PERSPECTIVES
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In this article we come to the most pressing question, which
Spectruma has prospects, and especially in Latvia. In Russia they
they won’t die, they have a BBS, and they get soft quickly. So,
What are the prospects? The main thing today is
that Zheleznyak has developed a HDD controller, but he needs software
myst to write software support for this device, and
This is where the problem lies. There are no such programmers who
who could or would like to do this. "Why do we need to control
ler HDD? - you ask. You don't need it, but you need it for
common cause, i.e. for BBS. Now in Riga about 6 people have
Vicom modems are 2400 and occasionally download P0 or bastard in
terminal. In the near future, a couple of modems will appear inOgre,
but Vicom is not suitable for BBS. And that's why we want to make a BBS on
XTR modems or HAES modems. XTR can be delivered from St. Petersburg by
bLs. HAES, they say, can be bought cheaper, but this, firstly,
they only talk, and, secondly, there is more fuss with it, thirdly, they
It will be difficult to obtain in large quantities. So, at this moment
ment the main prospect is the ZX-NET network.
It is also possible to get new ones quickly, but a little more expensive.
disks. To do this, you need to gather 10-15 people, chip in and buy
distribution rights (distribution rights SPECTR0F0Na
somewhere around $30-40), then take a copy for yourself and give it to Pasha. A
use the money we get to buy another disc. So
using this method you can earn money for beer, but the main thing is we will support
manufacturers and we will know that they continue to work on
Spectrum.
There is also such an idea as to increase the Spectrum scene in Ri-
ge. To do this, you need to go through your friends, among whom are
Vernerka will be those who used to sit on Dendy and Sega consoles
and now they are thinking about where to go. So, you show them D00M,
Black Crow, UFO 2, LAST BATTLE,musical demonstrations,
tempt with the low price of the computer, and the fact that they themselves can
try yourself as programmers, artists, musicians and
etc. At the moment there are 27 people in the Riga Spectrum party
century, a couple more people just called us. So if you
someone has questions, ideas or just wants to talk
mu Spectrum, then call me, WARL0RDU.
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Based on materials from the company SC0RPI0N.
GMX (Starts in the second issue).
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Graphic screen bChOx200 (208) and plus hardwarescroller.
The number of colors is the same as in the regular ZX Spectrum. For every byte
graphics - one byte of attributes. In order for the image to be
color, it is necessary to have 2 Simms, i.e. how
minimum 512Kb. Graphic screen addressing starts at 4000h,
at the same time completely linear, i.e. first 80 bytes - first line
screen, the next 80 bytes - the next one, etc. Screen Attributes
are stored in one of the extended memory pages. Addressing them
exactly the same. The main purpose of advanced graphics is stan-
standard text screen 80x25 characters (character size is 8
by 8 pixels), necessary for working with text editors
and mail programs. To speed up work in text mode
hardware scrolling up and down is used. To shift the image
vertical adjustment by any number of pixels is only necessary
write two bytes to the "scroller" ports that specify
The starting address in the video RAM area for image output. All
other possible applications of advanced graphics are considered
are considered secondary, since there is nothing worthwhile when using
vania Z80 to process such graphics, in our opinion, create
it won't work. We admit that many will not agree with this statement.
nim. Time will tell, but even if our approach is wrong, then
in the future due to the possibility of changing the scheme by changing
ROM firmware, it will be possible to introduce additional graphic modes
we, who give an increase in the number of colors, an expansion of the color range
liters, etc. Why did the choice fall on the graphic screen and not
to purely textual. The reason is that text mode (with appa-
reverse character generator) is much more difficult to implement, in
Ideally, the character generator should be downloadable, and this is even more
complicates the design. But nevertheless, since there is a possibility
the ability to radically change circuit design without changing hardware
(before this would have sounded like nonsense), then it is quite possible that
existing diagram, a completely different one will be added, with different graphics
technical characteristics. The appearance of such a scheme depends only
from you, or rather your programs, which will not get enough
existing hardware. Once again I want to note that evenserious and fundamental changes in the circuit require only replacement
ROM firmware.
Professional ROM0 (512Kb).When developing P0 for current
In the current versions, we are already faced with a limitation on the amount of ROM and RAM
(2SbКь). Therefore, further development of embedded software
The software will only come with support for the GMX expander. Pla-
it is planned to convert the shadow monitor to work in the BCHOx200 mode,
Russify, further expand the built-in services
new capabilities of the shadow monitor, primarily aimed at
improvement of service functions when working with HDD, support for various
ny operating systems (in terms of file organization), as well as
support for the ability to work with HAYSs-compatible modems.
All this requires significant ROM space. In addition, in the ROM as
As already mentioned, the GMX board diagram is also stored. And it was done like this
that from TM it will be possible to radically change the scheme by loading one of
several possible options. Also, do not forget that
that large-volume ROM has the most favorable price ratio
per/volume. As for the Professional ROM for regular boards, thenthey will
change only if any errors are discovered in them
work, or the added capabilities fit into existing ones
hardware limitations. Currently available version with
number 4.1.
Increasing compatibility with ZX Spectrum and Pentagon.For this
an additional menu line is introduced into the shadow monitor menu
Standard Spectrum. This disables all additional ports
and at the same time the standard ROM of the ZX Spectrum 128 &
TRD0S. In addition, the ability to set temporary parameters has been introduced.
meters Pentagon-128. When switching to these modes, the computer transforms
fits into an absolutely standard ZX Spectrum or Pentagon (you can
it’s easy to make Pentogon-512), while completely “forgetting” about
its additional capabilities. Exiting this mode, dis-
Yes, only by pressing the reset button. The introduction of this regime is overdue
has long been relevant and continues to be relevant today,
because some programmers are stubborn in their desire to write
cancer programs as they want. Well in that case, “if the mountain
does not go to Mohammed, then Mohammed will go togrief..." The main thing is that
there was benefit for everyone.
Turbocharged with an acceleration coefficient of 1.8-1.9. On the GMX board
built-in turbocharger circuit with increased speed in
1.8-1.9 times when executing programs from RAM. When working with ROM
performance increases exactly 2 times. Switching Tour
bo/Norma as it is now: both in software and in hardware. By order
the user will be supplied with versions with a clock frequency
1hmhz. But their cost will be higher. By using more
expensive chips and a faster processor. Most likely
It will be possible to replace a simple GMX board with a more powerful one. By
at least we will try to do just that.
Structural design.How this design is made
expander This is a board measuring about 80x110 mm, inserted into
socket for Z80 on any Scorpio model. Better (more reliable)
if instead of the socket you solder a standard connector. Besides this
a cable (included in the kit) is soldered to 10 points of the old board
supplies), through which to the GMX board via10-pin connector
the following signals are supplied/removed: R, G, B, Sync, Magic,
RDR/-read ROM, CRS/-access RAM, +5v, Ground.
Economic indicators. Estimated cost of the board
GMX with 512Kb - $35-40 (Manufacturer price). For comparison,
Today the cost of turbocharging the old Scorpio board is $10, established
new ProfPZUOCh0 - $20. Those. all additional features are available
are hidden to the user for $5-10. If you want to save a little more
- unsolder more than half of the IC from the main board. The list will be
attached :-)
Timelines for the start of mass production and sales. As always
it’s hard to give specific deadlines, because then you have to
be happy that you don’t fit into them. Like, for example,
lo with the HDD controller, which was developed and prepared over
two years. But nevertheless, work on it was successfully completed.
prices and the number of HDD users in the summer of 1997 exceeded
for a thousand. Today the GMX board is at the development stage
vodka circuit board, so we hopethat serial production
Production and sales will begin towards the end of autumn 1997. Well
Time will tell how accurately we predicted.
Using GMX on other Spectrum-compatible models
computers. We plan to supply, together with the documentation for GMX,
include all the information on how to modify another
computer so that GMX can be included in it. Fact-
directly from any Spectrum-compatible computer when using
The GMX board requires: music coprocessor support,
TRD0S controller support, keyboard port support, magic
phone, joystick, printer and some other unimportant me-
lochi. All this is available in almost any Spectrum and one way or another
you can use this.
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(C) WARL0RD
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