Nicron #128 06 января 2005

Интервью

Interview - Interview Maksagora / NedoPC group newspaper 'Nicron'.

        NedoPC group / team

        Interviews Maksagora newspaper 'Nicron'



   Views of participants and the editorial board meeting can 
not always match.


   WB - Wlodek Black,

   Maksagor - Maxim Timonin.


   WB> Please, currently (within tactful:))


   Maksagor: My name is Timonin Maxim A. (nickname -
Maksagor). Born in 1978 in Lithuania, Klaipeda. Ibid
passed all my childhood. The first computers I saw in 1986,
although at that time and did not understand their 
classification, characteristics, and so on. With Spectrum met 
in 1990. This was a "Byte-48." Spectrum seen before in 
widespread if gambling clubs, but if not interested in what 
kind of computers and with what they eat. " At that time, to 
explore the "byte" for me they were just video games. Since 
ZX48 different models were then universally then gradually 
became involved in the process of computerization is to based 
on this platform. The most prominent of the remaining ZX 
platforms, I started when I saw the 1992 game ELITE. But Speccy 
fan, that is actually spektrumistom, I became about in 1993 
when a friend saw the Pentagon 128 AY and drive that won me 
over (especially the sound). Since then, I am a serial 
spektrumistom. 

   In 1994, the parents have purchased (according to my urgent
request) your own Spectrum, Kojima became a clone of an 
ATM-turbo (512 Kb). So I became more and ATMschikom because ATM 
any modifications - it is slightly more than a ZX-128. Then he 
began to understand in assembly language (BASIC mastered the 
"byte"), although the encoder and did not.


   In the 1995-1996 year to Lithuania from the CIS are 
beginning to reach new games, software, the first serious demo. 
Particularly impressed by the first newspapers and magazines 
(Spectrofon, ZX-Format), a completely new phenomenon on the 
platform. But at the same time, through them I got a huge 
amount of information about the life of the Spectrum in the 
world and ex-USSR. And Local spektrumisty were then still 
numerous, and let good program under the brand name of "Zero". 
Flow of new quality programs that finally convinced me that the 
Speccy - The computer, which is engaged in further, for any

circumstances.

   Graduated from high school in 1996. In 1997, not resigned to
local Baltic nationalists who went to Russia in
Moscow, where he enrolled at MSU in the Department of 
Philosophy. During training found the ex-manufacturer ATMki - 
MikroART, where bummed a bunch of new (to me), ATM-specific 
software under CP / M. There I got hold of and the last 
modification of their products - ATM-turbo 2 +, which "sit" 
until now. In those years, in connection with the rapid 
development of the Internet, I also went to the network through 
which made the acquaintance of many spektrumistami. It was then 
During my passive spektrumizma (using the Spectrum purely for 
pleasure, reading e-mail. newspapers, games) was replaced by 
period of vigorous activity, when he wanted something very do 
for development and later life platform. 


   WB> Your role in the band?


   Maksagor: Well, as I said at the beginning of the XXI 
century I have come period of vigorous activity on the 
Spectrum. Here is the new activities and led me to NedoPC 
group. More precisely, it is necessary friend said, and then 
the phrase might think that I came to group and ask of it. 
None. First was the establishment of contacts with various 
Moscow spektrumistami. With some relationships were constant, 
with some - periodic. The closest relationship I have formed 
with three people: DJ I-Kick (Vasily Tkachev), CHRV (Roman 
Chuunin) and cr0acker (Vladimir Karpenko). Well, Vasya have so 
far remained aloof, but constantly interacting with the Roman 
and Vlad, we once knew that we - a group. Well, for the title, 
"NedoPC group", it is far no more.


   As for my role in the group, I have been engaged
first of all ATM-turbo. Still almost three years ago I opened my
Site http://atmturbo.narod.ru, dedicated to this clone, which
collecting specific software, any information, charts, he was 
preparing article, a description, as well as searching for 
other users of ATM. In result of accumulated huge load of 
knowledge on ATM and experience with these clones. So when our 
group decided to revive the production of this clone, the 
actual "iron" part of the work fell on Vlad, Roman, and 
information - for me. These included: obtaining permission to 
MikroARTa production of their offspring, mining right spreading 
room, firmware. Formation of the documentation and description. 
Listing necessary improvements, and more. Furthermore, it is 
I'm doing communication with potential customers ATM, answer 
their questions to clone. In short, provides a technical 
information service. Well, of course, if the conversation will 
go on any special intricacies of programming or performance of 
any controllers, then redirect the question to the novel, and 
in the remaining cases take communion himself.



   WB> Your vision of the hardware development of the Spectrum?


   Maksagor: Speaking by and large, all that is necessary for
Spectrum, on the platform have already been created. It 
developed a sound system (GS, DMA), enhanced graphics (Profi, 
ATM, Sprinter) higher clock frequency, controllers modems, hard 
drive with CD, and so on. One bad, all these developments exist 
on their themselves: some computers have a schedule, but the 
sound, but AY, no, but there is a modem controller. The other - 
the controller screw and GS, but there is no Kempston mouse, 
etc.. Well, no single standard - when, for example, there are 
several types controllers, modems ...


   Therefore, in my opinion, the further development of hardware
Spectrum shall not occur through the creation of a fundamentally
(!) Of new "widgets" and the path of integration that already 
exists in common software and hardware with an open and flexible

architecture and using all really need (well, not
needed, for example, gigaskrin PC with EGA-graphics, where each
point has its own color), developments in one board and the 
possibility of connection of something previously unrecorded or 
unnecessary precisely on motherboard through the slots. 
Incidentally, the notion of software and hardware complex 
includes the development of the new OS. There much hope I 
confer on Comrade. Breeze of brotherly Belarus. But it already 
goes beyond the scope of the topic. Let him about his work done

puffing. : O)

   In addition to the integration of all developments will, of 
course, and their some development, but not create something 
radically new (Unless there are extreme necessity, but then who 
is soft- write a will?), and by improving the existing one.

For example, in plans, not yet quite near, our
group is the production of a sound card Nedo Sound, which
software will be compatible "top-down" with the GS, but having
significantly more memory and able to play MP3 through
built-in decoder chip-MP3. But these are separate cases. And so,
I repeat, the most basic and most promising trend -
integration of all that has already attained. Well, still, of 
course, repetition of these developments on modern element 
basis, which reduce the number of chips and area boards, as 
well, hence, for an intelligent approach to reduce development 
costs and production. Incidentally, all of these principles 
(integration and elemental basis) most closely matches the 
Sprinter, although it is not without flaws.


   If you talk about the need to completely new developments, 
the it should be controllers and interfaces to connect 
pozvolyayushie Spectrum of modern peripherals and media. This,

first of all, RS-232 (he Speccy exists but a single
standard has not yet created) and USB (primarily for connection
Flash-carriers, which may eventually supplant IDEvinchestery, 
and so long legacy FDD and even more so). 


   WB> What are the results of today
day?


   Maksagor: Well, the main result - that we come from.
And we are at the moment is actually unique in the world
ZX-producing gland.

   Released several batches of "Nemo-compatible" 
IDEkontrollera, dispersed fairly quickly. 

   Given a second birth to a clone ATM. Fall was released more
two dozen motherboards. Now is their gradual
assembly and distribution customers. But extra fees still 
remain, so that all individuals can make orders. Information on 
sites http://atmturbo.narod.ru and http://chunin.infpres.com. 
Well, in the advertisement in the newspaper "Nicron", of course 
... : O))) 


   WB> What's new on the group expects spektrumistov in 2005?


   Maksagor: I can not say that it would be like next year, but
Overall there are plans to:

   1) Continuation of issue IDE-controller;

   2) Issue converter RGB2SVGA, to connect any
Spectrum to modern SVGA-monitors. Enough to spoil their
vision of the ancient World Trade Center! The work entered the 
home stretch; 

   3) Release of PAL-encoder for connection Speccy through 
RGB-output to the TV. Too, is almost ready;


   4) We will continue to issue ATM. If this gets going
Party release another one. As will sell 50 cards will be
launched the proceeds to develop a new ATM at the new
elemental basis, just based on the principle of integration;

   5) It is planned to launch a new KAY-2005 - repeat KAY-1024
on the basis of a new element to some of my innovations (for
More details - to Roman and Vlad);

   6) Release of GS-compatible sound card NedoSound; true
not in the short term.

   Maybe then something else will. Roman will not let lie ... : 
O) 

   Well, do plan to actively participate in community life.
For example, we supported the competition, "Your Game", where as
prize winner (determined by the terms NedoPC group) will take a
collected by the new fee ATM-turbo 2 +. In general, in the 
minds wander ideas like that major producers of software, 
hardware, as well as representatives of the ZX-media (primarily 
print) unite into a single asssotsiatsiyu for mutual promotion 
and development platform. Because the potential is far from the 
Spectrum exhausted, especially as developing educational 
computer for children. So when skilful approach to the 
integration process iron, creating a single operating system 
and information system software, creating a compact computer, 
which is not necessary climb a soldering iron, and "turned on, 
put the OS and everything works, you can return Spectrum of 
subcultural reservation in the wide world. But this is still so 
vague dreams. But the share of reality in them, certainly is. 
Although they are implemented - is unknown. 


   WB> Your comparison of the new ATM-KAY?


   Maksagor: New ATM no. What is available now - it's
good old ATM-turbo 2 + 1994 development, released by
distributing source code provided to us by MikroART. New
KAY - even more so. I can only briefly compare existing KAY1024 
and ATM-turbo 2 +. 

   If we talk about KAY-1024, this machine is based, in
Basically, the classic, only a few extended
Architecture ZX-128. It involves a rigid structure of memory
preloaded with pages ROM and RAM, and a change in their (RAM)
only at # C000, preloaded with colors and
standard ZX-screen 256h192. By extension should include:
increase the memory up to 1024 kB, the replacement ROM page
Rom # 00, Turbo Mode, and most importantly, open
architecture, in common parlance - slots. By the way, the 
shortcomings it KAY-1024 I would mention that the 
FDD-controller is a separate device inserted into the slot, and 
not integrated into motherboard.


   In ATM-turbo 2 + all the architecture is different. It is 
fully programmable, meaning the user decides what

page, which of the four windows of the address space
turn, and generally it will be pages - RAM or ROM.
Flexibly changing and color palette. In addition to standard
screen, there are three: 640x200 (hardware multicolor)
320h200h16 (EGA-analog) and text console 80h25. Do I need to
talk about that ZX-compatible mode is only one of
possibilities of architecture, just pre-set in
special page of ROM at startup? Second
preinstalled in the ROM architecture is the architecture,
allowing to work with CP / M. Change of architecture was also
used for adaptation and iS-DOS Chic to ATM, as well as
creating specifically for the new ATM, iS-compatible OS TASiS,
which very soon will see the light. Yet the merits ATMturbo 2 + 
I would attribute a high degree of integration of different 
periphery. She placed on the motherboard controller IDE 
(IDEkontroller to KAY is a separate card, so himself on 
advantages of this machine is not, but true emphasizes its 
another advantage - an open architecture), PCklaviatury, 
RS-232, COVOX and ADC. The disadvantages I would mention lack 
of Kempston joystick, and, most importantly, lack of slots, so 
that everyone there Kempston joysticks, mice and GS'ki have to 
solder yourself. True, NedoPC group plans to solve this problem 
by issuing "blotches" on slots, "are inserted into the socket 
Z80. But these are only plans, but not distant.



   WB> Your optimism or pessimism.


   Maksagor: While looking to the future with great optimism. 
Now there is a new wave of popularity of the Spectrum. An 
increasing number of produced software, as well as people 
interested in this platform. The reason for this new, 'third' 
wave of popularity Spectrum, in my opinion, lies in the two 
entered into a resonance processes: firstly, it's a new young 
generation spektrumistov that with fresh forces began to explore

the wisdom of programming and that kind of activity. On the 
other hand, previously had gone to the Spectrum luminaries and 
simply users who did this because of the rough and tumble of 
life (Graduation, marriage, job search, the army, etc.

led to a shortage of time for something else), entered into
stable band of his life. And some of them, spurred
inevitable nostalgia, anyway back to the active
activity on the Spectrum. It still contributes to the fact that 
8bitnye machines around the world move from the category of 
hopeless Junk in the category of powerful antiquarian 
curiosities, more stokes interest in these machines, as old and

producing now. For example, almost half of orders for ATM
came from abroad. A similar situation was with the sales
Sprinter. So now it's time for a breakthrough to regain
Spectrum in the big world. But even if it does not work, then
due to this wave for at least another couple of decades of life
ZX-platform is provided.


   WB> Any text for a newspaper (which would be worth to say).


   Maksagor: Well, what can I say? Spektrumisty! Write more
software (games, sistemok, demos), supports manufacturers
iron, and were themselves included in a production development. 
And do not Remember this little wonder is the brainchild of 
Clive Sinclair! Only on You will determine whether the platform 
is still alive ... 



          Maxim Timonin. September 2004.