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Archimedes Public Domain Library
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/ / / // / \ \ / /___ / / / / / / / // / \ // /__/ // /___ / /____
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Navigation
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APDLinfo.htm
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| (__/ _ \ ' \| ' \/ -_) '_/ _| / _` | |
\___\___/_|_|_|_|_|_\___|_| \__|_\__,_|_|
Commercial Software Demos
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| \ ___ _ __ ___ ___
| |) / -_) ' \/ _ (_-<
|___/\___|_|_|_\___/__/
Technical Demos & Disc Magazines
___ _____ ___
| \_ _| _ \
| |) || | | _/
|___/ |_| |_|
Desktop Publishing Resources including ClipArt
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| _/ _` / _` |
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Games & Novelties
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| | (_) |_ ___ _ _ __ _| |_ _ _ _ _ ___
| |__| | _/ -_) '_/ _` | _| || | '_/ -_)
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Literature
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| \/ |__ _(_)_ _ / __|__ _| |_ __ _| |___ __ _ _ _ ___
| |\/| / _` | | ' \ | (__/ _` | _/ _` | / _ \/ _` | || / -_)
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Main Catalogue - Applications, Utilities, Development, Useful apps
___ _ _ __ __ _
/ __| ___ _ _ _ _ __| |___ __ _ _ _ __| | | \/ |_ _ __(_)__
\__ \/ _ \ || | ' \/ _` (_-< / _` | ' \/ _` | | |\/| | || (_-< / _|
|___/\___/\_,_|_||_\__,_/__/ \__,_|_||_\__,_| |_| |_|\_,_/__/_\__|
Sounds - Samples, Music Trackers and Maestro tunes
************************************************************************
This section provides general information about the APDL PD Library.
**************************************************************************
* If you haven't downloaded from APDL before PLEASE READ THIS FILE FIRST *
**************************************************************************
Please note that the library has not been significantly updated since
2001, If you are looking for the latest 32bit version of something then
you are in the wrong place. The library is here for preservation purposes.
Most of the software in the library pre-dates RISC OS 4. A lot of the
content here will run on more modern versions of RISC OS but we offer no
guarantee that a particular piece of software will run on a particular
version of RISC OS.
If, on the other hand, you have an older Acorn machine (such as an A5000)
and you are looking for software to run on it then you are in the right
place. Almost everything here will run on your machine.
We may make updates to the library in the future but this will depend on
demand and the available time.
Most items in the catalogue are copyrighted the Author(s) or have been
released into the Public Domain by the copyright holder. APDL makes no claim
of ownership or of exclusive distribution rights unless stated.
The catalogue, compilations, descriptive and other text, except where taken
from the Authors descriptions, are
© Aaron Timbrell/3QD Developments LTD 2026
and may not be used by other persons or organisations except for descriptive
or promotional purposes when referring to this site.
************************************************************************
* We offer no warranty or guarantee as to fitness for purpose with *
* PD or Shareware. We do not offer any support services for any part *
* of the APDL PD library. If you have a question then it's best to *
* contact the Author. *
* Program descriptions may be taken from those given by the author *
* and APDL cannot be held responsible for accuracy. *
************************************************************************
The catalogue is broken into several sections. Links to these sections are
at the top of this page.
apdlinfo.htm - This document.
commerce.htm - Demo versions of commercial applications
demo.htm - Disc Magazines and 'Demo' programs, graphics demo's, etc.
dtp.htm - Clip Art (Draw, Sprite and Artworks) & DTP Resources
faq.htm - 'Frequently Asked Questions' about APDL and PD/Shareware
games.htm - Games and 'sillies', including educational games
literature.htm - Various PD texts including many classical novels
Shakespeare, etc.
main.htm - Applications, Utilities, 'useful' programs etc.
sounds.htm - Sound Samples, Coconizer, Digital Symphony and Maestro
tunes
Most downloads are compressed using SparkFS. Inside each download you may
find further compressed archives. If these generate an error when trying to
open them just drag each one to the SparkFS icon on the iconbar. They will
then open correctly.
APDL took over the other RISC OS PD libraries, firstly DataStream and then
Arch Angel and finally the DataFile. Some of the downloads available here
may have originated with these other PD libraries.
===========================
===================== D O W N L O A D I N G ============================
===========================
All downloads in the PD library are supplied free of charge.
You can download the zip files from the APDL PD library using any web
browser on any OS.
_ _ _ _______ ______ __ _ _____ __ _ ______
| | | |_____| |_____/ | \ | | | \ | | ____
|__|__| | | | \_ | \_| __|__ | \_| |_____|
*******************************************************************
* *
* HOWEVER - all of the files contained in the PD library are *
* designed for computers running RISC OS. If you open the zip *
* files on another Operating System (e.g. Windows) the files you *
* extract will have their filenames altered and will lose their *
* RISC OS filetypes. This means that if you then copy these *
* files to RISC OS they will NOT work. *
* *
*******************************************************************
________________________________________
ONLY OPEN THE .ZIP FILES WITH A SUITABLE
DE-ARCHIVING TOOL SUCH AS !SPARKFS
RUNNING ON RISC OS
________________________________________
=================================
=================== C O M P A T I B I L I T Y ======================
=================================
Most of the content in the library was catalogued from 1989 to 2001
and the library has only had small updates since 2001.
This means that not everything will run on every version of RISC OS.
If you are running a 32bit version of RISC OS you will probably need
Aemulor to run any of the apps/games that are in the library.
The following was written in 1997
---------------------------------
There are three major versions of RISC-OS in circulation:
RISC OS 2.0x
RISC OS 3.11
RISC OS 3.5 to 3.7x
So there are sometimes compatibility problems. As an indication the
character which follows each program name in the main catalogue is used
as a 'code' to indicate compatibility.
- Not sure
= OK with RISC OS 2/RISC OS 3
+ RO2 program, works with RO3 but minor problems
* RISC OS 2 only
: RISC OS 3 only
These codes were introduced in 1992 (when RISC OS 3 was released) to
indicate if an application would work with RISC OS 3.
As we now have the RiscPC and A7000 with RISC OS versions 3.5/3.6/3.7
to consider RISC OS 2 compatibility is no longer checked as it has been
declared obsolete (given that all RISC OS 2 machines can be upgraded
to RISC OS 3)
The following two new codes are used to indicate RiscPC/A7000 compatibility.
~ Will NOT work on the RPC
^ Works OK on the RPC
There isn't a code to indicate S/ARM compatibility, but almost all RPC
compatible programs are OK on S/ARM, although you may have to uncrunch
the !Runimage file or switch off the cache while it loads.
I may use two codes where this is appropriate, eg. :~ means RO3 only,
won't work on the RISC PC or on RISC OS 2.
These are a GUIDE ONLY. Many older programs have not been checked on the
RPC so the fact that no indication is given does not mean they do or
don't work. Most well written applications are OK.
===================================
================== Update to compatibility 2026 =====================
===================================
32bit versions OF RISC OS
-------------------------
If you are running a 32bit version of RISC OS then most applications that
run on the RISC PC will work via Aemulor, you can download a copy here:
http://sendiri.co.uk/aemulor
RISC OS 4
---------
Most applications designed for the RISC PC/A7000 will also work on
RISC OS 4 without problems. If there is a particular application in the
library that doesn't work it might be worth searching online to see if
a later version is available.
Games
-----
Many games which worked perfectly on RISC OS 2, RISC OS 3.0 and RISC OS 3.1x
won't work on the RiscPC or A7000.
If you want to run older games on a RISC PC or A7000 we strongly advise
downloading a copy of Strong Guard from the ARM Club, it's a free download:
https://armclub.org.uk/products/strongguard
This will allow lots of games designed for the first generation Acorn machines
to run on RISC OS 3.5 and later (26 bit versions). You can also have a look at
GamesBase (on the same page) as this lists all the games that StrongGuard is
known to be compatible with.
=====================
========================== U P D A T E S ===========================
=====================
We do not intend to update the library further. It's being hosted here
because it's useful and many of the games and applications in the library
are no longer available elsewhere.
=========================
======================= S H A R E W A R E ==========================
=========================
o------------------------------o
| SHAREWARE |
| If you use it - pay for it |
o------------------------------o
Most programs in the catalogue are either 'freeware', where the author
allows the program to be distributed but maintains copyright or 'Public
Domain' where the author surrenders all rights in the program.
However some programs are Shareware, which is a different concept. Shareware
programs are commercial products distributed on a 'try before you buy' basis.
Software in this catagory requires separate payment to the Author as a
Registration Fee if you make use of the program. You may get additional
items or improved versions when you Register. Sometimes payment should be
made to a nominated charity instead of to the Author and this is often
called 'Careware'.
Please play fair with Shareware. Not only is it dishonest to use a
Shareware program without Registering is it also very short sighted. If
Shareware Authors don't receive payment for their work they will either
stop writing programs for Acorn and write for PC's instead where users
DO send money or 'sell out' to commercial software producers. Then you
will find that a year later you must pay many times the registration fee
to buy the same thing in a shrink wrapped package.
===============================================
================ W A R R A N T Y and G U A R A N T E E ===============
===============================================
All material is supplied without warranty or guarantee as to fitness for
purpose. APDL is merely the distributor.
We try to check that programs work but everything is supplied 'as is' and
the only warranty is that offered by the Author. Descriptions are given
in good faith but we may only try a program briefly so cannot guarantee
accuracy
Most PD and all Shareware programs contain the name and address of the
Author. You can also look through the APDL_FAQ file first, you might find
the answer to your problem there.
We make every effort to ensure that programs and other material may be
freely copied and distributed but it is often impossible to be certain
of this, especially if material does not contain an identifying name and
address. If you see any items in the catalogue which you know may not be
freely distributed please inform us.
============================
====================== A B O U T A.P.D.L. ==========================
============================
APDL (The Archimedes Public Domain library) was founded by Dave Holden
in 1988. It was still being run by Dave Holden when he died in 2014. By
that time it was the last remaining RISC OS/Acorn PD library having
absorbed all the others over the years.
What you see here is a mildly updated version of the library. The content
is mainly the same as in 2014, with a few small edits, but the information
text, such as this file, have been updated to reflect the changes that
have happened since the library was last updated.
For example we have removed an references to floppy discs because the
entire archive is available to download rather than users needing to
pay to have floppy discs posted to them.
=========================================================
========= P U B L I C D O M A I N and S H A R E W A R E =========
========= D E F I N I T I O N S =========
=========================================================
Some people are uncertain what these terms mean so I shall explain VERY
briefly.
Public Domain is a precise term, it means that the Author has given up
ALL their rights to a piece of work and hence the work is not protected
by Intellectual Property laws. The Author can still be identified as the
creator of the work involved but has no rights over how the work is used,
modified or distributed. Some works enter the Public Domain because their
copyright has expired (e.g. 70 years for audio recordings) others because
the author has decided that the work can be freely used and distributed.
Shareware is commercial software. It is copyright, but permission is
given for it to be copied and distributed subject to some restrictions.
If you acquire a copy of the program you are entitled to use it for a
trial period, normally thirty days. If you use it after this time you
are obliged to 'register'. This means sending a 'registration fee' to
the Author. Details of how to do this and what benefits it brings will
be contained somewhere within the program's instructions.
_, ______ _ _
/ | ( /o / // //
/--| __, _ __ _ _ /, _ _ _ / _ _ // //
_/ |_(_/(_/ (_(_)/ / /_ _/ (_/ / / /_/_)/ (_(/_(/_(/_
A.P.D.L. 20/04/2026
_____________________________________________________________________________
© Aaron Timbrell and 3QD Developments Ltd 22/04/2026