|
Stepping into RISC OS dead tree style By Chris Williams. Published: 13th Mar 2003, 23:15:02 | Permalink | PrintableAlligata Media want to publish a book about RISC OS, fancy that [Updated 01:14 14/3/2003] Tired of publishing software or anouncing that you're publishing software? Thinking of branching out? Book publishing! It has to be, such a logical transition from software and it's what Alligata Media (aka Proaction) are planning next.
"Alligata Media will shortly be in a position to announce the release of a number of publications for users of RISC OS computers", their man David Bradforth announced earlier this week. "In some cases, these books - and they are books [Yes, yes, we believe you Dave - Ed] - are relaunches of existing titles whereby the publishers have lost interest, whereas in other cases they're complete new titles for RISC OS 4 computers and later."
In order to judge demand, Dave wants to know if anyone's interested in subjects like ARM programming, "First steps with RISC OS 4", Wimp programming, DTP or getting the hang of using RISC OS on the Internet (well, you're here already, right?). It turns out that in a follow up press release issued today, Alligata Media have as their first title and foray into the world of dead tree publishing, plumped for First steps with RISC OS 4, describing it as a "book presented in simple step-by-step style explaining some of the first things of RISC OS. The presentation is pretty much as a magazine, with step by step guides exploring most aspects of the operating system."
Dave tells us it'll ready for May this year, be A5 sized and "almost" 150 pages (so what, 149.8?) with some colour and a spiral bound. More interesting facts like the name of the author, whether or not it covers RISC OS Select (4.33) as well as RISC OS 4 and what "first things" means can't be answered by us because Dave's left these out of his announcements and hasn't bothered replying to our email at time of writing.
Of course, drobe.co.uk's looking forward to finalising our first title, First Steps of Marketing.
Update
And as if by magic, soon after publishing this article we got a reply from Dave, who's apparently had a long day so I hope he'll forgive our initial impetuosity. Dave tells us he's composing the book, which is mildly reassuring as he's no stranger to writing on the subject of RISC OS, being a RiscWorld regular. Having spent quite a while on planning and producing this, Dave's now "satisfied" that it'll sell and as such is entering the final lap of the book writing and editing process. Dave also mentions that the 150 page count is a round figure, it could quite possibly turn out to have more but uh, we'll wait until it's finished before worrying about such things.
Having read Dave's description in his email, First Steps with RISC OS 4 strikes us as very much like the original RISC OS 3 user guide; you've got your introduction to RISC OS and where RISC OS is at the moment, then onto your desktop basics (windows, icons, the mouse etc.) and descriptions of all the components that make up RISC OS and then next onto how to use Draw, Edit, SciCalc, ChangeFSI, Maestro and so forth. New to RISC OS and scared by the ultra friendly user interface? Then maybe this book's made for you and if Dave pulls it off, it ought to be shipped with all new RISC OS computers.
Just our opinion, we'll look forward to press time (6 weeks and counting).
Links
Dave of Alligata Media, pricing details here.
Previous: Software news
Next: Would you want RISCOS5X-XP?
Discussion Viewing threaded comments | View comments unthreaded, listed by date | Skip to the endPlease login before posting a comment. Use the form on the right to do so or create a free account.
|
Search the archives
Today's featured article
RISC OS artist wows public with digital artwork
A RISC OS-using artist has described exhibiting his digitally-created work in a public gallery as a "rewarding experience". Richard Ashbery, who used ArtWorks and Photodesk to create his images, showed off patterns and colourful illustrations to punters, who told him his work made a change from the oils and watercolour masterpieces usually exhibited.
 1 comment, latest by socris on 18/11/08 4:23PM. Published: 17 Nov 2008
Random article
Rare A500 surfaces on ebay
Serious cash for mysterious Acorn prototype
12 comments, latest by moss on 14/11/02 9:43AM. Published: 11 Nov 2002
Useful links
News and media:
Iconbar •
MyRISCOS •
ArcSite •
RISCOScode •
ANS •
C.S.A.Announce •
Archive •
Qercus •
RiscWorld •
Drag'n'Drop •
GAG-News
Top developers:
RISCOS Ltd •
RISC OS Open •
MW Software •
R-Comp •
Advantage Six •
VirtualAcorn
Dealers:
CJE Micros •
APDL •
Castle •
a4 •
X-Ample •
Liquid Silicon •
Webmonster
Usergroups:
WROCC •
RONE •
NKACC •
IRUG •
SASAUG •
ROUGOL •
RONWUG •
MUG •
WAUG •
GAG •
RISCOS.be
Useful:
RISCOS.org.uk •
RISCOS.org •
RISCOS.info •
Filebase •
Chris Why's Acorn/RISC OS collection •
NetSurf
Non-RISC OS:
The Register •
The Inquirer •
Apple Insider •
BBC News •
Sky News •
Google News •
xkcd •
diodesign
|
Nodoid
