Beginners FAQ:Applications (Rev #1)

Image Handling

Q: How do I make screenshots?
A: Using !Snapper from the ‘$.Utilities’ directory($ is the root of the main filing system of RISC OS). It allows you to create screenshots of a window, the whole screen or a region on the screen and save it as a variety of image file formats. Please note, that a more up to date version of the program is available here than the current version in !PackMan. This version allows selection of output file type.

Q: How do I convert Image Format X to [JPEG/TIFF/PNG/etc]
A: Using !ChangeFSI from the ‘$.Utilities’ directory ($ is the root of the main filing system of RISC OS). Usage see: Software information: ChangeFSI

Q: What are Sprites? / What is the native RISC OS image Format?
A: A sprite is to RISC OS what a BMP is to Windows. Sprites are the RISC OS native image format. One sprite file can contain multiple sprites. This can be completely different sprites which can be different sizes, colour depths, etc.

Q: .jpgs sometimes give an error when using !SwiftJPEG.
A: Either switch off the error detection in the choices, or use !PrivatEye to open and save them.

Q: Can I convert image formats in batch?
A: Yup. !FSI_Batch does a grand job as a front end to !ChangeFSI

Document Handling

Q: Can I use PDF files?
A: Yes. !PDF installed as part of RISC OS as a reader.

Q: Can I use .doc format files?
A: Yes. !Writer+ in NutPi has a .doc import facility. It only works in ARMv5 compatibility mode.

Q: Can I use .xls?

Personal Organisers

Q: Is there a personal organiser available?
A: Yes. !Organiser, from NutPi. Be aware though, it’s standalone. It will import various formats, but the problem with RISC OS is getting the file exported in the first place. For example, Google Calendars can’t be accessed from !NetSurf