To : 4TK + 999
From : 483 (Daniel Shimmin)
Re : Choice of Archimedes
Considering the number of different
Archimedes available, it is probably
worth having a detailed breakdown of
what makes up an Archimedes, and the
pros and cons of both older and newer
models.
Processor:
There are effectively three different
types:
ARM-2 was fitted to the original range
of A3000, A310, A400 etc., and
provides a fair turn of speed (BBC
BASIC games converted from the Beeb
will run so fast you won't see
anything). Roughly equivalent to a
386SX PC. It has the advantage that
all Archimedes fitted with this can be
upgraded later to ARM-3 if necessary
(see later).
ARM-250 is fitted to A3010, A3020,
A4000. It is 50% faster than the
ARM-2. BUT it cannot be replaced with
an ARM-3.
ARM-3 is fitted to A5000 and A540, and
now has a new extra-fast 33MHz
version. The original 25MHz version is
four times faster than the ARM-2.
Equivalent to a 486DX PC.
All of these types of processors do
more or less the same thing, the only
difference being the speed at which
they do it. Hence even the ARM-2 will
not be incompatible with any software
for quite some time, and hence is
ideal (as is the ARM-250) for those
who are not particularly in a hurry or
who do not need to do extremely
time-consuming tasks (ray-tracing
etc.)
Operating system:
I believe there are currently three
main types around (I may be wrong):
RISC-OS 2 was fitted to the original
A3000, and the A300, A400 and A500
series. It provides an excellent
windowing ("WIMP", "desktop")
operating system and is (?) bug-free.
However it is unlikely to be widely
used in the future, and some future
software may (?) be incompatible with
it.
RISC-OS 3 is the same thing but with
additional facilities such as the
!Paint, !Draw and !Edit utilities
being built into ROM (with RISC-OS 2
they had to be loaded from disk). It
was supplied with the original A5000.
However it contained a number of minor
bugs and is being replaced by;
RISC-OS 3.1 which I believe is more or
less exactly the same as RISC-OS 3 but
without the bugs. This comes with ALL
new Archimedes computers (I think).
Obviously having the latest operating
system is preferable, but consider:
(i) If you rarely/never encounter the
bugs in RISC-OS 3, then 3.1 is not
vital.
(ii) There are no restrictions in
upgrading from one to the next, though
it does cost a few dozen pounds for
the brand-new chips, so having an old
operating system should not count too
strongly against a potential purchase.
(iii) With the advent of RISC-OS 3.1,
many RISC-OS 3 users are upgrading and
selling their old RISC-OS 3 chips for
as little as ten pounds.
(iv) For users who are
unwilling/unable to purchase more than
1Mb of RAM, RISC-OS 2 uses much less
memory than RISC-OS 3 & 3.1
Memory:
Comes in megabytes (Mb), which are
1024K. Varies widely between machines
depending on price and supplier (A3010
normally 1Mb, A3020 2Mb, A5000 4Mb).
Many new games now demand a minimum of
2Mb, and I would say (from the
comments of an A3010 user, and using
one myself) that using RISC-OS 3 or
3.1 also requires a minimum of 2Mb.
Extra RAM costs (I think) about forty
pounds per megabyte, but note that for
smaller, cheaper and/or older machines
(particularly the A310), there are
extra costs due to carrier boards
being necessary. Some smaller machines
have a maximum limit on the amount of
RAM, but since it is always at least
2Mb, it is unlikely to prove a problem
except for very expansion-conscious
users.
Hard disk drives:
Are extremely useful in supplying at
high speed (and without
floppy-swapping) all the software,
data etc. that more powerful games,
applications etc. will use up. 20Mb or
30Mb is sufficiently large to be very
helpful (particularly if you use one
of the disk-compression filing systems
available), but a larger drive (60Mb,
80Mb or even more) is always
worthwhile if you can afford it.
There are all sorts of different
suppliers of hard drives (as well as
Acorn themselves), but internal hard
drives tend to be better (?) than
external.
Floppy disk drives:
Archimedes computers all use 3.5" disk
drives, and ADFS as a filing system.
They need extra software to read DFS
3.5" disks.
There are two types of drive fitted:
(i) Those that can handle high density
disks can read 1.6Mb (1600K) floppy
disks, and can also read/write 1.44Mb
PC disks as well as the other
(smaller) sorts of ADFS and PC disks.
These are fitted to A5000, A3010,
A3020 and A4000 computers (I'm not
sure about the A540).
(ii) The double density drives fitted
to the original A3000 and the A300 and
A400 series can only read 800K (and
smaller) ADFS formats, as well as the
720K PC format disks. These cannot be
upgraded to the larger size (you might
be able to replace them but I'm not
sure).
Visual output:
(i) The normal Archimedes monitor as
fitted to most machines, which
provides a nice, fairly sharp picture.
(ii) Using your television with an
A3010, which isn't nearly as good, but
is obviously a lot cheaper.
(iii) The Multiscan monitors provided
with the A5000, and as an option on
the A4000 (and A3020?). These provide
an even sharper picture, but are a
convenience not a necessity.
So, having looked at all the
components of an Archimedes, lets have
a brief look (my knowledge is
incomplete) at what's available:
Machine/ Original Disk Orig. Still
Range Opr.Sys. Drive Proc. Made?
A300 2 800K ARM2 N
A400 2 800K ARM2 N
A3000 2 800K ARM2 Y
A540 2 ? ARM3 Y?
A3010 3 1600K A250 Y
A3020 3 1600K A250 Y
A4000 3 1600K A250 Y
A5000 3 1600K ARM3 Y
"Processor" and "Operating System" are
listed as "original", because it is
quite possible that, in a second-hand
machine, they will have been upgraded
- which should affect your decision
considerably if the machine in
question has been upgraded to ARM-3
and RISC-OS 3.1 (such an upgrade would
cost up to one hundred pounds brand
new).
Similarly I have not listed RAM or
hard disk sizes, as these could have
virtually any values. "3" under
"Operating System" means either
RISC-OS 3 or RISC-OS 3.1; all new
machines will have 3.1.
To return to the original question,
what should one buy? And in
particular, are the older ("out of
date") machines worth looking at?
It depends...
A new A3000 is not worth looking at;
it is very expensive and has virtually
no redeeming features.
The brand new A3010 is extremely
cheap, and hence very good competition
for old A300/A400's.
However, you might get all sorts of
extras with your A300/400, if it has
been upgraded, such as extra RAM,
ARM-3 processor (which the A3010,
A3020 and A4000 CAN'T be upgraded to),
monitor, hard disk drive etc. There
seem to be lots of second-hand A300,
A400 and A3000 machines going VERY
cheap because their owners are rushing
out to buy the new machines.
Bear in mind that the one thing most
difficult to upgrade on an older
machine will be it's 800K disk drive.
If you do NOT intend to buy a hard
disk drive this will be a major
inconvenience, and gives the
A3010/A3020 the advantage.
If you do intend to buy a hard drive,
only having an 800K floppy drive is
pretty irrelevant as you'll only
mainly be using it for installing
software/PD you've bought (which won't
come exclusively on 1.6Mb format for
many years yet, if at all), and for
transferring data etc. to friends or
whatever.
Everything on an earlier machine other
than the disk drive can be upgraded
(at a price); if it has been upgraded
before you purchase it, so much the
better. But don't go for an old
machine if you CAN'T get an excellent
deal; the newer machines are very nice
as well.
e.g. if you can get a second-hand A400
with 2Mb RAM, 20Mb hard disk drive,
ARM-2, RISC-OS 2 and monitor for the
same price as a brand-new A3010 with
2Mb RAM then it is a much better deal.
But if it is the same price as an
A3020 with monitor, then it's not.
Anyway, I think that's about it. If
any of our Archimedes experts disagree
with any of the above, please correct
me. In particular, I'm not sure if the
new (bug-free) version of RISC-OS is
called RISC-OS 3.1 or RISC-OS 3.11 (?)
To: 999 (all members)
From: 8J4
Subject: General
On my BEEB7 there are located on the bot
tom right hand corner of the keyboard a
series, eight in number of dip switches
coloured in blocks of two each colour,
they are normally concealled by the
cover.
Being connected by solder to the undersi
de of the keyboard they obviously have a
purpose. Can any member with experience
of these switches inform me as to their
operation if any? all mine are depressed
downwards, no mention in the manual.
I enjoyed your inclusion Chris of the
Snowmen and carols, you had my eyeballs
going square trying to keep the handbell
s, flashing eyes and turning heads all
in prospective.
May I propose that members similar to
myself who benefit by all the input by
the Editor and other contributors help a
little by adding to any financial strain
by increasing their 1944 subscription in
advance by a ten pound note in January
this will reduce weight, is a one off
and perhaps help Chris on to any other p
lans he may have. Obviously younger memb
ersand those who do not agree can mainta
in the existing format.
My kindest regards to all, best wishes
for 1994 with more strength to 8 Bit.
EDITOR... Since you asked me a while ago
8J4 I discovered what these dip switches
were for. There are 8 switches numbered
1 to 8 from left to right.
1 and 2 are unused.
3 and 4 are disc access time settings as
follows:
3 and 4 on =4 ms track to track
3 on 4 off =6 ms track to track
4 on 3 off =6 ms
3 and 4 off=24 ms
5 when on will invert the SHIFT+BREAK
function (Press BREAK to boot the disc
in)
6 High bit of graphics mode at BREAK
7 Middle bit
8 Low bit
To: 999 (all members)
From: K2Q John Nicholson.
Subject: Fn key strings.
Can anyone tell me how to store strings
in the SHIFT and CONTROL (and CONTROL &
shift) keys? The users guide tells how
to put keys in the normal Fn keys, with
a command like *KEY0....... But I see
several programmes that use control key
strings. Any guidance appreciated.
8-Bit Message Board or (0286) 830312.
To: 999 (all members)
From: K2Q (John Nicholson)
Subject: CUTTING COMPUTERS IN HALF
The message about joining computers
together made me think of my own
project to make a BBC smaller, and
help keep it cool too. My desk is
normally piled up with letters, and
papers needing atte ntion, all around
me are shelves full of files, a patch
of clear desk space is essential. So
I cut my BEEB in half put the main
board in a box on the wall and have
the keyboard alone in just the front
part of the lid, with a pad of ply
underneath as a skid. I use a 25 way
lead back to the computer with a D
plug into the back that takes the 19
keyboard leads. I fitted a new
cased speaker (with volume control).
So it now takes up about 1/3 of the
space and is easy to pick up and
hang on a hook, out of the way all-
together.
To: 999 (all members)
From: K2Q
Subject: BBC support
I follow with equal concern the
sentiments of BBC users about the loss
of support as magazine publishers move
to promote the current new machines.
I have always been pleased with BEEBUG
until recently. To me they have been
the GOOD GUYS, but Watford Electronics
have been the BAD. Everyone I have
spoken to seems to have had the same
experience. Orders are sent out wrong,
or they goods do not work, and they
will not give compensation. I bought a
twin 3½" 80track drive from Watford, it
was quite expensive and has never
worked properly. Many hours of program
writing was lost in this drive, and
years of research data. I have a shadow
RAM board from Watford which every now
and again makes the whole computer have
a fit. Despite sending it back for
repair or replacement several times
it is still the same.
There is a company that I have always
found cheap, reliable, trustworthy, and
helpful. They specialise in surplus
gear so they may not have what you want
at the right time. But they did have
some super modems, and my most reliable
3½" drive cost only `20. They also sell
large capacity memory boards for a few
pounds. Their 3½" DSHD (2Mb) discs are
from `7.43 to `5.00 for a pack of ten.
They are:-
GREENWELD
27 Park Road
Southampton
SO9 1BE.
(0703) 236363.
I would love news from other members
about other companies who can supply
hardware for the BBC, or materials
cheaply.
To: 999 (all members)
From: K1H
Subject: SUBSCRIPTIONS
I have seen other members comments
regarding the costs of the monthly mag
and the cost of software from the pool
and I agree that they are best around.
I have recently been copying a lot of my
discs, and it has taken ages I honestly
don'know how Chris manages to produce a
magazine, bring up a family, and still
find time for programming, I, hopefully
have just managed to make this issue.
Lets face it if Chris's printer etc gave
up the ghost, there would be no 8BSoft.
I am a relative newcomer to 8BS, so it
is'nt for me to make suggestions as to
price's etc, but I must say that I for
one would be in complete agreement with
any decisions made regarding cost.
To: 999 (all members)
From: K1H John W Fullbrook
Subject: Thanks
My thanks to John Ilseley for his
article on SWITCHING sideways ram on
the Master, and Jonathon Harston for
his article on connecting more than
one drive, I followed the instructions
on both of these articles and all
worked well.
To Mick Needham for takeing the trouble
to buy, on my behalf, several items for
the master which came in very very
handy, and finally but not least Henry
Frost for sending details of his filing
system.
Thank you all very much.
May I take this opportunity of wishing
all members of 8BS All the very best
for the new year
To: 999 (all members)
From: K1H J W Fullbrook
Subject: Articles Wanted
Has any memember any of the following
for sale..............................
EPROM PROGRAMER AND ERASER.
MASTER REFERENCE MANUALS.
BEEBUG MAGAZINES.
VOL.1 issues 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8.
VOL.2 issues 1, 5, 8, 9.
VOL.3 issue 10.
VOL.4 issues 2, 3, 6.
VOL.5 issues 6, 8, 9.
VOL.11 issues 8, 9.
FOR SALE............................
OKI MICROLINE PRINTER................
with manual, model 182, new ribbon
fitted, and one new spare.
It can be used with single sheet, or
fanfold paper, a tractor feed can be
fitted but is not included. I bought
this about six weeks ago with a master
and monitor, and as I already have a
good printer I don't need this, I have
printed with it to test it and it works
OK. The carraige knob is missing but
should be easy to replace from Maplins,
It has a line feed button so this won't
be a problem.
Measures 10"deep by 14"wide by 3" high
weighs about six pounds.
I need the space so 35 pounds.
Minaltafax 150, as new small slim type.
Has auto button that allows it to be
used on a single line, makes a very
good photocopy, comes with full manual
same size as the printer.
95 pounds.
Both + postage.
Please write or phone to........
J W Fullbrook
77 Chestnut rise
Plumstead
London
SE18 1RJ
TEL.081 317 1490 after 8pm please
To: 999 (all members)
From: 3SQ
Subject: M128 Overlay Board Replay Rom
Again, through the pages of Micro Mart,
I purchased a Vine Micros Overlay Rom
Board 3, my purchase of this recomended
Add On, came with a Replay Rom which I
have no need for, this version of the
Replay Rom can only be used with a Rom
Overlay Board 3, would anybody like it ?
it also comes with an optional extra of
a BBC OS 1.2 and a switch etc. this
little extra (for which I have no info
supposedly gives you more compatibility
with BEEB programs.
To recap:- would anybody want this
Replay Rom add on, (only) for a Vine Rom
Board 3 !.
Press BREAK for part 4