Odyssey web browser, and AROS ABIv0 32bit update

Just days ago, two very welcome updates have been released.

The WWW is big, and Amiga/AROS web browsers are rare. One of said updates is a new version of web browser Odyssey, for AROS ABIv0 32bit. (This is the initial x86 i386 flavor of AROS which is probably running on most computers running AROS.) Among the new features is the updated rendering engine (WebKit), and a new media player with hardware acceleration, which enables Odyssey to playback YouTube videos (again).

The other of said updates is Krzysztof 'deadwood' Smiechowicz's second update ("20220318-1-U2") to AROS ABIv0 32bit 20220318-1, which is required by the new version Odyssey. It contains changes backported from the more modern (still somewhat experimental) ABIv1 branch of AROS.

Click the links below for full details and download:

Odyssey

https://archives.aros-exec.org/?function=showfile&file=network/browser/owb-2.0.i386-aros.zip

AROS x86 ABIv0 32bit update 20220318-1-U2

https://www.axrt.org/downloads-aros

https://axrt.org/release-notes?id=aros-abiv0-20220318-1-U2

https://github.com/deadwood2/AROS

 

Additional sources:
http://amiga-news.de/en/news/AN-2024-10-00131-EN.html
http://amiga-news.de/en/news/AN-2024-10-00126-EN.html

AROS is Amiga: Janus-UAE 2 - alive!

Great news from the emulation side of AROS: Janus-UAE is making further progress with version 2.

Janus-UAE aims to not just emulate an Amiga computer, but also to integrate emulation with AROS as seamless as possible.

AmiBerry developer MiDWaN (Blitterstudio) has picked up development, and is working on updating Janus-UAE 2 to current WinUAE features and use SDL2.

You can find the latest release of Janus-UAE 2 on GitHub:

https://github.com/BlitterStudio/janus-uae

Additional sources:
https://blitterstudio.com
http://amiga-news.de/en/news/AN-2022-11-00033-EN.html

Icaros Desktop 2.2.6 released, and 2.2.7 beta for Patreon supporters

Another updated public release of Icaros Desktop, and a restricted release of the latest beta version. 

Here are some of the new features of release 2.2.6:

• new Icaros Desktop debug log
• new versions of muimaster.library, dcraw, and VIM
• EasyRPG Player, interpreter for games created with RPG Maker 2000 and 2003
• new games included: "The Kidnapping of Princess Pri" and "Grimps: Squeaking of the Dead"
• updated manual
• modified VMware SVGA driver which adds support to Full HD, 2K and 4K resolutions

...and more.


As always visit http://www.icarosdesktop.org for more information, and downloads!

Icaros Desktop 2.2.4 released

Icaros Desktop, probably AROS' most popular and comprehensive distro, got updated to version 2.2.4.

Here's a list of changes since 2.2.3:

- fixed OpenURL preferences to correctly forward URLs to OWB
- added GlJewels to OpenGL/Games
- added AmiTimeKeeper (Internet time NTP client) to Prefs
- updated AmicastPlayer
- updated AMath
- updated FIG datatype
- added INFO (Amiga icons) datatype
- added ModExplorer to MultiMedia
- added Open Gladiators to OpenGL/Games
- updated OpusTools
- added sox utilities to MediaEditors
- added sfxr sound generator to MediaEditors
- added Targa (TGA) datatype
- added ZuneBrot to Misc
- updated Vim to version 8.1 (now with graphical interface)
- replaced AROS installer with InstallerLG on both i386 and 68K
- added Super Mario War to Games
- added Stunt Car Remake to OpenGL/Games
- added UHCTools
- updated ZuneView
- updated ZunePaint
- added WHD_Menu to FileSystem
- added ICO (Windows icons) datatype
- added vic script: shows current Icaros Desktop release
- replaced SysMon with SysMon-XPT, which shows CPU-time too
- updated VICE to version 3.1 and optimized for speed and sound
- added icon to music and video examples in MyWorkspace
- fixed (increased) default stack size for some file types
- added RNOeffects to Design

Go to Icaros Desktop's homepage to download the latest release:
http://www.icarosdesktop.org

Source:
http://vmwaros.blogspot.com/2018/10/icaros-desktop-224-now-available-to.html

Gaming: "Tower 57" is out!

Kickstarter-founded, massive arcade shoot'em up dual player co-op action game for AROS released.

After the initial success of the Kickstarter project, the second phase - or "floor" as it's fittingly called - has been completed by releasing the AmigaNG-ports of the game. Congratulations, Pixwerk!

https://img.itch.zone/aW1nLzExMDUxNjUuanBn/original/eY1Igk.jpg

"Tower 57" by Pixwerk (Marco "Benitosub" Pappalardo and Thomas "Cyangmou" Feichtmeir, Amiga ports by "Daytona-Daniel" Muessener) looks like a mixture of The Chaos Engine, Metal Slug, and Maniac Mansion.

https://img.itch.zone/aW1hZ2UvMjMyODk0LzExMDUxMzMuanBn/347x500/JrQwnF.jpg

It has some interesting gameplay features, like swarms, spreading fire, and electricity. The environment is destructible, and destruction as well as debris and empty gun shell casings will remain permanently. Players can shoot in any direction while moving, and there's an emphasis on dual player cooperation.

https://img.itch.zone/aW1hZ2UvMjMyODk0LzExMDUxMzAuanBn/347x500/Knkvcy.jpg

Reviews for "Tower 57" are very positive, it has a metacritic rating of 72, and was nominated for a "Worth Playing" award at the E3 2017.

For only 11.99 US Dollar (or more, if you like) you can get this colorful, dieselpunk-style, fast-paced, 16-bit-pixel-art top-down shooter for AROS/MorphOS/AmigaOS4 at:

https://benitosub.itch.io/tower-57

Also available for AmigaOS4, MorphOS, Windows, Mac (see link).
Linux and console versions under development.


Sources:
http://pixwerk.net/home/news/40-tower-57-on-amiga
http://aros-exec.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=10769
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/514621648/tower-57
http://tower57game.com/ 
http://steamcommunity.com/games/530950/announcements/detail/1663390171362042247
http://store.steampowered.com/app/530950/Tower_57/

AROS / Amiga Workshops at Duisburg, Germany!

Pascal Papara of ARES-Computer-, AEROS-, AmiCloud-, and more fame, is starting a series of AROS workshops in his hometown of Duisburg, Germany.

Some of the planned subjects include:

- different flavours or AROS, and how to install them
- AROS hardware support
- software-"gems": what's possible, and how
- AmiCloud tutorial
- JanusUAE and Classic Amiga software

Additionally, Mr. Papara plans to present his new ARESOne computer, indieGO machines, latest previews of AROS Broadway and AEROS, some more projects and games, and there might be a gaming tournament.

Ticket prices range from 0EUR (free) to different "flatrate" prices including food, beverage, and a copy of AmiCloud. Parking and toilets are available, and the place is barrier-free. Visitors may also present their own material, for which they may purchase a "flat 1" ticket, which includes half of an exhibition table (or more, if required - please ask).

The first workshop is scheduled for Sat., March 17th, at 11:00 (doors), with follow-ups on April 21st, May 19th, and many more dates (see link below).

The location is:

ARES Computer
Baldusstr. 13
47138 Duisburg
Germany


Read more (in German) about his workshops and get tickets at:

https://www.eventbrite.de/e/aros-amiga-workshop-tickets-43563965995

(See also "Sources", below) 

Great stuff!


Make sure you also visit ARES Computer online shop at:

http://www.ares-shop.eu

http://www.ares-shop.eu/files/areslogo.png

Sources:
http://aros-broadway.de/indiego/blog/index.html
https://www.eventbrite.de/e/aros-amiga-workshop-tickets-43563965995
http://aros-exec.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=10756

Distro: AspireOS - alive!

Nikolaos Tomatsidis' AROS distribution "AspireOS" V2.0 "Titan" is out!

After years of silence, AspireOS got another update. Nikolaos says that AspireOS "...feels much like the legacy AmigaOS in the way it opens windows etc. I want Amiga people to feel at home once they try it." The latest release is based on AROS nightly build of Feb. 5th 2018.

Some of the new applications included in the release are:

- 4klive (software synthesizer)
- ArModPlugPlayer (modplayer)
- Protracker, Protrekkr (tracker programs)
- Directory Opus 5.91 Magellan II (filemanager)
- GianasReturn, LBreakout2, Sqrxz4, Voxel Bird (games)
- ZunePaint (painting / image manipulation)

https://51a33982-a-62cb3a1a-s-sites.googlegroups.com/site/arosaspireone/gallery/MAME.png

Also included, just like in the previous release, are Odyssey (webbrower), Audio Evolution (DAW), Janus-UAE (Amiga 68k emulation), MAME (arcade emulation), GrafX2 (pixel painting), AROSPDF (PDF viewer), mplayer (audio/video player), and many more.

(full list: https://sites.google.com/site/arosaspireone/AspireOS )

Head over to...

http://www.aspireos.com

...and grab your copy!

https://51a33982-a-62cb3a1a-s-sites.googlegroups.com/site/arosaspireone/download-1/Titan3.png

Sources:
http://www.aspireos.com
http://amiga-news.de/de/news/AN-2018-02-00039-DE.html
http://aros-exec.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?start=0&topic_id=10738

Bars'n'Pipes AROS - alive!

After some years of silence, aros-exec.org user "hitchhikr" has released another update of his Bars'n'Pipes port for AROS!

Bars'n'Pipes was and is still one of the best audio/MIDI sequencers for the Amiga computer. In 2001 the source code was handed over to Alfred Faust, who continued development on the Amiga platform until 2009. In 2010 a first port to AROS surfaced on aros-exec.org, and after some updates and then a long time of silence "hitchhikr" seems to have started to work on it again, and has published his latest efforts only yesterday. Great stuff!


You can currently download the latest version here:

http://franck.charlet.pagesperso-orange.fr/bnp.i386-aros.zip

And the sources here:

http://franck.charlet.pagesperso-orange.fr/bnp.i386-aros-src.zip


By the way, if you want to use Bars'n'Pipes on your classic Amiga you can grab it from Alfred Faust's homepage: http://bnp.hansfaust.de

And there's also a port to AmigaOS4: http://www.os4depot.net/index.php?function=showfile&file=audio/misc/barsnpipes.lha

You may want to take a look at the manual in order to use Bars'n'Pipes properly:
http://bnp.hansfaust.de/bp/MAIN.html (german)
http://www.fromwithin.com/liquidmidi/docs/barsandpipes/index.html (english)

Bars'n'Pipes even has it's own page on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bars-Pipes-107980942577318/

Bars'n'Pipes main screen (original Amiga version 2.5b)

Sources:
http://bnp.hansfaust.de/
http://www.amigaos.net/software/123/bars-and-pipes
http://aros-exec.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?start=40&topic_id=5144&viewmode=flat&order=ASC&type=&mode=0

ALBs Blog - Freepascal, and online compiler!

If you like coding in Pascal on AROS, or if you want to start doing so, you should visit ALB's blog.

ALB's blog hosts the Freepascal compilers for AmigaOS, MorphOS and AROS, some other applications like Mapparium, GPSTool, and EdiSyn, and now he has even added an online Pascal compiler for AmigaOS, MorphOS and AROS.

Via a web interface, you can enter your Pascal code, choose the destination platform, click "Compile", and download your executable file.

There are two versions of the online Freepascal compiler: one for current browsers with full JavaScript, and one for older browsers (IBrowse, etc.) using HTML only.

Here's a video showing the online compiler in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlUaCxR1Y2o

Head over to ALBs blog and check out some Pascal:
https://blog.alb42.de

Or go directly to the "FPC Online Editor/Compiler":
http://home.alb42.de/fpamiga/

Kalamatee needs your money!

Famous developer Kalamatee has given countless hours of his life to AROS and the community. He's worked on many essential parts of AROS and plays a big role within the AROS world. Now it looks as if it's time to give something back, as he seems to have run out of money, even threatening his facilities to keep working on AROS. Send him some money!

Support him via his patreon account:
https://www.patreon.com/Kalamatee

You can read the full story, and about other ways of supporting Kalamatee in the thread over at AROS-exec.org:
http://aros-exec.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?viewmode=flat&type=&topic_id=10523&forum=4

AROS 68k on Vampire accelerator

Amiga Vampire accelerator / Apollo core team cares for AROS!

Below picture shows AROS 68k running on Amiga Vampire 500+

That could be a huge step forward for AROS, because with thousands of Vampire boards ordered or already sold, AROS now has a future-oriented platform where it truly belongs: inside an Amiga computer.

http://www.apollo-core.com/knowledge.php?b=1&note=5580