With pleasure we can announce that IMP of DMS / RUSH also
agreed to send an article. And very useful!
IMP / DREAMAKERS / RUSH
RICH also cry!
-----------------------
All have long known about problems arising because of small
differences in domestic Spectrum from their branded
counterparts (basically, the problem of synchronization of the
image). But few people think about what our problems (SNGshnye)
coders to create users of corporate machines. Told me about
this well-known in our area JORDAN of EXODUS (Poland). Here I
translated an excerpt from his letter:
... We have a lot of problems with all software from the former
Soviet Union. All this from Due to a number of differences from
the original PENTAGON SPECCY. Firstly, PENTAGON no SLOW RAM
(slow memory), and secondly, almost All owners of this machine
using port # FD to switch memory banks are not setting the
second bit of 'A' register. Of course we do everything we can
and try to adapt all the programs that we receive from the CIS,
for normal work on the more popular models in Western Europe
than 2 or 128 +. May be you do not know this, but Spectrum 128
+ and 2 are not popular with 1988, when the light appeared
Model 3, +2 A and +2 V. In these Spectrum versions of the
second bit must be set if you want switch the bank. This also
applies to Timex'a, SCORPION'a and DIDAKTIK M case. Of course
this is small change (the second bit) is not harm the normal
operation of programs at 128 + and +2. Everything will work
just fine. The next question, as I wrote, it's no SLOW RAM. If
you want your program to work at full speed on the original
Spectrum, the place the time-eating code (zhruschy time code)
only in FAST RAM (Fast RAM). The same thing should be done and
the table of interrupts. And now I'll write you a particular
'hardware' of some computers that have been named by me earlier.
In +3 / 2 A / 2 V/128 + / 2 clock frequency in FAST RAM is
equal to 3.5469 MHz. In SLOW RAM is equal to 2.6602 MHz (nearly
25% slower than FAST). Further, in the +3 / +2 A / +2 B FAST
RAM in pages 0,1,2,3 and SLOW RAM in 4,5,6,7. In 128 + / +2
FAST RAM to the page 0,2,4,6 and SLOW RAM in 1,3,5,7.
Unfortunately, that's not all 'Surprises' for you. In models 3
/ +2 A / +2 In all the 'block' mnemonics (such as LDIR, etc.)
when sending data between SLOW and FAST memory, with nearly 10%
faster than the 128 + and +2. And finally, while ULA chip
builds the upper, left, right and bottom BORDER, all the
mnemonics in SLOW RAM run at full speed. Everything is a little
weird, is not it? And finally, I will write a memory card (I
think all of you to it, and so you know, but still ...)
# C000-# FFFF banks 0-7 FAST and SLOW
# 8000 - # BFFF Bank 2 always FAST
# 4000 - # 7FFF Bank 5 is always SLOW
# 0000 - # 3FFF ROM 0-3 is always FAST
Number LDIR in between interruptions (due to the SLOW SLOW
RAM):
y 2 A / +2 B +3 = 3017
y +2 / 128 = 2698
y 48/TIMEX2128 = 2622
.....
For the 'gifted' I will explain the meaning of the
foregoing. Large Part of what is happening at the Pentagon on
branded machines, or do not work at all or not 'ONE FRAME' (ie
does not fit one interruption). So make your choice, gentlemen,
programmers - or You dovolstvuetes local scene, or accept the
'Game', and perhaps soon the European scene will be at your
feet! I note that our (DMS / LAVE / RUSH) demo 'MENTAL
MASTURBATION ',' VIBRATIONS ',' ECSTASY 'has found its audience
(Unfortunately, all but 'VIBRATIONS' walked the same subject
violence, ie adapted).
I can not help noting that the recent interest in our
the scene has grown considerably. And it's no wonder - where
else as not in the CIS there is a lot of GAME and DEMO makers
for SPECCY? By the way, sinkleristy 'from behind a hill' is
hoteli to have our games UFO 1,2, DOOM, etc. But,
unfortunately, our dear game-makers nor how many are not
interested in supporting overseas software market, but in vain!
... I understand that the games matter The situation is not
easy, but here as a demo, where compatibility problems are most
severe, then the output is. And it is simple as all brilliant -
enough to test the 'iron' and reconfigure the effects of a
given type of machine, naturally, something that will not look
as luxurious as it would seem well such as the Pentagon. And of
course, have to forget about MULTICOLOR'e, because set it
under the brand name machine with no it, I do not really.
.....
Now we'll share my impressions of ENLIGHT'96 demo party.
Grand concourse Spectrum Elite! (FLASHers, you will not regret
having missed it?) I was most pleased with the people arrived
in St. Petersburg (thanks to all who have believed nonsense
nobody JOKER that people will be very small and etc.), the
abundance of mental contact, as well as unmatched amigovsky
flick made DEE'MON'om of LOOKERS HOUSE. I did not like a trend
emerging in spekrumovskih demo - the effects are not ONEFRAME.
Not that the effects are bad, but it was too all it pIsI
recalls. Although this is certainly a matter of taste and of
taste, as you know, do not argue. By the way, all connoisseurs
of quality demo in 1997 will be a surprise in the form of a new
project RUSH 'BRAIN SURGERY '. These are the pies!
;-------------------------------------------------
-------------; Editorial Comment:
Thank you, IMP! Been waiting for such information.
Many users and programmers still do not understand the whole
seriousness of the problems highlighted in this article. They
are much sharper than it appears at first glance. Just have
some people look not extends beyond their village or town,
then, Europe and Sea users branded, or just machines with
separate fields of memory, they do not notice. This is stupid
and insulting.
Recently, we saw that odyn programmyst began to use
to switch the page # 01 port (randomly once remarked in
One of the new demos of games)! Is not the top do not know what
(The right words do not come to mind)? Where to go, lads?
What about fixing the multicolor under the brand name, and
under any another machine, then there is no special problem. At
skilful approach course. Enough in the program to embed a bit
of manual customizer for a specific machine. Usually required
to put only the beginning of the screen and the length of one
line (about the last reason is usually forgotten) in tact.
Somewhat more complicated is the case to curb the effects of
fixation. This problem, we may be addressed in the next room.
