Andrew Savichev
∙ The Evolution of the Spectrum in Russia ∙
To imagine the future, people are inquisitive peers into
past. Who does not know a word about that, "if you shoot in
back from the gun, the future will shoot at you from a cannon. "
History has a practical significance, not only to clarify
"what is good and what is bad", but also because,
analyzing the past, we can reveal the mysterious veil
future.
Period of "storm and stress"
Spectrum appeared in Russia, like Napoleon at the walls of
Moscow. But the Soviet people in unison have given their heart
and soul this "foreign invaders".
The first stage of the history of the Spectrum in Russia -
the romantic period "Storm and stress". Chronologically, it
lasted from 1987 to 1991. Ending it is associated with the
collapse of the Soviet empire. Here Many will object to me that
the events of public history in no way connected with the
history of technology, computers, Spectrum.
Would not want to be distracted from the main topic, but how
else? It seems that the world of Spectrum - is primarily a
world of people, it inhabit. People, their ideas, their
aspirations, their faith and perseverance in reaching goals,
and their cohesion (Or divisions), their creativity - that
before only determines the dynamics of population size
spektrumistov.
No technology, no matter how perfect, can not affect
itself on its history. Then, when it ceases
"Attract" people to him, then finishes and its history,
it becomes "dead" and goes to collections and museums.
Features of the Soviet people in the late 80's provided
meteoric rise of Spectrum-48 in the USSR. And not only the best
features, but also the worst, now universally blame foreign and
despised, contributed to the success (and no one knows yet
which ones are more degree). Of the positive qualities of
people at that time called educated, inquisitive mind, skillful
hands, the presence of free time, teamwork. American "reach for
the neighbor John "- was nothing compared to" all the Soviet
people, as one man ... "Confirmation of this - our current
young days, when American rule "does not work" on "our soil".
Of the negative - the famous "you're the boss here, not a
guest Bring the plant every nail "(for very young explain that
"Pilferers with technical education" carried with numerous
"Boxes" of scarce radio parts "for themselves and that guy"). A
Other "technical geniuses" using work time, which
no one was controlled, for the benefit of the Spectrum and for
themselves, breadboard and drew diagrams, bred and produced
printed circuit boards, filled the documentation for the EU and
the SM computers. Not possible that the first programs for
Spectrum born on these computing monsters (or at least
something like codes crowded and sewed on the programming,
"Electronics-60).
It is paradoxical but true: most of the Spectrum-48 were
"Samizdat"! In the absence of any companies that manufacture
Spectrum-48 (sold in the markets Z80, printed circuit boards,
circuits, documents and programs on cassette) Spectrum rose to
his feet and confidently take their first steps in Russia. But
very soon emerging "business people" (remember that the Law on
Cooperatives and self-employment was adopted somewhere in the
1988), have taken matters into your own hands. In stock, small
and medium-sized "Office" right positions 555 series was not
already in early 1989 year, but the trays on the market
"bursting" of chips and other parts for the Spectrum, there
were buildings with keyboards appeared willing to pay, there
were computers, and most importantly, the drives appeared!
Item dreams of Soviet youth of the first half
eighties, in the late eighties, became available to everyone!
This was fantastic! Now came the hour of triumph hardmeykerov!
Spectrum from the disk was in the teeth is not for everyone.
But on wallet - almost anyone. Incomes of the population is
rapidly increased, and the ruble, as the Soviet power, not yet
collapsed. And the "what" to buy, and it was on that "buy.
And buy!
Yes, and how to buy ... Government realized it too late
manufacturers, cake was already divided (and how many there
were, willing to eat?) How much was only made
Spectrum in this period? The lower estimate is given copies of
books Rodionova (which sold "Hurrah") and is about 180 thousand
copies! Got is not for everyone, and not every one
time still interested in assembly language and system. Yet
there was no game consoles, even IBM PC cost 10 annual salary
for the average Soviet citizen.
Spectrum had a monopoly of the gaming computer. Therefore,
if we assume that it was produced more than 500,000
computers, it will not be greatly exaggerated. 250 million
population of 0.5 million users of Spectrum! My God, how much
money lost western softmeykery because of the cold war? If
cassette with the games cost about 20 - 50 pounds, and have
"Srednectatisticheskogo" Soviet spektrumista was about 10
cassettes, it turns out 100-250 million pounds! But
nice to have earned our people! And many markets are now
trading in all anything, risen precisely because of the
Spectrum, but none of them now does not remember this, nobody
will give a hand help: (
Alas, paradise on earth is short-lived: the ruble collapsed,
followed by collapse the entire Soviet Union and on this and
ended a glorious period Spectrum in the history of Russia.
Period of stabilization -
"Silver Age Spectrum in Russia"
(1991-1996)
Secant, all arriving hail fell on the fat cornfields
Spectrum 1991.
The most visionary citizens have time to invest ...
in relation to computers, anything at all, but not in
Spectrum. In the West, this time he was drawing to a close,
already retired Sir Clive: (Carrying IBM PC in Russia started
yet Soviet people. Firms trading pisishnym iron was not yet
(Trading legally). Cooperatives, which it hunted,
used the nascent market for "money laundering" for their
withdrawals. Actual loss of control over cash flow
resources and led to financial collapse of the USSR. By 1991,
the channels IBM PC penetration in Russia acted like a
well-oiled mechanism. "A trifle is served in the" shuttle
"(first Poland, China, then Turkey), and fish "bigger" engaged
in "smuggling computers. "Escaping from the shadow of" informal
sector "such nonsense Of course, not engaged, but the former
"geeks" awards in the business, love of computers. Their main
business - "phony" contractual work on the main profile - and
for cash Money Computers IBM PC was an opportune moment. Asian
producers were very happy about this turn of events. On
Russia is slowly but inexorably crept new Asian
invasion - a computer.
The saddest thing is that "the gates of this" opened by none
other than Spectrum. Tens of thousands of its users became
users to IBM PC, evil seeds fell on the cultivated soil and
sprouted lush, all obscure shoots. As the growth rate of
progress in production of chips, as new growth in income
Russia, with the growth of new jobs requiring ownership
IBM PC, was growing anxious negative population dynamics
spektrumistov. Spectrum lost my best creativity.
But, as often happens in such periods (think
the poet of the Silver Age in the late XIX - early XX
century), there is mobilization of "internal resources". Begins
an unprecedented and comprehensive quality growth
spektrumistov. Before departure of the "enemy" platform
creative elite Spectrum in a hurry to "do their part" in the
treasury of the Spectrum. Rapidly improved hard, being born and
gives high samples of domestic creativity software, there are
like mushrooms, paper and then electronic publishing, dedicated
to the Spectrum. Despite the quantitative decline Spectrum
qualitatively rapidly improving, gets a "second wind".
The remaining nick more cohesive, they have clearly defined
internal position, they are fanatically devoted to the Spectrum
and love it the most tender and passionate love. This is not
the same herd freeloaders, very few people realize the need for
compliance "Rules" to the viability of the Spectrum. Along with
this developing network. They promote closer co-operation, wide
information exchange, joint projects in the world of the
Spectrum. Planned to specialize in art, and among fans
distinguished professionals, creating true masterpieces (each
its sphere of activity). Appear Festivals computer
creativity. Live in a world of Spectrum is becoming more
interesting!
The end of this period is not due to internal and external
reasons. Despite the growth in incomes, the real level
life, since 1991, the year has been steadily declining. Since
rent and utility payments for the period from 1994 to 1997 grew
more than 6 times and is planned to further increase.
Unpaid wages have become commonplace in our lives. Growth
unemployment associated with the steady decline in production,
too. People who have money, the interest in Spectrum lost
forever. Spectrum lot of creative and doomed, given the present
situation affairs in the country, the poverty of people.
Dramatically reduced the inflow of "new Blood. "Children from
affluent families have three or four years are for the IBM PC,
the same children from poor families are no longer up
computers. No "new Russian" nor "new poor Russian" Spectrum is
no good. It appears as if between two chairs.
The modern stage - "the dying Spectrum?
Began in 1996. Characterized by catastrophic
fall in the number of spektrumistov. Society is now, as it
were, and not Spectrum notices. Cleavages occur, constitute the
"naturals" and "Virtuals" closes the best electronic
publication, spektrumistov covers pessimism, many wonder
"This agony?", Among many, even the most devoted friends,
Spectrum, "Pass the nerves."
Hardmeykery are on the verge of bankruptcy, in the middle and
Spectrum of small towns in the country simply disappears. And
while remaining softmeykerskie group work and successfully
adjusted to completed quite grandiose, fantastic, hitherto
unprecedented projects! Networks acquire a whole new meaning,
becoming one of the main chance for salvation. Growing
number of "virtuals". Surviving spektrumisty, without the
exaggeration, are super-fans, kamikaze, ready for
favorite Spectrum literally everything or almost everything.
Rising personal factors in communication, many people know
each other as friends (or enemies). The dream of many tears
rocket upward, creating the most ambitious projects for
implementation which often do not have capabilities. In a word,
"... Blessed is he who visited this world, in his fateful
minutes "... and" ... there is rapture in battle and dark abyss
at the edge of ...". So what we call modern stage of "heroic
period" and you, my dear readers, heroes and defenders of the
citadel. Hold firmly until the "last the cartridge, giving all
power to our beloved Spectrum. We must show all others that
Spectrum is able at a very a lot.
Let us remain one thousand, five hundred let ... but among us
there slackers and traitors!
Glory to the Spectrum, who has no boundaries in space and
time!
Andrew Savichev (m @ s /
CENSUS)
