About everything - a detailed report from Funtop'98 from MMA (chapter 1-4).

(c) M.M.A aka UnBEL!EVER/SPEED CO./XTM'98 
                                          
             F U N T O R ' 98             
                                          
 A story told by a drunk man
 two bottles  of beer, but occupied at the same time
 third place               
                                          
            
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
             
                                          
                Chapter %000                
                                          
        Not even a chapter, but an epigraph!         
                                          
         ...On stage  another speaker
 I hung up the graphs. So he turned around
 to the audience, Professor Daniil Bori-
 Sovich Elkonin. One of the leading children
 national psychologists of the country.             
                                          
      Elkonin is now famous. About 91st Mos-
 kovskaya  school,   where now go
 experiments  with  with the participation of Elkonin,
 they write a lot.                        
                                          
      This is a very special school. There's a
 nurture the ability to theoretically
 mu,  abstract thinking.  At seven
 years  algebra lessons begin, in
 seven guys are studying semantics, in de-
 nine  compose for  linguistic
 practices  artificial  languages.  There
 completely special, not compressed
 old,  a fundamentally different program
 ramma. There are no textbooks at all. There
 there are many miracles in  this school. And there
 it is impossible to get to study in any way
 to whom extra credit: accepted only from
 your microdistrict.  Not geeks
 studying, ordinary children. G. Bashkirova "Alone with myself"
 Moscow            
                "Young Guard" 1972    
                        page 136           
                                          
                                          
Thirty years later, in the same 91st
Moscow school, August 22, 1998,
on  the day of the next anniversary of the August
"putsch" was held  International Festival
Computer  Art  FUNTOP'98.  These
twelve hours spent on the fifth floor -
in the school assembly hall, they turned out to be inscribed
nym into the world history of ZX SPECTRUM og-
romny  number of  works,  people, opinions,
dating,  photos and videos. For
for some  FUNTOP was a shock, for others it was ordinary
daylight  gray.  Someone  took prize
places, someone fell a little short...    
                                          
Read about everything  read below. Data kilo-
bytes of text are  my vision of the
come!  What I saw - I described what I didn’t see
business - left  unlit. I hope this one
text in conjunction with other reports
o  FT'98 will help  all those who were not at
party, restore the entire course of events.     
                                          
So,  in Samara Funtop  preceded
the following events...                      
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                          
                 Chapter I                  
                                          
             Mustdie's Revenge              
                                          
On August 21, 1998, I left my
her apartments on the street named after the glorious Italian
Yang communist Maurice Thorez and direct-
turned to ALK. It was early morning, not crowded
and cold. It was annoying to wait for the bus, and I
wandered onto the subway. The subway ride was terrible
luxury, but fast and efficient. B
differences from Moscow and St. Petersburg, in Samara metro
consists of only 7 stations located
by  direct  lines.  Although the metro takes you to
ALK's  fast  and without transfers, I never
Previously  I didn't use them  because of the need
 required  pay! However, in the future
for the last five or six days my visits to the station
tions "Pagarinskaya"  and  "Sportivnaya" beat
all  possible  records.   Necessity
quickly transferring your body from one
parts  city  to another (in search of music,
graphics and  etc.) forced to use
this blessing of civilization. Yes  and then, -
training before Moscow....              
                                          
At ALK’s house, oddly enough, he was waiting for me
ALK! Moreover, oddly enough, with a ready-made dem-
Coy in your hands. Horrible assumptions have begun
come true  s first same minutes viewed.
Fuck it everything  was crap, the effects  went
too quickly and indistinctly, but in the second
parts of  (the most  rulez') was going on in general
mess! However, there was nothing to be done - until
driving there were only two hours left. For an ambulance
hand, a disk with a demo was created, graphic
which and  the music that  we  we were going to
represent on FT. Everything was fine
copied twice.  By the way, demo
had to cut into five files, although
she completely climbed into  four! But now
the extensions formed the name - BlAME. 
                                          
                                          
Taking into account deep knowledge in the theory of
brightness (ALK has a higher education, and
I  for  %100 years  I managed to study at the university with
familiarize yourself with thissubject), especially in
its application to storage and transportation
flexible magnetic disks, it was decided
nie producenumerous replications
assembly of the assembled disk. The decision was supported by
elk unshakable confidence  that
at least one of 10-15 disks should be considered
ok.  Remaining  disks  possible was
feel free to  distribute it to everyone you meet on FT
naturally configured elements.          
                                          
Replication  was entrusted  cunning
device, structurally  made on
processor AMD 48bDXH/100, using
I eat  wIN'95  and emulator by Nikolay Shalaev.
The first recorded .trd'nik gave confession
ki of life (in the sense that the demo was launched and
botala). Inserting the next disk  and pressing
cherished "File  to disk", I became sealed-
put freshly recorded  disc to  letter for
FIKUS (Flash inc). Let, I think, the old man
will enjoy  our  demo!  However, joy
was reckless....  then  was the last one
disc recorded that day. Everyone else
attempts to get  anything legible on
5'25 DD/DS ended in failure for me.
                                          
ALK came from the kitchen and, seeing the gravity of the incident,
current situation, took the process according to your
control (rebooting wIN first).
Meanwhile, having looked at the clock (which
were already moving according to Moscow time) I will discover
lived all the horror of the situation: there was still time left until the train
mooseXminutes! And this is taking into account the making of copies,
sending letters and teleporting to the station!!!
                                          
I quickly got dressed and headed to the post office.
intensely thought: what a stupid animal this is
wIN'95  can  know  that  need to be disabled
right now, exactly at that moment when
we are not here absolutely not a single extra bit
time. There was no queue  there was no queue at the post office and
coming through  ten  minutes, I discovered
just  amazing any  creative  mind
picture: there were two people in the room -ALK and his dad-
pa. Moreover, the second, in the most gentle terms,
Yakh demanded from the first immediately everything bro-
get up and go to the station. ALK is patient
explained to his "senior rank" that he
will drop everything and go only if
"this  green  the indicator will crawl to that
blue field."                             
                                          
Total lack of  time forced
abandon us everything and finally direct your
body at station.  However, a nasty theory
probability suggested  that on those 3
discs that we managed to record, the demo is not up to date
goes even to Syzran, otherwiseas for Moscow!
I was warmed only  those multiple copies
.trd'shnik, which I  managed to  record on
three-inchdisc. Mustdie after all
rarely  took revenge on disks with its native system
MS-DOS theme. In addition, the disk images were
packed  RAR and "Windows" could not reach
guess that  a demo is being written to the disk,
containing "obscene actions against Himself
BP"!                                      
                                          
                 Chapter II                 
                                          
               The beginning of the end               
                                          
                                          
Following the genius  I advise  ALK's dads, we
drove a couple of stops on the bus and reached the top
waiting for  the imminent arrival of the  tram. Before
the station was just a stone's throw away before the train left
too. We waited for about 10 minutes when...
end  alien intelligence  suggested that
trams do not run and you need to look for another type
transport.  There were 25 minutes left before the train.
chickpeas...                                    
                                          
"Motor" was caught only after 10 minutes,
we got to the station   in 5 minutes and
ten thousand. A whole group of people was waiting for us near the train.
delegation.  At the head of the delegation stood
my mother,  who in the most flattering phrases
popular science explained to us that the train
does not go to  35, and in 25 minutes and in general
time  we have two left, maximum three
bat. I solemnly presented DR.DEATHon-
boron  "Young  demomaker", containing
several  copies of our demo for internal
Samara use, ALK took from Denis
money  in  amount  300 rub. for purchase
General Sound.                          
                                          
Climbing into the carriage, it was impossible not to notice
an extensive delegation of people who clearly resembled
about  the communist past of our country.
As it turned out  later,  they were Samara
members of  Communist Party of the Russian Federation, and they went to Moscow on their
one of them known FUNTOP. However, all this
we  with  ALK found out later, but at that moment
more  total  we were  surprised by the Soviet anthem
Union, which was sung to the communists as a farewell
nie mourners. Last year this gym-
nom  everything   is over (see article in
OBERON#4), and this year it all began!  
                                          
This leads to good thoughts...         
                       (c) Funtasy by Oops
                                          
                                          
Well, in general, it was fun on the train... First,
lo  was cool Ulyanovsk beer "Vi-
fiat." It has labels on the back side
there was an inscription: "Did the job, drink beer
boldly!
brains  quickly  replaced the word  "deal"  on
"demo",  which only contributed to the
the greatest amount of drinking..... Just now and not
remember, but I remember one thing - the train was arriving at
Moscow  at a very fun time - 4:40 am!
                                          
                                          
                                          
                Chapter III                 
                                          
               Moscow 4:40                
                                          
        Polite knock on the door: plumbing
 chic, thin, with thin legs. Water-
 the guide  looks intently at our
 empty bottle. Then they go out to
 corridor.                            
                                          
       - Yes, said Petya, returning, -
 here is  your identity.  Previously  requested
 ruble - it was possible not to give, but
 Please refuse if you need seventeen
 kopecks or twenty-eight.         
                                          
             G. Bashkirova "Alone with myself"
 Moscow            
                "Young Guard" 1972    
                                          
                                          
                                          
As much as we hoped, the train was not late
for  one minute and arrived exactly on schedule -
nuyu. At station, though not right away, but that’s it
we were met... It was Alexey from Vo-
Ronezh, which a week before FT
til Samara and  Ulyanovsk  with friendly
software exchange mission. In many ways, good
giving him, who had already “settled in” at the station, a
man, we we didn't have long with ALK
get lost in  searches for phones,  store and
hall waiting. In Lekha's company we held
at  Kazan  train station  a couplehours,
carefully examining the arrival platforms with his eyes
of arriving trains in order to identify arriving
on FT Sinclairists. However, unfortunately no one
there was no laziness...                          
                                          
Instead of  Sinklerists  us  noticed ed-
bony in its colorfulnessa homeless person who
ry came up and began to urgently ask for 2
ruble  forty kopecks. Authoritatively approved
giving, that  he needs money for a ticket home, he
ozonized the air with such a fume that it
the smell of used diapers  could
compare  in comparison with these colors. Ski-
Having woken up, we scraped together the required amount and issued
homeless. He  he heartily thanked, he wished
good luck to us. It was strange to hear this
from a homeless person, but luck really could
required...                          
                                          
About  seven morning I  called home to
MAGIC, but vigilant Caller ID  not allowed
to wake up  the owner at such an early hour. Oc-
There was only one thing to do - go to FUNTOP!                                           
                 Chapter IV                 
                                          
           The morning before FUNTOP           
                                          
After  immersion  in depths  Moscow
metro  Alexey  showed us the azimuth
on FUNTOP and disappeared somewhere, citing this
urgent matters. Approximate location
deniya party we are already representing Shurik
whether, but using the indicated azimuth, for example
went there with even greater confidence. 
                                          
Finally, light appeared at the end of the tunnel and
escalator  carried out us  to KUDO cinema
CRUEL.  The street was empty... This is not
surprising since from EXTREME experience
party in '97, I found out that on Saturday morning
that and Sunday the city dies out so much,
that even "shoot a light" at a passerby
impossible.                               
                                          
                                          
Absolutely empty New Arbat, and besides
still with the left lane closed, pos.
willed  transition himself without using the
earthly transition. Post office building
niya, where previously there was"Inforcom",blista-
lo  after European-quality renovation, but with all its appearance
said that SPECTRUM no longer lives here
vet. However  we  great  knew  that
SPECTRUM lives a little further! At the end of the mail
vogo department I came across the absolute
a curiosity for a provincial "metalhead"
-  store  "ARIA: audio and video." Having experienced
slight shock, ALK and I sympathize with each other -
was sent to Evgeniy Milun, who never ate
went to Moscow, citing a bunch of problems.
And  so that Zhenya's grief of disappointment was still
large, it was decided to photograph
stand against the backdrop of this landmark.
At that moment when ALK photographed the me-
nya  (Well, who so the camera is in the hands of
zhit!),  past us  passed  group explicit
spectrum-compatible comrades! One  of
them closely studied pinned to mine
jacket card and withwent with a surprised face
further.                                   
                                          
Sheathed camera, we also set off in
way - FUNTOP, although it was close, we got it
haven’t found it yet, which means relax yet
early! And so, having taken a few steps, I and
ALK  instantly understood why those obvious
The Sinclairists ignored us like that. Would-
It's early morning, there's still an hour before the party opens
2-3, so  means  everything  in  precision as in
E'97!  We  we can come first again and
"the honor of opening FUNTOP", like ENLIGHT'97
will be ours! That's why those comrades passed
past - they also wanted "to discover
FUNTOP".                                  
                                          
Having driven away these sad thoughts, we turned onto
a small  street that was supposed to lead
to  school building, and were surprised to find
not  only those few "spectrumists"
passed us by, but the real “little one”
crowd  of  future  Fantopovites! What kind
here is the “honor of discovery” - everything has already been stolen before
us :)                                    
                                          
The crowd around him was gathered by another memorable
according to E'97 Evgeniy Buder  - head of St. Petersburg
companies  WELCOME. He willingly gave out price lists,
showed  illustrated catalogs,
forced  handed over  floppy disks with electronic
a copy of the catalogue. In general, he actively promoted
yourgoods in the circle of those gathered in anticipation
FUNTOP people. Not avoided  and  we
fate... It is worth noting that Mr. Bu-
der is not yesterday's student or schoolboy, but
already quite an old man. Definitely
but, it is the oldest existing spectrum
mystics. And even more striking is the activity
with  what it works for the benefit of SPECTRUM.
I tell you the truth - you need to learn from such
 people!                  
The participants represented  different cities and
groups, but for some reason I didn’t know anyone. Ho-
cha, it should be taken into account that after the first
bottles of beer (Baltika-6) I was not immediately able to recognize
nat that came up  a little later DAN!!L' from
Kemerovo. So don't let these people offend you...
are on me for  that  I don't specify them
names/nicks - I just can’t remember.
Although one comrade was heavily deposited in the crust
brain... How  now  I remember he was ready
exchange all FUNTOP for a couple of ac tablets
pirin to relieve hangover.   
                                          
When purchasing more beer, I will again
called MAGIC, and this time Caller ID is no longer
sent  me. Victor clearly just woke up
nulled  and spoke  with reluctantly. I still
managed to find out what  will be and demo  from
VAV,  and  graphics  from TeeRay and possibly
even 4K intromade by the same VAV.
And  here's about BEERMANS for unknown reasons-
We have neither hearing nor spirit...                  
                                          
...People kept coming and coming! Appeared
mentioned above DAN!!L, which, as it turns out,
elk, this is not the first day in Moscow and that’s it
studied.  He defiantly took out a voice recorder
and started turning it on periodically, recording
first one bazaar, then another (it will be fun
read  in  DEJA VU!). The organizers have arrived
led by Mr. Bulchukei, after
th  a considerable crowd that had already gathered moved
ran  from the sidewalk directly into the yard
schools.  Actually  no one is at school yet
let in...                                
                                          
Some incomprehensible discussions ensued
with my indispensable participation. All topics are
zu  switched  to PC and wINDOWS. Someone
was able to organize the crowd, and lined up on
steps  schools, all  were forced
photographed from several cameras
ratov. I remember, already vaguely, a long conversation
with  next to comrades, one  of which it was
Andrey  Isaev, but not the one everyone is talking about
thought. Then almost to the point of getting personal
you  I argued with a friend who called
vague associations with E'97. Subsequently
it turned out to be  S!V BlaDER/EXCESS. There was a dispute
really  fierce, but when I
Now  I remember the topic -does it have the right to
existence intro/demo,working only
from under WIN95 - it makes me laugh...   
                                          
A live organizer came out of the school - ALEX, with
which, unlike the organizers of E'97,
you can  we could talk and ask on equal terms
and  in general.  He  told the audience about all
heaviness of existence, in particular about disconnection
light.  Not  I know like the others, but I accepted
this is close to my heart and I thought that FT'98
already covered... However, ALEX unpacked in detail
I realized that  that everything is already OK, since it was purchased
wire and a “temporary structure” was stretched from the neighboring
at home.                                     
                                          
                                          
DAN!!L, like more┌--------------------┐
experienced and definitely│
sober, prompted,│
that comrades have arrived│
from ETERNITY INDUSTR.│
Тут  радости моей не│
было   предела,  ибо│
если бы не PARACELS,│
нарисовавший в самый│
последний момент две│
картинки для BlAME'а│
-  обломилась бы на-│
ша дема...          │
                    │
EI arrived in enhanced-│
nom composition,  if-│
for 7-8 people,│   │
and were probably the same│  PARACELS/EI   │
mine  numerous│   │
command, presence-│ A little later... │
your  on FUNTOP.└--------------------┘
┌-------------------┐                     
││ Theme  time people
││ began to penetrate into the well-
││ three schools and, judging by
││ to the fact that there is no outside
││ to not returned,
││ there was something there. ALK
││ also hurried inside
││ with  the goal of speedy
││ registrations  demos,
││ since it is more
││ at least (and I’m a little
││ smaller)  was afraid
││ the fact of not reading BlAME
││ from those disks that we
│ DEMIURGE ASH / EI │ managed to hastily recorded
│ does not yet know that │ sat in Samara.      
│ will be the third in  │                     
│  GFX COMPO  │ I stayed on the street and
└-------------------┘ instantly introduction
was hanging out with a group of VVG guys I saw
also on E97. Among them it was quickly determined
ROM corp., from which the price was received
naya  information - ScanScreenOptimazer,
has been written and will soon be freely distributed
worry! This fact could only make me happy.    
                                          
People continued to arrive, and together with
VVG guys we decided to overcome
barrier  doors  and penetrate into the very core
FUNTOP...                               
                                          
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