Acorn's RISC OS 3 Now Available for All

Acorn Computers is releasing the latest version of its RISC
operating system - RISC OS 3 - as an upgrade for existing
users.

First installed in Acorn's A5000 computer, RISC OS 3
provides some 300 key enhancements evolved from its
predecessor, RISC OS 2.  Because RISC OS 3 builds upon many
of the key features of its predecessor  it ensures ease of
use and continuity for those switching over to the new
version of the operating system. It offers complete
compatibility with RISC OS 2 and allows the use of the
2,000-plus titles already available for Acorn's range of
Archimedes computers.

Some of these new advantages include multi-tasking filing
and formatting operations, improvements in the use of the
desktop environment and in the use of iconized windows,
improved printer support, the ability to read DOS-format
discs, support for high density floppy discs, new hot key
support, and the ability to run up to 128 tasks
concurrently.

Twelve fonts are now provided in the 2MB of ROM together
with many of the key applications provided with Acorn's
range of RISC machines including Draw, Paint and Edit. These
applications themselves have been further refined and
improved to increase their versatility.

RISC OS 3 can be fitted to all of Acorn's family of RISC
computers including the Archimedes range and UNIX
workstations. However, the original A305, A310 and A440 (but
not the A440/1) need a simple modification in order to fit
the larger ROMS. This dealer-only upgrade will be available
at the same time as the software upgrade kit.

Acorn's Marketing Director Mike O'Riordan said of the new
upgrade "In line with our policy of offering our customers
the choice of moving up to new technology in a timescale
that suits them, we have ensured that RISC OS 3 is fully
backwards compatible with existing applications designed for
RISC OS 2. 

"However", he added, "I am convinced that there are so many
advantages to be gained for existing users to upgrade that
many will choose the early upgrade option."

The new RISC OS upgrade kit will be available in quantity
from September 1992 at the following prices:

RISC OS Upgrade kit                      #89 
        Special price until mid-1993     #49 
Existing A5000 owner special upgrade 
         (but no manuals)                #19 
Hardware upgrade for 305/310/440 users   #30


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