Open Letters #03 05 мая 2000

Nemo open letters № 3.2

644081 18.02.2000


              Hello!


  Lately I hear a lot about your
computer (KAY-1024). Me he was very interested. I would like to 
receive price lists and complete information about your 
development with all the prices. I also would like to know how 
soon I could come computer, if I ordered it and sent the money 
via wire transfer. 

  Waiting for early reply.

                          Sincerely, N.



                               26.02.2000

              Dear N!


  At this time period sending the finished
machine - in fact - for six months. In the next six months - a 
year of this period, probably will reduce to 3 - 4-month 
period. Term Distribution fees - about 1,5 - 2,5 months. The 
rest, as a rule, be sent to for 1 - 1,5 months. Wire transfer

- It is minus a week with the deadline,
ie 0.25 months.

                                (C) Nemo.
432066 01.03.2000


              Good day!


   I ask you to send new price lists:

   - Nemo

   - IskraSoft

   I am interested in the issue under item 3
(IskraSoft).

   - ISDOS Assembler - Disassembler + Debugger

   - In addition the most complete documentation
by ISDOS. Here is the documentation on diskette
or printed pamphlet-type book.

   Under paragraph (pricelist Nemo)

   Section 1.2 MKEY mouse / keyboard - controller, because the 
controller should be already on the approach to commercial 
production or going to request for production.


   I enclose stamps for $ 5
rubles.

                          Sincerely, N.


                               01.03.2000

              Dear N!


   1. Controller, unfortunately, at the same
stage, a year ago - while promoting zero. There is only a test 
(prikidochnaya, Pilot) wiring in PCad'e. For more detailed 
explanations apply to "CPG Compex" (address see price list).



                                (C) Nemo.
428003 01.03.2000


              Hello!


   Please send your catalog and
well as a catalog of IskraSoft, if a dealer has them. I would 
also like to learn more about your "iron": clock ICs "Dallas", 
XT-KLAVA, KEMPSTON-MOUSE - Whether they can connect to other 
computers. Also wanted to know if after you find the scheme of 
computers Pentagon-48, because I have one, and without the 
scheme it is difficult to refine and up to 512 K, and connect 
different hardware. 

   P.S. I have a comp Pentagon-48, but refined to 128 K. There 
is a possibility through You find a diagram of memory expansion 
up to 512 By the above? I hope that makes 5 now. enough

for an answer??



                               01.03.2000


              Dear N!


   1. Catalog Iskra-Soft is in the package
advertising.

   2. Information on connecting to other
computers offered by the devices / products company (c) Nemo 
does not have, because as the skin is not worth. Explanation

how to hook up costs much more than
the device itself.

   3. Scheme Pentagon'a there, but: 1)
This is the third copy is very bad, 2)
know what this version Pentagon'a.
That there can be copied (even
times) and returned. Payment either trademarks or
postal order marked "scheme Pentagon'a" $ 30 USD. (The cost of 
copying + postage - itself scheme money is not worth it).


   4.Shemy completions are not published, no
discussed, will not be sent. Why - see
above in "Op. let." (N letters do not remember).

   5. Stamps in the amount of 5 rubles. enough and will suffice 
until the summer of 2000 (up to 1 June) - and then will need to 
send grades 7 rub. because rose postage

rates (40%), and this direct costs.


                                 (C) Nemo
117437 02.03.2000

 Hello, Mr Nemo!


   Decided to write you to share
some of my thoughts on
KAY-1024. So you do not seem all that
naive as to say that my acquaintance with
Spectrum platform was held as
strange sound, a little more than two
years ago. Do not want to bore the details under what 
circumstances it happened, I can only say that my first car was 
a ZX-777. I liked the machine, and I decided to buy a more 
powerful development. 

   I suggest you go to your distributor OPER'u what I did.
At first I was all pleased with this purchase, but it is known 
in comparison. Some toys are stubbornly refusing to go on your 
machine that is not associated with "Krivostyu" program. Not 
only do I checking their text, so even before this, note that 
obviously the Curves program can go, and certainly normal, even 
company can not refuse. This is somewhat tired, but nothing 
more. 

   My main frustration is the fact
how the machine works with the hard disk. Maybe I'm writing is 
not quite at, and you I can redirect to IskraSoft,

but I do it because it was under your
"Hardware" they write your soft.

   To begin with I totally understand,
why iS-DOS after exiting the program,
not related to utilities, could not take control and return the 
user's shell? In particular this applies to files with the trd. 
I understand that this is due to the fact that Control is 
passed from the OS TR-DOS'u, but really hard to write an 
installer, which would have produced adaptation of the program 
to work in the OS environment, the more was adopted the 
ideology of MS-DOS'a? In other words, it seems to me that much 
more convenient for everyone would work for all programs under 
the OS, not with her. Not should bother to create a 
multitasking operating system, let her remain single-tasking, 
but will become more convenient. 

   For greater effect will give an example: I
working with a program under the TR-DOS,
loaded with a "screw", or just a game
and to me it is vital to move from this
program to another, while not essential, by which it operates. 
Ideally we would like, that it can be done pressing a single 
button or perform the necessary operations to withdraw from the 
program. No not so simple. First, if necessary, I have to save 
all the data, with I've worked on, then press RESET,

go to the Start menu ROM, select
Download the "propeller", then perform another
several operations, but it's just my
problems associated with congestion
autoexec'a, and only then can I
download that program, with which I need to work on. Is that so
hard to do?

   Will not go on to speculate
this topic. Perhaps all this will give "lamerstvom, and yet ...

    We load the iS-DOS and call out
program designed to work in
TR-DOS'e, what if this should happen? A driver emulator to boot
in memory, does not allow the program to access ROM, forming a 
pseudo-ROM in the memory, but taking into account the changes 
that are made in the program installer, and passes control to 
the program, resident remain in memory and allowing you to do 
the necessary conservation than on floppy, but on "Dope." When 
you exit the program control is transferred to the screw and 
re-loaded OS with all made when you first start

installations. Given that the machine has 1 MB of RAM, the 
program uses a maximum of 256 Kbytes, then we still have enough 
storage space in the memory of all required. I understand that 
a complex task, and it can not be solved overnight, but if All 
this is done, the user undoubtedly increase the possibility of 
the machine. Realizing this, we can also think about 
multi-tasking, but there's a problem with lack of memory, but 
it is solvable problem.


   In the study of the scheme I have found
two "jumper." Compared them with the board, I discovered that I 
have only one designated for the scheme "7,8,9". I do not know, 
what is different, so I will not voice their complaints about 
his absence, will return to the first. To speculate a bit on 
whether to try to switch, I have come to the conclusion that 
nothing bad will happen if I do, and did. What was

my surprise when I saw a completely
new splash screen for a "ZX SPECTRUM
RAM ". Empirically figured with paragraphs
menus, which are responsible for the test machine and
Address decoding for something. Third
menu item is TR-DOS. A little thought, I concluded that when 
choosing this item the machine must go into

work with TR-DOS, but the selection of the item or
to anything except hang the machine failed.
A little more thinking on this topic, I came
to the conclusion that this is some sort of "skorpionovskogo" 
Performance Monitor Prof-ROM. After reviewing all the 
information I have, I have not found a single word mention of 
these opportunities on your machine. I beg you to explain this 
para. 

   It is also not left without interest and such
question - universal controller
IBM-keyboard and mouse. I would like to find out when it is 
released and how much will it cost?


   Continuing review of the periphery, I noticed
their attention on the sound card. I, too,
a man with a sense of humor and can appreciate a good
joke, but the cost of this option by Spectrum $ 50 I do not 
understand. So much is a decent card for the IBM! I'm not 
talking about that it all kicks this platform

their class "people." Let's count:
himself KAY - 800 rubles. ($ 30), the body with the power
supply - $ 20, disk drive controller card -
450 rubles. ($ 15), Winchester - 15 $ (85M),
RGB-monitor - $ 30, the keyboard does not assume
I will, as the new standard is not as
old no one believes. I got $ 80, if we add another 50
$, Then we get a decent amount. No one knows how much it will 
cost controller keyboard, but also a modem! Krutovato, but

without some of the options you can do to make upgrade 
gradually, but ... Here in connection with the above, I can not 
with surprise not to mention that if all these devices are 
internal, then your machine detected a major flaw - a little 
slots to collect the car as possible configuration. They should 
be at least 5. But in fact the machine is interesting, and it 
should not be lost, as Numerous other platforms.


   In conclusion, I want to remind your
dream, which you said to ENLIGHT'95
- Need to create a car comparable in power with the AT-286, but 
KAY-1024 - it's not AT rather TURBO XT. However, familiarity 
with this machine has brought me to the conclusion that

the only thing it lacks is
graphics accelerator with full screen
graphics and resolution of at least 400 * 300.
It is this decision will have a normal schedule, not while 
making a radical change in its original scheme for distributing 
video ports. 

   Waiting for your reply and, if possible, to publish my 
address. I'd like to correspond with other fans and 
connoisseurs this computer. And then we have to use programs 
written years ago in June, and want something new. 

   117437, Moscow, st. UNION,
d.118, building 1, kv.98. Remezov Oleg Vital'evich.


02.03.2000

   Dear Remezov OV!

   1. Some toys are stubbornly refusing to go on your machine 
that is not related with krivostyu "program. Well, etc. etc.


   First, general considerations. This is a very
convenient way of dialogue. First you declare a person that he 
is a camel, NO IT NOT arguing, THEN WAIT FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS. 
According to the principle - if silent, then guessing. What 
does it mean "some" toys? What do you mean you think "krivost" 
programs? Do we have educational program or what? Well, 
"obviously curves "and" certainly normal "- it is

something. I admit, pleased - such
have not yet heard. Solid common ground -
one declaration. But this without you all
know, and I'm including. "He checked them
text ... "- this is what is written? For the forest
importance? If checked, then where are the results? Where 
exactly manifests itself "is certainly the curve" in the 
machine "is certainly normal" program? I see before me are two 
sheet of water - not a single concrete example. I confess that 
I, too, is "somewhat tiring, and long overdue. 

   Therefore, to begin with general answers to your application.

   1. Some games you need to run
of 48 Basic'a, - this, I wonder do you know? Ie scheme Basic 48 
-> RAND USR 15616 -> RUN.


   2. Little about the concept of a "curve" of the program - as 
I'm afraid we're talking about different things. Use of words 
"knowingly curves" and "knowingly direct" refers to an absolute 
criteria. Like this elementary rule of separation. To me it is 
not known - please do not tomite. Where is it? On two sheets of 
letter could emphasize a couple of lines, but found them not 
failed. Maybe this rule somehow encrypted? Brand - is not a 
criterion. There are "special" programs that

require 0 to keyboard port. There
Again, "branded" programs, which
require the same bits (not used in the matrix) is logic 1. Many 
Polish programs that fall to Russia on the rise "

Spectrum'a, in Europe it freeware'ny
software. And with him a bribe smooth - is not
Commercial (Designers) software. Polish
"Programmer" wrote on his car went (note - not necessarily
firm), and then - could not care less.

   "Curvature" is different, although the results in one and 
the same result. 

   1) The program was not written by Spectrum,
and by clone. That a man can have, say,
The same 777-clone - it under him and he wrote!
Drove his car - works. After
He decides that it will go to ALL
Spectrum-clones - which is wrong. But the bummer
is not in him, and he who tries to run his program on your
computer, which does not necessarily
777-clone. Since these characters are usually nameless, the 
bumps move in producer components. Meanwhile, NOT a computer, 
which would properly worked through all the specific "feints" 
all "programmers" who are on different clones. If a person 
knows how to write, it is not a writer. Similarly, if a person 
is able to program, it is still not a programmer. With other 
companies the situation may be slightly better or slightly 
worse, but in principle, by and large - is the same. Anything 
goes, something is not. If want to have a maximum program

compatibility with proprietary software, then buy yourself a 
48-to Spectrum + controller TRDOS. On your hard drive, printer, 
ext. memory, music. CPU (it can also be included in different 
ways - as is done in different clones) - forget it. Any 
extension / The development of equipment leads to a reduction

software compatibility. Unless, of course,
is the development / expansion is really
built into the architecture and running. Happens, it's just 
noodles in a layer ink in the passport for the car.

Example: RS232 in Scorp'e. If it worked, the keyboard port 
would be 0. Accordingly, the hot favorite programs would fly 
down the drain. But since this is bullshit, then no problem - 
no bullshit reduces software compatibility, but increases the 
self-owner. As required. 

   2) Use of undocumented
commands.

   3) Wrong avtodetekt equipment.

   4) Elementary sloppiness. For example, a survey of the 
keyboard port, without masking higher bits. It's in your 
"curve" program or normal? It may well go on the company car.


   Now the tips. If you do not go
program that is not too lazy to search the
her phone programmer. The more you
it will "gouge", the software will be benign. Handle on such 
matters to the manufacturer hard'a pointless. But if you 
scratched any program where the work equipment will be

differ from those stated in the technical. characteristics, it 
is cause for complaint. (Respectively, indicating a diskette,

explanation). Others talk about application compatibility - 
it's leisurely General Discussion. If you do not understand how 
the apparatus you will not need to program at

OS'i - there is the problem of interaction with the apparatus 
are solved.    If your phone is not a programmer, it

freeware. The person who wrote this program did not dare ASSUME 
RESPONSIBILITY TO USERS. And it the more so that responsibility 
can not be over He held manufacturer hard'a.


   The only thing that can make a manufacturer hard'a, - so 
bring it all possible ways to programmers, and

also people who believe themselves to be (the user usually does 
not see the difference) a description of machine architecture. 
In an advertising package included a sheet - description 
KAY-machine. Maybe will help. In the near future time will be a 
brochure on KAY'yu in including for this purpose.


   2. And why are you've decided that they write their soft It 
was under my iron? C might as well say that I

doing my "iron" It was under their software.
Both statements are both true and
wrong - that is, devoid of substance. With regard to IS-soft, - 
namely, Leontiev - he simply refused to answer the letter

for the lack of inclusiveness. And handed
its me with the words: "The user of your
computer, so that answer. "I'll try,
if it works ...

   1) It's that such a "installer"? This
like this? Whole paragraph is a
sequence of nonsense. The general impression is that you overdo
for RS-com. The problem OS'i on Spectrum'e -
this issue a direct appeal to the equipment. All programs 
written by TRDOS, do in fact just that. Well

and where you're going to catch them?
It is necessary that any program regularly refer / transfer 
control OS'i. And how can it do this if

when it was written, no OS'i was not?
For example, suppose TRDOS is "grand entrance"
# 3D13. But does not the fact that the program
will address it there. No fact
that it will apply to TRDOS after
loading. The only way to intercept
- A hardware interception of NMI. But
Here's another problem - the state vector
machine. It is not fully defined. Even at the expense of the 
regime whether you want interrupts. If this is ignored, then

the system will be incorporated fundamental
glitch.

   2). "It adopted the ideology of MS-DOS'a".
Adopted the ideology OS'i, not
MS-DOS'a. And the fact that as a result of this ideology has 
arisen a system similar to MS-DOS, said that: 

   2.1. Programmers at Microsoft, on the
At least, no more stupid than ours.

   2.2. Programmers at Microsoft, on the
At least, our agile.

   2.3. Development of ideas / ideology OS'i
leads, at least to similar results. Probably, the optimal 
concept is unique. Will not undertake to prove that this is so, 
but it is quite likely. 

   3) "The work of all programs under the OS, not
together with her. "It is impossible to see
pp 1 and 2. TRDOS - a fast loader
with screws (compared to cassette, tape drive) - no more than 
that! 

   It is quite possible that you can TRDOS'e
to see some of the claims on an "operating" - but it is nothing 
more than pretension. The vast majority of software AT ALL 
IGNORE FIRMWARE TRDOS'a, using TRDOS only as DISKOVODNY 
INTERFACE. Moreover, the interface diskovodny

many programs implemented by YOURSELF, ie without TRDOS'a. TRDOS
used for the hardware connection
controller. As a result of TRDOS'a remains only the standard of 
entries to a floppy. (Record is understood as a sequence

fields with specific information). So
Here's the standard - not a standard OS'i!
Ie somehow operate on these records
(FORMALNO! - as is required for the implementation of OS'i, 
impossible). You can change Standard record, but it will not be

TRDOS-drive - ie ZERO COMPATIBILITY.
So that all the easier as dirt.

   3. Jumpers are not child's play. Do not
interchange, and issues will not be. If
this is not a description of the machine, it is assumed that 
the use of any of their permutations. What are You could be 
sure. JMP'er - is as much detail as a chip or a capacitor. No 
need to rearrange them, break out, pull, etc. and etc. Explain 
this question for the sixth time, probably - in my opinion, 
well turned out. The seventh time will have to think, even 
better. Well, really answering the umpteenth time the question 
on a jumper, I'd probably attain nirvana. 

   4. For all questions regarding MKEY
controller to contact the CPG COMPEX, address: 192007, SP-B, PO 
Box 142. As far as I known at this time, this work

temporarily suspended. It may be worth
near p 700-800. (Cost
transfer). Price, of course, approximate.

   5. But where such a price for GS?!! This
Who is this so different? It should cost
$ 30-40 - not more, in my opinion. Although
If the installation, with additional safeguards, with a set of 
disks, besides even in Moscow - just do not know.


   6. About prices. PC-to all his adult life was worth about $ 
800. What You see at cheaper prices - it

stolen / deactivated / contraband
/ Used / counterfeit /
defective, etc. etc. In general, sturgeon second freshness. The 
price does not reflect cost of production, and the usefulness 
of this at home. And as the degree of utility is zero, then the 
price of recycled market close to zero. Incidentally, the $ 800 
necessary to add $ 300 per license software. Total difference 
in the price of 10. In my opinion, more than enough. Well, from 
the class "people" platform Spectrum knocks people themselves, 
without paying for software and support. 

   7. "A major drawback - not enough slots ..." And the 777 
comp as it was this deficiency? Or it can be more valuable 
after all software compatibility? Or is it

most importantly - the price (tuition, in which 1 / 3
area will occupy the slots will be more expensive)? And under 
what case? In korvetovsky it will not fit. A PC-shnye on 
Sanitary requirements need to be grounded. This

office equipment, this is not Home Computer.
Only Russian Ivan managed vtemyashit
the idea that the PC - is a home PC. So
ground where you want to - on battery or
maybe in a flower pot? PC shki
have a metal body. And they had not
grounding. But some grandmothers there spinning. It is clear 
that health standards, and firefighters, and the Society for 
the Protection of consumer rights, and all the various 
"certification" of the organization rest, ie silent in cloth. 
To my product ratio, of course, be different. As for slots, 
then there is Centronics. Clearly, that RS-shnye stereotypes 
does not work here. But this is a real butt for expansion. In 
the RS-ke do so is not accepted, because 1) No power to the 
connector Centronics, 2) even if it was PC-to NOT ABLE

operate in real time - it has nonlinear processor. Can not count
periods of time. Therefore, external
controller, hanging out on the hose. Appropriate price and with 
its own adapter. And then, what the maximum configuration? 95% 
of users Spectrum'a sits without any slots. And, incidentally, 
something not in a hurry to buy a car with slots. So maybe it 
is not so and need? And if needed, it is quite enough and 
three? "... At least 5". Better much to do at once 10. Do and 
fail. One joy - no need to read such letters.


   8. You misunderstand the word
"Platform". Platform - a kind of unified
architecture (in the technical sense, as
set of axioms), which can be implemented in a variety of 
clones. Again, different manufacturers. Therefore, some 
manufacturers are going bankrupt, the machine remain without 
support, but a platform as a single whole - remains. Platform

one, but a lot of clones. Remember this.

   9. Power of the AT-286 at home for the Home
Computer'a until needed. Otherwise
They have formed a queue for KAY'yami,
what is happening. Moreover, the available
power, God forbid, mastered at 10 -15%
so why continue to fuss? Growth
performance does not lead to
automatically increase their usefulness.

   10. "400 * 300. No comments - read "Open letters". "... The 
normal schedule." This is what you have in mind - PC shnuyu or 
knowingly normal "? 


                                (C) Nemo.