# Arculator

> freeware Acorn Archimedes emulator for Windows and Linux

**Wikidata**: [Q100995729](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100995729)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/arculator

## Summary  
Arculator is a freeware emulator for the Acorn Archimedes computer, allowing users to run RISC OS software on Windows and Linux systems. It enables access to legacy Acorn software and development environments without original hardware. As free software, it supports community-driven modification and distribution.

## Key Facts  
- Arculator is classified as both an emulator and free software.  
- It emulates the Acorn Archimedes, a computer that originally ran RISC OS.  
- Supports Windows and Linux operating systems as host platforms.  
- Available at the official website: http://b-em.bbcmicro.com/arculator/  
- Distributed under terms that allow users to freely run, study, modify, and redistribute it.  
- Related to RISC OS, which was first released in 1987.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Arculator used for?  
A: Arculator is used to emulate the Acorn Archimedes computer, enabling users to run RISC OS software on modern Windows or Linux machines. It preserves access to legacy applications and development tools originally designed for Acorn hardware.

### Q: Is Arculator free to use and modify?  
A: Yes, Arculator is free software. Users can freely run, study, modify, and distribute both the original and modified versions of the emulator.

### Q: Which operating systems does Arculator support?  
A: Arculator runs on Windows and Linux. It emulates RISC OS, the operating system originally developed for the Acorn Archimedes.

## Why It Matters  
Arculator plays a vital role in digital preservation by providing continued access to software and systems from the Acorn Archimedes era. The Acorn Archimedes was notable for being one of the first computers to use the ARM architecture and featured the advanced RISC OS operating system. As physical hardware becomes obsolete and harder to maintain, Arculator ensures that educational resources, historical programs, and development tools remain accessible to enthusiasts, researchers, and developers. By running on widely-used modern platforms like Windows and Linux, it bridges the gap between legacy computing environments and contemporary systems, supporting retrocomputing communities and fostering continued interest in British computer history.

## Notable For  
- Being a dedicated freeware emulator for the Acorn Archimedes, a historically significant ARM-based computer.  
- Supporting cross-platform usage on both Windows and Linux, increasing accessibility.  
- Enabling emulation of RISC OS, an innovative operating system from the late 1980s.  
- Classification as free software, encouraging open collaboration and long-term sustainability.  

## Body  
### Overview  
Arculator is a software emulator designed to replicate the functionality of the Acorn Archimedes, a line of personal computers developed by Acorn Computers Ltd. These machines were among the first to utilize the ARM architecture and ran the RISC OS operating system.

### Technical Details  
- **Emulated System**: Acorn Archimedes  
- **Operating Systems Emulated**: RISC OS  
- **Host Platforms Supported**: Windows, Linux  
- **Software Category**: Emulator, Free Software  

### Availability and Distribution  
Arculator is distributed as free software. This means users have the freedom to execute, copy, distribute, study, and modify the software. It is hosted at:  
[http://b-em.bbcmicro.com/arculator/](http://b-em.bbcmicro.com/arculator/)  

### Relation to RISC OS  
RISC OS, originally developed by Acorn Computers in 1987, was built around reduced instruction set computing principles and was tightly integrated with the hardware of the Archimedes series. Arculator allows users to experience and develop for this operating system without needing original hardware.  

### Community Impact  
As part of the broader retrocomputing movement, Arculator contributes to preserving computing history. Its open licensing model encourages contributions from developers and helps maintain compatibility with old software titles and development kits.