RISCOS Ltd has released a preview build of RISC OS 6 Select 4 for Select subscribers to download. The release came just in time for the Midlands 2006 show this weekend after the company pulled out all the stops to finish the preview package. Copies of the operating system were available on CD from the event in Wolverhampton. The preview version is expected to be the forerunner to a full bug fixed Select 4 release, which will only be available to users who have continued to renew their Select subscriptions. An announcement sent out on Friday evening read: "RISCOS Ltd are pleased to announce the immediate availability of RISC OS 6 Preview for Select subscribers. The RISC OS 6 Preview release gives RiscPC, A7000 and VirtualRPC-Adjust users an opportunity to experience recent developments within RISC OS through the Select scheme."
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Member since:
2005-07-18
Member since:2006-11-25
It might be a bit hard getting your hands on RISC OS hardware, but you might want to buy Virtual RiscPC, it's quite cheap compared to the native stuff and it'll run on a Windows PC.
CJE Micro's, a RISC OS dealer will ship hardware over to the US, although it might be a bit pricey.
http://www.cjemicros.co.uk
http://www.virtualacorn.co.uk
Member since:2006-09-03
Or he could just buy a nice new Iyonix.
http://www.iyonix.com
You don't want to go down the emulated route, it is a dead end in my opinion.
Member since:2006-11-25
Member since:
2006-10-10
Member since:2005-07-13
OSNews had a good article about this a while ago:
http://www.osnews.com/story.php/15798/The-Slightly-Strange-World-of...
In short: there's certainly an element of it being hardcore fans with too much time, but that's probably not the whole story.
You can always try for yourself: there are lots of emulators (some free) and if you're a Linux user, ROX is supposed to replicate many of the "unique" features of the OS (though I've not tried it myself).
Member since:2006-10-10
Member since:2006-11-25
Member since:2006-09-03
Member since:2006-11-25
Member since:2005-09-17
Member since:2005-11-10
Isn't a strong but small following a good thing? You don't hear RISCOS users bitching off at users of other operating systems. They've managed to keep a market afloat enough to allow for new OS releases and new hardware. Personally, I think that's fantastic. I'd much rather humble RISC OS hardcore fans around than linux/apple/microsoft hardcore fans an their trolling.
Member since:2005-07-30
Personally, I think that's fantastic. I'd much rather humble RISC OS hardcore fans around than linux/apple/microsoft hardcore fans an their trolling.
It's not quite so simple as that. Not that I question the humbleness of RISC OS users, but it's kind of hard to get involved in flame wars, and cult of personality (like Mac fans with Jobs)crap when Firefox just recently got ported to your platform.
IMHO, there are really 2 things that determine the amount of fanboys of a particular platform.
1. Size of the userbase. You need whackos to blindly follow corporate myths and ignore platform drawbacks. Thankfully, on average are rare, so you need a large userbase.
2. Profile of the userbase, you need people who will pimp your platform, people who need to promote the idea of feeling special/different for making a certain choice. A userbase that is concerned with usability/performance/having the right tool for the job or even nostalgic computing don't really qualify.
Member since:2006-10-10
Member since:2006-11-25
Is this like an Amiga thing where hardcore fans, with way too much time, are trying to keep antiquated equipment alive?
Not quite. The three main reasons that users stick with RISC OS are:
Strength of GUI The intuitive WIMP implementation, including window order control, dynamic window focus and near OS-wide drag and drop. Put simply, it is very easy to use and is arguably more productive than other desktop GUIs.
Software Although the amount of available software is pretty dire, there is still enough software available to allow users to use RISC OS for some actual work. Sibelius (undeveloped, but still available) is the big name, while Techwriter (word processor), OvationPro (DTP) and ArtWorks (vector drawing) keep many users on the platform.
ROM-basis OK, it's very 1980s, but having your OS on 6MB of (Flash) ROM means it's corruption proof and you can boot from cold in less than 5 seconds.
And don't forget there are two (kinda) modern RISC OS machines, including one which was only released this year.
For example I'm a die hard fan, but I certainly don't have too much time (if any spare!). Often RISC OS saves me time. But what is needed now is more developers and more software. And a bit of marketing.
Member since:2006-08-08
Member since:2006-10-10
Don't get me wrong, I like to tinker too. My first PC was a Coleco-Vision Adam. I enjoyed it 20 years ago, but I wouldn't want to try to get USB working on it today, for example. Even if I did, at the end of the day, I've still got useless 20 year old technology that can now partially recognize a flash drive.
Is it simply about bragging rights?
Member since:2005-07-06
huh? People have used Risc OS for years and love it. Why leave it for something they deem to not be as good? Risc OS supports USB among other things, I knew one guy that used a nicely beefed up Risc PC 700 (scsi, new video hardware, overclocked strongarm cpu etc) and he absolutely loved it. And it was remarkably fast too.
Ever stop to think its just WHAT THEY LIKE? 'bragging rights' or whatever have absolutely NOTHING to do with it.
What OS/hardware do you use? Why do you use it? Stop and think before posting.
Member since:2006-10-10
Member since:2005-07-06
