Interview - Interview with Sergei and Andrei Zonov Larchenko (developers of computer "Scorpion")
INTERVIEWS
Interview developers computer Scorpio Sergei Zonova and
Andrew Larchenko newspaper ON-LINE.
OldMan> Moscow Machine SCORPION is not particularly popular.
In your opinion, why?
Serge Zonov> I think that's the same reason she was in St.
Petersburg Today the most popular of the Spectrum-compatible
machines. I I mean, first of all, the presence (or absence in
Moscow) more or less complete infrastructure support and
maintenance users as well as a firm that continually promotes a
specific model of computer on the market. Moscow hackers can
with I disagree, believing that Scorpiona have many
shortcomings and that is why he is not as popular in Moscow.
Typically, the arguments are those or other examples
inoperability and incompatibility of the computer with some
demo programs written in the Pentagon and "tuned" by its
technical specifications: the port addresses, a period of
staffing scan, etc. And the Pentagon is just and has been
developed in Moscow actively promoting, as in the city to do it
a lot easier. Although any more or less versed in circuitry and
programming experts agree that the Pentagon is not the best
with these views develop. So it turns out that what I said at
the beginning of the answer to your question, and is the main
reason for the popularity of a computer in a particular region.
Of course, all other factors are also important, but
they are, even in combination, remain in the background. But
despite this, in Moscow, many owners Scorpionov. There is a
club Scorpion, etc., can not be said about Peter and the
Pentagon.
OM> The main problem SCORPIONa - incomplete decoding port # FD.
In St. Petersburg organized a real war with the command OUT (#
FD), A. Could you possibly not the first time to talk about
this trouble: do not perceive your car at all the command or
perceives, but under certain conditions. Moreover, not
Remember to mention the older versions SCORPION ZS.
ZS> hold my opinion that not "incomplete decoding port
# FD ", a more complete (than in the simple ZX128, but not in
the Spectrum 128 +2, +2 A, +3) decoding ports 1FFDh, 7FFDh and
ports AY-8910/12 is the cause of improper conduct computer
when using OUT (# FD), A. In developing the computer was
originally laid, the additional system port having the same
address as in the Spectrum 128 +2, +2 A, +3, and precisely
address 1FFDh. The distribution of digits in this port chosen
as close as possible to the distribution of digits of the Port
Spectrum 128 +2, +2 A, +3.
In the derivation of the port to a shortened at # FDh, at
junior byte address bus arrives code FDh, and the high byte
address bus - the contents of the battery. As in Scorpio in the
upper part of the address decoding involves discharges A15,
A14, and in old versions, and A12 (which was odd), then if you
do not keep track contents of the two most significant bits
accumulator, the command OUT (# FD), A, you can instead of the
desired destination port 7FFDh, fall into either port 1FFDh, or
in ports AY and vice versa. All this will tend to lock up the
computer. Much reliably use the output from the full 16-bit
addressing. And if you just can not do without the commands
with a short addressing what should monitor the contents of the
two bits are the battery so you fell "at".
For some reason, when referring to a shortened AY at
programmers (and mostly all this concerns the Moscow and
Ukrainian programmers) and all, but when accessing a system port
address 7FFDh track only one significant bit of the battery.
The reason for this, in my opinion, lies in the fact that most
of them work at the Pentagon, where there are no additional
system ports, and they do not check how their works on other
computers. All of the above information on sampling conditions
for all I / O port is in the "Guide Users of the Scorpion, in
the "Quick Reference Guide for programmers, in addition, long
walks and sale scheme Scorpio on which all this can be easily
seen.
I want to note once again that there is absolutely no
problem with Port # FD because of his "incomplete" decoding, it
is only necessary to write programs correctly (or use the full
address decoding, or monitor the contents of two bits are the
battery). Additionally, it should be noted that during the
discussions on this topic held in the Spectrum EnLight-96,
agreed with me are recognized in the Spectrum environment
authorities as Stalker and Max Iwamoto.
OM> Admit it, the Scorpion has other problems?
ZS> Absolutely. As in any other computer problems are and
in Scorpio. But they can be divided into two groups:
1. Problems such as: why "the computer crashes, or why he
improperly executed this or that team, and does not work
drive controller.
2. Problems such as: why did he display only 256 points, not
512.
That is, the problem of qualitative characteristics of the
computer as compared with similar models, and compared with
other classes of computers. In my view the serious problems and
shortcomings of the first type in Scorpio there, and the
problems of the second type of course is, and always will,
since here the estimate Users are always subjectively and
assessment criteria are different.
Among the shortcomings and problems of the first type of
which I have heard or read called the following: abnormal
organization of the port FFh, inability to connect additional
devices such as modem, programming and even some "nonsense".
In about port FFh. On the Scorpio it is implemented
completely as well as in ZX 48/128, namely: when referring to
any unrealized physically (ie, does not exist on the parent
board, nor the additional peripheral boards) input port
accesses the port that received "the people" is the name - Port
# FF. This port received the current attributes of the screen
when scan is in the working field (current paper and
ink), or code of FFh, when there is a map of the curb.
The question remains how the computer learns about the
connection of additional ports of entry located on the
peripheral boards? This question for many remains so
misunderstood. Although I have nothing here and did not invent,
and repeated all one to one, as was done in firm ZX Spectrum.
In fact, a very interesting picture is obtained: dozens of
people go on about this or other compatible PC with a brand
ZXSpectrum, often written on this subject the whole didactic
tracts, as then it turns out that the Spectrum they are in the
eye is not seen neither alive nor in the form of the scheme and
therefore do not know, for example, clicking on its bus system
derived signal IORQGE, in addition to signal IORQ. Namely, in
the proper use of these signals and the "crux of the matter"
correct connection of additional peripheral boards as a
corporate ZX-Spectrum. And Scorpio, because in this matter in
Scorpio is repeated all the way thought of Mr. Sinclair, and
nothing new here was not invented yet.
Talking about the correct connection of peripherals, I
I mean, first of all, the uselessness of any pererezok and
modifications of the motherboard circuitry for connecting
peripherals - just put in and everything works without any
conflict. The bottom line is that it is a signal IORQGE and
serves as a signal by which selects all ports on the
motherboard, including the port FF. Signal IORQGE repeats
signal IORQ until not selected any peripheral device. As soon
as you select some peripheral device, it takes control signal
IORQGE, but it puts on this wire logic 1 thereby blocking the
sample of all ports on the motherboard including port and FFh.
Signal IORQGE formed not just as very very simple from the
signal IORQ. And you can do it perfectly on any
Spectrum-compatible computer (except, perhaps, those who
gathered in the main to 155 series), namely: need to break the
wires suitable for 20-pin Z80 (this conclusion IORQ) to include
a resistor 470-560 ohms. After this signal output resistor
connected to a 20-pin Z80 will be named IORQ, a signal to the
opposite conclusion resistor - IORQGE. In addition to the
peripheral devices must be implemented cut-off device on the
wire IORQGE, when the device is not selected, and the filing
logic 1 on the wire IORQGE, when the device is selected.
If we are to discuss the problems of Scorpio, it should be
said about the following errors: incomplete decoding ports
TRDOS - is not on the signal A1 (fixed in the board Turbo +),
more stringent decoding ports AY, as a consequence - not
running digital audio (fixed in the board Turbo +), the correct
period of human clock (20 ms) and therefore , the signal INT -
hence the slow run some programs written for the Pentagon, with
its extended period of the signal INT. Interrupt handler does
not have time to be completed by early next signal INT, and as
a consequence, the program runs two times slower. This defect
is also corrected in Turbo +, although this is wrong. Most
Scorpio is a significant defect and lack of 100% compatibility
with the company ZX-Spectrum on the timing diagram TV-scan,
because of this program that paint any inscription on the curb,
the Scorpio print correctly, these labels do not be. The
elimination of this "defect" results in a significant
complication and appreciation of the scheme, none of the common
variants of Spectrum-compatible PCs is not implemented in
Ckorpione in this regard will not change anything.
OM> And yet, abbreviation of ZS, it is that - delusions of
grandeur? Or you it wanted to emphasize that SCORPION ZS - it
is not SPECTRUM ZX? I even saw somewhere about such a statement
- "... Enjoyed the Spectrum and the scorpion ...", coming true,
not from you ...
ZS> In the unwinding of any commercial project in terms of
output on the market are very important by many factors,
including the positive experience of previous cases. Since my
first development of Leningrad-1 was the most common model of a
family of protozoa Spectrum-compatible computers (with all its
deficiencies), then highlight the fact that Scorpion ZS 256 is
its continuation, development, designed by the same author, I
considered important. "Promotion" Scorpius began absolutely
from scratch without any initial capital, the only thing I had
- it's kind of no fame in the Spectrum environment, and do not
use this fact would, in my view, wrong.
OM> What models of the Spectrum you consider the most
"dangerous" competitors SCORPION'u or at least worthy?
ZS> "dangerous" - no, because the more models, the more
fans at the Spectrum in Russia, the more involved in this
the scope of people, the more the market itself Spectrum theme.
A the appearance of some models exceeding the Scorpion, makes
think about eliminating its shortcomings and eliminate this
advantage. In short - I want to say that healthy competition -
engine of progress. Among the worthy competitors Ckorpiona
should be noted of course "Profi", although it is very
different computers. The tasks set by developers of these
computers, as far as I know, were also different. In Profi
focus placed on professional work in the CP / M, at a
high-quality screen, etc. In Scorpio, most important to me at
development scheme was simple, compatible co Spectrum-ohm focus
primarily on system TRDOS (despite its numerous deficiencies)
and, most importantly, the ability to continuously improve
capabilities of the computer in general for through the
development of software embedded in computer primarily in the
informal service monitor.
OM> From ZX-FORMATa Moscow learned about the existence of
another perspective (at least, since it was presented) version
Spectrum - KAY 256. What do you think about this?
ZS> I find it difficult to talk about the prospects of this
computer, because my opinion is very subjectively. But
nevertheless, I did Say it all.
Certainly "abstruse" philosophy of equity of "Nemo" may give
the impression that KAY-256 is the height of design thought.
Knowing how and by whom designed this computer, I can judge its
capabilities and future prospects. Computer KAY-256 (the name
comes from the name of Spectrum 128k + AY, when it added more
128kBayt and got 256) was born in the throes of creativity
Slava Skutinym (country should know his characters), after he
worked for a year tuner cards in our company, and learned all
the nuances of Scorpio.
Took from him all the best in terms of circuitry, namely:
the scheme of distribution of port addresses, an organization
of 256 Kbytes to IMS 565ru7, the scheme of quartz at 14 MHz for
the computer and the floppy drive controller, the location of
the main chip (thus ensuring the same density wiring as in
Scorpio), system connector, making the board for three size
sockets (actually there are 2, because one is reserved for the
controller FDD, missing on the board) and calling it not a
system connector, a system bus, and changing only the schema TV
scan, reducing the to two the number of shells used in this
site, due to the use of more advanced ICs, it has become to
promote your computer on the market, saying its incomparable
advantages.
Although in my opinion this computer is the obvious
shortcomings: lack of port FF, use to work with the printer
port AY8910 (in principle, it is not so bad, but if you do not
is AY, then there is no printer), the lack of on-board FDD, and
the main drawback - lack of service-monitor which stops the
further improvement of the capabilities of the computer without
changing the circuitry. But it all becomes clear to the user
KAY-256 only after he becomes them. Mr Skutin, advertising
their computer for some reason did not say on the same
page-ZX-Formata (other publications known to me) that he did
not have enough money to split half the costs of developing the
informal service monitor, and deliver it to your computer. In
my opinion, to do so would be to more useful than writing
treatises on community development and apofeticheskih methods
turbirovanie processor, which few people understood.
Personally, I'm in several times to read some articles, but
did not understand. Pleading to those whose opinions I
respect as the opinion of experts, explain to me what it says.
I understood that and they put it mildly, not everything is
clear.
OM> What are you most proud of what you think is ingenious idea
in your development?
Andrew MOA> I beg vstryat in the conversation, since talking
about Sergei somehow immodest. At one time I really Bad scheme
generator, power supply and processor and disk controller, and
a large field of metallized holes on board for technical
creativity. Convenient, in my opinion, and come up with
nothing.
OM> Let's talk about the shadow screen ... You saw the
monitor-debugger STS? My opinion - STS order of magnitude
steeper than TM as the interface, so and according to their
functional abilities, in particular, it is much quickly trace.
Why do not you try to "outrun" STS?
AM> However, the view was not confirmed by specific examples
... A Seriously, let's first understand who, what and why
needed.
From the outset, an integrated debugger (and its volume is
relatively all embedded software is now
somewhere around 20-30%) thought to debug their own
programs and to depart from this principle, we do not want to.
Other case - the interface. Here I have to agree. The new user
interface has already been invented and is compatible with the
current, but All is not enough time.
Oh, and everything else, why take away someone else's bread?
If you professional capabilities and built-in debugger (by the
way, bought with your computer or (as the count?), free annex),
then you can buy the STS and use it. Who forbids? By the way, I
plan to implement something like "remote" or the hardware
debugging - it is a partial answer to the following question.
Specifically about the "fast lane" STS - all the time, to
the debugger, again, in my opinion, you need some compiler with
anything. After all, nice to debug their programs as source
code ...
ZS> I want to note also that moment that any changes, and
the more drastic (such as to make the Shadow Monitor)
in new ways, with a powerful user interface, steeper and STS
etc. - All of these changes require a significant investment of
time and therefore money. So always have to make a choice: what
is most important to date on what is necessary to work in the
first place? Moreover, to rely not only the opinion of
well-trained hackers, but also listen to the tens and hundreds
of end users from different regions of our country.
So, on the basis of this integrated view, we believe in
Today our primary task as quickly as possible
progress of work on the controller HDD, for writing various
service programs, the shells (yes so much more you can think
of). In my view the emergence of HDD, that works well in
TR-DOS, iS-DOS and other systems will give new impetus to the
development Spectrum in Russia.
At present, work on the HDD in the process of preparation of
detailed documentation on working with hard drive and a new
version ProfPZU. This will take 1-2 weeks plus 2 weeks to pay
the debts that have accumulated since the summer to sell
motherboards Controllers HDD. And then - please, can be freely
order controller either with us or through Inforkom.
Moreover, we have decided to change our marketing policy and
do everything possible to ensure that our Prof.PZU (from version
4.0) could work at all Scorpion-ah as the Turbo and non Turbo,
a "left" and "right".
Will work Prof.PZU - can be used in HDD
TR-DOS, etc. In addition, we plan to give a Inforkom
Article on how to remake other Spectrum-s, so that at
They could work with TM ProfPZU. Again, these can be
connect the controller HDD. Controller itself is
multifunctional. It is IBM slot that allows you to connect
various IBM peripherals, such as the HAYES-modems,
SoundBlaster-s etc. In addition to this socket is provided for
setting the clock real-time, set IC NVRAM for storing custom
settings on your computer, etc.
OM> Shadow monitor, as you say - the best tool for
professional. In this case, I'm not a programmer, and
a hacker-cracker - to protect its program of TM is not easy, but
very simple. MAGIC BUTTON even more powerful means of hacking.
Fully protect yourself from MAGIC can only ever holding a stack
of at the beginning of RAM, that not every maker on the forces,
and some machines, particularly the Pentagon, it is easy to
cope with this perversion. Do you, as I understood completely
ruled out the possibility of using the function MAGIC. Do you
have the desire to build ROM in a completely independent
procedure "will dump on drive? Just do not say you respect the
Copyright and hack someone else's program is not good ... In
anticipating that, firstly, if the defense does not break, they
develop, and no one will (not want to look like so that the
Spectrum poorly in this issue). And secondly, in my opinion,
hacking and analysis of professional programs - the best
teaching method for beginners.
AM> The best tool for professionals - bright minds burdened
with deep expertise in his field of interest. As these
knowledge extracted? Question whose answer is ambiguous and can
vary from dispositions and capacities of the individual. I
think that now, when so much is available and special
okolospetsialnoy literature when you can get access to the
algorithms and source code, just anything, "hacking" gradually
fades into the background - is the analysis.
Breaking the protection is probably necessary, but do not
forget about "Direct" problem - the programming, but it will
have nothing to defend. Not without reason, an increasing
number of global companies refuse to "Direct" to protect their
programs, shifting those functions to other parts of the
project. By the way, we really respect the copyright. A small
digression - usually, "neglect" lasts as long as the fact that
most of these thefts Copyright has not touched you personally,
then everything falls into place.
OM> close within the meaning of the question ... Why are you so
persistently refuse the opportunity at any time to change the
configuration of your computer? Simply put, why not put a
button press which "turns" Scorpion ZS in the standard Spectrum
ZX, benefit they are very similar ... It is no secret - many on
their own, make such revision, which actually does not matter
...
ZS> First of all, we do not reject this possibility. In the new
developments and try to embody this idea. Just one of the
problems of any production is also a certain awkwardness,
which, in turn, caused by the need ensure the stability of the
company. In our plans for new models of the Scorpion to make an
additional position in the menu to switch off additional ports
without disabling the shadow of the monitor. For users of older
versions of the computer, we plan to produce custom branded LSI
installation where the user of his old Scorpio gets modern with
all the new additional features.
OM> I think the use of RST8 - not a good idea (it mildly) ...
Prove the converse
AM> better to offer an alternative. Actually, it is not our
idea, and the idea of Sir Sinclair. So complaining to him.
It is through the RST 8 calls the system resource
Intreface One. I would like to organize a full emulation of the
device (at the level of file calls), but our hacker so
assiduously set about adapting, that did not want to waste
time.
We are aware of, and by the way, warn everyone that using
RST 8 programmer "binds" its program to your computer. But, for
professional programmers is not a problem - release various
versions are not difficult (if not, then perhaps talking about
professionalism is too early). For starters, the same users, it
seems to me, it's not bad Support - something, such as custom
libraries supplied to systems programming.
To date, under the RST 8 introduced several new challenges
concerning the management of computer equipment - HDD controller
eg. How to implement it on another? In addition,
expanded range of semiconductors to support operating systems.
OM> Scorpion ZS - one of the cars with extended memory. Why the
same so humiliatingly little programs that use this advantage
(Adaptation of games under 256 KB, in my opinion - nonsense),
do not you interested in this?
ZS> Knowing how in our country "valued" copyright software
ensuring we are not entertained (and still do not harbor) no
illusions about the emergence of a large number of programs
using 256 KB. The main purpose of the additional memory - meet
the needs of the informal service monitor without using the
main 128 KB.
OM> Will there be a Scorpion 512 (> = 1024)
SZ> Work in this direction are underway. Since there is not 100%
certainty than they run, we did about it and do not tell. You
can make anything, but how much will it cost for the end user
and want whether it is available - here the main question. So,
what we're working, will be of a board with Memory capacity up
to 2.5 MB graphics 640 * 400/200, built-in timer and interrupt
controller and other "twists". But perhaps none of this and
will not be released because it is not known yet exactly how it
is economically feasible. And, in our opinion, is far more
important to support new developments of existing computers
than develop new ones.
OM> You already have implemented the hard drive on the
Scorpion. Clyshal business for small - software support. Do you
have this difficulty? If yes, contact via ON-Line with a call
for help ... Specifically, tell me what you need and what you
can offer for this work.
SZ> You imagine wrong problem. In your opinion is it that we
finally have a controller board HDD, and now how do I write
under this board software. Everything is just different.
Software support for HDD worked for over two years and only now
have a working options. Had previously been tried in practice
and several schemes and support MFM-HDD, ie those options,
which only now are conversations, in particular on pages
ZX-Revue. No us in this work, unfortunately, will not be able
to help. Today we are like I have said, during the preparation
of documentation, verify the functionality of our controller
with different models of IDE-drives, operating time service
program supports HDD, etc. Do not really want to go to market
with the raw, undocumented, product, and without detailed
documentation work will be virtually impossible. Who waited for
two years, I hope wait a little longer.
AM> Unfortunately, "software" industry on the ZX-Spectrum
does not develop as we would like, and not as accustomed
operate the system and application programmers on other
platforms. I could not get a decent compiler with assembler
(when I started, and now the texts of the Shadow Monitor in any
of the existing simply vlezut) was not a library program: all
had (and have) written from scratch, starting with "independent
poll keyboard "and ending with emulators and simulation of the
system).
OM> I have long ago there was a crazy idea - to realize the
hard drive hardware ban on writing to disk. This significantly
facilitate the fight against software viruses, which I'm sure
there will be a proliferation of "dope." What do you think
about this?
SZ> Pure hardware - for IDE-HDD is impossible, or rather a very
cumbersome, and software and hardware is quite real. Since our
version of HDD controller goes through all the management of
TM, then This problem is easily solved by adding the line in
the menu on the monitor. To the extent necessary - time will
tell, but certainly over the it is worth considering.
AM> And in general, noted that less talk and wait for viruses
so they do less ...
OM> Make advertising Scorpio briefly but impressively Explain
users why they need a Scorpion?
SZ> If we turn to those potential users who want to work in the
Spectrum-compatible environment, then I told them I say the
following, in my opinion the most important: you should opt for
the Scorpio, if only because it is the only computer on today,
which on the one hand standard released, and the other -
constantly evolving and improving. This applies to both
hardware (the introduction of Turbo mode, the increase in
volume up to 512kB ROM, the emergence of new controllers:
IBM-keyboard, mouse, HDD, and integrated software security:
increasing the service functions built into the ROM computer).
If you trace the unfolding of various Spectrum-compatible
computers for the last 2-3 years, you do not can not agree with
me.
OM> If you do not mind, we conclude the topic Scorpion ZS.
Unexpected Question: What do you think about electronic media
on the Spectrum that you've seen?
AM> In general - not bad, just a diva at times give much of
their already there! Or divorced?
OM> Can you say anything about the network in Moscow ZXNET?
AM> Unfortunately, no. I know it only by hearsay, which
sometimes reach me at FIDO networks and the Internet.
OM> That's on a sad note, we shall conclude the interview ....
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Interview - Interview with Sergei and Andrei Zonov Larchenko (developers of computer "Scorpion")
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