On-Line #08 29 октября 1995

Profi     Scorpion ZS     Железо

Iron - A comparison of computer pros and Scorpio.

                 IRON


        Comparison PROS "AND" Scorpio "


   As any user who, naturally, I passed that stage
search for "his" car, and did not regret that my choice has 
fallen for "PROFILES". And now, more to the point.



   I am extremely surprised that a currently grows wildly
the popularity of cars that, in spite of stopping tobacco 
advertising, obviously do not deserve the appreciation that 
they put the producers. And, the same time, in fact, overlooked 
a really good computer. I want to somehow fill this information 
gap and comparison "PROS" with the infamous "Leningrad ...

Oh, sorry, "Scorpio". In order not to appear to you in advance
bias, the comparison will lead the words, taken from the book 
"How to write a game for the ZX SPECTRUM" with small 
reductions. Thus, start:


         "SCORPION (R) ZS 256 TURBO 7 MHZ"


   - Full software compatibility with computers
ZX-Spectrum 48/128 "


   Excuse me, what kind of full compatibility can be a question 
when one of the most important ports ZX128 - # 7FFD not 
realized so as in the corporate SPECTRUM? And no matter what 
programmers refer to it is not entirely correct, because it 
operates at the firm ZX128! "PROS" is devoid of this 
shortcoming, the port is implemented properly, all programs 
(including such well-known as TASM and STS) work.



   - Ability to work in OS TR-DOS, IS-DOS, CP / M. In the CP / 
M supports el.disk " 


   Sorry, but the work of TR-DOS and IS-DOS is possible even on 
a ZX48 Controller BETA DISK. A CP / M on "Scorpio" globally 
inferior to CP / M on "profiles", as in "Scorpio" he does as 
"appendage" and the "PROS" - as a powerful development 
environment the user / programmer. What about a comparison of 
electronic disk: volume RAM "Scorpion" - 256KB, "Prof" - 1Mb. 
It seems four times greater. 


   - Unique - 'shadow' service monitor-debugger "


   Yes, it's really powerful and undeniable. But "tenevatost" 
this monitor under a big question - any program properly 
working with the port # 7FFD, either accidentally or 
intentionally, immediately "halt" the computer at best, at 
worst - format discs. 


   - Turbo Mode - 7MHz. Software switchable (Warning)
from the menu shadow service monitor "


   About the monitor has already been said, but the mode of the 
Turbo 7 MHz was still on the oldest versions of "Profiles" 
section. The latest version of the same mode SPECTRUM standard 
for retained mode Turbo 7 MHz, but in the mode of CP / M rate 
of speed is selected and is in the range 8 - 15 MHz. Everything 
depends mainly on the processor and memory; I have a Turbo mode 
- 12MHz. 


   - "Sound processor AY-3-8910/12"


   Sorry, but this is ridiculous.


   - "'Turbocharged' controller with digital PLL"


   About how this controller "turbocharged" have already been 
articles in SPECTROFON, except to say that in this scheme he 
was "turbocharged" the worst way, with all its consequences. A 
digital PLL, again, was already on the "PROS" even the most 
ancient versions. Just a VG93 and protection from failure of 
nutrition. 


   - Printer interface CENTRONICS, RS232 "


   All this is in the "profiles", moreover, the RS232 interface 
is made completely on standards, which allows you to connect to 
him any pisishnye gadgets - from the "mouse" to the modem. 


   - "Support for the port attribute # FF"


   In "Scorpion" port # FF executed incorrectly, one of the 
infidels methods described in SPECTROFON 14. It conflicts with 
external devices, in particular with the modem. In "Profiles" 
provides the installation of the port # FF, and, at the request 
of the buyer, our experts "Condor" to install it. By the way, 
the most correct scheme of this port I originally performed it 
on the "PROS"! 


   - Snap to the level of 'black' "


   In "Profiles" this mapping and other things related to 
telestandartom (eg human frame), were implemented initially in 
the earliest versions of the boards. 


   - Built-in individually numbered "


   Specialists of "Condor" do not fear that they will steal them
ideas, moreover, the scheme "PROS" completely open to the user,
that enables them to develop themselves and connect external 
devices. The modem can easily fit in with the "PROS" for 20 
minutes. A system connector, which we tried to surprise the 
company "Scorpio", again, though, was and is on all versions of 
"Profiles" section. 


   - Controller IBM keyboard, IDE, programmer UV EPROM "


   All of this is the "PROS" with appropriate software support. 
A "hard drive" for "PROFILES" is now operational from September 
this year. 


   The prices of computer "PROS" commensurate with the prices 
of "Scorpio". Residents of Moscow and the surrounding areas can 
easily buy a computer directly to the company without paying 
out of pocket to various distributors / resellers. Quality 
boards PROFI - the highest! "SKORPIONOVSKIM" and "NEKSTOVSKIM" 
to such a long way off. I just saw both of them are, so I say 
it's not unfounded. 


   Apart from the most complete compatibility mode SPECTRUM, 
characterized by (naturally, with the latest reference sync) 
perfect operability branded programs, maintaining visual 
effects - like the drawings on the curb and "MULTICOLOR", 
"PROS" works very badly in the mode of CP / M. Dealing with a P 
/ O headway, and now amidst a sea of ​​software products and 
can get lost! So that the user has the right to do now is your 
right choice. 

             Kirill Gromov (C) CHUNG Software (FFC)