An effort by users to produce a charity that will support future RISC OS software development is beginning to take shape. Using a mailing list to coordinate the project, a group of punters eventually hope to create a website that will allow people to offer cash and skills to developers.For example, a cash bounty could be collected for a particular piece of software to be created and the coder to fulfill this first will be rewarded with the pot of money. Alternatively, developers can list project ideas and call for help from others - be it coding, documentation writing, window template design or project administration. The exact details have yet to be decided.
While the principle of encouraging collaborative development is sound, some high profile programmers have told drobe.co.uk that they would be reluctant to take money for RISC OS work. One reason is because people may feel aggrieved if any resultant software is not up to scratch. If the software is released for free (open or freeware), this scenario is avoided because no one can seriously complain about work they didn't pay for. This changes once money is handed over. Also, collaborative projects can involve several people contributing different kinds of work, and dividing up money fairly could lead to friction.
Having chosen the name 'RISC OS Connect' during a discussion at the Wakefield 2007 show, the group are now voting on a logo to represent the project - an example is shown above. A domain name has also been reserved. To join in the project and help out, see the links below.
• Jeroen Groenendaal and his brother hope to resurrect the RISC OS games they originally developed under the GEK banner. A number of their titles are available here, keep an eye on the site for other completed works. It is hoped their games will be released as freeware.
Links
RISC OS Future mailing list
Reserved website domain: www.riscos-connect.org