Reply to the letter number 4.

08/27/1998 Surgut

Hello, dear Captain Nemo!


   Wrote you a simple Spectrum coder. Since you are a circuitry
Speccy, I would like to introduce you to
my thoughts on the future platform
SPECTRUM. I am sure that no one in this
business and try to take this into account.

   2. So, for today the priority
ways of development are as follows:

   Hardware:

   2.1. The development of pure processing power without losing 
compatibility. 

   2.2. The sharp increase in graphics
capacity.

   Music and digital left after the GS.

   Software:

   3.1. The new operating system with auto-tuning all the 
hardware specifications of your computer and peripherals and 
uses all available resources. 

   3.2. The emergence of powerful systems in the area
music and graphics (MULTIMEDIA).

   And the general problem of standardization.

   4. I agree with many projects
(Splinter, GMX, Transformer), but with my
point of view, the emergence of the "monster" will result in 
the following problems: 

   4.1. Lowering compatibility.

   4.2. Neokupaemost project (the user can not simply buy 
another one computer, even if the cost of unprofitable for the 
seller). 

   5.Vot my ideas (a sort of hybrid of all
what has been said on this subject).

   5.1. The sharp increase in processor
power without losing compatibility (this is
rather a question for you - whether it is possible to make
is a purely hardware?)

   5.2. "Accelerator" is inserted instead
processor through the plume, and the processor, who left their 
homes and inserted into "Accelerator". By default (after reset) 
is active Z-80. Any port switches the current CPU, RAM and bank 
Rom. in ROM can write the initialization Z-180, BIOS, AUTOCONF, 
etc. 

   5.3. Note: (*): registers can be
transfer and programmatic way.

   5.4. I unfortunately do not understand in
electronics, but still think a little
logic here is.

   6. Schedule. Here, almost everything is in GS.

   6.1. By default (after reset) is normally installed Spectrum 
screen and is determined by available video memory.


   In the ROM protection control program
procedures for graphics operations of 4 types:

   - Text mode;

   - Bitmap (block);

   - Vector 2D (lines, circles, shading
etc.);

   - Vector 3D (three-dimensional drawing
objects, 3D scaling, etc.)

   6.2. It would be nice if present:

   - Digestion BMP, JPG, TIFF, PCX and
etc.

   - Unpack the packed data
(Graphics).

   - Math functions.

   More important to make such maps straight
memory access (in this case - video). Well, in RZU stored 
variables. In addition to the built-in, would not prevent 
support for arbitrary modes (dXxdYxC) and palette (within 
memory). Having the opportunity to (unlimited)

memory expansion and replacement of the processor.

   7. Here, perhaps, and all of the gland.

   I myself am now develop powerful
(For Speccy) graphics editor. It
will be implemented before unrealized
Speccy at:

   - Vector FONT'y.

   + Blend ("Moss" techturoy)

   + 16-bit sequence
"Shape" of the line (the dotted line and TA)

   + REAL TIME MAGNIFI X8

   - Editors FONT'a, "shape" of the line
texture points (8x8), etc.

   + 2 Screen

   - Connection instead of a point on any object (line, circle, 
box) 

   + Error-free pouring

   - Scale, perspective, tilting, twisting, etc.

   "+" - Has already been done and working. Also
already made all the graphics primitives.
All operations are carried out with maximum
Spectrum for speed. In total, about 30% done. The length of the 
mash. code Editor's total will be about 40 Kilobytes

or about 12000 teams (it's the eye).
Now somewhere in 12k code.

   Given the scope of work and what I
one term out of more than unknown.
Especially because for many operations have to develop new 
algorithms (or nowhere take, or have not arranged their

characteristics). Thus was born
new algorithm for drawing a line (the part
procedure line, which will decide - to move or not move to
point down represents the 11 (!) processor commands the Z-80, 
including the only transition team JP M - it runs as a result 
of reflection. The same algorithm is used when zooming slope, 
etc. I would like to know the opinion of g.Brezenhema about it.


   7.2. Also been developed entirely
new algorithm for the fill. It has five major advantages:

   7.1. Clearly set the buffer size
(2 * Max size of the fill for
Speccy 2 * 6144 = 12k).

   7.2. Great speed (on the Speccy more than 30000 points / 
second). 

   7.3. Correlation between the complexity of the terrain and 
time casting tends to zero. 

   7.4. Ratio is less than Max size of the area, the higher the 
rate of "pouring" is hermetically sealed, ie, if all

screen (49,152 pixels) is filled with 68 frames
(1.36 sec.), The window for the vector letters
(64x64) will fill in within the next 5 frames.

   7.5. Full infallibility. This algorithm eliminates errors by 
100%. The implementation of this algorithm on a Speccy WARRANT 
fill any object within 5 (five) seconds. Although the rate can 
be increase somewhere in the 20-25%, but we need to convert the 
entire screen in the format line for Line and take another 6 
kilobytes. 

   All figures quoted for the fact that
processor operates at a frequency of 3.5 Mhz.

   That's all that I could write.

   8. Dear Captain Nemo! I would like to
know your opinion on all of the above and at the same time get 
the latest price lists. 

   8.1. P.S. Can I patent algorimy if - yes, how?

   8.2. P.P.S. If you want to review the above algorithms, I
You present them with a complete description of their
work.

   8.3. P.P.P.S. I apologize for all the
I admitted errors or misprints.


                            Yours sincerely
N.



11/09/1998 Surgut 26.11.98 C Nemo

Hello, N!


   Apologies for the delay in response, because on
letters of this kind is very difficult to answer. Wrong the 
approach to the problems Spectrum. According to formal logic,

of incorrect attempts (False - Engl., damn
- Lie, cheat, deceive stupidity - Old Russian) may follow
anything, including real
approval. However, everything in general -
wrong, despite the fact that there are true statements. You can 
also see that you too are abusing viewing

TV (television) and reading the mass of the "yellow" computer 
books. 

   Your main mistake - it is confidence
that the underlying cause is the growth of computers and their 
technical parameters. In your opinion, is cause, "prime mover" 
of all that happening in the computer world. This is not

so. Specifications - this is
consequence of the development platform as a socio-cultural (or 
cyber-social) entities. Is only as good structural development 
platform and how it is mass, what problems are solved on a 
platform - gos.upravlenie, professional and business activities 
(IBM); demomeyking, kulibinstvo, study computer equipment 
(Spectrum), - depends on technical "tricked out" equipment. 
Pointless to put the cart before the horse and deliver 
microscope that they hammer nails.


   "So, today the priority
ways of development are. "

   1. Changing spectrum of platforms
Spectrum. As through the introduction of mass
users of new applications
Spectrum and new methods and fields of use, and by improving
existing structures and areas of use.

   2. Evolutionary, continuous development
platform. With this approach, the pace of development is 
determined not "tricked" the coolest "monster" (and their 
naplodili many), but the intensity of the replacement of 
obsolete equipment. Transition to new, improved standards and 
the rejection of the old, exhausted themselves. From a 
financial point of view can and should do only what is in 
unable to pay the users. Ie on clothes to stretch legs. 
Senselessly invest in the poor, they never

return.

   3. Development ideology Spectrum. To every lamer knew that 
Spectrum - a TV and only TV as a display device. That this can 
not be changed will have trouble if everything is throughout 
the community. And here, for example, tape interface can and 
should be removed. That work should be "under the" operating 
system "and not" with it "or" over it. "What operating system 
must be one. (Imagine that in addition to TRDOS'a would exist 
and all the other disc interfaces, "naplodilis in Europe?

Spectrum would simply not take place as a platform).

   Now let's try to analyze your
deals with these positions, not based on
from the conventional foolishness "Spectrum'u lacked the 
technical characteristics." Thus, by Settlements:


   2.1. Let's develop a "pure processing power" (meaning, 
apparently, the clock frequency). Now machines competently made 
Turbo-mode units percent of the entire park. Programs under

They do not - and therefore nobody knows what
there is a turbo-mode is made correctly, and not through the 
ass. So write a program which would use these features. This 
will be the development. 

   2.2. For graphics power is required
display (namely the display, not TV
without channel domestic production, which is lamer called 
"display"). Try to sell at least a couple, and then free to 
serve them - money that users do not have! It is also useful for

exacerbating the problem of understanding to sell a couple more 
screens in the mail in the village, say, Tmutarakanku, where 
the voltage jumps in the region of 150-300 volts, and see how 
they're technologically advanced. 

   3.1. Let's make a new operating system. At my expense, for 
your money. Pay something no one else. Spend 10-20

man-years to build, debug, and polishing the code, print (and 
most importantly, extend!) 50 tons of commercials accompanying 
literature, will buy shares commercials with the twenty- 
Spectrum clones (and they are just so much on expanses of 
Russia). Tenancy for their installation. Zaimeem phone, PO box 
(this is necessary to reverse communications and customer 
support - and how You'll learn where the system is buggy?). 
During smoking breaks in this seething activity we are on the 
windowsill in the office procedure of combining business with 
pleasure to write the first version of the operating system so 
that it value can be ignored. Probably

it will cost thousands of commercials 300-500. Requisites 
indicated in the price list as soon as transfer money, so 
immediately and get started. 

   3.2. And what powerful systems of music and
graphics (MULTIMEDIA - what a term! On
TV must have heard?)? There
Amig'a. There is IBM. Generally speaking, there are
and GS. Problems of contemporary music rooted not in the 
imperfection of music instruments, and the imperfection of the 
listeners. Recorded precedents when not only the performers 
enjoyed soundtrack ("plywood"), but the auditorium. In 
addition, the "harder", "heaped" equipment, the more code (the 
program) to it. As in the cost (ie costs for

its creator), and in the termination costs for
buyer. Dilettante (amateur) approach to programming in this
case is no longer possible. If you are in
single-handedly trying to create a product
then years of commercials are 15 you will take. In structures 
(firms) in Spectrum'e virtually none. 95% - is Kulibina as 
home, financed by parents. Even if we assume the impossible, 
that these 15 years you honestly worked - who will buy? Even

are fairly simple software products marketed on a commercial 
basis, are paid what is called "through the stump-deck." But 
there are also pirates ... 

   4. Splinter and GMX - it is really
projects. Transformer - a conceptual
development. Ironically, the conceptual design may be more 
realistic than the draft. If the "Transformer" was

project, it would undoubtedly be found
"Monster". However, if you read the beginning pismp, we find 
that the Transformer can run, but

Splinter and GMX can not even be in the future.

   4.1. Lowering software compatibility is inevitable.

   Legal: 90% transitive software compatibility, 95% of direct 
software compatibility. In this development will be smooth, 
wrinkle-free and ambiguity, ie, continuous. Be a Transformer 
implemented now, the relevant parameters would be accounted for 
60% and 50% respectively. Total have: 0.6 = 0.9n. Solve with 
respect to n: n = lu (0.6) / lu (0.9) n - 5. Ie requires 
approximately five intermediate models. Given that a number of 
reasons the model can not be replaced more frequently than one 
year and less than two, we get the commercials years 5-10. And 
most importantly, the market should be ready for the real 
application of this technique. So the main problem in the brain 
and not in glands. 

   4.2. What neokupaemo within a year, payback within 10 years. 
And the user does not necessarily buy another computer. This is 
absurd. According to clause 4.1. he will have to buy 5 
computers! Necessary to change the board and make upgrade. in 
which case the user will be regularly funding the manufacturer. 
KAY series has already upgrade-chain of the 5 models 
(RAY-256/2SL-94 city / V 1.0 to KAY-1024/3SL-TURBO- 1998). The 
difference in price between the models is in the cards

average of 100 rubles. In this case, all the boards
work, and only the first model
begin to be disposed of. This alternative "completions" 
(kitchen) approach. It is easy to see that after 3-completions 
(with approximately 50% probability) PC flies in the trash. 
Repair it impossible to sell as well. Here this is getting to 
the money, because need to buy a new PC (1000 p. - compare with 
500 p. - By upgrad'u in installments for 5-10 years). Since 
users have no money, then they are no longer those of be.


   5.1. Count This is all.
And, most importantly, understand: only a quick cat
fuck - everything else is going on
slowly. As for figure 1, then
it's something painfully familiar reminds me - I'm not GMX 
right? You take the floor barn - which is already about to fall 
apart - and make it two stories. Illogical. Under the longer 
term, apparently refers to the third floor and attic. That's

altogether from the realm of fantasy. But it is possible,
- In Russia we all can - she is always
famous for fools and roads. The first is not
fewer, while the latter did not become shorter.
One thing to consider,
this is how you explain the simple fact
DEVICE that in Figure 1 will be more expensive
similar, all-new motherboard? As reasonably possible chided the 
user on his barn and say: "Do not cry, even will serve you well 
for him rooted in heart, each mikroshemka you in it path. Let's 
also cooked soup from an ax. "Here and get the money.


   6.2. Figure 2. Yeah, that's attic.
Do you know how much it will cost this unit? Only one box, 
discreetly tucked away in a corner of the diagram, namely 
pryamougolnichek decoder PAL / RGB "will cost you one ruble in 
300 commercials. In corporate Spectrum'ah TV-interface (ie, 
hardware bells and whistles, are responsible for connection to 
TV) takes from 25 to 30% of salaries (and,

accordingly, the cost).

   By the way, but what comes out of the charts
arrow to the BUS? Completely finished construction, however. 
Spectrum no longer needed. While there, I'm wrong, nneobhodim 
cause it to vparit. This is where the bus and useful.


   According to clause 6.1. Listen, why all this
need (meaning a list of item 6.1)? Give an example of at least 
one real goal-setting, for which someone will be willing to 
give money. There are not talking imaginary, and ephemeral 
features (so to speak, enticed mental images), and real 
application? However, very satisfied with the familiar set of 
words from you computer industry. What will be the result at 
the level of the platform? That useful it will bring to users? 
That they will do after they get bored to solve this puzzle and 
try to somehow use a little? 

   6.2. About the digestion of BMP, JPG,
TIFF, PCX, etc. skazt nothing I can not.
Here you have surpassed me. These terms I
not familiar with. Professional characterized
not only because he knows that he needs to work, but does not 
know that it is not necessary. Loan to bother with this 
nonsense? 

   all of clause 6.1. and 6.2. I note the following. 
Architecture are not additive. This means that "the best is the 
enemy of the good." If put it more academically, that 
architecture, like any complex system is not necessarily 
optimal, if compiled entirely of the optimal knots. And vice 
versa - architecture (structure) may be optimal, even when 
composed in part of suboptimal for the individual nodes. If

collect all possible advantages of different architectures into 
one, then get one a major drawback. Pile - it is a heap. This, 
incidentally, most importantly, do not understand Spectrum 
developers. They gathered all the wishes to ONU lot lamer. Heap 
and turned. And finally. When a person require unlimited number 
of brain (Memory), it casts a dark shadow on the

on his own brains. Computers, understood as architecture, 
complimentary mentality. This is a syllogism.


   7.1. With respect to software - and here I am no expert, and 
not professional. Obraschayts in firms that

engaged soft'om. The only thing I would like to note: item 7.3. 
should be reformulated: "Time to die is almost independent of 
the complexity of the relief." 

   8. Algorithms for a patent
meaningless. The patent mechanism is not designed to guarantee 
pension for It happened once seen smart idea of someone's 
head. Copyright protects the particular implementation, not 
ideas. Between these concepts is a difference. Essentially, 
this is investment protection (Capitals), sent in high-risk 
areas. Under the capital (investment) can be understood and 
your personal time (Labor) spent on product creation

(Finished product, not the ideas!), And direct
funds, and overhead, cost of
oboruzhovaniya to get the result and
etc. etc. Ie main purpose of copyright
law - is not to provide someone a comfortable old age, and 
investment protection with risk and contribute to the 
transformation these investments in the capital. Should not be

confuse money with capital. Money - is
just money. Capital of the same - it works in a certain 
direction the money - like working body. Tedious to give

detailed legal interpretation to bringing unprecedented. Try to 
understand this in the form as stated.


   With reference to your letter should be noted that the 
finished product is unlikely Does not far off. Legal right to 
dispose implementation (product) has one who has suffered major 
costs. In particular, firms in the products of intellectual 
labor will become the property themselves firms, not those who 
are under an employment agreement, this product have acquired. 
As for the means of protecting copyright, the State is not up 
to this, and rescue of drowning - was the work of

drowning. Here is an example of effective protection of their 
copyrights. When the market Kazakova (St. Petersburg) there 
were "left" version of the "UFO" Glory Mednonogova, it is not

hesitation, went to g.Zonovu and told him about the following: 
"If the sale left-discs will not stop, then the next

version at Scorp'e will not work. "
g.Zonovu had driven away empty-handed. Indeed, bad shit
where zhresh. In the apparatus used
more complex combinations - they long to explain. The idea is 
that eventually hit falls on a pocket of who "Stolen."