Topic - Immortal SPECCY - "Future Project Speccy".

SoundTrack: MR.Z/LS/1997 X-PARTY! (C) BD!
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(C) VIATOR / AVALON / RUSH
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           SPECCY ALIVE FOREVER
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   You love SPECCY? You want it, and
further delight you with wonderful programs? You are not 
indifferent to its future? This article will project you are 
interested ... I must say that I will not be against the use of 
the article in electronic publications. On the contrary, I 
shall be very happy if it drew attention to the ZX-FORMAT,

SPECTROFON'e and other magazines and newspapers.


            IMMORTAL SPECCY



   To begin with, that will disprove all sorts of 
unsubstantiated talk of the future Death SPECCY. He lived and 
will live! And no Beauty AMIGA, no clumsy PC will not force us 
to leave it. It's part of our lives and we can not imagine 
their existence without him. The point is not that We do not 
have the money to buy more expensive and powerful machine. 
Personally I have a house on one SPECTRUM desk stand and AMIGA. 
In this case, LED lights on SPECCY much more often than AMMY 
:-) Who said that computer is the main performance, cool 
graphics and music? And I Though I do not deny this, but argue 
that most important is the communication process with

computer, the pleasure derived by
writing and using programs and, of course communicate with 
their peers, friends and colleagues, who often live in other 
countries and speak other languages. That is important - the 
process of creation. Likewise, even the most quality pictures 
can not convey those feelings and impressions, which carries a

picture painted by man, embedded in
her soul. And from your computer: You can write on a relatively 
weak car great things, but you can use the ultra modern and 
powerful technique, as the unit to solve mathematical problems, 
"ie, calculator or as a gaming console.

Of course you choose for yourself. It all depends
on your needs, capabilities and intellectual development. 
Previously, I was very upset all the statements I have 
respected people resignation from SPECCY, but now I look at

They are much more optimistic, saying
to himself: 'tude to you and the road! ". All those who
truly love SPECCY, with him will not go away! As it turned out 
- I was right. After working with other cars and not getting 
addition, they hoped, many new and returns to SPECCY, which can 
give free rein to their imagination.


   If you have doubts about the "survivability"
Spectrum, then look at the situation in
Poland, Slovakia and other countries where
SPECCY already experienced a period of "litargicheskogo
sleep, and everyone who is willing and able to work
write excellent programs. A small number of which caused only 
small sizes of these countries compared to Russia or Ukraine 
(the two largest state by area in Europe). Only now we 
establish contact with them and this communication, undoubtedly 
strengthen the Spectrum movement, both abroad and in this 
country. I can say with confidence that the Spectrum will be 
continue to live and evolve. 


          The Future SPECCY



   Now that the question of life SPECCY
we figured it's time to talk about
what to do next to maximize and develop raspostranit SPECTRUM.
What you need to write more new and quality programs - this is 
so everybody understands, and to the extent possible these 
involved. It is very important not to stop development in the 
area of improving new hardware capabilities SPECCY. PC

SPRINTER, developed by PETERS,
can make a very significant contribution to the development of 
the Spectrum-compatible machines. Receiving so rich, there is 
no need to abandon all that has been created on the Speccy. 
Despite everything, it remains the most massive Spectrum 
computer for creativity. At AMIG'e in CIS programs are engaged 
in writing one. On a PC, do not write almost anything, Apart 
from the accounting software and databases, because without a 
market no one will to invest huge money in the notoriously 
unprofitable project. In addition, almost impossible to compete 
with Western producing programs, often in the production of 
good games out there investing the sum is greater than in the 
filming, and over a program with hundreds of people. In the CIS 
SPECTRUM is the millions of people. In each city thousands of 
users. Even if your Speccy, they were not included for

months - this does not mean that they are not interested in new 
programs, most importantly, to information about them was 
available to the public. Interestingly, not tried anyone to do 
transmission of television devoted to SPECCY? We need to show 
users who want to buy anything for games and hanging out, the 
computer will imgorazdo more than DENDY or SEGA. Of course, 
capabilities of the standard SPECCY several outdated, there can 
not do without something such as SPRINTER-97 ...

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   The very first thing to do than it should - it is
creation of a full-fledged market proliferation
soft'a. Unfortunately, until SPECTRUM'e
the main motivation for writing programs
is only of interest to this kind of
tvorchestva. Incidentally, this problem is urgent
not only for SPECTRUM'a, but for all other platforms. On a PC 
or AMMY situation with distribyutsiey programs or not better.


   Do you know how many faces are the same
(And sometimes much worse) programs in the west? Let me just 
say what I know from personal experience: The company 
MULTIMEDIA CLUB opened in Kiev a branch (unless I am mistaken, 
the same branches were organized in Moscow and St. Petersburg). 
They hired a group of artists and pay them per month at $ 
300-400. It should be frankly recognize that they are using our 
highly skilled professionals, as cheap labor ... In the west, 
pay for similar work (the creation of toys) is measured 
thousands of dollars. But what do get for their hard work 
manufacturers soft'a for SPECCY? As it is not sad, but at best 
they are paid a sum of $ 50-100, and the vast majority of 
authors programs do not receive for their work penny. Cases 
where the author was able to get more or less a decent amount 
for their offspring isolated (UFO I, II), and even then only 
real in that case, if the author lives in St. Petersburg or 
Moscow. Of course, that out of nothing money can not be 
obtained. Must ensure the sale of his work. In

this case, there are several ways:

   1. Redistribute the program under the principle of
shareware, ie when PROGRAM IS the address of the author and the 
amount which he ruyu hopes to receive for their work. Of 
course, naive to expect that someone will pay for the program 
even after as she had appeared ...


   2. Try to sell the program itself, releasing the demo 
version and wrote it the amount that must pay for each

receive the full version. Thus
come DIGITAL REALITY, IMP (ECSTASY) and
many others. That's obvious flaws
This method distribyutsii programs. Almost
All users believe that waiting a month, this program will 
receive almost "for free" from a local distributor-pirate. 
Instead of writing new work for programmers, artists and 
musicians have to deal with a permanent departure letters and 
parcels ... 

   3. To give their offspring for proliferation of some major 
distribution organization. As far as I know, most of those 
companies (Inforkom, MAGIC SOFT), a able to pay the author $ 
50, with This amount is almost independent of

scale program. You can try to sell his creation of several 
large distributors, but a tangible result it still will not 
bring ... __________________________________________




   The problem is that even by raspostranitelyam difficult to 
recoup the modest money spent to buy the program, because in 
most cases is distributed in a limited region. Already a week, 
or at best a month protection, how perfect she was,

hack. The program will be sent in the form
free copy versions of the ends SNGi official distributors cease 
to be paid for her profit. Now let's see how

also sent to the program ... As it is
unfortunate, but it usually involved themselves
same manufacturer. Every self-respecting
a city there are any groups who write the program. Typically, 
they support connection with a 5-10yu similar organizations

from other cities, sharing with them what's new. I must admit 
that I do a lot of time copying out pirated versions of his 
friends. Moreover, I do not have a single (!) Licensed copy! Of 
course get rid of this unpleasant phenomenon is not easy, there 
are only one possible way - to invite all

wishing a more attractive way of getting new programs. Because 
I do not buy program from the official distributors did not

because they have to pay, but because
I have absolutely no opportunity to buy licensed copies. This 
is really only for residents of the largest cities, and even 
then only in Russia. But thousands users across the CIS 
countries are satisfied with soft'om illegal. By the way, this 
way obtaining "novya" far from ideal. New

games, magazines and everything else to fall
us in 2-5 months after release, it
"Novem" can not be called ... In addition,
program run through dozens of hands and are often recorded on 
IGNORE, or no half files (personally for me, a few ZX-FORMAT'ah 
no application, "Star Heritage" is incredibly buggy, and

many such examples). Certainly cool
was coined in England redistribute
soft through the network of booksellers, we are also nothing 
else to do but to distribute the program by mail. Such activity 
is engaged Inforkom, sending mail its printed price lists. But 
reading them only a few! Inforkom very little worry about 
advertising distribyutiruemoy products. As an example, 
virtually any user, for example, I a desire to order by mail new

program. Firstly, I do not know the address
Inforkoma nor the cost of their services, nor that
they apply. Yes, and how they could find out if they did not 
care even the simple ones advertising programm

their organization. Even with their price list, the user will 
buy a pig in bag of "trust what's written there.

Much more informative would be a simple screen
from selling the program.

   And I say all this to what has long been
it's time to create a powerful organization dedicated 
distribyutsiey programs and literature SPECCY. The main thing 
is to be known and trusted by all. It should bring together all 
the major manufacturers soft'a in the CIS. Each month should go 
advertising program which will list everything that distribute 
the company at the moment, the conditions distribyutsii and 
other such information, and plus details on how to order the 
program, literature, and not only from Moscow and St. 
Petersburg, and from any point of the CIS. Why advertising 
program, rather than price, direct mail? Yes, because the 
program is much faster and SOLD MASSIVE! Prices are reading 
unit, but the most lousy demo, abandoned in the network, a week 
is almost all cities. Remember ENLIGHT'96, if not

out the three demos on the competition because no one
would not have known, and would never have appeared
"VIBRATIONS", "7REALITY", "ILLUSION" and
other masterpieces from ENLIGHT. Talking about the 
effectiveness of advertising, I do not think you need. So why 
does anyone not to do this? Here are just some of the benefits 
that can be accomplished by creating a seamless distribution

Network:

   1. Receive a deserved reward
The authors of programs that will encourage
writing new works.

   2. Each user can, by paying
reasonable amount, get the latest program in its original form, 
without error, complete set. He will know that

his money to get to the author, who will sit
for writing the new system software or
game.

   3. Considerable benefit to a firmadistribyutor itself 
(again, if it exists will know all users). 

   The success of this venture depends entirely on the
how many people support it. Each
the user must finally understand that
impossible to get the program indefinitely
"For free". Soon, these programs may not be, if not to support 
their producers. Therefore the union of all the creators of the 
programs krayne need right now.


   I believe that the role of such a universal
"Distribution office" until the pull
only Inforkom, which has already been created
distribution network in Russia and
in Ukraine. Still more preferably, the creation of an entirely 
new organization that would deal only with such work. Maybe 
this role will be able to take by the new association Amazing 
Soft Makers, is organized by

guys from the group SMASH. It includes more than ten major 
groups from Russia and Ukraine. While a clear course of 
association is not resolved, but we hope that the charter and 
will appear in rulezy soon. All the details still need to think 
twice and weigh. We need to find the best way forward and

payment programs (certified mail, COD, etc.). Now about the 
price. It certainly should depend on

scale program. It should be
take into account absolutely all the factors affecting
the popularity of the program. You also need to
take into account the cost of shipping and the cost of
floppy disk. Here are some very rough Calculations:

   A simple game type "TETRIS" - 50 cents-$ 1 + cost of CD + 
shipping. 

   Game type "DIZZY" - $ 1-3 + cost
CD + shipping.

   Game type "UFO II" - $ 5-7 + cost
CD + shipping.

   It is necessary to calculate the optimal price program, so 
to recoup all costs and at the same time make sure that the 
price was acceptable to the buyer. The author, who pays to 
distribute its program, should not receive a fixed amount and a 
percentage of the cost All copies sold (probably around 
40-50%). In Kiev, one disc, "KMT" "BOEDER", or "RPS" is 
approximately 15-30 cents wholesale, apparently, cheaper. 
Shipping by registered mail, within one state, not exceed 20 
cents (sorry, for what did not specify the figure). There must 
be a branch of the firm at least in Russia, Ukraine and 
Belarus. This will help avoid unnecessary costs and problems 
with the shipment across the border. Need to entice users to 
buy the program. This requires extensive advertising, both the 
association and themselves programs. The more people who use 
the services of this organization, the less would be to make 
the price. Now on aforementioned advertising programs ... They 
should go out on a regular basis. Appearance can be almost any, 
from the similarity of text viewer'ov and ending

small demos (as ENLIGHT INFO 1-3).
Importantly, that they were informative and met quality (many 
of the same form diskriruyuschego cursor or scroll twitching, 
arm stretches to reset'u). Not interfere with beautiful 
graphics and music. Also, would be nice to make on-screen files 
taken from the program and submitted their demo version. In 
addition, it is possible for rassylanii programs to customers 
to make small questionnaires in which interest in what

they would like to buy in the next
precisely what interests them. Producers
programs will focus on these reviews. Such surveys are much 
more efficient than those published in journals since they

will be made up of reviews of just those
people who buy the program. Except
This will take into account the tastes are much more
vast regions than St. Petersburg and Moscow. The transition of 
our manufacturers from pure enthusiasm to commercial projects 
will bring positive results, because otherwise

If even those who have something to be done
yourself, sooner or later turn into pisyushnyh lamers who use 
Western software. 


   And now the fun ... Who
agree to write these e-lists?
And did not have hundreds of coders who have nothing
do? ... Consider yourself lucky. I
he can find people who will be engaged in this or in spite of 
the fact that the ears loaded with work on the "SOTA" (gfx 
editor) and his studies at the Art Academy, I write them 
myself. Naturally, the first program we will

absolutely free (for this we do not get used), but later, when 
the company-distributor unwind, though not looking forward to 
our charity! :-): -] And why,

actually, we are doing? Yes, for the
simple reason that we are not indifferent
fate SPECCY, because we are writing
program and want to get for them some
reward, because we ourselves want to
buy the fastest most new programs do not have such small 
"businessmen" as the Joker, and a serious organization, you can 
trust. __________________________________________




   Activities of the association should not be limited to one 
spread the word copyright programs. It should helps creators

soft'a. So, through it several separate
groups are able to create a joint project.
It can be a buffer for the exchange of ideas
and achievements in the field of coding. Group,
which does not have a musician or, for example, an artist, she 
will find the music or graphics. In short, it

should strongly favor the producers of software. Now
it's up to you. If you really have the time
and the desire to do this, contact
me or SMASH. We will listen to all suggestions and comments on 
this issue and will respect your opinion. Anyone who 
understands the advantage of creating a large distribyutorskoy 
company, I beg to support this project! Tell us about it in 
their programs and just your friends. I just

In this I see the ability to save SPECCY
as a full-fledged computer - that is,
computer, which has users.
Of course, he does not die, but simply turn in the car for 
coders, which will deal only intuziasty, only for

yourself and like yourself.

   HEY! Producers soft'a, I hope
you are aware of all COOLnost this proposal, IF this is so, 
THEN mess with us with distributors with users, the most

the main thing - do not be silent! And yet, all the above does 
not mean that regional distributors and sellers of pirated 
soft'a market awaits the hungry death in poverty. They will be 
able to buy a license to trade in copyright programs their 
region. Buck fast pay off, because bought the program they will 
receive prompt, with 100% efficiency. Try to make feasible 
participation in the life Spektrum'a. I think nothing else to 
do except napisaniyatekstov? I just really want to writing 
programs became my main profession. Hundreds of talented people 
engaged in absolutely no interest in their work. Since IMP and 
SHAMAN are working in editorial newspapers, RST 7 general may 
soon fall asleep. And finally I want to thank those

who takes an active part in the life
SPECCY:


   Inforkom, XLD, STEP, Glory Mednonogov
and many others ...