Registering an app name

I have written an application that does not need a filetype allocation. However the application name itself ‘CountDown’ clashes with one already in existence (1994) that I had not previously discovered. My variable (CtDn$Dir) does not conflict. Who controls the registration of app names and variables please? I have looked on the ROL and ROOL sites but the address at allocate@riscos.com no longer works and so I just went ahead and used the name.

Ah! I see the problem – the !Allocate application says send the request to allocate@riscos.com but the ROOL page says send it to allocate@riscosopen.org. I’ll try again.

I have written an application that does not need a filetype allocation. However the application name itself ‘CountDown’ clashes with one already in existence (1994) that I had not previously discovered. My variable (CtDn$Dir) does not conflict.

In which case your application is wrong, as the variable should be the same as the application name (the first 9 characters, at least). They come via the same allocation. You’ve therefore trampled on two potentially allocated names…

And as you’ve clearly just found, you email ROOL for the allocation.

It’s worth mentioning that Acorn encouraged developers to register names early in the process so that you can get the name allocated before you design all your icons and write all your help pages. Saves changing them later!