RISC OS FR: first BBC Basic programming contest - Win a Pi!

Win a Raspberry Pi Model B+ fully equiped!

We launch our first programming contest dedicated to the development of new software written in BBC Basic. Native titles specifically created for RISC OS 5. The competition is open until the end of May, with winner selected mid-June.

The winner will receive a Raspberry Pi Model B + under RISC OS, fully equipped, with a value of around 129 euros. This prize can not be exchanged against another computer or in cash. The prize will be sent to the winner within two weeks.

Software can be CLI or WIMP applications: tools, games, demos, screensavers, etc. The selection is based on the quality and quantity of code provided (all your contributions are taken into account).

To be accepted, the software must be written in pure Basic. System calls (SWI and VDU) are accepted, as the use of common modules.

The source code must be free for all uses. As a result, the code placed in the public domain or under a permissive open source license is allowed, while the code placed under a proprietary license or a viral one (ex GPL) will be refused.

You can now send your contributions to the address temp1267@riscos.fr.
Good luck!

Gagnez un Raspberry Pi Model B+ tout équipé !

Nous lançons notre premier concours de programmation dédié à la mise au point de nouveaux logiciels écrits en BBC Basic. Des titres natifs qui seront spécifiquement créés pour le système d’exploitation RISC OS 5. Le concours est ouvert jusqu’à fin mai, avec désignation du gagnant mi-juin.

Le gagnant remportera un Raspberry Pi Model B+ sous RISC OS, tout équipé, d’une valeur d’environ 129 euros TTC. Ce prix ne pourra pas être échangé contre un autre lot, ni en numéraire. Le lot sera envoyé au gagnant sous quinzaine.

Les logiciels peuvent être des applications CLI ou WIMP : outils, jeux, démos, économiseurs d’écran, etc. La sélection se fait en fonction de la qualité et de la quantité de code produit (toutes vos contributions seront prises en compte).

Pour être accepté, un logiciel devra être écrit en pur Basic. Les appels système (SWI et VDU) sont acceptés, tout comme l’utilisation de modules communs.

Le code source devra pouvoir être utilisé sans entrave par tous. En conséquence, le code mis en domaine public ou sous licence open source permissive est autorisé, alors que le code placé sous licence propriétaire ou open source virale (par exemple la GPL) se verra refusé.

Vous pouvez envoyer dès maintenant vos contributions à l’adresse temp1267@riscos.fr.
Bonne chance !

Win a Raspberry Pi Model B+ fully equiped!

Whoo.

This prize can not be exchanged against another computer or in cash.

It’s kind of sad that this actually needs to be specified, you know. Which part of “Win a Raspberry Pi Model B+ fully equipped!” is difficult to understand? :-)

I was interested…

To be accepted, the software must be written in pure Basic. System calls (SWI and VDU) are accepted, as the use of common modules.

…but now I’m not. It is a shame that you are concentrating purely upon BBC BASIC when there are a number of alternatives that have their own attributes. C (either DDE style (and it’s not expensive with the NutPi) or GCC), Lua (free), perl (free)…

As a result, the code placed in the public domain or under a permissive open source license is allowed,

Acceptable.

while the code placed under a proprietary license or a viral one (ex GPL) will be refused.

Hehe… It might be less flame-inducing to describe GPL as “restrictive”. The GNU-prefix-slash-GPL crowd don’t like their holy grail being described using words like “viral” or “cancerous” (and those are the polite words). :-P
[yes, I’m poking it with a stick]

Et…

Gagnez un Raspberry Pi Model B+ tout équipé !

Whoo! [How does one say “whoo!” in French? Is this where the oft-quoted by foreigners but never heard from the mouths of French people “oh la la” comes in?]

Ce prix ne pourra pas être échangé contre un autre lot, ni en numéraire.

C’est dommage que vous avez besoin d’écrire ça. Quel partie de “Gagnez un Raspberry Pi Model B+ tout équipé!” est trop dificile de comprendre? :-)

Le lot sera envoyé au gagnant sous quinzaine.

A side point – it is interesting to note that English people say “within two weeks” (or for true Britishness, we call that a “fortnight” (don’t ask me why…)); while the French say “sous quinzaine”, literally “under fifteen (days)”.

Je suis charlie interessé moi…

Pour être accepté, un logiciel devra être écrit en pur Basic. Les appels système (SWI et VDU) sont acceptés, tout comme l’utilisation de modules communs.

…mais non plus. Ce est dommage que vous êtes en se concentrant uniquement sur BBC BASIC quand il y a plusieurs des alternatives qui possedent leurs caractéristiques. C (soit comme DDE (et ce n’est pas cher avec le NutPi) ou soit GCC), Lua (gratuite), perl (gratuit) …

En conséquence, le code mis en domaine public ou sous licence open source permissive est autorisé,

Aucun probleme. [desole, mon touche pour accents graves ne fonctionne plus :-( ]

alors que le code placé sous licence propriétaire ou open source virale (par exemple la GPL) se verra refusé.

Hehe… Elle pourrait être moins induisant des flammes de décrire GPL comme “restrictif”. Les supporters de préfixe-GNU-barre-oblique-GPL n’aiment pas si leur saint graal a été décrite avec des mots comme “virale” ou “cancéreuse” (et, oui, ce sont les mots de plus politesse). :-P
[oui, je le piquer avec un bâton]

(phew!)

Just a thought to throw it out there… How would you classify code released under the terms of the Castle Shared Source Initiative ? Acceptable?

It might be less flame-inducing to describe GPL as “restrictive”.

How about “open like a bear trap?” :) I’m glad to see others with er, reservations¹

Is this where the oft-quoted by foreigners but never heard from the mouths of French people “oh la la” comes in?]

On TV fairly regularly and equally regularly using the very phrase/exclamation is this chef

¹ Is it me or do others view GPL as a honeytrap, a sweetened trap, in contrast to other license schemes that seem to do the “whatever dude, just don’t pretend my stuff is yours” style?

How would you classify code released under the terms of the Castle Shared Source Initiative ?

Surely that isn’t one specific license? I’d say it has variations – hence the mixed, castle, cddl sections.

I guess “pure Basic” means no inline Assembler ?

It is a shame that you are concentrating purely upon BBC BASIC when there are a number of alternatives that have their own attributes. C (either DDE style (and it’s not expensive with the NutPi) or GCC), Lua (free), perl (free)…

The idea is to make a library of free to use Basic code for newcomers. To attract new people/developers. Even if most RISC OS developers don’t use Basic today, you’re free to try. Even a few ‘one liners’ can win.

Hehe… It might be less flame-inducing to describe GPL as “restrictive”.

The library of Basic code must be free… for any use. So no GPL. No CDDL either.

How would you classify code released under the terms of the Castle Shared Source Initiative ? Acceptable?

No, because the idea is to help making a library of free to use Basic code, etc.

I guess “pure Basic” means no inline Assembler ?

Small parts can be accepted, but not parts large enough to make the software an assembly one. I suggest putting all ARM code in generic modules. You can use modules if generic :)

There are many ways to win. Take and adapt old BBC Basic code (of course, don’t just copy it), make some kits (for example for screensavers), develop a Wimp application, make frontends, make demos (with help of a soundtracker module), give examples of use (a kind of tutorial), make tools to ease Wimp programming, etc.

There are many many possibilities.

Good luck!

…a funny screensaver would be interesting…is there any example/framework for a screen saver available somewhere that I could use as a start ?

is there any example/framework for a screen saver available somewhere that I could use as a start ?

This could be a useful project too :)