PipeDream productivity suite tested on Acorn Archimedes running RISC OS
While the underlying hardware and operating system have achieved lasting legacy, the software is described as disorienting and limited by its rigid character-based layout engine.
A recent review examines PipeDream, a unified productivity application combining word processing, spreadsheet, and database functions, running on the Acorn Archimedes computer with RISC OS. The software, developed by Mark Colton, rejects standard computing conventions by using a single cell-based layout for all tasks. While the hardware, which utilises an ARM processor, and the operating system have achieved lasting legacy, the software is described as disorienting, unintuitive, and limited by its rigid character-based layout engine, particularly regarding text editing and file management.
The review identifies specific UI idiosyncrasies inherent to the RISC OS environment, such as the three-button mouse where the 'Adjust' button function remains unclear to users, and the requirement to type full file paths without directory assistance. PipeDream's text handling is described as problematic; text overflows cell boundaries until a manual 'row wrap marker' is hit, and edits disrupting text flow across rows are not immediately reflected in the UI due to graphic glitches.
The software lacks standard cut/copy/paste for arbitrary strings; users are restricted to cell-level selection, meaning they cannot select individual words within a cell without using a pop-out formula editor. The spreadsheet functionality is noted as robust, featuring complex mathematical functions including matrix math and hyperbolic arc cosecant, as well as real-time database query capabilities that update charts instantly.
Mark Colton, the developer, passed away in August 1995 following a racing accident. His father, Richard, open-sourced PipeDream shortly before his own death in 2015. The software is currently maintained by Stewart Swales, a former Acorn employee and Colton Software lead developer. The review notes that while Colton envisioned a future where productivity apps were part of the OS, the specific implementation in PipeDream created new barriers rather than removing them, leading to a conclusion that the vision was not fully successful from an end-user perspective.
Despite the usability challenges, the suite represents a unique attempt to eliminate the boundaries between different productivity tools. The review highlights that while the developer held fast to this particular line of exploration through five major releases, the amalgamation of these productivity apps ultimately resulted in a slate of new barriers forged in that alliance. The author concludes that while they appreciate the effort and the unique vision, the solution of grafting all software into one uber-application does not serve the end-user as well as intelligent file link management would.
The Acorn Archimedes line ultimately never sold particularly well, with a 1991 shareholder report citing an installed base of over 150,000 units, a fraction of the Amiga line's sales. However, the ARM processor defined by the Archimedes line has achieved ubiquity well beyond the life of the company that commissioned it, powering everything from smartphones to modern servers.
