Polesse #18 28 февраля 2001

Будущее Спектрума

the new millennium - reflections on the fate of the platform.

            IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM



   (C) Alexander Bondarenko.


   For the 21 th century came, and the platform
ZX-Spectrum, contrary to predictions,
surely going to step into it. We are so
and "extinct." It seems like there is something
rejoice. But there it was. More
nobody knows what awaits us there in the new
century: how many years we still hold out. If
also take into consideration the current alignment of
Spectrum.

   Under the heading "News" this issue was
painted a portrait of Spectrum - 2000 (1024K memory, hard 
drive, hayes-modem, cmos, pc-keyboard, of course, a mouse ... 
Ca. Ed.). There is much to be proud of, but it seems to be

climax. Among the widely spektrumistov
spread some pessimistic
mood. The new software comes with
Each time, less and less intense.
Iron is almost no
developed, the only thing that seems to be
now progressing - the development of the network. But
her backbone is built on
IBM-compatible technology, which explains
this progress.

   The problem is Russian spektrumizma
that our society is split into
two parts - the "elite" (those who have access
to the network, therefore - to the new firmware;
information, etc.), who periodically
Meets the same as it (the exchange
experience)) and "backward" (the people in most
its single, recent instances of
collection of software which date back to the
best 95-th year, while quite
possible that more iron and smashed). A
to blame here - the closure of once-
officially existed and points of sale
software and hardware for the Spectrum. So,
"Elite" are much smaller than
"Backward". And if all continues
In the same spirit, then nothing good is we do not
promises. Of course, such a very
widespread and very good
computer as a ZX-Spectrum, for
several centuries, will attract
attention, at least for
collectors of antiques. Surely there
Now collectors of old cars.
But as a platform (just as a platform -
that is, a computer meeting
interests of a large group of people and in every way
supported by them), he did not survive
too long. However do not rope
veysya ... Sooner or later - finally
will no longer write software, develop
iron. Most of spektrumistov
transshipped to other platforms, in particular
- On the PC. Spectrum dwell on the shelf with
"Microsha", "BK shkami", "RC-shkami"
"Experts" and other "small"
computers, "retired."

   What can be done so that at least
somehow improve the situation? Someone
say has already worn the "standard phrase"
- To write new software, develop
iron, as well as to develop standards in
all of this that henceforth there was no
incompatibilities. However, no
think about who it will all
to deal with. And for anyone. Regress "elite"
is already evident - too little is left there
people able to support the platform on
necessary for the continued existence
level. "Elite" has long been rolling downhill
to the very same virtual state in
where the Spectrum is now over
abroad. Unfortunately, the main one now
product - no new hardware and software, and the empty
General Discussion. No offense, of course, will be discussed
for those who are still creating something
new.

   Such people, as I said - a little, and
their number seems to be slowly but
true decrease. Who is pleased to create
something good, knowing that soon it
no one will no longer be needed. In general, it was the
it's time to turn to the very same "lagging behind"
Part spektrumistov. After all, among them
enough creative people holding
computer not only because of the fact that not
enough money for a Sony Playstation. It is time
look for those who also hopes to find a
Similar to completely do not "die" from
Information hunger, and from the "ideological"
loneliness. Here are just a need to do it
much more intense than it would seem
spare money, time and nerves. Perhaps
time for us to have concrete all together and
form something like a national
motion to declare itself to other people.
We need to restore the old
communication, even the "top up" their shots from
ordinary people, because we can find
followers and among those who have and
slyhom about Spectrum is not heard. Characters
because people have different, someone one
like someone else, but to whom, and in general
something original and exotic.
Importantly - be able to lure properly. When
This approach "artificial support"
all will mean that we will
not exist simply as an ordinary
platform, namely as the Society of Amateurs
(Maybe even official!), And,
constantly improved in terms of
organization. And it is quite possible that
the entire 21 st century will be ours. Of course, this
still only a dream, but its
unfeasible yet to reflect.

   But to achieve such a long prosperity
can only True Spektrumisty and
not snickering "poluvirtualnoe
offspring, and only does that sit in
meshes, in chats, and other things irsyah
web of bourgeois depravity. True
Spektrumisty to help the platform (ie
is to say, other spektrumistam) not Trepov and
business. And do not try to do on the Spectrum
money. Vaughn, in some magazines
Some people cry, saying that here is de
money for the Speke not do big
projects have already been written does not make sense. 
Allegedly each author is required to write something

Healthy heated Thought that
him afterwards for a palace of gold
otgrohayut. Of course, I have nothing
against the author's remuneration for his
work, and I always lay person, "his
blood "for a good product. But
reasonable limits, of course. And all who
really supports our
platform and perfectly understands everything
will do the same. When the same for anything
Insanely wring price, it is clear one thing -
smells bad. Having bought it, you begin to
thinking, as if to compensate
"Unjustified" losses. By the way, about
piracy. Though now it poludohlom
state (due to the fact that pirate
nothing), but it is worth to discuss. Man
hacking another program in order to
further enrichment can not be called
spektrumistom. This - the "left", who came to
Spec for the money. Author's work still
must be respected. And if the author wrung
too "stupefaction" better all
just do not buy this thing and wait
or until the author realizes his mistake or
either the natural course of events "to slow down
turnovers. "Yes, and about the traders who
trading is not your software, especially
old written by foreign
programmers. Would be better if these cheapskate
engaged in support of those most of our
sponsors - be engaged in normal
distribution and trade in a blank floppy,
I mean, would record the old and frivarny
Download free or at very scanty
price. But no! We want all
make money. When a person goes to
trade - he's all clear, it is again
not spektrumist. The word "trader" is
acquires a new meaning ... Another thing -
Distributor Software
software. That is the one who just did
haggling on contract with any
author and loves to write software for free.
Especially - and the first frivarny
necessary. They are motivated not by lust
enrichment, and the desire to help others
spektrumistam, the desire to maintain
society is more or less unstressed
situation with the software.

   Spektrumist - this is usually the one who
keeps house "real" and well they
"Nazhigaet" kilowatt meter. This is the one
Who if not kodit, then draws, if not
draws, then muzachit, if nothing
creates, at least gamitsya, demos looks
new software fights from horrible, I mean -
is a kind of "user-audience." Even the audience to be with us 
and then honor, but it must be an active spectator,

Regular viewers, but not in the style of "something
long time since I did not go to the theater. "

   Something I want to say finally, on
regarding further action. As I have previously
said we need to become more
organized. But this requires
a lot of enterprising people, dedicated general
case and not some sort of arrogant
"Scenery", thinking only of himself. Must
their forces to create "ZX-Club'y" whose
main purpose - to unite
spektrumistov, distribute software.
Necessary to establish communication with the same
clubs in other cities, it is necessary
scrupulously maintain statistics - census
population "is finally quite desirable
help newcomers beginners
to master the subtleties of creativity in the
computer. Naturally, the need to write
all this time, new software, cook
electronic (and print), newspapers and magazines,
kodit demos, make toys, solder
iron, spread it all and in every way
support the authors. It's time to show
altruism with users
platform - the time has come that. Then,
when we already feel ourselves not simply
"Colleagues in the hobby, and almost
class, and can be in the official media
break, to tell other people about
themselves. So you see, can and will grow
formal organization, for example -
"Society of Lovers of old computers."
Perhaps even the government have something
support (even morally) - the devil
not joking. But all this can happen
only if we ourselves
actively in this endeavor are hard
hands and spare no time and money. All this
it is possible to implement. P.S. On
Currently in Pervouralsk (for
some estimates - still in Vologda) started
The global campaign to find
spektrumistov without access to
vitally necessary information
channel. And the first results speak
for itself: the work will be laborious,
people in sight darkness.