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`!RISC OS Open Ltd.`! (also referred to as `!ROOL`!)`:cite-ref-drobe-ansen-2007-1-0[`F5bf`_`[1`#cite-note-drobe-ansen-2007-1]`_`f]`:cite-ref-osnews-2-0[`F5bf`_`[2`#cite-note-osnews-2]`_`f] is a `F33f`_`[limited company`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Private_company_limited_by_guarantee]`_`f engaged in `F33f`_`[computer software`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Computer_software]`_`f and `F33f`_`[IT consulting`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=IT_consulting]`_`f.`:cite-ref-3[`F5bf`_`[3`#cite-note-3]`_`f] It is managing the process of publishing the `F33f`_`[source code`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Source_code]`_`f to `F33f`_`[RISC OS`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=RISC_OS]`_`f.`:cite-ref-4[`F5bf`_`[4`#cite-note-4]`_`f] Company founders include staff who formerly worked for `F33f`_`[Pace`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Pace_plc]`_`f, the company which acquired RISC OS after `F33f`_`[Acorn's demise`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=History_of_RISC_OS]`_`f.`:cite-ref-5[`F5bf`_`[5`#cite-note-5]`_`f]

The source code publication was initially facilitated by a shared source initiative (SSI) between ROOL and `F33f`_`[Castle Technology`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Castle_Technology]`_`f (CTL),`:cite-ref-6[`F5bf`_`[6`#cite-note-6]`_`f] prior to a switch to the more widely recognised `F33f`_`[Apache licence`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Apache_Licence]`_`f in October 2018.`:cite-ref-7[`F5bf`_`[7`#cite-note-7]`_`f] ROOL hopes that by making the RISC OS source code available for free it will help stimulate development of both the RISC OS source code and the platform as a whole.`:cite-ref-8[`F5bf`_`[8`#cite-note-8]`_`f]`:cite-ref-9[`F5bf`_`[9`#cite-note-9]`_`f]

>>Contents

• `F0af`_`[Operations`#operations]`_`f

• `F0af`_`[Publishing`#publishing]`_`f

• `F0af`_`[Forum`#forum]`_`f

• `F0af`_`[References`#references]`_`f

-─

>>Operations

ROOL set initial goals to make the source code easily available (on the `F33f`_`[web`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Www]`_`f), and also to establish a `F33f`_`[wiki`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Wiki]`_`f, `F33f`_`[forum`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Internet_forum]`_`f and `F33f`_`[bug tracker`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Bug_tracker]`_`f.`:cite-ref-10[`F5bf`_`[10`#cite-note-10]`_`f] These have been available since December 2006.`:cite-ref-11[`F5bf`_`[11`#cite-note-11]`_`f]

Operations exist to facilitate tasks related to ROOL's goals. Additionally, staff undertake development work on the code themselves. Since early 2009, ownership, development and sales of the `F33f`_`[Acorn C/C++`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Acorn_C/C++]`_`f tools were transferred to RISC OS Open.`:cite-ref-12[`F5bf`_`[12`#cite-note-12]`_`f] As an extension to the initial goals, in 2011 ROOL introduced a `F33f`_`[bounty`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Open_source_bounty]`_`f scheme to encourage further development.`:cite-ref-13[`F5bf`_`[13`#cite-note-13]`_`f]

Attendance at RISC OS `F33f`_`[computer shows`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Computer_show]`_`f is often arranged, with other knowledgeable coders sometimes standing in when ROOL staff are unavailable.`:cite-ref-iconbar-retro-reunited-14-0[`F5bf`_`[14`#cite-note-iconbar-retro-reunited-14]`_`f] A `F33f`_`[Facebook page`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Facebook_page]`_`f and `F33f`_`[Twitter`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Twitter]`_`f feed was created in 2012 to communicate events via social media.`:cite-ref-riscosopen-facebook-15-0[`F5bf`_`[15`#cite-note-riscosopen-facebook-15]`_`f]`:cite-ref-riscosopen-twitter-16-0[`F5bf`_`[16`#cite-note-riscosopen-twitter-16]`_`f]

>>>Publishing

A number of book titles have been published starting in 2015 with the RISC OS Style Guide, a three book set in support of the Desktop Development Environment, BBC BASIC Reference Manual and the RISC OS 5 User Guide.

>>>Forum

Online discussions take place on the forum. Developers can seek technical assistance with writing software, debugging, and `F33f`_`[porting`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Porting]`_`f the operating system to new hardware. End users can seek assistance with applications, `F33f`_`[emulation`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Emulator]`_`f, and enquiries of a more general nature. A common area exists to make announcements that are broadly related to the theme of RISC OS, and discussion of future `F33f`_`[wish list`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Wish_list]`_`f features or applications.

>>References

`:cite-note-drobe-ansen-2007-1`!1.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-drobe-ansen-2007-1-0]`_`f `:citerefhansen2007`aHansen, Martin (21 July 2007). "RISC OS Open: One year on". `*`F33f`_`[Drobe`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Drobe]`_`f`*. Retrieved 13 August 2012.

`:cite-note-osnews-2`!2.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-osnews-2-0]`_`f `:citerefholwerda2008`aHolwerda, Thom (10 December 2008). "RISCOS Ltd Might Take Legal Action Against RISC OS Open Ltd". `*`F33f`_`[OSNews`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=OSNews]`_`f`*. Retrieved 13 August 2012.

`:cite-note-3`!3.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-3]`_`f "About us: RISC OS Open Limited FAQ". RISC OS Open. Retrieved 22 February 2011. RISC OS Open Limited (ROOL) [...] can author software for an existing hardware design or develop a complete hardware and software solution.

`:cite-note-4`!4.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-4]`_`f "Welcome". RISC OS Open. Retrieved 3 January 2020. RISC OS Open (ROOL) is an organisation run on a largely voluntary basis. We are managing the process of publishing the source code to RISC OS [...]

`:cite-note-5`!5.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-5]`_`f "Ex-Pace staff back RISC OS Open Ltd". `*Drobe`*. 9 July 2006. Retrieved 24 February 2011. As a divisional director, Richard Nicoll, of Ely, Cambridgeshire, oversaw the 'information appliance division' in Cambridge at Pace. [...] RISC OS Open director and company secretary Steve Revill owns a 20% stake in RISC OS Open, as do each of fellow ex-Pace and ex-Tematic engineers Ben Avison and Andrew Hodgkinson [...]

`:cite-note-6`!6.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-6]`_`f "Castle and ROS Open reveal plans for 2007". `*Drobe`*. 20 January 2007. Retrieved 22 February 2011. [...] the shared source initiative - which is designed to get the source code to RISC OS 5 out into the open for free [...]

`:cite-note-7`!7.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-7]`_`f "RISC OS is open for business!". RISC OS Open. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2020. RISC OS Open Ltd (ROOL) are hugely proud to [...] republish the source code to this popular niche operating system under the Apache 2.0 License, in a move aimed at removing existing barriers to entry for developers [...]

`:cite-note-8`!8.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-8]`_`f `:citerefcartmell2007`aCartmell, John (Summer 2007). "Interview". `*Qercus`*. No. 283. `F33f`_`[Finnybank Ltd`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Acorn_User]`_`f. We really want to stimulate development both in and around RISC OS

`:cite-note-9`!9.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-9]`_`f `:citerefsmith2008`aSmith, Louie (November 2008). "Interview". `*RISC OS Now`*. No. 9. [RISC OS Now]. The whole project is based on the fundamental premise that the software will die out if there are no developers.

`:cite-note-10`!10.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-10]`_`f `:citerefcartmell2006`aCartmell, John (2006). "News". `*Qercus`*. No. 278. `F33f`_`[Finnybank Ltd`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Acorn_User]`_`f. According to Steve Revill at the South East Show, RISC OS Open Ltd. has been formed to achieve a number of goals: Provide an interface for people to get at the source code of RISC OS; Manage developer forums; Manage a faults database; Provide a wiki for people to contribute to

`:cite-note-11`!11.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-11]`_`f "News: Official new site announcement". RISC OS Open. Retrieved 18 May 2011. RISC OS Open are pleased to announce that their new web site has now gone live.

`:cite-note-12`!12.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-12]`_`f "News in brief". `F33f`_`[Drobe`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Drobe]`_`f. 4 May 2009. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2011. RISC OS Open has taken over sales of the Acorn C/C++ development suite, known as the Norcroft compiler, which is used to build RISC OS.

`:cite-note-13`!13.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-13]`_`f "Bounties". RISC OS Open. Retrieved 16 May 2011. The RISC OS Open bounty scheme allows the community to sponsor development of features and fixes in RISC OS.

`:cite-note-iconbar-retro-reunited-14`!14.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-iconbar-retro-reunited-14-0]`_`f `:citerefmellor-phil2009`aMellor, Phil (14 September 2009). "Retro Reunited and Acorn World 2009". `*`F33f`_`[The Icon Bar`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=The_Icon_Bar]`_`f`*. Retrieved 28 September 2011. [...] talk was by Robert Sprowson who was representing RISC OS Open Ltd.

`:cite-note-riscosopen-facebook-15`!15.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-riscosopen-facebook-15-0]`_`f "RISC OS Open on Facebook". RISC OS Open. 5 March 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2012.

`:cite-note-riscosopen-twitter-16`!16.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-riscosopen-twitter-16-0]`_`f "Keeping up to date". RISC OS Open. 4 March 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2023.

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