Open Letters #03 05 мая 2000

Nemo open letters № 3.4

613340 25.03.2000


   Hello, Mr Nemo!

   Many thanks for the "Open letters". You
properly come up with this. Indeed, many of the issues resolved 
themselves. 

   I would like to know how things work in
Spectrum world today. That
content has been added in recent months
hard'a and soft'a, and what further
prospects. I would like to learn more
about the ZX-net.

   Released a "ZX-F № 9" and "FT-2"? And if
chance you have lying around at least the old
Directory Logros'a, could you please it to me
send? And your price list of course.

   Thank you in advance.

   P.S. Please do not publish my address
in "Op. let."

                        03.04.2000


              Dear N!


   1. Innovations in soft'e hard'e and not so
a lot. Unfortunately, as with any publication,
"Op. Let." a delay associated with the technical methods of the 
project. Delay, roughly, two months - the minimum for three 
months (Plus - minus a month) - the average, four

months - the maximum. At the moment
came the new:

   1.1. NA-99 - Videotape 90 min.
Shooting Frunze - $ 40 (Abstract see
"Op. Let.").

   1.2. "Tetris-2000" - a program written in the SP-B - the 
name says it all themselves - 12 $


   1.3. Apparently, in the near future will
implemented by "Spector" following
things:

   1.3.1. Description of errors made
programmers, which reduces software compatibility. In a sense,
a response to persistent criticisms of the curvature
Hardware KAY'ya. Now we can personally, on the
examples, see, where sits the curvature -
in hardware or in the curvature of the pen "programmers." 
Included as a subdirectory in the "Op. let. ", - 15 rubles. 
stamps. 

   1.3.2. New firmware ROM - RAM drive for KAY'ya. Being 
tested. The main difference from the standard ROM set: more 
sophisticated simulation of the drive. Firmware "tricks" up to 
90% of the programs (for Except well, I did "curves", with 
particularly Curves appeals to TRDOS'u). May

be of interest to Igrunov, especially if
they use the IDE-drive to boot from
screw.

   About the prospects do not want to write, because
this (one way or another, in one form or another,
sooner or later) - to assume certain liabilities of the 
project, as well as their implementation is now engaged almost 
exclusively amateur, no guarantees completion of the projects 
can not be given. Ie may be empty promises.


   2. By ZX-net information at my disposal.

   3. No ZX-F № 9, no FT-2 at the moment did not come.

   4. Old catalog I can send, but
why do it to you now?

   5. A ban on publishing the address is the default. 
Conversely, for publication addresses required statement in

unequivocal manner.

   P.S. Notice that now, with the
month of June, "Op. let." must be paid separately - 15 rubles. 
stamps. Advertising Package - 7 rub. stamps. (See the catalog 
(s) Nemo). 

                                (C) Nemo.
394065 13.02.2000


      Hello, dear Nemo!


   If you are still working with Sinclair, then
Please send me a price list. N.


              Dear N!


   And why would I not work with Sinclair? 10 years is already 
working on. But such thoughts usually arise when a lot of 
watching TV. Need to look more at parties and smaller 
television. This the reality is somewhat different from

virtual.

                                (C) Nemo.
445027 10.04.2000


              Hello!


   Please send us price list for your products and, if possible:

   schematic diagram of a computer KAY,

   Programmers RPZU-UV

   PSU BP9022.

                                       N.



              Dear N!


   1). Schematic diagram of KAY-1024 is available only with 
your computer as for purposes other than repair scheme

makes no sense. Acquainted with the characteristics and an 
overview of the architecture can be on the information 
contained in the advertising package. 

   2). Scheme programmer RPZU-RF (in
strongly Simplified version - for "Kulibin") will be published 
in the ZX-F № 9. 

   3). Scheme of the BP9022 without power supply also does not 
make sense. If he's You have, then the scheme can be found in 
the magazine Radio amateurs "№ 1 for 1997 scheme can also be 
sent a letter (12 p. Reference + 4 p. Copy - not the scheme 
itself Money costs - ie, Total 16 p. Better pay

marks). Trying to make yourself a source of success will not - 
the tolerance on the gap in the throttle - 0.05 mm, except 
addition, the parasitic parameters of the throttle, consistent 
with its design-technology manufacturing, vschitany in the 
scheme. Ie get buggy PSU.


                                (C) Nemo.
142115 19.04.2000


           Please send the price list.


              Dear N!


   Retrying (correspondence)
processed, if invested at 5 marks
p. What you have been notified by letter dated
03/08/1999.

                                (C) Nemo.

P.S. From June - 7 p. : Answer + price; or
15 p.: + "Op. Let."

22162 11.04.2000

        Hello, Nemo!


   So decided to write you a letter. And the reason is this. 
For a long time I have been doing Speccy. Starting with the 
48-th, and now I am 128-I machine. But, alas, the reliability of

wants the best, permanent repairs and glitches have tortured 
me, finally. That decided to write to you asking for help - 
would like to purchase a new computer or at least pay KAY-256 
or 1024 + General Sound. Could you send me Your detailed price 
list and indicate the exact cost of services rendered by you.

Since I live in Ukraine, and there are practically no one is 
engaged in the manufacture, sale or distribution of computers 
from Russia, wanted to know whether it is possible expulsion of 
the computer by mail and what is the guarantee of shipment. 
Leading up to the fact not to get in his post that

generally does not apply to computers or set of radio (because 
path is not close). I'm not good at these things and

subtleties, but would love to have that
what I need. I guarantee payment plus
postage. Can I order a computer or pay shipping costs? I would 
like to say that people like I was in Ukraine a lot, and many 
would like to To get reliable, well-made

Spectrum, for love of him has not yet faded
in our hearts. I'll be very grateful if you can help me, the 
costs associated with e-mail (sending price list, etc.) I agree 
to pay. Moreover, I learned that problems with sending money to 
the Ukraine in Russia. Also willing to buy video from 
Enlight'96; 97; Funtop'98; Chaos Construction'99. Also willing 
to buy the game, dealing with the support of General Sound. 
Also ready to help you spread your products in Ukraine, at least

advertisement will be published in the journal
"RU (S) H", with the authors of which I am well
sign. With the big impatience I shall
expect from you, please help me! You are my last hope! 
Sincerely, N. 



                               21.04.2000


              Dear N!


   1. Sending the price and user manual, a package of 
advertising and floppy "Open letters ".


   2. Prices listed in the price are valid only for Russia. For 
Ukraine, probably need to throw about 10%. The course of the 
Ukrainian hryvnia with respect to Russian ruble on 20/04/2000:


   1 UAH = 5.181 ruble.

   Actual period of performance for payment
KAY-1024 AVG at the moment - 2.5
- 3 months. For a computer to gather - to
six months. Fit the about a month - two
that is Ukraine. (If not
will send the packet - and the post office are afraid to work 
with Ukraine because of customs, there is always some nagging - 
will be sent a convenient opportunity). From videotapes, I 
think it will be easier. By the way, ready videotape with 
"Chaos-Construction 99" but the director's work is unlikely you 
will be pleased. Price is the same as in other videos, listed 
in the directory. 

   3. COD IS NOT sell only prepaid.

   4. Ready to use your service to disseminate computer
KAY-1024 on Ukraine, but it must be
PROMOTE IN UKRAINE, otherwise, this idea
loses its meaning. I've got a hand short in
this sense. As for advertising,
'll be inordinately grateful.

   5. I also think it necessary to warn you that:

   - Computer brand KAY (all types)
Ukraine just a few pieces;

   - Representation of Spectrum'e Ukraine is somewhat different 
from what happened in Russia, namely, in St. Petersburg. 
Therefore can be unexpected, as well as problems with software 
compatibility. Because As far as I know, the most common clone 
Spectrum'a Ukraine is the Pentagon, - and he

with KAY'em there are some differences;

   - I do not have a representative in Ukraine,
therefore, support / maintenance for the end user will be 
significantly more expensive than in a similar case in Russia. 


                                (C) Nemo.

412340 9.03.2000


      Hello, dear Nemo!


   To begin, I want to thank you for
rapid response to my order. Drive
(As well as everything else) arrived safe and sound and at the 
moment flaunts in the system unit adjacent to the old. Thanks 
to you I'm finally able to work at a better level. If You 
remember, I'm in my first letter complaining about the complete 
isolation and lack of information. You have sent me a floppy 
disk "Op. let. "significantly fill that gap, and

for this one thanks. Attentively
properly considered the information in the "Op. let.", I
to my chagrin became convinced that the market
Speccy inexorably melt and is located in an unstable state. And 
although thanks to your efforts Spectrum still afloat, just 
this is negligible. I understand that You are the only 
manufacturer computers not only in St. Petersburg, but in

throughout Russia. Not entirely clear what
happening in the company "Scorpion" - whether it is
produces new (?) computers, whether
simply resells old.
It is also unclear what is happening in Logros'e,
Judging by the many angry letters to the "Op.
let. "This company operates in a slipshod manner, and
how to put it mildly, not in a hurry
with the execution of orders. (Maybe I'm wrong
and they simply lack the time and
funds?) But even worse is the case with the new software. 
Scrolling through all the files in the "Op. Let." and was sent 
to your ad, I found that in addition to "Bl. Raven-2 (the 
games) more nothing is offered. Really now

Mednonogov only does the game? Or I
is ordered list of author's programs?
(By the way, how to do this) All this, naturally, very 
depressing. At last I would like to ask you a few questions:


   1. What and how many firms are currently engaged in soft'om 
and hard'om (production)? If you have any information about 
structures outside of Peter - even better. 

   2. I know that you are a specialist in hard'e,
but not in soft'e, but I think that in this
question you will be able to help me. I am wondering what to 
consider when creating Software so that software runs on all 
machines. To clarify I want to note that the software I write 
in the calculation of 128 memory, AY, Flopper. Of course, you 
may not have information on all computers, but about KAY tell, 
I think you can. 

   So, finish the letter and look forward to
response.

                                       N.

P.S. Sorry for the emergency mud. However, I believe that it 
was premature to send an article. " For more information, I 
want to order you "ZX-Format" fresh or the latest release (ie, 
8 or 9). Translations sent.



                               24.04.2000

              Dear N!


   1 ."... located in an unstable state "... market because 
users money is not paid. In the first instance,

software. And if they are paying, it is not those who would
should pay. Slack times, when
had a lot of "gratis", passed. Now
everything costs money. A perpetual motion is not
happens.

   2. The firm is engaged Scorpion RS-kami.
Spectrum subjects listed under advertising costs. Money in the 
Spectrum Scorpion does not invest, and never

invested. Image Spectrum'ovskoy firm
enables "vparivat" RS-ki through
Wednesday Spectrum-users.

   3. Logros Spectrum'om is no longer involved. In the letters 
"IS-DOS" Alexey Leontiev says about some of my personal 
relationship with Akimov. That is so not true. Personal 
relationships that can be called in the sense that we have 
adhered to Spectrum'e shared values. Namely: 1) compliance

copyright, 2) investing money in
Spectrum (but not the conclusion of his money as
this makes the Scorpion). However, life was far from ideal - 
the public more impressed by the people who steal software, and

then stolen selling for half price. Is it any wonder that the 
situation is deteriorating. 

   As far as "... a slipshod ...",
it is the public pays carelessly. As
You know, if he would not do a royalty, it could work better
(Gain more), but misfortune has befallen -
it turned out that a person has principles.
By the way, he gave me the right to copy tapes to E-97/98 on 
terms that if you have any claim on his orders, then compensate 
them with the sales of cassettes. And might and money to 
receive. Agree, it is characterized. Compete piracy is very 
difficult. Public as a unaware that this way they sell

the future of their computers. "But even worse
this is the case with the new software ", see above. But
there are exceptions. Came out, finally, the game
"Tetris MD-2000. Price Disc dispatch
(And royalties) - 12 $
List of author's programs, unfortunately,
I can not send because the case of traders
Software. With pirates, I fundamentally do not cooperate. As 
for the traders to observe the copyright law - see above. 
However, do not despair. There freewar'ny

soft (not usually the first freshness -
but, as they say, Senka and hat. I
I mean the audience as the aggregate, the statistical unit). In 
principle, the public, vayayuschaya software, could present 
their new items through the "Op. let.", - but something about 
the activity is not visible ... Well, run for programmers to 
look for them in the crevices of roach, - This is also the work 
and the work is trader, which, incidentally, also costs money. 
I also worry less about missing gland above roof. If (c) Nemo 
will run more and for programmers, who will do

iron? Mesons? Oh, he do something, catch up
and once again do so. Well, if you went too
speech about the software, you can suggest the authors
the following conditions:

   3.1. Simply makes itself felt. For
This requires:

   - A small summary of the Program
(Hard copy, pls, can be handwritten)

   - The presence of the author and / or I address to send 
money. 

   - Price and terms of deliveries (terms, guarantees, payment 
schedule, etc.). 

   All of this will appear in the "Op.
let. "DUE Company (c) Nemo.

   3.2. Advertise on hard copy. Send 100 copies. A5 (half A4 
sheet of paper). Razmnozhte yourself - or risograph copier. It 
is distributed with "Op. Let." DUE Company (c) Nemo. Necessary 
to satisfy the requirements of 3.1. 

   3.3. Direct spread
- Must be satisfied clauses 3.1 and 3.2.
It does not matter if the program is buggy and does not go
on KAY'e - adapt. (While this may
delayed. If so does the program written by SPEC a clone, you'll 
get it back. This is not a discriminatory measure - just most 
of my Correspondents - it is the users KAY'ya,

another approach would be simply absurd.
A trader could, as a person independent of
hard'a, and act differently, but ...
not enough yet the skill of the audience to pay money to have 
his trader). Need two discs - the original. Allocations - 10 
rub. (3 cu) with each sold copies of postal money order within 
one month from the date of receipt of the money from the 
customer. For customers, this will cost $ 10 (37 rubles. May). 
Disc must be freely copied. (Copyright-protected CDs to be 
purchased forward - and this requires EXPERT EVALUATION 
SOFTWARE - for obvious reasons such an assessment (business) is 
not possible - this case the professional trader. Also, if the 
customer does not drive comp KAY, then claims, respectively, to 
napisatelyu software. (I think the reason is also clear: there

No batteries from the 20 most common in the vast Russian 
clones. One how much space ...)


   4. "What and how much ..." All information
in "Op. let." Networks do not use. Degree
reliability of the available information there
leaves much to be desired. Commercial
use of such information loss.
(Again, the trader can probably there
to distinguish the wheat from the chaff, but this
must be an expert, ie, a person professionally engaged in 
DISTRIBUTION SOFTWARE). Hardy situation next. XTR-modems is 
being done, then Do not - do not understand - in the regular 
selling them there. Most likely, that they make to order with a 
guarantee of payment. GS produced (and extenders), software to 
them - see the advertising package. Makes CPG COMPEX. More on 
the horizon, nothing is observed. Talk a lot of little help. As 
for the company products Scorpion, they have more branding and 
advertising value to the firm itself, rather than some 
practical meaning to the user. Even if they are produced (which 
in fact, unknown), it is likely for fans feeling the slope, and 
exotics. Similarly, Peters. In general, I doubt that the 
company engaged in the RS-kami, may do anything other than shit 
in Spectrum'e. Spectrum and PC-to mutually exclusive, at least 
in commerce. You can not sit on two chairs. The absurdity of 
the situation is that investment in Spectrum reduces the 
efficiency of investments in IBM, - and vice versa. If the 
state decides to fund the IBM (read - PC-to), I am respectful 
to its decision - the money that the state, not mine - let 
steal. When the firm operates on ordinary citizens (and not the 
state structure on the government), you pay your money, and 
probably not so indifferent to their fate. For users, this is 
not obvious, but then, they are users.


   5. "... To The software operates on all machines." One 
hundred percent of recipes does not exist. This is a matter of 
time, expertise and professionalism. You can make only some 
considerations in this regard. First - demomeyking rest. Of 
course there are exceptions - but their energy would be so in 
another direction. Observing the activities of such 
napisateley, one wonders: why do not they do something useful? 
I I, too, 100 MB of RAM in the Spectrum

supply, and it would be cool. Further, soft
a hardware and software under OS'. Soft under the iron, the 
limit can have up to 95% Compatibility - but for this he must

wrote ... under the 48th clone (no AC, no
256 RAM, without tire - there may be sanctioned by address - 
and so on). Profiles are usually and do. This provides the 
greatest market coverage. In order to write

compatible software UNDER INSTRUMENT exceeding 48 clone 
architecture, it is necessary Understand Systems engineering - 
and this tight. Set cooking recipes in this case - no more than 
a half measure. Even for KAY'yu. And yet: 1) does not use 
undocumented commands; 2) use the standard entry points TRDOS; 
3) apply to the ports of the logical address, not physical; 4) 
mask the unused bits in the input - output.


   Soft under OS' ISDOS has approximately
In my opinion, 90% compatibility. By the way, so as a "chassis"
(Ie the shell) is used ISDOS. In this case, the user must 
configure / adapt the MPIC to ONE - the only program - namely, 
OS'i. All other programs running under, do not pay to iron, WHY 
HAVE THE SAME 90% software compatibility. But this way more 
complicated, because need to understand how to operate OS'. 
Cooking Recipes much easier to use - use. Except

addition, the task must be sufficiently
serious that it became commercially viable. The very concept of 
programming under OS, is not generally available to programmers 
in Spectrum'e. Next assembly they do not see. As an example,

next case. The man is lamented
the fact that the OS is no memory manager -
ie he had to switch pages - and
switch - it is not! What to do? After
obvious defect OS'i. A casket is simple, it turns out, was 
opened. You must create a file (ie, to declare the system that 
required resource), named it (ie to identify the resource), 
then write information there and then, when needed, - count 
(run, pass management, etc. etc.). Moreover, where

PHYSICALLY will be data - NOT
PRINCIPLE - a task OS'i. They can be in RAM, they can be on the 
drive, they may be on the screw - but at least on the moon. 
This is a typical brake man Instructed to write under HARDWARE. 
He did not understand the difference between logical and 
physical level. OS' - it's more abstract medium, rather than 
real, steel architecture, and write under it harder.


   6. Sending number 8 "ZX-F", № 9 yet
did not come out.

                                    Nemo.