Spectrum Progress #02 19 января 1997

Опросы

Forum - questionnaires, Alexei Lebedev (CONDOR SOFT) among users of ZX Spectrum in 1997

  (C) Alexei Lebedev (Condor Soft), 1997.



                       It was evening,

                       there was nothing ...


  One Saturday night, copying another
Party diskettes for Sunday bazaar, I was struck by an original 
idea - rather than spend-whether We market a small survey (it 
should be the same know than the user live and what he wants?).



  As they say, no sooner said than done! I was
prepared 30 questions (which I shared
between two reputable magazines - ADVENTURER
(Rybinsk) and SPECTRUM PROGRESS (St. Petersburg).


  Questioning took place within three weeks
(Mainly on Sundays). The greatest
number of respondents (14) was recorded
the first day. Activity of the masses was at the height
people are very smartly and briskly reacted to
current events (confidently answered questions, sometimes 
discussing them with a number of standing, arguing - vobschem 
was fun!). 


  I am sure events of this kind will have
we are on the market now frequent. I think
this initiative should be supported and other cities (say?). 
Versions of their interviews, if you want you can send me - 
will be together find out the average user

Russia :-).


  Was-would be nice if the editors and
vysskazala their views on some issues.


  SP: Sure, if you gather your thoughts
(Views - wandering thoughts together?).


  Well, now to the actual results of the questionnaire (as
said Ostap Bender: close to your body :-), so
more than that and the first customer walked (he ha!
still does not know what would now be questioned by the same :-)


 1. Your age?


    a) .. - 12 = -

    b) 12 - 16 = 7

    a) 16 - 25 = 13

    d) 25 - 40 = -

    d) 40 - .. = 3

 Cndr: Young always have the road ...

 2. Paul?


    a) husband. = 23

    b) wives. = -


  Cndr: Yes, there has been some roll
(Or imbalance, as you want) in the direction of strong
half. It's a shame that the women did not participate in
poll (probably those who are addicted
computers today - no), and in fact
met the same in the running lines of such names
as - Cleopatra, Jessica ... Neuzh something nobody
left? Or, to be in other cities have
(Write)?


  SP: One (or more precisely - in the summer of 96-second) in 
our hands got a letter the girl distributes n / a for Speccy, 
unfortunately it was not addressed to us, and therefore neither 
her name nor the town where she lives, we do not remember it. 

 3. You -


    a) work = 6

    b) learn = 15

    c) neither the one nor the other = 2


  Cndr: So, here everything is fine - most
people still studying, in between managing to work a little and 
a little 'roll the fool' :-).



 4. What 'ZX' you have (no more than three

    options)?


    a) Pentagon-128 = 17

    b) Scorpion-256 = 4

    a) Profi = 2

    g) ATM = 1

    e) Magister-128 = 2


  Cndr: The table shows that the leader, and with
clear margin, is the 'Pentagon-128'. It
clear at the time, Hleb (local bookseller
computers), their manure from Moscow, the greatest of
set (by the way: about a year ago, his
office with a bang and collapsed at the moment
He sells 'PC'). Yes, and the local
radio, this model was the most popular for its simplicity and 
ease of assembly. The advent of 'Scorpion' on our market 
Yaroslavl we apparently must first of all their production

in Rybinsk (that 2 hour drive from Yaroslavl). C
Unfortunately, I must note the fact
that today, in Yaroslavl, you can not buy
'Spectrum' (their sales have no deals). Well, unless that 
second-hand, on the cheap, while others users who have decided 
to move on to the platform 'PC' 


 5. How long have you 'Speccy'?


    a) Month = -

    b) six months = -

    c) = 1 year

    d) two = 7

    d) three or four = 7

    e) Five or more = 8


  Cndr: Here, everything is clear - users
who responded to this questionnaire in my opinion - true fans 
of the Spectrum! 


  SP: It's sad that a whole year in Yaroslavl, not
there are new users in St. Petersburg business
situation is slightly better - from reliable sources, we know 
that the Spectrum still buying. 

 6. What is your monitor?


    a) b / w TV = 4

    b) col. TV = 6

    a) b / w monitor = 6

    g) col. Monitor (PSB) = 3

    e) col. Monitor (imp) = 4


  Cndr: According to the table most popular among the people of 
our city enjoy - monochrome and color television monitor.


 7. How many drives and what type do you have?


    a) One - 5'25 = 10

    b) Two - 5'25 = 6

    c) one - 3'5 = 2

    d) Two - 5'25 and 3'5 = 2

    e) Three - 5'25 (2) and 3'5 = 3


  Cndr: bulk prefers older
Floppy Disk 5'25 (20). But recently
time, there is a tendency to migrate to format drives 3'5 (7) 
(most used it as a second drive, see table).



  SP: 3'5 drive is good to have a third, if
have an interest in drag files from a PC or Amiga.

 8. -Do you have any additional

    device to the Speccy?


    a) printer = 9

    b) mouse = -

    c) a light pen = 1

    d) videoskanner = 1

    d) sound drive = 1

    e) No = 13


  Cndr: Here the first place of course for the printer (the 
other device is apparently widespread use in our city have not 
received). Even more than those who do not have anything. 


  SP: Perot videoskaner and drive! Perhaps this
splendor owns one and the same person?
It is a pity that the questionnaire does not allow it to 
determine. 

 9. How often do you visit the radio market?


    a) every Sunday = 7

    b) through Sunday = 9

    c) once a month = 2

    d) quarterly = 3

    e) once a year :-) = 2


  Cndr:?!


  SP: It's not unusual, given that
domestic programmers delay release
their long-term programs. A list of such long-term construction 
can take a magazine page. 

 10. Where to purchase a new soft?


    a) Condor = 19

    b) Bars = 5

    c) in the shops of the city = 1

    d) copying from friends = 9

    e) the firm Inforkom = 2


  Cndr: It is not clear at all, I think the number of buyers, 
and I and Bars'a about the same as the table shows the complete 
opposite (odd?) 


  SP: On Bars'e can not say anything. But
shops in town, prosperous, apparently for
by a single buyer, have caused us
great interest. Where can you find a buyer?

 11. As well read my discs?


    a) Yes (0 to 79) = 23

    b) almost (0 to 40) = -

    a) unreadable at all = -


  Cndr: Even uninteresting, they all read it.
Well, well!

 12. Your attitude towards protection programs?


    a) positive = 4

    b) normal (no more) = 9

    a) negative = 5

    d) no difference (hacked) = 5


  Cndr: Surprisingly, the majority of people sympathetic to the 
protection programs (In fact correct, the authors of P / O must 
also earn and then who will be making new games just like that).



  SP: If a case of burglary n / a, and so on
will, sometime soon in a "live" there remain only
authors writing game "just because".

 13. How much time do you pay 'ZX' day?


    a) less than an hour = -

    b) 2 - 3 hours = 10

    a) 3 - 6 hours = 10

    i) 6 - 12 hours = 3

    e) over 12 hours = -


  Cndr: No comment (here and everything is clearly visible).


  SP: The main thing is not quantity but quality! Sorry
there was no question about the quality of p / o, which is used 
for lack of a comfortable (if applied) and the more interesting 
(if - gaming) programs for Speccy. 

 14. -Do you have another computer, but

     'ZX' (please specify)?


    a) No = 18

    b) 'PC' (iBM) = 1

    a) 'AMIGA' = 1

    g) 'ATARI' = -

    e) 'RADIO RC-86' = -

    e) game console = 3

    g) anything else = 2


  Cndr: As we can see the vast majority of
have only one computer - Spectrum of course (yes, because of 
our poverty, the more we can not afford :-(. But, it would be 
nice if near the 'Spectrum' was 'Amiga' (dreams?)



  SP: "... if it was next to the Spectrum
Amiga ...". We fear that in this case, as
Spectrum once stood would pylilsya near the Amiga.
We have many examples :-(.

 15. -Are you going to continue to ne
     ing to another computer

     platform (if not secret, then

     what)?


    a) only the 'ZX' = 8

    b) 'PC' (iBM) = 7

    a) 'AMIGA' = 6

    d) Do not know = 2


  Cndr: I am glad that most of all, it remains with us in the 
near future is not going to to leave the platform Spectrum. 
Frankly, a bit surprised by paragraph, with regards to 'Amiga' 
(say right, so many votes, I did not expect).



  SP: What do you want - dream!

 16. Game of the genre you prefer

     most (up to three options)?


    a) Adventyury = 8

    b) Action = 4

    c) Hodilki = 6

    d) Strategy = 9

    d) Sports = 3

    e) Immitatory = 5

    g) Logical = 8

    h) Ruskoyazychnye = 9

    i) All = 1


  Cndr: Most users prefer
game type - a "strategic and logical adventyury
in Russian, with elements hodilki '. Well,
Seriously, in the first place - the games 'strategic plan' and 
'Russian speakers' (if so You can speak), then go 'adventyury' 
and 'Logical', then 'hodilki' etc.


 17. His 'Spectrum' you use (not

     more than three options)?


    a) only for games = 12

    b) do BASIC = 5

    c) learn Assembler = 8

    d) composed music = 4

    d) draw pictures = 2

    e) write their own games and demos = 5

    g) work with the IS-Dos = 4

    h) For Sale n / a = 2


  Cndr: The majority of users, as was intended :-) is using my 
computer for razlecheniya (well, not enough of our people, and 
besides, here as manipulative when so many temptations all 
around). Frankly, and I'm pretty avid player. A little less 
seriously studying or already programmed in assembly code 
(perhaps in the future them to expect many new and interesting

programs). Next come: beginners (those who
only masters BASIC) and professionals (those
who have already wrote their own games and demos - these 
gentlemen, as: 'K. Kav', 'Nicodim', 'Nicolas Viper'...). The 
fourth group includes computer musicians (such as 'Harkonnen')

and amateurs to work with the IS-Dos. Group D -
the smallest, are artists (of which
I do not know anyone, ay! revoke) and sellers
n / a (I - 'Condor', and so to say, competing
firm called 'Bars').


  SP: We can only rejoice that the Spectrum
continues to satisfy the diverse tastes
creative people. In order not to lose their fans, Speccy only 
need time to update his p / o.


 18. Best in your opinion trio of games?


    a) The UFO-2 = 17

    b) ZV.NASLEDIE-1 = 14

    a) LAST BATTLE = 7

    g) PRINCE of PERSIA = 5

    e) UFO-1 = 3

    e) ELITE = 3

    x) DIZZY = 3

    h) SPACE CRUSADE = 2

    and) CEASE FIRE = 2

    a) RETURN to HOME-4, ERIC,

       IKARI WARRIORS, R-TYPE,

       HEAVY MAGIC, Winnie the Pooh,

       DEATH REDMAN, TANK WAR,

       ROBOCOP-1, LORDS CHAOS,

       TAU CETI = 1


  Cndr: Sure, first firmly established
hit in 1996 - playing 'UFO-2 THE DEVIL OF THE ABYSS'. For
her with some delay, a hit in 1995 -
adventyura 'Star Heritage-1' (the game was
so popular that it is still about passion
She did not subside, this phenomenon is comparable only to
with the legendary 'Elite'). This is followed by a global 
strategy (perhaps the best in his genre) - The Game 'The LAST 
BATTLE' (in the near future, its position may be to press - 
'DUNE-2' and 'RETURN to HOME-5'). Fourth place for our

Yaroslavl development - playing 'PRINCE of PERSIA' (I think she 
needs no introduction, all are well aware of it). Fifth place 
was shared by just three games - 'UFO ENEMY UNKNOWN-1', 'ELITE' 
(probably many more are not haunted by a mysterious Planet 
Ruxley) and the series 'DIZZY'. 

 19. Last game in which you are most

     long play?


    a) The UFO-2 = 9

    b) LAST BATTLE = 3

    a) PRINCE of PERSIA = 2

    g) PREFCLUB = 2

    g) BARD TALES, ELITE, ATF,

       ZV.NASLEDIE-1, PIRATES,

       TECHNOCOP, NIGHTRUN = 1


  Cndr: Virtually the same pattern as in
paragraph under N 20. Even comment on something.


  SP: Of course, what is there to comment, if
interest in Spectrum games kept virtually the only game :-(.

 20. Best in your opinion triple e / journal
     nals?


    a) SPECTROFON (Moscow) = 23

    b) ZX-FORMAT (Peter) = 20

    a) ADVENTURER (Rybinsk) = 17

    d) WELCOME PRESS (Peter) = 4

    g) SPECTRUM PROGRESS (Peter) = 3

    e) ZX-POWER (Kharkiv) = 1

    x) ELDORADO (Yaroslavl) = 1


  Cndr: As expected, the majority of
votes won 'spectrophone' (in the top three
it was mentioned by each respondent). As the saying goes: 
classic - forever! Second place - e / Journal of 
Saint-Petersburg - 'Zx-Format'. Modern design, great music - 
all this indisputable won the hearts of many fans Speccy. 
Slightly pootstal from him, the magazine 'Adventurer' from 
Rybinsk (a popular local newspaper). The magazine is not so 
famously 'promoted' as the first two, but already gaining a 
decent pace - the third place. Behind him a large margin to be 
'Welcome Press' from St. Petersburg (again!). Stylish design, 
volumetric descriptions of games (in general, as I understand, 
magazine is focused on this topic) is undoubtedly all that was 
to bring the magazine stunning success, but as so often happens,

due to financial constraints, Journal of 'ordered
long live '(fourth place).

  Literally, most recently, the sky lit up Speccy a new star - 
namely, e / journal nal 'Spectrum Progress' (apparently the 
guys from Peter decided we flunk quality journals). The 
magazine still young, but readers already the dignity of its 
rated (excellent contemporary design, interesting and relevant 
articles). The kids still have to work hard (but

general - keep it up! (Fifth place).

  In general, all my predictions come true. Sorry
Of course, that many E / publications from other regions were 
not included in this elite list. Apparently it was necessary to 
broaden the scope of some polling (instead of the 'troika' - 
'five'), because Many local regional publications simply could 
not on an equal footing compete with takii 'monsters' as

'Spectrophone', 'Format' and 'Adventyurer'.
 21. Your attitude to musical / demo?


    a) Always buy them = 7

    b) You can watch it once = 15

    c) all this nonsense = 1


  Cndr: Almost unanimously recognized -
that one can watch it once, but no more!
I myself actually lyubiel demos, but going
only 'quality' (such as - Lyra, Satisfaction, Ecstasy, demos 
with 'Enlight-96', and many others). Interestingly, the same 
happens to read a variety of scroll'ery, listen to good music 
(after all, right?).


 22. Are-you Journal 'ZX-Revue'?


    a) yes, always = 6

    b) from time to time = 17

    c) I'm not interested = -


  Cndr: Yes (based on the figures), we can safely assume that 
in our city all the same observed a hunger for information 
(with regards to this magazine). And the gentlemen of the 
'Inforkoma', I think, worth to draw attention to the 2 (!) of 
my letter sent to the firm to offer cooperation. 


  SP: Well, now that there are many
electronic journals, the loss of a single
"Hard" will not be a severe blow to spektrumistov. This event 
is probably not far off - Inforkom slowly wasting away. Future, 
we think belongs to electronic publications: journals, 
newspapers, inf.listkam. Especially because Computer networks 
are no longer a wonder, and also material basis for such 
publications need minimal.


  The only thing that hinders the development now
electronic media - this is a weak feedback
with readers.


                       *


  The Editorial Board is grateful Alexei Lebedev
for such interesting material and hopes
to further good relations between Peter and
Yaroslavl.

  Cities of Russia - join us!


                       *