Impression (software)

In computing, Impression is a desktop publishing application for RISC OS systems. It was developed by Computer Concepts and released around 1989.[1]

Impression
Developer(s)Computer Concepts
Initial releasearound 1989 ()
Written inAssembly language (inline via BBC BASIC)
Operating systemRISC OS
TypeDesktop publishing
LicenseProprietary commercial software

The software was one of two packages recommended for use in primary teaching in the 1996 book Opportunities for English in the Primary School.[2] It has been considered one of the most important applications in the history of the RISC OS platform.[3]

Also available were enhanced (Impression Publisher and Impression Publisher Plus) and cut-down versions (Impression Junior and Impression Style). A 32-bit conversion and improvement project initiated in 2003 was named Impression-X.

Development

A project to produce a fully 32-bit compliant version (compatible with the Iyonix PC and later ARM hardware) was announced by X-Ample Technology in 2003.[4][5] This was named Impression-X.[4] In 2004 it was explained that the process of 32-bitting was being complicated partly because of "the massive number of optimisation and 'tricks' Computer Concepts used".[6] In 2005, Drobe editor Chris Williams suggested handing the project over to another party to complete.[7] After only another 10 years, Impression-X was released in May 2015, and is now available from the PlingStore.[8]

Features

A document loader for Impression files was included with the 2.60 release of desktop publishing application Ovation Pro in 2000.[9][10]

The software was copy protected via a dongle [11], however this was removed in later releases.

gollark: If the software updates are made on a different continent and you can apply them in less than about 50ms, you don't even need the time travel - just transmit them directly to your computer via a trans-crustal neutrino beam. Neutrinos travel only very slightly slower than light, and can take a more direct path because they don't interact much with matter, while the fibre-optic lines for internet traffic only let light go at 0.6c or something, and use less direct paths, and have routing overhead.
gollark: You did not specify that they were stolen from evil people, and possibly yes.
gollark: I'm not an EVILDOER!!!!!
gollark: See, it's important to download and install security patches as soon as possible to minimize the amount of time you go around with insecure software with vulnerabilities now known to everyone. But my internet connection is slow. So the solution is simple - download the software updates after release, then send them back in time to a few hours before release and apply them then.
gollark: The osmarks.tk closed timelike curve has a lot of spare capacity, we mostly use it to speed up software updates.

References
  1. "Impression 20 years ago". Risc World. 2009. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  2. Michael Lockwood (1996). Opportunities for English in the Primary School. Trentham Books. p. 124. ISBN 978-1-85856-046-5.
  3. Mellor, Phil (23 March 2007). "An arbitrary number of possibly influential RISC OS things". The Icon Bar. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  4. Williams. Chris (4 Oct 2003). "X-Ample touts 32bit Impression". Drobe. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  5. Goodwin, Richard (4 October 2003). "Impression DTP - the return". The Icon Bar. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  6. Williams. Chris (30 Oct 2004). "Dude, where's my Impression-X?". Drobe. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  7. Williams. Chris (15 March 2005). "Light at end of Impression-X tunnel". Drobe. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  8. Hudd, Vince M (5 May 2015). "Impression-X on !Store and in Holland". RISCOSitory. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  9. Williams. Chris (24 November 2000). "OvationPro Publisher Pack: Drobe looks at the new features of the DTP". Drobe. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  10. Previous Drobe article published 24 November 2000
  11. Tomkinson, Mike (November 1997). "Hardware on the move". Acorn User. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
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