Article from the newspaper "Platform", 1/2001

Hello everybody. Catch the subject: Into the new millennium. The 21st century has already arrived, and the ZX_Spectrum platform, contrary to all forecasts confidently about to step into it. We never went extinct. It seems like there is something rejoice. But that was not the case. It is still unknown what awaits us there, in the new century: how many more years will we last? If we also take into account the current situation with Spectrum. In the "News" section of this issue, a "portrait" of Spectrum 2000 was drawn. Yes something to be proud of, but it looks like this is the culmination. Among spektrumists widely a pessimistic mood spread. New software appears with each time less and less intense. Iron is almost gone is being developed, the only thing that seems to be progressing now is development networks. But its main backbone is built on IBM-compatible technology, as explains this progress. The problem of Russian spektrumism is that our society is split into two parts - the "elite" (those who have access to the network, therefore - to the new software, information, etc.) who periodically meets people like him (exchange of experience)) and “backward” (people, mostly loners, the last copies of the software collection date back at best to the year 1995, with It is quite possible that the hardware is also broken). And it's all to blame here -closure of once officially existing points of sale of software and hardware for Spectrum. So, we have much fewer “elites” than “backward ones.” And if everything continues in the same spirit, then this does not bode well for us. Of course, such a very common and very good computer as ZX-Spectrum will attract attention for several centuries, at least for antique collectors. After all, there is now collectors of old cars. But as a platform (precisely as a platform, then there is a computer that satisfies the interests of a large group of people and in every possible way supported by them) it will not last very long. No matter how tight the string... Sooner or later, they will finally stop writing software, hardware development. Most of the spektrumists will transfer to others platforms, in particular on PC. Spectrum will live on the shelf with "Microsh" "BK-shki", "RK-shkami", "Specialists" and other "small" computers, "retired" What can be done to somehow improve the situation? Someone will say the already well-worn “standard phrase” - write new software, develop iron, as well as develop standards in all this, so that in future there will be no incompatibilities. However, no one thinks about who it will be engage. And for whom. The regression of the “elite” is already obvious - there are too few people left there who canmaintain the platform at the level necessary for its further existence. The “Elite” has long been sliding downhill towards that same virtual state, in which Spectrum is now abroad. Unfortunately, its main one now the product is not new software and hardware, but empty chatter. No offense, of course it will said for those who are still creating something new. Such people, as I already said, are few, and their number seems to be slow, but truly decreases. Who enjoys creating something good, knowing that soon No one will need it anymore. In general, the time has come to turn to that very “lagging behind” part of the Spectrumists. After all, among them there are enough creative people who hold a computer not only because that there is not enough money for a Sony Playstation. It's time to look for those who too hopes to find others like himself, so as not to completely “die” from the information hunger, and also from “ideological” loneliness. But you just need to do it much more intensively than it would seem, without regret money, time and nerves. Maybe it’s time for us all to unite and to form something like a popular movement, to declare oneself to other people. We need to restore old connections, even “replenish” our personnel from ordinary population, because we will have like-minded people among those who I've never heard of Spectrum. People have different characters, some have the sameSome people like it differently, while others like something original and exotic. The main thing is to be able to entice correctly. With this "artificial support" approach everything will come down to the fact that we will exist not just as an ordinary platform, namely, as a society of amateurs (maybe even official!), and, moreover, constantly improving in terms of organization. And it is quite possible that the entire 21st the century will be ours. Of course, this is just a dream for now, but its unrealizability is still need to think about it. But only True Spectrumists can achieve such long-term prosperity, and not the snickering "semi-virtual brat" who does nothing but sit in networks, in chats, on iris and other internet-bourgeois debauchery. True Spectrumists who help the platform (that is, other Spectrumists) not with chatter, but business. And not trying to make money on the Spectrum. Look, in some magazines some people cry that you can’t make money on Speck, big There is no point in writing projects anymore. Allegedly, any author is obliged when writing something healthy to be fueled by thoughts that he will then get a palace from they will waste the gold. Of course, I have nothing against remunerating the author for his work, and I will always pay a person “my hard-earned money” for a good product. But in within reasonable limits, of course. And everyone who really supports ourplatform and understands everything perfectly, they will do the same. When for something they are charging stupid prices, one thing is clear - it smells bad. Having bought this, you begin to think about how to compensate for “unjustified” losses. By the way, about piracy. Although now it is in a half-dead state (due to the fact that nothing to pirate), but it's worth discussing. Man hacking another a program for the purpose of further enrichment cannot be called a spektrumist. This - a “leftist” who came to Spec for money. The author's work must still be respected. But if the author has made it too “stupefied”, then it’s better for everyone just not to buy this is the case and wait until the author either realizes his mistake or the natural course of events will “slow down”. Yes, and about traders who they sell software that is not their own, especially old software written by foreign companies programmers. It would be better if these penny-pinchers started supporting those very same of ours authors - would engage in normal distribution and trade of purely floppy disks, then I mean, they would record old and frivolous software for free, or at a very meager price price. But where is it? We want to make money on everything. When a person goes to trade - everything is clear with him, this is again not a spektrumist. The word " raider" is already taking on a new meaning... Another thing is the distributor of software provision. That is, the one who actually trades under an agreement withsome author and likes to write software for free. Especially frivolous and essentials. He is driven not by a thirst for enrichment, but by a desire to help other spektrumists, the desire to maintain more or less a relaxed situation with the software. A spektrumist is usually someone who keeps a “real” car at home and it’s good for them “burns up” kilowatts in the meter. This is the one who, if not coding, then draws, if not draws, then plays music, if he doesn’t create anything at all, then he at least plays around, demos looks, the new software comes out of nowhere, that is, it is unique "user-viewer". Even being a spectator is an honor with us, but you have to be an active viewer, a regular viewer, and not in the style of “it’s been a while since I’ve been in the theater didn't go." I would like to say something finally about further actions. Like me earlier said we need to become more organized. But this requires a lot initiative people, dedicated to the common cause, and not some arrogant ones "sceners" who think only about themselves. We must create “ZX-Clubs” on our own, whose main purpose is to unite spektrumists and distribute software. It is necessary to establish contacts with similar clubs in other cities, it is necessary scrupulously keeping statistics - a “population census”, finally, it is quite desirable help newly arrived beginners master the subtleties of creativity incomputer. Naturally, all this time you need to write new software, cook electronic (and printed) newspapers and magazines, code demos, make toys, solder hardware, distribute it all and support the authors in every possible way. It's time to manifest altruism towards platform users - the time has come. Then, when will we feel not just “colleagues in the hobby”, but almost class, you can break into the official media, tell other people about to yourself. So you look, maybe an official organization will grow, for example - "Society of lovers of old computers." Maybe even the government has something to do with us will support (even morally) - who knows. But all this can happen only if we ourselves actively strive for this tirelessly hands and sparing no time or money. All this is quite possible to achieve. P.S. Currently in Pervouralsk (according to some sources, still in Vologda) a global campaign has been launched to find spektrumists who do not have access to a vital information channel. And the first results speak for themselves for myself: the work ahead is painstaking, darkness is foreseen for the people. Alexander