Generic MassFS V1.00 released for the STD USB card. =================================================== Stuart Tyrrell Developments are pleased to announce the immediate availability of an extension of their MassFS mass-storage drivers for the Simtec/STD USB card, MassFS V1.00. Support for RISC OS users is central to the ethos of the Simtec/STD USB implementation - we have considered it important to produce a solution which offers assistance to those who require it, without encouraging an exodus to resellers who do not support RISC OS machines which might be seen with a "generic" implementation. MassFS V1.00 continues our model of enabling support to be offered within the RISC OS customer-base, yet encourage users to experiment with new devices. Much of our work in the USB arena has been to characterise the USB Mass Storage protocol and the differing implementations of this by device developers. It is this work which has seen the release of support for large Zip drives, MP3 players and other devices, and has resulted in the acceptance of the Simtec/STD card as something which simply "works". Our extensions to MassFS allow many of these differing implementations to be used successfully. The new MassFS implementation is this: People who purchase USB devices from Stuart Tyrrell Developments will receive a fully supported version of MassFS, as before. These versions will present a "support key" for each device which may be used in order to obtain support direct from Stuart Tyrrell Developments. Users without MassFS who wish to use products solely sourced outwith the RISC OS arena may purchase MassFS for UKP10 inc. In addition to this, MassFS V1.00 allows further mass-storage type devices to be added to a "other devices" file, and the user may experiment with a number of different settings available which cover many different device implementations. Devices added in this manner with the correct settings are fully functional, however these devices appear with a different icon and will not yield a "support key". The first user to supply verifiable settings for each new device back to STD (which do not already exist in the "other devices" file) will receive a version of MassFS for that device free of charge (worth UKP10). These settings will be incorporated into the "other devices" file, which is freely downloadable and available to all users. Pricing of MassFS is as follows: MassFS V1.00 and later : UKP10 inc VAT Upgrade existing MassFS to V1.00 : Free of charge, including support keys for devices already purchased. MassFS V1.00 with any suitable USB device from STD : Free of charge, including support keys. Download and use of "other devices" file, enabling many devices to be used (without support) freely : Free of charge. Issue of support key for devices supported by STD but not purchased from STD : UKP10 inc VAT Issue of key to first user to successfully report settings for a new device : Free of charge For further information, please see http://www.stdevel.co.uk/massfs.html, or contact Stuart Tyrrell Developments. About MassFS V1.00 ------------------ MassFS V1.00 is a full mass-storage filing system for use with the Simtec/STD USB card. It allows devices such as Pen drives, Card readers, MP3 players, digital cameras and Zip drives to be used. It is implemented as a full stand-alone filing system, and will happily co-exist with other filing systems such as SCSIFS. There is no hard limit to the numbers of devices which may be attached to a machine, beyond that imposed by the USB protocol itself. MassFS V1.00 enables users to freely add their own devices in parallel to those supported directly by STD, yet gives the option of a formal support path should this be desired. About the STD/Simtec USB card ----------------------------- The STD/Simtec USB card is a USB1.1 compatible USB expansion card for RISC OS computers fitted with a backplane. It allows for connection of USB devices such as keyboards, mice, pen drives, MP3 players, scanners, cameras and USB wireless networking dongles. As the STD/Simtec USB solution complies with generally accepted programmer's interface implementations, the Simtec API is suitable for use both within and outside the RISC OS market. As a completely "clean" design which does not rely on any GPL or sub-licensed code, the Simtec implementation is available for license to large customers, and in turn development of RISC OS drivers benefits from the input from these customers - this is illustrated with the unique support for DFU code uploading which allows non mass-storage devices such as USB-based wireless networking devices to function. Simtec is a Philips' recommended design house for USB products. Further information about the STD/Simtec USB card may be found at http://www.riscos-usb.com and at http://www.stdevel.co.uk/USB.html . About Stuart Tyrrell Developments --------------------------------- Stuart Tyrrell Developments are renowned for their innovative hardware and software for RISC OS and other markets. With a core business stretching from Special Needs, through Consultancy to retail and custom items for RISC OS machines, they have the flexibility to offer novel solutions. Stuart Tyrrell Developments is a trading name of Advantage Six Ltd. Stuart Tyrrell Developments PO Box 183 OLDHAM OL2 8FB Tel: 0845 458 8803 / 01706 848 600 Fax: 0870 164 1604 Email: info@stdevel.co.uk Web: http://www.stdevel.co.uk/