On-Line #85 02 июля 1997

ZXNet

Mosaic - A modern network in Minsk.

                 MOSAIC


(C) Arny, Minsk


   I want to welcome you on behalf of all fans of Minsk
SPECCY!


   For more than six months in Minsk there is a dial-up network
ZX. Compared with Moscow until the user is not very much,
but still it does not stand still. There was a lot of computer
newspapers. Some, after a few rooms have ceased
continued existence, while others still continue to come out.
To a global ZXNet us away. But in general, plans some
available. It always comes back again to users. Maybe 
advertising is not a modem at (or rather the complete lack 
thereof), and can price of the gadgets are not all satisfied? 
All the same, albeit with serious attempts, range ZX-modemerov 
gradually expanded and only in Minsk, but also outside the 
territory of Belarus. 


   Perhaps in the future the modem pereterpit something which 
changes - increasing the speed a few times and improving 
quality Acceptance of information transfer (compatible with the 
old board did not lost). C-DOS-program has already been 
transformed into a more or less acceptable form, fixed some 
bugs and that the most valuable built-in mice ZX WORD v2.5 +.



   Recently ON-LINE championships have been held
VIRUS II. Cool game, but I think it is not quite playable. Why 
not igrabelna? The fact that in our network, we also wanted to 
arrange a match viruses. But after sitting a little and 
experiment with viruses, have revealed a very unpleasant 
feature of this great game. I think you know about it, yet I 
dare recall in general terms, this very feature. And frankly, 
glitches in this game enough. 


   For the beginning of the generated virus. If the virus in 
test mode is stable from the beginning of its growth and 
continue until the playing field (ie, filling the screen, 
created by the virus should stay stable without any distortion 
on the screen, and the longer it will last in a stable 
condition - the better), then we can assume that he is 
guaranteed a victory by 80% And the rest all depends on the 
parameters and cycles that he will ask the creator. But here is 
to achieve this stability - rather difficult task. It is 
necessary to create a virus is not twitching and not flashes on 
the screen periodically rarely allowed him to probeganie waves, 
but less often - the better. And of course, be combine the 
parameters and the cycle of the virus so that they were the 
most reciprocity between them.



   Let's say, creates a very nasty virus, all of it "Kotsan" 
right and left. But let's make little experiments. Virus load 
in the upper left corner of the playing field and upload the 
same virus in the lower right corner of the playing field. What 
we see when we start fighting? The idea is that if the viruses 
are identical, then there must be draw. But no, nothing like 
this - a virus which is located in the lower right corner, 
quickly cracked down with his counterpart. Rearrange them, and 
again, the virus that is in the upper left corner, loses. Here 
is a parsley obtained. So what "bloody" fights can there be? Of 
course, it is possible viruses interchange. But there is much 
time tomb? And this is not everything! In addition, all the 
playing field is divided unevenly! It looks like this: the 
upper left corner - the worst, right top - a bit better, 
lower-left - a good place, and most profitable - is the bottom 
right corner of the playing field. And sorry, this game is 
ruined. 


   In fact, the game could "dilute" some of my nyuansikami. 
Suppose, after the victory - a choice of weapons and defense, 
with both one another and should be nemeryannom. AND All this 
is available, depending on how many points got the virus, and, 
of course, you can make a strategy of warfare, ie, should be a 
list of military commands, and where quite extensive. This list 
may attend team different types of attacks, defenses, detours, 
maneuvers, etc., until Shield Wall and teleports some parts of 
the virus in the rear of the enemy. Not bad, so that the virus 
could be used during bout some of the strategic plans of 
fighting. Of course, the playing field will increase and limit 
the growth of the virus. Ie one virus is a moving, 
variable-volume shell at playing field and with a small amount. 
Then we can observe not just the eating virus, virus, and it 
will be like a separate, independent organism that lives 
according to certain laws, established player. Of course we can 
say that then it will be something similar to Soldier of 
Future, but it is not. After all, life (do not forget about the 
parameters and the cycle of life) remains, and it will play an 
important role. Well, to be honest, the TS playbook already 
exists, everything is up to the smallest detail. The only thing 
- it's coding. But I think this I let someone help, because I 
myself am not very good at this ... 


   Well, almost done. Sorry that so much "cargo" you all
this.

                       With great respect, ARNY
                             017/2435794

P.S. I am ready to actively cooperate with all interested in 
creating a new game. Waiting for feedback and suggestions.