From the world of bat
DISCUSSION
Dmitry Glushkov, Glazov
COMPUTER Vinaigrette
The idea behind this article arose from
me after reading the letter A. The Queen and
E. Miloon of "STARS OF KELADAN GROUP",
published in the 18 room "SPECTROFON" Yes.
Despite the fact that "SPECTROFON" has already commented on the
above letter and a number of issues relating to the "Profi" was
covered in Kirill Gromov's work, I still took the
courage, build your article
form of a dialogue with numerous commentaries and digressions.
By the same authors in end of the letter calling themselves
podiskutirovat raised on their topic. So, as states that the
ordered, then get it.
1. About Hackers, programmers
and many others ...
To begin with, that at the very beginning
his letter, the authors tell us that in
soon receive a diploma system engineers, implying thereby
it gives them the right to teach all of us that
what and how to call, as well as how to write programs. But as
you know, not all gold that glitters. And possession of a
diploma not evidence of genius
as well as its absence does not mean
that person is not able to do anything useful.
Next, they write, quote: "Programmer
- People receive special education. "But how, then call
everyone else? So many on SPECTRUM'e people writing program.
Read on, and it turns out that all
they - the hackers. Yes, yes. X-A-K-E-P-N! After
there is hardly a single sinklerist who would not do anything
that is written below. So, judging by the statements of the
Queen and Miloon, then: "Hacker - Upscale System Programmer
specializing in changing other people's programs; specialist
virologist; vzlamyvatel protections; people Cleans traces of
other hackers; people leading up to the program acceptable
level. "(Here I digress, and attention esteemed readers to a
curious situation that occurred with the word - hacker. The
fact is that lately, even in dictionaries began to appear an
explanation of this word as "a man of hacking programs." But
for some reason no one bothered to look in the usual
English-Russian dictionary. And it says that the hacker is -...
lumberjack.)
So, we all ax in hand and
keyboard on the neck! Although a bit confusing
entry in the list specialist virologist. Interestingly, it said
that on DN Lozinski (author of such well-known anti-virus
programs such as: Aidstest, Dr.Web, ADinf and ADinfExt), if he
knew that he turns out to be - a hacker.
I have spoken with many professional
programmers, but the above definition of the words "programmer"
and "hacker" ever heard of. In general, if be more correct, the
people close to computers, are divided into several more
categories. List of which I would like to give below. It was
compiled on the basis of publication of various computer
publications.
Let's start with the lowest category:
IDIOT or Lamer - borrowed from medicine and reflects a lower
degree of familiarity with hardware and software. As
Typically, lamer will not confuse a TV monitor, and keyboard -
with a typewriter. But still looking for a button on the
keyboard - any. (Press any key).
KETTLE or uneducated USER -
The term has come, as is evident from avtolyubitelstva: there
teapots called those who able to get the key in the ignition,
but hardly knows which one of his
car has an engine. Computer
Teapots, as the same name in the popular
People vessels are custard and boiling. "Kettle" knows the
terrible forest of its software one single path, but eager to
sort out all over the map, not to stray unnecessarily. This is
- a good candidate for the user. "Scalded" knows exactly the
same, but it sure has surpassed anything in the world so far
away from lamer.
USER or USER - the same average
and democratic class, for which, in
principle, and write programs. Can use everything what dotyanet
through keyboard and joystick, can stick to
jacks new fees and equipment, but mostly live as if in ready
home, but for himself to build housing and landscaping it can
not. I am sure that in the kilobyte 1000 bytes.
Experienced users - knows
everything that he has personally and in the world in general,
and can competently install and use that yet to be. Internal
conflicts in software eliminates the bud and watches over the
purity of their own environment habitat. On disks - no
nonsense, eye pleasing order, clear and easily accessible.
PROGRAMMER - creates all that enjoy
Other categories in the main complex (or
not) software. Maybe a lot, but not all, for a programmer - not
yet Lord God, and is limited to within their field of
specialization (graphics, music, design of algorithms, scripts,
actually programming, etc.). In our country,
especially among those who write programs for Spectrum - the
division into spheres of specialization is rather relative. In
majority of domestic programmers - are universal. Programmer by
habit believes that in a kilogram 1024 gram.
GRADUATE - very, very experienced. He took a lot and did a lot.
As a general rule, most of his life associated with computers.
As an example, among the programmers who have reached such a
high category, include: David Brebena (creator ELITE), Peter
Cook (who created such a large number of programs
that the enumeration of their names taken
would be more kilobytes, currently lead programmer and producer
firms GREMLIN GRAFICS).
As for hackers, this subspecies is found in all of the above
categories. But the real mother hackers
belong to the category - SOFTWARE PIRATE. In
computer world, so called craftsmen have
which exceeds the amount of knowledge
amount of decency. Freak in the family of programmers capable
of without a single nail, one ax da STS'om open any software
protection and make the brand or the author's program
accessible to the general users.
Now a bit about copyright law. I do not
I will bore you with my reflections on
this topic, as edited by SPECTROFON'a
sufficient detail all explained in the commentary to the letter
"STARS OF KELADAN GROUP ". My only comment is that the very neo
bosnovannymi look the charges against the authors of the
letter, Vyacheslav Mednonogova. He did quite cleverly,
calling its program "UFO - Enemy unknown" rather than "UFO -
Enemy Unknown" (which is a trademark owned company MicroProse).
And since the code Vyacheslav wrote himself, with the exception
of the scanned graphics, transferred to the "UFO - Enemy
Unknown ", MicroProse company will not be able to produce B.
Mednonogovu no complaints. If you are not convinced by my
allegations, I can give the following example. So, on a Mac is
a software package called" Russian Office ", and the pisishkah
- "Russian office." With the undoubted similarity of names,
they are different software packages, though having common
structural elements. And if the first trademark owned by Apple
Computer, then the second is owned by Arsenal.
We now turn to the problems associated
with the legal distribution of software. What I
totally agree with A. Korolev and EA Miloon, so it is that - it
is useless to fight the hackers. Hackers have been, are and
will be. After a few years ago the program in principle was not
recognized commodity. Not selling the program, and floppy disks
and tapes. And this state of things are deeply ingrained in the
minds of the domestic user. But fortunately, in recent times,
all more sinkleristov acquire copyrights of the program through
the company "FormaK or other authorized dealers. But I still
often meet people who genuinely do not understand why you need
something from somewhere to write if the same program, You can
just write for a friend or buy the radio market in the near
pirate. Here's to these people and I want it now appeal.
Understand that the program - a such a commodity, like say a
book or magazine. Buying, for example, our favorite ZXREVYU,
you realize that you are giving money for
something tangible, because you can touch it. But if the
magazine would not be nothing is printed, you are unlikely to
agree buy it. Consequently, valuable not
so much paper, how the information on this
printed paper. But the information itself
themselves on paper does not appear, it creates people. And it
is logical to assume that once information is of greater value
than media (paper), then the work of people who created this
information - is also worthy of payment. That is, we concluded
that the intangible (virtual) information has a greater value
than actually exists on paper. Likewise, the virtual creatures
program has a much higher
value than a floppy disk or cassette
which it is located. And the money for this
program should get the one who created it, put it in your
knowledge, has spent certain (sometimes very large) amount of
time. For those who have it all knows perfectly well without my
explanations, but continues to buy pirated versions
author's programs, I say this ...
Before you give money to pirates for another new program,
consider this than - and not whether the program will last you
run on your SPECTRUM'e? Especially because the cost of programs
at pirates and authorized dealers (as opposed to
of programs for the IBM PC, where the cost of pirated and
official versions differ tens and even hundreds of times) is
not so very different.
Now about distributing software and related issues. First,
the proliferation of programs for the ZX-SPECTRUM engaged LLP
FormaK "and not INC" Inforkom. But as the firm FormaK was
founded on base "Inforkom" and then we will consider this
question inessential. Secondly, the accusations put forward
about the quality of software distribution is certainly not
groundless. But the problem is much harder than may seem at
first glance. After in order to guarantee the quality and
arrange hot-line, firm FormaK "will select or hire additional
n-th number of employees. Whose duties will include: 1.
CAREFULLY testing programs, with subsequent correction of the
errors, 2. willingness to answer any questions posed by the
user to hot-line. And here's what obtained. In accordance with
international laws, the author or producer of the program,
conveys all the rights to software distribution company,
distributor, and also sends the entire responsibilities
associated with quality program. But after that,
company-distributor has the full right to put on the program
YOUR COPYRIGHT. That is, redistribute the program under its own
brand. (As an example, You can bring the game "UFO-Enemy
Unknown" and "X-COM: Terror from The Deep" produced by Mythos
Games, but distributed under the brand MICROPROSE; series of
games about Dizzy and Seymour, who produced a dream
Chal The Oliver Twins, and then the Big Red
Sofware, but they all bear the trademark
Code Masters; many games under the name OCEAN
also not released by the company.) agree on whether it is
domestic authors? But it was only the first aspect of the
problem. More significant for our conditions, it is the second
aspect - testing programs and organization of a "hotline"
lead to a multifold increase in the cost of programs. But this
in no way should not be allowed. Since the cost of programs
for spectrum-compatible computers, has
reached the limit, above which there is a sharp decrease in
consumer activity. And if you can not keep on a low-cost
computers (technical progress can not stop), then only what
SPECTRUM can compete with other computer platforms and multiple
game consoles - the cost of the software.
As far as the timing of delivery orders, the fault is likely
the Ministry of Communications and not by "FormaK. After all,
if the judge the postmark, the parcel of
Moscow to Glazov, comes about a week (from
Moscow to Samara, probably the same).
Mail order is on its way about the same time. And so, for two
weeks expended only for package delivery. Pribavte here still
travel time mail order - from the moment
it comes in a Moscow shop postal money orders, until the moment
when he gets in "FormaK. So, order processing, in
This firm does not take much time. Incidentally, the last
packet arrived me just three weeks after sending money.
I think all sinkleristy of all
FSU must say Inforkom "and other firms have formed around him
thank you for something important to all the work that they do.
After all, if
would not "Inforkom" then SPECTRUM long would disappear in our
country. Perhaps only Moscow, St. Petersburg, yes, there would
be small groups of people engaged in SPECTRUM'om. And
everywhere else sinkleristy deprived of any connection with
each another and not getting new ones, long
would go over to other computer platforms.
2. About ...
As I said above, the organization
program testing firm FormaK "could significantly increase their
value. I therefore join the opinion of the Queen and E. Miloon
the need for a collective of software testing with subsequent
publication of results in SPECTROFON'e and ZX-REVIEW. But I am
categorically against the accusations of the authors of the
programs on the identified deficiencies. If we are in the 95th
windows finely-soft economy Uncle Billy "(Windows'95) still
find errors, although model ment function of the system was
about ten months. And the development of this system was put:
design-time - 4 years; number of man-years to develop -
293; number of participants in the beta - 50000; number of
participants pre-run - 1 million, the number of drunk cups of
coffee - 2,3 million (Source: Microsoft Press). What can we say
about domestic authors who work at times alone. Need not to
bring charges to the authors, but only to indicate on
identified in-service program weaknesses, so that in future
versions of the authors were able to eliminate these
shortcomings.
Well, now directly on programs. Unlike Miloon and Queen I
I think STS version 3.3 a true masterpiece,
without the quotation marks there. The only disadvantage of
this program is, in my opinion, the impossibility trace command
TR-DOS. As for Xia incomplete decoding ports, it is extremely
unreasonable to blame the author that his
program is compatible with the company
ZX-Spectrum. By the way, my "Profi +" this program works fine
(assuming the lock registers increase button ON / OFF). In
addition, the following Version STS'a Dmitry Partsyrin promised
to remove all of the above disadvantages.
But with a half-joking assertion about buying a new
computer, and A. Korolev, and EA Miloon hit the nail on the
head. Although surely and no idea about it. After all unfolded
in the PC world race megabytes and megahertz, will pohlesche
arms race and makes me (or make a significant upgrade) computer
about once a year. Of course, if you want to use the new
pisishnoe software. Moreover, there were cases failure of
computers with a processor 486DX4, after they launched
Windows'95 (See: Computerra, 18 (98) 1995. p. 19).
It so happened that all deserve attention system programs
that have appeared recently to have been written by Stanislav
Kuzin (KSA SoftWare). Thus, begin ...
MASTER ASSEMBLER v.1.1: First, a large
thanks for this really is the fastest and easy assembly for the
128 kb machines. But unfortunately, during the operation was
revealed a very large mistake - after assembly and run programs,
which the manipulation of register IY or halves, MASM does not
respond to the keys. And I would like to give advice to novice
programmers. If your program meets command HALT, then
necessarily there before allow interrupt command EI. This
due to the fact that when you run
otassemblirovannoy program, MASM disables the interrupts and
you run the risk of never He did not return. Let's hope that
these errors in the second version of this
(In spite of everything, everything is better) assembly will be
corrected.
SOUND TRACKER PRO: Of course, music
opportunities, compared with the prototype,
increased significantly. But I would like to have
and more user-friendly and modern interface.
Such as, for example, in Pro Sound Maker'e
or ASM'e. And for some reason, STP has refused to boot from
MONSTER Commander version 2.0. While Commander of Jemmini
perfectly loaded. But whose fault here, STP or MC could not be
established.
MONSTER COMMANDER v2.0: In addition to the above-mentioned
troubles emerged, and others. Thus, MC flatly refuses to work
with write protected diskettes. And if
floppy disk there is no file, MC is also not
want to have to do with it (unless it does not require, as in
the previous case, the change disk). As for the function of
correcting errors of zero tracks, then tried in her was not
able (until I
there are no floppy disks). But that's what it turned out,
thanks to this feature MC began to swear at floppy disk which
is used to protect change the zero track (in particular
all floppy disks, recorded a group of STEP) and
required to give him an opportunity to address
with zero track. I decided for the sake of the experiment to
give him that opportunity. MC a few seconds, fiddled with the
floppy and This calmed down. The diskette visible changes have
occurred. All the programs are working properly.
CODE CRUNCHER v3.11: For the most
powerful and easy-to-use compressor
for ZX-Spectrum. But the price list was
said about the multiple modes of operation, and
This program could not be found.
And at the end of the above, I would like to thank those who
helped Stanislav in working on these programs.
It is: * AIG * (unfortunately I do not know his name)
and Dmitry Grigoryev (OLDMAN). Once again, spa
Cibo you all for your wonderful program.
3. On computers that we choose ...
After reading the letters of "STARS OF
KELADAN "I have the impression
that these guys have never seen
"Profi +". As if they had worked
it at least a couple of hours, many of the questions they would
disappear by themselves. But it is quite possible that in
Samara no "Profi" Well, then I'm in the best of their forces
will try to answer their questions. We begin by order ...
About the fact that "Profi" are two
computer in one. Here you opened America. It is written in the
beginning "of the manual." Because of this duality "Profi" does
not seem black sheep. (Back in the late 80's Firm
Timex Timex-released model 2068, with the possibility of
replacement cartridges.
When you connect one of these computer
became spectrum-compatible, and if
connecting to any other - CP / M-compatible. A
with regard to the present day, the firm
Apple releases a model Performa 630 DOS
Compatible. Which is compatible with MacOS,
and with MS-DOS (Windows). Moreover,
even has two CPU: 68LC040 and
486DX2-66.) And in your statement that
Scorpion - a SPECTRUM-256, I say - no
such a computer. As far as I know, no
Sinclair Research, or Amstrad, no Timex,
even more so when Mitsui or not released
SPECTRUM-256. But "Profi", in
spectrum-mode, is an analog computer Spectrum 2 +, which was
manufactured by Amstrad until 1991 (And possibly longer, but do
not want to give unverified information). As for value "Profi
+", then the quadruple more than the "Scorpion" and, the amount
of memory and the full spectrum and CP / M compatibility -
He is not four times the price.
Further, the authors of the letter issued for the benefit of
"Scorpion" and a built-in facilities. But excuse me, any
respectable computer manufacturer labels its products with
serial numbers. And "Profi" is not exception. And protection
against unauthorized copying of software for CP / M - also
available.
As for the rich library of procedures in ROM "Scorpion" and,
here, of course, nothing bad to say, except that use some of
these routines can only be "Scorpion" is, But in "Profi" the
situation is not much worse. True these capabilities are
achieved not through ROM, and through operating system functions
(The operating system read below).
On the compatibility of computers can be argued
indefinitely. But the facts remain facts. And the facts are
known, are stubborn things. So, "Profi +" I have since November
1993, and during that time among many of Ten domestic and
foreign programs to me did not occur is not one that
fundamentally did not want to work on my computer. From one or
another mode (Sinclair 48K or Sinclair 128K) all their
able to run. On the small troubles scan type Kempston-joystick
on the mask # DF I'm not saying because they do not have
fundamental importance and easily eliminated. On the "Scorpion"
s, as is known, many specialties (not only) software
refuse to work.
Reading the letter any further, I stumbled upon
the following phrase: "Give us at least one security system
that can not be would reveal. The whole issue just in time (for
what is produced and defense!) training will address (!) and
related equipment (!!)." That is, we find the following: if the
earlier authors letters horrified the idea that
that will have to install some kind of
switch, but now they offer
poor user "Scorpion" and who might want to, say, to connect a
second joystick or a modem, quickly to be educated electrical
engineer, and look for the nearest Institute with the necessary
equipment. Is that it? But each user
"Profi" is free to purchase most detailed album charts, where
has all the elements this computer. And despite the huge
efforts of the creators of "Scorpion" and to protect
its scheme, its pirated versions are quite common, but about
the pirate version of "Profi" something you never hear.
Now, if you're not tired, I
as promised, will tell you what is called
Professional operating system.
Especially because it's so eager to learn in Systems
Engineering from Samara.
Operating System (OS in the future) belongs to a class of
computer programs, known as supervisors or managers
program. This is probably the most complicated
nye, and confusing program. OS produces
dialogue with the user controls the computer, its resources
(memory, disk space) run application programs for execution.
The main reason for the need OS is that the elementary
operations for work with the devices of the computer and
managing computer resources - this operation very low level, so
the action which are necessary to the user and application
programs consist of several hundreds or thousands of elementary
operations.
OS consists of three main parts:
BIOS - Basic Input Output System (Basic
System I / O) - a hardware-dependent part of the OS. Its task
is to managing devices - disks, printers, display, keypad, etc.
In order for applications to work
equally correctly with all devices
performing similar functions, such as
printers, operating system provides a universal interface to
these programs. Manages to a particular printer that is
connected to a computer, eliminating the need to rewrite all
programs, printing, connecting another type of printer. At a
higher level of BIOS is organized by role for all devices in
the computer. This is especially true for CDs. The key, even
dominant part of the OS is to provide recording data on disks:
the distribution of disk space, efficient data storage and fast
and reliable search.
BDOS - Basic Disk Operation System (Basic Disk Operating
System) - the second major, a device-independent part OS.
Problem BDOS - is program management. It involves downloading
programs drive their implementation, as well as providing
of the disposal of these programs of special features - the
most complex and repetitive actions - such as For example,
search for specific file on the disk and reading of its data or
writing data etc.
Third, the bulk of the OS, called
command interpreter or user
command processor. The main task of the shell - to receive and
execute commands the user. KP is in disk file COMMAND.COM
(although in some systems, the file may have a different name,
such as SP-DOS - CK.CMD) on the disk, with to load the OS. Some
of the commands of the user manual does himself. To perform the
remaining (external) teams user manual looking for drives with
the program its name and, if it finds it,
then loads into memory and passes control to it. Upon
completion of the program manual remove the program from memory
and displays message of readiness to implement
command (prompt DOS). In more complex
where user commands can manage the work of the operating system
itself.
In the OS also includes device drivers - special programs
complementary I / O system and provide services for new or
nonstandard use of existing devices. For example, using the
drivers can work with "E-drive", ie part of the memory
computer from which you can work well
Just as with the disc. Drivers are loaded into
computer memory during the boot process, their names are listed
in a special file CONFIG.SYS. This scheme makes it easier to
add new devices and allows you to do it without affecting the
operating system files.
With the OS, usually supplied
service programs. These programs perform the service of nature,
such as formatting disks, score
speed of the computer, watching fi
fishing, etc.
On this I finish a brief description of professional
operating system. For better understanding of the question, I
recommend reading a variety of computer literature. For
example: a book VE Figurnova "IBM PC user or a brochure
"Description of the operating system SP-DOS",
which is attached to "Profi +" (actually one I took a
description of the OS).
Well, now, and judge what the OS can be
considered professional. SP-DOS, which is set to "Profi +", is
much improved and modified version of CP / M (in this case is
fully compatible with previous versions). This system meets all
the standards requirements for professional operating system,
and often surpasses them. The advantages SP-DOS include the
following features ... Support for two encodings: KOI-8
(Standard for "Profi") and modified Noah alternative encoding
(standard for the IBM PC). Ability to work in two modes display
- 64 x 30 characters and 80 x 30 characters (this is necessary
to ensure compatibility with the format of the text, carried
over from the IBM PC). Advanced color screen (512 x 240 pixels)
with the possibility of colorization of each byte. Working with
various formats of floppy disks: SP-DOS (CP / M) - 800K fast,
slow; MS-DOS - 360K, 720K, 800K; TR-DOS - 640K fast, slow. And
work with disks of various formats (unlike, for example, from
iS-DOS) holds absolutely identical. Moreover, it is possible
the direct transfer of data from disks other formats to the
others the same format, bypassing discs SP-DOS. For example, in
one of drives you have installed the drive MS-DOS, and
in the other - CD TR-DOS, and you can directly download files
from MS-DOS in TR-DOS or on the contrary! In addition to
SP-DOS, it is possible, except that, in the Spectrum emulator
IBM PC. (And in the end, "disc" threads
I would like to say a few
words. With all of these formats, SP-DOS can not just work, and
with using the supplied tools, you can format a floppy disk in
either of these formats. And the quality of the formatting is
much higher than after formatting with a program of similar
purpose in the TR-DOS. A Now the fun part - SP-DOS utility
even a floppy disk format HD (High Density)
in the format MS-DOS 800K, provided that
floppy disk previously formatted in any
of the formats. But, I would recommend not to do such things as
normally read these diskettes will be
only SP-DOS. And perhaps an important
role in this play set in the
"Profi +" controller drives a PLL (one of the best on the
spectrum-compatible computers), as well as the fact that I have
imported the drive. But the conventional floppy disk (DD) can
format in the format MS-DOS though in SP-DOS, at least in
MS-DOS - they would normally read and written in both
systems (tested many times). In recent years, new floppy BASF
Extra, with markings - 2DD with TPI equal to 96. And I
recommend to use these disks, as they differ
highest quality among the remaining double-density floppy
disks, though, we must admit they have a few more value. But
high price is compensated certainly more reliable floppy BASF
Extra.
Still, back to the OS. So,
TR-DOS can not be considered complete
OS, since it only performs the function
BDOS (and even then not completely), while the
BIOS assigned to the good old
SpectrumBASIC, ie sinklerovskoe
Rom. And since everyone understands that all this
hopelessly out of date, many new
software programmers do not
enjoy the features of the ROM, but prefer to write their own
procedures for input / output. But let's leave poor TR-DOS on a
something, as she became the de facto standard in our country.
And the good news is that generally appeared to SPECTRUM'e, and
then you see, still had to work with a cassette tape.
Some may argue that there is
Why, it iS-DOS. Yes there is, but to argue
about this travesty of the OS, I would not really
wanted. It has been widely publicized. Initially, I too bought
into the advertising. But a little work with this system, came
to the conclusion that it was not worth those big words that
were spoken in her address. In my opinion, the authors of this
system collected in it all the worst that has in other
operating systems. Not only that, iS-DOS is complicated for a
simple user interface, so it is still constantly trying to
chtoto ship with a system disk. So, work in this system on a
computer one drive is not possible. What's in vain to speak,
rather say that since its inception ask
locally for 4 years and she has not received
any appreciable proliferation.
And in conclusion about "the possibility of the course work
at the Spectrum 48K". For all those who did not read the article
Kirill Gromov - repeat ... In CP / M operating branded versions
of popular programming languages, rather than adaptation
third party, as is the case with Spectrum'om.
And what good can be done by a hair (eg C language) of memory.
And in "Profi +" can work fine with the following programming
languages: ADA, FORTH, FORTRAN-80, MuLISP, MIBOL, AZTEK C, BDS
C, SUPERSOFT C, MBASIC, PL / 1 and of course with software
giants such as programming BORLAND (TURBO PASCAL, dBASE II) and
Microsoft (Macroassembler M80, the linker L80, Librarian
LIB80), etc. And the fact of the possibility of working with
these programs is another plus in favor of that SP-DOS - it is
a professional operating system (as
all these programs absolutely do not care
in fact, what is your computer and all I / O operation and the
disk are performed through the function OS).
This concludes the main part
his article.
*
And generally, I am grateful for the Queen and A.
E. Miloon for their writing, because if no
it is, I hardly would undertake to write about 35
KB of text, or rather can not, because
is not the end (just do not be afraid, because
I own all this stuff already tired, and if you have not already
fled, read all you have quite a bit). And it is very
well, that Alexander and Evgeny becoming
professional programmers do not forget our Speccy, and planned
to continue to write programs for it. Just do not
put yourself above others, because otherwise, you
offend many thousands of fans of the
the most democratic of the computer. All the more
Further, that a significant proportion of programs for
our favorite computer written
Nonprofessional programmers. And
berate domestic programs is also not
worth it. Since the last time in our
country creates a large number of new
programs that the quality and usefulness (if I may say so) far
exceed the Western programs. Topics more than that much
proprietary software also contains a considerable number of
errors ...
- - -
PS: Now I have a few questions to the group of "STEP". Why is
18-th number SPECTROFON'a decorations for Darwin and A.
Aleksandrov, and not Dmitri Usmanov? The only thing that has
improved - a "cap". A general graphic design, in my opinion,
somewhat deteriorated. (The best on clearance, I believe the
14-th number.)
"S": Unfortunately, Dmitry Usmanov more
does not work in the editorial office. In the beginning
This year, he moved to the IBM PC and now
participates in the editorial TRICKS
PC, published by the firm FormaK. In connection with the
it suspended work on the graphics
for the game "Star Heritage-2. Our
group to continue the work is urgently needed an artist. With
"SPECIAL FORCES" The situation is more clear. There are,
basically, the whole Graphics are already done, so Usmanov
bring the follow through. According to him,
this will be his last work on the Speccy.
Dmitry Glushkov: When will all still come out
long promised: "Star Heritage-2: By
the other side of the universe "and" SPECIAL FORCES "?
"S": In the current situation of the ZN-2 "to say anything is
difficult, but with" SPECIAL FORCES "hope" to kill "this year.
When - it is difficult to say exactly. To carry out all of our
projects, we do not have enough of the artist. And anyway, we
are always happy
new creative people to join our team ...
Dmitry Glushkov: In one of the first issues SPECTROFON'a
mentioned some game called "Virtual syndrome." Are you going
over her work, and if you are going, what she like to
represent?
"S": This game we had planned to do in the
same system, which is written "Star
Legacy-1. "Thus, we would have
something like that. But it would be a nonlinear
adventyura. With a huge number of locations.
With the unpredictable plot. You could even say that this game
may have become the next stage in the development of ideas of
"Star Heritage. But while this project is hanging in air due to
lack of a group of artists working on a permanent basis ...
VLADIMIR DYAKOV (Vologda):
In the 16 th issue of "spectrophone" Cyril
Gromov was open discussion on the topic
compare computers Scorpion and Profi.
Magazines to reach me late, and
on the day the letter was written the last of the numbers
available to me - the 17 th. Speak for their point of view.
Scorpion differs from the Pros
QUALITY. We often hear:
"The better the Scorpion Pros? Unless
availability of the service monitor. "Maybe. But
just monitor - a huge weight on the bowl
weights of Scorpio. Precisely because of this he
is unique.
When I sit down at your computer,
very often use the service monitor. I
I can "turn" the program as I want (for
the extent possible, of course, but good
Z-80 team know, and Scorpion monitor
very powerful, with the analyzer at Fort
system). Interestingly, someone has passed
"Terminator-2" on the second level?
(Immortal version I have not seen). I
took her to the end with the monitor. A
whether the owner of pros to win "Rebel
Star "one soldier per turn, asking him endless number of moves?
A Playing in the Field of Miracles "I can read the monitor
directly in the source word. This is so for example. And how
convenient to experiment with the shipping unit in the "ELITE"!
Even and stored is not necessary: pressed a button, found
offloading unit with a single command (FINd commander name -
for those who do not understand), and forward to new worlds!
Search for immortality is also not difficult. Here is one of
the most extreme ways in which I sometimes I use. Save some
memory in more memory, we lose lives, we compare the memory
contents with the former, and See what cells have changed, again
one team. And what a powerful tool
we get when debugging your own
programs!
Scorpio monitor allows a greater
least feel like the owner of the car.
The owner of Scorpio can not only enjoy excellent debugger, not
comparable to the STS, but also interrupted at the time of the
program to work with the disk utility to save / print screen,
save almost any interrupted program to disk Magic'om
alternative, even if the standard Magic refuses, etc.
And what about multi-tasking system
MagicOS for Scorpio, which allows parallel stored in the memory
of multiple programs and switch from one to another! C Using
this system I was able to arrange a match between chess
programs on one machine. (Incidentally, the 11-m room
spectrophone mentioned chess "Cyrus II 128k". If you have this
program, could you include it in the application? I never find
it.)
"S": In the next issue we will offer this
program to our readers.
VLADIMIR DYAKOV: On the compatibility of this machine can not
complain: it works, perhaps more than 99% of software including
TASM (as in K. Gromov). In addition, you can disable the port #
1FFD on simple circuit shown in the ZX-Format N1,
that would enhance compatibility with the programs, whose
authors are not able to competently programmed. It is possible,
but not necessary.
"S": recommend carefully read the
materials in the section about
ENLIGHT'96.
VLADIMIR DYAKOV: Turobo-mode on the boards
Scorpio long switches button
not just the software, as mentioned
K. Gromov.
It is impossible, as well forget about the expansion of
OS embedded in Scorpio, and gives to the programmer a number of
functionally complete routines, and work with the disk BIOS, in
many cases easier than with TR-DOS.
I am the owner of Turbo Scorpio with a professional ROMs,
and frankly - would not exchange its 256-th to the MB Pros:
what would I do with a megabyte of memory - still not quite
imagine, but imagine as headless would feel deprived of one of
the senses and controls.
"S": Well, Vladimir expressed his personal opinion, is far from
indisputable. We offer our readers who have another point of
view, to join this discussion. We would not want the truth,
close to the compared to only two brands of cars. Readers'
attention for some reason deprived of the Pentagon. And we
believe that in our country today
Spectrum world is divided into two camps: supporters of the
computer Scorpio (slowly gaining strength) and proponents old
homebrew (although, as Scorpio) the Pentagon. Talk?
VLADIMIR DYAKOV: Could you publish the ports and means of
enhancing memory different computers? If I had, for example,
began to write a program for 256k, then it
would work only on the Scorpio, because it does not
know the appropriate ports of other machines.
"S": We will try in the next issues cover this topic in the
sections "DESIGNER" and "SYSTEM".
WAITING FOR YOUR LETTERS WITH RESPONSE,
Wishes, suggestions.
_ _ _
