hits since 08th April 1997
v1.01 (14-Jun-1997)
Introduction : What is Acorn code?How these codes workHow to Begin Your Acorn CodeDescribing your Computer SetupOpinions and CharacterHow to publish your Acorn CodeIf you have any ideas, complaints, money...Changes since last versionCopyright noticeCredits
Ever seen Geek Code? The list of funny symbols often put at the end of sigs or in peoples pages??? If you haven't, you can visit the Geek Code homepage, where it is explained much more eloquently than here. The problem is, for us Acorn users, is that it asks you quantify all your opinions of UNIX and PC programs, whereas many of us wouldn't even touch them with a bargepole! You may have seen Brit Code, which is fine, but only contains one single little mention about Acorns and doesn't contain any extra information... This situation has gone unresolved until now ... the Acorn Code, a supplement you can use on its own or with your original Code!
Hurrah! It's thwogging brilliant!
In this code and the Geek Code, you have a list of particular flags, plus a number of +s or -s, or other symbols, which demonstrate your opinion towards various things. Let's take bc meaning Bouncy Castles, as a convenient example. Somebody who rated themselves bc++ would be a bouncy castle enthusiast, but not nearly as enthusiastic as a bc+++. Similarly, somebody who was bc--- would detest the things. No flag - just bc on its own - would mean an impartial/apathetic view. There are also other things you can add to qualify these flags...
You will find full descriptions of what exactly each inflection on each flag means - choose the one which fits your opinion most. There are also flags you can use that describe what computers you own, and so on. These will be dealt with in the next two sections, where the Acorn Code is described properly...
First of all, you must declare that it is Acorn Code you are writing. This you do by starting with;
AcornCodev1.01:
The version number is important to put in, as inevitably extra things will be added to the code. You can now go on, if you like, to describing your setup. None of the flags are completely compulsory, and you can leave some out if you want, but it's nice to have the full picture. By way of example, here is my own Acorn Code, with links within to various explaining parts. Don't feel daunted! It's very easy once you get the hang of it...
AcornCodev1.01: A2 rpc7sa/I1/10/Icd12 a441/I350/4/ro+/sa BB* ed++ dc200 nl+ EC pc-- pr+
After you've declared you are writing Acorn Code, it is important to say just how many Acorns you own, using the A flag..
Now describe your computers. The one you use most you should put in, but you can put another one if you like. Just don't put all twenty in...
If I missed any out, mail me first for clearance.
To show how much HD space in total you have, put an oblique afterwards and then the number of megabytes or gigabytes. (It's pretty obvious which is which... but if you want to make absolutely sure, add a g or m afterwards.) If there's no HD at all, put a 0.
Prefix the number with the interface type.
If there is more than one interface, divide it up. egs. If you've upgraded to an ARM3 or another processor (excluding StrongARM) then add another oblique and put in Finally, if it's not immediately obvious, add another oblique and put in the total memory (including VRAM) you have. A StrongARM Risc PC with 512mb HD & 5Mb memory, would be rpcsa/512/5. An A305 with 40mb St506 HD and ARM 3, as it's obvious it's only got half a meg memory, you can just leave it as a305/T40/A3. You should also put what version of Risc OS you use on it, if that isn't obvious. So : HD space is BIGGER, so it comes FIRST! Any extra expansions should be added on with obliques separating them. If I missed anything out (and I probably have), mail me first for clearance.
Opinions and Character
An Acorn user is not just defined by his/her computer setup. Many hold quite strong and conflicting opinions as well... These flags are designed to show these opinions so the user can stand up and feel proud s/he is declaring them to the public...
See, told you I would deal with them :) Many Acorn users have stayed with Acorn right from the early days, and have supported them, like a beloved football team. Often you will find many early Acorn computers in an Acorn users house, because the user is too attached to them to throw them away. Let us know how many of these old faithfuls you own, with the BB flag.
One of the most contentious and controversial issues in the Acorn world is which editor is the best - Zap? StrongED? Edit? Arguments, usenet flamewars, bar brawls, nuclear wars have started over this one small difference of opinion. I'm saying nothing. What do you say? Let people know and use ed to express your view.
The issue of how to spell this simplest of words has divided the Acorn Community right down the middle. Is `c' a disgusting and misleading Americanism? Is `k' a signal to conformity and an ugly spelling? What do you think?
If you like, you can put afterwards approx. the number of discs you own (dc200 means 200 discs, spelt with a c.)
Doggysoft's desktop enhancing program has caused more ructions in the Acorn world over one single principle ever since, er, the last ructions in the Acorn world over one single principle. Is it a life-saver, and are you unable to function without it? Or is it unnecessary makeup on an already perfect visage? Where do you stand?
Networking, using the native Acorn networking hardware Econet, is quite often a past-time of Acorn users, particularly Acorn Geeks. Use the EC flag to tell us whether you take part!
Acorn Users have traditionally hated PCs. What about you? How much dislike do you hold for Gates and his Imperial Windows? Do you even like it? Tell us!
An integral part of being a geek, and indeed an Acorn user, is how good you are at telling your computer what to do? Are you king of the keyboard or programming peasant?
You can do this in a number of ways - put it at the end of your internet sig (it's not very big at the moment, so you probbly won't get people upset), or in conjunction with your Geek Code or Brit Code if people finger you (don't for heavens sake add all this to your sig!)...
-------BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-------- v2.1 GC/O/L>$ d- H->+ s:+ g?+>- p2 !au>* a17 w++ v**(+) C++ U--- P? L- !3 N++ E- K- W--- M* !V -po+ Y+ t- 5- !j R++ !G tv++ b++ D-- B- e*>++ u*(+)(---) h! f+>++ r*@ n->+ y? --------END GEEK CODE BLOCK--------- AcornCodev1.01: A2 rpc7sa/I1/10/Icd12 a441/I350/4/ro+/sa BB* ed++ dc200 nl+ EC pc-- pr+
For all of those parts that Acorn Code doesn't reach (ie. the non Acorn bits), you could do a hell of a lot worse than add in Brit Code, seeing as if you're an Acorn user you're likely to be living in Britain ;). It contains much more information, such as the H flag for hair, and so on.. Do what you like. As long as you use Acorn Code!
This is the first version of the Acorn code, so if you have any new ideas or comments please don't hesitate to mail me at quintin@digibank.demon.co.uk or you can sign my guestbook if you want to publicise your comments :) You can go to my main web pages if you like too. I'm particularly looking for new flags to add ! Let me know, and don't go mad!
V1.01
Thanks to everybody who's e-mailed me giving support and extra ideas. I can't list you now because my mail program crashed and I lost your names - sorreee! :(
The text of this document is © 1997 Quintin Parker of Gilbert the Hamster Software and may not, in part or whole except short excerpts for review purposes, be copied outside normal limits from the Internet, republished on the Web, broadcasted, lended, hired or fed to rabbits without express written permission of the author.
The author makes no claim on the text by the original author of the Geek Code, Robert Hayden, and every effort has been made to preserve copyright. All original ideas are attributed by the author to that source.
Original idea : Robert Hayden
Text : Quintin Parker
Graphics : Background by Brain Soup, graphics by Quintin Parker (using the Artworks Acorn)
Note: Neither Dane Koekoek nor Werewolf Software is responsible for the crap that this person writes.
