Don’t worry – these are the good kind, not the dangerous ones depicted in some sci-fi movies!
Another announcement has come out from the direction of RISC OS Developments, this time bringing news of an updated and enhanced version of their TCP/IP stack – which some people might find particularly useful this very weekend at the London Show if they still have time to install it this close to the event!
And because it is this close to the event, and the RISCOSitory bunker is in chaos as I try to ready things for my Soft Rock Software stand, here’s the company’s press release in full:
RISC OS Developments is pleased to announce the release of an enhance edition of its TCP/IP stack with Wi-Fi, which is now available to download from the Projects page at www.riscosdev.com
The new edition makes significant enhancements to the Wi-Fi capabilities as well as improving the new NetManager software which handles both wired and wireless network connections in the desktop.
The headline new feature is support for Wi-Fi portals, used by many hotels and restaurants (and even some routers and consumer products) to introduce a web-based login step for Wi-Fi connections. In some case, this will be as simple as a “Welcome” page with terms and conditions – in others it will require a full web login.
Either way, the new stack is now aware of this, and without it, you won’t be able to get a functioning Wi-Fi connection. The new Portal-Aware stack will detect when a service is using a portal, and automatically take you to the launch (login) page.
If Iris is present it will be used in preference to other default RISC OS browsers because many login pages rely on JavaScript to complete the sign in process, and “unlock” the Wi-Fi. Attempting to use a more limited browser would fail to complete the steps needed.
Even if you’re using the new stack in your home, without needing portal support, the new version is significantly more robust, and the NetManager software has received a lot of improvements, enhancements and fixes. We’ve introduced a new visual UI for handling Hosts files, and have begun work on interface prioritisation if you have both wired and wireless connections.
Automatic profile handling is also improved, to ensure that you get the right connection wherever you may be.
Finally, you can now easily switch between the older “classic” RISC OS network configuration or the new NetManager UI via the Network configuration in !Boot.
And, as (almost) always, no reboots required!