Baltic Press #00 29 сентября 1998

История

ZX-Club - the history of occurrence of Barnaul magazine and club spektrumistov ZX-Club.

(C) SWDZ / ELDERS GROUP


      "ZX-club" and all, all, all ...


  Not so long ago, in late February, I became acquainted with a 
commercial directory software Spectrum. Frankly, I was slightly 
shocked by the abundance of electronic journals. I thought that 
their one-two and obchelsya, and the catalog was about forty 
titles! Well, on the one hand, it pleases ... What is the other 
side, which is not something that are not happy, but, frankly, 
disheartening? I do not believe it! I do not believe that once 
and suddenly they found in forty cities on at least forty 
talented organizers and journalists. Such an abundance of 
talents of casts, rather, the thought of fashion to electronic 
journals and generates doubts as most of them. A

grounds for doubt there. Take the
to the question of training.
Specify, it is not about programming.


  What would you, dear reader, have said about
graphic arts magazine with a bright glossy
cover, catchy title, the appropriate price and clean sheets 
inside? Most likely - Dummy. That's right, the shell requires 
content. But this is far not all. Any publication requires a 
clear concept and a firm editorial policy, without which the 
content of risk become maloosmyslennuyu bunch of texts and 
illustrations, seasoned with tune. Score by whatever material 
was a couple of floppy disks is not much difficulty. The 
problem is precisely the idea - for whom and for What is all 
this afoot. And only on the basis of ideas, guided by conceptual

considerations should probably think about the technical side 
of the issue. In practice, in most cases, arrive just the 
opposite - the category and Ideas Ignore the concept and 
writing team, as a consequence, finds itself in a creative 
impasse, either original dooms itself popugayskuyu work on 
transcriptions of others' ideas under its shell. However, work

of this nature - shifting anything
Spectrum platform, for example - also
necessary and, in general, it is useful. Here
necessary to specify that the journalistic
activities, such work has nothing to do. This publishing 
activity, requiring, in turn, knowledge of the craft.



  So, honestly, gentlemen, Editors, how many among you (and 
your inner circle) of people with skills acquisition, 
interpretation and presentation of material? Do you feel a 
craving for irresistible "Extraction of information? but as 
things stand with knowledge of psychology, no knowledge of what

communication with the authors might be difficult? Note that 
all these questions are rhetorical, that is

embodying the proposed answer.
But these questions, along with questions
raised in the previous paragraph are
only a small part of the overall training of journalists ...


  Now, I confess: I am not a professional
journalist, have never published, and
therefore I can not say with pride that
My natural abilities are recognized by any authoritative 
edition ... Himself to learn. But who and where? Visit

Young Journalist school age can not (and in Barnaul, the 
school, among other things, is - Center of Children and Youth 
Creativity at the Institute of Culture). Trying to get teaching 
materials and textbooks, but so far my attempts were 
unsuccessful. Moreover, it was thought to recruit a 
professional journalist, at least in an advisory capacity. But, 
whether the journalists I came across wrong, whether my idea is 
absurd by definition, I myself read above, because of its 
amateurism, do not possess some mysterious to me the secrets of 
professional beliefs. Regarding the opening, perhaps 
unnecessarily angry and bile, part I can say that all of the 
words through suffering me practice and are not baseless 
theorizing. 


  The story of "ZX-Club" on stage
Spectrum fairly banal, confusing
and strewn with thorns, but not roses. Pull people
to communicate naturally and spektrumistov desire to find in 
his hometown of "their kind" does not need to comment (we have 
a you know what I mean). Any "newly" spektrumist faces

barrier "information vacuum" around
Spectrum. Referring to random people for
advice and help newcomers meet, as
Typically, misunderstanding, irony and suicidal sympathy - poor 
thing, money is not IBM missing. All this has been completed 
and experienced. Moreover, familiarity with these 
spektrumistami does not guarantee the freshmen "wide-open 
embrace" and an invitation to the "big close-knit family. "The 
response to the request for assistance would be most likely 
negative, and "Families large and friendly," something I still

has not been observed. In such an atmosphere it is difficult
an overall picture of the Spectrum in the city and find people 
with similar aspirations. I suspect that many beginners have 
not been able to overcome most the first hurdle on its way - to 
get acquainted with their own kind "- and pushed Spectrum for 
the highest loft in the farthest corner. Officially, the 
current Club with minimal staff - the head -

would greatly simplify the task of adapting to the conditions 
of beginners information famine. Further, successful club 
activities, could help and advanced users, not

knowing what to make its own forces. Except
addition, centralization also has the advantage that
requires registration and collection of general information
and the very existence of the physical
Center probably would attract to itself new
people. Well, we agitate - only
a time to lose. The trouble is that the campaign
officials - also useless exercise.
What is required is not propaganda, but rail
arguments, which - I do not know, although I can guess.


  Attempts at a club with my (our) side there were two. On my 
first (but not ours) trying to little-known but

It is so revealing, that tell about it is worth. In the summer 
of 96-year, starting to learn the Spectrum, I applied to the 
local advertising newspaper ad: "Those who want to

to participate in the project ZX-club ...". Quite quickly to my 
email address came two letters and, judging by the tone of the 
letters - from people extremely interested. Contacting them by 
phone, I opened his card - an aspiring amateur householder with 
no financial and administrative support. It was enough to 
excess, to put an end to development of our relations. Second 
attempt took place at the Fall 97-th. Needless to say,

loner I was not - moral support was felt. But! In negotiations 
with the administration of Regional Stations of young 
technicians There was a question about the material base and

The head of the Club. If, for
the first question still to be found
compromise, then the second question
nullified all previous time and energy. Head of young 
technicians must be a teacher or, in extreme cases, highly 
qualified with a perfect working life. Such

moments of the relevant authorities
(Gouron, for example) are treated under the
microscope, and we must pay tribute, with good reason (for the 
benefit of the same by potential managers).



  Conclusion: issue of the journal, the organization of the 
Club (what else?) Requires first head is not gfx-maker'ov and 
coder'ov and professionals from areas that have nothing to 
Spectrum does not have: teachers, journalists, psychologists, 
and managers. What can to attract such people? Anything but

not altruistic motives.


  Interesting and very timely idea
expressed in the article "Electronic Samizdat"
published in ZX-Format # 7.
If the platform Spectrum will provide an additional opportunity 
to creative people enhance their information space, the 
benefits will be mutual. Spectrum win in the main strategic 
direction - will attract to its side of Professionals. And here 
I once again appeal to the editor of numerous electronic 
journals: Think it might be worth re-qualify in publishers? 
Journal - it above all, journalism, and requires speed. And 
journalism may have a small specific volume (kB / number)

either present in implicit form. But her
presence is mandatory. Let me give an example
original, high-quality done, well
simply stunning, an electronic newspaper FUNNY. This newspaper 
jokes, funny pictures, funny and fun razdnika. But why is the 
newspaper? Do be sure to call a collection of anecdotes 
newspaper and mislead the fans of his talent?



  Second, and equally important, the direction
the main thrust "is seen in the computer networking based on 
the Spectrum. By organizing in your city local dial-up 
connection, you have a real chance to connect to a fledgling 
network ZX-Net, access to the network and Fido-InterNet. A 
necessary to begin is with inner-mail, in extreme cases - based 
on the ZX-modems. Really works network (and three men - it is 
LAN) - here nucleus around which concentrate

interested people. And such people exist, to be sure. Do I have 
to prove the necessity and benefit of the first step? It is 
tempting, of course, immediately, without intermediate phases 
to appear "before the eyes of the" Moscow or St. Petersburg 
coordinator: "And here we are!" Yes, only - hardly. "We" need 
more to form and accumulate some experience or something

work. In Barnaul, the first preparatory
stage neglected, and is currently concerned about the 
acquisition of appropriate hardware and all that is necessary 
for him. Chance of success is, as one of the organizers and 
supporters include: FidoNet sysop network and people who have 
access to the InterNet. Questions on networking

the basis of the Spectrum will be covered in the regular
rooms "ZX-club". I will continue to
the idea of ​​attracting interest in the Spectrum of
by professionally trained people. The first questions asked are
people hear something like this: "How many of you and how you 
have about the spread?". Keeping in ace of trumps up his sleeve 
- access to the InterNet, you can answer: "The name we

- Legion, unlimited audience (conventionally). "Now there is a 
discussion FidoNet promising project propagation of author's 
programs - SpectrumN-Soft (SNS). Author project - Andrew 
Savichev / CGS, St. Petersburg. The possible success of the 
project - even a chance to attract programmers to work

on the basis professionally.


  As you can see, the problems are more than enough. Pathways 
leading to their solution, are inscrutable, but they determine 
the topics and all rooms "ZX-club". Perhaps

objection that the publication of sci-fi short story is 
unlikely to contribute to the organization ZX-Net. Without 
revealing all, I say that contribute to - indirectly.

The club is designed not only to "cover", but also
encourage people to actively participate in public life, and if 
the material provides the reader with, then ignore this 
material on the move - an unforgivable mistake. We love our 
readers. 


  It is said that "noblesse oblige". Name also requires - at 
least to comprehend the essence of the word. The club name is 
capable of interest and intrigue with 99.9% of all

spektrumistov, since virtually all
each in his time, went through doubt and pain of loneliness. 
Cheat expectations does not justify the trust issued in advance 
- is discredited and the complete collapse of the issuing 
group. A expected, I suppose, not a "solo on the computer and 
the copyright in each paragraph, but the work collective, 
saturated dobrozhelatelnostyu and mutual respect. The desire to 
thrust out, excel, condescending attitude toward his "comrades 
in arms - all this is contra-club edition. Of course, desire to 
improve the quality of the artistic and musical design is 
clear, but and commendable. But is it worth for this to start 
from a beginner or unconventionally minded authors? How can the 
overall quality of the magazine, for example, is not quite 
high-quality graphics, proposed in number? It is a headache 
editor, and this is the touchstone of quality concepts

provides the foundation for the publication. It is my deep 
conviction that club simply must give the word to everyone, at 
least in the order of discussion. It would be something to 
discuss. AND that you have to say.



  And with what hope readers will look at the club from the 
more peripheral periphery than Barnaul! They are waiting on the 
log of wisdom, believe in its almost unlimited opportunities, 
which in actual fact, more than modest, and asking questions, 
putting the most part, to a standstill. And here I come, 
perhaps, to its main thought. Work too much for one person, 
able to perform collective. That is beyond a small team ...



  Ideally, the alternate is an issue of "ZX-club", that not only
contrary to the meaning of the name, but rather confirms the 
thesis of the club work. Producing group should not remain in

complete isolation - to turn themselves now,
see what you get.


  As far as I know, now in Barnaul developed three shell 
magazine. Possible because without unhealthy competition to 
choose the most suitable of them, if necessary - modify and use 
as a general tool, shifting the emphasis on content of the 
magazine. However, anyone is free to write your own shell. But 
it all: Spent the joint efforts assembly technology, order 
releasing, mutual support and mutual understanding - in Ideally.



  And one more burning question that interests all without 
exception: commercial distribution of the magazine. In my 
opinion - Early. Let us recall the "ideal" version of the 
release. Get a job without "pinching" of the material, without 
intercepting the authors, without reproach, and claims - you 
can safely put the defense and set a price. A profit will 
receive the producing team of "their" rooms. 
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