RISC OS Computers

RISC OS is the brilliant 'Windows' operating system devised by Acorn Computers in the UK. It predates Micro$oft's version by several years yet boasts features which are still missing from that system. It is inherently faster, more stable, less complicated and most users find it more intuitive to use. The operating system in a RISC OS computer is safely tucked away in a chip instead of the vulnerable hard-disc. This means that everything starts quickly when you switch on and it can never be attacked by viruses. Alternatively you can run a RISC OS emulator on a Windows, Mac or Linux computer if you prefer.

Further information about RISC OS can be found on the  Wakefield  and  RISCOS.info  sites.
UK commercial suppliers of RISC OS hardware and software include  CJE Micros,  R-Comp  and  APDL.

Software

All the usual software applications are available and they all work together in a true multi-tasking environment (unlike certain aspects of Windows). Even though Highpath Engineering is a 100% Micro$oft-free zone, it's worth noting that we regularly exchange data with both Windows and Mac users via industry-standard file formats. Altough there are many advantages to being a RISC OS user, there are very few disadvantages!

The following sites will help you search for software:  RISCOS.info,  RISCOS.org,  RISCOS Filebase,  Open Directory.

CAD-CAM software

ProCAD+ is a very affordable Computer Aided Drawing package designed for engineers in the real world. It assists in the creation of accurate, high quality, 2 dimensional drawings which can be printed, used in desktop publishing, exchanged with other CAD packages and used in Computer Aided Manufacture. It's what I use to prepare the drawings for everything that I manufacture and publish, including all the line drawings and maps on this website. I don't believe there's anything else in its class.

ProCAM converts ProCAD+ drawings into part-programs ready for a CNC milling machine. Although it is still under development, it's in daily use at Highpath Engineering for everything I machine. Please contact me if you're an engineer who might find it useful.

Free software

Because RISC OS computers are so starightforward to program, there's a large amount of excellent 'Freeware' and 'Shareware' ready for downloading from the Internet. My own 'must-have' enhancements to RISC OS 5 include:

Andrew Booker's AppsClock,   Martyn Fox's IClear,   Stephen Fryatt's IcnClpBrd and PCKeys,
Tony Houghton's WinSnap,   Nick Jarman + Roger Spooner's MouseScale,   David Pilling's SpecialFX,
Jon Ribbins' DogGlass,   David Thomas's PhotoFiler,   David Walker's AltClick,   anonymous StopCaps.

Here are some things I've written that you might find useful:

Commands Place these files in your Library directory to provide extra commands to use in Obey files. Further details inside each file.		CloseTask : Close a specified task.
		Wait : Wait a number of wimp-polls or centiseconds before proceeding.
		Lock : Lock the computer if a password is set.
		Unlock : Unlock the computer.
		LockStatus : Sets a variable to indicate the computer's lock status.
Utilities A selection of useful applications. Further details accompany each one.		AltMode (0.10) : Provides a quick way to switch between 4 screen modes.
		FDisplay (1.00) : Determines how chosen directories are displayed, regardless of your normal Filer display settings.
		Flasher (0.10) : Makes the desktop caret flash so it's easier to see.
		LockDir (1.00) : Locks files in chosen directories to prevent their accidental deletion.
		MDFs : Monitor Definition Files for Acorn and Iiyama 17" crt monitors. Includes technical notes to help you write your own MDFs.
		RemoteLJ (1.05) : Control the settings on a 600dpi HP LaserJet printer, including 'Economode', from your desktop.
		RPCInfo2 (1.07) : Extends Rosemary Miskin's 'RPCInfo' application, displaying a variety of useful information on the iconbar.
		ScrapClean (1.04) : Cleans your Scrap directory when you switch on your computer, retaining only important files.
		Temp-Bin (1.04) : A convenient and safe means to save working files and bin unwanted ones.