flypig (+2.5)
16/10/04 3:37PM |
This sounds like very good news. 
In terms of competition, I think Castle and RISCOS Ltd should be focussing more on competition from outside the RISC OS market. The example given on the article (Sprite sorting) is a clear case of duplication of effort, and doesn't strike me as something that benefits the market.
On the other hand, the pressure for faster processers, 32-bitting and flash came from elsewhere. |
mikeg (+1.5)
16/10/04 5:31PM |
I agree with the pig. Competition within RISC OS is of no benefit to the platform. Programming teams have enough incentive from external OS competition without having to play feature catchup within these walls.
I wonder where this leaves MicroDigital. |
jlavallin
16/10/04 5:55PM |
Does the merged OS's get a new name or number with a redefined logo.
It would create extra interest if the logo design was a competion with a suitable prize. A little lite relief on this platform would be welcome. |
mavhc (+0.9)
16/10/04 6:08PM |
Exactly, it doesn't really matter if a user buy an Iyonix or, err, something else RISC OSy, as long as they don't buy another OS/System instead.
The new codename should be viv. |
simo
16/10/04 6:08PM |
Does this merger include Select/Adjust or is it just 4.0x?
How many people just went and downloaded the !Printers+ 1.91a source and binaries from SF?  |
Revin Kevin
16/10/04 6:16PM |
Seems like a sensible and good thinking.
Lets hope it works out ok for all parties. |
AMS (+1.5)
16/10/04 6:20PM |
Overall the announcement is good news I would have thought. I can't see any immediate downsides to this, it means it's easier for people to write code and know it'll work on any of the new RISC OS that appears in due course.
|
JWCR (+1.5)
16/10/04 7:09PM |
It will be interesting to see the effect this merger has on the new A9 machines, which use a 32bit verion of ROS4. Are they going to ditch this and go for the new merged version? |
sa110 (+1.5)
16/10/04 7:15PM |
Personally I wouldn't imagine a the new merged version of RO to be available until later on next year. CTL and RO need identify which bits can simply be merged which bits need to be rewritten and what extra new bits they want to add into the new merged OS. Plus all the QA they have to do on it. Perhaps the new merged version will appear as RO6. |
hEgelia
16/10/04 8:28PM |
Thankfully we've got through - at last the OS will become united again!
In reply to JWCR:
I think in a way the new 32 bit version of OS4 is the new merged OS. I think it is based on Select/Adjust for the most part and (like RO4/5) on Acorn's RISC OS 3.8
With this new understanding I think it should be ROLtd's who should be developing the OS further and Castle/Tematic implementing it in all suitable directions. |
AMS (+3.0)
16/10/04 9:02PM |
In reply to hEgelia:
As to whether Castle or ROL should develope the OS that will no doubt have been resolved in the revised license (judging from the press release), so it's best to accept whatever sensible/sane gentleman's agreement that has been arrived at.
Both companies have added significantly to the OS (and should be applauded for that). Thing is though the significant new hardware support is what has been added in RO5 (in short Castle/Tematic's work), things like UDMA, Gigabit networking, extra USB support and (in future) support for non-blocking ATAPI (from within ADFS) in order to support Cino. Select has added some nice interface features (if you ignore the round buttons that is and some extra functionality to some long loved apps (like Paint). A merger is just that - a bit of both - done in a sensible way so we gain the advantages of both.
Interestingly Castle in the press release do refer to the fact that they "will continue with the IYONIX pc and other desktop products", I'd draw your attention to the comment "other desktop products"; that committment (IMHO) is as important as the OS merger announcement. |
hEgelia (+3.0)
16/10/04 9:37PM |
In reply to AMS:
I agree. It had somewhat slipped my mind exactly what enhancements and hardware support Castle/Tematic have made with RO5. But still, may I say ROLtd also did some very beneficial under-the-hood work on RO4. And indeed, as we are moving further into the future, it is unavoidable RO will have to run on new combinations of hardware (as within the embedded market) to sustain new developments. The commitment Castle/Tematic have on "other desktop products" is at least partly dependent on the development of RO, as it holds a core business role to them. |
JWCR (+3.0)
16/10/04 11:05PM |
It seems to me that Castle/Tematic should become the engine of development of the Hardware side of the platform, whilst ROL (or whatever they rename themsleves) the engine of OS development. This clear division of labour would prevent the apparent re-invention of the wheel on either side. |
Sawadee (+1.5)
17/10/04 6:57AM |
A much nicer feel of security for RISC OS now?
I hope it keeps getting better. |
jms
17/10/04 12:48PM |
I might be being dense but what, if any, will ROL's role be in the future? It's not clear to me from the press relase / article above. |
martin
21/10/04 8:58PM |
I really, really, really like the ROM Adjust version of !Paint and !Draw, having now used them intensely for three weeks in the run up to the Guildford show.
I'll pay to have them on my IYONIX as soon as that merged OS emerge. |
| 1 comment(s) are below your moderation threshold. Login to view them. |
| |
Exactly four months after Castle announced that they had 
