[Virtualacorn-list] Enhancing the RISC OS experience

[ralph_valmai at ntlworld.com]

In message <gemini.k8xmno003hb9t00ss.vince at softrock.co.uk>
          Vince M Hudd <vince at softrock.co.uk> wrote:

> ralph_valmai at ntlworld.com wrote:
> 
> [snips]
> 
>> 2) Would it be possible to write some modules using the host instruction
>> set and simply have the emulator pass parameters to the module and receive
>> the results? The modules given this treatment would have to be such that a
>> significant time saving would result.
> 
> In theory, the emulator could provide hooks to allow any DLL (on the Windows
> version - I've no idea what the equivalent would be on the Mac OS version)
> to be called from any part of RISC OS or any running application, by way of
> a SWI or set of SWIs (perhaps provided by HostFS). There would be an
> overhead in doing this, but it might pay dividends in some areas.
> 
> However, there is a flip side. The first and most obvious flaw is that any
> software using such a feature would have either incompatibilities or limited
> functionality for people running on native hardware (and for that matter, VA
> on Windows vs VA on Max OS X or vice versa); which /might/ mean that few
> developers will make use of the facility. (Consider the views that have been
> expressed elsehwere regarding why not many developers use Select features).
> I'll leave it for others to point out other flaws.

The point about incompatibility is an important one, but I envisaged 
the alternative modules as providing exactly the same functionality as 
the native modules but giving a speed gain. Incompatibility would not 
then be an issue. Having more than one host system would mean that 
such modules would have to be written twice although, no doubt, the 
fact that the processors used by these two are the same would mitigate 
this to some extent.

The flip side you talk about would not apply in this case.

The other thing I suggested, using host resources, such as image 
rendering software, would be extremely useful to users even if not 
incorporated into any applications.

I think we have to face the fact that, given the present user base, it 
is extremely unlikely that any new native hardware will appear. The 
user base continues to decline and very few applications are supported 
let alone new applications being developed.

Eventually emulation will be the only platform we have. Can the 
emulator arrest the decline in users and stimulate more software 
development? It seems unlikely unless the emulator can do more than 
simply reproduce the RISC OS experience. To tempt those who have left 
RISC OS behind to return, something else is required beyond the 
convenience of being able to use the machine, PC or MAC, that these 
people now have. If we could use the host machine to enhance the power 
of RISC OS in areas where the native machines have been left very far 
behind as well as making new facilities available there is just a 
chance that former RISC OS users could be tempted back. After that new 
users would be needed to ensure survival. I'm not too optimistic about 
this but I think it ought to be given a go.

Ralph


-- 

Ralph & Valmai Stevens
In leafy Epping