A little later than expected, Archive Volume 25.2 arrived this week and it turned out to be well worth the wait. With the usual high print quality, this issue is packed with articles, features, hints and tips.
A lovely winter scene graces the cover, leading to a hefty 6 pages worth of Newsdesk. It cannot be overstated how much this is a great thing, demonstrating as it does the continued vitality of the RISC OS market. This also including two new desktop machines: the 4te from R-Comp Interactive and the FOURtress from RISCOSbits.
We have a three and half page review of the Raspberry Pi 400 which, although not targeting the RISC OS market directly, is more than suitable as the basis of a cheap RISC OS machine if you take into account its limitations. This review does and it's very much a warts and all look at the device. This is to be applauded and certainly makes an informed decision on whether to purchase a Pi 400 much easier. Having seen a few YouTube videos on the Pi 400, I'm certainly interested in one for both RISC OS and Amiga OS purposes (it's just a matter of SD cards) so I, for one, am very grateful for the review, Mr Marks. Check out the Pi 400 official website here, where you can also find links about buying one. Starting at around £67 for the computer itself, it's cheap and cheerful, whilst the full kit including manual, cables and power supply can be found for under £94.
Back to the magazine, and we have part two of the series on Python 3 for RISC OS, giving an update on developments and future plans, as well as the ubiquitous "Hello World" program. Well, you've got to keep the tradition going, haven't you?
The second part of ARMs and Architecture gets six pages and builds on superbly from the first instalment, providing further details on how processors operate and how this relates to the ARM architecture. There is a two page article on using RiscLua for genealogy purposes, and the first part of a series on the RISC OS sound system and efforts to improve it, beginning with a five page starter this issue and is another great introduction on a subject that may not be familiar to some. There is a single page on key re-mapping, and eight pages on how to draw a map of the London underground using the !Draw format. Intriguing and quite a fun read - though I am a bit of a nut about maps so seeing the process of creating one was cool.
There's a three and a bit page piece on networking the email client Pluto - this was a new topic for me and came across as a very handy guide. I don't think I'll ever have a set up to use that info but good to know it's out there, with a short summary of the available email clients for RISC OS (including the aforementioned Pluto) following. Acorn Retro is a lovely article on the subject of retro gaming with the BBC Micro from a gentleman well known for his love of another long gone (but not forgotten) computer, the SAM Coupe. That was a machine I really wanted back in the day, as my Dad had brought home a brochure from a (long gone) computer shop in Consett. That never worked out and a couple of years later, I managed to acquire an Amiga 500, but I do have a love of old 8-bit computers and if you want to know more about the modern day support for this machine, head over to SAMCoupe.com. They have their own magazine, SAM Revival, so I've ordered the most recent issue of that to see what it's like - expect a post in the near future. Code Burp 2 provides knowledge on changes between 26 bit and 32 bit programming, and the letters and emails section is a three page section, with some nice comments and suggestions for the editor - it's good to see such a healthy forum.
There is an introduction to Prophet, a business management package for RISC OS, followed by the Yellow Pages, a brief code section for readers to try out, then the regular Mac Matters column, this time looking at the latest port of the RPCEmu emulator for macOS. Interspacing the articles are snippets of hints and tips, This issue ends with a "Next Issue" box out and an advert from RISCOSbits.
This is Gavin's second issue as Editor and it has maintained, nay improved, on the quality of the first. There is something here for all levels of knowledge and experience. Yes, I know I am repeating myself from the review of Archive 25.1, but this really is an essential purchase for any RISC OS user and well worth a read for those with even a casual interest in the platform. Visit the Archive website here for more details about the magazine and subscriptions.
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