www.Usenet.com
www.Usenet.com
| <-- __Chronological__ --> | <-- __Thread__ --> |
Archive-name: acorn/faq/part3
Frequency: monthly
WELCOME TO THE COMP.SYS.ACORN FAQ MONTHLY UPDATE.
This update is automatically generated by my machine, so please email me at
[EMAIL PROTECTED] if any parts are missing or corrupted.
--------------------------------- part 3 of 4 ------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 5: Software Issues
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q5.1) Why does DOSFS corrupt my files occasionally?
Under RISC OS 3 DOS, and indeed with any other ImageFS filing system, discs are
treated as one large file and ADFS applies write-behind buffering to nearly everything
it does. (See the question on ADFSBuffers for more details about this.) This means
while working on a DOS disc the entire disc is treated as one large open file.
However as long as a file is held open the cache is not flushed out fully till the
machine is explicitly told to do so. This means when working with non-ADFS format
discs always dismount them before removing them from the drive. With ADFS format discs
this is not so critical, as files aren't held open during most operations on them, but
it is good to get into the habit of dismounting floppy discs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q5.2) Where can I obtain the latest version of module X?
All patch modules, official RISC OS extensions and the like can be sourced from the
RISC OS ftp sites. Ideally your dealer will also have copies of them too and you
should be able to obtain them from them. (If they don't you may like to pass on the
ones from the ftp site, if you request them, so that they are up to-date.) Failing
that you should probably contact RISCOS Ltd who now manage all aspects of RISC OS
development.
I am also in the process of compiling a complete list of up-to-date module version
numbers, together with links to where you can download them from.
This database is online at http://www.vigay.com/riscos/system/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q5.3) What are the current File-type allocation ranges?
Acorn originally reallocated the File-type ranges for applications. The new ranges are
:-
Non-user area
&E00-&FFF Acorn/RISCOS Ltd
&B00-&DFF Commercial software
&A00-&AFF Acornsoft, and other commercial software
&400-&9FF Commercial Software
User area
&100-&3FF Non-commercial distributed software (ie PD)
&000-&0FF User's personal usage (ie non-distributed)
75% of the user area is for PD/Shareware, with allocations co-ordinated by Pineapple.
If your software is going to be distributed, you should have an allocated filetype to
avoid clashes.
RISCOS Ltd cannot publish its master list of filetypes because, at any given time, it
will contain allocations made for products which have not yet been announced.
Therefore, they would be in breach of confidence by doing so - and the editing
overhead for producing a sanitised list is too great.
However, all is not lost. Denis Howe maintains an unofficial list of filetype
allocations. This can be found at http://wombat.doc.ic.ac.uk/acorn/doc/filetypes and
includes details about whether the allocation is an official one, a de facto one and
what the file contains. If you would like an official 'Acorn' filetype issued to you,
you should contact Pineapple Software, who are responsible for allocating filetypes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q5.4) Is there a Modula 2 compiler for the Arc?
Currently, no. Acorn did have, in the early days of the experimental ARM work, an in
house compiler. However this compiler was sufficiently unstable and buggy to be
un-releasable as a commercial product and was only used because in house support was
available immediately to the users of the compiler. When Olivetti invested in Acorn
this technology went to them so that Acorn no longer have even an in house Modula 2
compiler.
However some companies have stated intentions to produce Modula 2 compilers for the
Arc. Whether these intentions become reality has yet to be seen.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q5.5) What Public Domain Languages are available for Acorn machines?
The answer to this is a list that is maintained by Gavin Wraith ([EMAIL PROTECTED]).
Accordingly updates, corrections and other comments should all be sent to him.
April 2000
This is a (necessarily partial) list of freely available programming languages and
programming tools for Acorn Risc OS computers. Some of the items are in the public
domain, some are not. I am well aware that many of the items are also available in
many other places. I will be grateful to receive emendations and further items.
Remember that hensa is mirrored at
ftp://ftp.doc.ic.ac.uk/computing/systems/archimedes/collections/hensa/riscos
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Further information
-------------------
* Imperative Languages
* Object Oriented Languages
* Declarative Languages
* Forths
* Lisps
* ARM Object Code Assemblers
* AOF Tools
* Miscellaneous
Further information
-------------------
* Higher Education National Software Archive (Hensa).
* List of free compilers and interpreters maintained by D.Sharnoff and A.Robenalt, and
regularly posted to comp.compilers. Do not expect to find anything specifically for
ARM machines.
* Acorn FAQ.
* Compiler tools.
Imperative Languages
--------------------
- ADA bytecode interpreter from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/c/c052
- ADA GNAT 3.01 compiler from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/e/e095
- ALGOL 68S from ftp://ftp.cs.man.ac.uk/pub/chl/A68S
- AWK - Aho, Weinberger and Kernighan's text-processing language from
http://awk.riscos.org.uk
- CHARM from David Pilling
- ICON 9.1 By ftp from ftp:cs.arizona.edu or
http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/e/e116
- G77 0.5.19 GNU FORTRAN from ftp://ftp.sp.ph.ic.ac.uk/pub/tsh/fortran.zip or from
http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/e/e167
- GCC GCC 2.7.2 GNU C, C++, Objective C Compiler, release 1.0.7 from
http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/b/b013
- LUA - prize-winning extension language from http://lua.riscos.org.uk/
- OBERON POT 1.33 (Portable Oberon Translator) from
http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/d/d132
- PASCAL PC 4.09 Norcroft DDE Compiler from
http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/a/a122
- PASCAL GPC 1.0.2 - Gnu Pascal Compiler from
http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/e/e168
- PERL 5.01 from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/a/a049
- PYTHON 2.2 from http://www.schwertberger.de/python.html
- RLAB 1.25 from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/e/e022
- TCL 7.4 from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/e/e057
Object Oriented Languages
-------------------------
- ARMBOB 2.1 from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/b/b178
- GC++ GNU C++ 2.7.2 from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/b/b013
- GNUST 1.1.1 Smalltalk-80 from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/c/c045
- GRS from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/b/b062
- LITTLEST 0.0 Little Smalltalk from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/a/a102
- OBJECTIVE C GNU 2.7.2 from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/b/b013
- SATHER ISCI Sather 1.1 - Mail to Peter Naulls
- SQUEAK Smalltalk 2.7 - now includes sockets, web server and browser. From
http://sumeru.stanford.edu/tim/pooters/squeak.html
Declarative Languages
---------------------
- BIBPROLOG 3.30 from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/d/d005
- GOFER 2.30a (GoOd For Equational Reasoning) from
http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/a/a262 See comp.lang.functional FAQ.
- HOPE 4.02a from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/a/a139
- HUGS 98 - latest version of Haskell Users Gofer System from
http://shiell.cjb.net/files/hugs98-src-riscos.zip
- HUGS 1.3 (Haskell Users Gofer System) from
http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/d/d041 See comp.lang.functional FAQ.
- HU-PROLOG 1.62 Humboldt University Prolog from
http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/e/e062
- MOSML 1.42 - Moscow ML port by Andrew Hunter from
http://www.geocities.com/~cfsfcpage/
- OCAML 2.00 - Objective CAML port by David Fletcher from
http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/home/djf/ocaml/
- SML 4.0.01 Edinburgh Interpreter from
http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/a/a216
Forths
------
- AFORTH 0.70 from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/a/a293
- FORTHMACS 3.1 from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/c/c073
- TILEFORTH 2.1 Portable C implementation from
http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/a/a111
- WIMPFORTH 1.0 from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/e/e096
Lisps
-----
- CLISP 01.01 Common Lisp from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/c/c189
- FOOLSLISP 1.3 from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/c/c162
- GNU SCHEME from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/b/b105
- SIOD 2.90 (Scheme In One Defun) from
http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/a/a275. Also see George Carrette's site.
- XLISP 1.60 from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/a/a103
- XLISP+ from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/b/b076
ARM AOF Assemblers
------------------
- AOFLIB 0.07 create AOF files with the Basic Assembler. From
http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/e/e108
- AS 1.26b from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/a/a132
- ASM 2.01 from Plasma Sphere BBS (tel.+44 1925 757920/1)
- EXTASM 1.00 from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/b/b120
- TLA 0.2a (The Last Assembler) from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/a/a119
AOF Tools
---------
- ADDFILE 0.05 from Plasma Sphere BBS (tel.+44 1925 757920/1). Embed data in AOF files.
- DECAOFB 1.00 - decode AOF files. From
http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/d/d038
- DRLINK 0.28 Linker from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/b/b071 and from
Plasma Sphere BBS (tel.+44 1925 757920/1).
- MAKEALF 1.03 - tools for Chunk files. From
http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/d/d039
Miscellaneous
-------------
- J 6.2 (APL-like language) from http://www.mirror.ac.uk/micros/arch/riscos/a/a165
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q5.6) Why does the RO3.5 desktop sometimes revert to the system font?
This is due to a bug in the RISC OS 3.5 Wimp module. Applications that have outline
fonts in their icons and a validation string of R5 or R6 (slabbed icon) will trigger
this bug and cause the desktop to revert to the system font. There are two solutions
to this problem depending on your level of computer literacy.
The easiest solution, for people who are very shy of template editors, is to complain
to the author(s) of the application about this problem and get them to fix it. If you
are not shy of template editors you could also go in and edit the applications
templates so that none of the slabbed icons have outline fonts in them.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q5.7) Why does ChangeFSI display a blank white window, not an image?
Version 1.13S of ChangeFSI now has the RISC OS 3.6 JPEG support built into it. However
the code has been designed to fail 'gracefully' if the support code is not available
in the OS. For instance when you run the software on versions of the OS older than
RISC OS 3.6. In this case a blank white window is displayed.
To regain normal use of ChangeFSI go to the main menu and select Sprite Output instead
of JPEG output. Next time you load a picture, or re-process the current one, an image
will be displayed. The JPEG Output option is not greyed out because even though no
image is displayed you can still save the processed file as a JPEG.
For those of you with RISC OS 3.5 the module can be obtained from Acorn's FTP sites at
ftp://ftp.acorn.com/pub/riscos/releases/spriteextend.arc
This can be softloaded in your Boot.PreDesk sequence to use it.
If you've got RISC OS 3.10 you'll need to load the "JPEGMsgs" and "JPEGRender" modules
BEFORE you load ChangeFSI. These were available on Acorn User CD no.8 (inside the
$.Boot.Newboot.!Boot.Resources.!System.310.Modules directory)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q5.8) What causes the 'nager:Sprites22' error?
This is both a tricky and simple question to answer. The cause of the error is
unknown, but something is erroring. However rather than displaying the error message
RISC OS has a subtle bug in it that causes it to display the above error message
instead. The sequence goes like this:-
- An error occurs.
- The wimp realises it needs to load the hi-res toolsprites & loads them.
- The wimp then displays the error message.
Unfortunately the process of loading the his-res toolsprites over-writes the buffer
containing the original error block. (IE the block of memory with the error number and
error message in it.) What it overwrites it with is the string
'WindowManager:Sprites22', which is a path reference to where the hi-res toolsprites
are to be found.
This error has been corrected in RISC OS 3.60 and, presumably, future versions of the
OS. (Thanks go to Alan Glover for this information.)
Additionally the error can be provoked by conflicting versions of the DrawFile module
being loaded. If you are experiencing this error message then it is worthwhile to scan
your hard drive looking for all copies of the module and ensuring they are
consistantly the latest version of the module.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q5.9) Is there a Real Audio or Real Video player for Acorns?
Currently, sort of. A Real Audio player exists for NCOS but this is not useful for
most RISC OS machines due to it's dependance on the presence of hardware Floating
Point. An integer arithmetic version has been made by Warm Silence Software for
StrongARM equipped machines but it currently cannot be released due to licensing
issues.
However, Kira Brown and Justin Fletcher ported an Amiga RA player to RISC OS and you
can download the latest version from her web site at http://www.neutralino.demon.co.uk/
This version however will not play 'streaming' RealAudio, and many of the newer RA
files.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q5.10) Is there any 'streaming audio' player software available for RISC OS machines?
There are a number of streaming audio players for RISC OS available from
http://duffell.cjb.net which will allow you to listen to radio stations via the
internet, assuming they use the SHOUTcast or MP3 audio streaming protocols.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 6: Viruses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q6.1) How can I protect against viruses?
Pineapple Software have produced a program called !Killer, which is the definitive
means of checking for or killing viruses. There are a few other commercial solutions,
see the next question for details on how to obtain them.
There are also a few PD programs around, but these tend to detect only a small subset
of the viruses in circulation. !VKiller used to be OK, but it is no longer maintained,
is now seriously out of date and fails to work under RISC OS 3. Out of the PD virus
utilities the current best is Kiwisoft's !Slayer. This detects most known viruses and
removes quite a few as well and serves as a good secondary defence if Killer is
unavailable to you. Scanner should be available on various FTP/Email servers. I have
also produced my own virus killer called !VZap.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q6.2) Where can I obtain a virus killer?
Various virus killers are out there. Here is a, probably incomplete, list of those
available.
Killer
------
Killer is distributed by Pineapple Software. Who can be reached at:-
Pineapple Software,
352 Green Lane,
Ilford,
Essex IG3 9JS
England.
Tel. +44 (208) 599 1476 Fax +44 (208) 598 2343
via email:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Or if you need a German version of the program you can contact Uffenkamp Computer
Systeme at:
Gartenstr. 3,
D-32130 Enger.
Tel. +49 (5224) 978075 Fax +49 (5224) 978076
via email:- [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Early versions (up to 1.26) are PD, but should not be used now as they are ineffective
against the new crop of viruses that have subsequently appeared since it's release.
Slayer
------
Slayer is a freeware virus killer available from Kiwisoft. It can be downloaded from
http://www.kiwisoft.co.uk/software/slayer/ It has the advantages over !Killer in that
it is free, and also it is very fast.
VZap
----
This is a shareware product released by Paul Vigay. It can be downloaded from Paul's
www site at http://www.vigay.com/software/vzap.html and is updated as and when new
viruses are discovered.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q6.3) I have received some information about a virus from a reputable source, it
apparently affects Windows, Mac and/or Linux systems, is it perhaps dangerous for RISC
OS users too?
No known virus designed for Windows, Macintosh, Linux or Unix systems has ever
infected a RISC OS system. Whilst many Acorn computers are capable of running DOS or
Windows operating systems via software or hardware emulation, it is only the
DOS/Windows environment that is vulnerable to infection by these virusues.
Unless you have detailed evidence indicating that the virus in question has actually
infected RISC OS systems, issues concerning viruses for foreign systems are best dealt
with via your Windows, Macintosh, Linux or Unix anti-virus software supplier.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 7: Network Resources
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q7.1) What archives/FTP sites are available?
There are a few online repositories of Acorn/RISC OS software available on the
internet. The following sites are a few of the more popular ones;
http://www.quantumsoft.co.uk/files/
ftp://micros.hensa.ac.uk/collections/hensa-micros/local/riscos/
http://acorn.riscos.com/
ftp://ftp.argonet.co.uk/pub/
http://www.mirror.ac.uk/platforms/misc/riscos
http://www.mirror.ac.uk/sites/ftp.uni-stuttgart.de/pub/systems/acorn/
ftp://ftp.uni-stuttgart.de/pub/systems/acorn/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q7.2) What Acorn related companies are available on the net via email?
There are quite a few companies now on the net and reachable via email with more
joining as time passes. Here is the list of companies that have given permission to be
entered here in the FAQ. If the email address is to a person rather than either an
automated system or perhaps a group of people I have placed the name of the person in
brackets after the email address description
4Mation Ltd :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Information and Sales enquiries.
The Advisory Unit :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] General enquiries.
Aleph One :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Information about products and prices.
Alpha Programming :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] General enquiries
[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Marc Warne)
Alternative Publishing Ltd :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sales, service and upgrades
Archive magazine :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Editor (Paul Beverley)
The ARM Club :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Enquiries etc...
ARMage Software :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Enquiries etc...
Artex Software GbR :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] General enquiries.
Atomwide :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Information about products and prices.
Castle Technology :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Info, Products, Prices, Ordering etc.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Support issues etc.
Clares Micro Supplies :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] General sales enquiries.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Chris Dean
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Technical enquiries (David Jackson)
Computer Concepts :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Automated reply, giving information.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] For credit card orders of products.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Technical support for products.
Comspec :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Canadian Acorn dealer. Enquiries about
Acorn hardware and products welcome
including USA enquiries. (Domenic
DeFrancesco)
Cumana :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sales and product information.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Product support.
Cumbria Software Systems :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] General sales enquiries.
Dansoft Developments :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] All enquiries to this address.
David Pilling Software :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] All enquiries to this address.
Datawave Nederland :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] General Enquiries.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Orders.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Customer support.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Acorn Dealer Webring
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Private Enquiries.
Desktop Projects Ltd :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] General enquiries
Etc. Computers :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sales & general enquiries for
Acorns in South Yorkshire
The Image Factory :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sales and support.
Interconnex :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Enquiries etc...
Iota Software :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Enquires & support for Iota products.
Jaffa Software :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Enquiries, etc...
Le Computer :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] General enquiries.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sales enquiries and orders.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Special needs enquiries.
Meu Cymru :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Enquiries etc...
Micro Laser Designs :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] General Enquiries
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sales Enquiries
[EMAIL PROTECTED] User Group Enquiries
Millipede Electronic Graphics :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Product information.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Orders and current prices.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Technical support.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] If all else fails! (Richard Jozefowski)
Minerva Software :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Enquiries etc...
Moray Micro Computing :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sales Enquiries.
Navaho Internet Servers :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] General information (automated reply).
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Product sales.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Customer support.
Octopus Systems :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Enquiries etc... (Paul Skirrow)
Old Mother Software :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] General enquiries
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Product information
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Technical support
Oregan Developments Ltd :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Product info, and general enquiries
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Support for registered customers
Paradise :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Product Information
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Support/feedback.
PEP Associates :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Product information.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Product support.
Pineapple Software :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sales enquiries.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Info about products, support and enquiries.
Quantum Software :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Info about products, version numbers, etc.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Technical support for customers.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] General info about products and prices, etc.
Resource :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] General information etc...
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Credit card orders.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Technical support.
Sherston Software :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sales and Product information.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Technical support/queries etc.
Simtec Electronics :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sales and order enquiries.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] General enquiries and support.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Multi-threading/Hydra enquiries.
For a faster response, telephone 01772 812863
Soft Rock Software :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Enquires, Sales and Product information.
Squirrel Solutions :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Enquiries, Sales and Product information.
Stuart Tyrell Developments :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] General Enquiries etc.
Thinx Solutions :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sales Enquiries and Product Support
Tower Electronics Ltd :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] All enquiries.
Uffenkamp Computer Systeme :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Product information, events et al.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] After sales support, technical queries.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sales enquiries.
Uniqueway :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] General queries, product related or
otherwise.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Support for products. (Serial
number should be quoted where
relevant.)
[EMAIL PROTECTED] For credit card orders.
Warm Silence Software :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Enquiries etc. (Robin Watts)
Wyddfa Software :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Enquiries etc. (Gwyn Williams)
Xavier Software :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Enquiries etc...
Zynet Ltd :-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Enquiries etc...
If you are a company and you would like to included in this list please send me an
email, to the address specified at the bottom of the FAQ, detailing the email
addresses and their general function. I will then include them into the FAQ. However
as a matter of policy I will only include an address if I receive email from the
owner, or a representative for the owner, of that address.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q7.3) What are the submission addresses for comp.{binaries.sources}.acorn groups?
There are four addresses involved here. To submit files for the groups send your email
to:-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] for comp.sources.acorn.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] for comp.binaries.acorn.
For requests, comments and suggestions send email to:-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] for comp.sources.acorn.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] for comp.binaries.acorn.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q7.4) How to retrieve the FAQ from the source...
As I frequently update the FAQ between postings you may wish to get the latest and
most up-to-date copy of the FAQ before it next gets posted. There are two ways to do
this. Firstly read it off the web at http://www.vigay.com/csafaq/
Secondly, if you don't have access to the world wide web I can email you a copy.
However, in order to save my phone bill, I would prefer people to download it from my
web site. I hope to set up an email server at some point in the future, which might
make things easier.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q7.5) What WWW pages are out there for Acorn topics?
The web is now expanding at an alarming rate and Acorn Web pages are popping up all
over the place. This list of Web pages is checked periodically by myself for validity
but I make no claims that URL's present here are currently valid. I'm no longer adding
to this list because I maintain a more extensive and dedicated Acorn links page at
http://www.riscos.org/links/ so I would recommend looking there if you want to contact
a specific company, person or locate a particular item of software.
* http://www.acornarcade.com
Acorn gaming site with news, reviews, features and support for Acorn
gaming.
* http://acorn.cybervillage.co.uk
The Acorn CyberVillage pages - dealers, developers, information, software
and low cost web rental.
* http://www.poppyfields.oaktree.co.uk/acorn/
The Acorn computer user WWW Server. - contains pointers to other Acorn
Web pages.
* http://www.a-e-g.demon.co.uk/
The Acorn Enthusiasts Group pages.
* http://www.alphapro.demon.co.uk/
Alpha Programming WWW Pages - Acorn/Psion software, Jokes+Reviews.
* http://www.vigay.com/ant/
Ant Internet Suite technical support
* http://www.armclub.org.uk/
The ARM Club home page.
* http://www.aaug.net/
The Association of Acorn User Groups. Your first stop for the Club
Discounts Scheme!
* http://www.armage.demon.co.uk
ARMage Software WWW pages.
* http://www.artex.oaktree.co.uk
Artex Software GbR's pages.
* http://www.carltsw.demon.co.uk/
Carlton Computers (Sales & Service) Ltd's WWW pages.
* http://www.claresmicro.com
Clares Micro Supplies' WWW pages.
* http://www.cumana.demon.co.uk/
Cumana's WWW pages.
* http://www.dansoft.co.nz/
Dansoft Development's WWW pages.
* http://www.doggysoft.co.uk/
Doggysoft's WWW pages.
* http://www.ozemail.com.au/~imagfact/index.html
the image factory, DTP supplies for Acorn Computers.
* http://www.interconnex.co.uk
Interconnex's WWW pages.
* http://www.iota.co.uk/
Iota Software's pages.
* http://www.warwick.ac.uk/~csube
Jaffa Software's pages.
* http://www.logo.com/
The Longman Logotron web pages.
* http://www.ultrasnd.demon.co.uk/acorn/
Mike Enderby's pages - including PC Card information.
* http://www.zynet.co.uk/minerva/
Minerva Software's home page.
* http://www.octosys.co.uk/
Octopus Systems.
* http://www.oregan.com
Oregan Developments Ltd.
* http://www.pineaple.demon.co.uk/
Pineapple Software.
* http://www.heyrick.co.uk/assembler/
Programming in ARM assembler
* http://www.heyrick.co.uk/
Richard Murray's site, with Econet information, software and extensions
to Argo's Voyager.
* http://www.cybervillage.co.uk/acorn/pccard/
Risc PC x86 Cards Information Pages - wide variety of info on PC cards,
including compatibility of games and other software.
* http://www.datawave.nl/webring/riscnet/index.html
RiscNet International.
* http://www.simtec.co.uk/riscos
Simtec Electronics.
* http://www.softrock.co.uk/
Soft Rock Software.
* http://www.stdevel.demon.co.uk
Stuart Tyrell Developments.
* http://www.octosys.co.uk/sarc/
Suffolk Acorn Risc Club's pages.
* http://sumeru.stanford.edu/tim
Tim Rowledge's page (Acorn version of Squeak Smalltalk).
* http://www.uniqueway.co.uk
Uniqueway Ltd's home pages.
* http://www.wss.co.uk/
Warm Silence Software.
* http://www.werewlf.demon.co.uk
Werewolf Software.
* http://xavier.bangor.ac.uk/cgi-bin/xavier
Xavier Software Ltd's home page.
* http://www.zynet.co.uk/
Zynet Ltd's home page.
Note that, as with email addresses, I require either the owner of the pages, or a
representative of the owner, to email me if they wish to be included in the list.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q7.6) What Acorn BBS's are there?
The following is a list of Bulletin Boards run on Acorn Computers.
If you spot any errors or indeed any Acorn BBS's not included, then please contact me.
ACORN BULLETIN BOARDS WORLD WIDE
--------------------------------
BBS Name Location Times Speeds Numbers Lines
Sysop Name Network Address
===========================================================================
Arcade London 24Hrs 300-33k6 +44 20 8655 4412 1
Fidonet 2:254/27.0
Sysop: Dave Coleman/David Dade 24Hrs 300-33k6 +44 20 8654 2212 1
24Hrs 300-33k6 +44 20 8655 1811 1
18:30-24:00 Mon-Fri Telnet arcade.demon.co.uk 4
08:00-24:00 Sat/Sun Telnet arcade.demon.co.uk 4
Web: http://arcade-bbs.net
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The ARMpit Denmark 24Hrs 300-33k6 +45 39675110 1
Sysop: Thomas Olsson FidoNet 2:234/181
Web: http://welcome.to/armpit/
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Heaven 24Hrs Telnet heaven.affection.net 34
Sysop: James Coates VIEWDATA
Web: http://www.heaven.affection.net/
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Plasma Sphere Cheshire 24Hrs 300-33k6 +44 1925 757920 1
Sysop: Keith Hall 300-33k6 +44 1925 757921 1
Web: http://www.tpsphere.demon.co.uk FidoNet 2:250/219 & 250/222
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Twisted Spires *** THIS IS NOW A MAIL SYSTEM ONLY, NO BBS CALLS ***
Sysop: Miah Gregory FidoNet 2:2501/210
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Yeti BBs Flensberg, de 24Hrs 2400-64000 +49 461 9094288 2
Sysop: Birger Harzenetter FidoNet 77:8500/600
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
BBS The Coast Ouddorp NL 24Hrs 300-33k6 +31 187 683942 1
Simon Voortman FidoNet 2:280/1049
AcoNet 77:8500/100
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Dune BBS Ouddorp NL 24Hrs 300-14k4 +31 187 683545 1
Kees Grinwis AcoNet 77:8500/107
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Lonely Nights Amersfoort NL 24Hrs 300-28k8 +31 33 4756435 1
Peter Looyenga FidoNet 2:280/1046
AcoNet 77:8500/302
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
BBS De Randstad Den Haag NL 24Hrs 1k2-33k6 +31 70 3557975 1
Frank de Bruijn FidoNet 2:280/1203
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] AcoNet 77:8500/203
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
TPMWS Wormerveer NL 24Hrs 300-33k6 +31 75 6400418 2
Jan Vermeulen FidoNet 2:280/100
AcoNet 77:8500/507
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
UniCorn BBS Arnhem NL 24Hrs 300-28k8 +31 26 4425506 1
Henri Derksen FidoNet 2:280/1208
AcoNet 77:8500/504
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
This listing is for Bulletin Boards being run on Acorn computers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q7.7) Where can I advertise second hand Acorn kit?
There are various web sites available now that list second hand adverts without
charge. If you are wanting to sell some equipment it may well be worth your time
trying them. They are:-
http://www.cybervillage.co.uk/acorn/archive/small.htm
http://www.datawave.demon.nl/acorn/adds1.html
http://www.dircon.co.uk/dialprop/acornurl.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q7.8) Where can I find a user group local to me?
There are lots of local user groups out here, and the best place to find them is in
the lists of the Association of Acorn User Groups:-
http://www.aaug.net
Where a global list of user groups is maintained.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q7.9) Is there a more detailed Network FAQ available?
Ian Jeffray maintains the c.s.a.n FAQ which is now online at
http://www.jeffray.freeuk.com/csan-faq.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 8: Compatibility with other machines
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q8.1) How compatible with other systems is an Acorn machine?
This is a fairly brief introduction to the issue. If your question isn't answered
below than it is well worthwhile going to the Acorn Emulation Pages at
http://acorn.cybervillage.co.uk/emulation/, which cover this subject in some detail.
PC - The early 'Archimedes' machines can handle 720K DOS discs and all machines since
the A5000 can also handle 1.44MB discs. In RISC OS since version 3.0, DOS
compatibility is built in, whereas under the older RISC OS 2 you have to use one of
the (PD) utilities. There are two PC (software) emulators that can handle most PC
software, three if you count the fact that Acorn's offering is split into two emulator
programs. There are also PC cards, containing an 80x86 processor and other PC
hardware, which uses the main computers' disc and video. All emulators are
multitasking (and not PD). RiscPC machines, by adding a 486 or 586 'second processor'
card, can fully emulate a PC. However, these are still quite slow by todays PC
standards.
Unix - Unix software can be ported (and in fact many packages already have been) with
the help of UnixLib. Memory-hungry ports, such as gcc, can be run with the aid of
!Virtual (also PD). Of course if you are really desperate to run Unix software it
might be advisable to buy RISCiX (only available second hand now), the Acorn flavour
of Unix (suitable only for A540 or older machines), or perhaps use linux (compatible
with all 32bit Acorn machines) or NetBSD/arm32 (for RiscPC machines).
Further information on NetBSD/arm32 is available from
http://www.netbsd.org/Ports/arm32/
Mac - Commercial software is available that can read HFS format discs, including hard
drives and CDROMs. For floppy discs this generally encompasses high density discs
(1.44 MB format) and a limited subset of double density (720 kb) discs. Essentially
the software can read the disc if the tracks have been laid down with constant angular
velocity, rather than constant linear velocity - which requires a variable speed drive
to work.
Most Macintoshes default to CLV format discs when formatting double density discs but
some Mac software exists to override this and, in theory, such discs are readable
using the Acorn software. To be sure that the double density disc is a CAV format
disc, then formatting it first in your Acorn machine is a good step and the disc will
then work with Macintosh machines.
Also most modern Macintoshes can, like Acorn machines, read and write PC format discs
so transfer is possible via that medium as well. There is no Mac emulator available
natively. However if you have a PC card in your RiscPC it is possible to run Executor
2.0 under the PC Emulation to then emulate a Mac. However this approach is likely to
be fairly slow.
A shareware application called ExMac is available from
http://www.vigay.com/cgi-bin/ROlinks?q=exmac which will allow you to read, write and
format Apple Mac discs under RISC OS.
Atari ST - Like PC floppies, the Archimedes can read, write and format ST-format
floppies. An Atari emulator is available, called STem, which is of limited utility is
currently under development and improvement.
Amiga - The amiga uses an unusual disc format that is not easily read by other
machines. Accordingly there is currently no Amiga format disc reader available. But
Amiga's can read PC and Macintosh format discs, so again transfers can occur via that
medium. There is one Amiga emulator available, a port of the Unix Amiga Emulator, but
it is somewhat CPU intensive and really requires a StrongARM to be useful.
Spectrum - There are emulators around for this and Amstrad, the owners of the Sinclair
copyright, have released permission for the ROM images, needed to run these emulators,
to be copied and released with the emulators.
Apple][ - Again emulators are available for this. However they, like the Spectrum
emulators, require a copy of the ROM image to work. The copyright of the ROM image for
these machines, as far as I am aware, prevents them being distributed, so you have to
source your own copy of them.
BBC B - Once again emulators exist, including Acorn's own effort of 6502Host. The
emulators are fairly good, offering a high level of compatibility. See question 8.3
for more details about two commercially available emulators. Also various programs do
exist that allow the newer Acorn machines to read BBC B format floppy discs.
GameBoy - An emulator exists for this, capable of loading and using most snapshots
with sound correctly emulated. Snapshots seem to be fairly freely available on the
Internet and a search in any of the more capable search engines should quickly turn up
a set of sites with downloadable snapshot images.
Amstrad CPC - Emulators exist for these machines and Amstrad & Locomotive Software
have given their permission for the ROM images, needed to make them work, to be freely
distributable with the emulators.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q8.2) Is there a BBC BASIC for other machines?
The short answer is, yes.
Macintosh - A BBC BASIC environment was released some years back as a commercial
product featuring compatibility with a limited subset of OS_Bytes and other features
for limited compatibility with a BBC Model B. More information is available from
http://emulation.net/bbcmicro/
IBM Compats - In addition to the old MS-DOS version of BBC BASIC, a brand new Windows
version was released last year by Richard Russell. Full details of his products,
including BBC BASIC (86) and 'BBC BASIC for Windows', are available on his website at
http://www.rtrussell.co.uk/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q8.3) Can I run 65Host on the Risc PC?
Officially, no. Unofficially there is a patch that enables the Emulator to run fairly
well. Unfortunately the patch does not correctly enable the break key; however, it
does substitute the Scroll Lock key, so you can reset the emulator easily from inside
the emulator. On a StrongARM equipped RiscPC you need to disable all but the
instruction cache while running the emulator. (An '*Cache I' will do this.)
Here is the patch :-
REM >HostPatch
REM RISC PC !65Host patch
REM Obtained from comp.sys.acorn.games
REM Provided by [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Tim Gladding)
REM of Cambridge, England
REM Tweaked to substitute ScrollLock for Break
REM by [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Darren Salt)
SYS "OS_File",5,"<65Host$Dir>.!RunImage" TO t,,,,len
DIM data len
SYS "OS_File",255,"<65Host$Dir>.!RunImage",data
FOR ptr=0 TO len-4 STEP 4
word=data!ptr
CASE word OF
WHEN &E3520402, &E2600402, &E3510402: data?ptr=&05
WHEN &13A0000F: data?ptr=&0E: REM key code for ScrollLock
ENDCASE
NEXT ptr
SYS "OS_File",10,"<65Host$Dir>.!RunImage",&FFA,,data,data+len
It is a BASIC program - simply enter it into the BASIC editor of your choice, let the
filer see the copy of 65Host that is to be patched and run it. A copy of the 65Host
emulator can be found on the Acorn FTP site.
A PD BBC Emulator, called !BeebIt, is available to download from
http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/mjfoot/bbc.htm, but this doesn't include the ROM
images due to copyright reasons, so you will need to obtain these seperately.
There is also a commercially available BBC emulator, called 6502Em, available that
works on the RiscPC range and boasts improved compatibility, mostly with games, over
the Acorn effort. It also is StrongARM compatible.
Contact Warm Silence Software for details.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q8.4) Can I read Acorn format discs on a PC?
Yes, there are a number of utilities available, such as ArcDisc or ArcImg. A good
first port of call is http://acorn.revivalteam.de/Emu/Emu.html which also includes
other useful links to emulating RISC OS machines under Windows.
I don't know if any of these utilities will read the latest F+ format discs, as used
by RISC OS 4.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q8.5) What software handles files with this extension?
This really depends on what the extension is. Most popular extensions and file formats
are catered for, either natively or by third-party utilities.
Presented below is a list of common file extensions and the software that, in some
way, handles the file. It is recommended, especially for commercial software, that you
verify that software will indeed perform the functions you require on the file format.
This list is intended as a starting point to give the reader a pointer towards
suitable software, nothing more.
N.B. This list is primarily for programs that convert foreign file formats into Acorn
usable data - not the other way round. Some programs listed will export as well as
import but this is by no means guaranteed.
* AVI (.avi) , &FB2, Audio Visual file.
- CineWorks, commercial.
- MovieFS, commercial.
* BMP (.bmp) , &69C, Bitmap file (Windows).
- BMPSprite, freeware.
- ChangeFSI, commercial - supplied with RISC OS 3 and above.
- Compo, commercial.
- ImageFS, commercial.
- ImageMaster, commercial.
- Translator, shareware.
* CGM (.cgm) , &B2B, Computer Graphics Metafile.
- CGM->Draw, careware.
- DXF-CGM, careware.
* DXF (.dxf) , &DEA, Drawing eXchange Format file.
- Draw, commercial - supplied with all versions of RISC OS.
- RiscCad, commercial.
* FLIC (.fli, .flc) , &B9F, Autodesk flic animation.
- AAPlay, freeware
* GIF (.gif), &695 , Graphics Interchange Format picture.
- ChangeFSI, commercial - supplied with RISC OS 3 and above
- Compo, commercial
- FYEO2, freeware
- ImageFS, commercial
- ImageMaster, commercial
- InterGIF, freeware
- ProArtisan24, commercial
- Spr_2_Gif, freeware
- Translator, shareware
- WebGif2, freeware
* GZIP (.gz), &F89, Archive format.
- GZip, freeware.
- SparkFS, commercial
* HTML (.htm, .html) , &FAF, Hyper Text Markup Language document.
- ArcWeb, freeware
- Browse, commercial
- Fresco, commercial
- Webite, freeware
- Webster, freeware
- Webster XL, commercial
* JPEG (.jpg, .jpeg) , &C85, JPEG format picture.
- ChangeFSI, commercial - supplied with RISC OS 3 and above
- Compo, commerical
- FineArt24, commercial
- FYEO2, freeware
- ImageFS, commercial
- ImageMaster, commercial
- ProArtisan24, commercial
- RapidJPEG, freeware
- Studio24Pro, commercial
- SwiftJPEG, freeware
- Thump, freeware
- Translator, shareware
* Metafile (.met), &B2C, OS/2 Metafile.
- Draw-Met, careware
* MIDI (.mid, .midi), &FD4, Musical Instrument Digital Interface file.
- MIDIWorks, commercial
- ESPSynth, commercial
- MelIDI, commercial
- ReMidi, shareware
- Rhapsody, commercial
- Timidity, freeware
* MPEG (.mpg, .mpeg) , &BF8, Motion Picture Experts Group movie file.
- CineWorks, commercial
- MPEG, freeware
* PDF (.pdf), &ADF, Adobe's Portable Document Format.
- Pdf, freeware
* Perl (.pl) , &102, Practical Extraction and Report Language file.
- Perl, freeware
* PostScript (.eps, .ps) , &FF5, Adobe's printer graphics language.
- AiEps-Drw, careware
- GhostScript, freeware
- ImageMaster, commercial
- RiScript, commercial
* Quicktime (.mov) , &FB2, Macintosh movie file.
- CineWorks, commercial
- MovieFS, commercial
* SoundTracker (.mod) , &CB6, Sound Tracker file.
- AMFTracker, freeware
- BASTracker, freeware
- Digital Symphony, commercial
- Harmony, freeware
- MPlayer, freeware
- ProTrack, freeware
- ProTracker, freeware
- S/Tracker, freeware
* Tar (.tar) , &C46, Tape Archive.
- Spark, commercial
- SparkFS, commercial
- SparkPlug, freeware
- Tar, freeware
* Text (.txt, .text), &FFF, text file.
- ChangeTxt, shareware
- Edit, commercial - supplied with all versions of RISC OS
- StrongEd, shareware
- Uemacs, freeware
- Zap, freeware
* TIFF (.tif, .tiff) , &FF0, Tagged Image File Format.
- ChangeFSI, commercial - supplied with RISC OS 3 and above
- Compo, commercial
- ImageFS, commercial
- ImageMaster, commercial
- Studio24Pro, commercial
- Tiffin, freeware
- Translator, shareware
* Wave (.wav) , &FB1, Chunk based sound file.
- AudioWorks, commercial
- MovieFS, commercial
- Player, commercial
- ProSound, commercial
- StudioSound, commercial
- SoundCon, freeware
* WMF (.wmf) ,&B2F, Windows Meta File.
- WMF->Draw, public domain.
* ZIP (.zip) , &DDC, Archive format.
- Info-ZIP suite, freeware
- SparkFS, commercial
- Sparkplug, freeware (read only)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q8.6) Is there a version of Draw for Windows?
Yes. Oak released a program called Oak-Draw for Windows. This program can load, save
and manipulate Acorn Draw format files in the Windows environment. The commercial
program CorelXara can also load and manipulate Draw files.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Comp.Sys.Acorn FAQ ---------------------------------- End of part 3 of 4 -
This FAQ is maintained by Paul Vigay ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Please email me with any queries/amendments or problems.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
| <-- __Chronological__ --> | <-- __Thread__ --> |
