Category: Operating System

VirtualAcorn can now confirm that VirtualA5000 V 1.10 can read and write Packet CDs. Packet CD (also called UDF) allows CD writers to copy files using drag and drop file transfers, files can be renamed, deleted, or have their filetypes changed on a writable CD. This means that users can backup their VirtualA5000 hard disc directory to a CD whenever they need.

Once a CD has been finalised using Windows it can also be read on a "real" RISC OS machine, and provided applications and files have been archived then all the filetypes will be preserved. Depending on the particular CD software provided on the PC it is also possible to write data to a CD on VirtualAcorn, then read the CD on a "real" RISC OS machine and then add further data to the CD using VirtualA5000. So far CD writing has only been tested using CeQuadrat PacketCD(tm) and Roxio DirectCD(tm). Full information on setting up a CD Writer is now on the VirtualAcorn Technical Support pages.

And that's not all....

RISC OS Ltd. have announced on their Select website that the First Select CD Shipment is being prepared and is expected to be sent to customers at the end of april.

Just noticed an article at Slashdot about a ROX Desktop Update.

There are a fair number of comments from people who seem to like it as well.

Note: ROX Desktop is a desktop based around a filer - the RISC OS filer!

After a period of confusion Paul Middleton, managing director of RISCOS Ltd, has stated categorically that VirtualAcorn is not "a legally licensed product"

Note: While MyRISCOS may carry this story, it may not reflect the views of either MyRISCOS or the moderator of this article. There is a certain degree of confusion over VA having a licenced copy of OS 3.11 (from Pace) or having an agreement with Pace for 3.11 (this amounts to the same, but doesn't cost as much)

For those of you that were waiting ...

Dear RISC OS Select User,

The first Kinetic enabled version of the first Select ROM image is now available for download from the Web Site. This version is also suitable for standard Risc PC and A7000 users and contains all the latest updates and fixes.

Don't all rush at once!

According to the Select website (password required)

Virtual Acorn is the new brand name for commercial versions of the exceptionally popular Red Squirrel Acorn emulator.

For more information go direct to the VirtualAcorn site

No CD yet but the site is now open, so Select members can download the content.




support.riscos.com/Select/

Changing the Filer is likely to produce most praise - and complaint. the Filer is our means of handling the 'objects' in the computer and its use can be compared with driving a car; swapping 'break' and 'clutch' pedals may arguable be more ergonomically efficient but it's likely to cause one or two complaints from survivors.


Unsurprisingly RISCOS Ltd have chosen to improve the Filer in little ways.

CodeWeavers announced yesterday, their 'CrossOver Plugin' for Linux which enables the display of MS Windows Browser plugins and Office Files in Linux.




Their Press Release shows that QuickTime, Shockwave Director, Word, Excel and PowerPoint files can be opened by Linux browsers or email clients.




Future versions are expected to support virtually all Windows plugins and file viewers.




I want this for RISC OS!

The Kernel has already been changed for the first Select CD but these changes will continue in future issues of the OS.


The Kernel will be leaner with components split from the Kernel. these (now externel) components will be easier to maintain as they can be modified and tested without a complete ROM build.

RISC OS Select is the name given to the means by which the new Operating System, RO4+, will be distributed.


Instead of producing a version of the OS that will be set in stone for three or more years RISCOS Ltd will release the product in stages over two years. New for RISC OS the new OS will be on CD, you will need RO4 on your machine to run RO4+, and problems encountered in one version can be modified for the next.


As RISCOS Ltd expect to issue three CDs each year the wait between issues won't be excessive.
It's worth noting that RISCOS Ltd are not using us all as beta testers; each CD will include some beta and some release versions of software and purchasers can opt to ignore the beta software. Software in beta on one CD is likely to be in a release version on the next.


Undoubtedly there will be enough adventurous souls who will want to explore and test the beta software and ensure the feedback to ROL for the good of us all.

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