newbie to RiscOS

I am wanting to getting into using the RiscOS as one of my alternate/retro computer skill sets
I currently have/use Ubuntu 10.04, Amiga A1200 WB 3.1, UAE AF 2006 WB 3.X, Sam440 AOS 4.1.2

what is the easy way?
Is the touchbook version ready?

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tom_a_sparks “It’s a nerdy thing I like to do”
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3 x (x)Ubuntu 10.04, Amiga A1200 WB 3.1, UAE AF 2006 WB 3.X, Sam440 AOS 4.1.2
Wanted: RiscOS system, GEOS system (C64/C128), Atari ST, Apple Macintosh (68k/PPC only)

Hi. The easiest way could be via emulation. The Touch Book version seems to be as “ready” as the BeagleBoard version, but the battery charging has some issues which I expect will be revisited when time permits. You’ll either need to use it plugged in all the time or switch to AIOS to do your charging. Obtaining the hardware itself could be an issue but there are secondhand v.1 TBs available for sale from time to time.

You could of course get yourself an old RISC OS system instead/additionally – it depends what you want to do with it. And if you’re in the UK you may want to consider attending the Midlands show in July or the London one in October.

You’ll either need to use it plugged in all the time or switch to AIOS to do your charging.

As far as I know RISC OS should be as good at charging the batteries as AIOS.

Obtaining the hardware itself could be an issue but there are secondhand v.1 TBs available for sale from time to time.

Yes. Just to be clear, to my knowledge RISC OS currently only works on the older Touch Books, not the new “Smart Books”.

as good at charging the batteries as AIOS.

Apologies if that was misleading – perhaps I missed something. Anyway, I’ll be recovering my TB bits in a fortnight so will see then what I was getting confused with.

not the new “Smart Books”.

Despite a testing request, this is still the official line. However, an email from AI’s Grégoire Gentil said:

“The Smart Book is like the Beagleboard-XM. I’m pretty sure that [RISC OS] will work. OMAP3530 has just been replaced by DM3730.”

And there’s still no firm news on Smart Book availability: [1], [2].

quote Hi. The easiest way could be via emulation. quote
where is the wow-factor in that?
I am getting a CD with the older version of riscOS

quote "The Touch Book version seems to be as “ready” as the BeagleBoard version, but the battery charging has some issues which I expect will be revisited when time permits. You’ll either need to use it plugged in all the time or switch to AIOS to do your charging. Obtaining the hardware itself could be an issue but there are secondhand v.1 TBs available for sale from time to time. quote

that sounds like thats off the list :(

quote You could of course get yourself an old RISC OS system instead/additionally – it depends what you want to do with it. quote

where is the wow-factor in that? I am getting a CD with the older version of riscOS

Is this ROL’s “Classic ROMs Collection”? If so, won’t you be running under emulation?

mission impossible

There are often a few around on ebay.

PS The “Formatting Help” note below the ‘Reply’ box shows that you can quote using "bq. "

Is this ROL’s “Classic ROMs Collection”?

I am looking at the CD versions on http://www.e-junkie.com/43789

If so, won’t you be running under emulation?

yes, but I also want real hardware also

There are often a few around on ebay.

but shipping the hardware to australia is going to be the killer

PS The “Formatting Help” note below the ‘Reply’ box shows that you can quote using "bq. "

thanks

Hi Tom! Nice to see a new face on the forums.

We (R-Comp) regularly ship stuff “down under” and whilst it isn’t cheap, it isn’t obscene either. We shipped an
ARMini computer system on Friday and it came to less the 50ukp. That’s not far off what it costs to send to mainland Europe (or indeed the highlands of Scotland, sigh)! Of course, I don’t know what you’re budgeting – if you see this as a retro hobby thing, then potentially 50ukp is a big hunk of change. Conversely, given that Currys (dreadful UK electricals chain) want 30ukp for delivery of a freezer 2 miles down the road, it’s not really so bad.

As for systems, well, the current “retail” systems are our ARMini computer at 499ukp for Aus users, or our RISCube range (prices from 399, but most in the 650-799 range – the website prices are way out of date). If that seems too expensive, there are second hand RISC OS machines available for as little as 30/40ukp, although you’d probably want to spend 90-140 if you’re serious (eg. to get one with a suitable network card).

I haven’t personally used a TouchBook, so can’t comment on that one. Your other alternative is the BB-xM, but that is much more of a DIY approach, and remember that going for those routes doesn’t invest any money in the RISC OS scene, even indirectly.

shipping the hardware to australia

You could ask if Webmonster in NZ have access to any s/h stuff. Andrew, their site was updated last month – I expect you may already have been in touch regarding potential bulk(-ish) export orders.

I looking for a real hardware that has ARM cpu, NOT an INTEL cpu

I have looked at ARMini (au$913/uk$599), A9Home (au$940/uk$£616)
I don’t have a HDMI/DVI screen (don’t want one)
the touchbook looks good because it a arm Laptop that can run RiscOS

tom

Note that the A9home is officially still in beta status.

HDMI/DVI screen (don’t want one)

So unless you use a relatively expensive converter, then the BeagleBoard or ARMini would seen to be unsuitable. However, some screens accept both DVI and VGA, so you may be able to replace an existing LCD screen you use.

Tom, you’ve got a slight pricing error on your ARMini price – there’s no VAT to pay to Australia, so it’d be 499ukp (plus carriage). Also, since this is under 1000aus$, I’m informed there’s no duty to pay, thanks to an Aus ruling that it isn’t worth collecting duty below that value. Australia seems to be an importer’s dream for right now, and I believe the pound/aus$ rate is in your favour too!

Although one would be best advised to check with appropriate sources, to my knowledge the A9home has been unavailable for some time now as a retail product.

This doesn’t solve the DVI/HDMI screen issue, although I’m a bit puzzled by the “don’t want one” comment. Unless it is a space issue, DVI/HDMI screens give better picture quality, for only a minimal price increase (and include VGA as Trevor mentioned). I don’t quite know why anyone would choose VGA only, unless they had no other option, or had to use a CRT. However, the cheap RiscPC option does allow VGA use, so perhaps that’s a good approach?

So unless you use a relatively expensive converter, then the BeagleBoard or ARMini would seen to be unsuitable. However, some screens accept both DVI and VGA, so you may be able to replace an existing LCD screen you use.

I am looking at getting KVM switch and a VGA2USB for screencasting
I also needing to intergate computers with RCA connector also via scan doubling

ps: I may have a tv the can accept HDMI/DVI, but I dont know if it supports DVI-D

VGA2USB for screencasting

I think I see. The DVI2USB is 3x the price!

HDMI/DVI

HDMI will be OK, provided it is of the right spec and a suitable MDF is available.

Tom what part of the country do you live in???

NSW

i live in melbourne look at my website to get phone number interactive displays com au

i live in melbourne look at my website to get phone number interactive displays com au

thaks, but I dont like talking on phones, unless I have to…

shame because i might just have a risc pc you would be interested in.

shame because i might just have a risc pc you would be interested in.

you can email me at tom_a_sparks AT yahoo.com.au