Acorn is shortly to release the third version of the Archimedes C compiler. This new version is a major leap forward from the previous release, and now includes a wealth of library functions to allow the use of RISC OS features. For example, library calls exist to allow the direct interpretation of Draw files, and all Wimp operations are catered for. The new compiler now uses the RISC OS shared C library by default, and also supports code overlays to allow programs that are larger than the available memory to be used. The system is supplied on three discs, which as well as the compiler and a new linker, include many examples, the symbolic debugger and make utility previously found on the Software Developer's Toolbox, and FormEd. This latter is an application to edit Wimp template files, and is vital to anyone writing a major application.
The documentation has also been enhanced, and now consists of a manual running to over 500 pages. Unlike with previous releases, all the library functions are documented, but the manual does not attempt to be a tutorial guide. Details of the price and release date are yet to be announced.
Also for C enthusiasts, Mitre Software has released a new product called C-Front, an enhanced Desktop environment to aid the development of projects using Acorn's ANSI C compiler under RISC OS. Both release 1 and release 2 of Acorn's C are supported, but no announcement has yet been made about release 3 (see above). C-Front contains four RISC OS applications: !C-FRONT which provides an improved interface between the Desktop and C, MITMAKE a macro facility for compiling and linking multi-file programs, !STICKYBD which allows icons for files, directories and applications to be 'stuck' anywhere on the Desktop background (similar to the bonus item available to RISC User readers on last month's magazine disc), and !SETTYPE for changing file types using a RISC OS menu. C-Front costs £19.95 inc. VAT from Mitre Software Ltd, International House, 26 Creechurch Lane, London EC3A 5BA, tel. 01-283 5614.
Acorn are set to release a RISC OS Extras Disc which will contain, among other items, a new range of printer drivers (including ones for the HP Laserjet and Integrex Colourjet), and various new and replacement modules to improve the performance of the Econet system and to cure a few minor bugs. Also to be launched is a fonts disc containing the new Outline Font Manager and the Trinity, Homerton and Corpus fonts. Further font discs will follow, and in the future Acorn plan that users should buy fonts separately, rather than them being supplied with application. The first font disc will cost around £50.
Acorn are also producing an upgrade to allow the new MEMC1A chip (as used in the 400/1 series) to be fitted to existing 310 and 440 machines. This will not only give a speed increase of about 10% , but will also be essential if the new SCSI or Floating Point podules are to be used.
Specialist software house Software Solutions has announced three Econet products for the Archimedes. The Disc Sharer allows the hard disc of any networked Archimedes to share access with up to 32 other network users. As Disc Sharer is a multi-tasking RISC OS application, the shared access Archimedes can continue to be used as a single user machine at the same time. Shared users have access only to designated directory structures on the hard disc, thus protecting all other areas of the shared hard disc. It is also possible to run Disc Sharer on more than one hard disc Archimedes in an Econet network.
The second network product is a Printer Spooler which allows a printer connected to one Archimedes in a network to be accessed transparently by any other computer in the network. Files for printing are accepted immediately, being saved temporarily in a queue pending final printing. Again, Printer Spooler is multi-tasking, freeing the host machine for other applications.
The final network product is Remote Logon which allows a user to have full password-protected access to the hard or floppy disc of his Archimedes from any other system on the network. One suggested application involves using Remote Logon to allow a BBC micro to be attached to an Archimedes and use its disc storage and any printer as though it were its own.
Disc Sharer and Printer Spooler are sold only as network licences; Remote Logon is sold as a single user product, though site licences are available on request. Prices to education are (ex. VAT) are £110.00 for the disc sharer, £65.00 for the printer spooler, and £30.40 for the remote logon utility. Prices to other users are 25% higher. For more information contact Software Solutions at Broadway House, 149-151 St Neots Road, Hardwick, Cambridge CB3 7QJ, or tel. (0954) 211760.
Acorn's recently launched A3000 is headed for even more success in a new deal with Dixons. From September, the A3000 will be sold in Dixons' twenty flagship shops in major towns and cities throughout Britain. Acorn sees the agreement with the UK's number one computer retailer as an important addition to its existing dealer and distribution network. This marks a further stage in the rising success of Acorn's new machine.
The Hugh Symons Group has introduced a series of high performance peripherals to further extend the R140 Archimedes based UNIX system. The new units comprise 158 Mbyte and 327 Mbyte Winchester disc drives, with respective access times of 16ms and 18ms, a 150 Mbyte capacity tape streamer operating at 90 inches per second, and a 19-inch high resolution monochrome monitor. This gives 1152 by 900 pixels on screen and has a video bandwidth of more than 110 MHz. Known as the Viking II, this has been specially developed in the USA by Taxan for workstation users, and complements the existing Taxan Multivision colour monitor available for the R140. It can also be used with the Archimedes 400 series, but no prices have been given as yet.
In addition, Hugh Symons will shortly be releasing a four-port RS232 expansion card, developed in conjunction with Acorn. This will turn the R140 into a six-user machine, and will allow users to exploit already ported multi-user software including Uniplex, Quadraton's Q-Office and Informix. An unlimited UNIX user licence has been made available with this four-port expansion card. For more details and prices on all these products contact Hugh Symons Group Plc, 223-227 Alder Road, Poole, Dorset BH12 4AP, or tel. (0202) 740853.
Clares Micro Supplies, a strong supporter of the Archimedes range, has many new or revamped products to be released this Autumn. Available now is Interdictor a high quality flight simulator costing £34.95 and expected to be a top seller in the run up to Christmas. To go with Interdictor, Clares has also released the Voltmace Delta-Cat joystick at £29.95 which is claimed to provide much more realistic control than the standard Archimedes mouse. All prices include VAT.
A second edition of Artisan, referred to simply as Artisan 2, will be out very soon. While retaining the mode 12 of the original, many additional features have been added particularly with educational use in mind. It is, of course, now fully multi-tasking under RISC OS. For education, the software can now be configured to tailor the choice of facilities to the skills of the user, and there are many extra functions aimed at helping in textile design. Artisan 2 costs £59.95, or existing registered users of Artisan can upgrade for £30.00.
Other new products due out later this autumn include Knowledge Organiser, a free-form database system which includes Z88 compatibility and the facility to input text and data from Prestel £59.95), and a Primary Word processor with large fonts aimed at primary school children which has been developed in conjunction with the Derbyshire Education Authority. This will retail at £39.95.
Finally, Dave Clare reports that good progress is being made with Tempest, Clares' DTP package which is expected to be released this autumn. Unlike Acorn DTP (reviewed RISC User Volume 2 Issue 9) this also includes a spelling checker and many additional features all for £129.95. Clares are at 98 Middlewich Road, Rudheath, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 7DA, or tel. (0606) 48511.