R-Comp / RCI at SW Show 2019

As the clock ticks down to the start of the SW 2019 RISC OS exhibition, here’s the usual “R-Comp Roundup” of things to check out at the show…

On the R-Comp software front, we’ll have two new releases…

Fireworkz Pro 2.22 is a new CD release for the show with a brand new version of Fireworkz Pro. There are a number of changes and improvements in this release, but perhaps the most interesting is the new “Statement” view for columns of numbers, stats or text. Statement view shades the backgrounds of alternating rows differently, creating contrasting, easy to read rows of data. Ideal for downloaded bank statements, or any other tables of data, Statement view makes reading information on-screen or in print much easier. Additionally, this ties into improved Split View behaviour which allows for thinner “1 row high” split views, so that the headings are always visible as you scroll through your statement.

Statement view is available in portrait or landscape modes, with or without split views enabled by default. You can easily load your data into Statement view with just one (extra) click.

Additionally, the database portion of Fireworkz Pro has been enhanced for better integration with the other components, esp for mail merge etc. This makes the integrated database much more effective for storing things like names and addresses, which can then be used with your letters or labels. One really nice Fireworkz feature for this is auto-removal of blank lines, so no matter how long or short an address is, when used in your document it’ll be neatly formatted. Fireworkz Pro 2.22 also includes a number of small fixes, performance improvements and cosmetic improvements ranging from high DPI display support, to improved dialogue box layout and font handling.

NetFetch sees an upgrade to version 5.5, although this will be available as a beta download due to available time. We’re using it to fetch/send email here at R-Comp already, so it is a pretty safe update. The new version integrates the latest SSL/TLS support via the AcornSSL module produced as a result of the ROOL/RISC OS Dev partnership, which has already become vitally important as some “historically RISC OS friendly” services have switched to TLS 1.2/1.3 security. Further new features are on their way, including easy fetching of individual mailboxes from the iconbar icon.

Version 1.10 of the ARMX6 graphics accelerator was released last week. This was a small update to add support for legacy, full screen modes using screen banks/shadowing etc. This is helpful for people writing their own BASIC programs, but not necessarily an essential update for those already running the main release.

PiFi v3 will be available, with its desktop WiFi interface, making WiFi for RISC OS as easy as other platforms. PiFi allows you to turn a Pi into a wireless receiver for your RISC OS computer(s), or indeed any computer(s). We’ll be using it at the show to demonstrate, well, something I’ll mention below!

RCI will be showing the ARMX6, TiMachine and tiny mini.m. New for SW 2019 is our new Titan computer. This is a more traditional computer design that lowers the entry price to TiMachine functionality. By using a cheaper, classicly elegant computer chassis, and giving more flexibility over components, Titan is more affordable than TiMachine, and we hope will appeal to those who might prefer something other than our usual “small form factor” computers. You still get features like our recovery system, custom TiMachine software and much of the bundled software. TiMachine and Titan share software updates and downloads, making either an excellent choice.

We’ll also have a RISCbook Go! on display for those wanting max flexibility with Windows and RISC OS.

Of course, for many, the star of the show will be the ARMbooks (now nicknamed “ARMboks” following a typo in my last newsletter). We’ll have both 12 and 14 inch units on display, and they’re much more functional than before. Stock has been stymied by Chinese New Year, but you’ll want to come and check out the first native ARM RISC OS laptops since the A4 in the 1990s!

If that wasn’t enough of an incentive, we’ll be introducing the world to more of RISC OS Developments activities. The company shocked everyone with the acquisition of the OS itself last year, but swiftly moved to make everyone’s life better (we hope!) by Open Sourcing it to international acclaim. But, that wasn’t even its main focus! We’ll be able to show fruits of ROD’s primary goals at the show, and talk about what’s been going on. You’ll find out who’s doing what, and be able to meet them at the show. Fun times! (Quick hint – look in the Tests forum for a clue to one of the projects)

Don’t forget last year’s releases like Doom, Quake, Messenger Pro 8…