From: ojagpal@cix.compulink.co.uk
Newsgroups: comp.sys.acorn.announce
Subject: Press Release from Arxe Systems
Date: 4 Jan 93 10:06:46 GMT
Followup-To: comp.sys.acorn
Organization: Acorn Computers Ltd, Cambridge, England


 ============================================================================
           PRODUCT RELEASE ANNOUNCMENT FROM ARXE SYSTEMS LTD
 ============================================================================

                      ALPHA SERIES EXPANSION CARDS

 Arxe Systems have just released  the Alpha Series  range of expansion cards.
 The cards is part of our Incremental Interface Series. The design is modular
 and  permits  the user  to be  able  to  select  the card in  one of several
 configurations. If  the card  chosen is not  of  the  maximum  configuration
 possible, then the user is able to upgrade the card at a later date.

 The  Alpha Series offer  a  verstile  expansion option to  users with either
 limited expansion facilities (as per A3000) or who  find themselves  running
 out of expansion slots. In  particular  the card allows  users to  have full
 A5000/4000 & A3010/20  compatibility  on the floppy disc format with support
 for High Density drives (both 1.6MB ADFS and 1.44MB DOS).
 The Alpha Series cards are  primarily  based  on  the  previously  released
 Arxe Systems High Density Interface. Following user feedback  and  comments
 the card was modified and the following cards released.
 
 ALPHA 16 BIT SCSI
 =================
 Fast 16 bit SCSI controller, allowing the user to have upto 7 SCSI devices
 connected to their system. The card is fully RISC OS 2/3 Compliant. As well
 as using hard discs the card is fully compatible with CD ROM, flopticals,
 magneto optic drives, scanners and other SCSI devices.
 The card is supplied with cables (for internal drive), formatter  utility
 and user manual.
 
 ALPHA HIGH DENSITY CARD
 =======================
 High  density interface  card. Fully  RISC OS 3 Compliant. Support for all
 disc formats as supported on the A5000 (including  1.6MB ADFS, 1.44MB DOS)
 The disc controller used now also supports 4MB drives so, a future upgrade
 will allow  3.2MB ADFS and  2.88MB DOS  discs to be  used. In addition the
 system also provides the option for use of PC tape streamers.
 The card is compatible with the PC Emulator (1.60/1.70). By use of a small
 utility that allows QuadFS to emulate ADFS. We  hope to release a patched
 version of the emulator that will  allow direct support for the interface.
 The package consists of the controller card, cables (for internal drive)
 2MB internal drive, 1.6MB disc with release notes & utilities, registration
 card and user manual. The software supplied is for RISC OS 3. If anyone
 wishes to use RISC OS 2, please specifiy this when ordering.
 
 ALPHA DUAL (Combined 16bit SCSI+High Density Interface)
 =======================================================
 This card includes all the features listed for both the products described
 above, all fitted onto a standard single width card.
 
 ALPHA 3000 (A3000 internal card)
 ================================
 An A3000 (internal) version of Alpha Dual is planned for the new year.  The
 standard Alpha Dual can be used  on the A3000 externally,  however, alot of
 people have expressed an interest in an internal card.
 
 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 ==========================
 
 HOW COMPATIBLE IS IT?
 All unprotected software works without any problems. An ADFS emulation
 utility is included and this allows a large majority of games to  work
 which are ADFS drive 0 specific. Some games,  however, do not work due
 to hardware specific protection.
 
 WHAT ABOUT 1.2MB DISCS
 The card is configured to accept drive 0 and 3.5" high density &  drive
 1 as 5.25" high density. The RISC OS  filer only  supports DOS  (1.2MB)
 on this format, there is no accepted Acorn 5.25" high density format.
 
 DO I LOOSE THE USE OF MY EXISTING DRIVES?
 No. The high density filing system uses a filing system called  QuadFS,
 which whilst  fully ADFS  compatible, will  normally run quite  happily
 alongside ADFS. So it is possible to have 4 ADFS drives and 2 high density
 drives. QuadFS, has built into it the KillFS option, which will close down
 ADFS and then re initialise QuadFS as ADFS. This option is needed for
 software which is ADFS specific.
 
 CAN I HAVE THE DRIVES FITTED EXTERNALLY?
 Yes. Add 25ukp to the interface cost and you will be supplied an external
 housing which the drive can be mounted in.
 
 IS IT RISC OS 3 COMPATIBLE
 Yes. All current software developments are being directed at  RISC OS 3,
 and updates to RISC OS 2 are unlikely. Automatic DOS  recognition is not
 supported under RISC OS 2. Instead a  separate filer MultiFS is provided,
 which provides support for 1.44MB DOS discs.
 IS THE HIGH DENSITY INTERFACE AVAILABLE WITHOUT A DRIVE?
 Yes. The drive supplied is a 2MB Citizen OSDA 20C.

 AVAILABILITY
 All cards except the A3000 internal version are available now. The A3000
 version although complete, will be released early in the new year.
 All prices exclude VAT. VAT charged at 17.5% for UK, overseas VAT at 0%.
 Postage in mainland UK is at cost. Please phone for furthur details.

 email :    ojagpal@cix.compulink.co.uk
        or  Jax(#377) on Aracde BBS
 Dealer inquiries welcome. Educational discounts available to educational
            establishments and all students (NUS members).
============================================================================
         Arxe Systems Ltd: P.O.Box 898, London, E7 9RG, England
                         Tel: 081 534 1198
============================================================================


_______________________________________________________________________________

aglover@acorn.co.uk, moderator of comp.sys.acorn.announce. Submissions to
announce-request@acorn.co.uk, other related mail to announcer@acorn.co.uk.