Date : Sun, 29 Mar 1998 11:12:00 BST-1
From : pmorrisb@... (Phil Morris)
Subject: New User - Various Questions
Hi,
> I'm new to this list and just starting to get to grips with my BBC
> emulator (pc BBC).
Excellent, isn't it? :-)
>
> Basically, once I've evaluated the demo copy (which everybody seems
> to say is the best Beeb emulator available), I'll probably buy a
> copy.
Good on you! :)
>
> My main problem at the moment is that most of the game snapshots on
> the net appear to be in this so called standard archive format (you
> know, with the .inf files), but to use them on pc BBC I have to
> convert them to IMG files.
Very true, but not a difficult task if you register ........... ;)
By the way, if you're after more .img files then The BBC Lives! web site
has a few with games (but none by Acornsoft or Superior).
>
> So far I've found this fiddly (using BBCIm in DOS), but have got
> it working. I'd like to know if there is a better utilty
> available. I downloaded v1.01 of BBC Explorer, which I thought might
> be able to do this, but was amazed to find it had absolutely no
> instructions to explain what it does or how to use it. Really, I'd
> like to use a nice little Win 95 utility (a la Winzip) to create my
> IMG files.
Well, BBC Explorer WILL convert the files, but with one major problem -
the converted files won't work! This looks like a bug in version 1.01 of
BBC Explorer - I emailed the programmer of BBC Explorer but he hasn't
replied yet. :-(
If you want to try it, simply run up BBC Explorer and Windows 95's
Explorer, and drag the files across - data in any associated .inf files
will be automatically incorporated into the files. But, as mentioned
above, the resulting image files don't work. :-( (and it's definitely
*not* a problem with pcBBC).
However ........ if you register pcBBC then you get a nice little program
which will do this for you - it's DOS-based and works just fine.
>
> Anyway, I'm soon gonna dig out my old Model B (which hasn't been
> powered-up for about 10 years!) and see if it still works. I've got a
> horrible feeling tht none of the old tapes and disks will load
> anymore!
One way to find out .......... ;)
>
> And what's the deal with the Acornsoft/Superior Software not being
> available? I understand that Superior hold the rights to this stuff.
> I could understand them preventing their games being posted to the
> net if they were still actively selling - but they don't appear to
> be. (If they are surely they should have a web-site?) What
> spoilsports!
I believe they *are* still being sold, but I agree - it's a ridiculous
state of affairs. If they're that interested in making money from these
old games then why on earth don't they distribute them in .img format on
PC floppies so those with emulators can use them? Heck, I'd even PAY for
them!
Some people just have no idea about marketing a product.
>
> Anyway, enough rambling from me. Just thought I'd introduce myself,
> and make a few points.
Nice to meet you. :-)
Cheers,
Phil