anonymizer/ will give you a
Privacy Analysis of what il
knows about you, together with
a Traceroule listing of all the
machines you're going through,
information about your domain
name and the ownership of your
network. Frightening stuff.
The Anonymizer
http://www.privacy.nel/anonymizer/
Cache no cash
CacheFS is a freeware filing
system written by David O'Shea
that allows you to easily browse
the Browse lVe6Serve page
cache offline. This is useful
when a cached page has an off-
site resource that WebServe
would have tried to fetch when
online. To set up Ihe directory
path for the cache, you drag the
icon to the CacheFS config
window, click OK and then
select the 'Reread' option from
the iconbar menu.
CacheFS
http://indigo.ie/~koshea/acorn/
Contacting AU J
David Dade:
comms@acomuser.cDni
13
http://www.acornuser.com Christmas 1 999
r Tu
A£^
d^JS£
•<*.'•. -.^'i!K-~r.
Tutorials from Spacetech
Spacetech has released a step-by-step
tutorial for illustrating with
Photodcsk, entitled Creative Digilal
Imaging: Making the Most of Your
Digital Darkroom. The tutorials have
been created by Darlington artist
and retired art teacher, David
Cowell, and comprise a set of
hyperlinked Multimedia Textease
documents. The disc comes complete
with a Textease viewer which may be
run directly from the CD, meaning
that the tutorials can be accessed
easily.
Topics covered by the CD include;
digital painting, photography, photo
montages, manipulating photos for
illustrations, portraits, and creative
ideas for text - together with a Hints
and Tips section that runs through
some essential pieces of advice
accumulated by David in 15 years of
working with digital illustrations.
Much of the material on the CD
covers general technique, and could
be applied to painting packages
other than Photoilesk, although each
stage in creating an illustration is
explained carefully with reference to
the Pliotodesk tools and effects that
are used.
Such features as masking,
textures, layers and smudging effects
are given good and authoritative
coverage, and the tutorials feature a
strong focus on transforming
photos into images that look as
though they've been created with
ti'aditional art media, such a paint or
charcoal.
David is a master of this, and the
CD features a great many examples
of his work, together with a number
of additional image files that may be
used as the basis for illustrations
such as those featured in the
tutorials.
The CD costs £24.95 and is
available direct from Spacetech on
01305 822753 or visit http://
w^ ww.spacetech.co.uk/ for details
l€J
Quilljar
Well-known RISC OS-based artist and
handwriting expert Christopher Jarman has
contacted me following my request for URLs of
your portfolios, and his distinctive site at
http://wxvw.argonet.co.uk/users/qHiUjar/ieaUiTes
not only examples of his graphical work, but a
selection of typefaces in RISC OS format that
he's designed, together with information on the
man and his passions.
Christopher is the author of Developing
Handwriting Skills, a comprehensive book used
in UK schools since 1979, and has produced a
CD tor primary school children, called
ArtLesson.
This CD aims to help children make use of
paper-based art media, rather than digital art,
and contains over 280 pages of ideas and
activities for children. He's also a fine graphical
artist, as his work highlighted here
demonstrates.
If anyone else would like their work to
appear in this column, or has any online
portfolios of work available, please don't
hesitate to drop me a line ai grapihics@acornuser.
com. Pic of the Month returns next month - so
get your entries colling in for that also: printed
entries receive a £10 cheque.
I
Contacting AU J
Andrew Green:
graphics@acornuser.com
Christmas 1999 http://www.acornuser.com
:^ -=-»*«^'
Astute Graphics
Over the next couple of months we'll he
highlighting the work of some of the
graphic design professionals working
with RISC 05 systems today - if nothing
else, as proof that it can be done!
Nick van der Walle Ls well-known in
tlie Acorn world as the marketing force
behind Cerilica, makers of the
forthcoming Vantage vector
extravaganza. Astute Graphics, his
graphic design agency, predates Cerilica
by a good couple of years (and. indeed,
was first highlighted along with my own
agency by one of my predecessors in this
very column).
Nick has used RISC OS machines
since the end of the eighties,
and already owned a Rise
PC when he started out
to become a freelance
graphic designer. He
says, "At the start I
only really used
Artworks {at a time
when it could still
compete with the
Coral and Adobe
equivalents on
alternative platforms)
and never forayed into
serious bitmap image
creation. I suppose I was quite
blind as to the possible
alternatives at the time, but it was also a
matter of costs. Five years ago, crossing
over to a Mac or PC would have
equated to a vast outlay if the
professional packages were to be
included."
Although his awareness of the world
beyond RISC OS is now much greater,
Nick still considers RISC OS his home
platform as it allows him to be more
productive "wliich equates to quicker
tum-around times for contracts and
therefore more profit" (ultimately the
bottom line for anyone trying to run a
graphic design business as their
livelihood).
However, he feels that RISC OS itself
needs major advances over the coming
years, to avoid any advantages it has
over other operating systems vanishing,
and leaving comparisons to be made
only on the strength of individual
packages - "a war in which the current
aging programs on RISC OS would lose
in seconds, with very few exceptions."
Nick progressed on from just
(DAfliitr Gnif'hii
Artworks to using Phatodesk more
extensively. "However, as I will always
be closer to engineering than art, vector
graphics is what 1 feel at home with. The
first package I ever had was Euclid
(essentially a 3D version of Dnnu) and
could operate it to levels beyond the
author's expectations. This skill really
helped when 1 set up Astute Graphics
and had to complete a number of
technical illustrations.
By creating 3D bezier curves, 1 was
able to visualise complex 3D surfaces
and trace these in 2D using ArtWorks,
later filling the profiles with appropriate
shading." Of course, more recently,
Nick has been using the latest
pre-release versions of
Vantage, testing its
improved line tool and
J transparency effects
in real-world
situations. He has
"also found Vnntngc
to be very good for
Web graphics with
better anti-aliasing
and real-time on-
screen dithering of
colours." His everyday
ork also brings him in
close contact with Impression
("one day I shall migrate to
Ovation"), ChangeFSI, InterGlF, HTML
Edit, and Fresco to check his Web work.
The ease of use and efficiency of RISC
OS has been a great help to him in his
work - as has the closely-knit
development community. "You can talk
to the person who created the program
and get the best advice possible. And
then there are the customers who are
very tolerant. Ideal." But the familiar
question of print bureaux
asking whether the Acorn was
"a Mac or a PC" is a
continuing problem for any
graphics professional working
under RISC OS. "They never
cared when the EPS or TIFF
file landed on their desk, but
their scepticism was
enduring!"
Although tlie main
problem of RISC OS now is
the lack of up-to-date Internet
technology, he believes the
platform can hold its own in
the graphic design world.
And, he observes, "tliere are equal perils
to be encountered on other platforms,
even passing files between machines
due to a lack of 100% adopted file
format such as the sprite or drawfile."
The three examples of his work on
this page each had a different start to
life. Convergence was created as a result
of his proposal for a new image for
Spacetech's Phatodesk, the highLANDER
techjiical illustration was commissioned
along with an article for an engineering
publication (the whole article and
graphics having been created on his Rise
PC) and the proposed AAUG logo was
an entry to a competition. Typically all
of Nick's work is commissioned,
especially his technical illustrations,
which can only be for one purpose.
Becoming involved in professional
graphic design was a natural
progression from engineering design,
which Nick studied at university and in
which he later had a career. "I still enjoy
engineering and 1 strive to be equally
creative in tlie technical illustrations I
produce. I also find it a major advantage
to know what the people showing you
the engineering drawings on which to
base the illustration are talking about."
His wish-list for the future? "I set out
with Simon Birtwistle to create Vantage
(although truth be told, he creates and 1
shout about it) because ArtWorks was
well past its sell-by date. Phoiodcsk now
has layers and 1 can't think of anything
that is really needed from it. This
combination of packages coupled with
some new hardware from Milbpede will
once more gain my unconditional faith
in the platform.
'"The future's so bright, I gotta wear
shades'. As somebody once sang."
15
0/L'<f(i(i' Criijihiii,
http://www.acornuser.com Christmas 1 999
9ffPPPiii
im
1
;,:----:>'.. --^1
DrawPersp
I discovered the following
application on one of my random
jaunts around tine Internet one
evening and decided that it
warranted a second look. Written by
Robert Seago, DrazoPersp is a
complement to Draw which allows
you to create simple vector diagrams
representing the perspective of a
scene.
By defining a vanishing point,
vou can then create walls, lines and
roofs which conform to the correct
My fir^l ■nti-iiipt :■! •! -^-vj,- ii^:iiis I'uru'l'c-i' I hki- tlw
fi-M-lal Inv facilil}/. bill t limit; m>i lnr> look n bU fwrl]/!
perspective. 1 was surprised to find
that DrawPersp even comes with a
complete fractal tree generator. This
facility is in fact based upon an idea
published in Rise User and is used
with their permission.
By experimenting with different
parameters a multihide of trees can
be plotted, again all positioned
according to the correct perspective.
Initially using DrawPersp can be
quite tricky to get the hang of but
you can get some impressive results
with a little bit of
perseverance.
Although limited
facilities exist
within DnncPersp
itself, it will OLE
with Draw proper,
so you can easily
delete mistakes or
move objects
around using that
application.
Saving the
drawfile will
transfer the
modified image
back into
DrnwPvrsp for
further manipulation.
There are tour main ways of
entering shapes into DrawPersp: by
creating a) horizontal surfaces, b)
vertical surfaces, c) lines pointing to
or from vanishing points, and d)
roofs. The last of these seems to
combine the horizontal and vertical
tool to create a surface area - such as
the red roof on my lean-to.
Either line or fill colours can be
chosen using standard RISC OS-style
colour pickers. However, the
'surface' icons allow you to choose a
texture style if you like, such as
bricks, outline or plain filled
surfaces. 1 especially like the brick
one - as you can tell from my
doodle.
At any time the vanishing point
can be moved around, so you can get
some interesting effects. Although
some of the effects don't work quite
as expected, DrawPersp is still under
development so hopefully we'll see
future upgrades to this worthwhile
educational or artistic complement to
Dram
It's available to download free of
charge horn http://www.users.
netnet.co.uk/rjseago/pdsoft.htm
16
Mni,
Look 'n'find
Again, this application was
discovered after 1 searched on the
Internet, this time in response to a
query on one of the Acorn
newsgroups for an application which
would seek out a specific word or
phrase within files on a disc.
LooknFimI does exactly what it claims
to do with the minimum of fuss and
effort. Simply click on its icon and
enter the text you wish to search for.
This can be a word or phrase. Next
drag a selection of files into its control
window and click the relevant icon to
either scan filenames or to scan the
contents of the files themselves.
LoobiFind will then go off and scan
through all the selected files for
content matching your query. It
works in the background so you can
even carry on with what you were
doing while it does its stuff. When it
finishes it will open a window
containing the results of its search.
mn
LoototFind
Fni
I Cose sensiiEve
lMo^ccharaa«rs
\^ Isl only
Catatogue..
a Drag drectories her*
Search-
Abort I
S^rch cat
UioknFimi is careware, which means
that if you find it useful you should
register it by donating a fiver to
charily. If you are one of those people
who have hundreds of text files and
want to locate that elusive bit of text -
which you know is in one of them -
LookiiFiiui should be the ideal solution
for you. It was written by Robert
Lytton and can be found at
h'ttp://www.acomusers.org/rl/LnF.
html
RISC OS 4
All of the applications looked at
this montlT are l^SC OS 4
compatible.
1 QQQ httn-//www.acornuser.coni
• *m^^7^~m'.
Described as a "fast and cute image
viewer", Me^^umi is one of those
useful applications that seem to get
overlooked because of more familiar
equivalents. In the case of image
converters, most people, when they
need one, immediately think of
ClumgeFSI, Tnmslatr or FYE02 before
Although like a number of alter-
natives, Megiiini will read and
convert JPEG and GIF images to
RISC OS sprite format, it will also
convert quite a few rarer image
formats, such as PNG, ECC, MAG,
PI, PIC. Tlie last two appear to have
been developed in Japan and used
for a range of Anime cartoon style
images whose popularity has spread
from that country, hence the name.
In fact, Me^iiiui is one of the few, if
not the only, RISC OS application
which will load and convert KISS
images. These are popular in France
and Japan for displaying the
multitude of KISS dolls you can
download from the Net if you are an
Anime fan.
Megumi's skills don't, however,
stop at displaying static images. It
can also display animated images
and both decodes and displays files
umi
very rapidly - being written in ARM
code - so you can use it for
displaying animated GIFs in addition
to the range of specific formats
supported. Another nice feature of
Megiiini is the ability to run a
complete selection of images as a
slideshow. Just drag a selection of
images onto Megtiml's icon and sit
Otaitt
j Ctnl« wln^Bn en tamn
(/ Bring niinilcw 10 lop
F/ <*« iMAdOw Jull W»
P * I ; _, ftcn.'* a»io\( ttm« [wwniii)
I ItaiUoni ptaun tUtaai
back while it displays the sequence.
You can set it to show them in
random order or not, and configure
the length of delay between each
one, so it should be suitable for
anyone who needs to quickly run a
sequence of selected images.
Megiimi is developed by Dirk
Krumbholz and is freeware, so you
can download a copy from
http://www.os.rim.or.jp/~siram/
megumi.html
Beware however: the Web site is
designed in Japanese. A few words
are recognisable though, such as
'RISC OS' and 'Acorn', so you
shouldn't have too much difficulty
downloading.
Statistics an the
currently loaded
image - ami one of
the reasons Megttmi
15 termed 'cute'
St]i(i§n(.-
Ptocewing Time (ko)
DunSnappr
This small utility is written by Simon
Anthony, who brought us ECSiltHs
(mentioned last month). Indeed,
DiiiiSnnppr is a part of ECSUtHs, but
which has now been made into a
stand-alone application and improved
in the process.
This was done by Simon in reponse
to a request from Dunstan Orchard
(who he?). 1 wonder if that's where it
gets its name from?
The aim of the utihty is to make
sprite files of any open window
underneath the mouse pointer. Where
the application has been improved
and made more flexible is in the
control and choice of what to actually
grab from under the pointer. You can
now choose whether to grab the
various bits of 'window furniture'
also - that's scroll bars and icons
around the edge, to you and me. This
is because RISC OS windows are so
flexible, allowing software authors to
control exactly which icons are
present in each window.
DunSnappr has a distinct keypress
for every eventuality. The actual
window snapshot is executed by
moving the mouse pointer over the
window you want to grab, and
pressing the two Shift keys
simultaneously.
If you wish to remove the verfical
scroll bar, horizontal scrollbar or title
bar, just tap the Left Control, Left Alt
or Right Control respectively. The
application runs in the background so
doesn't have any icon or menu, thus
you can only quit it fiom the task
window. However, it's an excellent,
compact utihty for quickly and easily
grabbing open windows from the
screen. If you want complete
customisation then you can always
run the full ECSUtils. It's available to
download now from http://www.
innotts.co.uk/~ecsltd/
Contacting AU J
Paul Vigdy:
pdpa ge@a cornu ser.com
J
http://www.acornuser.coin Christmas 1 999
18
l€OI
On the Monday morning before
the RISC OS '99 show I went
on a little jaunt north of
Manchester to the birthplace
of the first commercially available
RISC OS computers to appear 13
months after Acorn pulled the plug
on the market.
Simtec have been in the RISC OS
market for a long time, best known
for their memory upgrades and the
multi-processor expansion card for
the Rise PC known as the Hydra -
but the Simpson family (the business
and circuit board manufacttire is
carried out at the family home) has a
reach beyond our small world,
designing and building boards for
dozens of clients.
I had already had a couple of
briefings on the capabilities of the
new machines by RiscStation but this
time it was to be a concentrated look
at the hardware capabilities. A chip
by chip examination of the system
and why its quality exceeds even
Acorn's standards.
We got the power
The Apple Mac has had the ability to
switch itself on based on an alarm
for many years, various PCs have
been manufactured witli it too. But
no Acorn machine has had the
capability - then again there hasn't
been a completely new Acorn
machine in four years at least.
More recently these fancy 'wake-
up' options have been extended to:
Wake on modem where a computer
will start up if the modem is
accessed from an outside telephone
line; Wake on LAN makes it possible
to arrange things so that if the
computer receives certain network
packets it wakes up; Wake on keijboard
so that just pressing a key on the
keyboard starts the mactiine; you
might have some other specialised
way of switching the machine on, in
which case you can have Wake on
something else; and finally there's
Wake on poiver switch.
Did that last one seem a bit odd?
It isn't. On these boards the power
switch is 'soft', it's just a signal to the
part of the machine that never sleeps
to say it's time to wake up now.
The board has a built-in PIC
processor that is kept powered even
when the main processor is switched
off, as are certain other key areas of
the machine such as the network
area, both of the two serial interfaces,
parts of the keyboard and so on.
The PIC is programmed to watch
for events happening in the live
areas and controls the system's
Christmas 1 999 http://www.acornuser.confi
Times
are
chan
power depending on what it's been
told to do. Each of the events is
individually switchable so you can
have all or none - the keyboard
option can be limited to only
working with certain keys and
although it hadn't been put into the
PlC's software at the time I viewed
the system it should be possible to
specify an exact sequence of keys to
activate the machine: a password.
Although some PCs have the
equivalent of these options, at the
time of writing we were not aware of
any PC that retains these settings if
you unplug the machine completely
- so any security password would be
lost (a bit pointless). Tlie PIC has
flash memory, it doesn't forget what
you asked it to do and you can't get
round a keyboard option just by
implugging it.
There is a way round the settings
just in case someone manages to
completely lock themselves out of
their own machine but Simtec
wouldn't tell me how it was done.
These boards have not been
designed solely for RiscStation -
Simtec has various otlier industrial
customers who want this kind of
machine, and to that end the PIC
also contains a watchdog program
that notices if the machine has
crashed completely and will restart it
without any inter\-ention, essential
when used in a stand-alone situation
and quite useful to those who leave
their machines switched on all the
time
The power supply is a standard
ATX with a 5V standby voltage that
keeps the always-awake sections
I I t ill I
I f
I I
■■■•38
I ( r I II I t I
\\\ ^
■■^r^x^s^.ir-:^^-s^^x^^^^.*^'^<^-^-±-r-^-
Steve Turnbull
takes a detailed
look at the first
of the new
machines
running all the time. The problem
with PC power supplies is that they
expect a big loading in order to kick
into life, these new boards draw so
little that there's almost a risk that
the supplies won't start up - with
tongue firmly in cheek: Simtec
recommend you buy lots of hard
drives to ensure there are no start-up
problems.
Finally, on the subject of power,
there are the fuses. Personally I've
never had a fuse blow in a computer
but it does happen, and when it does
it's a real pain: Where is the fuse?
Which one has gone? And how do 1
get a replacement? With these new
boards those problems no longer
exist, they use thermally resetting
fuses. If one blows you just wait
until it cools down and off you go
again.
Against the clock
Simtec talked to me about the slow
shift towards PC -style architecture,
the fact that we can migrate slowly,
getting cheaper and cheaper
machines as we go. One step in
that direction is the real-time clock
(RTC).
For these boards Simtec no longer
use the I2C method - I2C is a
method of communicating with
various ptyipheral devices but it is
slow and wastes many processor
clock cycles. Instead they have
standard PC RTCs which also
contain a unique serial number.
These sealed units have a built-in
http;//www.acornuser.com Christmas 1999
Reflex
Electronics
The Official Service & Support Centre for all Acorn products
Extended Warranty
Purchase extended warranty or renew your existing warranty on all Acorn computers.
A7000 and monitor (one year) £59.00
Rise PC and Monitor (one year) £89.00
S.A. Rise PC and monitor (one year) £99.00
Reduced rates available for 2nd and 3rd year warranty
Free inspection / service of your computer when you purchase our extended warranty.
Acorn Repairs
Aeorn Computer repairs from £70.00*
Monitor repairs, prices from £45.00
We also offer part exchange on Acorn computer PCBs and PSUs (ask for prices)
^includes BBC Bs, Masters. A3xxx series, All Archimedes. A4, A4000, A5000, Rise PC & A7000.
Acorn Original Spares
We are the sole UK authorised distributor of Acorn Spares.
Acorn Original Mice (£ p.o,a atooo mice) £15.99
We also carry spares of many other Acorn items, such as Power Supply Units, Floppy drives,
keyboards, master battery packs etc..
Please call 01 438 31 7200 for a full price list or to place spares orders.
All prices exclude VAT and delivery. E.& O. E.
All the Acorn Support you need...
Call now on 01438 311299, spares 01438 317200
Fax 01438 31 1286 http://www,reflexeLdemon.coMk
service@reflexeL demon, co. uk
Reflex Electronics Service Limited, Unit 18,
Gunnels Wood Park, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Herts, SGI 2BH.
i:
battery which will last ten years after
which you can just replace them - if
it's important to keep the same
machine ID you can, alternatively,
attach an external battery after the
ten years is up - considering how
long the old Acorn machines last,
and how much better these machines
are it wouldn't surprise me at all if
they are still going strong in ten
years.
Oh yes, and these RTCs nre
millennium-compliant.
Something I was not aware of
until my trip to Simtec was how PC
chips are different, even these have
acquired the dreaded 'plug and play'
label. What it means is that they
won't just switch on and work, but
they have to be initialised and
assigned to an area of memory
before they begin to function.
One particularly nasty typo of PC
virus messes up the initialisation of
these chips and, for example, assigns
them all to the same area of memory
so any attempt to read or write to
them wreaks havoc and prevents
anything from functioning - a
wonderful innovation.
Simtec have some clever hardware
protection that prevents this
happening so you won't get a RISC
OS virus doing the same thing. Once
again they wouldn't tell me anything
hirther about that, 1 didn't mind.
Memories for you
As these machines have extensive
differences in hardware to the typical
RISC OS machine Simtec have been
in discussion with RISCOS Ltd
(ROSL) about what to do. Taking the
clock as an example, for a program
to find out the time and date it calls a
particular routine in RISC OS that
then goes through the necessary
operations to read the information -
but this is a copy (in RAM) of what
the hardware clock says.
Old RISC OS assumes there's a
I2C clock located in a certain place
and looks for it. This assumption has
to be changed so Simtec have been
working hard with the ROSL
programmers on a standardised way
of bringing about the hardware
independence sti that every new
manufacturer doesn't have to have a
customised version of RISC OS -* a
nightmare.
Part of the solution is that there
are three ROM sockets in the
machine, one pair take an (almost)
uncustomised operating system, and
the third to contain the necessary
routines to access the actual
hardware in the machine - whatever
it happens to be,
Simtec, naturally, didn't stop
there, these boards have ability to
take a flash ROM of up to 32Mb
capacity - although once again this is
primarily for their non-RISC OS
clients who don't want delicate
PCI machines
■^
"■'•u,
T|»^j
The PCI
machine -
aimikiMe
next \iCiir
RiscStation Ltd has been pushing their
PCl-capable machine quite heavily in
recent months, lots of hype but with
some genuine potential. Tlien suddenly
it all went quiet and there were
mutterings that Simtec had got it wrong,
that it couldn't be done. So I asked them
specitically about it:
"It isn't cheap," said Gareth Simpson "But
of course it's possible - and practical. What
happened was that we had found a relatively low-cost PCI chip-set that
appeared, on paper, to do the job. So we got hold of a set and began
testing it.
"Unfortunately it wasn't good enough, it couldn't do everything that
was claimed hut it took us a while to discover the problem so we were
forced to reject it. We have switched to a more expensive chip-set that will
definitely do what's needed,
"You can't do PCI in a cheap machine so the PCI machine has been
delayed until early next year but it's given us the opportimity to finish
the board for the R7500 Lite and the NetWORX."
harddiscs in their robust hardware.
For RAM there are the standard
two SIMM sockets taking up to
128Mb, the standard machine
will get 60ns memory and the
memory modules don't have to be
matched at that speed. Tlie machine
will run with slower 70ns memory
and will run faster if given 50ns
modules.
With typical Simtec thoroughness
the machine starts up normally and
then queries die modules to see
what's available - if faster memory is
plugged in the hardware and
software is re-configured so the
machine nms quicker, it makes the
best use of whatever is fitted.
Like the A7000 range these new
boards don't have any VRAM which
means that with bigger/higher
resolution screens they do slow
down. In a screen mode of 1600 x
1200 X 256 colours the download
speed from harddisc is about
2Mb/sec - which is the same as a
Rise PC with VRAM, In screen mode
of 800 X 600 X 256 colours you get 4.5
to 5Mb/sec, these figures were
provided using David Holden's disc
speed utility, rather than being
idealised guesswork.
An independent test using the
Replay Tumble demo (timing how
long it takes to run through the
whole sequence) gives a figure of 610
seconds for these new hoards, a Rise
PC 700 with VRAM does it in 700
seconds.
Socket to me
The back of the board has a standard
set of ATX connectors which, reading
from left to right, are: mouse;
keyboard; network; parallel; serial;
video; and audio group.
The mouse and keyboard sockets
are interchangeable so it doesn't
matter if you plug them in wrong -
the software sorts it out, in fact this
isn't a new feature, I^SC OS has
always been able to do that.
The network card is a standard
lObaseT which somehow manages to
give more than 450Mb/sec using
Acorn /^rcc-^s which is not the most
efficient protocol in the world. With
all networking software and
hardware built-in this is Uie first
RISC OS machine that can match
the iMac for connectivity, just
plug it into your LAN and go -
well, maybe.
The parallel port is, of course, bi-
directional but conforms to the two
major standards EC? and EPP which
are used for scanners as well as
http://www.acornuser.com Christmas 1999
21
m
New machines
•ill;
■ J:
II' ;'.?•••••••••• * .v.v.v.v .v.v.v. ".v. '.V.V.V.V,
■JU'i ♦••••••#•• ..,.'*. Vr.'.'^lT.T.T.TT
, ..«!. I ■ t t ■ .—.,.. II " : : :
i -U.""""™™"'' ii ";'■■■ !!: I:
^^ti'm*
; __ =B
' '!=: »
-^Si JliilViiiii^H; I.
Board Im/out ofSimtcc's radical design
printers. Tliere's a pseudo DMA
(direct memory access) channel that
is used with the parallel port which
means data can be read in even
faster. The primary serial port (there
is another) will nm at 460Kbit/sec
which is somewhat faster than the
Rise PC's nSKbit/sec.
The video port has hardware
support of DDC - okay, I forget what
it stands for but it's a way for the
monitor to tell the computer what
the monitor is capable of displaying.
Once the software support is
supplied (and should be made a part
of RISC OS) it will mean you won't
have to worry whether you have the
right Monitor Definition Files any
more.
Once the information has been
downloaded from the monitor the
display software will just list the
modes you can have, there'll be no
chance of damaging yoiu- monitor by
„ „ ■■ driving it to hard plus you'll just be
2.2. j able to plug-in any monitor and just
start. However the software support
is not vet there.
I heard that
The audio capabilities of this
machine now match a decent PC,
you get MIDI in /out; there's
standard line in, line out
(headphones) and microphone; a
50KHz audio sampler; 20 voice FM
synthesiser as standard plus there's
wavetable expansion on the board
itself (of which more later).
Typically Simtec have allowed all
the audio sources from the board
(including two CD audio inputs) to
be mixed on board plus there's the
capability to do filtering of the sound
- all controlled from software. I was
treated to a number of demonstra-
Hons based from simple BASIC
programs.
There's a I.IW audio amplifier for
a slightly
chunkier output if
you want it plus
you could slot
this board into a
multimedia PC
case which has
external physical
volume header
and it does work
I also have to
include the
analogue
joysticks under
the sound section
because they are
part of the audio
package and
there's something
interesting; On most PCs the joysticks
are read by the processor in a way
that wastes processor cycles. When
the Simtec boys were examining the
chip specs they found there was a
setting where reading the joystick
ports could be put on automatic and
the result just read by the processor in
one go when needed. Guess which
option they chose.
This is the most comprehensive
RISC OS music machine so far
created - take this machine, combined
with R-Comp's Anthem software and
you have a very potent combination
indeed.
On the monitor
I have already given some indication
of the thoroughness of the hardware
design in these machines. Let's do
some more. Tliere is a temperature
sensor near where the harddiscs are
connected to the board - it's assumed
that this is where the harddiscs will
actually be located - and the machine
can react if the temperature gets
above a certain level.
There are two sets of fan
connections, one is for a standard 12V
fan, but the other is for a digital speed
controlled one, So as the temperature
goes up the fan can be made to switch
on and go faster (under software
control) until the cooling starts. If the
heat goes on rising the machine can be
shut down automatically.
There's also feedback from the
fan so the machine can tell if it's
actually going round - this system
is not absolutely essential for
machines that don't have Pentiums
inside but, once again, it's one of
those handy features for tliose third
parties Simtec supply. And you never
know, you might be stuck in a desert
one day...
The system monitoring doesn't
stop there: There is monitoring of the
voltages around the board (which
can detect overvoltages as well as
undervoltage) plus if one of those
thermally resetting fuses does blow -
it can tell vou which one it was (not
that vou need to replace it).
More connections
As I begin to run out of space I shall
type faster to get it all in. Apart from
the connections off the back the main
board is bristling with headers to
connect even more stuff:
• Second serial port which can be
configured as a serial port,
another MIDI port or a
115Kbit/sec IrDA (infra-red) port;
• Wavetable connector for added
sound - slightly skewed in favour
of a particular unit which has 256
byte FIFO (first-in first-out)
queues, most only have 16 bvte
queues. This means it won't trip
up if the processor is busy for a
while;
• Four IDE devices, thoroughly
buffered and can detect cables in
the wrong way round. Can reset
IDE frtim software;
• More joysticks;
• Second audio CD mixer
connection;
• Can support two floppy drives;
• Acorn genlock (as Rise PC);
• I2C header;
And the ISA socket, for a few
pennies why not? Interestingly the
ISA connections are just about the
same as a standard Acorn 'podule'
connector apart from the I2C signals.
Simtec have had an ISA modem
working - though not thoroughly
tested. Once again it was a feature of
more use to their 'other' customers.
Conclusion
So there you have it. The new RISC
OS machines, as made by Simtec. In
their RiscStation incarnations they are
the R7500 Lite, with 4Gb harddisc
and tons of software supplied; or the
NetWORX which is the same machine
but with no harddisc supplied,
designed purely for local network
usage. I cannot deny being
very impressed. laiJiJ
Product details J
Product: New machines from
RiscStation
Price: From £394 + VAT
Supplier: RiscStation Ltd or your local
RISC OS dealer
Tel: 01942 79 77 77
E-mail: infi.i@riacstation.co-uk
Web site: www.riscsUtion.co.uk
Christmas 1999 hllp;//www.acornuser.com
I
Tektronix
Colour Laser Printers
Phaser 740LA4 1200dpi Mono Laser £1320
-Colour upgradable. 16ppm, 16Mb RAM, lOBaseT Etherriet,
- Parallel, Postscripl Level 3, PCL5. 136 Fonts. 1 yr RTB warranty,
Phaser 740N A4 600 dpi Colour Laser £1 700
- 1200dpj Mono, 5ppm Colour/ieppm Mono. 32Mb RAM, lOBaseT
- Ethernet. Parallel. Postscript Level 3, PCLb, 136 Fonts, lyr GSM,
Phaser 740P A4 1 200dpi Colour Laser £2390
■ 16ppm, 64Mb RAM, lOBaseT Ethernet, Parallel, Postscript Level 3,
- PC[.5(colour), 136 Fonts. 1 year On-Sile warranty.
Colour Solid lnl< Printers
Phaser 840N A4 1000dpi Colour £2225
■ lOppm, 32Mb RAM. lOBaseT Ethernet. Parallel, Postscript Level 3.
■ PCL5 (colour). 136 Fonts. Colour upgradable, lyear GSM.
Phaser 840DPA4 1000dpi Colour £3165
- lOppm Auto Duplex, 64Mb RAM, lOBaseT Ethernet, Parallel, USB,
- Postscripl Level 3, PCL5{colour), 136 Fonts, lyr GSM
ii^sinsn^Rcitii
Economic
It IS possible lo have
a Server wiih ALL
these attributes!
^
& Flexible
LinServer - An Internet Gateway & File Server
PC, NC & RiscOS Computers
IJnServer is an incredibly n>l>usl
and dependable File, Print &
Internet (iateway server providing
virtually every internet resource
Standard features:
NFS. PC File sen/er
with disc quota's
P0P3, SMTP, IMAP4
Mail Server
NNTP News Server
Web/Proxy Server
FTP Server
Printer server
Internet dial-on-demand
using ISDN or modem
Dial-in modem access
WWW Server Toots
... Plus many more.
Tektronix Consumables
740L Colour Upgrade £Call
740 Std Black Toner £71
740 Large Black Toner £90
740 Std CM or Y Toner £147
740 Large C. M or Y Toner E210
740Fuser £182
740 Fuser Roll £58
740 Imaging Kit £175
840 3 Black ColorStix
840 5 - C/MA' ColorStix
Free
£146
The price of colour
consumables are PER
colour. Toner Yield;
Std 6k Mono, 5k Colour
Lrg 12k Mono, 10k Col
Tbere arc NO licensing issues on
the number uf users supported.
IJnServer supports over 10.000
users, the limit \w\n\' imly storage
capacity and RAM. It supports
PCs,
Net-
work & RiscOS computers.
^ Vou can literally place this
server in a secure room and
for^^et about it. bein}> almost
completely self-maintaining
except for user administration.
i-r
I^^^Q^
Contact us for more
details or to arrange a
demonstration.
Other Remote Networks
te. schools, branch offices --^
RiscOS & PC
Network Computers
WinFrame
Server
m©\ni
RiscOS, PC Windows ^
Apple Sl Unix
Desktop Computers
Web
Computing
CilRIX
Wireless Terminals and
PDA's etc.
A Citrix® WinFrame or MetaFrame Server provides access to
virtually any Windows® application, across any type of network
connection to any type of client (including Thin-Clients &
RiscOS). It allows multiple, concurrent users to log on and run
applications in separate, protected Windows sessions ON the
server, resulting in each user consuming as little as one-tenth of
their normal network bandwidth.
It gives you centralised management, exceptional performance
and improved security for all your education/business critical
applications and data.
Ring us now for further information or call Into our showroom
for a demonstration.
Based Technologies
Ring for Details
RiscOS4 Now Available
We are offer a comprehensive
RiscOS4 Installation service.
Special Offers
Acorn Grey Mouse £20
Acorn A7000 Mouse £25
Citizen HD Floppy Drive £20
Citizen DD Floppy Drive £30
CJE586-1 33MHz PC Card £225
Hutchinsons Encylopedia £2
- RiscOS 92 or Windows 97 Ver.
Nintendo 64 Bundle (1 only) £50
- With SuperMario/Goideneye
RiscDisc Vol 3 £5
Wolfenstein 3D (SA compat.) £5
- fully boxed. Last remaining stock
4D Games £5 each
Various Games £5 each
Ring for details of other offers.
special Offers Sirictly Whilst Stocks Last.
200W Active Speakers
Mains powered, Magnetically Shielded
£15
Incl.
Tel: 0161-474 0778 - Fax: 0161-474 0781
Open 10.00 - 18.00 Monday - Saturday
All prices Include VAT. Carriage not included. E&OE. 01/11/99
www.desktopp.demon.co.uk - email: info<@desktopp. demon.co.uk
Unit2A Heapriding Business Park, Ford Street, STOCKPORT, Cheshire. SK3 OBT
citrix
Solutions
Network
SILVER
Colin Sutton finds a new interest in plug-ins for Artworks
'V
liii
Early in 1992 a great stir was
created among Archimedes
owners with the arrival of
Artworks from Computer
Concepts - a modular object-
orientated illustration program, in
other words a vector art drawing
package far beyond anything
previously available.
Eight years on ArtWorks is still
very popular having a large and well
established user base plus a new
generation of 'second users' as
equipment and software change
hands. Remember I used the word
'modular' in the opening paragraph
and this is the secret to its expansion
and continuation for sometime to
come.
A close look inside ArtWorks will
reveal it's made up of many smaller
modules (or tools) which form the
complete package and allow for easy
addition of extra modular tools,
known as 'plug-ins', from CC and
other third party developers.
How do they work?
The plug-ins are in the form of mini
applications, each containing the
appropriate module. These mini-
apps are simply dragged to the
'Auto' directory mside ArtWorks and
next time the program is run it will
automaticallv load the new modules
from within the plug-ins.
If you are using the 'Quick Start'
opHon in ArtWorks you will need to
switch it off, re-save the Choices and
quit Artworks. Re-running ArtWorks
shows every module it loads
\[^I:
%
A%
C3V
\
o
□
o
%
o
o
^
♦
^
o
a
::
Nolhng selected
±1 jF| ^ . y •] [TT]
JLliJ JForsground ^
5P1 ADFS:rHji>iD54.^0din.grapffK»!V«M'''t!ngJiK-'i»cu«nfVct.TUrAii^
R
ILIl
H
l:iJ
IBknd
m
'FiLwt
m
^A
O
'QUK.kCop>
a]
m m
BtSfm Bin*
'.ReplhT.-ac
!Vie*M
(■ Vw tiirn-ioni ;rilhiii ArlWofki whcrf Hit' yhi^^-im i>re stored
f'':<"'
l^i^iirc II: Art Works'' toolbar lUhi info ha r
including any new plug-ins added to
the 'Auto' directory. Re-selecting
'Quick Start' and 'Save Choices' will
now restore the status quo. Step-by-
step instructions for both installation
and de- installation are included with
most plug-ins.
Some plug-ins will now appear in
the Artworks toolbox window (the
order of these tools can be changed).
The info bar at the bottom of the
Artworks window will vary its
contents depending on the tool
currently in use. Other plug-ins will
add extra options and functionality
to the ArlWorks sub-menus.
The plug-ins
CC's foray into providing additional
modules was rather shortlived. One
of the first to appear in 1994 was the
Arrnn^er 'magnetic tool' actually
developed by Open Sky Projects. Its
purpose was to make objects snap to
one another in a similar way to
snapping to guide frames in
luiprcsskm. Although a very useful
tool it was criticised for its poor
presentation and minimal
instructions. Arranger was not
StrongARM compatible but one
Martin WiJrthner
(more of whom
later) came to the
rescue with a
StrongARM patch.
About the same
time, Pressurt; the
Eesox pressure
tool appeared and
was to be used
in conjunction
with a pressure
sensitive graphics
ffl
Q
m EH g
'Jijilultfr
tablet. Precision from CC is really a
pair of tools. Mover and ReSizer,
added to the toolbox. Mover allows
movement of objects or groups of
objects with a single click.
ReSizer, unlike the ArtWorks
scaling tool, is concerned with
absolute height and width of an
object or group rather than just a
multiplier. Instructions were
minimalist to say the least.
A freeware plug-in Splatter by
Richard Millican (a CC employee at
the time) appeared in 1996 though it
appears to have been started some
two years earlier. Operation is
simplicity itself, click on the Splatter
tool and splatter away - with a name
like that do you really want more
instructions?
As with all the ArlWorks tools it is
up to the user's imagination to
decide what is appropriate in the
artwork being conceived. Even the
most bizarre of special effects can be
'just right' if used in the right
amount and in the right context.
Vilkommen
Martin Wiirthner
The idea of plug-in tools really took
off with the involvement of Martin
Wiirthner, famed for his innovative,
quality software. Multilingual Martin
(he is actually German) is regularly
seen at shows, resplendent in dapper
jacket and bow tie displaying typical
Teutonic efficiency. This same
attention to fine detail is reflected in
his wide range of plug-in tools for
ArtWorks where each is supplied
with detailed and helpful
instructions coupled with the
Christmas 1999 http://www.acornuser.com
.3-
avaiiability of upgrades, Web site
information and support pages.
Martin's approach is to combine
some of his plug-ins into small
groups containing related modules.
They are a mixture of commercial,
shareware and freeware.
AlignPlus group
A shareware trio of plug-in modules
comprising:
AlignPlus - Does not add a tool to
Artworks toolbox but rather it adds
three menu entries to the ArtWorks
Objects sub-menu allowing you to
perform various enhanced alignment
operations with respect to the
baselines of text objects as opposed
to the bounding boxes.
MRotate - Provides a tool allowing
rotation of several objects
simultaneously but about their own
centres, working in the same manner
as the standard and less versatile
Artworks rotation tool.
MScale - The same concept as
MRotate, but scales each object
individually from its centre rather
than rotating.
Polygon group
The shareware registration for
Polygon also includes a licence for
Intersect and Pathiltils - two tools
reserved for the exclusive use of
Polygon users and not available
separately.
Polygon was actually the first non-
commercial Artworks plug-in
module, providing users with a tool
to create »-sided polygons and stars
and with a single mouse cHck to
convert one to the other. The tool
was inspired by CorelXara's
QuickShape tool. A very detailed help
file covers its many features.
Intersect - As its name implies, it
allows you to intersect shapes or
objects with each other. It does not
add a tool but adds two menu
entries to the Lines/Shapes sub-
menu.
Pathiltils - Allows you to control
line lengths and angles of the
selected path object. Like other tools
Figure V:
Mscale in
action
lil-Lll.^J).fK[
M.
Alijguneni
Top lo botlom:
ffon/ofr
4 Align
/Diaributc
Left 10 rjgiht:
_|Ch/Off
/Top
■^ Caiirc
/Bcnum
/Hrigh.
Canofl
Figure IV: MRolnle in action
UntMcdlsISG^
■
ilED
K
Figure HI: Tliv AhgnPlui nit-mi
the Artworks info bar provides
editable boxes for co-ordinates, angle
and line length.
Freeware group
The freeware plug-ins are available for
individual download from Martin's
Web site.
MadnessT - Martin has offered this
as a freebie as he says "no-one would
pay anything anyway!". Il is a tongue-
in-cheek fun module. If you have tried
Acorn's Mniiness application from the
old RISC OS 2 days and seen its
bizarre effects you have some idea
what this module does.
SUowXY - A neat little idea inspired
by a small feature in Jonathan Martin's
DrawPhis. ShowXY adds a 'Show Co-
ordinates' item to the View sub-menu.
A small window continually displays
the pointer position in the window
under the pointer. The option can be
switched on or off.
Translate - Provides an additional
tool in the ArtWorks toolbox whose
four arrows (up, down, left and right)
allow vou to translate objects by
specific amounts (for example 0.5cm to
the left), a simple but most
useful feature missing from
the original program.
ZoomPlus group
The shareware registration
of ZoomPUis also includes
AutoSave and QuickCopy.
QuickCopy - Adds an
extra tool to the toolbox to
allow the creation of
multiple copies of an object
in a very quick and easy
way- Positioning the copies
OK
in a more exact way is a
feature of this plug-in,
inspired by a similar but not
quite-so-powerful feature in
CorelXara. Another example of
Herr Wurthner responding to
suggestions for plug-ins from
established ArtWorks users.
AutoSave - Another plug-in
providing an extension to the
File>Choices... sub-menu. A new
icon in the document Choices
window allows auto saving with or
without a prompt at arbitrary
intervals. The auto-save status can be
saved within the document with the
added benefit that you can specify
the auto-save behaviour for each
document individually.
ZoomPliis - Best described as an
enhanced replacement for the
original Viexver module and although
the tool is called ZoomPlus, it actually
comes as a directory called IViewer-
not as confusing as it sounds. As
with all plug-ins which replace
existing ArtWorks modules, it is
recommended that you make a
backup of the original in case you
ever feel the need to revert back to it.
Again the extensive help file
guides you through the many new
features, most notable of which is
that the Zoom tool info bar now
shows Undo and Redo buttons (with
keyboard shortcuts) allowing
movement through the last 32 zoom
settings for a particular window.
Single plug-ins
Filter - This is a single shareware
module of quite some complexity and
it is essential to study the extensive
help file. This quite powerful plug-in
adds a 'Filter' option to the Objects
sub-menu. Its purpose is to filter the
current selection depending on filter
conditions, for example object type,
fill type, line colour, font size and so
on. - rather similar to DrawChanger or
DraioWorks. Like all the plug-ins, it is
http://www.acornuser.com Christmas 1999
Plug-ins
26
Figure VI: Some ofHatchPro's simple fill styles
practice and experimentation which
help you understand the many
functions and effects.
Replicate - The ability to replicate
arbitrary ArtWorks objects in regular
patterns many times without
consuming any extra memory is the
feature of this plug-in module. Six
patterns are provided: Matrix, Matrix
outline, Matrix chequered. Diagonal,
Diamond and Diamond outline. The
Current versions
• Polygon 1.20
• Translate 1.04
• Intersect 1.05
• ShowXYl.OO
• PathUtils 1.01
• MadnessT 1.00
• QuickCopv 1.03b
• AiignPlus'l.04
• AutoSave 1.00
• MRotate 1.01
• ZoomPlus 0.05
• MScalel.Ol
• PathTool 0.05
• Filter 1.05b
• Hatch 1.05b
• HalchPro 1.13
• Replicate 1.05
Clearly Martin has been a one-
man programming machijie and
has done more than anyone else
to further the ArtWorks plug-in
concept. Many users will be very
grateful for his efforts.
L€[ii
replication type, number of
replications and offset between
replications can be changed at any
time. Such replicated objects behave
like any other single ArlWorks object
and as such can be moved, rotated or
scaled. The detailed help file
describes some advanced features
allowing change of more parameters
like X and y offsets.
T_Dra;r - Supplied with Replicate
and described as an enlianced
replacement for the original TJDrstw
module. Replicate fixes problems with
the DriJio translation interface.
Hatch and HatchPro
Tliis is a major commercial plug-in
package where the Hafch module
needs to be run in conjunction with
the supplied PathTool module.
The original Hatch provided
additional pre-defined fully
customisable fill types, HatchPro
allows you to define your own fill
styles by turning any vector shape
into a fill pattern. User control of the
colours and various numeric
parameters of any fill style leads to a
countless number of variaHons. The
fill patterns are not held in memory
but rendered on the fly.
The module is fully integrated with
the rest of ArtWorks so you can blend
between pattern filled objects, export
them as Draw or EPS, use Undo or
Redo and so on. An important point
to remember with Hatch/HatchPro is
that Impression (and, indeed, any other
application that reads ArtWorks files)
is not able to render files containing
objects with any of the new fill styles.
You must, therefore, remember to
export as drawfiles which will then be
accepted and displayed correctly in
such applications. Both Hatch/
HatchPro are supplied with a
profusely illustrated A5 manual,
making these very professionally
produced ArtWorks plug-ins.
The future
Tliough ArtWorks is not being
developed any further by CC, it
certamly is not dead. There is still
much useful mileage to be obtained
from this proven product. The
existing plug-ins each increase
functionality and there's scope for
new ones to be added. As for support,
CC/Xara have confirmed they are
supporting existing users and will
offer what help they can to people
developing plug-ins. Similarly, Martin
Wiirthner has indicated on his Web
site that he too will help and requests
new plug-in authors to contact him to
avoid duplication of any work which
might be in progress.
By the time you read this, a new
and much hyped competitive rival
product should be available and
some of you will take advantage
(pun intended!) of that. For the rest it
is worth noting that there is still life
in the old (ArtWorks) dog yet! Enjoy
it all while you can.
Wiirthner contacts
Martin Wiirthner 's Web site is well
worth a visit at; http://www.
flipside.co.uk/awtools/
or e-mail him at: wuerthne@droste.
inf ormatik.uni-stu ttgart -de
The range of shareware and
commercial prices and their site
licences coupled with special offers
and e-mail or snail-mail delivery
options is too great to print here and
perusal of Martin's Web site is vital.
Computer Concepts still have a Web
site at: http://www.cconcepts.co.uk/
support/awmod.htm with some plug-
ins to download, Vor ArtWorks support
contact David Matthewman at: ^^^^
david@xara.com l^£i£9
Product details J
Product: ArtWorks plug-ins
Price: See Web .sile or contact WSS
for details
Supplier; Warm Silence Software,
PO Box 28, Woodstock,
Oxfordshire, OX20 1 XX
Tel/Fax; 0160S737172
Mobile: (1585 487 642
Christmas 1 999 http://www.acornuser.com
Acorn
Acorn Usef Awards 1995
Best business software
runner up - TableCalc
Tel 01344 455769 email atimbrell@aol.com
Acorn User Awards 1396
BesI network software
runnel up ■ SerialNET
http://www.isvproducts.co.uk
Acorn User Awards 1997
Best graptilcs sotlware
Winner • DtawWorks2
The Font Editor
ni[4^rv r^ruirjwjjneiT ^ftl well iVOfF^ the mifiry.'
m.
O' Ponlf .■e^■t^'flen>F^
-i 1
OuSniH 1' 1 f 1
DTFOi
atlBlElillEE
i
iF
< , II
■
(T^
'^
11-
Tl-
""
■^
'^
:
t.. :
j 1
1
•
■
1
H
&
. ^^ J
1
'■2
3
ij
5
A
«
*
B
C
D
E
F
1
^mwm
?
Q
It
S
-■
li
V
B
b
< . :■
"T
^KSEftjMZlE^
p
1
L.
1__J 1„
\£
■ y
\^rt
■#^
•EnOiusiisrs verejon of FonlFiend
■ LoBOs ill types ol Amrn oulllne Ionia
■ Eiport anil impdilss Orowlilas
■L(JSil5Diiilr^3lr5tBUlly lonls
' Hake bola Qr open lonis DutDmsUcaily
■ easy ic use w\bijs
•Qn-1 me manual anil rea'lime help syetern
'iWuill K«ni[ig«]iicx and Uisc Dala aditar
'Easilirscafloldslpnl
■ Flip efiracwrs hortionially a vwlfenlly
' UaiiEs small caps Bulwnallcilly
' Eil«nd. COKilBnM, ODIIque o,I C
■ Eiiit Ouliiiics SWielonse.U,
■3aVCDLI\p(9l«CIUQlOnlB
■ Save lanis romplsie wrtn kBfilng
■ OS 3.1 or laler SUB RAM & >ianl ijisll
i.^Gross stitch design
'p'Sckage for Rise OS
OHers all the features of XStitch2 plus...
■ Backslllcli etIiUrg diraclly on the canvas
■ MVSIwrc preview mode, shows you w^al your design wilt look like wtien slilched
■ Impiovea 3tili.aliaEed canvas display
■ User seiecia hie grid colour. Ijaclistllch cokwr & symbol colour
■ SWtn counl routine, no need lo guoss the amguni ol IhrEad needed
• Uoiii lool, use tiuiii in mplifseaaily and ijuicliJy
• Qetle youi awn mollis i save them loi later use
■ Ailit icii lo itie canvas usimj any available oulNne lont
■ ImpfovMunOo feBlures, up lo 3800 slilchec either 1 al a tune or all at once
•Faslgrcanras Editing, up to twice the speed of XStitciiI
• EasieMot^sia a source image wiihoui losing aapoB rsiio
■ Suppons paper up In A3 In size. eJirier Portrari or Landscape
■ Corapreliensive iliuslraied on-screen manuals
• Hefluites RiK OS 3.1 or later. 2MB Ram i hard dish
■,.,lmHfant..ft«WyreMmmenifc!f." ~...ama^ng...3 class pw6\ici"
Afchwe Acorn User
Worried about security on your
computers?
This diraciory Is
PctBSword ProlBcted
Enler Passwoffl i HETUHN
■ Over 21 OO high qualily lonts. Iha licgeai commercial lont collKtIon
■All tonlB Irora Typogiaphy 1 plus over ?K NEW laces
■ FREE copy ol Font Designers Toolkit i FontTtinPSO
•All fonts tullt hnilea ivHh NDT Eipert
•FullLatml cftafaclersclsa kemlngpairs
■ Run lonis directly from the CD
• Inslall iniD EasyFoni FonlDireclory or 'Fonts folders
• NEW Inslall single Isceslo your hard ais*
• NEW improved font sample system, see samples ol un-inslalled lonls
• NEW lOesignot. not sure wdich fonts to use ssk lOeslgner
■ Complete font fain Hies, not just sing* weights
■ NEW Nsiol PosiScfipt^tomfiatnes
■ Comprefiensive dlustriled on-scioen msnuajs
■ Requires fllac OS 3 1 or laler, SUB Ram i CD-Rom drive
Over 2100
fonts on
one CD plus
a host of
font utilities
The desktop network for 2 o
■ Connect any 2 Rise Os 3 maclilnes
• Share hard alshs & CD-Roms
• Unique Neh«crrii Prinling system
■ Transler files i Bpclleations
■ Send arecEivernesaages
■ Supports high speed serial cards
■ Mailmum speed over SQK per second
Supplied wilhoul caQle but
wilh wiring di^gri^m
Passwcil protsct rtaiMd illrBctariM
Pauwar d ptotect applications
Eaey drag & drop configuretian
Can't copy files without password
Blocks F12 escape from desktop
f Ilea cannot be renamed by user
Totally iranspareFii lo Ihe user
For RJK OS 3,t or liter ' hard disk
lSVploaui:1sl398
The desktop security system
includes a FREE site licence
^ Don't buy a
graphics tablot
The low cost graphics pen
■.wesseii/iaipu'c'iBsc.
ncammie il wfioWBwieidn
Acom User
■flfMI. juil inat ' uranted
Ml H Huidersfield
\.M Ifw pfiw S t tiina VKBpati.
rSenaiW?) fus go'.lBOellw wfW '
ifchlve Jan 1697
Ttie clip art manager for Rise OS
• HaniJles Sptlies. IXan, Artworks, Giff, JPEG e.l.c
• Display clips 1 HI s time w on p3g«s of iO
• Handles CD's, Ikippnssnd all other devices
• Up to l}.b million clips In 77 groups
■ Full on-line manual and interactive help
• Find dips l)y name or partial norae
• Handles multiple c£pe with the same name
• Camprehensive on soieen maiuiaJ
Value 5 out Q< S
Aichlmeiies Wortd
"giis Mgfi miis...itif nice HtOenl.. "
Archive
• Requires a RIbcPC or ATOOO campulei
■ Rugs into serial port socket
■ Switch between mouse S pen with 1 click
• Coflipatible with all multt-iasklng appllcelione
- Unique Vector f'eehond drawing loW
• House buttons ilso available ftorh keyboard
• Easy 10 coniiol Iteehand resolution
• lOOdpinsalufiaR
■ Move pointer with cur»w toys
■ Rubber band drawing mode
> Suitable lor boih Vector i Bilrnap packagei
■ Save Pen conftgu ration seUngs
■ Produce Iteehand drawing directly in 'Draw
' Can also be used wIVi a PC card
' Fully nluslntod on-Hne manual wllh ensmpies
'RsouiresFlisc OS 3,5 or later and hard disk
STOP PRESS - PublishART (rrp 31 .50) for only E16.50 or EasyFontPRO (rrp £46.50) for only £16.50
All quoted prices (unless stated)
are for single users versions only.
Special offers relate to single
user versions only.
Overseas orders please add £2.00 carriage
All details correct at the time ot going to press E&OE
NDT & Typography are trademarks of iStf Froduels. All olher trademarks are acknowledged
This adveri was produceO using NDT lonts
. and DrawWorks Millennium *
iSV Products
86 Turnberry • Home Farm
Bracknell • Berks • RG12 8ZH
Tel 01344 455769
visions
Trevor
Attewell
atlas out
lanetary Visions Ltd are producers
of high quality satellite images.
Their most recent work has been the
creation of an Image of the whole
Earth, with a resolution of one kilometer
per pixel. It is a true-colour image,
absolutely free from cloud. It offers a
considerable improvement over the
previous whole Earth image, completed in
1990 by the American artist Tom van Sant
and the California GeoSphere Project, at
4km per pixel. Planetary Visions chose
RISC OS computers to carry out some of
the very complex work involved, using
Spacetech's Phototicsk application.
How was this new image achieved? It is
r^
a fascinating story, and a long one.
Inevitably it started with a huge collection
of images, each showing a small section of
the Earth. These could only be provided by
satellites, a number of which routinely
transmit information about various aspects
of the earth's surface. Unfortunately many
of these satellites were unsuitable for
various reasons. For example,
geostationary satellites such as Meteosat
are roughly 32,000km away, and sit directly
above the junction of the equator with the
Greenwich meridian. Hence they can see
only one hemisphere.
To scan the whole earth requires polar
orbiting satellites. These have fixed orbits,
crossing over the north and south poles,
while the Earth rotates on its axis beneath
them. Some of these, such as Landsat and
SPOT, do not fully cover the Earth's
surface, which is a pity, since they produce
maps with high resolution and these
would have been most welcome. This
leaves the NOAA polar orbiters. They are
about 850km from the Earth's surface, take
102 minutes to complete each orbit, and
they map the whole of the Earth's surface
in slices.
How's your colour vision?
Planetary Visions make use of
NOAA's Advanced Very High
Resolution Radiometer,
which measures the
_j^^ radiation it receives
*ii^ from the Earth's
^ surface in five
frequency bands, of
which only a red
band is in the
V visible spectrum.
Another band is in
the near-infrared,
and it is possible to
combine these unlikely
components to produce
false 'colours', which can
then be interpreted to
'*■,.
lb''
'^""
^^^m
reproduce surprisingly accurate colours of
deserls, foliage, and other features.
Collecting this information from the
satellite required the cooperation of 26
receiving stations in 19 countries,
involving six different space agencies.
About 30,000 useful images were obtained.
The basic data was supplied to
Planetary Visions by the US Geological
Survey in batches, containing data for
each of the two bands separately, and
requiring about 70Gb of storage. Planetary
Visions had installed an impressive
stack of harddiscs to cope with this
deluge. They knew that there were many
problems ahead in working with this huge
amount of patchwork information, but
could not have known just how difficult it
would be, let alone how long it would
take.
Looking at the headaches in no
particular order, we begin with the data
dropouts. Satellite pictures are not
perfect, and may contain bad pixels. Some
of these are due to lightning storms of
which, on average, there are about 2000 in
progress at any given time on the Earth,
yielding 100 discharges every second. Most
are in the tropics, falling off to virtually
none in polar regions. Nearby flashes can
cause glitches in transmission. The on-
board equipment may rubbish an
occasional pulse on its own account,
and small errors in the critical
satellite tracking system can
produce the equivalent of drop-
outs. Every 'bad' pixel in the
image had to be corrected
by hand to fit in with its
surroundings.
Invisible darning
Another problem arises
when two areas from
different satellite passes must
be joined. There will always
be differences between
individual pixels in the
■/
P.1¥
■^jf
r* *■
http://www.acornuser.com Christmas 1 999
.-.liKimtmiiAiU'^n'A:-: •- --zt.:
!■^'LK■!s.'ifill'V!/■r:^^f■'''^Hissl-■.•7■■f■i,r^K.'■':\:K.•r■\'[^
overlap, from which the best overall
picture must be assembled. It could
be done manually, but that would
be impossibly tedious and subject
to error. Of two possible scientific
methods Maximum Vegetation
Indexing was chosen. This involves
finding the ratio of the reflectivity
of vegetation in the red band to that
in the infrared for each pixel. The
higher this ratio, the more likely it
is that the pixel represents
vegetation, and not cloud.
Bearing in mind that the data has
to be collected over many months,
covering the same area many times,
vegetation will show changes in
colour, and some will disappear for
a time, for example, the leaves on
deciduous trees in winter. To get
around this, the areas in question
may have to be masked, and
suitably matched.
A composite of two areas can
show up differences in brightness
(Radiometric Error) or inaccurate
registration (Geometric Variations).
These errors can only be corrected
manually, which demands a
great deal of patience
and practice. A
distressing amount of early work
had to be scrapped while the
necessary skills were being honed.
No silver linings
Clouds are an obvious problem and
they can hang around for a very
long time, especially the orographic
clouds which often appear abruptly
over high ground. It can take as
long as a year to get a good
image, made up from bits and
i pieces as they become
' temporarily visible. Active
volcanoes can erupt for short or
long limes, obscuring significant
areas, and there are a surprising
number of them.
Seasonal problems have already
been mentioned - but here is
another. A targe area around each
pole is mostly dark during its
winter season, and the satellite
cannot see much detail. This means
that northern areas must be
examined mostly between June and
August, and southern areas between
November and February. Climatic
conditions also show long term
variations. For example, parts of
Canada and Russia are hidden
beneath heavy snow for months at a
time.
As mentioned earlier, the
'colours' obtained from satellite
data are not natural to us, and must
be converted to standard RGB
format. This was done by creating a
look-up table, entered with the
pixel values obtained from the
satellite, from which the RGB
values could be read off. The table
was continuously refined as the
work progressed.
Water, water everywhere
So far nothing has been said about
the sea, lakes and rivers which
cover nearly three quarters of the
Earth's surface. These were all
masked out in the original data,
because they would have interfered
with the process for separating
vegetation from cloud. Putting them
back required more data, this time
from (he NASA Nimbus 7 safellile,
which carries a suitable scanner.
This makes use of the chlorophyll
mm
://www.acornuser.com
T
Visions
contained in phyto-plankton
to provide the sea colours.
It does not function
properly in shallow
water, so coastal
areas, lakes, atolls
and rivers were -^ ,
filled in using
Space Shuttle i
photographs.
When taking
the oceans out of
the original data
many small islands
vanished with them,
including even Hawaii.
These had to be replaced
from Shuttle pictures, plus data
from ship sonars. Another problem
appeared with certain rivers, parts
of which failed to show up, while
other parts upstream were visible.
The reason lay in the changing
width of the river, which was
sometimes more, and sometimes
less, than the 1km resolution
available. This also had to be
corrected by hand.
The loss of the oceans meant that
no sea ice was present, but the
ipermanent ice around the poles is
■.^an important fixed feature, which
must be shown. Data for this had to
be found, this time from the
Defence Meteorological Satellite
Programme via the Ice Data Centre.
See it if you can
After several years of struggling to
overcome odds that must have
seemed impossible at times, what is
the end product like? It is a superb
global image, which has been
shown and acclaimed all over the
world. It has been used extensively
in education, shown on several TV
channels and in science museums,
and new uses for il are being found
all the time. For example, Dorling
Kindersley are releasing a World
Atlas which makes good use of it.
This should be available before
this article is published, and it
should bring a new reality to map
reading. They will also be issuing a
CO with which you can scan the
whole globe, zooming in and out at
will.
The pictures accompanying (his
lex! are necessarily scaled down to
tiny sizes and in fact are not the
final pro(»fs (as you can see the
oceans are not textured). I'erhaps
the following off-beat (but true)
facts may give some idea of the
sheer size involved. The complete
image contains 4%(K)U x 31,600
pixels, at 24-bits per pixel,
equivalent to a 2.7(;b file. Printed
al JSOdpi, Ihc full picture would
measure roughly 24(( wide x 12(1
high, lo display il (ull si/.c and al
full resoluliotj on a multiple screen
would require a slack of I,4H5
standard monitors.
I his is nf)l the sorl of imagery
that tnosl people wotiltl wanl to
buy for personal use, bul if you
ari' seriously nuisidering a
business applitafiiin, you can
ctmlad IManelary Visions I, Id on
0171 S()4 20in, or bye-mail:
nidsley@ge.ucl. acuk END
nTip://www.a
0% Finance on CJE's 'Running RISC OS' range ol Lompulers, trom £4U p.m. Phone tor details.
Internet ready computers!
Phi}^ in, turn on, connect and surf!
CJE Micro's can now supply yon a ready to roll
Internet solution. The internet software is
installed and set up with a free Internet service
provider. Up to five email addresses
and 1 5MB of web space.
A7000+ 32MB, HD, 14" Monitor
& Internet Pack £850
RiscPC 32MB, HD, CD. 15" Monitor
& Internet Pack £1300
Internet Systems built to your specifications.
Internet pack consists of Modem, ANT Suite
installed and set up with free Internet access.
(Telephone calls at local rate.)
Free Internet!
For existing RISC OS users we can register you
with a free Internet account, provide the
ANT Suite log on script and instructions.
(Telephone calls at local rate.)
5 email addresses & 15MB web space.
Simple painless instructions
Connection Pack Includes:-
Registration. with free Internet Service Provider,
script disc for Ant Suite and instiiictions.
Connection Pack
With the ANT suite
With ANT suite and modem
£15
£120
£195
Ail prices include VAT & UK delivery
Second Hand RiscPCs
600s from £460, StrongARM from £700
(when available)
A7000S From £350 (ex demo)
A7000+Toundation' or 'Extreme' £700
StrongARM
Upgrades
Revision 'T'
Now availubk
£292
RISC OS 4 £120
StrongARM +RISC OS 4 £304
Fitting & HD reformatting Service
£25 or £15 with New Hard Drive
Courier collection & return also uvailuble.
Plustek OpticPro A4 1200x600 inc. Acorn SAV £140 (with Transparency unit £180 )
PC Card 5x86 133MHz 512k Cache £225
5x86 With Part exchange:- £90 CJE586 128k, £125 Acorn 586 & £170 DX2/66
IIYAMA 17" Visionmaster Pro 0.25mni ag £330
32 Speed IDE CD ROM Drive £50
CD ReWriter SCSI Yamaha 4416 with SAV (needs SCSI interface) £300
Acorn C++ HALF PRICE £125
1 00MB Zip Drives from £85, 56K V90 Modem £80
10.2GB IDE Hard Disc £125 34GB IDE Hard Disc £350
CallerlD
compatible
V90 Modem
£100
with SAV
£130
S/H Acorn
A4
£450
250MB Zip Drive SCSI Ext. £185, Printer Port version with SAV £215, Int. IDE £165
9.1GB SCSI Hard Disc £275 18.2GB SCSI Hard Disc £425
Acorn Access+ Interfaces RiscPC NIC i0b2&T £110, iob2 only £80
DRAM SIMMs for RiscPCs 32Mb £60, 64Mb £90 & 128Mb £190
ICRO
All prices INCLU DE VAT @17.5%
& Delivery. Official Orders Welcome E&OE
Prices subject to change & stock.
'Finance subject to status written quotation available upon request.
CJE Micro's
78 Brighton Road
Worthing
West Sussex
BN112EN
CJEV36 Tel 01903 523222 Fax 01903 523679 sales@cje.co.uk http://www.cje.co.uk
Get a Lite!
In our Millennium
competition RiscStdtion Ltd
are giving away a R7500
Lite plus 17in monitor to
the lucky winner of this
three-part competition -
plus there are 10 runner-up
prizes of £50 vouchers off
any RiscStation product
'^^^
I I I t 3»R
I I f i
nil!
The RiscStation R7500 Lite is tiie first of
the new breed of RISC OS computers,
with more power, more expandability
and more user-friendUness courtesy of
RISC OS 4.
Features
• RISC OS 4 as standard
• 16Mb RAM
• 4Gb harddisc packed
with software
• 48x CD-ROM drive
• Desktop or tower configuration
• 2x serial ports
• 2x PC game ports
• MIDI in/out
• lObaseT network port
• Stereo sound sampler and mixer
• Free external speakers
Plus the free software
'* EasiWriter Professional
• DrawWorks Millemiium
9 Fireworkz integrated office suite
• PipeDream 4.5
phis a wide selection of
games and demos
yon cmi read a detailed description of the
hardware on page 18 of tins issue.
Over £1000
worth of prizes
How to enter
As this is such a big prize we're running a very special three-
part competition: In this issue and the next two issues o( Acorn
Ihcr we will be suppl\'ing a competition question, three parts in
all. In the February issue you fill in the answers to each of the
questions, complete a tie-breaker and send in the coupon.
R7500 Lite Question 1
What was the name of the last model
of computer released by Acorn?
Don't send in your reply now. there tnv two more questiom^ to come
Model
basics
Christmas 1 999 http://www.acornuser.com
Over the last couple of months
we have been taking a good
look at TopiModelZ and
exploring its features.
Hopefully, the previous articles have
helped give those who are unfamiliar
with TopMoiicl an idea of its
incredible power and the dramatic
impact that 3D graphics can have.
However, for those that might
have missed out (where were you?),
all is not lost since this month we're
going to move on from reviews and
concentrate on gethng to grips with
TopModcl proper. In particular, we'll
be examining the navigation,
manipulation and object creation
tools.
While you can craft some
pretty stunning scenes by
combining TapModel's
import utilities and the
wealth of 3D models
available on CDs or the
Net, there's nothing
quite as rewarding as
settling down to
work and creating
your own models
from scratch. For the
novice user, this
process can be quite
daunting, since
TopModel's user
interface gives you
access to a
bewildering array
of icons and
gadgets.
However, a
little bit of
confidence, time
and persever-
ance will
hopefully
demonstrate
that, in fact,
what appears to
be a cluttered
interface is
:tuaUy a very
pleasant, non-intrusive aid to
creative modelling. Like all complex
packages, the key to success lies in
becoming familiar with how each
tool behaves and how they may be
combined to achieve a particular
effect. With this in mind, I urge those
of you who have access to TopModel
to launch the package and play with
some of the basic tools, as soon as is
convenient, since reading tliis article
is no substitute for hands-on
experience.
Around and about
In an effort to aid those wrestling
with TopModel I have broken down
the user interface into a number of
tool groups, using the colour scheme
shown in Figure I. As well as
identifying the key features, this
diagram can be used by those
trying to follow the steps within the
tutorial to locate the tools 1 will be
discussing, which have been labelled
for clarity.
Perhaps the most important
aspect of TopModel that needs to be
grasped by those starting out is how
to navigate about a scene, since
without an idea of space, location
and direction, things can quickly
become confused. To help, I have
tinted all the icons that are associated
with adjusting one's viewpoint and
navigating round a scene in blue (see
Figure I).
Try loading in an object and
experimenting with the tools if you
are not already familiar with their
action. The most useful of the
viewpoint contiols is the cut-away
cube [A], located at the right hand
side of the lower toolbar.
This gadget allows you to switch
to a plan (overhead) or one of two
elevation views (front or side) with a
single click on one of the cube's
faces. Clicking Select on the cut-away
face in the middle of the icon
switches to a 45 degree view, while
'r^r-'nr.'MLg'^r
r!,ir»rf /.■ Bmikiio-uin ii/Tu/i/Hiii/f/^'s iisiv intcrfacf showing Ihc location of fiiiiclioml groups and he\/ fcntun's
mmtioned hi the text. Thesir include Uwlsfor navigation (green), object manipulation (red), object creation
(yellow), general information (cyan), animation (pink) and altering the eni'ironment (blue)
clicking Adjust yields the same view
but from the opposite 'side' of the
scene.
On the left-hand toolbar, there is a
group of three more icons which
relate to your viewpoint. The
magnifying glass [B] enables you to
zoom the conceptual camera in and
out, while clicking Select on the hand
icon [C] will brijig up the rotate
cursor which allows you to rotate the
view about the origin. These two
modes can also be invoked directly
by pressing Control while holding
down Select for zoom or Adjust for
rotate.
As well as being able to rotate and
zoom, clicking Adjust on the hand
icon or holding down Shift and
Control invokes translate mode,
which allows the scene to be panned
relative to your original viewpoint.
This can be done by dragging the
pointer in the direction you wish to
scroll, while holding down Select.
If more precise control is needed,
you can enter values in the Pan/
Rotate/Zoom dialog accessible from
either the hand or magnifying glass
icons. Finally, named views can be
stored and recalled using a menu
system which can be accessed via the
eye icon [Dj.
Once you've mastered the art of
navigation, it's worth taking time to
understand the different types of
structure that TopModel uses to
construct objects, and how these
structures come together to form
more complex units. Although this
may be considered simplistic by
many, gaining an understanding is
vital for learning how objects can be
manipulated, so I believe it's worth
spending a bit of time going over the
basics. Figure II illustrates the three
types of 'building block' used within
TopModc! and shows how they relate
to each other.
Points are the most basic of
TopModel's building blocks and
represent a location in 3D space.
While you can't create a single point
directly, all rendered objects consist
of a series of interconnected points
which are grouped together to form
the skin of a model. Such groups
typically consist of three or four
points, and are referred to by
TopModel as primitives, but are
probably better known by you and I
as polygons.
While it is possible to create a
polygon directly within TopModel, it
would be tedious to have to create
six square faces everv time you
wanted to make a cube, for example,
so TopModel provides a suite of
higher level tools to allow complex
shapes to be created with relative
ease, such as a cube or pyramid.
These shapes are formed from a
collection of primitives (polygons),
which are themselves made up of
three or four interconnected points.
Since all the points in the object are
connected via the polygonal mesh,
they are said to form a net of
primitives, which represents the
most complex type of polygonal
structure within TopModel, other than
a user-defined group. So there we
have it, the three levels of structure:
points, primitives and nets. Simple
eh? Well, almost...
Bezier surfaces
In fact, there is another type of
structure used by TopModel, known
as a bezier surface. Although a bezier
surface also consists of points and
primitives, it is not actually made up
of polygons and this is what
distinguishes it from the type of
objects we have just been discussing.
TopModel actually provides two
completely different types of objects
known as bezier surfaces and
polygonal meshes. Each are made up
of points, primitives and nets
(Figure III).
However, while the points in a
polygonal object define its exact
shape, the points associated with a
bezier object are used to mould the
shape of a surface, which defines the
object's shape. This is such an
important concept that it is worth
repeating, Bezier surfaces describe an
35
Figure 11: The three main poh/gonal structural groups: points, primitwes and nets
http://www.acornuser.com Christmas 1999
object's shape using a surface which
can be manipulated using control
points, whereas polygonal meshes
consist of points which define the
exact shape of an object.
In fact, if you've used the line
tools in a vector drawing package,
like Draw, you're already familiar
with the concept I'm trying to
describe. When you need to create a
simple, angular shape you use the
line tool, but when a smoother,
curved shape is required, you are
more likely to use the bezier curve
tool.
The same is true of
polygonal meshes and
bezier surfaces. Polygonal
meshes are, by and large,
great for creating simple,
angular objects,
whereas bezier
surfaces are used to
define more complex,
smoothly curved
surfaces.
You probably won't
be surprised to learn
therefore, that the
object creation tools
come in two
flavours, a
polygonal form
and a bezier form,
a number of
examples of
which are shown
side by side in
Figure IV.
So, now we
know about
polygonal and
bezier objects,
when should you
use them? Well,
the advantage of
a bezier object is
that it is possible to create curved
surfaces very easily, since you only
need to manipulate a few control
points in order to alter the shape of
the surface. For example, imagine
how difficult it would be to create
the distorted cube shown in Figure V,
using a polygonal object.
Using a bezier object, only one
control point needs to be manip-
ulated. However, in a polygonal
object, all points are connected via
straight lines, so you would need a
large number of points to create the
illusion of a curved surface, and each
time you wished to alter the
appearance, you would need to
accurately reposition all the points to
achieve the new effect.
Tlie disadvantage of bezier objects
is tliat tliey can be difficult to work
with, especially if you have more
than one present in the same section
of a scene, they also take longer to
render and, as far as I am aware,
they cannot be transferred to other
packages in their native state.
However, they can be converted to
polygons using the 'convert to
polygons tool' which is something 1
would recommend doing once you
have finished manipulating the
surface. If you aren't ready to fix the
conversion, but would like to see the
general effect use the 'cover surfaces'
shortcut to temporarily adjust the
display [EJ.
Tools of the trade
TopModel provides a range of tools
for creating both simple and complex
shapes, These can be accessed by
clicking on the Create icon [F] - all
icons associated with creating objects
Figure !V: Poli/gonal and bezier
forms of three t\fpes of objects
Christmas 1 999 http://www.acornuser.com
X''
y^ Unsetect poim
^ Bruig to centre
Jt^ar' Align groups...
X|Y!Z
5 ^ Sekx'i primitives
1 ly Select per colour
^Oroup
Groups-.
t ^ Select enure neifi |l^ Select per material
Select all
Dc-sdect
1 Aim
Select selects all objects in the scene. Adjust
ju^t the vi-iible ones.
Figure V: The pou'er ofkezier suifaces. Jha
target object can Ik easily produced using a
bezier surface, but requires considerable more
nmk to create using polygons
have been shaded yellow in Figure I.
Although the behaviour of most of
the create tools is self-explanatory, it
is worth spending some time
investigating what each tool does if
you're not already familiar with their
action. Note, to do this, you will
often have to switch views while
creating an object in order to see
exactly what's happening in all three
dimensions.
Once you are famihar with a tool's
basic behaviour, try adjusting some
of the default parameters and radio
button settings, or enter values
directly to see how they affect the
shape of the object being created. If
you have time, it's also worth
playing around with the bezier
versions of the tools.
As you probably have gathered
from the previous section, these are
very powerful, however, they are
also quite difficult to get to grips
with, so don't worry if you find
them confusing initially. There's an
awful lot you can do in TopModel
without ever needing to use a bezier
surface.
Selective manipulation
While the creation tools are
obviously vital for modelling, more
often than not their use represents
only the first stage of the design
process. A far larger proportion of
one's time is often spent modifying
objects in order to achieve a
particular effect. By modifying I
mean moving, copying and rotating
points, nets and primitives as well as
Figure V!: The Select menu allows different methods ofsekliug object:>: through colour, texture, groups, and so on
applying various deformations.
Before you can apply any kind of
modification, you need to select the
items you wish to alter. In the end,
the selection process comes down to
highlighting a point or group of
points which you wish to alter in
some way. There are however several
methods by which a selection can be
made and these are all listed on the
selection toolbar (Figure VI).
In addition to being able to select
by material, colour and group, it is
possible to select by point, primitive
and net (see Figure VII). Because of
this a duplicate set of icons appear
on the left hand TopModel toolbar. As
you would expect, 'select by point'
[G] allows individual points to be
selected, while 'select by primitive'
[H] selects the points that make up
individual polygons or sections of a
bezier surface. Finally, 'select entire
nets' [I] will select a net of connected
points.
However, rather unusually, it will
not select a group of apparently
related bezier surfaces. This is
because the points which lie along a
join between two or more sections
are not actually shared between the
objects, but are a collection of
superimposed points, with one point
per surface. Care must therefore be
taken when manipulating the joins
between bezier sections to make sure
that all the required points have been
selected before any modifications are
carried out Selected points remain
selected as long as you don't actively
deselect them.
As a result you are free to change
the display mode, alter your
viewpoint and change the selection
mode at any hme without affecting
your current selection. You can add
to a current selection by clicking
Adjust, at or near the location of the
object /primitive /point you wish to
add, while clicking Select selects the
new object while deselecting all
others - as in applications such as
Artworks.
You can also select a group of
points or nets /primitives within a
rectangular area by dragging out a
marquee (dotted box) with the
mouse. However, care must be taken
when using this technique since it is
possible to accidentally drag the
current selection as opposed to
adding or reselecting a new group of
points.
One advantage of a drag over a
click is that it ensures that all the
points at a particular location are
selected, as opposed to the point
nearest to you along the 'line of
sight'. If you make a mistake and
select some points by accident, it is
possible to deselect them without
deselecting all the others currently
selected by holding down Shift while
performing a marquee drag with the
mouse.
Another useful selection
technique (and one regularly used by
the program's author) is to select an
individual point or group of points,
and then to use Control+P to select
37
Figure Vll: The three principal nielhods of selection
http://www.acornuser.com Christmas 1 999
^^^^^1
T
|htodrfv(F5)|
PI
^
(•
X
¥
Z
ive
10 ^Dy
1
00000
^
0000
0000
Move 1
RotsM
(8 OriQ- _J View
jObpcf
X
Y
Z
0000 '
0000 •
0.0000 '
Rotate 1
Sc
a
J
X
Y
2
Onfl J View
Obtect
150 0000 \%
150 0000 14
150.0000 j*
Scale
2S 1 33 1 50
ee 1 75 1 100
ISO 1 200 1 400:
:
\
f
Im
Figurf V1H: The Modifi/ dia
o,?k)Jc
all the primiH\-es which contain the
currently selected points. Repeated
use of this tecln'uque allows you to
'scale up' your selection. Finally, if
you wish to deselect all points,
simply click iii an 'empty' area of the
view.
[f you have a complex scene, it is
quite likely that you will have
trouble selecting a particular point or
group of points. This being the case
you can do a number of things. First,
it's quite useful to turn on 'object
points' mode [via ]], which will show
you the location of all the points in
your scene, regardless of whether a
primitive is visible or not.
Secondly, rotate your viewpoint
back and forth imtil you have a clear
'line of sight' to the point or
primitive you are interested in.
Finally, you can hy turning on 'select
visible points/primitives mode' [K],
which, as the name suggests, will
allow only visible points and
primitives to be selected, Hopefully a
combination of these three
techniques will be enough to
eliminate any problems you might be
having.
Once you have selected the points,
what can you do with them? Well,
the answer is almost anything.
However, the actions you are most
likely to want to carry out involve
the modifica-tion tools, namely:
move IL], rotate [M] and scale
iN].
'Move' allows you to
move the points within the
currently selected active
plane (see the first
article for more
information about
tlie active plane),
while 'rotate' rotates
the points about a
given origin.
Finally 'scale' scales
the selection with
respect to a specified
origin. To switch
between these
modes, either click
on one of the
modify icons on
the left hand
toolbar, use the
modify menu
from the tools
toolbar [via O]
or type values
into the modify
dialog box
(invoked by
pressing F5, or
menu over one of
the modify
icons). Once a
modification mode has been selected
you can either interactively apply the
chosen effect by dragging one of the
points in the selection with the
mouse; use the cursor keys in
combination with Shift, which
magnifies the effect; or type in values
and then press the relevant
modification button
on the dialog box (Figure VIII). Of
these methods I prefer to use the
cursor keys, but usually enter values
via the dialog box when rotating or
scaling an object precisely.
If you do choose to enter values
and make a mistake, it is easy to get
back to your original distribution by
applying the inverse transform or
alternatively, set the undo buffer by
pressing Space before you try
anything experimental [P]. For
example if you rotate 45 degrees
around the wrong axis, simply apply
a -45 degree rotation to get back to
where you were.
This fix is worth remembering
since one mistake you are likely to
make time and again is rotating or
scaling a selection using the wrong
origin or about the wrong axis.
However, in most cases you will
probably wish to apply the chosen
transformation locally. In such
circumstances, use the 'bring to
centre' button (shortcut: Control +
Menu) on the edit menu [Q] to
localise the currently selected group
of points before applying the
transformation.
Tlie modification operations are
just one example of a host of
transformations which can be
applied to a selection of points, since
one of the main functions of a 3D
package is to apply algorithms to a
spatial dishibution. Other types of
operation supported by TopMode!
include different types of
deformation and distortion, for
example volumetric zoom and bezier
distortion.
I could go on, but rather than
overload you 1 think it's best to bring
things to a close. I hope tliis month's
article has introduced a number of
concepts and techniques which
you'll have fun trying out on your
own designs. Next month we'll be
seeing how the creation and
distortion tools can be combined
to tackle some real world
applications. Until then, keep
modelling...
Contacting me J
Max Palmer:
topmodel@acorn user, com
J
Christmas 1 999 http://www.acornuser.com
Pushing forward the frontiers in RISC OS
internet & web authoring software
An E-mail and News
^ ^ ^ Client for RISC OS
E.3U Professional Edition
The only RISC OS internet software with the
GOOD NET-KEEPING seal of approval
tewing
HTMLE
\J'^
^
Next generation WWW
authoring for RISC OS
£105
AH the tools you need
Our RISC OS web authoring solutions set ne
standards in power and ease of use
The Studio edition provides
HTMLEdit 4+ Java support, sound and music. £53
link and inr^age checking, syntax
colouring and OLE
Enhanced Web Visual frames, tables, animations,
Toolkit maps, palette control. Draw file
conversion
WebSpell Full HTML-aware spelling checker £15
Webster XL Browser with frames, tables, forms, £25
sound and JavaScript
SiteMaster pnce now
The Web Site Management
System for RISC OS Computers
Now with automatic up-hader for
getting changes online fast
£30
L
Tj Interactive
anthem*£7o
inc. VAT
The RISC OS MIDI Sequencer
Anthem is a feature packed, easy to use MIDI
sequencing package for RISC OS computers
It employs a powerful and acclaimed new object-
oriented (phrases of music) song structure that
allows the musician flexibility in arrangement and
ease of editing unparalleled by any other RISC OS
sequencer.
one duH^ttc^ uH^eataMe
Existing Sound & Music Products include
PC SoundPro 2 £35, MIDI Synthesizers,
Sound Cards, MIDI Cards, Parallel/Serial
Port MIDI, MIDI Support....
EROES
\jSi Might and Magir^
THE PRICE OF LOYALTY
Expansion Pack f XT T
Rtcjuircs <)rjgin-.il I l()MM2
Requires Doom or Doom+
Other Games Titles
Heretic & Hexen
(Towers of Darkness Pack)
Heroes of Might & Magic 2 £35
Descent £30
Doom+ £32
Syndicate^ £29<
Abuse £25
Quake £23,
Distributors for ARTEX: Ankh, Exodus
PRO ACTION: Various titles
£32
22 Robert Moffat, High Legh, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6PS
Tel: 01925 755043 Fax: 01925 757377 Email: rcomp(^rcomp.co.uk rci@rcomp.co.uk
iiA
1
Alastair Bailey
pretends he is
something else
~^ his month, Came Show takes
a step back in time to the
days when a ZX81 was the
thing to have and all kids ,
were well behaved. Yes, we're
looking at emulation: basically,
getting one computer platform to
pretend it's another.
The first thing you'll need before
you can get into emulation is an
emulator. This is the software
which tells your computer to look,
act and feel exactly the same as the
platform being emulated. Once you
have the emulator running, you'll
probably want some code for it to
run whether it be a game or even
something mortifyingly boring like
a word processor. In the case of
game consoles, these come in the
form of ROM images which contain
all the information stored on the
original platform's cartridge, tape or
CD.
As I've pointed out before, there
are some nasty legal issues to be
contended with when it comes to
obtaining such ROM images. To put
it simply, it's illegal to distribute
such games while the original
author still retains the copyright.
You have been warned! However,
some kind companies and
.■.^.-,
■L
^^1
k
^ V
W/a
^
%m^
m^m
^Sl
\3I
wvr
y
^n^S
y^
KHH^Sm
JS
J3
NJ^S
11.
Sixnii ,1 on tlir Scvii Mr',;itt
hWi-
individuals have released such
game ROM images into the public
domain for all to use. One fine
example of this is Beam
International who have recently
released a number of their
Spectrum/C64 and CPC games on
the Internet for emulator users.
It seems rather silly that some
parties refuse to relinquish
copyright on their old and now
non-commercially viable titles from
yesteryear. Perhaps releasing older
titles into the public domain would
ei^Sfl.dfetb^Ci^ ot"g good through
enough moaning, on with the
games!
GameBoy
There are a number of emulators
available for this little hand-held
wonder, one of which even supports
the new colour GameBoy ROMs.
The definitive GameBoy emulator
has to be GameBoy from Purple
Monchichi which can be found on
the 200th edition cover CD-ROM as
well as by following the links on
the Web sites below. If you want
colour GameBoy support, get hold
of a copy of David McEwen's VGB
port. This emulator runs at an
acceptable speed on a
StrongARM but struggles on
anything less, so if you're an
ARM6/7 user, perhaps stick
to the classic GameBoy
games and a copy of
GameBoy.
NES
' The NES was Nintendo's
flagship console for the late
80s. It was very popular in
its day and this is reflected
seo'*" ^y '^"^ sheer number of titles
I which were released. There
are two NES emulators out
N£S - lots ofMiirio Bros, stuff here'.
there for RISC OS, both are from
David McEwen. MadNES is the
faster of the two and is a port of
Roberto's upcoming NES emulator
for the PC. A NES emulator is
essential if you're a Mario Brothers
fan. There are countless thousands
of Mario spin-off games to be found
on this platform.
Sega's Master System ,
and GameGear
These two consoles also hail fromj
the late 1980s. The GameGear was 3
nice little colour hand-held offering
while the Master System was Sega's
answer to Nintendo's NES. Miracle
(http://www.willothewisp.demonj
uk/SMS) is the definitive Master.^
System emulator while Gareth _
Moore's Sega port and David's
MasterGear both do a good job of
emulating the hand-held and its big
brother console within one
application.
Sega MegaDrive
Unlike the other consoles covered
here so far, the MegaDrive had a
full 256 colours at its disposal along
with much improved architecture
which allowed for a leap in game
graphics and sound. This means
that many of the games on this
Christmas 1999 http://www.acor.
am
aar-ir-]rnr-irn
azing graphics... Inih/ iiii((i:iiii{
latform boast better graphics than
some of the less fantastic native
RISC OS releases of late. However,
the emulator, DGcn from David
McEwen, is still under development
and the version I have here is a
little slow and lacks sound, xys
labelled as a 'dodgy beta'
hopefully there'll be a far superior
version out by the time you read
this.
SNES
So far as performance goes, the
SNES was quite similar to its Sega
competition, the Mega Drive. One of
the titles launched with this
console, Donkci/ Koti^ Countrxi 2,
pioneered the 3D platformer-style
which stuck with us right through
the mid 90s. Gareth Long's SNES9X
provides a reasonably fast
emulation of the console but, as
with DCfCii, it's still very much
under development.
MAME
The MAME (Multiple Arcade
Machine Emulator) project aims to
preserve yesterday's arcade
machines for future generations of
games player. It does this by
providing emulation of the
hardware so that once the original
hardware has become unusable, the
games will not be lost for ever.
Even though this particular
mulli-platform project has strong
roots in education and preservation.
Hie distribution of copyrighted
ROM images is still illegal.
However, the hope is that one day,
companies will smile upon the
emulation scene and release their
older games into the public domain.
The RISC OS conversion of
MAME is maintained by Gareth S.
long. For this one, you'll almost
certainly need a StrongARM chip
and even if you have, some games
will still run quite slowly.
That's all the space I have this
month. However, if you lake a look
at some of the sites listed below,
you'll find links to many other
emulators including the superb
Commodore 64 emulator, I-rodo, and
many others. Ap()logies for making
this such an Internet-oriented
article, those without access can
find a number of emulators and
free ROMs in the arcade directory
on the 200tb issue cover mount CD.
Eor ROM images, take a look at
one of the following sites:
http://www.ronihq.coin,
http://www.davesvgc.com or
http://anime-land.dhs.org/sitc/
(Please note that Acorn Ihcr
magazine is in no way associated
with any of these sites and does not
endinse the use or distribution of
copyrighted ROM images).
Alternatively, pop along to (me of
the popular search engines (like
AltaVista, http://www.allavista.com)
and do a search for the appropriate
console format, adding "+ROM" on
the end.
Many of the emulators currently
being developed for RISC OS are in
fact conversions of emulators
written for other platforms.
Emulator authors are often quite
willing to let others see how their
coding has been done because it's
only very rarely that an emulator is
written for commercial gain.
However, there was a recent case
where the publisher of a
PlayStation emulator for the
PC/Mat was taken to court by Sony
so it does happen on occasions but
not, it would seem, in our sheltered
little RISC OS world.
The continued development of
Where to get your gear f
David McEwen's Web site (for
VGB, MadNES, MasterGear and
DGen amongst others): http://
www.lizj ay.demon.co.uk/david/
Gareth S. Long's Web site (for
MAME, SNES9X and MESS):
http://www.elecslns.demon.co.uk/
The Acorn Emulation Pages (a
very comprehensive resource but
sadly not regularly updated
now): http://www.cybervillage.
co.uk/acom/emulation/
Acom Gaming's emulation
section (an up to date source of
links and news): http://www.
acom-gaming.org.uk
Hh
SfiLECT 5T*RI ■•■•■.
. t Niiih-iiilii (.fiim'Kiit/ - llw Ihiiix lo Iw Si'CH
irilh ill /i/.ir/\'ifi(i;it/-i inri'ss tin- ii'iiiiliy (!)
good emulators for the RISC OS
platform relics upon you, the end
user, supplying the authors with
bug reports and suggestions for
improvements. So, if you do
encounter any problems or feel you
want to pat the author on the back
for writing a jolly good cnuilalor, be
sure to look up their e-mail and do
so!
Other news
In other news this month, R-Comp
should have had both the RISC OS
Quake player and their hmg-
awaited Unocs of'Mi^ht niui Mn^^ic
II expansion pack, The Price of
Lotfiillii, on sale at the RISC OS '99
show. Next month's column will
include a full show report from a
gaming perspective along with
reviews of whatever makes it out in
time.
Cnstic Hcivniw, the two player
maze game previewed earlier this
year, should be with us very soon
too. In fact, your very own Acom
User games master is now studying
at The University of Birmingham as
is the game's author so keep an eye
on these pages for more
news as it happens! |
Contacting AU
Alasdair Bailey:
games@a comuser.com
The world's number 1 RISC OS magazine
I
You already know what a great
magazine Acorn User is - it's the only
place you can get accurate, rumour-free,
detailed RISC OS news, in-depth
hardware and software reviews, and
without doubt the best cover discs
available.
Take out a subscription today and you
guarantee never to miss an issue of the
biggest and best RISC OS magazine in
the world - at a lower price than you
can get in the shops.
Subscribe now!
'back
. issues
Missed out on one
of our previous
issues? Take this
opportunity to bring
your collection up
to date. But hurry -
stocks are limited.
Call our
Subscription Hotline
Tel: 0870 606 0424
Fax: 0161 429 0685
e-mail: subscrip@acornuser.com
Please quote code 'A9913' when
subscribing by phone or e-mail
7(1 receive the January Acorn User (issue 216) all
siibscriplions must be in Inj Tuesday 14 December.
Subscriptions received after this date ivill start witii
the fclnian/ Acorn User (issue 217),
Issue 214
Dec1999
A Tt>pModel re\'!ew
part II
# Digital Cameras
# Noticeboard Pro
# Photodesk plugins
# Graphic equaliser
# Ancesfor+
# Composition
Issue 210
August 1 999
9 Netpiilot Internet
server re\'iewed
# AAUC update
# RiscStalion report
# Home Networking
Series
Issue 213
Nov 1999
# TopModel
re\'iew part I
# Anthem
# Lrlam i]6
# Messenger Pro
# DrawWorks SE
on disc
Issue 209
July 1999
• New Photodesk
series
• Y2K compliance
for your PC card
• New programmin|
series
• Caves game on i
1 999 http://www.acornuser.com
'«?«me in the world
■- ■ V^ ■ iV.^T ' ■
aehJJi
^° for you
» T:r**^"^*<>n to Dra
|Mo.eUutoHa,pa;^
i,r
5«»-^'
■^^■■■1j
\
lisai
Issue 212
October 1999
• Detailed
TechWriter review
• Flat screen
monitors
• Viruses feature
• TechWriter demo
on disc
Issue 208
June 1999
• Film Trailer CDII
• RISCOS Ltd
interview
• APDL games CD's
• DigSigGen review
Issue 211
Sept 1 999
• First look at
RISCOS4
• DataSafe review
• Home Networks
Part II
• Eurofighter
Typhoon reviewed
Issue 207
May 1999
• ProCAD+
• Heretic & Hexen
• Acorn Confidence
Partn
• Fishy Disk
Please send me the following
subscription/back issues:
Please subscribe me for:
4-issue subscription
Neil'
UK ~l Aum9iu
EU " AEm9134
World ~ AWN9913i
Reneiual
' ' AUR99U4
AER39-134
AWR9913i
Renewal
Aumnss
AEmsns
Awm9ii8
8-issue subscription
New
UK _J AUN99U»
EU A^mms
Worid Q AWN991i8
Annual subscription (13 issues)
New Reneiml
UK I AUN9913r , AUR9913Y
EU _J AEN9913Y \ AER9913Y
World AwmfiiY \\ awrmi3>
£15.99
£17.99
£20.99
£29.99
£34.99
£40.99
£45.99
£51.99
£63.99
Please send me the following back issjtes:
UK
£4.20
£4.20
£4.20
£4.20
Issue 214, Dec 1999
Issue 213, Nov 1999
Issue 212, Oct 1999
Issue 211, Sept 1999
Europe World
£4.70 £6,30
^ Issue 210, Aug 1999 £4.20
Issue 209, July 1999 £4.20
Issue 208, June 1999 £4.20
Lj Issue 207, May 1999 £3.95
Any 2 back issues; UK £7.40 Europe £8.05 World £11.15
Any 3 back issues: UK £9,60 Europe £10.55 World £15-20
£4.70
£4.70
£4.70
£4-70
£4.70
£4-70
£4.45
£6.30
£6.30
£6.30
£6.30
£6.30
£6.30
£6.00
I wish to pay by:
: I Cheque/ postal order Ipayabb to Xau Press Ltd)
i _ I Credit Card (Visa/Maslenrard)
Credit Card No:
Expiry Date:
Name on card;
Signature:
Prkts include postasr & packiHg
AU crfdil card Irmsaclions wSl ix under Ihi' name Pvavrtuid: lnii-mal:mal
Name
Address
Country
Postcode Tel
E-mail
Send your completed Acorn User
subscription /back issues form to;
Acorn User, Tail Press, Unit 2A,
Heapriding Business Park, Ford Street,
Stockport Cheshire SK3 OBT
Telephone 0870 606 0424* or fax your
completed Acorn User subscription /back issues
form with credit cird details to
0161 429 0685
Have a query? E-mail stibscrip® acomuser.com
I'lease note e-mail is not secure, we do not rvcommend
sending your order details as plain text.
. Ples5elickhereify(iudi)nolwish toirrceive 'calls charced at
proaii>tjoiul [nfonnatiDn Ircm other companits National Rate-
43
http://www.acornuser.com Christmas 1 999
inci VAT fit delivery
See http://www.riscos.com
for ordering details
3 Clarendon Road, Cyncoed, Cardiff CF3 7JD
Tel: 029 2049 2324 E-mail: sales@riscos.com
onnect
-'-^;T,-.-v>*«iK.---r-
Steve Tumbull
checks out a low
cost network idea
While many people are opting
for home networks as they
get newer machines, tlie
interfaces and cables can be
expensive. ParaFS provides a low-
cost option for linking two machines
in a practical way and at useful
speeds.
The package, in a video-style box,
comes with a small A6 manual with
six pages of instructions and an 800K
disc of software - the software itself
only takes up 3QK. You can get the
package with the necessary parallel
port cable to link the two machines
or without, in which case you can
use the instructions in the manual to
make your own, though unless vou
wire things up all the time you might
as well pay the small extra cost and
avoid the hassle.
Installing the software is easy,
you drag it from the floppy to the
hard disc, or another floppy, or
network - PnraFS isn't fussy where
it's launched from though you can
only run two copies at a time on a
single-user licence (it's two rather
than one since you need to have
the software running on both
machines).
Plug in the cable, run the software
at both ends and you're (almost)
away. For each machine you now
have to set up which drives you're
connection
"^^m
1-1
»uh>
\\^l■vl.<■M
zn •'ji
1 PLirjJ-S
|U)PS FmkW M .,11 -<
bll.:
[■..111.
Sii..- -.-iiinf-
Oiil 1
■ „,„.,
\A.)
Sl/L'
SlIIHIH
;i) ltiiill>j*.4 II
Aim JiHO
i5*
• 0.) Panrs
going to allow to be shared - it's the
same type of procedure you have to
go through when setting up shared
drives for Acom Access.
To do this you use the Paths
dialogue box from the iconbar menu,
this is a fairly niftv bit of
programming as it tries to figure out
for you whether you are adding a
new path; removing a path; or
updating one. The action button is
altered on the fly depending on
whether you enter something new or
change what's there.
It's not foolproof in its decision
but mistakes don't cause any
problems - tricking it into adding
an already existent path doesn't
create a duplicate. From a user
interface viewpoint I think
separate menu entries would be
more helpful.
The paths themselves consist of
the address path within the machine
and an idenhfying name which will
be seen on the second machine.
Once that's been done clicking
Select on the ParaFS iconbar icon on
the second machine displays the Hst
of available shared directories from
the first computer. This then behaves
like the norma! filer and can be
treated as any other drive: you can
load from it, save to it, launch
apphcations from it and so on.
And that's all there is
to it - apart from the
bells and whistles: You
can adjust the size of the
buffer that's used for the
transfer, lOK is the
recommended minimum
\\hilel50Kisthe
maximum. You can quit
the application but keep
the filing system itself
running, and it will continue to
operate even if a single- tasking
application is running.
One disadvantage is that it
monopolises the parallel port which
means that you can't have a printer
connected at the same time - there's
no 'through' option unlike, say, a Zip
drive.
So, does it work? Yes. There seems
to be something furmy about
renaming, if you try to rename a file
on the other machine an error box
pops up - even though it does do the
rename successfully. Apart from that
the transfer speed is quite
respectable and you can play games
with comiections:
If you have a PnraFS link to a
machine on a network you can make
it share the drives on the networked
machines as well and at one point
we had a PocketBook linked to an A4
with some link software; the A4 then
connected via ParaFS to an A70U0+
and we could manipulate the files on
the PocketBook from the second
machine.
So when you have that second
machine and vou want to have
direct access to its files - rather
than using 'SneakerNet' - ParaFS is
an effective, useful and low-
cost networking option.
Product details I
Product:
ParaFS
Price:
£22,93 (£24,95 with cable)
Supplier;
Stuart Tyrrell Developments,
PO Box 183. Oldham, OL2 8FB
Tel:
01706 848 6W
Fax:
11870 164 1604
E-mail;
i nf 0® s td e V e! , d e m on . CO , u k
Weh:
http:/ /www,sldevei.
demon.co.uk/
45
http://www.acornuser.coni Christmas 1999
46
•^^-I'f^i-',-^'
, '.- -!*g^iJrf7^^jmrfT7-^-'- ^n-^-.^.. ^-.-^
X.
Nets
Simon Melhuish
investigates Internet
data logging and on-
tlie-fly GIF creation
l€!
One of the most exciting
features of the Internet is the
ability to get live and up-to-
date information from
anywhere on the planet - for
example, you could get a headline
news item, or a picture from a Web
cam. In this article I'll be looking at
sending numbers over the Net, and
how we can monitor a numerical
value on a remote computer. Data in
its simplest form can be presented
numerically, one way or another.
I'll also be looking at a technique
for generating Web pages featuring
graphs as GIF images. The programs
to generate these pages, and the
associated GD GIF library, can be
found on the Acorn User Web site.
Those not running network servers
might also find the programs of
interest for their GIF-creation
functions.
Use your finger
If you followed my ThermliC series
in Archimedes World last year you'll
have already seen some simple
techniques for monitoring values
over the Net; in that case,
temperahares. I'll give a brief
summary before moving on to
something more sophisticated.
The first method was to run a
finger server. Finger is an Internet
protocol that allows you to find out
about users on a remote machine. If
you know somebody's User ID on a
computer connected to the Net, you
would type finger user_id@remote_
computer at the command line.
Th^e are clients with their own
windows too; in their case you'd
type the User ID and computer name
into a dialogue box. Either way,
you'll get back some information on
the user; perhaps their full name and
maybe their plans to take over the
world! Actually there's nothing fancy
about the finger 'protocol'. All that
happens is that your computer
makes a 'telnet' connection to the
remote computer on its finger port
(port number 79), to talk to a 'finger
daemon'.
The User ID is then sent, and the
daemon replies with some
information provided by the user or
system administrator. To do this on
RISC OS you will need a finger
sen'er, such as FingerD (see the links
page on the Acorn User Web site).
Normally this reads its data from
files within the application (set up
for each user) which you could
arrange to be updated from time to
time, as required. Better still, you can
extend the server code by adding
your own BASIC library functions,
then the server will run your
program to generate
a completely up-to-
date response
whenever anyone
connects. The code 1
wrote for ThcrmUC
is on the ThtrmUC
Web site (see the
links page).
The finger server
technique allows
you to connect to
anywhere on the
Net and check
whatever values
you wish. You can
also write your own
client to period-
ically do the
equivalent, but
write the results to
a log file each time.
I do this myself to
record some
housekeeping values from a machine
iji Tenerife, onto my local machines.
Some knowledge of the socket
protocol used by TCP/IP
communications is required for this -
but that is beyond the scope of this
article. I suggest you examine the
code of existing finger clients to see
how it's done.
Better than a finger
One alternative to finger is to run a
Web server. Pretty much any Web
server will run user programs when
requested, using what's known as the
common gateway interface (CGI).
This is typically what happens when
you access a URL containing 'cgi-bin'
with your Web browser. In my
ThermilC arhcle I described how to
create on-the-lly tables of temperahire
readings using a CGI program
written in BASIC (Figure I), again, it's
5 GHz Equipment Temperaturee
Lab rack
LOATALbox
West hotplate
East hotplate
Corr. hotplate
LOCAl. hotplate
West box
East box
■;-^j
Vijfurc !: HTML labU- ^encmtni bii n LGi iiiv:inim
Christmas 1999 http://www.acorniiser.com
i-
'■' ----:-^:^«^--S^^^.^c.»-._..
•- ■--TTit'^l''
■■■■ i'.'i .' '■ ■■'■■■■.'I •'',;:, III inj'iil and
oiilpul GIF files to and from ^ddcnio
on the ThcniillC Web site. There's
virtually nothing to the tabulation
code: because an HTML document is
no more than a text file with a few
tags added, the task is accomplished
with PRINT statements. The values
are recorded, converted to text and
inserted as required. That covers the
generation of reports in numeric
form. Next, things will get more
interesting as I turn to the generation
of graphics. After all, the saying "a
picture is worth a thousand words" is
very probably true, although
hopefully we can get the size down a
bit using compression!
Graphing it out
The problem I faced in my own work
was that, while I could see how my
remote system was doing at any one
time, I couldn't see any trend to the
GD basics
data (for instance, was my
equipment about to melt?) Lmless I
sat and stared at the screen for an
hour.
What it needed was a graph.
Obviously it is more difficult to
generate an image file than text. At
first I tried to tackle this by
generating a sprite file, which I then
converted to GIF using one of the
common conversion programs. I
made the sprite by re-directing
screen output to a sprite area and
plotting the lines of the graph.
However, it seems that the HTTP
sen'ers run CG! scripts from a task
window, pre-emptively multi-tasked.
Having a program 'swapped out'
after it has redirected output to a
sprite is bad news. My work-arounds
were getting ugly and, besides, I
didn't like having to run an extra
program.
GD and the art of GIF
Fortunately a spell of Web searching
led me to the GD library, by Tliomas
Boutell, You can find this yourself if
you point your browser at http://
www.boutelI.com/gd/ Tlie original
does not quite compile 'out of the
box' under Acorn's C/C-n-, so I've
put my modified version on the
Acorn User Web site.
Tliere wasn't actually very much
to do, other than adding a few extra
'include' statements. Tlie best
description of GD is its own
documentation, which is provided as
Any GD-based application will need to access the main header file:
Sinclude "<Gdl_3$dir>.h.gd" /* gd lib */
You might need to include some other files too, perhaps for fonts.
GD defines a new type, gdlmagePtr. You'll need one of these for any
image you work with. Probably the first function you'll want to call is
gdlmageCreateO :
mout = gdlmageCreate (width, height) ;
This takes width and height parameters, and returns a gdlmagePtr. Next
you'll need to define some colours. For example:
v*ite = gdImageColorAllocate(iin_out, 255, 255, 255) ;
Make a similar call for each colour. Now you're ready to start drawing on the
image. The simplest calls are:
gdlmageSetPixel {gdlmagePtr im, int x, int y, int color)
and
gdlmageUne (gdlmagePtr im, int xl, int yl, int x2, int y2, int color)
There are many other types though.
You can plot text with gdlmageStringO or gdImageStringUp(). You must
include a font header file at the start of your program to use these calls.
Wlien your image is finished you should call gdImageGif() to write the
GIF file. Finally, call gd Image Destroy {) to fidy up.
When compiling your program, remember to link to <Gd]_3$dir>. libgd
HTML. Load the Index file from
inside the !Gt1l/3 application into a
Web browser. There is also a text
version - Readinc/txt, If you're going
to use GD with your own C
apphcations you'll probably want to
look at the 'header' files too. I have
written a short introduction, below.
One of the programs supplied
with the library is gtidemo. As you
can guess from the name this is to
show you some of the library's
facilities.
It starts with a GIF input file:
demoin/gif (all filenames are relative
to the !Gdl/3 directory) - or you
could substitute one of your own.
Onto this it plots various lines,
shapes and text and its output is
written to dcmoout/gif - see Figure II.
To view this file you should filetype
it to 'GIF' (&695) and load it into a
GIF viewer such as ChangeFSl or
vour Web browser.
Ready to plot
The result of my work with GD is
csv2gif, which can be found on the
Acorn User Web site. The source code
is included so that you can modify it
for your own piu-poses, although
you will, of course, need a C
compiler to create a modified
executable.
The workings of the program are
described below. From the user's
perspective all you need to run it is a
comma-separated-value (CSV) file,
and a place to write the GIF, The
CSV file must have the fime at the
start of each line in either of these
formats:
dd/nm/yy hhinm
dd/min/yy hh:mm:3E
The year value may include the
century or not. I do expect this to
work and keep on working after
1999! Up to 32 values follow the
date, each preceded by a comma. The
program scans for decimal fioafing-
point numbers, so you might have to
47
Fi^un- lib: Oulpul from ■^duwvunl mid c^i'2^i;if'.m
.III I'vniiipk- Wd' fWiji' iifuj^-i the churl CG/ frogrmi.
http://www.acornuser.com Christmas 1999
Net graphics
48
- 7
SI
00:00
Eight temperature cliannals phtteii by csvZgif
load the FPEmulator module, this
can be done by putting a copy in
IBoot.Choices.Boot.PreDesk or by
using RMEnsure. If *help fpemulator
works, you're OK.
Used on its own rsi'2,^f/niust be
driven from the command line. For
use with a Web server it needs some
additional code in the form of a
BASIC program for the CGI. I have
provided two versions of a program
called chart on the Web site. The
version in the cntr directory is for use
with the AlphaNet server. There is
also a cnirjip directory for NetPlex
users- It should not be difficult to
adapt one or other of the programs
for other Web servers.
In either case the program runs
csvlgif, and causes the Web server to
issue a 'redirect' message to the
browser, which should then request
the newly-generated GIF file.
If, when you try out the CGI
program on your server, you do not
appear to get any updates, it might
be that your browser is keeping the
files cached on harddisc - a problem
with Netscape in particular - if so,
you can force a re-load, usually by
clicking (or Shift-f clicking) the re-
load button.
Need input...
So far I have not discussed the
means of generating the data file,
other than by alluding to my
ThermllC project. Indeed, if you want
to monitor temperatures you should
look at my earlier articles and the
programs on the ThcnnllC Web site.
But if temperature is not of
interest I have another example
which also makes use of the GD
library and may be of use to anyone
nmning an 1?JSC OS Web server. This
is a Web counter called gdwcount,
and again it can be found on the
Acorn User Web site. As for csvlgif,
the source code is included for you
to follow and modify if you like.
\!iiwcotint is a rather basic Web
counter. No fancy odometer
lookalikes here, the program simply
writes a number to a small GIF.
'Real' Web counters, which often use
GD, usually stitch together more
artistic GIF numbers. The CGI
interface is called ciitr, in the cntr and
cntrjip directories for AlphaNet and
hletPlex respectively.
So that the program can keep
count, you have to specify the name
of a CSV file, from which the
previous count is read. After the GIF
has been created, gdzvcount writes-
back the incremented count and the
csv2gif and gdwcount
The source to these programs may
be found in the the csvlgif.c and
gdwcoiuit.c directories on the Acorn
User Web site. Each program must
be linked against libgd (Ln the '.GDI/3
directory) and the C library stubs.
The makefiles provided should
handle all this for Acorn C/C++.
I'll describe gdwcount first, since
it's the simpler program. As with
any C program, it is entered at
function main. This first performs
some housekeeping functions, such
as reading command-line
parameters, allocate^colours sets the
GIF foreground and backgromnd
colours, following the RISC OS-
standard 16-co!our scheme.
To find the previously stored
count values the program starts just
before the end of the log file, and
searches backwards for a new line.
The last line must follow this, so it is
read in by read_Line, with get_yalue
picking up each of the stored values.
Now that we have our starhng
pointing it is simply a matter of
incrementing the appropriate count
value by one, and printing it to the
GIF with gdlmageString. I'm using
gdPontMediumBoid, but you could
change the definition at the head of
the program if you like. Don't forget
time. The file can track up to 32
values, so the CGI program reads an
extra parameter sent as a query
string appended to the URL, for
instance /cgi-bin/cntr/cntr?n for the
first value.
As you wilt no doubt have
guessed, the format of this CSV file is
suitable for input to csvlgif. Thus you
may run csvlgif, via its cliart CGI
program, to generate a Web page
showing how accesses to your Web
pages have ramped up with time.
You can also have different counters
attached to particular pages on your
site.
These will be displayed on the
chart as different-coloured lines.
Figure III shows a test page with a
counter and a chart showing the log
from this and another page.
The use of csvlgif is not restricted
to Web servers. You can use it to plot
other CSV files using the command
line. To call it manually use this
form:
csv2gif in_csv out_gif width heigiit
The dimensions are given in pixels.
I conclude with Figure fV, which is
an example plot of temperature
data logged by ThermllC.
to include the corresponding font
header file.
Finally GD is told to save the file
in GIF format. The pre-processor
directives around the RISC OS file-
typing operation (_kemel_osfile 18)
are to disable it should you wish to
compile the program under Linux
(or whatever).
csi'2,',j|/has many similar
elements. This time the colour
allocation is a bit more extensive, as
there has to be a colour for each
possible plot line. Actually I've been
a bit lazy here, and tlie colours
repeat after the first 8.
The read_line function is similar
to that in gdzocount. It is used first to
read each line of the log file to
determine the minimum and
maximum limits. Having
established these, scaling factors
may be set. Then on a second read-
through of the file each point is
plotted to the image (using points or
lines) by plot_to_point.
Next the program prints the
value and time limits as small text
(gdlmageStringUp prints text on its
side, upwards from the bottom of
the image). A small key is printed
along the top. Finally the image is
written to a GIF file.
Christmas 1 999 http://www.acornuser.com
QuQlit
', Performance, Ex
I discounts ai
Mico
MictoOigltal. Mi
/licroDigital
-elephone n
ARM pow
pnone for full t
awnllable. Scl"
,s designed an
foHusondMico'^
Limited, 37 Tili
umber 01 274 (
leS'i^SSIfs»o*i^"
omputer!
r see our wer
site to goln cii
icroDigitai
het troaemoiks u
site.
cesstoouf educ
Limited
e (acknowledged
iKtplev West Y
FAXnum
site wwl
ritstiire, BD18i
ber 01274 619.,,,
w.microdigifal.co.uk
rp THE DATA STOREI
^1^1^^ Serving the RiSC OS communityl
Authorised
The first major event of the post-Acorn world,
RiSC OS 4 is now shipping. Compatible with RiscPC
and A7000(+), it provides a whole host of improvements
for the new millennium plus great new bundled software!
Stand up and be counted as a supporter of our favourite
operating system - place your order today! ^^
£1 1 6.33
plus £25 fitting and data transfer if required
'^M^
<[l**
SIBELIUS
THE MUSIC NOTATION SOFTWARE
The Data Store now provides the official
Customer Support service for Sibelius Acorn programs.
To celebrate this, we've reduced the price of Sibelius 7
and we're offering one year's technical support free with
every copy sold up to 31 st December.
Our specially priced PCs for Acorn Sibelius users
moving to Sibelius for Windows are still available.
Please call for details.
Junior Sibelius! £ 55.00
Sibelius 6 £105,00
Sibelius 7 Student £320.00
Sibelius 7 £525.00
Optical Manuscript £275,00
Sibeiius for Windows/Mac £595.00
We Stock copies of Acorn User and
have various back issues datinj
^il 1 998 onwards priced £3.95 oFEW^W,
Please contact us for availability.
FONTFX
Just a few examples of the effects
that FontFX 6 can produce...
Grow and shrink feature
Border effect
User-definable shadow length and direction
% TF
Rainbow HII option 30 shadow effect
For further details or to download
FontFX Lite, please visit our web site
£31.95 inc. VAT and postage
Site licenses and upgrades available
Please phone for details
Connected to the Net?
Then why not visit us online?
THE DATA S
Company information, directions to our
showroom, contact details, information on
the range of Data Store Software, online
price lists, downloads, Sibelius Software
information and lots more...
POINT YOUR BROWSER TO...
http://www.datstore.demon.co,uk/
THE DATA STORE
lfHIHUIHHI«lll
OPENING HOURS
Monday
9.30 - 5.30
Tuesday
9.30 - 5.30
Wednesday
CLOSED
Thursday
9.30 - 5.30
Friday
9.30 -5.30
Saturday
9.30 - 5.30
6 CHATTERTON ROAD BROMLEY KENT BR2 9QN
Telephone (020-8) 460 8991 • Facsimile (020-8) 313 O4O0
Web http://www.datstore.dennon.co.uk/|
Email info@datstore.demon.co.ul
{all prices in this advertisement are inclusive of VAT at 17.5%)
Celebrate the new
millennium in style:
we've got on offer
over £1000 worth of
software from
various companies,
plus a LIFETIME
subscription to
Acorn User
magazine.
£'000s
software
to be won
How to win
To enter this superb cunipetiti'jn, jixst ajiiswtfr the
following question and then complete the phrase in.
13 words or less.
for how many years has
Acorn User been published?
a. 17 years
b. 20 years
c 14 years
Etitrm mmt arrm: at th: Amm U?ff f^^-cc &jr
I'lth January HMh i^fnd Hwjmf^r.^ d^xi'shn i$ fbwL
At Acorn User, we've seen many thousands of programs over
the years, so to celebrate a new Millennium for RISC OS
computing we've got together with companies too numerous
to mention and put together a huge bundle of superb software
for just one lucky Acorn User reader to win.
Companies participating include:
• Tau Press, after 17 years of publication you can read the
next 17 years worth - or more
• Computer Concepts, who have offered a copy of Impression
Publisher Plus - still used daily by the Acorn User team for
creating the magazine
• Beebug I.tcl, whose Sleuth 1 is the de facto standard in OCR
on RISC OS systems
• I'roAction Software, who have f)ffered the new Keptoti
Compendium, plus Irak, iechmnlrvum, Air Snpreimicif, l*lmf
It A^^uin Sums 1 throw^h 4, and a small selection of nostalgia
items from the extensive Superior Software BIJC range
• llu' lourfh Dimeiisirin has a vast range of games for all the
family: C»-oi/«W//r% Pushy, HlooillusI and SUvfrlmll are all
strong entries in their Value for Money range.
• Shersfon Softw.ire are still putting their all into the
education market, and their triple-format CD-ROMs are set
to be here for a long while. A selection of titles may be won.
Competition entry form
.\nswer: Acorn User has been published for
Complete this phrase in 15 words or less:
The world would be better with RISC OS because.
years
Name
Address.
Postcode Tel No
Are you an Acorn User subscriber? HH Yes ED No
tSlioiild a subscriber win. their suhscriplion will fw r:rfrndi-rf)
Return your completed form to:
Software Bimdie Competition, Acorn User, Unit lA,
Heapriding Business Park. Ford Street, Stockport, Cheshire SK3 OBT
http://www.acornuser.com Christmas 1999
'^^-y-*-.>ff?»-'^fffe'??<J63E ■
:l ': '-^^t-,- ■V-JT^'.UV-IT^
52J
tart in
to
T
he Draii' application comes free
with all Acorn/RISC OS
computers, so you may as well
loiow what you can do with it.
In this run-through you will not be
expected to know the first thing about
Draw, but it would be handy to know
your mouse buttons and what each
one does. The article will run through
some of the basics so as to get you
going usefully in the first month. First
the program must be loaded...
Loading Dnnv is easy. Just double
chck Select on its icon in the Apps
directory of your RISC OS 3.6 or
above, or for earlier machines click
on its icon in a filing system window
(that is a window showing you what
programs are available for use on a
floppy, harddisc or Apps filing
system). Figure I (below) is a screen
shot, an electronic photograph (taken
with Paint), of a RISC OS 4
computer's display. It shows that
Draw has been loaded - a green
pencil and compasses icon can be
seen on the right hand side of the
iconbar. This is the same icon which
draw
(a guide for beginners)
Simon Anthony starts his
basic guide to Draw
is used in the filing window. Don't
confuse the icon which shows you
where the program is and the one
which tells you it is loaded and
ready for use.
Fill colour
The Style menu is the best place to
start once the program is running.
The rest of this section will
describe how this particular display
l€I
rigiirc !i Tn loiid Dmifrdiviblc click on !hc Apps icon then ou
Ihf Drnw icou. Diiiw icill then ('f kwU'd to the nofibai
Christmas 1 999 http://www.acornuser.coni
status (as shown in Figures II and III)
was achieved. In this example the
Apps filing window has been
closed, so as to prevent clutter on
screen. The user - that was me at the
time - has clicked the mouse Select
button (the left hand button) once on
the Draw icon on the iconbar. This
action displayed a blank drawing
area in a Draw window which is
called <UnHtled> until it is
saved with some other name -
you can see this by looking at the
yellow bar that runs across the
top of the Draw window in Figures
II and lU.
The Toolbox is the vertical column
attached to the left of the Drazc
window. You can see from it that the
rectangle tool has been selected. The
mouse Menu button (the middle
button) was then clicked over the
white working area and the options
'Style' and 'Fill colour' and bright
red were chosen.
This was done by moving the
pointer over the arrow to the right
of the option on the relevant menu
unHI the coloured boxes were
displayed in the 'Fill colour' sub-
menu, and then the Select button
was clicked on the red one. (If you
want you can play around with the
red, green and blue values until you
get a colour you like the look of, then
' "• -"^-
j'>y\ .■■ ■ -■-.■:^-'.
^U^^^^^^^^^M
Style
Line viuMh
LuKpnOem ^
Join r-
Stan cap f"
End trap f
Winding nilc r^
Funiname f^
Fanhi-iglM '-
Tc.vt njlour '^
Background r
Fill culour
(S RCT J CMYK J HSV
JR«I
f<(..7
' -%
/_!*
M*
^fteea
U.O
® Blue
0,0
I None Caieel
ff^Kz-e /f; Sekctiiig a fill aihur in Draw IRISC OS 4.02)
dick Select over the OK box to fix it
for use.) Clicking Select to finalise
the choice also closed the menu
windows; clicking Adjust would
have left them all open.
From now on anything drawn
will be filled in red. It is essential to
click on the OK box after making any
chajige as this is the only way to tell
the computer that you are serious
about it, otherwise the alteration, if
any, will be lost and the old settings
will be used instead.
Under RISC OS 3.1, if the
computer is in Mode 15 (a 256 colour
mode), then the coloured boxes in
the 'Fill colour' sub-menu window
give you direct access to 16 colours,
but the sliders allow you to choose
between all 256 of them. On a Rise
PC with millions of possible colours
the setup is totally different, with a
'colour picker' to help you choose, as
shown in Figure II.
Line width
As Figure HI shows, the Style menu
can also lead on to the sub-menu
window used to alter the width of a
drawn line. In this instance the 'Line
width' sub-menu shows the enter-it-
yourself option with a (massive)
setting of ten points.
When 'Thin' is chosen the display
and the printed output will always
be one pixel wide whatever the
magnification or zoom settings; tliis
is the default. Any other setting will
appear thicker or thir^ner depending
on the display scale. (Zoom only
alters the on-screen display.
Magnification alters the real size as
printed on paper.) Tine colour of a
line can be altered from the middle
Figiirv Ul: Selecting a line width
menu shown in Figure III. Simply
move the pointer to the 'Line colour'
option and then follow your nose
along the lines of the 'Fill colour'
option mentioned above.
The rest of the options above the
dividing line (dotted in RISC OS 3.x)
on the 'Style' menu take a bit more
thinking about. Leave them until you
are feeling fit and healthy and have
to hand either the full manual, or a
later article in this series.
Text entry
Below the line in the Style menu
come the opfions for altering the
style of any text which you may wish
to include in your finished drawing.
Draw is not a word processor and
should not be treated as one, but the
text option can be used for making
headings or captions on posters and
pictures as well as for handling
masses of text imported from Edit.
Text entered in Draw is handled a
line at a time, with the length of each
line determined by pressing Return.
Each line of text is a separate object
which can have a different size.
Figure V: The stulf of the text can be altered before or after wriliiig
53
http://www.acornuser.coni Christmas 1999
m
1
54
Figure VU: Selecting an object
produces a bounding box and
'ears' to alter an object
Figure Vlil: Using the enn to scale iin object
colour, style and so on. Fascinating
graphical effects are possible on RISC
OS machines by using the Text to
Path' options.
To type text into Draw select the
Text entry option (see Figure IV).
This can be done in either of two
ways: using the Toolbox, or choosing
the text option from the Enter menu.
Next move the pointer to where you
wish your text to be and click Select
once. A red carat will show you
where your text will be displayed
when you type.
Don't worry if tliis is not in the
right place, size, colour or typeface, as
all these can be altered after the event
(as well as before); the Style sub-
menu text options give control over
all these variables. Pressing Return
will end text entry and glue the text
in place, displayed in the current style
as set by the menu options.
To change the settings it is
important to tell the computer two
things, first which bit of text you
want to change and second how you
want to change it. To choose the bit
of text (or anything else) that you
wish to alter you must use the Select
option on the Toolbox. When that is
highlighted you can click on youi"
object (in this case the text) and a red
dotted box will be drawn round it.
Only then will the text options on the
Style sub-menu be a\'ailable. If they
are greyed out it means that no text
has been selected yet.
Once your text has been written it
is possible to go back and alter it,
although this facility escaped me for
many years. To do so simply select
M\
Fi^uix X: Alfeniig mi oi'iect s s;:i' viii the ininsjunu ^\ib-niciui
Christmas 1999 hHp://w ww.acornuser.com
the text, and follow the menus
shown in Figure VI, you can then
add, delete or alter your existing text
and set the result by once again
pressing Return. Simple.
The select box
Figure VII shows a simple triangle
surroimded by a red dotted box with
two smaller boxes an its top and
bottom right comers. The box shows
where the extreme outer points of
the selected object are, being just big
enough to enclose them. The top
right small red box (or 'ear' as my
students call it) is used for twisting
or rotating an object while the
bottom right box will scale the object.
To use these boxes move the
mouse pointer so that the tip is
inside ^e 'ear', then hold down the
Select button and drag, and the big
dotted box will change shape as you
go. The object itself will take up its
new shape when you let go of the
Select button. Sprites can also be
manipulated in this way but JPEG
images and text can only be scaled.
Menu options
Figure X shows the Style menu with
the Transform option opening on to
the 'Transform' sub-menu. Notice that
the Toolbox shows that the bottom
option, the Dnnv Select option, has
been selected. Tbis was done by
clicking the mouse Select button on
the Select Mode arrow. It is a pity that
the same word is used to name a
mouse button and a Draw mode, but
there you are, we have to live with it.
The Drazc application select mode
could also have been chosen bv
I
-.^,-^g^-rX-T
figure XI: To Ativeajik froDi Dniwilnig the 'Sutv m' icon lo i/oiir Hunhlhc
clicking the mouse Select button on
the Select option of the Draiv menu.
This screen shot also shows the
'Magnify' option selected. This alters
the real size of the drawing in
absolute terms. For instance a setting
of 0.8 will reduce the drawing, or a
selected part of it, to 80% of the
current size. Tn put it back the way it
was a magnification of 125% or 1.25
is needed. In this instance a
magnification value of 1.5 has been
entered.
There are many keyboard short
cuts, (that is, ways of getting things
done by using the keys rather than
the mouse), for example, a Draw
object can be deleted by pressing
Control + X together, (press Control
first then tap X).
Undo
You will be able lo reverse almost any
action by pressing the F8 function
key, with F9 restoring it. This is the
Undo and Redo facility, which has a
fi,(i(tc Kll: Bi/ Imkiiig at llw Path nnims
in'fflti i()ji/('rs((iJiJ where n filt' lia^ bci'n siii'CtI to
default memory of only 5k, but the
manual, pages 73-75 (436 in the RISC
OS 3,7 manual), shows how to make
it bigger. As 1 write there appears to
be a bug in the RISC OS 4 Draw undo
facility.
Saving your work
It's all very well doing
something in Drniv but
now you need to
know how to keep it.
Saving work is the
first stage of
printing and is- ur
should be - always
the last action before
turning off the
computer. The first stage
in saving is to tell the
computer where you are
intending to save your work. There
are several possibilities, ranging from
the humble floppy disc, via the now
essential harddisc right up to the top
of the range re-writable CD-ROMs.
Saving will always
follow the same basic
pattern whatever the
final destination of
vour work, The good
people at Acorn - and
now RISCOS Ltd -
have done their best
to ensure that saving
is an almost identical
procedure no matter
what program you are
using (as long as it
nms 'within the
Desktop environment'
that is). The upshot of
this is that once you
know how to save
work in one situation you can easily
work out how to do it no matter what
the circumstances mav be. This is
how. . .
First decide where vou are going to
save the work. The harddisc will do for
this example. The relevant icon is the
one in Figure XII with 'HardDisc4'
under it. Referring to Figure XI (the
left-hand end of a RISC OS 4 iconbar),
the Apps icon is a 'Read Only' filing
system so you can't save anything
there. The RAM icon (not shown in this
instance) is 'writable' but loses
whatever you give it to save when the
power is turned off, so be carefLil.
To choose a filing system simply
click Select on its icon once and a
filing system window will open (i.e.
be displayed). It is this window into
which you must drag the 'save icon'
of the work you wish to save.
Next, prepare your file for saving
(refer again to Figure XII}. In Draw,
choose the Save option from the Draw
menu. Drag the drawfile icon (the
picture above the box where you enter
the desired file name) over to the
destination filing window of your
choice, then let go. (Note: RISC OS 4
users can now drag files directly to the
drive icons on the iconbar to save,
without having to open the Filer
Window first.)
Tlie lower part of
Figure XFV shows the
HardDisc4 filing
window after the
file has been
saved. The title
bar of the Draw
'3^^^^ window above it
^A ^^^ now shows the full
^B 'Path name' of the
^ saved file. A Path name
tells the user and computer
where a file can be found. In this
instance ADFS::HarciDisc4.$.Mi/Pic tells
us that the file M\/Pk can be found on
HardDisc4, which is part of the ADFS
filing system.
If you were to re-save the drawing,
the Drazi' Save window would
already have a full Path name in it
ready for you to proceed, and this can
also be seen in Figure XII.
So, by referring to Figures XI and
XII we now know how to save a file,
where to save it to, and what the Path
names signify. Next month I'll show
you how I produced the WOW! picture
and how to print out your
creations. Q2I9
Contacting me J
Simon Anlhony:
dra w®a com user.com
J
55
http.v/www.acornuser.com Christmas 1 999
ABVil
JG
66
Akalat 66
APDL 9
Castle
CJE
CTA
Data Store
Desktop Projects
Icon Technology
iSV
OBC, IFC, 57
32, 56, 64
4, 5, 57
50,57
23,57
62
27
iTS Consultancies 57
Liquid Silicon
Mircodigital
Pineapple
R-Comp
Reflex
58
49,72
56,72
39
20
Rise OS Ltd 44
RiscStation
Space tech
STD
Uniqueway
Wardlaw Surveys
12,57
IBC
, 66
58
58
Contacting us
Editor:
Enquiries:
Advertising enquiries:
Web master:
Subscriptions:
Free Ads:
Letters;
News:
Comms page:
Graphics page:
PD page:
Business page:
PC page:
Games page:
Education page:
editor@acomuser.com
enquiries@acomuser.com
advertising® acomuserxom
joebmaster@acomitser.com
subscrip@acomuser.com
freeads@acomuser.com
letters@acornuser.com
news@acomuser.com
comms@acomuser.com
graphics@acormiser.com
pdpage@acornuser.com
hizniz@acorttuser.com
pcpage@acomuser.com
games@acornuser.com
educ@acomuser.com
ramhles@acomuser.com
To advertise i
I
Geraldine Esdaille
0161 429 0685
SUSSEX
Hardware
Software
Installation
Repairs
Open 6 days a week
With demonstrations available
78 Brighton Road
Worthing
West Sussex
BN11 2EN
Tel: 01 903 523 222
Fax; 01903 523 679
sales@cje.co.uk
http ://www.cje .co.uk/
LOWJDOJW &■ ESSEX
Pineapple
Software
Pineapple have been in the Acorn marketplace for over eleven
years and have been running the Virus Protection Scheme for
over seven years. We specialise in building RiscPCs to your
specitlcation and we also supply scanners, printers, harddrives
or anything else you may need for your Acorn system. We also
undertake repairs and upgrades to Acorn computers.
Open 0900 ■ 1730 Mon - Fri
Suite I, South Park Business Centre
310 Green Lane, Ilford, Essex IG3 9JS
Phone 0181 599 1476 Pax 0181 598 2343
email:- sali'.s(& 'pi nedplc.demon.cri.uk
hltp://nuH.pinejptE.'.demi>n.e(>.iik
WILTSHIRE
GonsvHsLiick
I \u\\ Acorn Approved Specially
with leaching Experienn
Educational Consultancy Training and Support
Acorn Computer Supply and Installation
Software Upgrades and Repairs
Tel- 01225 764863
Fax- 01225 761437
email itscon@argonet.co.uk
RTH V\rEST
iT^, Ip\ I Tcrr» f^o'' 3ll your Acorn needs
AWAi^iK Visit our Showroom
BEST DEALER- ,„^^ . ^p^
CARD/FF
as^ ^Monday - Saturday
A^^^^^' Desktop Projects Ltd
^^J\ .-— ^W^ Unil 2A. Heapridine Business Pk
Heapriding
Ford Sireei
STOCKPORT
Cheshire. SK3 OBT
Aulhoristftl AciH-n DeaItT & (,'enlre of Technoli)EV
Desktop IPitojects I^M _
Tel: 0161-474 9778 Email: into(5<lcsktopp.demon.co.uk ^
i/NiQUEway
SOUTH WALES' ONLY DEDICATED ACORN
DEALER AND ACORN CENTRE OF TECHNOLOGY
Technical Support ■ Repairs • Hire - internet Connections
Low cost finance available on all systems.
VISA
3 Clarendon Road, Cyncoed, Cardiff CF3 7JI)
Tel 01222-464020 Fax 01222-440071
http:llwww.unique way.co.uk
NORTH WES
SCOTLA^ISfD
Tel: +44 (0) 1942 797777 iLiqUtd SiltCOtt
Computers & Music Hardware • Upgrades • Software • Cables ate
asecJ Te^^-nolo^ies
For details of the next generation
in RISC OS computing, call now,
or visit your local dealer
HIGMLA.IKrDS
Regislered
Authorised
:^r
RISCOS4(0iy| . . . CIW.CK)
Fining (ROMs on lyl . . . . C10.00
Rltiog (ROMa. hard drive
Tvforrnatllng and aoflware
Iranstef From E2S.O0
Carriage on machines le eitta.
Please call lO' delslls of any enra
charges on hlsh-apec macninee.
FREEPOST EH2725
Kirkcaldy, FVe, KY2 5BR
United Kingdom
T*l: 01502 592265 Fsx:015S2 596102
email: Uquici@cableinet.co.uk
httpL'/www.cybervillage.co.uk/acorn/liqold'
SIXFFOL.JK
Wardlaw Surveys
Authorised Acorn Dealer,
for all your needs from
supply, service, repair
8e full after sales.
Tel/Fax: 01 463 831214
Vcorri$ c \'^| I
Full range of Acorn Computers
Comprehensive back-up service
Call 01 728 62 1 222 or
fax us on 01 728 621 179
On- fradins F.stnif tt'oodbridgi' Koal Kramiini^am Suffolk IPIiOU,
i-rii;iii; s-.)li?.P'rxM]i'-livhni)!f)([\',co,»k
Wfb. hll()v'A™w.c;LsiJ('^icchn(i[oK\',n>.iik.
NORTH ^^/^EST
LONDON
168 Elliott Si.
Tyldesley
Gtr. Manchester
M29 8DS
Acorn Dealer and RiscOS Centre of Excellence
Acorn Spares and Repairs
AJl Acorn Machines available on 0% finance
Installation. Nelworkins ^ ,^ . ^ ,
Repairs on a no-fix ^ ^^'^ ^^^'" ^'^^^''t on
no-fee basis. Pages 4 & 5
Tel. 01942 797777 Fax 01942 79771 1
fjfd
FOR SIXTEEN YEARS, PUTTING THE
EMPHASIS ON THE VERY BEST SERVICE...
THE DATA STORE
Visit our well-equipped showroom just 30 minutes from
Central London. For more information, look for our
full-page advertisement elsewhere in this issue.
6 CHATTERTON ROAD BROMLEY KENT BR2 9QN
Tel (020-8)460 8991 • Fax (020-8)313 0400
Web hltp;//www.; i ■-. ..6cnion.co.uk/ • fiTwi/ into®., li ■ r.'.clemon.co.uk
David Pilling
Web: http://iuivzv.pilling.demon.co.uk/
The David Pilling Web site contains all manner of RISC OS
goodies for those new and not so new in the RISC OS market.
Not forgetting full information on the award-winning Ovation
Pro dtp package. Come see us now!
Drobe Launch Pad
Web: http://ivwiv.drobe.co.uk/
Drobe Launch Pad is a new Internet Portal which combines
links, news and information into one easy to use site.
Drobe RISC Software's Web Development Team have spent
over 4 months creating the site to ensure that it gives the
maximum functionality possible to all RISC OS users, including up
to date news feeds usually only found on the larger, main stream
portals. Features include a POP e-mail checker without banner
adverts, a search engine incorporating AcomSearch.com and over
20 other popular engines, up to date news feeds and links to the
majority of the industry's Web sites. More features including
personalisation are due to be launched in the next few weeks.
Acorn Arcade
Web: http://zvzviv.acornarcade.com/
Acorn Arcade is the leading Web site for information on current
RISC OS games developments. Offering news, reviews, features
and dowTiloads it's so good we're sure you'll come back.
Cybervillage
Web: http://acom.cybervillage.co.uk/
Your one stop shop for Acorn information. The Hotnet section,
updated regularly, keeps you up to speed on all developments
concerned with RISC OS and associated/affiliated information.
Torty
Web: http://zvivzv.torty.org.uk
This site has the obligatory family snaps page, the almost
obligatory CV and the much more generally interesting RISC OS
Shareware area. ECSUtils is upgraded here with twenty or so
smaller apps for free, doing everything from telling the time to
taking pictures.
se drag t diop
r maps |e,g.
I and velocity)
allsrsble by
ig with the mouse
ystem Eiclustves
ing pUyDack
any MIDI
ce. including
patsltei and serial
Up ID 191 MIDI channels
Free damo disc available
Recent/New Releases
Abuse -C23.00
Descent CDs -£28.00
Heroes of Might and Magic 2 - £32.00
Heretic & Hexen CD - £32.00
OHP CD (Spacetech) - £28.95
Photodesk 3 - £279.95
Sunburst - £12.50
Syndicate Plus CD - £26.50
^TDK.
Discs (ensmple 10i tuhite disca - £4.60, 50i black Blaca- CIS.IO.
Si HD led/bluefgreaiVwhite discs - £2.49)
Bailail<>s !*.9 4i AA Xtra alkaline - ».IB. 1a 9V alkaline - £1 .84) ,
Audio & Video Tapes - EVarlous - ■
. FREEPOST EH2725
- Kirkcaldy. Fife. KY2 5BR
" ~ United Kingdom
Tel; 01592 592265 Fax: 01592 596102
Wc supply a range ol CCD
and laser bar code scanners
and Include wilti these our
iBarfleadar anvp.r soMware
iriOBl desktop software.
ComplelB syslems Itom £137 63
Our bar coding
-iottwafe produces
Draw (lies o< Ihe
lollswing lormals: EAN 8.
EAN13. UPC A.ISetJ. ISSM.
Code 39 (Normal and Full
ASCII). Telepen and einsty
Computer Systems
These pdces do not Include monilors.
unless specified
Rise PC B*OMb 2Gb HO - £679 00
Rise PC 32<2Mb SGD. DVD CD - £10S9 00
Web Wizard - 3Z.2Mb. SGb HD. DVD CD drive,
speakers. ResulU.Easiwrirer Pro 56K modem.
ANT Internet Suite wllh Java -0220.00
A7000- Odysse/ CD - 16Mb, 4G1>. 40> - £655.00
A7000t Odyssey Piiraary/Secondarv - 16Mb.
4Gb HD.40» CD 4 software- £71300
A7000. Odyssey Sutl - 24Mb, 4Gb. DVD CD.
56K modem. AMT Suite- £83100
"Sprinter" NC Bysiem - lObaseT. 16Mb,
14" monlloi. keyboard * mouse - E444,00
MicroDigilal MIco - From £f;8e,CI0
RiscSlallon R7500 Series - From E483.no
Monitors
tElttwt bought with computer or s^Brataly):
ilyam8350{15")- £170.00
iiyama403(17)- £283.00
iiyamaPro410(17-l- £319.00
iiyama45t ()9)- £425.00
>iyamaPro4S(1(19")- £472,00
iiyamaSQ2(21")- £749,00
liy8maPro510(22')- £772.00
ityamaP'o-Lrle3Sc14.1"LCD- £807.00
iiVBmaPro-Lr1e38eT5"LCD- £936,00
ilyamaPro-LileSBf 15'LCD- £995 00
iiyama Pro^LiIe 39a IB' LCD -£1599.00
iiyama Pro-Ule 46a IS' LCD - £2469 00
Toiicl'scteen monitors coming soon -
please ask lor turtfter details
PC cards
5K86-1 DO with PC Pro 3 - £285.00
PC Pro 2- £38.95
PC Pro 3- £70,SO
PC Sound Pro 2- £39.36
Wln95FS- £39,95
Windows SB CD - £100.00
Psion Series 5mx
16Mb, wiin PC connection kit - t4?9,9S
Parallel link - £34.95
Memory Upgrades
Please call to check current prices
OUier upgrades are available,
A30OO1-4Mb- £6460
A3010 1-lMb- £66.00
A3020'A4DO0 2.4Mb- £49.00
A5000 2-4Mb- £65.00
A300, 400. 5000 4-8 Mb - £123.00
Rise PC/A700f) FPM SIMMs-
Call tor EDO SIMM prices
16Mb- £26,60
32Mb (no) original RPCs) - £44.95
32Mb (high clearance)- £73.50
64Mb- Eaa.zs
t2BMb-£163.60
IMbVRAM- £45.00
I-2Mb VRAM swap- £55.00
2Mb VRAM- £92.00
Music & Sound Section
Please call lor other musical Hems
Other Hardware
Dual fast serial card - £90 00
Elhemet card (Comb- NIC slot) - £116 30
Hard drives A kils - ECall
RPC second slice (no PSU) - £90.00
RISC OS 4 Kilting avaitaiile) -£v.?0 W
StrongARM upgrade - £275.00 ,
Other Software
DMI 50 dual MIDI card (2t2l - £1 19 95
OHI 50XG - £259.95
XG upgrade tO' DMI 50- £151,95
16-blt sampler for OMI 50 - £87,95
MIDI Mai II internal tXil - £92.75
ParBllelPort filid - £89.20
Synth S or Basic Synth - £46,95
SynlhPlue- £58.65
Music & Sound Prog. Guide - £16,95
Othei hardwaroi
Fslar SU 760 - £450.00
Falar SL 880 - £600.00
FalarSLIIOO-ESOODO
FBtarSL20Q1 -£1050.00
Irlam i16 sound sampler - £118,00
DigHal-upgraded Irlamsamplei - £177.00
MIDI upgrade for Irlam sampler - £Call
Sound Byte Recorder - £57.50
Vamana V5T-MS speakers - £45,50
yST-M20 DSP speakers- £65.75
YST-MS28speshersS6ijhw- £79. 9S
Impression PubHshef- £135 00
Inferno- IB sO
.XHC- £1.1,99
Ovation Pro-EUE 50
Personal Accounls 3 - £43,00
Pholodesk Light - £125 00
, Prophet 3 - £160,00
Ouahe - CrII
5chema2-£1t600
$ieulh3-£11O,50
Textease - £54 50
TopModel2- tiajOO
Books & Manuals
RISC OS 3 PRM- £104 00
TheTakkleCD- £45 00
Catalogue
Our tree catalogue contains over 2000
Items Please ask lor a eoRy
We will attempt to match or beat any advertised price - even special offers
email: Liquidig-cableinetcouk AH prices INCLUDE VAT & UK carriage WSM[^K1^^
cybervillage, CO, uk'acom/liqu id/ Official orders and callers welcome. Finance available. ^MP , ^^' Bff"^
T^reeAds
• StrongARM Rise PC, 3.7 OS
22Mb, 1.2Gh harddrive, CD-
Rom, 486 PC card. Canon BJC
4200 Printer, lots of software,
large monitor, £117. David 07714
126729.
• DX4/100 PC Card Dos 7 All
manuals £80.00. Pipedream
4.5/2 manuals £26.00. Textease
4.0 manuals £27.00. All include
postage. Tel: 01706 817570, 3 The
Glen, Todmorden, Lanes.
• Art Works Clip Art 1&2 £25,
Image Outliner £20, 1st Word+
and Genesis Plus £20,
Uniqueway Rise Disc CD's 1-3
£25, Tel: Christian 01285 659872.
• Archimedes A440, +MEMC la
memory upgrade, ARM 3
upgrade, Cumana CA006 SCSI 1
interface, SCSI 350MB Hard
Drive, Monitor, mouse and
keyboard, £200 ono. Tel: 01223
840898 email: rhet@freezone.co.uk
A5000 with midi card and new
AKF50 monitor. Includes all
software and games. Offers.
Colne, Lanes (01282) 863012 or
e-mail nelson@nelsonfernlea.
freeserve. co.uk
For Sale: Acorn Rise PC600
computer (complete), AKF 60
Monitor, 420 HD, 48Mb DRAM,
2Mb VRAM, CD Rom, manuals,
CD's etc (magazine), loaded with
software, excellent condition,
£400 or nearest offer please.
E-mail: keith@bronteland.
freeserve.co.uk tel: 01535 643419
(Yorks) I will send if required.
Bargain Software: Webmaster £45,
Impression Publisher £50, Genesis
Plus £10, All £100. Tel: 01765
689913 Ripon (North Yorks).
A4000, 14" multiscan monitor,
H.P Deskjet 520 Printer,
manuals and software including
Impression Style and Teehsoft
£250 01294 822303.
Acorn User Free Ads Service
• Wanted: Rise OS PRM V5a. can
anyone help me track down a
copy of this manual, I will pay
full price. Tel: Greg 01522 822151
after 6pm. Lincoln.
• Holed Out Compendium,
E-Type Compendium, E-Type 2,
Black Angel, Virtual Golf, £15
Each. Compendium:
ARCticulate Speech, Cyber
Chess, Apocolypse, Aldebaran
£20. Tel: Christian 01285 659872.
• A5000. LC. 4Mb, 515Mb AKF18
monitor, 24x CD IDE-A
Interface, Lots of software Inc,
Impression Style/ Publisher,
DrawWorks Millienium, Mr
Clippy, Vivid 5000, Photodesk,
Mac-FS, Sibelius 7, Pro Cad and
much more £300 cash manuals
docs etc P.W.O. upgrade to
SA.RPC forces sale. John 01204
571836 Bolton, Lanes.
dirt-
Why not take advantage of our free reader ad service? Fill in
your details on this coupon (25 words maximum, one word per
box below) and send it to Free Ads, Acorn User, Tau Press Ltd,
Media House, Adiington Park, Macclesfield SK10 4NP or by e-
mail to: freeads@acornuser.com. Only one ad per reader please.
Although we try to publish every ad we receive, we can make no
guarantees; publication is entirely dependent on space and
constraints. Please fill in your name and telephone number
below ~ these will not be published, but they enable us to
contact you in case of any queries. Please include your
town/county in each ad to help other readers with their
purchasing decision.
Your name: Telephone no: .
"rf'O^ Jon n^Hy^^
[Wan) noizaa, i)06
\ ej/ioWofbuA '-
!> 3^WbTBH .Tl\ ^^
^ ^^^^^ -^
.d>/*
I OH nO
I^B wt '" '^ ; ; ^'^7^HTh rT Z '' ! !!!' ^! * "^ J''''''^""''^^ " ^ "i^
I \^ *io(n »'
http://www.acornu$er.com Christinas 1 999
60
In the last few years digital
projectors have become
established as the main means of
providing large images from
computer output for display to an
audience.
With specs improving all the time
and prices falling they are becoming
accessible to a wide range of users
including schools, though you can
still expect to pay at least £2,000
(excluding VAT) for one capable of
being viewed by a reasonable
number of people without the need
for blackout.
In fact the market has seen such a
proliferaHon of different projectors
with a whole range of different
features and specifications, that
choosing one can be quite a
headache.
This article looks at various
aspects of digital projectors in the
hope of helping those who want one
to sort through the variety available.
Apart from all the other
considerations associated with
digital projectors there is always the
question of whether they will work
with your Acorn and if so, how well.
By way of example, then, this
article also reviews the Mitsubishi
S120 digital projector which 1 have
tested with PCs and Acorns.
Inevitably, if you look through
catalogues you will see references to
PCs and Macs but none whatsoever
to Acorns. That doesn't mean they
won't work with Acorns at all, but
does mean that some facilities work
while others don't.
Image quality
Image quality will generally depend
on 3 main factors:
# The brightness of the lamp: this is
usually rated in ANSI lumens but
for some inexplicable reason some
projectors perform as well as
others with a higher rating. As a
picture
I Mike Battersby gives a few tips on
clioosing a digital projector
rule of thumb however, the higher
the rating, the more powerful the
projector and the more suitable
therefore for larger rooms and
audiences. I have found that a
rating of 650 ANSI lumens is the
minimum requirement for
classroom use without blackout.
The Mitsubishi S120 is rated at 900
ANSI lumens and should
therefore be adequate for
classroom or small hall use
without blackout, though be
aware that direct sunlight on the
screen will always diminish the
clarity of an image.
The internal screen type: generally
good projectors use TFT screen
technology though some may use
Lamp life
The lamp life of most projectors is rated at 2,000 hours. The exception is the
Philips range which uses bulbs with a 4,000 hours rating. The longer rating
does not mean better quality projection just a longer interval before you have
to pay around £300-£400 for a replacement bulb.
Again, unfortunately, all is not as simple as it
might be as some lamps do not have full brightness
for their whole life span. You may find that some
bulbs have full brightness for, say, half their life
span then a reduction for the next portion, then a
further reduction and so on.
"This is well worth checking out as it could
substantially affect the suitability of a projector for
a particular use if the bulb does not maintain its
initial brightness. The Mitsubishi S120's lamp does,
I beheve, maintain full brightness for its entire life,
DSTN. TFT is vastly superior, in
my opinion, and I would barely
consider the alternative. However,
you may find a projector at a
bargain price which, on testing,
proves perfectly adequate for your
purpose, such as for display to a
relatively small audience. Even
within these technologies,
however, different manufacturers
produce different quality screens.
The Mitsubishi S120 produces one
of the best images I've seen from
projectors in its price range.
Screen resolution: this works in
much the same way as for a
monitor and the range of pixel
densities will likely parallel that of
monitor screens, typically VGA
(640x480), SVGA (800x600), XGA
(1024x768), SXGA (1280x1024) and
so on.
1 personally would recommend
capability of at least 800x600 if
you can afford it. Above that all
things like the individual
icons start to get reduced
in size to an extent that
seems to me to partially
defeat the object of having
a large display image.
However, again it is a
matter of what you want
to display, the size of
audience and so forth.
The Mitsubishi S120
has a resolution of 800x600
h
pixels. Like many other projectors,
however, it can display an XGA
image using 'compression' which
means it reduces it to an 800x600
simulation at the expense of
detail.
Extra features
Various models incorporate different
additional facilities which typically
could include:
• Power zoom and focus: where
zoom and focus can be altered by
remote control. Whether this is
worth the extra cost involved is
likely to be a matter of preference
as it can be more difficult to
precisely adjust these than if done
manually. Once zoom and focus
have been adjusted for projection
onto a particular screen it is
unlikely that it would be
necessary to adjust it.
• Variety of inputs: in addition to
the usual RGB input it may be
useful to have an SVHS or video
input to enable projection of, for
instance, videos. Video input
facilitates the connection of a
small video camera to enable the
projector to double as an OHP
(overhead projector) for display of
printed matter or solid objects.
There may also be sound input
with amplification to a speaker.
Sound amplification allows video
sound output or spoken sound
amplificahon via a microphone.
Some mini video cameras
incorporate microphones for this
purpose.
• Monitor re-driver: it is useful to
have the ability to take the
monitor signal out from the
projector to connect to a monitor.
This allows simultaneous display
via both the projector and a
monitor without the need for a
splitter cable.
% Remote control of the mouse: it
may be possible to use the
projector remote control to move
the pointer on the screen and
emulate mouse clicks via a lead
to the mouse port on the
computer. This can be convenient
in that it allows a speaker to
demonstrate actions that take
place when something is clicked
on without being restricted to the
range of a mouse lead.
9 Image correction: this can
compensate for projection at an
angle to the screen to eliminate
distortion of the image.
The Mitsubishi S120 projector
has manual zoom and focus, RGB,
SVHS, video and various audio
inputs and a monitor re-driver
output.
It has an RS-232 input for
connechng to a mouse port and
provides a lead for doing so as
well as leads to connect from the
computer to the projector. It has a
remote control for turning on and
off, adjusting settings and
emulating the mouse.
Using the S120
The projector produces a high
quality image from RISC OS
computers provided they have a 15
pin monitor output. Tlnis includes all
models from the A3D20 onwards
(A4000, A5000, A7000 and Rise PC).
However, earlier models such as the
A300S, A400s and A3000 only have
the 9 pin monitor outputs.
There are adapters which
monitors with 15 pin connectors
(such as the AKF50) to be connected
to the older models but the ones 1
tried did not enable a correct picture
to be displayed. Although some parts
of the screen displayed, the colours
were incorrect and the images
unclear.
Oddly, though, the image output
from the re-driver displayed
correctly on an external monitor.
Therefore the projector is really only
suitable for Acorns with 15 pin
connectors unless a technical expert
can come up with a more suitable
form of adapter.
The connector to a computer
mouse socket is of the PS2 type so
will not connect to any Acorn other
than the A7000 series, although
both Microdigital's Mico and
RiscStation's latest machines also
take PS2 mice.
With the A7000 the remote control
works fine, it moves tlie pointer and
emulates mouse clicks from the left
and right mouse buttons but
unfortunately can't emulate the
middle mouse button. This wouldn't
be so bad, except that the connector
from the projector occupies the
mouse port on the A7000 so you
can't use a mouse in combination
with it.
Therefore the usefulness of the
remote control as a mouse depends
very much on what you want to be
able to demonstrate. The use of a
software utilit)' to emulate the mouse
via the keyboard might be one way
to combine the use of the remote
control and still have Menu button
emulation.
Conclusion
There are a wide range of digital
projectors around to suit a variety of
needs and pockets. The Mitsubishi
S120 is a very high quaUty projector
within its price bracket {typically
£2,500-0,000 excluding VAT -
educational price, depending on
where you buy it). It produces a high
quality image from Acorns but is
probably only suitable for
straightforward display in the
majority of cases, though there is
some potential value in the
remote control mouse facility.
Product:
Mitsubishi S120 digital
1
pnijecfiir 1
Price;
Around i3W5 1
Supplier:
Medium UK, Medium House, 1
Unit 4, Peter James Business
Cenire, Pump Lane, Hayes,
1
Middlesex UB3 3NT
Tel:
0181 813 5777
Icon Technology
Pro-h Version 7 now available, includes RTF output and thumbnail printing
EasiWriter professional
• Powerful, fully featured, multi-column word processor.
• Reads and writes MS Word 6, 7 & 8 (Office 97/98).
• IMPRESSION text files with styles are imported complete with formatting.
• Reads and writes HTML. Splits large documents with automatic generation
of forward /backward links and contents.
• Reads RTF (Rich Text Format).
• Creates Hypertext documents.
• Built in Table Editor.
• Automatic bulleted and numbered lists.
• Mail merge.
• Automatic numbering of Lists, Sections etc.
• Powerful spell checker.
• Style editor.
EasiWriter professional
£119.84
EasiWriter Pro+
£139.00 (offer)
^
w
oq
TechWriter professional
"its great! At the risk of writing advertising copi/ for
Icon Technology, no piece of software on any platform has
made me grin with delight as I discover new features as
much as TechWriter has." Archive
^
All the feaUires of EasiWriter professional plus a
powerful easy to use equation editor
Writes TeX.
Saves equations as GIF's (using
InterGif) when writing HTML.
Used by the Mathematical
Association to produce the
Mathematical Gazette.
TechWriter professional
£178.59
TechWriter Pro-i-
£199.00 (offer)
Reads and «"*«*
Mrcroso«®«ord
New! Pro+
Text flow over graphics
Paragraphs can contain multiple graphics which can be left and right aligned
with text flowing over them. Allows drop caps.
Java enabled
Run Java Applets inside an Easi/Tech Writer window
Plus...
Over 100 new user definable keyboard shortcuts, runs animated GIFs and
Animator files, 300/360 dpi equation resolation when saving as Word.
Upgrade your Writer to
EasiWriter Pro for just £60 inclusive
or Pro+ 7 for £80 inclusive.
Icon Technology Limited
Church House • Carlby • Stamford • Lines • PE9 4NB
Phone and Fax 01778 590563
http://www.icontechnology.net
email: sales@lconTechnology.net
-r-i-'-^-fTT
Little fineers, bi^ access
SEMERC (0161 827 2927) have three new
keyboards to tempt vou with. The
TmckBoard is a space saving compact
keyboard with a buiU-in trackball and
configiu'able colour-coded keys. Its drag-
mode and double-dick keys ensure that
those with restricted movement have the
full access.
Next is the Little Big Board which also
comes with configurable colour-coded kevs
but this time with a 22-key caicula tor-style
numeric kev pad and an enlarged enter
key. This keyboard is 30 per cent smaller
than a standard qwerty keyboard tor those
with limited desk space or who want to
access their computer from a wheelchair.
The third option is Little Fingers which has
been designed for those with weak wrists
with its built-in full-size wrist rest and
trackball. Prices start from £49,
Parent Internet pack
Last year NCH Action for Children
produced a handbook for children and
parents highUghting the potential
hazards to be found on the Internet.
The DfEE have now produced their
own guide called Superhighway Safety
which incorporates NCH's NetSmart
tips and which emphasises the potential
of the Internet, whether used at home or
When sha
we three
meet again...
Computer Kids (0151 638 1296) have
launched Macbeth CD which fits
neatly with both primary and
secondary literacy requirements while
providmg quality digital content for
incorporatijig ICT in English.
For £25 there is an A5 booklet, a
tri-fold play review, Shakespearian
newspaper, comic strip murder scene,
cut-and-paste storyline, witches'
spells and a deadly debate - among
others.
This is the fourth in Computer
Kids' ICT Across the Curriculmn series,
the earlier titles being: Word
Processing Tasks and Templates,
Pictorial Databases, and Spreadsheets
through Time.
Each CD comes with teacher's
notes and National Curriculum and
QCA exemplar scheme of word for IT
cross-referencing-
Contacting AU
Pam Tumbull;
ed uc@acomiiser. ctim
J
school. With a foreword by David
Blunkett, this pack will be sent to
schools before Christmas.
John Carr, Internet Consultant for
NCH Action for Children commented:
"School children are the fastest growing
groups of new Internet users in the UK.
"This is mainly due to the excellent
policies pursued by the Goverrunent in
our schools. But obviously we need to be
cautious, and questions of safety should
be paramount at all times."
Historica
sources and
resources
TTie Public Record Office is now online.
Teachers, parents, students and pupils
can now access mountains of historical
resources via their Learning Curve Web
site (http;//learningcurve. pro. gov.uk).
Tliis features material from the
Domesday Book and Magna Carta to a
huge collection of political cartoons,
posters and photographs.
Information is stored in galleries where
some events are accompanied by video
footage, such as the suicide of Suffragette
Emily Davison.
Commenting on the launch, the FRO's
Head of Education, Ysanne Stiell-McNeill
said: "The content for the site has been
created by historical experts in
partnerships with practisijig teachers and
education professionals to produce a
resource full of in-depth and highly
accurate information, all of which is
presented with the history curriculum
firmly in mind."
ducat lOr
In brief
My world bonanza
Inclusive Technology (01457 819
799) have three collections of My
World resources on offer.
Collection 1 concentrates on early
language and literacy resources.
Collection 2 covers shape, sorting
and thinking with 3D Shapes,
Animal Sorting, Pattern Maker,
Attributes, Blocks and Codes. Not
to be outdone Collection 3 looks
at reading and recording with six
different programs.
Each collection costs £75, or
you could buy all three
colleclions for £225 which comes
with a free My World 2+2.
Online book access
Oxford University Press have
added an online store for primary
teachers to their Web site. With
over 2000 books and educational
resources for maths and literacy
to choose from you can now
browse and buy at your leisure.
There is also the Oxford Literacy
Web, a new stand-alone literacy
scheme for reluctant readers.
Why not take a look for yourself
at: www.oup.co.uk/primary
TEEM reviews
Teachers Evaluating Education
Muhimedia (TEEM for short) is an
Internet project initiated by
Sparrowhawk & Heald in
conjunction with CrelCT at
Homerlon College, Cambridge.
Now in its second year, the DfEE
has given its support to the
project for the next three years.
Each program is evaluated by
two practising classroom teachers,
once as a piece of curriculum
software and then as a case study.
You can read what they have to
say on www.TEEM.org-uk
Oops
The wrong details for Medieval and
Tudor Hampshire were printed in
the Novemher issue ot Acorn llstr.
Our apologies and here is Ihe
correct ijiformation:
Product:
Medieval and llidor
Hampshire
Price:
£20
Age.';:
7-11
Supplier:
Hampshire Record
Office
Tel:
01962 846154
Web:
www. )iants.go\'.uk/
record-office/inde>..
html/
(63
http://www.acornuser.com Christmas 1 999
The Acor
Business and Utilities
Am Internet Suile II 110,51
ArcFax 35.00
ArcFS2 25.00
ARCshare 49.95
Artworks 104.69
CD Burn 58.75
Compiete Animator 94.05
DataPower 1 110,00
DataPower2 166.32
DaVinci90 81.08
Digital Symphony 56.95
Disc Doctor 28.45
Disc Rescue 45,00
Draw Works Designer 31 .50
EasyC-^+ 116.32
EasyFont Pro 59 95
Eureka 3 110.51
FastSpook 17,62
Fireworkz Pro 166.31
Font Directory Pro 65.00
FontFXe 29,95
Game On! 2 15.00
Holy Bible (lllus.) BP{KJV) 82.25
HTML Edit 4 53,00
ImageFS 2 44.59
IMaster & TWAIN Driver 35.00
lmpact-3 100.00
Impression Publisher 136.41
Impression Style 83.54
LanMan98 41.12
MellDI 129.00
MIDI Synthesizer 46.94
Midi Works 151.95
OHP (Presentation) 29.95
Ovation Pro 158.62
P'rilel port Zip driver (Argo) 34,08
PC Pro2 39.00
Personal Accounts V4 49.00
Photo Link 65.55
Photo Real (Canon/Epson) 65.86
Pholodesk 3 299.50
ProArtisan 24 (RPC Only) 89.95
Prophet 3 179,77
Rhapsody 4 94,95
Schema 2 121.50
Sibelius 6 116,00
Sibelius 7 599.00
Sibelius 7 Student 345.00
Sleuths 116.32
Spark FS 25,00
StrongGuard 25.00
Studio Sound 113.95
Tablemate Designer 60,00
TopModel2 145.11
Turbodrivers (Can/HP/Eps) 54.69
WebSpider 40.00
WebTool for ANT Suite 2 29.38
WIMP Basic 44.99
Win95FS 41,12
XStitch 2 35,00
EDUCATION
Animated Alphabet, Talk 33.43
Arc Venture (various) 39.01
Aztecs, Age 7-11 50.17
Calabash Pirates 25.98
Crystal Rain Forest 50.17
DataSweei 3 69.33
Dazzle + 83.71
Dinosaurs (10/10) 13.49
Doodle 32.37
English (10/10) 13.49
Essential Maths (10/10) 13.49
Essential Science 13,49
Expl with Flossy the Frog 28,79
First Logo 38.95
Freddy Teddy's Adventure 23.50
French (10/10) 13.49
Fun School 3/4 (various) 24.99
Geography (10/10) 13.49
German (10/10) 13.49
Granny's Garden
28.79
James Pond Run, Water
27.00
Maths (Geometry) (10/10
13.49
Maths (Number) (10/10)
13.49
Mega Maths
24.99
Micro Maths
24.99
My World 2 + 2
54.70
Naughty Stories Vols 1-6
44.65
New Teddy Bear's Picnic
36.78
Nursery Rhyme Time
33.43
Oxford Reading Tree 3
44.65
Pendown DTP
65.85
Playdays age 3-8
23.40
Playground (Freddy teddy) 23.50
1 Smudge the Spaniel
25.98
Spelling & Punctuation
13.49
Splosh+ (1-5 users)
51.70
Table Aliens
27.85
Tiny Draw/Tiny Logo
29.37
Tizzy's Toybox
47.94
Watch Magic Grandad
30.13
GAMES
Alone in the Dark
20.00
Anagram Genius
20.00
BHP Brutal Horse Power
28.49
Birds of War f
30.00
Black Angel
30.00
Carnage Inc.
22.50
Chocks Away Compend.
25,00
Cobalt Seed
23.74
Crystal Maze, age 7+
28.45
Cyber Chess
31,50
Darkwood
20.70
Demon's Lair
20.00
Dhfter (DD/HD)
31.50
Dune II {CD -£31 .50)
26.60
Dungeon t
27.00
E-Type 2 t
30.00
Eclipse Collection
22.49
Enter the Realm
25.00
Exodus
25.00
Fire and Ice
23.39
Global Effect
27.00
Groundhog
12.00
Haunted House
25.00
Holed Out Compendium
20.00
James Pond 2+
16.20
Logic Mania
27.00
Morph
25.00
Pandora's Box
25-00
Patience Addict
19.95
Play It Again Sam 3
24.95
Play It Again Sam 4
35,00
Real McCoy 2/3/4 (each)
35,00
Real McCoy 5
31.50
Rick Dangerous
15.26
Saloon Cars Deluxe
31.50
Scrabble
26.59
Shuggy
25.95
Shovy 3D
20.00
Silver Ball
12.00
Simon the Sorcerer
27.00
Small t
21.20
Spobbleoid Fantasy
30.00
Slereoworld
22.50
Stuntracer 2000 f
35.00
Supersnail
25.00
The Time Machine
25.00
Virtual Golf
31.50
CD Business & utils
Arm Club PD CD 1
19.00
Arm Club PD CD 2
15.00
Artworks ClipArt 1 or 2
20.08
Bilfolio 7
42.74
Font Empohum
29.95
PDCD4 (Datafile)
15.00
PDCD5 (Datafile)
15.00
ProAnisan 2
98,93
Rise Disc Vol.1
15.00
Rise Disc Vol.2
20.00
Rise Disc Vol.3
25.00
Rob Duncan Cartoon Kit
Task Force Clip Art
AO 7d.
33.20
Tekkie Disc (PRM's etc)
47.50
CDROM Education |
Ancient Egyptians
42.30
Ancient Lands
50.53
Anim Talking Alphabe
33,43
British Isles from the Air
Castles
Crystal Rain Forest 2
42.30
42,30
50.17
Dangerous Creatures
50.53
Dinosaurs
50.53
Era of the 2nd WW
81.08
Garden Wildlife
42.30
■ Guardians of Greenwood
58.16
' Hutchinson's Encyclopedia 52.82 |
Illustrated Shakespeare
29.32
John Cabot & Merchani V
42.30
Kingfisher Mlcropedia
76.38
King Arthur
58,69
Kiyeko with Acorn reader
36,43
Map Detectives
50.17
8 Musical Instruments
50.53
My 1st Incrd. Amaz. Diet,
41.13
Number Time 2
28.99
Oxf, Talking Infant Atlas
22.32
PB Bears Birthday Party
41.13
Perspectives Francais
81.08
Romans
42.30
Science Explorer
66.96
Seashore Life
42.30
Science In Action
13.73
Settlements
81.08
Space Exploration
13.73
Survival: Mysteries of Nat
42.30
The Way Things Work
50,53
The World's Weather
52.87
Tizzy's Toolbox
44.65
TOTS TV
19.95
Ultimate Human Body
50.00
Understanding the Body
42.30
Vikings
42.30
World of Robert Burns
93-94
CDROM GAMES |
Abuse
25.00
Ankh
25.00
Crystal Maze
28,45
Doom Trilogy
35.00
Dune 11
31.50
Heroes of Might & Magic 11 35.00 |
Simon the Sorcerer
32.40
Syndicate
29.00
Wizards Apprentice
24.95
1500 titles Available!!
Some dealers may not stock-
tides J
Minimum delivery
Credit Curds and O'
Orders welcome. H&OE
All Prices Inelude
New & Featured
software
lmpact-3
Relational database
New Publisher!
£100
Textease Multimedia
Award winning
Offer price £85
Acorn Advance
RISC 0S4/SA compat.
£50
ArcFS2
R/W compression
filing system
£25
Alone In The Dark
Walkabout game not SA
Offer price £20
Key:
NRPC Not for RPC
t Separate RPC version
Many titles ai
Order from a participating dealer
The Data Store
Tel 0181 460 8991 Fax 0181 313 0400
email sales@datstore.demon.co.uk
CJE Micro's /NCS
Tel 01 903 523666 Fax 01 903 523679
email sales@cje.co.uk
Davyn Computer Services
Tel 01 924 254800 Fax 01 924 254036
emaiisales@davyn.demon.co.uk
Liquid Silicon
Tel 01592 592265 Fax 01592 596102
email liquid@cableinet.co.uk
OTA Direct
Tel 01 942 797777 Fax 01 942 79771 1
email sales@cta.u-net.com
Uniqueway
Tel 01222 464020 Fax 01222 440071
email sales@uniqueway.co.uk
gassiim
ducatior
Words and Sentences is the
second in Sherston's
Keywords series, this one
concentrates on English. A
useful tool for teachers (and pupils),
it looks at the language associated
with grammar, punctuation and
phonics. And by the mention on
those three words alone, you know
that this is tied to the Literacy Hour.
Based on the book version (also
written by Karen Bryant- Mole) it is a
very simple encyclopedia/dictionary.
The box contains a poster of the
program icons, which are pretty self-
explanatory (and identical to Science
Keywords), but this is a useful idea
as are the Quick Start and Index of
Keywords sheets.
The manual duplicates these but
contains sound step-by step advice.
There are 136 entries from abstract
noun to word, stopping along the
way at complex sentence and
mnemonic.
The main screen offers you three
ways to access the information, via
an alphabetical listing, picture index
or through the simple search tool. If
you know the
word for
which you
want the
definition, the
index is your
best port of
call. Scroll
through the
entries or cHck
on the relevant
letter to go the
beginning of that section of the list.
Make your choice and you'll find
yourself on a screen with a definititm
with some examples.
Click on the ear/speaker icon to
hear the text read to you or opt for
the chain icon to see any linked
ish
as
IS
spoke
Pam Turnbull looks at a very
specific reference source
articles. These will then change
colour and be underlined, you
carmot access the links unless you
click the link button which seems a
waste of time. You many not want all
your children to link to other parts of
the program, but my preferred
option would be to disable this
facihty from a
customisation
screen - which
you can't, but
this is a minor
niggle.
Sometimes a
third, camera,
icon will appear
which informs
you that your
chosen entry has
an illustration (or choice of images)
with it. Click to go to the thumbnail
images. Make your choice and the
full-sized picture will appear with a
caption icon next to
it. Click here to
reveal information
on the picture and
the grammatical or
phonic information
it is describing.
Along the top of
the screen are icons
which will let you
return to the
previous screen; go
to the main menu; give you
information about using the
program; let you print, export the
text or graphics to another program;
or quit.
If you're looking for something
and you don't know exactly what.
the Word Search choice from the
main menu is best. You can choose
one or two words with an add /or
modifier; click Find when you're
ready, but do watch the spelling. A
box will then appear with
appropriate matches and clicking on
these will take you to that specific
entry.
Finally there is
the Picture Index
option which
reveals all the
words that have
pictures connected
^^flH^H to them. And that
•'^'^^^^^^^^ is all there is to it.
Simple and
effective it contains
all the words and
phi'ases children are required to know
by the National Literacy Strategy and
in such a way that they can make
their own word /definitions books or
use it as an electronic dictionary. And
as most dictionaries for this age
group do not cover the grammatical
terms required this is a
definite boon.
Product details J
Product: English Keywords - Word and
Senfences
Price: £29-95
Ages: 7-1] year olds
Supplier: Sherslon Software, AngeJ
House, Malmesbury, Wiltshire
SN16 OLH
Tel: {444/0)1666 843224
Fax: (+44/0) I666S43216
E-mail; salesSsherston.co.uk
Web; www.sherston.cam
http;//w ww.acornuser.com Christmas 1999
65
THE
NEW
LOOK
ACORN
PUBLISHER
BUT
STILL
AS
GOOD
TO
READ
AS
EVER
cAn mjDT. couN wow
lUllAW Ul+U OVAHIH mil
IKMIW: IGOC ON M:WMN&
For the best help and advice with
desktop publishing, web page
design and image processing Acorn
Publisher is the magazine of choice.
Subscribe now, before the start of
the new millennium (31st December
1999), and we will send you your
first two issues completely free of
charge*. The price you pay is just
£24.95.
Acorn
Publisher
Probably the best looking and most
readable RISC OS magazine.
*Your two free issues will be Vol. 6 issue 1 and
Vol. 6 issue 2. Your subscription will start from
Vol. 6 issue 3 and run for twelve months from
that date (total eight issues for the price of six).
Offer applies to UK only.
/fKALATV
,/i Publishing
P.O.Box 231, Barton, Bedford MK45 AHQ"
Tel. 01582 881614 fax 01582 881614
Email: akalat@kbnet.co.uk
■^
■LCX^SmS
RED HOT Networking.
Nd need ror cumoersomfr imd alow Ersn^ar pfngroma
"^ 4oijnd PsraVS easy ta in^la)L ana ^diflrnEomard to
PHiiipPeny,Archr« 12.10
Mouse Interfaces, Trackballs etc
Game interfaces, Joysticks etc.
PCJaf Anologua jDytftck intv^Kje a\vt% you a giUTpaportl
PC Phunlwn Jaysitk tv abovn [it aulo ^u ThnjUie b)c)
3vl0 eiHtoM joynvk HilerlaH lot dAn-aTyla digffiiJ alicliB. i
ApKhv JDyntic)! tor abovo fmlcroMlirrwd] ^
IMhon AKamatNo'otiDawHlfinn'nilta-oswiK'ierll fi
BfinMrfK* loypMa |siriQtfl.4iaijbiB> (
OnoKKB Drtvon D4ik farciiliDvr'rrck&'iavpddsfli: T
Access Products
PSPiAoufle-i di^u r
^iiEhmDiiit ask tof ttga^i
Easy Sharing!
snare devicK QeTMeer a HIscPC and PC using our
range ol C|uaflty 9HliaiBs. WlincluOetablss.
KeyOoBra, PS'2 iibusb ano sarlal sivih* ,,□ tjfi
(ideal l^ your monrtty has Iwo iripute) '^
15HD 10 5iBNC monllor cbBIb br above t^^
KeyDoafd S Monirot svWIcli £3^ '^^
Keytneid, MonJtor and PS/3 mouss avvltch C*^
Pnnlern maoniiB-j? devicBE) £\' "^^
PnnlBr(aniacn(nBs->1 devica] fi'i^'^
irinqEions are a^rlable ■ call lo'
^HQhkB»toajnreaacemBnnafJv3'ii»t)onter)f *5^'^
Stuarl Tyrrell Developments
PO Box 103. OLDHAM bL2 BFB
TbU 01706 648 600 Oam-9pm}
Fb>'D87D 164 1604 (national lale)
Email. In<o@sideveiaeman.ci>.uk
hllp: .www.5ldevel.dBnloii.co ut
Phone, Fax or email tor a
free product inform a lion flyer I
All prices Include P&P
OelEtt'Vlaa-Maslercard WBlcomed.
All Iradflmarks acknowleged. E&OE.
Domain Names
.CO.UK
NOTHING ELSE TO PAY FOR 2 YEARS
2000 UK domains are being registered per week
Your company or family should be one of them!
Register yaufnante.^a.uH noip!
Domain name package includes :
• All Internic/Nominet registration fees
• Free Web forwarding to an existing ISP/website
• Free unlimited email address forwarding*
• DNS hosting
"All mail sent to anytlvng@yourdomain co.uk will be forwarded lo an emsttng dial-up account
Also available :
.COM, .NET, .ORG domains £65
XTD.UK, .NET.UK, .ORG.UK domains C55
Add your site to 250+ search engines & directories C25
Unlimited individual email forwarding £20
Contact us today to see if vour domain Is available
All pnocs exclude VAT @ 1 7 5%
^^pelUngs www.speHings.net
fi^--v . cloniains@spellifigs.net
o{Q ' Tel. 07785 935497
Services ^'^' ^' ^^ Normanton Road
LiinnBa South Croydon
Surrey, CR7 7JU
Compare the competition*
Netnames £ 99 --vai
1st names £95 -i-vat
Futurenames £125+vat
^Mm^mmma^im
ducatior
Web
zone
You pays your money and... Pam Turnbull looks
into the subscription side of Argosphere
If you don't know about
ArgoSphere, here's a rundown:
this is a UK-based education site
for children, parents and teachers
which you can access at three levels:
a selection of free activities from the
full site; Volume 1 which contains
most of the activities from the full
site but without new activities or
developments; and the Full Site.
Edited by Simon Hosier, the Full
Site includes an extensive and
expanding range of activities and
resources. There are two subscription
services to the Full ArgoSphere site -
one for schools and the other for
homes. Both provide complete access
to a wide range of age-specific
interactive resources and activities
for children aged 3+, 5+, 8+ or 13+.
For teachers
As this is not just a site for teachers,
you don't get the huge amount of
classroom resources available on
some sites, but what is there is useful
rather than gimmicky. In addition if
fteue.trnimiHut
Sjji^ J/J^HJ nj
v/a.\'i«f
.:ll,--<ij> .„i:h<:
(iack itj HfjrM
I he New Un.k
Wtii''^ Mi(w
About U-:.
A/qoNei Ac
feafoock
Activity age ranges
Resources
/ttor /(Tj Ajft^ (-iinyi/c*!' Ormm
you're a parent there are things to
keep the kids gainfully employed at
home too. Activities are varied, nice
to look out and well differenhated
with items rangijig from The Sea
Stealers and Looking at Maps, to
Niirser]^ Rin/nies and So Bear.
Specific RISC OS
support
With an Acorn pedigree behind it
Argosphere does acknowledge that
not everyone in the world is using a
PC. Activities are JavaScript-based
hut if you don't have it attached to
your browser there is a section of
non-JavaScript activities and
resources. Even so there are some
activities which Acorn users will
have problems with. In particular,
my younger testers were
disappointed that some of the
interactive activities refused to work
on our Rise PC. However, there is a
RISC OS-specific download bureau
whidn is as rare as it is refreshing.
This allows you
to download most
(but not all) of the
ArgoSphere
activities to be
used offline.
Beneficial for
keeping modem
or telephone use
In a minimum,
and also for quick
loading of pages -
you're not waiting
forever for
graphics - but also
helpful for schools
not on a network
as individual
activities can be
copied to floppy
and used
ihroughout the
school.
I was, however,
disappointed by
Age 13'
FeedloQck
the quantity and dates of the
programs on offer, with about three
months elapsing since the latest
upload. But, in addition to offline
activities, there are printable maths
worksheets (from Creative
Curriculum Software, you set the
number, operation and range),
crosswords (covering a range of
topics from the Old Testament to
capital cities), even a handwriting
page maker and Web-based
worksheets for hectic classroom
teachers and a range of clip-art and
fonts to access.
1 was impressed by the quality of
these resources. For instance, the
Handwriting Page Maker can be
used online or downloaded and lets
you create pages of text based on
Christopher Jarman's Jardotty font.
Decide on the letters and words and
by joining the dots children can copy
the characters with arrows giving
starting place and direction.
Then there's TestMaker which
requires JavaScript support. Easy to
use, it lets you make quizzes which
can be used on or offline. You can
opt to choose a correct answer from a
list or type in the right answer. Then
press a button to find out your score
and which questions you got right.
1 would have liked connections
with particularly good education
sites, but links are limited to
OFSTED, plus a few schools and
commercial publishers. However, I
did like the links to www.teaching-
today.com which gives a scrolling
lists of education stories for you to
access. The site is still being
developed and a lot of thought has
gone into the look, though a more
obvious front door would
be a good idea. I^,^^}
Product details J
Product: ArgoSphere
Web: www.argosphere.net
J
67
hltp://www.acornuser.tom Christmas 1 999
68
\
Well here we are at Christmas,
it only seems like two
minutes ago it was
September (little
contributors' joke about deadlines).
So as this is the season of joy and
merriment I thought I would make a
game. This one is based on those
seaside arcade games where moles
peep out of the ground and you have
to bash them with a hammer.
However, in order to simplify
matters somewhat and to appease the
anti-animal cruelty lobby we will not
be bashing actual moles, nor
animatronic versions thereof, but
lights. To be even more accurate we
will be bashing switches with lights
nearby, but we shall have virtual
moles appearing on the desktop just
to retain the flavour of things.
So let's see what we need our
computer to control - basicallv a few
LEDs and switches so this sounds
like a job for one of those many
input/output expansion multiplexer
projects I have made over the years.
However, in this case that is overkill
with the electronics and I have come
up with something much simpler.
The problem 1 set myself was to
control sixteen LEDs and to be able to
read sixteen switches all from the
printer port without any external
power supply. But, with only eight
data outputs from the printer port,
how is this done?
If you read last month's article you
will remember that I had one output
controlling one LED, this meant any
LED could be on or off. Now in this
game we only want one LED to be on
r>-i -
V
V
'5Z
1 jtip\e
n4
T
LiJQC
Bash
a
mo
Mike Cook gets cruel to cute animals
Figure 1 a
Figure lb
I .ofiic
vJt- V
L'lgic '.i
P5
'^
\a.
Figure 1 c
Figuiv 1: Developing an LED matrix
CUr'.^tnt^,. t DUO
at any one time, it's the one we are
going to bash, so we can make the
outputs go further.
Look at Figure la, here we have an
LED connected to two outputs. The
LED only lights up when DO is at a
logic one (high), and D4 is at a logic
zero (low). Now, we have used two
output lines to light one LED, not
very efficient is it? Next, in Figure lb,
two LEDs are cormected to DO and 1
can turn either of them on by putting
a logic zero on D4 or D5.
Note here if I put a logic zero on
both outputs both LEDs will light but
because the current is being
I shared from the common
resistor they will not be as
bright, generally I only want
one light on at a time. Here
you see we have two LEDs
being controlled by three
outputs, still not very
efficient but better than
Figure la. Finally look at
Figure Ic, this is a simple
extension of the previous
idea but now we have four
outputs controlling four
LEDs, we have finally
reached the efficiency of a
single output for a single
LED.
However, see how this
efficiency is rising faster
than a simple linear
relationship, as we add
another output line the
V
'V
V^
number of LEDs increases by more
than one, four outputs being the
break-even point. In fact the rule is
that the number of LEDs we can light
is half the number of outputs
squared. With eight outputs we can
control sixteen LEDs which is shown
in Figure II, this sort of arrangement
is known as a matrix because the
LEDs can be addressed by column
and row. In this case to light any LED
one row output (DO to D3) has to be
high and one column output has to
be low. Note that the other row
outputs need to be low and the other
column outputs need to be high to
ensure that just one light is lit.
Splat a rat
That's the outputs dealt with so what
about the inputs? Again we can take
advantage of the fact that we only
want to detect a switch closing when
it is associated with a lit LED and so I
can read all sixteen switches by using
only four of the status inputs on the
printer port. Again in Figure 11 you
will see each row connected to an
input. When the row outputs are
logic zero you will see zero on all the
inputs but when a row goes high, to
light an LED the corresponding input
will also go high.
Now the clever part is that when
the switch across the lit LED is closed
the LED is shorted out and so goes
off, and the corresponding status
input goes low. Therefore, as the
■^s^g-^^^/-^"-^^-
.vv-^- -;^-^r>--".'^'fcs^^rtcy.jy^-i»f,t^t^sr^v^?fe-t^-:iJ^K^
the
y^
w;
'^■
15\
\-^^
\^>
»k;#.
r.,^xi r.i.--.:
^
^
*>
^
^
Llt,-B,
Printer Po~ ipin numben m Uradiettj
Figure //; Tlie circuit for Basil n Mole
computer knows what row output it
raised and what column output it
lowered it can work out if the switch
is pressed or not, which is all very
efficient. The only slight snag is that
if you press a switch that hasn't got a
lit light associated with it you could
light up a different light, in the
context of what we want this isn't
important.
The way this circuit is wired up
makes things easy for the software, to
light an LED you must output a bit
pattern that has the lower four bits
(least significant nibble) set to 1, 2, 4,
or 8 and the upper four bits (most
significant nibble) 7, B, E, or D. Note
these are hexadecimal bit values.
Now, if we label or number the least
significant nibble patterns to 3 and
take the status register and shift it to
flie left by the least significant nibble
pattern's number, we get the bit we
are interested in always in the same
place, that's bit 6.
That may sound complex but it
means we can write a very simple
routine for lighting the LEDs and
reading the switch. What we need to
do is to generate a look-up table, or
array variable, with an entry, or
value, for each LED. If we do that
in the right order the two least
significant bits of the look-up table
index is also the status register shift
to the left value. Then bit 6 in the
status register will be a zero if the
switch is pressed otherwise it will be
a logic one. If you can't follow that
then look at the program niatrixl-
Now VQu have to physically make
Figure II. The first thing to decide is
what sort of mallet you are going to
use. For the feel of the game a heavy
one is best, this is because it is not so
manoeuvrable as a light one but it
does put extra
demands on the
ruggedness of your
construction.
Whatever you choose
you will need to put
some padding on it, I
stuck some thick
neoprene rubber
over the end that
came from a dead
mouse mat. Switches
can be a problem, the
cheapest solution
would be to use two
domed screws and a
conducting mallet. I
toyed with the idea
of putting foil or
copper over the head to make a
contact, but 1 couldn't see how it
would last in the long term.
You can get push button switches
but the amount of movement on these
is Umited and so any hammer blow-
would direct it's force straight on the
contacts. In the end I settled for
keyboard switches as these had a long
travel distance with the 'make'
connection condition occurring early
in the travel. This meant I could
arrange a screw to take most of the
force as shown in Figure III, note you
need to drill two sizes of hole one
from the front and the other from the
back.
Nats to you
I stuck the nut on with super glue and
glued the switch on the back with
liberal dollops of hot melt glue. The
board itself was a piece of thick fibre
board but for even more rugged
results you could use a piece of
kitchen work surface. Tlie LEDs
should be mounted in a hole so that
they are just recessed slightly, this
prevents the mallet from getting to
them. Again hot melt
glue should secure [
them in place.
The important
thing is to make sure
that the LEDs are in
the right place on the
board to correspond
with the software. As
you look at the front
of the board the LED
numbers start at the
top right hand comer
and go from left to
right. Remember
when you are wiring
them up you will be
working from the back of the board.
If you do get it wrong you could
always shuffle the icons about in the
application using the template editor,
however you are best using the
muirixl program to make sure it is
right as you make it.
Now we can light the LEDs and
read the switches it's time to put it all
together into a game. Looking
through some old issues of Acorn
User I came across software versions
of the same idea. I was inspired by
this - oh all right I nicked the sound
from WilUam Curson and the
graphics from Philip Mellor, but the
main code is mine basically because
they use a 3 by 3 grid of moles and 1
use a 4 by 4 array. Also I added an
extra image of the mole just starting
to appear from its mound. The idea is
that just before the light comes on
you get a little pre-warning on the
monitor of where it is going to come
from so your eyes constantly dart
between the screen and the board.
With a bit of practice you could
even become proficient at touch
mole-bashing. The rules are simple,
keep on bashing until ten moles
escape - you can change this easily in
the code. Also you can change the
minimum time a mole appears for
along with the maximum time. This
requires hacking into the code but the
variables are placed just before the
main loop and all have sensible
names. One place you might want to
improve the application is to have
menu options to control the times.
This would make a great game for
Christmas fairs or parties as long as
you steer clear of the league against
cruel sports - one option is to replace
the mole with Bill Gates.
The Bash-o-Mole game was
demonstrated at the RISC OS '99
■shoxL' - and ivas very popular.
Screw
Wooden board
/
Key tjoard switch
Fi_^urc HI: Fixing the f^witches
(69
://vvww. acornuser.com Chri'^'^
tsc^
--'-'•■"
■-•^-•"-'^^'^«wv-
A Rambles through
Acorn
.am
0^ MM ^
iHI
Reading through the November
issue I was struck by the
Regan Files and was rather
puzzled. If those two Icon
Technology types are such nice guys
why has Mike Glover super-glued
Bob Pollard's wrist to a tree?
Another thing from that issue was
the news that people are being asked
to pay up for using the LZW
compression algorithm. Now in the
US you can get a patent on an
algorithm but UK law specifically
forbids this. Therefore I would think
that any such patent couldn't be
enforced over here, I would be
interested in the views of any legally
trained reader.
As this is the final issue before the
Millennium bug is supposed to strike
it occurs to me that it's named
incorrectly. The problem has nothmg
to do with the millennium but
merely the century, the wrapping
round of the second significant digit
not the third. It's a mere coincidence
that it's a miliermium and nothing
significant at all. I suppose the
'Century Bug' does not have the
same foreboding of doom about it
and the media couldn't hype it so
much. I got an e-mail from a user of
Acorn equipment that had the tag
line "Millennium Smug".
First off, Richard Lewis has another
slant on a noisy computer:
'In reply to your October
I anonymous contributor with
I the noisy CD-ROM, I too
Mike Cook
grumbles through
the trees
have the very same problem since
installing a secondhand 8x drive I
bought at a show. Your tip of using:
♦cure
*Stop
*ADFS
has been a great help, thanks.
Unfortunately it assumes that your
current filing system is ADFS and
so switches back to it after issuing
the Stop command. If, however,
you've been using a different filing
system, for instance IDEFS, SCSI or
something, then you will need a
modified script such as:
*CDFS:Stop
which directs the command Stop to
CDFS without switching to it and
having to guess which file system
to switch back to afterwards."
Now Fred Dulwich is musing about
hard drives, he writes:
"I have been
I wondering.. .why is the
! option 'Spin down delay' in
the IDE harddisc configure window
greyed out? I have heard that this
option is only suitable for portable
computers, but I can't see any
reason why it shouldn't apply to
desktops as well.
"I only ask because we tend to
leave our computer on for long-ish
periods, and if the harddisc could
spin down, would it last longer? If,
in theory, there is no problem with
this idea, could the SWI
ADFS_PowerControl be used safely
to set the auto spindown to, say, 15
minutes?"
My thinking on this is that it
doesn't much matter to the
lifetime of the disc as the
extra stress on spin down and spin
up roughly matches the saving of
wear over leaving it running. On
portables this is done purely as a
power-saving measure where it is
worthwhile. Does anyone else have
any views on this matter?
Now Alex Farlie is wanting to put
his skill to helping others, he writes:
"Do you know if there is
any online material on
disabled access to IT or the
Internet, or designing software for
them? I am considering whether to
develop a symbol-based e-mail
program for the severely disabled
or literacy impaired and
information resources would be
appreciated. The actual legwork of
deciding what's relevant as well as
the creative effort is my problem
however."
I don't know of anything off
I hand but 1 would imagine
that your project would be
most useful if you targeted your
Christmas 1 999 http://www.acornuser.com
mm
application on a disabled individual.
I imagine that disabilities are fairly
individual and if tbere was a blanket
solution it would have appeared by
now. Try contacting your local Social
Services department of Students
Union and see if they can put you in
touch with someone who needs help.
I remember about 15 years ago I
had a severely disabled student at the
University- He was studying maths
and had very poor motor control
such that he couldn't speak, feed
himself, write or even sit still in his
wheel chair without being strapped
in. However, he was quick-witted
and had a great sense of humour. I
made some specially modified
keyboards so that he could learn
machine code programming and use
the mainframes, but 1 have not found
a use for that equipment since.
Matthew Sackman is reallv in need
of a copy of the Programmers
Reference manual, he writes:
"I am writing a backup
utility, and although I have
I never released it or
distributed it, it is up to version 1.5.
One of the new features that I am
trying to include in this version is
the ability to compress the backed
up files using the Squash module. In
a StrongHelp manual on SWIs, 1
found that there appear to be two
SWIs, Squash^Compress and
Squash_Decom press. Unfortunately
the manual provided no information
on the parameters, and various
attempts of my own to work out the
parameters needed have failed.
"Somewhat unsurprisingly, my
RISC OS 2 PRMs do not mention the
S{jiiash program or module at all.
Could you enlighten me as to how to
use these SWIs, and also how to
look for this module and load it if
found from within the program
which I am writing in BASIC. Also,
to ease the problem of looking
around for the module, am I allowed
to distribute the Squash module
inside the program directory?"
As the module is part of the
I operating system there is no
I need to distribute it with
your application. However to be on
the safe side use an RMensure
command in your Run file. 1 am not
surprised you couldn't work out the
parameters, it is rather complex with
lots of bits being used as- flags and
you really have to call this twice, the
first hme to get the size of buffers
you need and the second time to
actually do the job. It's four pages of
densely packed information in the
Programmers Reference Manual, but
just for you, and everyone else really,
I have included the information on
the AU Web site in a plain text file.
David Coulthard is trying to put his
computer on television:
"I am trying to use my
: computer to put effects and
titles onto my home video
recordings. I have an upgraded
410/1 with 40Mb hard drive with
RISC OS 3.1 and ARM3.
"The main thing I'm trying to do
is produce a realistic scrolling credit
effect at the end of a film. I've
looked at other people's programs
but they are all either too fancy or I
get lost trying to dissect the part I
require. I think the system font
would be adequate for my needs as
I imagine using a fancy font may be
complicated. As you might have
After my grumbles through Acom
Wood recently RC. Robinson
thought he would join in:
"I thought I would add
my own grumbles
regarding Help files and
Info templates. One of my
biggest grumbles is missing Help
files within applications and the
fact that many of them give no
indication as to the version
number of the software. Why
should anyone have to load an
application just to find out what
version number it is. We should
all be able to use the Filer's file
menu to obtain this information.
"Even worse is when the Help
file expects a certain application
to be available to even read it
using this method. Saying that
my exception would be Internet-
related software and help being
in HTML format.
"Which brings me on to an
application's Info template. I
wish more authors would
include a Web button with a link
to their Web site, for updates and
such. How many times have
users forgotten the Web address
of the author especially for PD
and Shareware, although
commercial houses could also
gain."
guessed I am a program short of
being a programmer, but at least I'm
keen!
"Other effects 1 would like are
gradual appearance of a title and
the opposite, and various screen
fades in both directions (so,
appearing and disappearing).
Correct me if I'm wrong but there
isn't a simple commercial program
to do these things. For simple read
cheap. The other side of all this is
the output to a VCR and 1 believe
Pineapple Software sell TV PAL
decoders. As I still have my BBC B
computer perhaps I could use this
in some way. Either run the
programs on it or use it's ability to
use a TV as a monitor."
I While there are commercial
programs to do this I don't
know of anv cheap ones,
however I am sure some readers will
know of some. On the hardware side
you need the Pineapple PAL coders,
not the decoders. The two models
they sell are priced £160 and £260
and have different features so you
are best talking directly to them to
see which matches your needs.
You can use your model B as this
has a composite video output, but
you will need to modify it in order to
get composite colour out of it. This
involves soldering an extra capacitor
in the circuit - the full details are m
one of Acorn's application notes
that are on past cover CDs, As to
fading effects this is a little more
tricky. First of all if you want a
picture behind your titles, as
opposed to whatever background the
computer puts out, you will need a
video mixer along with something
called a genlock.
This gizmo will s3Tichronise your
computer to the incoming video
signal and allow the two to be
mixed. Then fades can be carried out
by the mixer either manually or
under the control of the computer.
However, a genlock and mixer are
not cheap but some mixers also
include the PAL encoding function,
When you add up the investment in
hardware that is needed the cost of
commercial titling software is
quite insignificant.
Contacting AU J
Mike Codk:
ra m b I es@acom VI ser. com
J
71
http://www.acornuser.com Christmas 1999
fM
Upgrading'P^'BHSW^™ Acorn Computers?
www.microdigita^l.co.uk
For the best in non genetically engineered quality,
dedicated service and unbeatable pricing
#See the amazing new Mico RISC OS 4 computer,
e 32 bit EIDE controller card 7MB/secperformance, fantastic high
speea uataStar hard discs, incredibly low cost Ecole hard discs, temfic CD
ROM drives, scintillating Optim backup system, feature rich ViewSonic colour
displays, floppy disc drives that ^rerj't floppy, mice you hold in your hand and
opps nearly forgot memory fqr sll AcoW models. 1
telephone; 01274 618774 fax:'0V2:/4 619482
email: sales@microdigitai
Monitors
Tiyamal5"3.i0
liyuma 17" {S702GT) .28dot
liyama 17" 400 Pro .25 dol
CTX 14" Digital Scan
CTX 15" Digital Scan
CTX 1 7".28 70Kh7. Digital
CTX mens have (3 year on-site warrty)
Manv other models available
£145.00
£279.00
£359.00
£125.00
£145.00
£259.00
Switch Boxes
Parallel 2 way (25w 'D' skts) £16.99
Parallel 4 wav (25w 'D' skts) £19.99
Serial 2 way (9w 'D' skts) £19.99
Monitor+Keybourd 2 way £19.99
Suitable cables and other boxes
available, please ask
/
VGA to PAL TV
Converter
The VGA Converter
allows the output of any Acorn running
in a VGA or SVGA mode (or PC comp
to be displayed on a TV or recorded
onto a video recorder. Please ask tor
more information.
Price £159.00 inc vat
Colour
Printers
Epson Stvlus Colour 440 £ 1 05 .00
Epson Stylus Colour 640 £135.00
Epson Stylus Colour 850 £199.CX)
HP Laserjet 1 100 (laser mono) £289.00
Virus
Protection
Pineapples Virus Protection
Scheme has been mnning for
over six years and is still
being updated with new
viruses on a regular basis.
New software versions are
sent out to members every four montlis
and the total number of viruses which
can be removed is well over 200. The
latest version is now scanning at up to
four times faster than previous versions
despite coping with many more viruses.
Joining fee just £28.20
'If you're interested in virus protection,
join the Pineapple Virus Protection
scheme and buy Killer. Accept no
alternative - 'Acorn User Feb 96
Inexpensive multi-user licences
^ Parallel to
SCSI adapter
A brand new product from Pineapple providing
an inexpensive altemaUve lo a SCSI card when
using SCSI scanners. The SCSI adapter plugs inlo
the parallel port (with a 'through' printer
connector), and can be used directly with SCSI
scanners. Works with A301(}/3020/4000/5000/
A7000/RiscPC (inc StrongARM).
Price just £59.00 inc vat
Colour Scanners
Tlie new Epson GT7000 is great value and the
Pholo version with transparency adapter gives
excellent quality on both transparencies and
negatives. Our new SCSI parallel port adapter
cable makes this excellent scanner very affordable.
All scanner prices include Imagemaster and Twain
software.
Epson GT7000 - SCSI £259.00
Epson GT7000 Photo - SCSI £299.00
Tei'ms:- ,\\\ prWes include
I7.59c vat. Ciirrhif^e £5 on most
hardware. Small items t3 (or
less). Phone Tor quote outside
LIK. Onicial orders, cheques
and all mujor credit cards
accepted al no extra charj^e.
Pineapple Software
Suite 1, 310 Green Lane. ILFORD
Essex IGI 1XT
Tel 0208 599 1476 Fax 0208 598 2343
email:- sales@pineapie.denion.co.uk
www:- http://ww^v. pineaple.demon.co.uk
Studio24Pn)
'Many .Acorn User froni covers have
been created from scratch using this
program alone, concrete proof oi' the power of
this creative tool' - Acorn User Mar96
New low price - £59.00 inc vat
letters
A fish called
RISC OS
One can only offer praise to all
involved in the continued
development of both software
and hardware for RISC OS
after the inevitable demise of Acorn.
However to ensure success where
Acorn failed one cannot become
complacent and believe the name
'RISC OS' is enough to sell itself.
The RISC OS platform is very
small fish when compared to
Windows, or even the Apple Mac. If
we are to survive it must be shown
that not only is RISC OS an excellent
platform but, most importantly, that
present and future users are not tied
down with outdated equipment and
attitudes.
To sun'ive we should be able to
handle different platforms, but with
PC cards we are stuck at 1331VlHz and
getting hold of recent versions of
Linux requires Internet access - which
not everybody has - and even if they
do, are they willing to spend so much
time and money downloading huge
files that may not even work?
As much as many of the RISC OS
fraternity cringe at the thought of
Change of address
Don't forget Acorn User has moved:
Unit 2A, Heapriding Business Park,
Ford Sh-eet, Stockport, SK3 OBT
Tel: 0161 429 8902
Fax: 0161 429 0685
All e-mail addresses remain the same.
promoting 'alien' operating
systems, we ignore them at our peril.
After all Acorn User ran a regular PC
column, so why not have a Linux
column?
I currently run Linux on my Rise
PC, not because I have lost faith in
RISC OS but because my educational
studies dictate compatibility. But
ARMLinux is so out of date I have
had to resort to a 'mix and match'
Viewpoint
Contacting AU J
letters@aco m u se r. com
J
For some reason Acorn User
occasionally gets accused of giving
readers a false impression of what's
going on in the market - perhaps
even of having rose-tinted glasses
when it comes to what's happening
in the RISC OS world.
Naturally enough I don't agree,
what I do have is an absolute faith
in the potential for success of RISC
OS and the RISC OS '99 show is a
case in point.
It has to be said that many of the
exhibitors (and some will admit it
even now) were convinced that this
event would not be a good show.
They would attend just to fly the
RISC OS flag but would certainly
make a loss and spend a fairly
boring weekend looking after those
attendees that you see at every
show.
On the other hand I was
convinced they were wrong, the
RISC OS market is inherently
optimistic - it has to be, we'd never
have survived this long if we
weren't - and there are very
promising changes on the horizon
(and some of those changes are very
policy to make it even vaguely
resemble the versions of Linux
available on the PC. I do, however,
go back to RISC OS whenever I have
the opportunity.
Finally I'd like to thank Messrs
Price and Ruck at The ARM Club
and Mr Hughes of WACG for
helping me get Linux rurming.
Douglas Blastknd
York
much closer than the horizon).
So I knew that the RISC OS
people would flock to the show,
willing to spend money on a market
in which they can still see hope and
potential.
That hope is fuelled by
RiscStation (the machines should be
shipping as you read this).
Millipede, Microdigital, CeriUca,
Spacetech - and all the rest who
still support the machines, even if
they don't feel the hope themselves.
After all it's not easy staying in
business when the market has
shrunk as much as it has.
But we've had a year of bumping
along the bottom and we didn't
quite sink into the mud. It may take
another year to rise to the surface
where we can all breath more easily,
but it can be done - we just have to
doit.
So I'd like to thank you for not
losing faith, as long as you're out
there we'll be here. This is a great
game we're playing and it is
possible to win.
So let's win!
Sieve Turnbull
htto: //www. acorn user mm rhrktm^c iqqq
mi
nterview
I You see I do a
lot of Special Needs
work as well which
does not show up
all that much in the
Acorn world.
l€1
I like to think that part of the process of
interviewing is to strip away the layers
from people's personalities so they
gradually reveal interesting things about
themselves. Stuart Tyrrell was already
familiar with the concept of stripping and
layers; he had just got down to the original
Victorian wallpaper on his partner Wendy's
staircase. Tilly, the waggier one of their two
rescue dogs, was there to give me a full-on
doggy welcome.
Stuart Tyrrell is the proprietor of Stuart
Tyrrell Developments, His words. I tell
Stuart that the word "proprietor" fits in
wonderfully with his
surroundings - the foot of the
Pennines just outside Shaw - and
that he should have a dark,
varnished, wood shopfront with
gold lettering.
"Actually I work from home
in the back bedroom at the
moment," laughs Stuart, "which
does sound a bit dodgy. 1 am
very much a designer, a design
engineer. I do the design work
for the Special Needs stuff. I do a
bit of fabrication, soldering and
stuff like that, but I am actually
shipping most of that out to other people so
I concentrate on the design work. I am a bit
of a jack-of-all-trades but 'design engineer'
does nicely." Tilly begins to help me
interview Stuart by joining in the
conversation; apparently Tilly helps with
anything that makes a noise.
It comes as no surprise to find out that
for Stuart it all started in 1981 when
his father got a ZX81, which Stuart hijacked,
as he did subsequently with the Beeb
J
and Archimedes. He then did
Microelectronic Systems Engineering at
UMIST and started a PhD but, in the time-
honoured tradition of people in the Acorn
market, got side-tracked.
"You see I do a lot of Special Needs work
as well, which does not show up all that
much in the Acom world. 1 do a lot of work
for SEMERC; I can't really say too much
about it, but a large proportion of the
hardware in the catalogue comes from me.
Faced with the choice of finishing the PhD
or continuing with the Special Needs work,
I decided that I could not give up the
Special Needs side of my life.
"1 did a utility for the Acorns called Serial
Mouse so you could use a PC serial mouse.
I got a phone call out of the blue from Rod
Boves asking if he could distribute the
program with some hardware. Then Rod
moved to SEMERC and it just continued
from there."
Wendy, Stuart's partner, now enters the
room. She is Sister in Intensive Care
Research and so is basically on call 24 hours
a day, 365 days a year. She and I have a
good old chat about Stuart. She jokes that if
Stuart's job fails, she will throw him and
Tilly out with matching knotted
handkerchiefs.
"The problem with Stuart," jokes Wendy
"is getting him to go anywhere. He is a
boring git, although once you get him out
he's fine and we have to go back to the
same place tor the next ten years. He gets
very insecure if there is not a square thing in
front of him. He likes shopping but he buys
chocolate and rubbish and he comes back
very excited with himself saying: 'Look
what I've got... quilted toilet roll!' He loves
his two-for~one at Iceland and his bargains.
He gets that from his father; he is crazy,
basically."
Stuart laments the fact that although
he's doing a lot in the RISC OS market at
the moment, much of it is concerned with
new projects that he can't discuss at this
time.
"There are exciting things happening in
the RISC OS world. I am involved in a
couple of projects which will become
apparent, and there are a lot of things that
the public do not know about. Things are a
lot healthier than people have been led to
believe. Watch this space but I cannot say
much more to the point. I am doing work
with other RISC OS developers but I cannot
talk about it, I know what ideas they have
and everything looks rosy."
I think we'll have to wait for time to strip
away another few layers before we find out
what Stuart means by this.
Jill Regan
Christmas 1 999 http://www.acornuser.com
maging technology
PHOTODESK 3 is ihe package which
dellnes siudio t|uaHty image editing and artwork on
New 2.5 Megapixel
SLR camera
Cheaper camera
prices for Christmas!
RISC OS machines. It is easy to use but has many powerful features, including LAYERS and
a sophisticated colour management system (CMS) for die full-lime graphics professional. £299.50
PHOTODESK2 is still available, retaining the CMS but not layers. £199.00
■PHOTODESK LIGHT, an economic alternative to PHOTODESK3 retains most of its creative
features apart from the Colour Management System. Layers and some features essential to the
profess!{>nal user. ii]M.75 Plug-in Effects Packs aic available for all Photodesk packages.
Each pack contains II) special elTecis, £19.95
Spacetech tutorial CD ROMs:
"'An InUnduciioii to Digital Art" fcaiunii!; bitmap and vecior
^i-apliics lutoriaU by the well-known artist. David Cnweli. This is
a fascinating inlroductiori to studio quality graphics work on CD
ROM for £24.y.^
A NEW CD from David is now available: ''Creative Digital
biiaging" This contains a resource of images and covers Ihe
following topics in greater detail: Digital painting. Painting with
Texture. Digital Photography, Photo illustration. Montage. Portrairs.
Words and Text, Creative masking. Hints and Tips. £24.95
TopModel2 V.2.14 is now available for £152.75. Existing user.s may upgrade lor £29.95
or bLiy the NEW CD-ROM packed with resources, the new plug-in Top3DFonls! and a free 2.14 upgrade for onlv
£58.63. TopModel 2 is the deilnilive 3D modelling package for RISC OS.
OIIP
^
CM 11^ ^ presentation package on CD-ROM from Spacetech
Makes your slide shows quick and easy to create!
Start building your presentation 5 minutes before the lesson? - No Problem
Use your existing work in a prcseniaiinn'.' - No Problem, jnsl dnig "n drop it in! Onl\' £29,95
^dnita!
"- { __.Mm cameras
Phololink is a RiscOS multi-driver for the most popular makes of digital camera.
It is bundled free-'"^ with the following cameras:
C8J((L 1280x960 resolution, TFT screen, macro, 2x digital tele/wide mode now only £349.99
C-920ZOOM 1280x960 .Ix optical zoom. Replacement for 900Z was £549.99 now only £449.99
C-2000ZOOM 1600x'l200 This camera has everything including optical /,oom. manual override
for aulo settings, remote control. 4.5cm TFT screen. Ouiprice now £150 olT! was £749.99 now £599.99
C-21 1600x1200 Miniature new megapixel baby.Digital Tele/wide. TFT. £699.99
C-2500L 1712x1368 NEW 2.5 megapixel SLR £1199.99
^'PhoioLink is available free with cameras purchased from Spacelech or on its own. if you
have purchased ytmr camera elsewhere, at £69.00. RiscOS .^..T and above only.
PhotoReal ls the Acorn driver extension for the Canon B.IC4.^(iO. B.IC4h50. B.IC70l)(). B,IC 71(10
BJC2000. Epson Pholo, and PhotoEX printers with photo- realistic capability. PhotoReal makes use of
the same advanced techniques for producing high-quality four colour separations as Photodesk and
comes ready calibrated for the special dye-based inks used for photo-realistic priming. A calibration
application is also supplied to idlow yon to tailor the results to your own specification.
Driver only £69.00 Inc. VAT. or FREE if purchased with printer!
Examples: Canon BJC200() £149.95 BJC4650 A.^ £299.99
B.IC7()00 £245.00 BJC7I00 £299.00
Epson PhotoEX A3 was £454.73 NOW £363.07
(all prices include PhotoReal Driver)
.maging technology
All prices include VAT
1 The Courtyard. Southwell Business Park, Portland, Dorset DT5 2NQ, UK
Telephone: +44 (0)1305 822753 Fax: +44 (0)1305 860483
Email: sales (S) spaceteeh.eo.uk Web: http://www.spacetech.co.uk
Lightning-fast
computing
Castle's lightning-fast Acorn RiscPC233T sets
the standard for robust, trouble-free computing.
The 233MHz processor is further enhanced by
the exceptionally efficient and robust
RISC OS architecture. This puts the RiscPC233T
among the leaders for raw computing power
• INTEL StrongARM 233MHz (revision T)
processor - ARM designed
• Modular expansion - increase the case size
quickly and easily
• 2nd processor slot - eg use with PC card
for Windows applications
• CE marked - your evidence of top
quality and safety
• 100% Acorn - the original tried and tested
Acorn design further enhanced
8MB, 2GB, RiscOS3.7
£749 + vat
^iscPC ')
18MB,4GB,40xCD,
RiscOS 4.0
£879 + vat
RiscPC233t Web Wizard
Internet Suite, JAVA, 32MB, 2VMB,
8GB, DVD-CD, 56K modem,
17" monitor, RiscOS 4.0
£1149 + vat
Order now!
Can 01728 723200
FreeFAX 0800 783 9638
Delivery £1 1 (£12,93 inc. VAT) pet system.
CASTLE
Computers for Education
Business and Home
Acorn' S. the acorn ilul cL. _ ....
OVCWiuig IS used -is a CD render only
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11