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authorNorbert Preining <norbert@preining.info>2019-09-02 13:46:59 +0900
committerNorbert Preining <norbert@preining.info>2019-09-02 13:46:59 +0900
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+% Roger Horne. 29 August 1990.
+% 7 New Square
+% Lincoln's Inn
+% London WC2A 3QS
+% Tel: 071 405 1266
+% email rhorne@compulink.co.uk
+%
+% The following macros are extracted from my normal macro files
+% Probably large numbers of them are not needed.
+% The file is at present set at 10 point on a 11pt base
+%
+% NOTE that the manmac convention of | as meaning \ttverbatim,
+% ie *all* characters printed in \tt, is used
+%
+\font\sansit=cmssi10
+%\font\tenu=cmu10
+%
+% These are not the "official" versions of the logos
+%
+\def\at{{\sansit Arch\i\-\kern-.1em\TeX\/}\maybespace}
+\def\am{{\it ArMa\kern-.1em TuReS\/}\maybespace}
+\def\atmf{{\sansit Arc-}\MF\maybespace}
+%
+%
+\hyphenation{adop-ted edu-c-a-t-ional scale-able}
+%
+\catcode`\@=11
+%\def\quid{{\it\$}}
+% The poundsign and size-changing macros
+%
+%
+% Other macros that may (or may not) be used
+%
+\def\bo{\def\on{\unskip\/\ {\rm on }}\begingroup\sl\frenchspacing}
+\def\ok{\unskip\/\endgroup\maybespace}
+\def\maybespace{%
+\futurelet\next\testforother}
+\def\testforother{% \noexpand is required to avoid \ref being expanded
+\if\noexpand\next[\let\next=\space % if [ add space
+\else\if\noexpand\next(\let\next=\space % if ( add space
+\else\ifcat\noexpand\next.\let\next=\empty % if . no space
+%\else\ifcat\noexpand\next\noexpand\\next=\empty % if \ no space
+% Don't use. It could cause problems if \space followed \ok or \se
+% It is not required for \ref
+\else\let\next=\space
+%\fi % relates to \ifcat\\
+\fi\fi\fi\next}% Note that \ref still generates a space-then eats it
+\def\ref{\unskip\footnote} % Remove space from \se if necessary
+\def\uc-{\discretionary{\raise.25ex\hbox{-}}{}{\raise.25ex\hbox{-}}}
+%
+
+\catcode`\@=12
+%
+% End of macros
+%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
+
+\centerline{\bf \TeX\ and the Archimedes}
+\smallskip
+\noindent The Acorn Archimedes is a 32-bit RISC Computer and as a result is
+fairly fast. Like a number of other machines produced by comparatively small
+manufacturers it suffered for a time from a lack of software, but things are
+changing and there are now two complete versions of \TeX\ available for it.
+The first of these is \at, produced by TooLs GmbH of Bonn. The second is \am
+produced by Graham Toal of London. While the former product is a commercial
+program the latter is public domain and so at first sight it might seem that
+there was no contest; no-one likes spending money unless it is absolutely
+essential.
+
+The choice is not, however, quite so simple since the two products vary in
+many ways. The first difference is one that results from the Archimedes'
+filing system, RISC~OS, which does not recognise file extensions and also
+uses the full stop character as a directory separator. This is not normally a
+limitation since the Archimedes uses the concept of file types to enable it
+to load files into the appropriate program, if necessary first loading the
+program itself; for example a {\tt dvi} file has the file type {\tt CE4} and
+the Archimedes can be set up to recognise a file of this type as being one
+that is loaded into a previewer. However it obviously gives rise to problems
+in connection with \TeX.
+
+\at solves the problem in the same way that Acorn does in relation to the
+C language, that is to say that it automatically turns the file-name
+round. In the case of C the file {\tt stdio.c} is actually stored as the
+file {\tt stdio} in the directory {\tt c}, or as {\tt c.stdio}. Similarly \at
+stores the file {\tt paper.tex} as {\tt tex.paper}, {\tt paper.dvi} as {\tt
+dvi.paper} and so on. In other words all {\tt tex} files are stored in the
+directory {\tt tex}, all {\tt dvi} files are stored in the directory {\tt
+dvi} and so on. The conversion is automatic and invisible to normal macro
+packages.
+
+This system has one disadvantage in relation to \TeX\ and that is that many
+macro packages produce large numbers of auxiliary files and \at will not
+create a new directory if the appropriate one does not exist. This is no
+problem if one tends to use a macro package which writes out three or four
+auxiliary files using the same extension each time but problems can arise in
+connection with packages such as John Lavagnino and Dominik Wujastyk's {\tt
+EDMAC} macros for producing critical editions which can, if pressed, write
+out an unlimited number of auxiliary files.
+
+The alternative solution which is adopted by \am is to store each file in its
+own directory so that {\tt paper.tex} and {\tt paper.dvi} are actually the
+files {\tt tex} and {\tt dvi} in the directory {\tt paper}. This system gets
+round the problem of auxiliary files (although RISC OS does impose a limit of
+80 objects to a directory) but it has its own disadvantage in that
+directories take up a certain amount of space. It is also more difficult to
+``clean up'' since instead of simply deleting the contents of the {\tt dvi}
+directory it is necessary to delete the {\tt dvi} file from each of a number
+of separate directories.
+
+So far as \TeX\ itself is concerned, there is not a lot of difference between
+the two programs at present. Each of them is a C version of \TeX\ and
+they both run at roughly the same speed, that is to say, fast. It is
+interesting to note, however, that the way in which \TeX\ is run can make a
+difference to its speed on the Archimedes. RISC OS permits a program such as
+\TeX\ to be run in three different ways. The first is from the command line
+prompt (which for \TeX ies is somewhat confusingly an asterix). The second is
+as a single-tasking task from the Archimedes Desktop (the
+Archimedes' WIMP system). The third is as a multi-tasking program from the
+Desktop.
+
+To \TeX\ |tex.tex|, that is to say, \bo \TeX\ the Program\ok, takes roughly
+18 minutes when \TeX\ is called from the command line, about 24 minutes when
+single tasking under the Desktop and about 27 minutes when it is
+multi-tasking with one other small program -- a digital clock -- running at the
+same time. (These figures are for the \am version. Using \at from the
+command line produces a similar result and its single tasking version is
+likely to produce a comparable time; there is not as yet a multi-tasking
+version of \at although that will no doubt arrive shortly.) A Company called
+{\it Aleph1\/} produces a go faster board for the Archimedes based on Acorn's
+ARM3 chip; although I have not tried it, Graham tells me that it speeds up
+\TeX\ by a factor of two.
+
+% MALCOLM --- I am not a mathematician. Is the last sentence correct?
+
+% ie it takes half as long with an arm3.
+
+There is one difference between the two versions of \TeX\ and that is that
+while \at claims to have passed the {\tt TRIP} test, \am has not as yet taken
+it (which is why it does not have \TeX\ in its name). However the output of
+the two programs appears to me to be identical.
+
+There is likely to be a more significant difference between the two versions
+of \TeX\ in the near future. \at is about to be released using Version~3 of
+\TeX. Graham has said that he is no hurry to produce Version~3 for \am unless
+he is pushed hard, claiming that he is not convinced of the merits of this
+new Version.
+
+\at can be used on the Archimedes 310 with only one megabyte of memory and
+can, I understand, be run without a hard disc (although I have not tried to
+do this). As a result some compromises have had to be made with \TeX's
+parameters. For example, the main memory in Ini\TeX\ is only 20 kilobytes
+and so it may not be possible to produce format files from large macro
+packages. TooLs GmbH have, however, told me that they are happy to produce
+larger versions of \TeX\ for their customers on request for a nominal
+handling charge. \am is intended to run on a machine with more than one
+megabyte of memory and so these compromises have not had to be made
+(although I believe that it can be run on a smaller machine). Since the
+source code is provided a user who has access to Acorn's C compiler can
+modify \TeX's parameters in whatever way he wishes.
+
+
+Both \at and \am come with a screen previewer. These are, however, very
+\hbox{different}. The former is a `traditional' \TeX\ previewer, that is to say,
+it uses a low-resolution version of the Computer Modern fonts to produce its
+output. The resolution supplied with the program is 95\,dpi although the
+previewer can use any resolution if this is required provided that the
+appropriate fonts are available in the chosen resolution. (The choice of
+95\,dpi was made because it permits the full width of an A4 page to be
+displayed across the screen.) If a font cannot be found because, for
+example, it is not available in the correct resolution, the previewer will
+try to use the same font at a different resolution; if it cannot find even
+this it will politely refuse to continue.
+
+Computer Modern fonts do seem to suffer when reproduced at low-resolution and
+I sometimes find on the \at previewer that the spacing between words looks
+wrong. I assume that this is caused by an unlucky combination of
+approximations. Slanted and italic letters also suffer badly from the low
+resolution although they remain perfectly readable.
+
+The \am previewer uses fonts that are based on the Computer Modern fonts but
+have been converted to Archimedes outline fonts. These are scaleable fonts and
+use anti-aliasing in order to improve their appearance on the screen. The
+result is astonishingly good, especially in the $640 \times 512$ multi-sync
+modes. The initial size chosen produces a width approximately equal to a
+sheet of A4 paper on the screen. However it is possible to magnify this by
+anything from |\magstephalf| to |\magstep5|. (These magnifications are in
+addition to any already used in the text). It is apparently intended that a
+future release will also permit a reduction in size so as to show a full page
+on a normal screen. (The \at previewer already does this.)
+
+There are disadvantages. The previewer is substantially slower than the \at
+version, although both are many times faster than anything I have seen on an
+IBM machine. (Its speed increases after a period of use since it stores fonts
+that it has already used in memory.) It can also use a considerable amount of
+memory, especially when displaying magnified fonts. I have managed to run
+out of memory on a four megabyte machine (although I did have to try quite
+hard to do it). But even a comparatively small file can use a couple of
+megabytes if it is displayed at |\magstep5|.
+
+Another disadvantage which the \at previewer does not suffer from is that at
+present the \am previewer is restricted to the standard Computer Modern,
+\AmSTeX\ and \LaTeX\ fonts; it is not possible to display any new fonts that
+have been produced using \MF\ (although I understand that this may change in
+a future release).
+
+If it cannot find a font the \am previewer will try to find the {\tt tfm}
+file for the missing font and will then leave an appropriate space. If even
+the {\tt tfm} file is missing it will crash; since the latter file would have
+been required by \TeX\ itself this is unlikely to happen often. Since it uses
+scaleable fonts it is not necessary for it to find a font at any particular
+size. If, for example, |paper.tex| uses |cmr10 at 13pt| the previewer will
+generate the font at that size itself.
+
+A feature added to the \am previewer comparatively recently is the ability to
+save a page as a {\tt !Draw} file or as a {\tt Sprite} which can then be
+read into the Archimedes' drawing and painting programs. This enables the
+text to be manipulated in various ways. However it may be that the most
+useful function of this is to permit the testing of |cmr| fonts at different
+magnifications without creating them using \MF. The files can be printed
+without the use of a |dvi| driver, although this is far from quick.
+
+
+The final stage in the \TeX\ process is printing the file. Again there is a
+difference between the two systems. The \at printer drivers are part of the
+previewer; it is not necessary to run a separate program to print your file
+after previewing it. Drivers are provided for most common matrix printers,
+such as those produced by Epson, NEC, Prism, Oki and Microline, and for the
+HP LaserJet. \am on the other hand uses an adaption of the Beebe drivers and
+at present is only available for the Apple Laser Writer and the HP LaserJet
+(although it is claimed that to adapt the implementation for use with any
+other printer supported by the Beebe programs would be very easy: the
+LaserJet version was not even tested on a LaserJet before being despatched to
+the first user of it).
+
+% Preview % Back/forward % More options % Memory size etc
+
+There are further differences between the two systems in the way that the
+drivers work. While the \at version sends its output direct to the printer,
+the \am version sends it to a file which is subsequently printed using an
+Acorn multi-tasking utility. As usual, both systems have advantages and
+disadvantages. With a short file it is nice to be able to print it
+immediately without having to go through the two-stage operation involved
+with \am.
+
+The method of printing used by the \at version however suffers from the
+problem that it is apparently difficult to download CM fonts to a LaserJet
+and it is accordingly necessary, at least on a machine with a small amount of
+memory, to process the file in several passes in order to print direct to
+the printer; if not enough passes are used the program crashes and it is
+necessary to start again. The appropriate setting of the parameters is,
+however, soon discovered and can be stored in a file which is loaded every
+time the program is run.
+Processing the file in this way does,
+however, take a long time and although
+the program is multi-tasking,
+it gets frustrating waiting for a long file to be printed.
+The \am driver will process the same file at a rate of
+more than a page a second and
+then print it comparatively quickly as a background task.
+
+Neither \at nor \am is supplied with a great deal of documentation, although
+not surprisingly the amount which comes with the former is substantially
+more that which is supplied with the latter. It would be essential for the
+user of either system to acquire \bo the \TeX book\ok.
+
+
+% conclusions
+
+If you have a one-megabyte Archimedes and want to run \TeX, or you have never
+used \TeX\ before, or you are not quite sure how your Archimedes works, or
+you need \TeX~3 soon, or you use non-standard fonts, splash out on the \at
+version. You will not be disappointed; I have used it to produce all my
+written work for the last nine months (although I have normally used Personal
+\TeX's PTI~HP on an IBM Compatible to print it on a LaserJet since I do not
+have my own printer).
+
+If, however, you want to be able to compile an unusual sized version of \TeX\
+quickly (and know what you are doing), or you want the best previewer going,
+or you are skinny broke, get hold of \am. Alternatively, if you have plenty
+of disc space, do as I have done and have your cake and eat it; get them
+both.
+
+% Addresses
+
+\at is available from:
+{\obeylines
+TooLs GmbH
+Kessincher Str.~108
+D\uc-5300 Bonn 1
+Federal Republic of Germany
+
+email: {\tt tex@tools.uucp}
+\par}
+
+\noindent
+It costs \quid99 (`educational users' pay \quid69) plus \quid6
+p.~\&~p.\ and VAT at the unusual rate of 14\%. \LaTeX\ and \BibTeX\ together
+cost a further \quid39 (\quid29 for educational users). A set of fonts
+for the screen previewer and one printer driver is included in the cost;
+fonts for other drivers are available at a nominal price. Alternatively
+generate your own using \atmf, which costs the same as \at (and is a very
+nice implementation of the program).
+
+\am is available from:
+
+{\obeylines
+Graham Toal
+76 Clare Court
+Judd Street
+London WC1H 9QW
+
+email {\tt gtoal@ed.ac.uk}
+\par}
+
+\noindent
+Graham does not charge for his current release of \am but you must send him
+25 {\it formatted\/} discs together with the return postage and be prepared
+to wait for him to have the time to copy them; he does this in his spare
+time and each set takes several hours to do. The distribution may soon be
+available from Aston. Since it is 15 megabytes this will
+ be an expensive way of
+acquiring it if you are commercial user of {\sc janet} and have
+to pay for the connection.
+The distribution includes the source code for \TeX\ and the
+Beebe drivers and a full set of 300\,dpi fonts. \LaTeX\ and \BiBTeX\ are also
+included. Letters to Graham take some time to be answered; email produces a
+quicker result.
+\author{Roger Horne}
+\endinput
+