computer formats make the enthusiasts job much more
tricky. To write a piece of software you've now got to
bare in mind that it may be used on one of two versions of
the OS, and on one of 3 different processors. Its
impossible for anyone to own all of the Acorn range and
check his software out, and this problem will probably get
worse as technology advances.

   At this point, its a good idea to take a look at the
IBM PC market and take note of the problems and mistakes
that have dogged the PC from its very begginings. In an
attempt to always maintain compatibilty with earlier
systems, new advances in hardware have been constrained
and held back. Similar problems with OSs are also
encountered - DOS is now up to version 5, and to be blunt,
its still sad.

   This real life example of a computer genre that is not
at its true potential must be noticed very carefully.

   Archimedes computers must advance with new technology,
so that their users can take advantage of things like the
ARM3 chip with its infamous cache, otherwise we will
degenerate into the confusion of the PC world.

   There are arguements both for and against the