Reply to the letter number 86.

601915 6.09.99


   Hello, Mr Nemo!


   After receiving your order (KAY-1024), I initially rejoiced, 
but after some time, began to emerge

some questions.

   Firstly, I do not quite like
level of order execution in part of the content in it of the 
book "Handbook of the system program for ZX-Spectrum ". This 
book would have been entertaining 6.7 years ago and

Currently it is of interest
only in terms of junk. It is clear that you and your company 
must somehow raspihat like junk, but I gave more option would 
be an attachment instead of books mate plug printer.

The more so because the price plug DB-25R cheaper than this 
book. 

   Secondly, I really did not like
fly with the keyboard. I remember your answers
my calls, and, nevertheless, like
to clarify this issue. At the time of reservation in the price 
list from 3.3.1999, the you do not have no hint about replacing 
the XT-KLAV'y on battered keyboard, which in appearance

All ten years of shine. I do not think that
XT-KLAVA and keyboard attached to the same price, and I'm 
wondering what went to the difference in price.


   Thirdly, I would like to say about this
little things like a brochure "KAY-1024" cost
05.02 USD Probably, it is possible to invest in
Set passports and descriptions, as Read more convenient printed 
on paper rather than to dive somewhere in ISDOS, where there 
are In my opinion, similar electronic brochure.


   Fourth, in each price list you
write about ISDOS and CP / M v 2.2. You ISDOS
put in the bag for work, and where did
diskette with CP / M? I would like to see
what it is. In our city, in my opinion
there are no programs for the CP / M, but as
and the operating system itself, we even ISDOS very uncommon. 
In my opinion, but I have more or less fresh ISDOS, other ISDOS 
for 94-95 years. By and large I am

USER in its pure form, and I would like to have not only ISDOS, 
but other Operating system for comparison and to work with.


   Now I would like to touch on some issues directly related
with the computer. Very disappointed no
button "MAGIC", although I rarely used it, and. Another point 
is that that in my opinion, is not quite correct

running a dual drive. Incorrectness lies in the fact that when 
working with one drive simultaneously interrogated and

the other, resulting in a regularly seen knocking parts of the 
mechanism that, at times annoying. 

   Well, the main drawbacks I
robes, remained small things. I want to
ask you, Mr. Nemo, really for
three-month delivery time was
difficult to adapt to ISDOS KAY-1024 I
I mean the driver skorpionovsky etc.
Another issue is that the
because of their curiosity peretknul jumper from 10-11 to 11-12 
and saw some similarity of the monitor. If you do not 
complicate, would you be so kind as to explain what it is 
hiding in the ROM and what it meant. And finally, another 
question. You sent the computer's circuitry, but does not put

scheme floppy drive controller. Could it be
commercial or military secrets? After all, if
into force for any reason the controller fails / etc, I have a 
few months cuckoo, as if I had a diagram of the album,

I would sleep calmly.

   At this critical review of his finish
and move on to more personal matters.

   I am very glad that in such a difficult time
there's someone who really works
not only for themselves but for other people.
And you are an excellent example of this
approval.

   Thank you for this!

   I would be glad if you answer my questions. The only thing 
that confuses me, so is that we do not allow third month

Salary, dodge and spin, I can not,
so there is no money even for stamps for your reply. But if you 
answer, in my following letter I am sure I will put stamps as 
payment for your answers. 


                           Regards N.


   P.S. If you want to publish in
"Open Letters", then publish to your
full discretion in whole or in Occupied form.

   P.P.S. I apologize for any possible
errors. I just did not write very long letters, and therefore 
the practice of writing is lost. 



                                 04.10.99


              Dear N!


   1. According to the "Handbook of system software for the 
ZX-Spectrum". In general, you wrong with the assessment of this 
book. And, say so, with the motives that guided by its 
embedding. But do not forget that there are regions where there 
are no No book on Spectrum'u. Do they have

You out there - is unknown. In addition, she
supplied free of charge.

   2. According to DB-25P connector and the keyboard. My
obligation to expel your keyboard
(Optional, one more block) are valid. Corresponding to an order 
issued (From 07.28.1999). By the way, is what we agreed on the 
STA. Used keyboard may send right now. But soon, you may be 
able to buy new units keyboards. I think that you can work on 
the old keyboard, although it is not first freshness, and wait 
for the new block. (As far as can be understood from the letter 
- keyboard still works.) DB-25P will be sent along with the 
keyboard (because you bought a computer entirely, it can be

dovyslat as a discount, the more
that the shipment will be deducted from your keyboard). Tag in 
the order is placed. In general, the keyboard is now an acute 
shortage. Actually the delay in sending this and explained.


   Now for the controller XT-KLAV'y. These
controllers have been designed as a
cheaper alternative to membrane keyboard. And at that moment it 
really is it was so (we are talking about 94-95 years.). Now

find the XT-keyboard and the crystal I 8035
(8039) big problem. Actually, the reason they were removed from 
production. That is why they have disappeared from the price 
list and a complete set of machines - are already in

price list from April 1999 XT-KLAV'a
removed from the list p.p.1.0 "KAY-1024.
Computer assembly. "As amended by the price list from 
06.21.1999 (in fact, at the moment Your order) is already 
explicitly stated: "Membrane keyboard, 58 keys. That

As for the difference in price, that's all
very conditional. Controllers XT-KLAV'a with
HT-keyboard at the time of their removal from the production 
cost about the same as used in the membrane keyboard assembly

with good marketable. The basic price is in the same time costs 
of searching for most of these keyboards (that membrane that

PC-XT-shnyh) and their testing.

   Let me explain with an example. Were detected and
purchased the old PC keyboard with shnye
Bed of silumin (3 kg). Of course, they have been implemented in 
St. Petersburg, as dispatch costs twice: - 2 parcels.

By the way, excellent keyboards from an operational point of 
view - the rate of recruitment to is higher. But it is not 
suitable for forward and the other could not be found.


   3. According to the brochure "KAY-1024, Manual
user ". I fully agree that
hard copy is more convenient - even at the expense of
time access to information, pictures and
independence from the company. A.2.4, at the
case - not a commercial item. This 
advertising-information-research positions in the price list. 
(That is, non-profit, in the literal sense - a position). 
Therefore, price is quite relative here: 2.5 cu -

this postage, ie, FREE brochure obtained. Now why it's done. 
(In fact, the cost of brochures, even at the expense of 
photocopying, about 10p.). Need to know users' opinions about 
what's printed, what and where the error, and that they do not 
understand it. Only then can run the printing press, and 
include the brochure as a commercial product (including in 
Section 1.0). I think the claims you had more

if it was included in Section 1.0 (ie
for money) and your letter would have been considerably longer. 
It would be interesting it read, but it would have already 
CLAIM, ie an implicit allusion to the inconsistency Quality 
costs and possible compensation. A this is loss. It is quite 
another 2.5 USD - for the price of any product is good,

- If it at least to some extent necessary. The next edition 
price list This brochure will have a commercial

para. The brochure has already been corrected, edited, 
supplemented with - and for it not a sin to get money. Now 
holds the technical part (preparation of camera-ready). It has 
already been paid for and executed on 50%. Everyone who has 
ordered her not in 2.5 cu (And expressed his "physics" in the 
response letter), a commercial copy will be sent to charge. I 
take this opportunity express my gratitude to Boris from 
Moscow, Sharapova (OPER), who made the most difficult part of 
the work - namely - made (ie, written and coded) from scratch,

- Ie did something new. Actually improve, deepen, expand, 
supplement - it's easier than "bump" to work with ZERO. And he 
did it. Did not because what is "cool" or "prestigious" - and

simply because it had to be done.
Of course, it immediately "defecate". But this
OK - someone who does something first, always gets the full 
program. It's not cool demos you write.


   4. On diskette Wed / M. Operating system - not a girl, so it 
is considered - A working tool. And the CP / M at the moment is 
not. And not because there's bad code or bad specifications. 
This system is not SUPPORTED. And the operating system

without the support - it is zero, no sticks. You can play 
around, to work systematically can not, at least, the 
effectiveness of Work will be low. Again, I note - do not

because of some technical parameters or incompatibility of 
code. With so, you're right that the characteristics of 
advertising needs to be removed - if She nobody supported, and 
included in the technical-commercial information is not 
necessary. Will be removed. 

   5. By MAGIC'u. Magic is only necessary
in that case, if there is a shadow screen.
If not, then the button is not needed. No
Shadow monitor, this button is 85% software
will not work (primarily in
concerns about fresh, newly written by products).

   6. Dual drive. To catch in the production of such nuances, 
it is necessary to have a SERIAL rather than Small-scale 
production, with the corresponding regular supply of components.

Now it's impossible.

   7. Adaptation to ISDOS'a KAY-1024
noted. (The only thing I would like to get a more expanded
form what you call "adaptation").
Machines are equipped at the moment serial, universal ISDOS'om. 
Here it is necessary think.


   8. In the image of the monitor. Curiosity
well, but in moderation. Jumpers 10-11 and
11/12 TECHNOLOGY, ie needed in
manufacturing process boards - and the user know why they were 
standing there, and what functions are carried out, no need. By 
the way, reverse is also no need working computer.

You do not ask me why, for example, computer board is cheaper
as set out in its details, and how well
obtained. This refers to the technology
production as the "shadow flashing."

   9. Under the scheme of the controller. Schematics are not 
trade secrets. Trade secret is a set of issues related to 
organizational structures, production technology and the 
development of promising directions. This Incidentally, the 
main reason why amateurs and larechniki retired. Requires a 
professional approach in order to make both qualitatively

cheap and promising. As for
schemes, then in St. Petersburg they are NOT SUPPLIED all. 
Again, not because of some secrecy. These same two reasons. 
First. This inventors / innovators. If you haphazardly poke a 
soldering iron in the complex, then You can get the effects are 
more spectacular, than the shadow screen saver. This is 
probably very nice, but it costs money, because cause computers 
to working condition have the manufacturer - and it is very 
expensive - the audience also does not understand this. In SP-B 
considerable crowding of users and good access to spare parts. 
Therefore, one inventor, duly "Advertise" their "innovation"

could damage a significant portion
fleets by initiating an "epidemic" of vandalism. In addition, 
there were precedents ESPECIALLY when competing firms to 
publish the scheme "improvements" to bring competing 
Spectrum-clones out of order. Even a relatively small, harmless

change in computer design reduces
its liquidity and price makes it a Custom. A NON-STANDARD PC 
can not be sustained. Incidentally, this clearly stated in the 
pricelist. Now second. In manufacturing you need to know

weaknesses in design, ie necessary
feedback for quality control.
This information comes in the form of complaints. Outside of 
SP-B situation is different - the user will think three times 
before than to climb into the computer - and the scheme is 
intended. Ie in case of repair and to better understand the 
device computer, ie, simplify programming. The SP-B, it could 
provoke rukosuystvo, ie non-proliferation scheme

- A preventive measure aimed
improvement of "epidemiological" situation.

    Now specifically to the scheme of the controller. It was 
published in the Journal of Radio amateur "N 5 for 1995 scheme 
will be printed in the brochure KAY-1024. Scheme is attached to 
you at once, this letter. 

   10. All letters, REGARDLESS OF THE FACTS CONTAINED IN THEM, 
published in the "Open Letters "WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND 
WHATSOEVER bills. This, if you want the game. The only 
exceptions are letters in which Corresponding point directly to 
the ban publication of all letters or parts thereof

(See file about.txt in the "Letters"
CD "Open Letters").

   11. Thank you for your best wishes.


                                (C) Nemo.



      COUPLE OF COMMENTS FROM THE FIRM iSDOS

N> "... remained small things. I want to ask you, Mr. Nemo, 
really for three-month delivery time was

difficult to adapt to ISDOS KAY-1024 I
I mean the driver and skorpionovsky
etc. "


   1. The question, obviously not for Mr. Nemo, and to
me.

   2. What does "adapt" iSDOS
for KAY-1024. Yes, and a funny
three months? iSDOS last two
, The cases on KAY, and the last 1.5
year - by KAY-1024.

   3. What is a "driver skorpionovsky?
RAM disk? Flop? Winchester?
Printer? What is a driver? And what is the "etc."? Drop me a 
line. 195256, St. Petersburg, Science Ave 28, kv.123, Leont'ev, 
AG 


                 and more:

Nemo> "Magic is required only if there is a shadow screen. If it
not, and the button is not needed. Without a shadow
Monitor this button for 85% of software work
will not ... "


   - I disagree with Mr.
Nemo and I fully support his client.
I do not just ask Nemo complete KAY
This useful for any programmer or
hacker key. What to do with it, and how
use it - not the developer HARDa
case. Invent. The same can be iSDOS
would load any monitor with a flop
or screws into any older page of RAM.
Not expect favors from vendors
HARD'a and wait when they will trouble
to flash the ROM monitor!

   Incidentally, the 79th letter (see) Mr. Nemo
states that do not support controller iSDOS MOUS'a. And where, 
it is interesting to know this mouse on my Kae? What might be

without the support of the iron? And why
somebody does not write itself to the progressive
KAY from the Mouse?

   At the same time, since I went to a booze where
watch? I have long been many users and programmers take out. 
Kondratyev, for example, said that the mailer without a clock - 
not Mailer. And I fully understand it. 

   Where the beeper? I could very primitive
muses. effects in their "long-playing" bend
insert. In create.com, for example. Read by the 16MB on the 
screw OK - a nice peep. There are dietary supplements - 
something not very pleasant. Better through FE-port. He's all 
there. Although possible and by AY. Do not say that

people need and what he does not need, or even harmful. You 
just have to give. People will figure out what to do.



                         Alexey Leontiev