Spectrofon #18 22 марта 1996

Дискуссия

From the world of bat - Hackers and authors are not just people: An Inside Look.

                DISCUSSION


"S": A great letter came to the editors of the magazine from 
Samara from a group of "STARS OF CELADAN ". The themes raised 
in the letter, is so diverse, but the letter itself is so large 
that we decided to make it separate subsection titled 
"Discussion." Our comments to the letter, read the end of the 
subsection. 


                  *


   Hello, Dear Editors,
magazine "SPECTROFON". You write your two
fan. We are very interested in the debate about hackers, and 
not only them, Launched in N14, and we decided to make its

contribution. Please publish our letter
(More fully) in the next issue of
heading "From the world of a bat (unless, of course,
You will find it interesting), or at least read it. Now the 
letter: 

      HACKERS AND AUTHORS Not only are people

              LOOK INSIDE


   The idea of ​​such a letter came to us
long, but it was somehow "in
trifles. "But once we" burst "
it happened when to us from
"Inforkom" and it's 8 disks: "SPECTROFON"
No13, 14, 15, three disks with toys:
"VIRUS", "REGENERS", "Star Heritage" and
two "sistemkami: CDs AS12, AS8.


   Having worked with all the programs we
came to the conclusion that standing is
only "Star Legacy." And after reading in the
"Spectrophone" statements of some "moralists," "experts" and so 
we decided to finally write to your favorite magazine and on 
its electronic pages slightly podiskutirovat with readers 
(luckily it started we did not) about the hackers, writers, 
computers and much more. 



   Please "spectrophone" not "down" to
minor attacks as in the case of Dmitry
Grigoriev (OLDMAN) from Moscow, the issue even
more than serious.


   In izbezhanie further confusion
to announce that after 5 months we have
diploma system engineers (system analyst - a man equally well 
versed in electronics and system programming) and we can 
already consider themselves professional programmers (except 
the institute we have a great experience "home" programming). 
But with this position and we want to share with readers his 
point of view. 


   Let's start from scratch - with the terminology.
These definitions you will not find in any
"Obschepopulyarnom" dictionary, but to you
say any programmist, director of tasks, etc. (Those who are 
closely connected with the computer) or one who is engaged in 
their learning in Universities.


   Since the definition may not meet the "generally accepted" 
among domestic sinkleristov, then give them as well. 

1. Programmer (application, system) -
people receive special education, by which he can: by
received job competently articulate (put) a problem to solve it 
on Computers; develop an algorithm for solving the problem;

create a program in a formal language that solves the problem 
by including in it all possible modes of operation, to create 
and debug program on the selected programming language. The 
word "problem" here refers not school problem of the pipes, and 
any problem whose solution is created the program. 


   "The generally accepted" definition - anyone who
knows at least BASIC and can write at least
some program.


2. Hacker - Upscale SYSTEM
A programmer dealing with change other people's programs, or 
"climbing" into the closed data banks, as well as specialist 
virologist (one who is engaged in the creation of anti-virus). 


   "The generally accepted" definition - anyone who
somehow knows assembler and has at
would be a simple monitor / debugger.


   Now feel the difference ...


   We really wonder what is going to stop hackers Sim Oleg from 
Volgograd? First can be stopped only by the law copyright (see 
below), and "accepted" only those who sell the program. 


   Few of the reasons for hacking. What more
only "break" the hackers? Right! Protection.
And why? Too right! To be able to freely replicate the program.

   And the number of "black marks" (not
Considering the text ticker) abandoned
these hackers is inversely proportional to their
qualifications. By the way, people involved in
"Disposal of black footprints left by
Conventional ones, too HACKERS. Now the inexperienced reader, 
hopefully, is clear cause of hacking: lack of infrastructure 
legal distribution of software. And dear Sim Oleg, you've found 
the wrong decision. Not have to fight with the hackers, it is 
necessary develop the above-described infrastructure

as do the firm's foreign-dealers
programs for IBM. Our country has recently been
experienced a similar "struggle": a framework
struggle with alcoholism were cut best
domestic vineyards (USSR,
1985-1986). Yes, forgot one more line hacking - Lapping
"Copyright" of programs to an acceptable level (examples of 
"nedovedennyh" programs, see below). 



   Now Moscow is firm Inforkom "
alleged is a legal distributor of the software. But so it? 
Legal? Yes. Distributor? No, no and no. Distributor should be 
responsible for the quality of the goods to the buyer (read 
SPECTROFON No15, under the heading "Hot greetings", the article

"ELITE3: Chronicles of the crisis), this
need to with it can be easily
Contact. About the company "Inforkom" this is not
say. Not only that orders have to wait
month, so also the quality of programs is far
from acceptable.


   That was when we reach the heart - to
Copyright. According to previous publications in the 
"spectrophone" many readers and "Homegrown" the authors had the 
impression that to protect their copyrighted programs need only 
point in it its name or nickname. You are mistaken, gentlemen, 
good. 



   You need to go to the nearest Patent
Bureau, open the door "Copyright
Software "and fill out an application. Then your
program subjected to "humiliating" the procedure for checking 
the quality and purity. " AND Only then you can hire yourself a 
lawyer and to entrust him with the care of maintaining your

"COPYRIGHT". Just so do the creators of professional software.


   The concept of "no clean" distributed
not only on the alteration of hacking, but also on
adaptation of programs for other computers
as well as on the ideas contained in the program.
So, and V. baggage (Novosibirsk, "ELITE3")
also a hacker. A Glory Mednonogov (St. Petersburg, "UFO - Enemy 
Unknown" (a huge thank you for it)) does not have any

right to make their game for SPECTRUM - it
exclusive right company MICROPROSE. The same can be said about 
any other "translated" the game. However, in the "national 
consciousness" and in terms of "spectrophone" all These people 
are the authors! 

   And what about respect for copyright can we talk?! Or we 
will respect only the rights of our authors?



   Now for quality analysis and
"Purity" (ie the possibility of obtaining the copyright) have 
got to us (certainly not for nothing, and for our hard-earned 
Dollars) of domestic copyright programs. 


   System software:

1. STS v2.6 and v3.3 (Stalker, Kharkov).


   These masterpieces distributes "Inforkom.
If you are of them have not heard, we say:
they just work fine with the port
# 7FFD. Moreover, the author has no concept of decoding ports 
(complete and incomplete), so it also dictates its own terms: 
"... you have to change the scheme (typically one switch and 
all!) Or not use of STS Monitor. "



   But something is not something new computer to buy?
Imagine the following sentence: "... our
program comes to computers, not lower than IBM
486 and works only with the cache memory, for
normal operation of the rest of the memory
must be disabled. If it is you do not
off, then put in your IBM-PC is one small switch, or
Do not use our software. Thank you for your attention. Buy our 
software the best and cheapest. "But great sound?



   And you, dear fighters hackers
are these programs? No? Well then, we must
apologize for expression, to send to hell
"Copyright" Dima Stalker (author
STS), change the 31 bytes (if interested,
can specify which one) in the program and
work with the "STS name themselves" (ie, "hack" your version) 
on any computer. 



   In addition, STS (like many others
program) does not work properly with the drive (normal 
operation is guaranteed only with imports), because of the lack 
of delays in the promotion drive. 


   As you have probably realized, not to see these programs, 
"legal" copyright. But "Inforkom" did not even bother to ask 
the author to give a presentation in the STS. Or maybe they 
just pirated copy? 

2. TASM128 v3.0 (Rst7, Kharkov).


   Aside from 'normal' irregular work with the port # 7FFD 
(correction that needs to change with 13 B), then the editor 
can be called good. But for serious work with it is useful to 
know not only the team and key but the memory card, which he 
occupies and (Or) uses. Unfortunately the author does not

bother to tell us about it.

   As the saying goes, guess they say herself.
However, there is her and another "glitch", but
"Inforkom" on the pages of his ZX-REVIEW No
5 in 1995 hastened to tell us how
themselves to fix this "glitch", the vast him
Thanks.

3. FWORD FOR GENS v1.0 (Demidov, Ostrov).


   You read the price list "Inforkom" a and
Yum. And IBM-format, and
Is-EDITOR-format understood, and many windows
You can open and 48k runs, so
only stroke so can not erase. And then,
that anything longer program crawl in it did not (Podgruzka 
modules disc increases the translation time and requires 
memory, which some not), you will learn when will spend on its 
purchase of 12 thousand. Perhaps the author thought that the 
festive design is more important than functionality.



   A Inforkom "have to put it mildly, generally
damn, if only to get to us (customers) money.


   And another thing: GENS relotsiruem and FWORD
No (not enough, he needed that would GENS was
at a specific point)!

P.S. After months of waiting diskettes,
we have seen, "roll up their sleeves" and
make your own screen-based editor for
GENS. And what to do, write a program
need and want to do it in comfort
conditions.

P.P.S. Start the editor has already been made. He
will be less colorful, but relotsiruemym using the principle of 
the overlay (in the mode 128/256K) and more compact (4-5 Kb, 
instead of 9 kb FWORD). 



Game program:

1. VIRUS, VIRUS2 (S. Kukovyakin, Section H Talitsy).


   Here, unfortunately, has not been without
intervention spectrophone "and its advertising (otherwise you 
will not name) of the company. "For the first time! 
Nondeterministic game!". We certainly bought into it and booked 
in "Inforkom 's currently a floppy with it. Want

know what we think about it? Firstly, that
means "indeterminate"? This is a typical representative of 
game-type-life, under the name of the first such 
"indeterminate" games - Mathematical Game of Life, invented 
almost twenty years ago, the American mathematician John 
Konueyem. Nondeterministic - it means not having a clearly 
defined goal, but in "Life" such a goal a - study of evolution

using mathematical models. Well, in
After all, it's just a matter of terminology.

   But with regard to the programs themselves. In
VIRUS program, we in the first half hour of working with her 
was somewhat coarse algorithmic errors: 

- Unacceptable to the author's program
recognition of situations that arise when the disc (which 
places the handler was not enough?) 

- Disgusting treatment of boundary
(Boundary) conditions of the arrow (go to
DESIGN and try to "hook" cell
located on the border of the field or in the corners);

- Incorrect processing algorithm viruses
during the battle: First Complete machining
1 virus, then the 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th, resulting in a virus with a 
smaller number gets a huge advantage (try 2 totally bleed the 
same virus - Will always win a virus with a smaller number) to 
create equal conditions (Not including the location of the virus

field) treatment of all viruses must occur simultaneously (as, 
incidentally, also stated in the rules of "Life"), and consist 
of phases: reproduction, fight aging, etc.;


- Too "buggy" rules of development, for example, if you change 
the duration of living cells, according to the laws of biology,

must change the frequency of turnover of cells, and changing 
who knows what. 


   Now consider VIRUS2. All of the above errors are not only 
not been corrected, but were added and new: 

- A rather vulgar music, a few minutes later turning into a set 
of different "Obscene" sounds;


- Does not resolve the chatter keyboards;



- In the commission of any action shooter
returns to its original state
(See the author so engrossed in the program by adding jokes 
(you can read the "clicked" on the shelves in the main menu, 
picture) that the normal processing of the arrow is simply not 
enough imagination); 

- Even more disgusting treatment of boundary conditions in the 
main menu-picture. 


   It remains to add that we have not kakienibud pirated 
version, and branded, inforkomovskie. 


   Every self-respecting programmer should look at their 
creations from a user perspective and do not start their spread 
without thorough testing. 



   Well, if g.Kukovyakin himself thought of the idea of 
​​VIRUS, but we fear that he "blew" idea from Thomas S. Ray, an 
article on the study "artificial life" which can be found in 
the Journal of Technology towards the youth "No 5 for In 1993, 
she said: "To Live and Die in the computer! ".



   And you, dear "SPECTROFON", should not have to declare 
Championship viruses, does not VIRUS playing in at least a few 
hours. 


   By the way, "the children" (SPECTROFON No15, "C
PEACE ON bat, "the critic OLDMANa). Look closely at the picture 
menu in VIRUS2! Better yet, go to input mode commands:

can enter the words of the most vulgar abuse, and the computer 
will understand them! Can you imagine what fun for the 
"concern" adolescents?


2. THE REGENERS: Somewhere in Research
Center. (A. Martynov, D. Privaltsev, Moscow).

   Ocherdnaya "duck" Inforkom "and:" .. New
nondeterministic game ... has a well developed plot, worked 
graphics and musical accompaniment for AY .. " 


   'll Give tribute to the authors, the game really nicely made 
and announced. In our look at it from 2 deficiency (but not

error): too many unrelated to
Game background and fairly small size of the playing field, 
does not allow for serious research formations.



   Depressing just how this game gave us "Inforkom. After 
reading the price list, we just the same ordered a floppy disk, 
naively believing that you have found a game that will "chase" 
for a few months. Having finally a floppy disk, we

immediately downloaded "REGENERS" and saw ...
painfully familiar to the "Life", and in its original form, ie 
program that incorporates the rules for the mathematical 
simulation of the evolution of the colony cells nothing more. 
Play "Life" in the traditional sense, generally can not be with 
the help of mathematics and mathematical games lovers can only 
produce above mentioned studies, but we are hoping for the 
"traditional" game with the elements "Life", as is described in 
the price list! But such games exist, such as

"SIMULIFE", "GENETIC WARS" for IBM, which yavvlyayutsya mixture 
of "Life" and strategy. That's it.



   Due to be bound by these (and hopefully read) we want to 
offer "Spectrophone" introduce a new section, "QUALITY" or 
something like that. It will be analyzed not only the game 
merits authoring, but also quality of programs and their user

interface. It will be a kind of feedback to authors on the 
quality of their programs (and other similar and No: "... the 
program authors do not return and will not be reviewed .." 
(Inforkom " "SPECTROFON")). And let me take your

the first installment in this category have been submitted.


   We really do not want to make our
letter to someone perceived as a criticism of all and
whole. Do not get us wrong, we are fans
SPECTRUMa for 5 years now and, of course, pleased the emergence 
of such firms as "Inforkom" (as a distributor of software, as 
amended "ZX-REVIEW," she simply has no equal), only saddened 
that it is nearing the case of the old-fashioned " trying to 
"fool" us. Green Light domestic authors - is good, but, 
gentlemen, do not forget: the reliable, high quality program 
can make only a professional programmer, on his "hump" to 
explore many of the pitfalls of programming

and debugging programs, moreover, well
who knows the computer and understand it
work.


   In the ZX-REVIEW No. 5 for 1995 was vyskazanna idea of 
​​creating games "all the world" which we liked very much. True,

let it change a little (the original idea, actually several 
unrealistic) and merge them with another, expressed in the same 
place. Creates one or more special groups, such as through

Group "STEP" (Editors "SPECTROFON" and
creators of beautiful game "STARRY
HERITAGE ") that create
Software. And all who have ideas about any new games sent to 
these groups their ideas, scripts, etc., and together they 
create a game, not conceding to "brand" of the West. And then 
spread on channels, "Inforkom" Yes. And, with appropriate 
protection of floppy disks ("current" to protect them can be 
removed for 10 minutes and for SCORPIONe 40 on PENTAGONe, you 
only need to know how) Many homegrown hackers remain with the 
nose. 



   Worst professional hackers are always
been and will be, nothing can be done,
the only question the value of their services. As
Was this idea?


   Speaking of SCORPIONe. We have read the statements Cyril 
Gromov in SPECTROFON No 15 ("From the world of a bat) and diva 
were observed. If Mr. Gromov collaborates with "Condor", and 
even manages there SPECTRUMom, then he should know that in 
terms of electronics our favorite computer is a so-called 
"Closed system" that is, system which DO NOT increase without a 
radical change circuits, and this entails a loss of 
compatibility, if you do not use special tricks of the trade, 
so the scheme SPECTRUM-128 SPECTRUM-1948 are so unlike each 
other. Here's to you and answer your first question, g.Gromov: 
SCORPION gives a gain in price since represents a single 
computer SPECTRUM-256, and your favorite PROFI is a 
conglomerate of two practically independent computers: 
SPECTRUM-128 scheme own PROFI-mode (an allusion to

are you doing even in his "Ode" PROFI in
ZX-REVIEW No 6 of 1995). Conclusion
that it is cheaper to buy one (or monokompyuter
two semi-independent in one case)
do it yourself. As regards the second of your
statements, answers: SCORPIONa to write, but just do not sell. 
For Sellers more profitable to sell PROFI (reasons above)

and therefore they do not want to sell software for a competing 
computer (we know from bitter experience). But

You what can be done only on
SCORPION: protected distribution package, do not create 
absolutely no hassle with no working copies of the packet (copy 
them, delete, etc.) to legitimate users, and refuse to work for 
"pirates" (each SCORPIONa have your own room). And your PROFI 
allows it?




   In addition to the ROM SCORPION "enclosing" a library of 
procedures, I / O: Working with a screen, printer, BIOS drive 
(Its the oldest version was published in book by Larchenko and 
Rodionova "ZX Sectrum and TR-DOS users and programmers). To 
access procedures for the library need only give the command 
RST # 8 by following her procedure code (# 80 - # 85). This 
library will save you from wasting time and memory for routine 
procedures I / Os. 


   Now regarding compatibility. Our two-year work with the 
SCORPION showed only 4 of its difference from "normal" 
SPECTRUM-128: 

- Changed during the row pulses
leading to a "glitch" in the DEMO, as
SHOCK (part one, the effect MULTICOLOR), and
INT absolutely nothing in common, it's so
same as that of the SPECTRUM-128;

- The rate of exchange of information between the 
disk-controller-processor, it is noticeable ONLY when using a 
microcontroller "reading paths, which in itself itself "buggy" 
(I guess this is what was meant in the phrase "clearly not 99% 
compatible") it is expressed in decreasing the length of image 
of the track (some protection "love" analyze an image to search 
for keys decoding, for example MICROPROTECTOR, but

it works fine);

- Processor RST # 8 is "in-time" handler breakpoints shadow 
monitor the entrance to the library of procedures (or is it 
those "not 99%?) 

- Inability to work with the mythical port # FD, because there 
is another # FD-port is the port # 1FFD - optional

port management of system resources and if you clean it up 
("put a switch), then we are incapable of work pile of iron as 
it is also important as a port keyboard, which is why you can 
not "lick the port # 7FFD" you "asked" by the way, without the 
port # 1FFD we get the "typical" SPECTRUM-128.



   About the "closed" circuit. Name
us at least one security system that can not be opened. The 
whole question just in time (for what is produced and

protection!), will address the skills (!) and
appropriate hardware (!!).


   Yes, what about the "professional
Operating System "? please explain to us in detail. We do think 
that "Operating system - a software package and

procedures to effectively manage computer resources to solve any
task; is a medium for software applications. "(institute 
course" Operating Systems ", Lecture No 1) 


      A child's user interface
or anonymously) and indescribably act
indefinitely. Property rights (ie
Exclusive right to authorize release of
light, reproduction in any form, distribute, modify, translate 
from one language to another, etc.) act to death of the author 
and for 50 years after his death. Property rights are 
transferred to inheritance, and may be transferred

(In whole or in part) to any person
contract. The treaty should be concluded in
writing and contain information about
exactly which rights are transferred and
how long, as well as the size and the payment of remuneration.



   If the program or the database was
created in the course of duty
DUTY, or at the request of the employer,
then the property rights created by the program (database) 
belongs to the employer, unless you stipulate in your contract, 
that these rights remain yours. 


   If someone is legally owned copy of the program (database)
he may, without the author's consent and without
payment of compensation to him to make a
certain actions: produce themselves
copies of the software for archival purposes, to adapt the 
program to fit your goals and even decompile it to study the 
structure and codes. Everything else is considered a violation 
of copyright. 


   What can we do to the author (copyright owner),
if he learns of the violation of their rights? The law gives 
him several opportunities. He is entitled to demand recognition 
of their rights, as well as reimbursement of all incurred

his losses, including revenue received by the infringer. Prove 
the losses incurred is not easy, so instead of the recovery of 
damages, we recommend you to claim compensation in

rate from 5000 to 50,000 times the minimum wage. Court or 
tribunal may also confiscate illegally made copies, and the 
hardware on which they were made. For particularly bloodthirsty

Recall also that the copyright infringer
rights can be attracted to criminal liability. "

"S": So what "change 31 bytes in the program Stalker STS nobody 
forbids you to - change and use your health! But

distribute a fixed version of the law you are not eligible. And 
in general - not very clear sounds your "check

purity of the programs that are considered in
letter. We sort of copyright
talking while you're at errors in the programs came from.


   Let's think about it: someone has
must say - we need corrected, normally running programs! And if 
sitting next to a professional hacker, a programmer who can 
edit author's work and give it to those who suffer

masses - is only a fool will not take advantage of this 
opportunity. As here be with the rights of the author? The idea 
is that a bug in the civilized countries reported in 
specialized journals, in teleconferences, etc. And the author, 
if he clearly has its finger on the pulse must react quickly 
and to release an update corrected version. By the way, 
periodically updating software versions (usually the system, 
sometimes the game) is used by programmers as a means of 
protection. As soon as greedy pirates dolman next version, as 
the author again appears on the software market with a new 
version of the program. Clear business - buyers come to him, 
for the newcomer. In our, Russian conditions, as you know, this 
is possible only with great reserve. 

   About advertising programs in the price list of "Inforkom" 
say one thing - advertising motor trade and to it must be 
treated leniently, with the mind, and sometimes with caution. 
When you are on TV, "vparivayut" unmatched pen for $ 50 and 
insist that this price is temporary and only for you, as 
before, say, a pen worth $ 70 - you

do not run headlong to buy it. Even
If you are immediately offered to handle this
a set of six pens are absolutely free! Reasonably dividing 50 
by 7, you get the average price of a fountain pen and then you 
can estimate their financial capabilities and the need to 
purchase such an expensive gizmos. In the case of programs 
should also a little skeptical about reading a text in the 
price. While you are there and do not lie, but the description 
up to the expectation that you're reading it, are interested in 
the program. 



   And about the touted "virus" ... You know, we played him more
two weeks and, by and large, such as
did not pay attention to the shortcomings of the program, 
although they are visible to the naked eye. Just turned the 
game of chance. AND to our readers liked it, because

how many people responded to the announcement of the 
championship viruses! So let's will be more lenient. Not all 
learning for programmers, but sometimes write

programs are not worse than those specifically
learned it.


   Your reworked versions of popular western programs, ladies 
and gentlemen, we have seen - they are made well - something 
that may be published, but something will give in "Inforkom" 
for the collection. The only thing that looks like an 
exaggeration - Your words about solving problems, "comparable to

writing a program from scratch. "



   Propose to continue our discussion in
one of the following numbers "spectrophone.


         THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!