Optron #27 08 мая 1999

История

Pages of History - Pioneers of the Fatherland on the approaches to the Spectrum Spectrum.

     Pioneers of domestic Spectrum

{} A. Stegnitsky, S. Filimonov


  Continued. Beginning in | | 6, 15


         On the outskirts of the Spectrum


  Eugene Natopta (EH):

  - First of all, I want to thank you
for your interest in my person, and
apologize for that in my letters to you
some letters difficult to read on your
PC - responsibility for this
Bill Gates with his Windows.

  Published in the "Optocouplers" your interview
with Dobush and Starostenko I read. Main
the facts there presented correctly. But the details - is not 
it for them every own point of view.


  I'll try to answer all your questions.

  Sergey Filimonov (SF):

  - Let's start with history. How do you and your
group came to the conclusion of work on the Spectrum?

  EH:

  - It was a long process. The idea
came to us from several directions at once ...

  In 1979, after graduating from Polytech, I
began working in the bureau LPL - in the laboratory
Leonid Maltsev (then it was headed by Orestes
Kozevich, he is now - CEO of Lviv
firm wholesale grocery trade
"IRIS").

  We did a display, then moved to
microprocessor complex (IPC). Then
we were interested in any possibility of their use.

  We have different things to rivet, including
on Zilog'ovskom processor - for example, the demo computers. 
Thank God, before the Spectrum is not a matter survived ... 

  And we made our chess partner
Fellow then Vyacheslav Kupriyanenko
even once demonstrated on television.
From it was a good manager at the time
but it somehow got lost ...

  Initially, the device was weak: even a person with only an 
elementary concept of chess, it is easy to beat. We have 
extracted from Foreign students software. There were about ten 
kilobytes, and was possible already at the second-first-class 
play - but very slowly. 

  His mock us gathered Vitaly Lev (He now works in one of Lviv
computer companies). Vitaly, I can say
right - my disciple. Had at the time to explain to him - what a 
bit of what the bytes. We studied together at the preparatory 
courses. Since then, and became friends. A chess partner until 
now he stands and running.


  So that the rich experience gained in
work with the Z80, served us a solid base
to work on the Spectrum.

  In parallel with our work on the subject
IPC and the PC was conducted at the Department of Computer LPI. 
With its teachers (and they have worked in the bureau -

part time) we went fairly intensive exchange of information.

  By implementing the IPC, we are literally more forcibly
introduced into the subject of EDO. Work is constantly
was a huge stress, and at the same time - with pleasure. 
Sometimes, sat up until midnight. This, I would say, sister, 
"family" working environment I have ever has nowhere else seen.


  At one of the seminars held
then professor of computer (and scientific
head of our bureau) BI Swedish, we
met with Paul Godlevsky of
Research and Design Institute of software for electronic 
medical equipment (IECI REM). Now he is - an employee of one of 
Lviv's computer companies. It turned out that we are working on 
similar subjects. Since then we have been linked close 
friendship and cooperation. Must say Godlevsky was and remains 
a staunch opponent of gaming (and home) computers. When we 
started working on the Spectrum, it is interested only in terms 
view of another possible application IPC - nothing more. He is 
one of the first Union took up the processor Z80, and

its first production Z80 GDR we received from him.

  Igor Bozhenko (IB):

  - And how Zilog chips fall into the Union?

  EH:

  - Original chip firm Zilog -
smuggling, in scanty numbers. And then,
with which we worked - it's basically been
GDR'ovskie chip.

  YB:

  - It is believed that the Z80, we then obtain
from Poland.

  EH:

  - Wrong. Poles brought them unless
that piece. Those engaged in "shuttle"
(If this fishery was just beginning) and
students (both ours and foreign). A
mass delivery - and the official and bootleg - led the Germans.

  Andrew Stegnitsky (AU):

  - And with a "brand" you Spectrum poznakkomilis also by 
foreign students? 

  EH:

  - To some extent. For the first time "firm" Spectrum I saw 
with my own eyes in the summer of 1984 in a student hostel. 
Then another person said something, others still saw something. 
All this created, say, a critical mass of information about 
things, and its usefulness. And after This started a specific 
search: how would it get, watch and learn.


  In this case, it was not about that now,
they say, tomorrow, sit down and do it. No, it happened a long 
accumulation of information. 



                Yuri Dobush


  SF:

  - Since when you are familiar with Yu Dobush?

  EH:

  - Since 1982, he began working in the bureau with
1985, and came with us earlier -
learning from the second course. I can say
became his "mentor." According to my (and many
other) evaluation, he was very talented,
smart and enterprising guy, and
quickly "took off".

  And at first had a lot to teach him,
help make various coursework, thesis project. No specific 
guidance news, of course, but give different advice, to the 
extent that a firm hand in some places, direct,

describe, explain what, why, how,
where, not only in terms of electronics.



            Lithuanian meeting


  AU:

  - And then work started on the actual Spectrum?

  EH:

  - In autumn 1984, while traveling in Kaunas, I spoke with 
several there the amateurs microprocessor technology that would 
be nice to make such thing in our cells.


  At the same time (beware, hint) we are talking about possible 
commercial use development. The guys were not directly talking 
about This, and only interested in the possibility. I must say 
that I myself the idea of ​​commerce and the head would not 
have come. 

  SF:

  - Well, then about her in general very few people had thought.

  EH:

  - Why? They have in Lithuania, although not at that time was 
cooperative, but the people already gradually began to engage 
in business. They were not as zashorennymi, as we are, and 
always felt as though "Untied" from our system. There, in the

Baltic countries, people live their own
lifestyle.



             Search Information


  SF:

  - Returning from Kaunas, you started
directly to development?

  EH:

  - Not exactly. Both before and after
most of the work consisted in finding and
extracting the necessary information. We searched
Not only her, but people who have different approaches to 
solving problems. Nothing particular, expressed in bits, bytes, 
then was not. All that we obtain, literally had to "pull out of 
the hands." To get some sort of nonsense, it was necessary

travel throughout the Union. Can whole novels
write the introduction of processors, because
the sake of it literally had to sacrifice myself!

  YB:

  - And not for the sake of components, namely
because of the information?

  EH:

  - Yes, for the sake of information - especially software.
Had to go to a variety of
strings, combinations, exchanges.

  YB:

  - Information barter?

  EH:

  - Yes. It was impossible to engage in microprocessor 
technology, without having at least some information. 

  Had to overcome many of the most
unexpected difficulties. For example, the information obtained 
by us contain a lot of dezy. We came across articles, specially 
written so that the scheme for it collected, obviously could 
not work. In the references were a lot of gross

errors and just typos.

  SF:

  - In the current references - the same thing.

  EH:

  - That was the same in person.
Some have erred in good faith, others -
deliberately concealing information: in fact,
sole possession of it, it was possible to maintain its status 
as "irreplaceable"! Information was the real currency. More was 
simply classified. In particular, the directories were 
exclusively of the 1 st Division, and the extraction of 
information from there was connected with violations of their 
rules. So the role of the 1 st Division in the lockup of the 
scientific and technological progress in the Soviet Union - the 
theme is not for a historical research!


  In general, information on the Z80, which in
Union at that time, nobody did not specifically studied, we 
extracted from a variety of sources, compare it eliminates

lies and inaccuracies.

  A to Spectrum correct and very precise information was 
particularly important. Temporary gaps and joints between some 
signals were 25 to 10 nanoseconds, and when one signal is 
ended, the other immediately had to begin. It is extremely 
important was to obtain all this information to properly 
understand how this everything works.


  SF:

  - Do they have the opportunity to get acquainted with
hours Company Spectrum?

  EH:

  - Spectrum was then inaccessible roads
for an ordinary person.

  In Lviv firm Spectrum was then
only have three or four people, most
"Cool". Naturally, they were not technically educated, and, 
therefore, flatly refused to pass "tchotchke" in the wrong 
hands: no God forbid that happen! Every stranger was a danger 
to their computer, and for themselves.


  At that time, if you remember, started the persecution of 
"Vydac" and under the hot hand "against pornography" could 
easily shlopotat five years. But the Spectrum - a

was then abruptly Vydac! That's why you and
was extremely difficult to ensure that
at least an evening to work and sit a
One of Spectrum.



             "The Moment of Truth"


  AU:

  - And what was the turning point
development?

  EH:

  - A few months have not been able to get
a person who would agree to give
Spectrum us at least a few hours.
Finally, in August 1985, I received a call in
17.00 and was told that there is a Spectrum before
20.00. We picked up with Yuri, I do not remember
so how miraculously pulled through the checkpoint
EDO hefty oscilloscope C1-99 and over
Kosciuszko Park, in the pouring rain with an oscilloscope on 
the hump - rushed into the street Gogol ...


  Two hours of hectic and disputes
flashed as one second. The greatest
implication was that, in the Spectrum at the same time there 
are two fairly complex System: videoprotsesor (ULA) and the 
processor Z80: they create a very difficult time

chart on its findings, virtually no
allowing even fold representation of the interaction of these 
systems. 

  How does the Z80, we have more or less
knew at that time. So the most important thing was that punch 
line - ULA - tear. There cause there is no automaton states - 
all place without delay. Signal is selected,

| BB | DB <@ 
  The last time the Lithuanians looked to us
way from Slavsk to his home in Kaunas. A board soldered Vitalik 
Left, just stood on my coffee table. When the Lithuanians saw 
her work - do not believe their eyes. Have begun to examine, 
pick up. Spit and so commercials. One even looked under the 
table: that is not hidden if there is any supercomputer - and 
they show a fake. Since then, I did have not seen it.


  SF:

  - So, you know - the extent to Kaunas variant coincides with 
yours? 

  EH:

  - We must look for the circuitry.

  SF:

  - And they all look to one degree or another.

  EH:

  - There is a generator of the phases of the processor -
this is the key part. Slice scheme
Synthesizing these signals - it is like
"Signature" scheme. If these nodes in some
agree - it is already clear that are coming from.



                   Boom


  YB:

  - A birth EDO? Throughout ran agitated mechanics and 
assemblers. On the "chemistry": "It is necessary to pay!" On 
laboratories: "Help with a complete set and setting! Each 
considered a matter of pride to acquire their own Spectrum.


  SF:

  - A research staff?

  YB:

  - Those were silent: they had the opportunity
Spectrum rivet on the sly.

  SF:

  - For myself?

  YB:

  - Not only ...

  EH:

  - Do you know if the people created such a tension that 
everyone would in this case to join. That there was then

not just fashionable, but also to some extent
mysterious ... "Microprocessor-fever" - was even an expression. 
It is now all was quiet, but then - it was a leap into another 
world. 

  In general, we have ensured the widespread shortage of a 
number of chips for a long time. For example, there was a lot 
of switches ... 

  SF:

  - And IR'ki.

  EH:

  - Yes, trehstabilnym output 555IR16.
Until the end of the Soviet Union, they were nowhere to
was not. And we just had in the closet,
then placed, thus led to their
hundred per cent deficit. A were used in our other registers - 
we would have them delivered. 

  SF:

  - A RU5?

  EH:

  - But this is not necessary! Then, in Kiev as a
just run a supercomputer. I saw
its board: just as the golden tiles.
RU5 solid on both sides. That's where something
as in the abyss, and left the entire mass of RU5.

  And we focused on RU6. At first
RU3 even going to put ...

  And in the future - when all round,
when people began to carry the program due to
border exchange - mass production was established during the 
year. Already in 1987 at the Lvov radio market can

could buy the PCB Spectrum with a characteristic 
gidropriborovskim with - 7104NNN.


  But the boom among the "reputable" vendors
serious development of the software - it all started
long after we finished our
development - in two years, if not more. I met people who then 
literally "to bits" laid out the program ... 



            Protection of priority?


  SF:

  - It is well known that the first in the Spectrum
domestic chips was made in Leningrad. Are also called MAI. A 
possible Whether the exact determination of priority? Where and 
to whom transferred from OKB scheme? Maybe you known as 
appeared in Leningrad scheme Spectrum?


  EH:

  - In response I can only repeat the words
Starostenko: "It's hard to say ..."

  YB:

  - Well, it is clear that the board and fly away from you, as 
a bird, and negatives, and scheme. But as far as it was 
unchecked? 

  EH:

  - In all our schemes had been signed
Kozevicha. And he, as head of our laboratory, was, in 
principle, bear full responsibility for the control of the the 
entire process. 

  But while we stood in the laboratory working model, there was 
visited by many people. Came running in droves! As a 
thoroughfare, were totally unfamiliar to me people.


  Everything happened as something of itself. A guy walks into 
the room, sees "Jumping Jack "- all this is a lost person to

Soviet industry!

  Scheme climbed - posmotet for an hour "
- And copy, and, in droves. One scheme was needed to make a 
"tchotchke" for himself. For other it was a "currency". And 
some are actively all "gesheft" began to turn. All this 
happened quite apart from me. When Starostenko took our scheme 
in Novosibirsk - Nobody consulted with me. When more

some business affairs - also I did not dedicate. And if a year 
later every second brought me "Gidropriborovskuyu 'fees and

asked how it would build - then that
it was already possible to say?

  When it became clear that the debate on
these topics is useless, then it is in general,
was one of the reasons I left
EDO.

  YB:

  - So it is now impossible to ascertain -
a Spectrum from any occurred? Even
the ends do not find it?

  EH:

  - Why? Understand that while
Make your own Spectrum, it was necessary
have a live specimen of his scheme. A primary-the scheme was 
ours! 

  SF:

  - So, the computer was placed on the MIKO
on behalf of your scheme?

  EH:

  - The fact that this was so, I can say
exactly: I saw the scheme in which they all rivet.

  SF:

  - However, their scheme was considerably revised compared to 
yours? 

  EH:

  - Not at all. Remain unchanged
central nodes that except on
Based on our solutions, while not
was done. And it was immediately seen as
"Cain print" - where, so to speak,
"Hairy legs sticking out." Moreover, I
have had to come to MIKO,
answering dozens of questions on literally
each node. There have been binding in the scheme, and
that is properly run, they had to consult with me.

  SF:

  - Circuit boards are right on the "Gidropribor do?

  EH:

  - Do not know where they were made. Especially because
then dispersed throughout the negatives. But it was
immediately obvious - what is the fee that there
need to cut and resolder it to
earned.

  SF:

  - Again, the "Leningrad": there is such
Bosons - is the firm and is considered slightly
Does not the first developer of the Spectrum. Although
in his version of many shortcomings. But about him
Everybody knows it. And about you and about the "Lviv option" - 
no! 

  But what is interesting! When I analyzed the scheme 
"Leningrad" and MIKO, it was: if we make a small alteration 
"MIKO 48K, which reduces, in essence, to its Facilitation - the 
scheme will Zonova - One to one! What can say is

coincidence?

  EH:

  - Here you will never, nothing and nobody
prove it! I'll tell you what was happening with the author.

  For example, the Design Bureau, almost all development funded 
by Moscow, in extreme cases - Leningrad. And you all know what 
pressure on us, Moscow. Especially in terms of authorship: in 
stock and then gathered up all the finished design, together 
with their authorship. We could write their applications for 
inventions, but to publish all of this towards the end of 
development, "Closer to the toilet."


  I remember, I have prepared a message in the journal 
"Microprocessor-based tools and systems." As usual, to "push" 
in the publication, we invited a co-author of one 
Muscovite-customer. Well, it ended the fact that our names in a 
long list Moscow "authors" were at the bottom.

Type "Lviv us a little help -
there is something a little napilnichkom corrected. "And then 
it was considered a clear development in Moscow. 

  So it became "generally accepted" that
all more or less worthwhile done in the
Moscow and Leningrad - and nowhere else. What there is, to 
hell, "copyright"! 

  With this hard to fight now. I'm on
his experience convinced that authorship is
hard to prove. And above it is quite
easily assigned.

  So in the case of the "Leningrad" I fully admit that 
something could happen like that. 

  YB:

  - All of this continues to this day,
only the role of "Moscow" we now often
performs Kiev. And as for this plant
speech on "copyright", it is
obviously what was meant only
protecting the "rights of the Centre."

  EH:

  - Exactly. How much blood to us
time that very spoiled Moscow
snobbery!



           Otstrelennaya stage


  SF:

  - Many pozshe appeared various
"Microsha" and "Irishev" ...

  EH:

  - And all there shmentagony Pentagon, then - Spectrum PLA ... 
All this "Computer boom got us in the beginning of the 90th - 
and I was no longer up to it. 

  AU:

  - And when the Lions came in muzprotsessor,
memory expansion Spectrum?

  EH:

  - Much later, the 86 th. Probably even closer to the 90th. As 
"talking" corporate Spectrum + "I heard again in Kaunas -

In 1986 he played, of course, beautiful. But
when we opened - we saw elements of which we have no idea
had.

  As far as I know, at least until
In 1992 there were no commercially produced improvements 
Spectrum. Only in the 94th I I saw a controller board TR-DOS ...


  After finishing work on the Spectrum, we immediately
also moved on to the next - IBM PC. AND
Spectrum for us began to assume its not something that
the second, and, God forbid, in eighth place in life.
We shot off this stage of the rocket and fly farther. We were 
interested in the overall development microprocessor 
technology. After all, the developer - like a shark: that, if 
not moving, then can not breathe, and - killed.




             Hi fans!


  AU:

  - Everything continues to evolve: now
Spectrum has other audio stuff,
except muzprotsessora: eight-
Covox; such a thing as Soundrive - it
like four Covox'a together - 4 Channel
8 bits; General Sound - sound card: Channel 4 to 8 digits with 
six-digit volume control for each channel that are not in CPU 
time. There is also a BBS for Spectrum. In Lviv appeared modems 
adapted to our nasty exchanges. See how the rise of Spectrum! 
Who would have thought then that he will live so long? And he 
is alive and will live on thanks to the fans-spektrumistam. 

  EH:

  - I - also a fan, but somewhat different
area. And I find it hard to understand: how can
receive some sort of "sex" from connecting to
Spectrum hard drive and other things? ..

  YB:

  - CD-ROM, for example ...

  EH:

  - But as a fan of fans, I spektrumistov
fully understand and support. I am very
pleased that the appearance spektrumistskogo
movement and is partly my merit,
that we attach so many people to our
a just cause.

  And so I want to through your newspaper to convey greetings 
and best wishes to all spektrumistam.