This is just a brief summary of the recent RISC OS show in Guildford for those who didn't make it in person but are thirsty for news.

Firstly, it was a good show, up to the usual standard of the previous ones in Guildford and the organisers should be thanked for their hardwork and dedication - I know in some detail what's involved in undertaking the task and this should never be underestimated by vendors or customers.

Next, Despite the recent announcement by Castle / Iyonix Ltd. everyone just got down to business and certainly some vendors were very busy with customers much of the day.  It had been obvious for a while that Castle didn't have anything new to sell, so although sad that they were not present, their absence didn't make any real difference.

At the show there were new issues of magazines at the show, Archive, Qercus and RISCOS Now.

• APDL were selling a wide range of hardware and software including UniPods, PS/2 Mouse Minis and RiscWorld CD Magazine discs.
• R-Comp released their new SafeStore backup and updated Netfetch software. 
• CJE released new, improved LanMan98 with more support for newer network devices. CJE also had their usual wide range of software and hardware and were busy much of the time that I didn't get chance to browse for long.
• RISCOS Ltd. were selling Window Manager PRMs and subscriptions for Select (currently RISC OS 6.10) and people could get hands on experience with the features within, Also on the stand they were  previewing features for future release - A new 64 thousand colour mode, that operates in the same amount of VRAM as 32 thousand.  Improved Alpha support for Paint, and a new colour picker with
• CIELab colour model.  Also on the RISCOS Ltd. stand was the Dual-Head video A9Wail computer showing the developments towards RISC OS 6 on the A9 platform.
• ROOL were burning CDs of Batch 5 sources and selling these at the show; these sources will probably by now be available on the website for download.  Also on sale were their usual  merchandise, plus small desktop calendars for 2009.
• Martin Wuerthnerwas selling the lastest versions of ArtWorks and Tech/EasiWriter.
• Steve Fryatt had made the trip down from Leeds (as had I) to the show and was busy most of the show with his Cashbook and PrintPDF software.
• The Netsurf team were on hand with the latest developments in the RISC OS web browser.
• The ArmClub were selling their usual offerings as well as a few bits of hardware.

Appologies if I've missed anyone, I also didn't get chance to listen to many of the presentations.  I will be writing a little more detail in both Foundation Risc World and Qercus about the show, so be sure to get your copies.

Steve.

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