ARM BASIC: SOUND extension?

IIRC, one major reason for the “multi version boot” was to let disc-less workstations boot from a server. I.E. mount the !Boot simply from the server and everything “just works”.

But that’s distant memory from some lengthy Usenet discussions from the mid-90s…

Rick mused

I’m sure somebody will pipe up about the likely miniscule number of people likely to dual-boot RISC OS 5 and RISC OS something earlier on the same machine.

For a long time my RiscPC was set up so I could *OS <version number> and it would confirm, swap the CMOS and softload one of a dozen or so versions. For testing.

can anyone give a coherent explanation of why a !System directory has subdirectories relating to previous OS versions

Because !System is version agnostic – it is designed to be an upgrade for older OSes. It’s the primary means by which the API is unified.

I’m sure somebody will pipe up about the likely miniscule number of people likely to dual-boot RISC OS 5 and RISC OS something earlier on the same machine.

Much more important than “dual-boot on the same machine” is of course “use the same !Boot on a variety of machines”. I wouldn’t want to miss it.

Steffen, does that usage scenario make use of the multiple-hardware thing rather than multi-user?

I’ve just had a day full of problems that have a human cause – NHSNet causing issues with systems because of naff DNS (again) and claiming different (again)

I may die of shock – I had a call today in which the apologetic techie admitted they had been having such problems for a number of months and that an alleged fix was applied a few weeks ago, so he’d be working with me to try to identify the source of yesterdays problem. :-0
That I quite like. It’s the previous denials from other staff that bug me.

Steffen, does that usage scenario make use of the multiple-hardware thing rather than multi-user?

You mean hardware profiles? Never used that on RISC OS 4.xx. Basically, I standardized on Universal Boot/RISC OS 5 Boot from RISC OS 3.1 hardware to RPCEmu RO5.

I think you’re right about it being a solution in search of a problem.

I think you’re right about it being a solution in search of a problem.

I’ve got a T-shirt that says that. Gift from the guys at work (plus a rather expensive bottle of Scotch)
I’ve never once told them, but they seem to know. :)

Anyway, yes, overcomplicated solution to a problem we don’t seem to have.