ZX-News #51 22 апреля 2000

ZX-Party - Monopolization Demoparty demomeykinga and damage to the platform.

                ZX-Party



   Things are moving! At the moment of the Spectrum media have 
supported us already three newspapers: "Polesie", "Nicron" and 
"Wallpaper", for that express their deep gratitude.

We would like to communicate with other editions, but, 
unfortunately, for technical reasons to do so far failed. 


   Slightly below you can read the reviews
our colleagues and readers, and now invite you to review the 
information concerning new voting CC'000, about which was 
discussed in the previous issue "ZX-News". We contacted one of 
the organizers of this party and its founder, Vsevolod Potapov 
/ Random (Concern Chaos, Australia), seeking comment

the data we have. In response to editorial
received a letter with detailed and comprehensive
response:


   "Many thanks for your support, it is very
glad to see that in addition to critical newspapers have
More newspaper with brains! All very well
described. I understand perfectly your position with
Fantopom (if he was) - I myself have spent
to party in Moscow, if I could, but there was no
people when I announced the SS'000 and, moreover,
Then it was unknown whether or Fantop
no. However, just 90 percent of people
on the party came up and asked: "Will
Do SS'000? ". However, let's see how
things will go, maybe SS'303 (the latter
kind?) will be held exactly in Moscow, but
to live up to this need.


   About voting on SS'000. Already
practically agreed that the vote on the demonstrations (only on 
the Spectrum, so as a PC / Amiga this issue and do not like

costs) will be somewhat different,
than it was before - each will receive a demonstration of two 
estimates: the design and code. We hope people will understand 
that this is not simply and vote correctly (ie, evaluate

correct). Thus, each deme receives two votes, which will 
_summirovavanny_ the vote, but not discarded. T. e. results 
will be summed up by _obschey_ assessment, but will also be 
given vote in both categories. (So ​​that immediately

becomes clear: this deme was adopted more people and had so 
much animation and so much code).



   Sample results will be:


  rank demo code / design total


   1. Demo X / A Group 899/101 1 000

   2. Demo Y / B Group 300/600 900


   I hope that is understandable. :) Ask further questions (if 
any) and suggestions that while there is time. 


                                 mailto: random@chaosite.com

                  Concern Chaos Website: http://www.chaosite.com


                 Best regards, Random / CC ".


   And indeed: send your wishes and questions, they will be 
considered organizers CC'000 - while there is time.



   Well, thank you for your response, Random!
And wait for new requests ... :)
__________________________________________


   Now, we hasten to say many thanks
Editor of "Polesie", Alexander Seleznev /
Kvazar'u (Grodno) for practical support - Publication of the 
information about the ZX-Party on the pages of his publication. 
By the way, because namely Kvazar first raised the issue in

ehokonferentsiyah and then at his living
participation in the rule was introduced CC'000 item
a new ballot. So we are doubly
nice to enlist its support in the future.


   We now turn to the rest of the reviews of our colleagues. We 
remind you that due to overlap with access to computer networks 
we have not succeeded until contact with the rest of the press.



   Vladimir Bulchukey / Wlodek Black (Moscow), editor Nicron'a, 
said that there should be only one major festival, and other 
local party can be held only on the condition that they will not

divide the scene, ie do not qualify for
status of the chief. Totally agree with him.
We believe that the local party should aim to identify local 
talent. 


   And the editor Wallpaper'a, Arthur Ishmurzin / Art 
(Tashkent) was not limited to issues related to the party: 


   1. In general, I support the idea
that there should be one "main" festival.
In favor of this speaks volumes. However, there
one "but" - there will always be one or more alternative 
demoparti organized people, whose interests were somehow 
violated the "official" festival, and that will only climb from 
the skin in order to prove "krivost" organizers SS'000. To 
prevent this it is necessary or do SS'000 ideal demopati (which

unrealistic), or do not pay much attention to their opponents. "

ZXN: Is it possible to pay attention to all sorts of _mestnye_ 
event (as if any more Organizers called vanity), who, if they 
try to present as an alternative to the central party, only 
share spektrumistov wishing to communicate with like-minded 
people? These local party, as mentioned earlier, should

identify local talent (which can then successfully performed at
center festival), so if you
They shall be convened by the creative folk, it is argued that 
these activities are no way inferior to the central festival, 
etc. - Their value is questionable.



   2. It's time to introduce separate evaluation dem technique 
and in plot. This conflict has been brewing for a long time. A 
peak reached on FT'98 - "Refresh" and "Forever", demos 
first-class each in its own - and choose have one. More 
precisely, we need to do is not specifically separate 
assessment, and enter it comprehensive form. For example in the 
visitors' questionnaires will be a list of all of dem, 
presented on a computer. And each demos the form of 
mini-questionnaire: 


   a) Goods (spetsefektov, etc.);

   b) plot;

   a) music and FX support;

   d) general view of the demo.


   And judged by 5 - (10 -, 16 -) ball
system. After calculating the average score and
show winner.


   This, of course, simplistic. We should also think much to 
this theory was feasible in practice. "


ZXN: This detailed type of assessment we shall soon
all appear on the next. festivals, after
test in practice a new principle of voting, which is already 
approved in the rules CC'000.



   3. As for the support softostroeniya -
here I am totally in favor. Both hands. That
You can still say ... If you need support line pursued by 
"ZX-News", our "WP" - the problem I'm always ready storm. :) "


ZXN: Agreed! :)
__________________________________________


   And finally - feedback from our readers.
For the first time since the revival of "ZX-News"
yield of the new facilities has caused a flurry
flames in the main SPbZXNet'noy echo. :) Editor for a long time 
and then had to explain to the networker ... ;-) From the 
responses, came from the reversal ehokonferentsy, most of which 
dealt with issues, highlights the opinion of Boris Sokol, 
coordinator SPbZXNet. Held shortly allowed to talk in more 
detail to highlight its views.



   First there was full agreement with
that the best way to realize themselves in
Spectrum is to create a game and
system software; that deme, not presented at the party, is an 
indicator of a monstrous waste of creative energy wasted. By 
the way, agree with this and many other SPbZXNet'chiki. 
According to Boris, precisely because of this situation for the 
past 4-5 years Spectrum loses its position as the home computer.



   But on the Spectrum can realize itself in many areas: Fido, 
Internet, new programs at the present level for radio, 
musicians, artists, etc. 


   For example, the network software. Now it exists only under 
the TR-DOS, where he worked with Mail to a half or two 
megabytes of several difficult, to say the least. And this is

Existence of IS-DOS, the operating system, originally targeted 
for professional work with large volumes of information! It is 
believed that the IS-DOS buggy, braking, and to top it all, has

dwarf the amount of RAM. Between
so few people know that Michael Kondrat (the author of Spectrum 
archiver ZXZip) for almost two years ago, has already remade

core IS-DOS'a and now it is not free
16 kB, as before, but as much as 80 kb (!) - Agree, this is 
quite enough for any program, including networking software. 


   Also when working with e-mail without
hard drive (computer, not the cowboy:)) to manage difficult. 
However, in TR-DOS with his work is useless - there is still a 
limit of 640 KB. The only way out - IS-DOS, the more so because 
of common today HDD controllers

the cheapest and easiest to build is
Nemo'vsky option, which is calculated as
time on this OS. In short, the withdrawal of Boris is as 
follows: on the Spectrum to develop network software,

focusing on the IS-DOS as the most suitable for him on 
Wednesday. 


   If you are interested in technical
details, write to our address (see
under the heading "From the Editors") - with pleasure
answer.


   During the conversation also touched upon, and Boris
entertainment programs. For example, why not release on the 
Spectrum karaoke? Yes, there are some difficulties with the 
implementation of AY on some music, but because obstacles 
generate interest. For sure Many of the musicians want to 
promote, so to speak, on the Spectrum to your favorite tunes 
and songs. Especially because the conversion process, more 
precisely, the music will give a wealth of experience with 
which may be can begin to create their new Reformation rhythms. 
(Skill Incidentally, it is easier to get that way than wasting 
time on numerous trial and error when creating their music -

smart always learn from others' mistakes.)


   On the technical side of things too much difficulty there, 
most importantly - Synchronize the lyrics with the melody, but 
it is quite solvable problem (although the work is more routine 
for the encoder, but he was to her is no stranger:)). In short, 
the Spectrum musicians can try out new

and attractive area of ​​creativity, creating
music programs for karaoke.


   Another Boris shared his thoughts on
about the games. According to him, should continue
continue to develop logic games -
on the Spectrum, they were always very smart,
so to speak, ie, their artificial intelligence does not yield 
to the modern game with other platforms, and some even surpass 
them (for example, the English "Reversy"). Which begs this 
conclusion? That's right: better to do modern remixes 
_spektrumovskih_ old puzzle games, and not convert the current 
inoplatformennye, if I may say so:) because They turned out to 
be a little blunt, ;-) moreover are often uncomfortable and 
gently speaking, the interface ...



   Eventually, Boris hoped
that the wording "ZX-News" will take
trouble in identifying the most urgent tasks facing the 
authors. However, without the opinions of the authors we can 
not do so We encourage you to join the discussion! The original 
purpose of the editor - to draw public attention to an 
interesting issues and to highlight the true light of the 
current situation now on the Spectrum - done, and rather 
successfully. Further development of the topic is now possible 
only with mutual cooperation with you, the 
readers-spektrumistami. Of course, we will do everything we can 
to focus not extinguished, but the final word is yours, or 
rather, just for you, reading these lines now! 


   Fight with sceners "ZX-News" is not going to like maybe some 
thought. On the contrary, we continue to recommend not paying 
any attention to them (because it to them as breathing air) - 
once now spend time on the controversy with all sorts of eggs, 
what, unfortunately, are, if not all, most of these people. 
Today we should take practical actions to revive the healthy 
atmosphere of creativity with you our favorite Hobbies on 
behalf of Spectrum. __________________________________________



   And finally present to you a letter from
Slaine Harbinger'a (St. Petersburg), who first sent in response 
to elevated the last issue of "ZX-News" theme. Subsequently 
came to us and other interesting letters, but because of the 
large volume of this issue we publish them in the lyrics. 
release, and yet acquainted with it (printed in full):



   Hello, Dear Editors "ZX-News" and
All readers of this, in general, the actual
and interesting papers! At the behest of the soul, heart, brain 
and other organs;) shaking with a mold and a web of 
indifference, adhere for a dozen years of my stay at the 
Spectrum, I decided to still write in "Newskah. And the reason 
has got a very weighty - Opinion Editorial. There are, than to 
argue with ... ;-) 

ZXN: We are glad that we could awaken even
such a person ... :)


   Reporter: So, rech will be about the article from
50-th number in which the revised his opinion on the party and 
to demomeykinge all your favorite (and who is "not all" - that 
will punish;]) Spectrum. 


   I prisoedinyayu the opinion of the editorial board of 
monopolization in St. Petersburg for parties. However, 
certainly not all the participants, as usually will have the 
opportunity to come to Peter, and in this case, you must somehow

to organize more or less normal delivery of their papers to 
party, where to start reception of works, let's have already 
Months three to start the contest.


ZXN: We would like to see that it was completely
not about the monopolization of festivals
in St. Petersburg (why else mentioned FunTop?),
and the approval of a single central party year, the status of 
which does not have to pretend all sorts of local festivals. 


   Reporter: Here I quote from the article
and his opinion on them.


   "<...> Demomeyking born as
means of expressing coolness programmer
his creative level. That is, the demos showed the possibility 
of their creators in the field code. "



   It is worth noting that the demos for some
programmers were some "transitional
stage "to more serious projects.

ZXN: Of course, it's not starting with the same
create a "Super New Elite". And this is only
confirms that the demos may not be
prestigious game or system software. :) But we should not lose 
sight of and the fact that the best domestic geymmeyker B. 
Mednonogov / Copper Feet started his career was with the game 
(even if simple), but not with dem - the result, as they say, 
is obvious. ;-) 


   Reporter: Next edition is not very
plausible tale about the "plot" and animation demah, not really 
separate these two concept, although one another, in principle, 
not is neither a confirmation nor denial (I will not quote 
because of the rather large amount of text). The plot in the 
demonstrations - this is not quite the same as the plot in 
books or games. I would like to clarify that the organizers put 
Chaos Constructions in the concept of "plot". 

ZXN: In our view, animation, no story
will look even worse than that of
effect. :) If Deme is animation, then
she must have the subject line, otherwise it makes no sense.
By the way, how can it be that the plot in
books, movies, games, etc., there was one, and
in demah - another? About the same term "plot" was told that it 
is conditional, the final version of the name of the new 
nomination organizers have not yet approved (currently in the 
rules CC'000 this concept appears under the title "design").



   Reporter: "Organized Chaos Constructions
now seriously considering a proposal
for approval of a vote in two categories - the best code and 
best story. That is, the first time took a step toward the 
actual development demomeykinga. 


   Official information on the new
voting and other issues, we will present in cl. rooms "ZX-News"


   Indeed, I would like to find out!

ZXN: Well, the message Random'a already familiar to all readers 
"ZX-News". :) 


   Reporter: By the way, you can still add a nomination: "the 
best musical accompaniment demonstrations "(although it may be 
already too?), but it is, to the word.


ZXN: In principle, the idea is not bad, only that
nomination, if she is likely to be
should be conducted as an extra. The main thing - break the 
deadlock. Incidentally, all suggestions and comments published 
in the "ZX-News", sent for consideration directly to the 
organizers of Chaos Constructions, so if you have any more

any thoughts about CC'000, then go ahead
write to the editor and we will be happy to
publish it.


   Reporter: Thanks "<...> annoying noisy propaganda of 
scenery, among <...> spektrumistov widely believed that you can 
prove your skill demah only, and not in games or systems

programs. Meanwhile, the deme, which is not
was represented at the party, is an indicator of a monstrous 
waste of creative energy wasted, and believe me, none for such a

labor is not to say thank you (to put it mildly) of its
author. "


   Frankly, not all that bad. Personally
I never heard such statements about demah, as the only way
evidence of skill. Imho, dear
edited too exaggerates. However, it is worth remembering the 
famous team of Digital Reality. They have done themselves a 
great name precisely at the demonstrations, no serious gaming 
or system projects from them was not (except, of course, demos

"Doom" ;-)). Perhaps this example and provided the impetus (not 
the one toilet) for almost hysterical riveting "demos"

other and often "demos" were similar to each
on the other ...

ZXN: This propaganda is always
indirectly. About the same Digital Reality
we say: we should not forget that
much of its success was based on the skillful
policies of its highly talented organizer. Demos, this group 
only vystavlyalya at the central festival, and they occupy

high places ensured the popularity of
creations DR.


   Reporter: Hmm. You know, I even had an association with 
DJ-s: DJs peredirayut each other samples and demomeykery - 
effects ... Incidentally, for those who do not know: 
demomeyking originated on Amiga, and many visual effects (if 
not most) in Spectrum demos "borrowed"

precisely because of Amiga demos. Probably
there is no demos on the Spectrum, which is not
would be no such "loan".

ZXN: Demomeyking as a way of competition,
appeared on Commondore 64. On the Amiga demos
first demonstrated the possibility of machine
for promotional purposes. But the loan, it is obvious
appeared because of the ban on animated demo.


   Reporter: "On the Spectrum the best way to realize itself - 
is the creation of some gaming system or program with which

deme and close can not be compared: for example, recently 
released game "Operation" OIL "or sistemka "BestView" shut up 
for the belt any DeMouy!



   Do not be like this in the forehead compared with the 
demonstration games or sistemkami - is different areas of 
computer art and, accordingly, the requirements of each of 
these areas differ. Simply, imho, not worth fixate on one demah.


ZXN: Did you mean that the game is much more prestigious and 
sistemki dem. And what demos on Spectrum should be only a means 
of competitions and festivals, or this is very bad for Spectrum 
platform, which we now observe. (However, recent signs of 
improvement: there are many system software, which begins to 
fill that gap that has formed over the past dvatri year - and 
that we explain the fact that most of the scenery-demomeykerov 
today piled with the Spectrum.)



   Reporter: "Actually, demomeyking as a means of 
self-assertion appeared on other platforms where it is very 
hard to make their creative ideas in the form of game or system

program, because they will inevitably sink into the abyss - 
this software sea and no one had pay attention (this already 
formed there atmosphere). "



   On my own I want to add that the main
the problem of domestic production of software
for example, "pisyukov" - is the inability to
(Unwillingness?) Combines creative
groups, inability to work as a team. A
because at such a difficult and demanding
platform as a PC, a productive work
possible _only_ with harmonious collaboration
work and a clear division of the set
problems between creators, where everyone understands what is 
required. And one here is safety, and playing in the first cast

on the Spectrum, not all easy to pass on
second or third role for the PC, where the authority
money, of course, much harder.


   "95% of the produced programs today are demami (figuratively 
speaking, since demami can only be called what was 
predestavleno to party). " 


   In general, I agree with the editorial board
maschet that demonstrations - rather,
subject to competition. However, imho,
"Private" establishment "demos" will always be present.

ZXN: In most cases, they will exist as the first experiments 
beginning encoder programming.



   Reporter: "We believe that it is now all clear why such a 
crisis on the Spectrum with ON. "



   This is one reason, and not the most
terrible.

ZXN: It is curious to learn about the more terrible because of 
the crisis on. :) Other platforms, pls, do not touch - it is 
called in and primitive theme. (Any computer when

its use goes beyond the desktop application, turns into a hobby 
- accordingly, if someone with access to

al platform forgets Spectrum, the
he just changed his hobby. Speak
as the priority of a hobby - is akin to claims that the best 
aquarium terrarium (or vice versa), which driving more 
interesting than the control of the helicopter / boat etc.) 


   Reporter: "<...> purpose for which we have touched on this 
theme - the desire to deliver creative ideas spektrumistov 
imposed by unthinking riveting dem to give them the opportunity 
to realize ourselves the really! After all, if a person creates 
a game or a system program, it receives

recognition of absolutely all spektrumistov,
whereas when he was writing demos, firstly, deprived of the 
potential fame, because demomeykingom interested in a very 
narrow circle of people, and secondly, strongly bark furiously 
at risk of being someone from the scenery, which is not like 
any effect ... "



   Probably, under the concept of "mindless riveting dem" 
edition has in mind a useless waste of Spectrum building in 
fact creating something original is getting harder, and when 
"demo" rained like autumn leaves, it does not improve position. 
But is it easy to stop the creative impulse? ;-))) 

ZXN: But this impulse is always possible to send the sound 
track. :) In the area games and software programs is limitless 
for creating an entirely new and original software. Even if 
little time to develop their copyright

project, it is possible to realize themselves, such as the 
beautiful relizera, releasing remixes of old programs, or 
extracting unknown branded games (see "Opinion"). 


   Reporter: And what about barking ... Is heard among 
thousands of enthusiastic exclamations one-two protesters? 
Maybe the contest deme, and will not be, but owing to its 
computer networks, many will see and appreciate in dignity. 
Spektrumisty - people are sensible when necessary, and not 
inclined to majority, to succumb to provocations.


ZXN: Something enthusiastic exclamations on demam we met quite 
not enough - to example, readers of "ZX-News" in his letters, 
among the many issues on the software, never touched dem. This 
and the mass Other evidence suggests that good

game, or a system of positive feedback the program will be many 
times greater than deme. In particular, the author-debutant 
"Homer Simpson In Russia "after the release of their game 
became known to many spektrumistam - and this happens, as a 
rule, all sponsored games and software programs. A

Issue demos not guarantee similar
Fame - the only exception when
she can win the party (compo). That's why we advocate for 
ensuring that demos were created only for festivals! 


   Correspondent: P.S. There is another very important question 
regarding the Spectrum party. The essence of the problem is 
this: on the Spectrum party should take place _only_ Spectrum. 
PC, Amiga and other apparatnoi programmnonesovmestimye with 
Spectrum platform should not be present at these

seyshnah itself as a competitive
platform! I am sure that many very concerned about this issue, 
so I think it will far more than raise it in the next

rooms "ZX-News", and in other electronic publications Spectrum 
too ... 

ZXN: We raise this question in the same room "ZX-News". So, 
here are the advantages of a purely Spectrum Festival: joyful 
atmosphere of like-minded participants sblizayuschaya party, 
solid guarantee of quality technical support, all proceeds go

in favor of the Spectrum ... At the same time,
conducting multi-platform party is much easier to find 
sponsors, information support - by the way, thanks to her about 
festival can learn and those spektrumisty, which by any reason 
separated from the rest of the world's Spectrum (a these are 
not so little), but have access to "pisishnoy" information, 
where they can learn about Spectrum party. Especially because 
the first day of Chaos Constructions Spectrum is dedicated (but 
will be present and BC, but this platform does not interfere 
with the way the PC or Amiga). In general, we leave the 
question open - maybe even living creature wants to speak to 
him? .. 


   Reporter: So far, all, but IT IS NOT
OVER ... A "load" you Slaine Harbinger

                            a.k.a. Avatar.


                Sayonara!

ZXN: Thank you very much for your letter! Thanks
him, we were able to highlight interesting questions
are sure to have appeared at many of our
readers.


            We are waiting for new messages!


    __________________________________