RISC OS Open to run allocations service

RISC OS Open is to manage the RISC OS allocations service after Alan Glover was said to have stepped down from the role. The list was maintained by Alan for several years on a voluntary basis. Now seemingly with the blessing of both Castle, the owners of RISC OS and developers of ROS 5, and RISCOS Ltd, developers of RISC OS 4 and 6, RISC OS Open have offered to fill Alan's shoes.

The database is used by developers to officially reserve resources for new products and software, such as filetypes and system variable names. Castle boss Jack Lillingston said ROOL were this week "officially authorised" to take over the allocations system from Alan.

Jack said: "There is one central list for allocations, now run by ROOL. It is open to all, and that is the way it should be.

"Those wishing for an official RISC OS allocation should visit the ROOL website where there is more information and where allocations can be initiated."

How does it work? All new applications and modules must have their various details registered, so as to avoid conflicts with existing software. For example, a new filetype must have a new filetype number allocated, and a new OS extension module should be granted a new SWI number block. Programmers are urged to register these details during the development of products and software so that they are ready to use when the finish package is released. In days of old, when developers could sensibly compete against each other, the list of registerations would therefore include details of as yet unreleased products - so the database was kept neutral and confidential by Acorn. The responsibility for this list was then passed to the independent Pineapple Software, and later Pineapple's Alan Glover on behalf of RISCOS Ltd after the break up of Acorn. Requests sent to two iyonix.com and riscos.com allocation email addresses were routed directly to Alan - who has now stepped down and been replaced by ROOL.

RISCOS Ltd's Paul Middleton backed the move, and said the email address, riscosallocations {at} riscos (dot) com, will forward allocation requests to RISC OS Open, which will ideally be processed within 48 hours of receipt. Requests can also be sent to allocate [at] riscosopen (dot) org.

He said: "Alan has now decided that he no longer wants to maintain the list and handle requests. It was important to find a replacement in a timely manner so that there would be no interruption.

"As such we are delighted that RISC OS Open Ltd have offered to assist RISCOS Ltd by stepping in to handle things on a trial basis. We are in the process of finalising the paperwork that's required.

"We do not at present know who will be the person responsible for the administration at RISC OS Open Ltd, so it is possible that allocations may be delayed slightly for a short period.

"Finally I would like to thank Alan for his voluntary work looking after the allocations for many years."

It's hoped in future, allocations can be through the RISC OS Open website directly, rather than using the !Allocate tool.

• Jack also confirmed that progress on the RISC OS Open shared source licence was "getting there, slowly."

Links
RISC OS Open allocations webpage

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