To: 999 (all members)
From: 3WU (Fred Price)
Subject: Yule Time
Well Friends once again old Father
Christmas is knocking about again and
it's only a year ago since he last
done the rounds and it's surprising
how a year flies over when Old Father
Time passes by but we poor mortals
must not complain (well not too much)
And as this is the last excellent disc
of 1994 i would like to wish you all
To : Tim Parsons + 999
From : 483 (Daniel Shimmin)
About: Inkjets & graphics routines
I was interested to see your mention of
this in the last issue. I assume any
printer, whether inkjet or laser,
should be quite happy to print out
graphics once you can work out what
format it accepts them in.
Presumably, once that has been sorted
out, the simplest method is to use
BASIC and VDU 2,1,xx,1,xx etc. I have
had some success (after some use of its
manual) in persuading an Epson laser
printer to produce simple vector
graphics from BASIC in this manner.
The other advantage in using BASIC VDU
commands is that there should be
little difference in behaviour between
8-bit and 32-bit Acorn machines
connected to the same printer.
My new printer (to replace my Star
LC24-10 24-pin dot matrix) is a Canon
BJ-200 360x360dpi bubblejet, intended
largely for DTP work from my A5000
using Computer Concepts turbodrivers.
If you want the info concerning
graphics format from the printer's
manual, I would be happy to send it in.
To : 999 + K6X + K5B
From : 483 (Daniel Shimmin)
About: 8BS prices
Discussion of 8BS price increases
continues. When I became editor of 8BS,
there had been a tradition established,
thanks to the generosity of the
previous editor (Duncan Webster), that
there would be no charges at all so
long as people supplied their own disks
and return postage.
Due to this, there was a fair amount of
opposition to the "50p per issue"
extra charge that I introduced when I
became editor, and this was the reason
why I began the practice of
occasionally including "8BS accounts",
to show that there was a need for extra
cash to cover miscellaneous expenses.
Since then, the situation has changed
considerably, and now members seem
quite keen to voluntarily donate to the
funds, and even to try to persuade
Chris to implement another price
increase.
The generosity of members, both in
terms of donations of money as well as
donations of knowledge, time and
expertise, is what has enabled 8BS to
become as successful as it is, even to
the extent of being able to buy the
distribution rights on old 8-bit
software such as View Professional.
However, I have to say that I feel 8BS
is still fairly strong financially
(unless Chris has information to the
contrary), and that price rises, even
perhaps the recent blank disk price
increase, are not absolutely vital.
EDITOR..... 8BS is strong, there is no
doubt. The 8BS funds are always
bouncing along the bottom. Donations
are always welcome and help a great
deal towards the expenses. For
instance, today I received the phone
bill. £46.00 of which was related to
8BS. I have not recently published
detailed accounts mainly because the
balance is a minus figure. I have been
waiting for them to pop their head up a
bit before giving everyone the gory
details. The charges in theory cover
the costs. In practice they almost do!
To : 999 + K6X + K5A
From : 483 (Daniel Shimmin)
About: 32-bit content
I was interested to see some discussion
of this in the last issue, as it was
a problem that I spent some time
thinking about while I was editor.
At that time, I tried to encourage not
only a certain amount of Archimedes
content, but even, at one stage, a
section for people with 32016
co-processors, on the grounds that
these were connected to, and worked
through, people's Beebs, and hence were
worthy of inclusion in a Beeb
magazine (also they ran BBC BASIC).
The 32016 venture proved a failure (the
32016 users I was in contact with
seemed uninterested in the 8-bit
content of the magazine, and Hugh
Williams, who had originally planned to
write some 32016 software for 8BS, lost
interest in programming soon
afterwards), but there is still a
strong argument for including
Archimedes-related material in 8BS, and
I was glad to see the review of
Wolfenstein 3D appear in the last
issue.
First, as far as text is concerned, 8BS
could probably manage to fit a couple
of full-length Archimedes-related
articles in each issue without reducing
the amount of 8-bit information at all
(a lot of text fits on a 400K disk).
Therefore 8-bit-only users would not
lose anything at all (apart from having
a - perhaps unwelcome - chance to look
at some of the issues affecting
32-bit users), while those 8BS members
who own both 8-bit and Archimedes
machines would benefit from being able
to exchange their knowledge.
As far as software is concerned, it is
worth pointing out the similarities of
the 8-bit and 32-bit Acorn machines in
terms of BASIC compatibility (all pure
BASIC programs running on a Beeb or
Master should run on an Archimedes
also, but a lot faster), VDU
compatibility (virtually all of the VDU
codes available on the Beeb and Master
are also available on the Archimedes,
and all the BBC screen modes are still
available), operating system
compatibility (many of the Beeb and
Master *FX calls and star commands are
available on the Archimedes), filing
system compatibility (the Archimedes
uses ADFS filing system commands as
used on the Master series and many
Beebs), and emulation (programs - in
any language - that run on the Beeb
are very likely to run under the 6502
emulator supplied with all Archs, and
at very nearly the correct speed).
What all this means is not only that a
lot of people find the move from BBC
to Archimedes (if not the move to
advanced Archimedes programming)
relatively easy because a lot has
remained the same, but also that it is
worth while aiming a lot of software
towards the Archimedes as well as the
Beeb - much of it will run on both.
Similarly an article on advanced BASIC
programming, or ADFS filing system
commands, or printer control from BASIC
(as I mentioned above), or mathematical
routines written in BASIC or C, would
be as relevant to Arch owners as to
Beeb owners.
It seems worthwhile to support
Archimedes owners through 8BS
because it is one way of keeping people
with different machines interested.
(The same applies to articles on the
Z88). In addition, there is nothing
similar to 8BS in the Archimedes world.
As for Archimedes-only software, it
seems unlikely that much of this will
find its way into 8BS issues, for the
moment at least. If it does, it will
certainly not be taking up space on the
DFS version, as most Arch-owners will
be receiving the ADFS version (which is
not especially short of space anyway).
8-bit-only users need have no fear that
8BS is about to go down the path
followed by the commercial magazines a
couple of years ago. The membership at
present has a large contingent of
people who would prefer never to change
to a 32-bit machine. While these people
keep on sending off for, and
contributing to, 8BS, there is no way
that 8BS could carry out the
large-scale change in its content and
approach that would be necessary to
attract large mumbers of
Archimedes-only owners.
If someone is prepared to set up 32-Bit
Software along the same lines as
8-Bit Software, I imagine it would be a
great success. But 8BS itself will
only be renamed 32BS when all interest
in the 8-bit content has disappeared -
and that is a very long time off. In
the meantime, an Archimedes column of
some sort would be very interesting.
EDITOR.... Up to now, I have published
everything submitted to me in the next
issue. I shall try my best to continue
with this. Text will always be placed
into the issue first as the magazine
side of the disc is the most popular
side. In the unlikely event of space
becoming short, text and programs for
machines other than 8-Bit Acorn will be
the first to be stock piled. So submit
what you want!
From Trevor Crapper K4V
To 999
Subject: Comments
Dear Chris and Members,
Hope you had a very good Christmas
and wish you all a belated Happy
New Year.
Thank you for issue 39 and its
contents. Contributors articles
which contain information are
always most welcome, makes my job
updating the catalogue very easy.
What does strike me, however, is
the number of calls for help. Our
friend Tim Parsons letter brings
it home.
As usual the ideas machine went
into action, must apologise for
doing this, my wife says all I do
is find other people work!
Anyway it came up with a few
suggestions, anybody out there
that has more than a passing know-
ledge of a subject could put their
name forward to be kept on a list
and published by Chris so that
they can be contacted privately.
If this does not appeal then some
kind of forum could be set up and
questions sent in could be
answered and published for
everyone to read and benefit from.
The point is this knowledge should
be shared especially if it
furthers the cause and keeps us
all going.
If you have mastered a subject why
not let us all in on to some of the
basics. Printers and the art of
using one is always a favourite
topic.
We all need help at some time or
other, and some members are
willing and able to share the
fruits of their labours. Of course
it must be understood that not
everyone is capable of doing this,
and it is hoped that this fact is
known and appreciated.
The bottom line for me is this,
newcomers coming in are our life
blood, why not give them as much
assistance as they need. Okay I
have to admit it can be fun
finding things out, but it is very
nice when one stops beating the
head against a brick wall.
In my working days anyone who had
read through a manual was
considered to be an expert! Come
on have a go, all it costs is a
little time, you never know it may
open fresh fields.
Trevor Crapper.
To: 999 (all members)
From: K8J (Cyril Pike)
Subject: From the new lad.
I have hesitated over the past few
weeks as to whether I should make the
grade among such an august band of
computer buffs, my decision is that I
must give it a try. Of course I shall
not be able contribute anything of
note, but no doubt you will all fall
off your key boards in merriment, if I
relate some of my efforts to get the
better of my Master. Upon reflection
that just about sums it up..my Master!
It comes second only to my Mistress,
the light of my life,I knew that from
the day she singed my wings; I
digress, the topic is this inanimate
hunk of machinery that thinks it can
best me. And it does,frequently; I
request it to perform some simple task
only to receive back chat I would not
have taken from my offspring. It is my
firm belief that when Hugo was set the
task of programming the Acorns, twenty
seven others were set to enter a smart
answer for the likes of me. Doubtless
it is only because of this battle
between us that drags me back for
another humiliating experience, I
think it is called masochism, a sort
of love/hate relationship.
That must be more than enough for the
present, at least it is soporific,
even I am nodding off, so cheerio for
now.
Cyril
To: 999 (all members)
From: 4WL (MARTIN WILSON)
Subject: FRONTIER VERSUS ELITE
Frontier Elite 2 has been available
now for over a year on four formats;
PC, ST, Amiga and CD32. Its an
impressive game and quite playable. I
know many Archimedes owners are hoping
for a conversion. I've played it myself
quite extensively on a fast 486 PC. It
presents a very accurate and
realistic picture of the universe with
binary stars, multiple planets and
natural/artificial satellites. You can
have your choice of ship. Unlike
the Cobra MK3 or nothing attitude of
the original. However when you start
playing the game you realise there
doesn't seem to be that many other
ships about. In fact the only time you
see a lot of other ships is when
you do something wrong at a space
port/station and your attacked by
vipers. There are loads of ships then.
But because your near a space
port/station the computer slows down
terribly. Its just too much for the
computer to calculate the planets
curved surface, all the ground detail
plus all the ships moving smoothly.
When your in space and you encounter
another ship its normally on its own
and shooting it is just unbelievebly
dull after the first 10 times. The
ship moves across the sky. You can not
move fast enough to catch up with it
until it turns to come back in your
direction and then you can do a few
potshots hoping to catch it in your
sights. You can use the autopilot to
follow the craft but its all fairly
boring. Theres no getting in amongst a
pack of pirates and twisting and
turning and taking off each of them
one by one. Frontier is a great
adventure/exploration game which
impresses immensly. Elite is good
adventure/exploration game with
excellent arcade action. Elite is the
better game in my opinion
From: 4WL (MARTIN WILSON)
Subject: ELECTRON VERSUS RISC PC
1. ITS CHEAPER. ELECTRON ABOUT `8 AT
YOUR NEAREST CARBOOT. RISC PC `1300+
2. THE STAIRS TEST. IF YOU WERE TO DROP
BOTH AN ELECTRON AND A RISC PC
DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS I BELIEVE THE
ELECTRON WOULD HAVE A BETTER CHANCE
OF SURVIVING. HARD DRIVES AND CD-ROMS
DON'T COPE TO WELL WITH VIBRATION.
3. PORTABILITY. THE ELECTRON IS EASILY
CARRIED AND CAN BE PLUGGED INTO ANY
TV. IT CAN LOAD ITS SOFTWARE OFF ANY
AVAILABLE CASSETTE PLAYER WITH THE
APPROPRIATE CABLES. THIS IS NOT TRUE OF
THE RISC PC.
4. THE ELECTRON HAS A WIDER SELECTION
OF SOFTWARE. THOUSANDS OF TITLES
SPANNING MANY YEARS. THE RISC PC IN ITS
NATIVE RISC MODE HAS A FAR SMALLER
LIBRARY OF SOFTWARE. IT HAS POOR
COMPATIBILITY WITH THE EARLIER RISC
MACHINES.
5. COMPATIBILITY WITH THE BBC B. THE
ELECTRON HAS A GOOD LEVEL OF
COMPATIBILITY WITH THE BEEB.
UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO A LACK OF MODE 7
DIFFICULTIES DO ARISE. HOWEVER THERE
IS A GOOD LEVEL OF COMPATIBILITY AND
MANY GAMES AND APPLICATIONS WILL RUN
EVEN THOSE WITH EXTENSIVE MACHINE
CODE. THE RISC PC HAS A FAR LESS
SUCCESSFUL LEVEL OF COMPATIBILITY. MOST
PROGRAMS WITH EXTENSIVE MACHINE CODE
WILL FAIL.
6. DEPRECIATION. THE ELECTRON WILL
PROBABLY BE AVAILABLE NEXT YEAR AT A
CARBOOT NEAR YOU FOR THE SAME `8. IT
MAY EVEN INCREASE IN PRICE DUE TO
RARITY. THATS AN AMAZING ZERO OR LESS
DEPRECATION. HOWEVER THE RISC PCS
VALUE IS SURE TO DECLINE RAPIDLY WITH
THE ARRIVAL OF FASTER ARM CHIPS AND
A GENERAL REDUCTION IN THE PRICE OF
COMPONENTS. IT COULD LOSE HALF ITS
VALUE IN ONE YEAR.
7. KEYBOARD. THE ELECTRON HAS A NICER
FEEL ALTHOUGH THERE ARE LESS KEYS. THIS
DOES MAKE ALL KEYS AVAILABLE
QUICKER WITHOUT TOO MUCH ARM MOVEMENT.
THE RISC PC USES A STANDARD EXTENDED PC
KEYBOARD WITH A SOFTER PLACTICKY
FEEL.
8. PROGRAMMING. BOTH MACHINES HAVE
BASIC AND ASSEMBLER BUILT IN. THE
ELECTRON BOOTS UP INTO BASIC ALLOWING
PROGRAMMING STRAIGHT AWAY. IN THE
EVENT OF A PROGRAMMING ERROR THE
ELECTRON CAN BE RESTARTED AND
PROGRAMMING
CAN COMMENCE IN SECONDS. THE RISC PC
TAKES FAR LONGER TO BOOT UP AND BASIC
MUST BE SELECTED MANUALLY.
9. BRATABILITY. HOW SAFE IS THE MACHINE
WHEN USED BY CHILDREN. THE
ELECTRON IS STURDY AND SEALED. THERE IS
AN EXPANSION CONNECTOR WHICH COULD
BE USED AS A STYLOPHONE BY A SMALL
CHILD. THE ELECTRON COULD BE DAMAGED
MEANING THE LOSS OF `8. THE RISC PC HAS
MANY VENTS AND MORE DELICATE
COMPONENTS THESE COULD EASILY BE
DAMAGED. IN ESSENCE THE RISC PC CAN NOT
BE USED BY SMALL CHILDREN DUE TO THE
VALUE OF THE COMPUTER.
10. 24BIT RENDERING, FAST 3D POLYGON
GRAPHICS, SOUND SYNTHESIS AND
SAMPLING, PC COMPATIBILITY, WINDOWS
COMPATIBILITY, ARCADE QUALITY GAMES,
SOPHISTICATED APPLICATIONS,
LARGE STORAGE CAPACITIES. IN THESE
AREAS THE RISC PC HAS THE ADVANTAGE
OVER THE ELECTRON.
WELL THERE YOU GO ELECTRON 9 POINTS,
RISC PC 1 POINT. THIS INDICATES THAT
THE HUMBLE ELECTRON IS ACTUALLY
SUPERIOR TO THE RISC PC.
NEXT ARTICLE. THE UNEXPANDED ACORN ATOM
VERSUS THE POWER MACINTOSH.
PRESS BREAK