Optron #19 02 октября 1998

Демопати

FT'98: Feedback - Opinions on Fun Top'e.

 Briefly about the past, information about future

I. Bozhenko


               Introduction


  Despite the fact that from the date of
FunTop'98's been more than a month
spektrumisty our region can not yet
uzat the details of only two ZX-publications: Nicron'e and 
Optocouplers. In addition, tenth number of the Minsk newspaper 
RIP posted very interesting analysis of entries.


  Other ZX-publication or did not manage to cover such an 
outstanding event, the International Festival of Computer Arts 
either kept silent about it, or simply have not yet reached us. 
Sorry. 

  Let's start with self-esteem.

  Reporting in the seventeenth issue of Optron "
FunTop'98 turned on is not enthusiastic. Especially emphasized 
the organizational flaws. No overall evaluation, no conclusions 
(on that and report!) However, the reasons for this approach 
quite clearly clear in the reporting. Publishing

his edition, of course, admit that
The festival can be illuminated and the other
point of view.

  Well, the publication in Nicron'e surpassed
all expectations!



         Thunder victory, was heard!


   Authors Nicron'a (they are also organizers
Festival) tells us about his exploits
so pathetic, enthusiastically, that it becomes quite clear: all 
the Ancient Greek and Roman heroes, taken together, Far from 
the exploits of the current organizers! FunTop himself did not 
and will not be unmatched in the history of mankind! As for 
flaws prior to the event did, then they are so insignificant 
that they deserve just to mention a glimpse of them, or

do not remember.

  In short,


     Ispolati, Axios!

     Rejoice, brave Ross!


           AK Tolstoy



        A look at the predecessors


  It is noteworthy that when
every opportunity Nicron misses
possible kick organizers Enlight'97 - in the best Soviet and 
post-Soviet traditions. 

  Why surprising? In Kiev, for example,
every new prime minister, barely taking the "Plant"
immediately announces its predecessor
almost criminal. So
that "spitting" in Enlight'97 - just
childish prank.



          What about criticism?


  No doubt, the organizers have done a tremendous job, quite 
successfully cope with emerging before them imaginable and 
unimaginable hardship. Honor and praise them for it!


  But let me, however, note the following.

  The more significant event - the higher the requirements for 
the organizers! Accordingly, the more criticism of their 
address. From all sorts of comments can be spared

but frankly the failed event.
What is there to explain? And since everyone knows about
com "Do not say anything but good!

  Organisers FunTop'a, like, totally not prepared for 
criticism. Judging by their enthusiastic self-esteem, we can 
assume that any comments will be accepted by them,

like pouring mud - about the same
as in ancient times ideological
Front Central Committee and the appropriate management
KGB reacted to the "vile slander
zabugornye spiteful scribblers. "


     But in such a position

     I am afraid, fear,

     To Inquisition

     Did not carry a monk!


     No wonder so squalid

     Old algvazil

     Me by the hand of stout

     Just now threatened.


            Prutkov


  Therefore, all of the following - in no
If not "attacks" on the organizers have already entered in the 
"annals" of the Festival - and Reflections on the problems that 
may Festival organizers face the future.




         Organizational side


  The overall situation in the former Soviet
space will likely continue
deteriorate. Therefore, the organizers of the Future
Festival should be ready for the most
unexpected difficulties.

  The experience of the FunTop'a is valuable
the fact that he showed with some variety
force majeure may stolkutsya organizers. Surely, from such a 
weak spirit could sink your hands (not only)!


  Should, however, be noted that in many
cities (do not know how this is the case
in Moscow and St. Petersburg) I get disconnected
elektoseti and remote connection has long been, alas,
not acts of God, but quite commonplace,
I would even say, "normal" situation.



             Responsibility


  Just so no reference to "black set of circumstances and 
excuses such as "Papa-Mama, do not start", "no one to leave a 
child" - can not be taken into account. 

  "In Russia, no one is responsible for anything?
(I think in Ukraine anyway?). Well, the
harder (and more honor!) for the organizers. By this "slogan" 
to be added: "... except spektrumistov! 

  "We do and do not owe anything? But this is
alas, does not work even with
matinee in kindergarten. Grasp
ustroitelstvo international festival
have to respond to the international spektrumistskim 
dzhizheniem. Taking competitive job, the organizers are

accountable to its author. And they
obliged to account to each author on
the fate of his brainchild. And that - no matter how waved - a 
fact. "He did not overtake, do not bypass Vladimir Mayakovsky.




                Offended


  Whatever (and however) the event successfully
did not pass - there will always be resentful and
dissatisfied. It does not matter - really
or their imaginary grievances, whether express claim to be 
better in the future, either from "zlopyhatelstva. 

  Just for this we must be prepared and
get hysterical because of the slightest claim.



                 Contest


  It should be clear about - which would be
take place at the Festival: a competition or
blanket screening of all and sundry that the only
Organizers will be able to rake?

  Of course, you can hold something, and more.
And nobody nevozbranyaetsya evaluate all
submitted work. But! Competitive and
out-of-competition screenings should be conducted
separately, and not to make a "salad".

  As long as there is a contest - would you be kind enough to 
provide its members the highest possible equal conditions and 
evaluation criteria. It is totally unacceptable to: 

  - Some pass rush job by the appointed time, and others - 
pulled up to the last and handed over his work almost to the 
end of the contest; 

  - Another show some work is fixed in advance, and others - at 
the behest of their authors - were presented to the public in 
the last turn (what they say about Stirlitz last impression?)


  - Some work after taking part in the contest went into 
hiding, and then presented with honorable audience reworked, 
and, it is disguised as shown in competition;


  - Once accepted rules vposlesdstviii differently interpreted, 
then - to adjust, and then - and does ignored.




                 Emblem


  At FunTop'e a situation to avoid
which I would like to wish the organizers
Future Festival. Really would not like
to:

  - Festival of characters were already four (!)
logo;

  - Emblems of the contest was going on some sort of
an incomprehensible mess - whether he was, whether
not, whether he was the "official", whether
"Informal", or was for him the prize, the
whether he was "not allowed";

  - Approval of the emblem of the Festival it
participants found other things to do, and during
order, and about its author - and did - after;

  - Author of the approved logo was not timely informed of their
success.

  And what, in fact, the competition of posters "inferior" 
other competitions? 

  But in the end, is not as important will be the emblem of a 
certain author or an outsider "Court painter" of the main 
organizer. It is important that there was a complete certainty. 



                New Ideas


  After the FunTop'98 on ehokonferentsiyam was wandering a lot 
of new ideas.


  For example, Ivan Mak suggested making
a special contest "digital-music", limiting the scope of the 
program to 4-16K. This interested many fidoshnikov. 

  Andrew Savichev and Alexey Ivanov were discussing possible 
changes to the rules of the contest. 

  Evgeny Milun explained the difference between
Festival and the virtual competition.

  Alexander Kulik offered to introduce the concept of
"Horror-Demo". "And Animation Compo!", -
Supported joke Alexander Grimalovsky.

  And why not? In any case,
Judging from the disputes that erupted around demos
"Blame" and "Funtasy", long overdue idea
separately evaluate the "coolness coding and
"Artistic impression"!

  It is clear that the more competition and changes in the 
rules - the more the hassle organizers. But the pressing issues 
- the so- or otherwise - must be addressed.




          Preselection


  FunTop'98 experience has shown that pre-selection and 
screening of work still needed - let it not seem to someone 
wild and impracticable. 

  High prestige of the Festival should not be
undermine or frankly a disaster work
that would hiss, no job, any public demonstration which 
completely unacceptable. 



               Anonymity


  Let us ask ourselves the question: whether and
continue suit merrymaking with the "anonymity"?

  Reading Nicron, we can see that the full
anonymity of entries to comply with both
and failed. At the same time, it is clear that the "anonymity" 
has created a number of difficulties for the participants.


  So is not it easier to opt out of
this very anonymity?

  It is worth noting that, having
pre-selection and abandoning
"Anonymity", could be prepared in advance, make copies and 
bring to a all participants (hang on

walls, and ideally - to distribute to each player) a full 
program (or a list of competitive works at least) of the 
Festival. Thus, it can it would avoid many problems.




        "Popular vote"


  In the same way as in the "Anonymous"
benefit from the fact that the winners of the contest determine 
all those present, it seems highly doubtful. But the 
shortcomings such a method - are obvious.


  Judge for yourself.

  Suppose, the Organizing Committee will work out well
certain evaluation criteria - but does
All participants will follow them exactly, but
not their own beliefs and tastes?

  And members of the host city (they
presumably constitute the majority) - and
nonresident? They that will evaluate the work exactly the same?

  Further, some will sit fixedly at the monitor, while others - 
peek out from behind his back and nape, running on a smoke 
break, a beer, yet somewhere. Someone will come later, someone -

leave early. This is what will add objectivity overall 
evaluation? 

  But let's say all of the above will not
have absolutely no value. So perhaps
there is not an ignorant skeptic (like
I, for example), which put the objectivity of this method into 
question? 

  A large number of ballots caused the delay in publishing the 
results? 

  A two-week adjustment to a subsequent change in the list of 
winners? 

  And now lasted a month change
in the final list?

  Is that - little things, on what pays attention only spiteful 
"accuser"? 

  Therefore, it is okay if
have determined the ranking works fairly authoritative, 
competent and impartial Jury, verify, of course, its assessment

reaction of viewers on submitted work. Moreover, the jury will 
see for the first time - as well as all the spectators! 

  A "popular vote", of course, also
can be done - but only for the award
"Audience Choice Award."

  And do not immediately dismiss this
proposals - as does this, for example,
A. Ivanov, responding to a proposal A. Savicheva about this: 
"We the jury - all present - and beyond (well, just as

g.Stolypin!) - So it was, so, IMHO, will be
continue! "



         Rapid Alert


  Agree, not very nice getting an hour or two to languish in 
expectation of the announcement of the results of a hundred or 
so participants. All the more unseemly keep waiting a little

Do not for a month all other spektrumistov.

  So the question of efficiency should also consider. Moreover, 
that the Internet available is not yet over, Fido - it is not

ITAR-TASS, a ZX-press - it is not printed
edition. "Hot line" between the Organizing Committee and the 
online newspaper - that's one of the solutions to the problem.




                Conclusion


  Thus, the organizers of the Future
Festival will pile up on their
shoulder the immense mountain of problems. And get to work must 
now, without spending time on the buildup.


  Success to all, and - until the next meeting
Festival!