BARUG NewsDECEMBER 2002Last MeetingThose who attended the November meeting were privileged to listen to a fascina ting talk by Paul Richardson. of ExPlan. Paul gave us a splendid presentation on the 'Solo' project - a computer for the Third World - and many insights into how the programme was developing, from where support was coming, and what were the problem areas in which ExPlan had had to develop expertise (and the unusual side programmes which had emerged as a result). Paul also shared with us (within the limits of NDAs to which he is party) his insights into the current RISC OS market and the possible future development direction of the new machines now emerging to contend for market share. Thank you for your candour, Paul - we all enjoyed hearing from you again. We hope the meeting you had the following day at Westminster proved to be what you were hoping for! For those who weren't there, and want to find out more about Solo, look at the following URL and follow the links to Solo: This Month's Meeting The December meeting will take place at the usual venue and at the usual time of 1930, on Wednesday 18 December and not the usual 'last Wednesday', which happens to be Xmas Day! Anyone turning up on the 25th is likely to be very lonely... :-) The meeting will be an opportunity for self-help, problem solving and anything else members wish to talk about. Hopefully, the traditional mince pies will be in evidence. Anyone who has bought an Iyonix, and wishes to have 'first bragging rights', is very welcome to bring it along. If anyone wants to use the digital projector, please email me by Tuesday night so that i can get it booked out from work. Other Business The Risc OS Midland Show Nov '02, took place in the National Motorcycle Museum on 30 Nov 02. It was notable for the public launch of the new Iyonix machine from Castle. The Vice-Chairman and I arrived in plenty of time to unload onto the Charity Stall the last of the old computers I had received from a Somerset school, and took the opportunity of a sneak advance wander round before the official entry time and the inevitable crush. Castle had a large stall full of Iyonix boxes, although fewer that they had arrived with, since several dealers had bought machines for themselves. After last year's rather disappointing Show, with few new goodies to buy, this year's Show seemed to be really buzzing and a lot of business was being done. Let's hope the other new machines are not far away and that the market gets the cash injection it needs to survive. In January the meeting reverts to the usual date: the guest speaker will be Paul Middleton of RISCOS Ltd, discussing the 'Select' scheme and what is to follow on from that development work. February's meeting will include the AGM: I had hoped to include details with this Newsletter, but instead I'll get them out to you all in a separate email. See you next week! Steve |