(C) Jason Krueger
Notes from a subjective critic
Project "AUTHOR'S DISC" -
view from the side.
In the seventh issue of the Barnaul electronic
magazine ZX-Club, in the section "User Gro-
up" the text of the project "Authors-
cue disk." A quick glance at the text is enough
in order to understand the inconsistency of the data
no idea. So, straight from the text:
"Goal: 1) Information support for users
workers of all categories, including beginners
"
I agree with this, indeed, with harmlessness
the death of "ZX-Review", in the world of spec-
There is an information vacuum in the room.
Next:
"2) increasing the consumer quality of software.
3)increasing interest in creative work
both programmers and users, authorities
with minimal programming skills
vania."
Everything would be fine, but the last one confuses me
phrase - about programming skills. If
you are going to use users in
as authors of programs, then this is counter-
says to point 2 - what the hell (sorry)
quality of software from lamers. I can also write
put a glitchy commander with a flickering light on the board
arrow, twitching windows, etc., so
I’m not writing because it’s lame software and
I'm so sick of everyone. And if you're going
push users to write texts, mu-
languages or pictures, and programming skills
there is no need for any use here. So, let it be used
inviters will gain more thanminimum
coding skills, and then they write programs.
Let's continue:
"4) attracting interest in Spectrum with
side of the creative intelligentsia."
Can you attract the intelligentsia to this?!
Give them a more global problem - fate
Russian people, features of the Russian soul,
repentance before the murdered king, finally... And
then - Spectrum! No... The scale is not the same!
"Tasks: 1) Organizing a working group for
project implementation. 2) Attracting authors
to work within the Project. 3) Formation
networks of AD distributors.
Definition of "Author's Disc" (AD): 1) B
as authors can act as first-
sonalia and creative teams. 2) B
AD may include proprietary programs
we are system and application, original
computer games, successful Russifications due to
famous computer games. 3) blood pressure can
be a thematic collection
texts, collection of musical works
or an album of graphic works. 4) Possible
combinations of content, for example,
one AD can contain both games,
and system programs in combination with
voluminous text material."
And it’s better not to. For example, why bother
to that gamer on a disc with some ten-
tym "Dizem" a new version of ALASM in combination
ni with recommendations for installing the table
second interrupt vectors?
"From the definition of blood pressure follows the need
and the feasibility of developing a control
programs- magazine type shells -
for the convenience of assessing the total content of blood pressure and
to quickly select the part of interest
holding. Structure of the control program
will be described schematically in the corresponding
section of this project."
I don’t think what to put on the toy disk
"magazine-type shell" is appropriate.
No, unless of course you want to put it on
the disc also contains texts, then it’s clear. And even then,
it’s easier to make a separate block - leaf and
help`s, and do not fill up space on the floppy disk all -
kimi "screen savers","arrow-interface-
themselves", "pull downs" and other crap,
which abounds in the shell of magazine titanium
pa. But for graphics, texts, music, systems
dark programs with a lot of help it will be
useful.
" 2. Distinctive feature of the project.
The main difference between the project "AD" (??? - J.K.)
from existing software distribution systems
is to distribute profits from
sales of copies of AD.As an author's
Norara, in this case, is not the only
time-based reward, and the participation of Av-
tora in profits from sales of personal
AD. It is assumed that the seller (generally
the wounder) will receive the generally accepted
mission fee (percentage) of the total
sales AD. The main part of the profit is within
lakhs 60...80% should be transferred to the Authors.
This raises the question of publisher involvement.
AD, since the combination of functions is the author, because
giver, distributor -maybe, but
practically difficult to implement. In this way
So, the following subjects appear, accepting
those participating in the Project: Author, Publisher
Tel, Distributor."
Yes, unpleasant, suspicious, one might say
come on, subjects ;-). But seriously, this one,
the commercial part of the project is the weakest
his side. First of all, you really
believe that there are such a bunch of suckers who...
some will send you their programs and wait
"60...80%" assigned to them? Of course you have
there are already two disks - VVG and Pyankova, but both
these “subjects” do not risk anything - on dis-
ke VVG from the new only demo version of EMPIRE,
and everything else is crackware and gifts, and
Pyankov spread his programs well and
without you. Next.Have you tried counting in
how much will one disk cost according to your scheme?
meh? So, to the author - 60%, to the distributor -
at least thirty (if you offer less,
then... in general they will send you to places where FIDO doesn’t want to
dit), the publisher is left with ten. In these ten
ten percent included 1) Floppy disk - 2 rubles. 2)
Registration costs: 20 kopecks. 3) Min.
profit 1 rub. from disk. (It’s unlikely that you have
there is a huge turnover.) Total - 10% composition -
they pay 3 rubles. 20 kopecks, and the entire disk is correspondingly
but 32 rubles. I haven't taken into account the costs yet
coverage of discounts (see below) and code payment
frames and artists who are unlikely to agree -
I can draw and code “for free”, as well as for
We'll charge you for shipping. Or are you going to floppy disks?
distributors on footrelate?
" 3. Subjects of the AD project
Author.As a subject, the Author can highly
both the individual and the author are stupid
team. The author must conduct a mini-
the minimum required amount of work to formalize
roving the content of the AD."
In my opinion, the author should carry out maximum
large amount of work. The disk is his after all. Or
want: "Vasya Reel's author's disc", that's all
programs (C) ERASER ? Nope, it won't work.
The disk must be created by the author. Completely, and
publisher - only embed your texts,
write boots, etc.
"The quality of the author's material, expediency
the difference in blood pressure formation is determined by Publishing
tel..."
Sorry, but how will you determine the quality
in? After all, the assessment will be in any case
subjective. One likes strategic
some games, don’t give anything else water, don’t feed them, give them
TETRIS cut yourself. Or will you look for an ex-
Perth, which doesn’t care about anything - both strategy and
shooters and PACMANs? But you just can’t find it
you're such an expert - you don't give a fuck
found only in cemeteries, and then only slightly
inanimate form.
"...who, in the end, risks his reputation-
tion."
Yes, but if everyone sends you something like this
shit like VVG, then forget about reputation-
tion, or about the project.
"The author submits to the publisher the original ma-
material for the formation of blood pressure and does not pretend to be
for a one-time reward."
Or better yet, put it this way: "... and does not pretend
for a reward." And what? Everything is rules, programs
hesent it, so why pay him? Copy
and sell. And ignore all the "big, red, long"
which he will send you.
"Publisher. Publishing activities are
assumes the existence of a working group - subject
Publisher. The publisher may recruit
those independent experts and specialists."
Do you have any idea what
you will need to pay for the staff
chit? Artist, coder, musician, expert.
You know, it seems to me that there will be one disk
cost something like $1000...
"The quality of publishing activity is determined by
shares the quality of the author's material and
quality of AD registration. AD registration
includes the presence of control software
shell frames, external design of floppy disks and
availability of catalogs."
Hmm, oddly enough, but in this part of the project
everything rulez...
"The publisher is obliged to develop and apply
attributes of its activities - corporate
sign (logo). The logo is distinctive
a significant sign of a particular publisher and
must be present as on the splash screen
ruling program, and on external design
mitel elements of AD."
And if he is not present, then you
Are you going to punch the publisher in the face? Or maybe
maybe invite the “blues” and he’ll forget the arrow-
do you eat?
"Thus, the maximum volume of publications
body work includes examination
author's material, AD design, circulation -
transfer of floppy disks and external design
AD elements, advertising andnetwork formation
distributors."
Just a small thing. But the profits are simply huge
- as much as 10% (see calculations above).
"Distributor. As subjects
all existing enterprises can act
Mothers and structures in the field of activity
which includes the distribution of Spectrum software
rum.Minimum participation of the Distributor -
receipt from the publisher of a batch of issued
HELL."
Well, he receives, copies and sells, sells,
sells... And the publisher and the author (two suckers)
sit and wait for their interest.
"Note: by agreement between sub-
objects of the Project, the total scope of work may
redistributed between participants, for example
For example, part of the publishing work is taken on
themselves Authors or Distributors; perhaps
combination of functions - Author, Publisher, Distributor
spreader.
4.Qualitative assessment of distribution
profit.
Since the publisher shares in the profits
all blood pressure, its minimum is assumed
participation in profits from sales of a particular
HELL."
I agree, but all the costs are borne by
The publisher, and if his participation is “mini-
small", then either the price of the disk will be gigantic
or he will have such losses that
after a few months of participation in the project,
It’s time for him to go homeless to the station
le. I, of course, am not against self-sacrifice
(although as an old nihilist-immoralist
I’m not going to swear about it), but it’s not time
to the same degree.
"Somewhat largerthe percentage should be half
start Distributor. The main part of the
were intended for the author. Quantitative
side of the issue requires the participation of specialists
and qualified recommendations."
This is where we should have started, and not
drink about "60...80%", otherwise later they will be for
you coders with axes chasing and shaking
with the texts of the Project, demand your “60...80%”
"5. Event and forms of work, presenters
to improve reliability and quality
Project.
5.1. To increase the reliability of the Project,
later:
- Participation of the Publisher as the Author."
Poor, poor publisher... And the discs were designed
bark, and replicate them, and advertise, and shells
write, now also work as an author...
Counterproposal: use given
nal project in a high-security correctional facility.
" - Development of branded envelopes for
floppy disks 5.25
- Fundamental distribution across ka-
Nalam Russian Post."
Inaccuracy of wording: firstly, how
can be “distributed in principle”, and
secondly, it’s easier to write “by mail”, otherwise
There may be confusion - the word "channels"
implies a certain number of them, so
They will send you an application by courier
(sending correspondence within Russia -
10$, sending parcels - 15$), with request
send the disc via the same channel.
" - The use of computer networks in ca-
as an advertising and information channel:
AD concept, price list and thematic
planPublishers, list Distribute-
lei, invitation to cooperation (Authors,
Distributors), User's offer
we can place pre-orders and re-
register with the publishing house for the subject
obtaining new versions of AD."
Are you really going to send out
free new versions? Bro, that's where
a treasure trove of free blank disks is found -
Xia! I bought one floppy disk, and then it’s all for you
new ones, new ones are coming. What if new versions
will be for money, then especially not necessary. If
Have you noticed that in our country the salary is
lat is paid from case to case. And if
the catcher ordered a floppy disk from you, then I don’t know -
reads that he will always have money to pay
read the next version. Of course, it’s good-
free, but I don’t think such a system
will become widespread. I'm here
somehow also for the whole series of books "Phantasm"
signed up. I bought one, and the rest for me
and they weren't fucking needed.
" 5.2. To improve the quality of the Project, not
it is necessary to take into account and stipulate the following
feature:
- Specific AD, ranking in the Publishing catalogue-
government’s tough position, constantly edited
modified: supplemented with new material, stan-
older versions of programs are replaced with the latest
version, etc.;"
This is good, otherwise I remember "Inforcom" from
I sold ten versions of one program.
" - to users who presented a brand name
attributes of one of the previous versions of AD,
discount available forbuying a new one
AD version;"
Well, again at the expense of the Publisher. It is unlikely that the trade
ry will agree to pay out of their own pockets
the whims of the publisher.
" - when sending AD by mail, Distribute-
The owner assumes the responsibility of registration
incoming orders and when re-ordering
Ze, for the new version of AD, provides an order -
"Chick a trade discount."
In my opinion, mail order trade should be
swearing Publisher - nothing mail order servi-
ce`ov to produce.
" 6. Structure of the control program.
Since the real project in ideological terms
close to the article "Electronic Samizdat"
(ZXFormat, #7), synopsis of the specified article
attached to the Project. This paragraph is
repeats paragraph 7 in many ways - the structure of electron-
new book - Abstract."
Otherwise I’m thinking, where did you get such ideas?
fought... That's what it inspired...
"6.1. System part. Basic system
input/output (BIOS) must include
peripheral device drivers (printers
various models, manipulator
"mouse"), text and graphic viewers
images, be able to customize
one of the music accompaniment devices
nia (General Sound, Sond Drive, Covox, AY).
The system part kernel can represent
is ISDOS or TR-DOS (depending on
work experience, capabilities and personal inclinations -
features of the publisher's programmers)"
And better - neither one nor the other. Non-standard
formatting and working with the disk via
directprogramming VG-yki. I'm not talking
that this type of protection is “impenetrable”, however
this is the minimum guarantee that the
der will not put your disk in diskette A and will not
will copy it track by track. Otherwise the author is like-
someone will be surprised to discover that his soft
sold on every corner, and will last forever
country screaming what kind of Rip Offers are in Barnaul
live. Yes, and I almost forgot, it’s better after all
make it possible to make one-time copies
disk space. Or imagine, a user buys
floppy disk, and on the second day he lost it -
afraid. Lots of swearing, shouting and vow “never
don’t take anything from these..." (I really don’t-
when I have never been in such situations, because...
I prefer to use pirated software.
However, this is not from innate anarchism, but
due to the economic crisis in which
Russia, according to my conservative estimates, lives
already since the time of the Golden Horde).
"6.2. Information part. Screensaver with logo
Publisher's logo, AD name and number
versions (editions), window menu system.
The main menus of all ADs should have a section with
general information from the Publisher: brief summary
position of the concept of AD, forms of cooperation
with Authors and Distributors, Distribution list
distributors, contacting the User
lam, price list and thematic plan Published
"
...And also Lenin’s “April Theses” and
propaganda program of the NSDAP from 1929... And not
How much space will all this word take up?
spring nonsense?..
"Nextlarge sections of the main menu
depend on the nature of the specific blood pressure. General
the section may also contain third-party advertising from
companies offering a stable range of services
and goods."
So you need to demand money for this!
"6.3. Data area. This area can be
keep graphic images, musical
files of various formats (for example, under co-
vox or SD), reference databases or use
executable files (programs)."
If there's room left...
CopyRight> We don’t have “seven spans in our brain”,
so we did not take into account some nuances. Yes,
in fact, we are some kind of pioneers
champions in this matter. So let's live -
we'll see...
───────────────────────────────────DI:HALT
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