From unpublished - Save the Spectrum!

 Stage rescue and development project.    
 (continued...)             
                                         
(C) VIATOR/AVALON                         
                                         
      The text was deliberately unformatted.
Copyrights were left uncorrected
expressions and errors.                       
                                          
 1. HOW IT ALL STARTED...         
                                         
     For those who don't remember or haven't heard 
what we are talking about, I will give brief information - 
information about the project and its main idea:        
     I in no way claim to be the right
in attributing to oneself any merit in de-
le development of SPECCY and the scene in the CIS in general.  
Everything that is said here and in the first part - 
is intended only to provide an incentive for such development   
tyu...                                    
  And so...                                
       It all started about a year ago -  
around February-March 1997. Move-  
presseddesire to help the scene and unite  
all its inhabitants, I wrote an article that  
I called it "Save Our Speccy". Its common    
the point is that if we want  
to save the scene, it is necessary to combine  
the inclusion of all “writing” people into a single association 
tion that would deal with global  
distribution of their works.          
     The text was included in our synopsis  
"OPERA...", which began to spread- 
at the turn of 1997 and 1998.           
     The article was only a sketch, about  
the main idea, and its main goal was   
draw the stage's attention to this issue.     
Which was subsequently achieved.      
     I was delighted and even a little surprised 
pleased with the fact that the ideas expressed in it were  
actively supported by the “residents” of the scene.      
Many letters of feedback have been received and   
proposals for cooperation. Besides that- 
th, FIDO and ZX networks have become more active    
discussions on this topic.                  
     At the same time, the organization of the association  
tions Amazing Soft Making. Which too     
was planned as one of the ways to implement  
tions of the project...                            
     Now (end of February 1998) I   
decided to collect and summarize the received      
information and tell everyone about your point 
ke view on the development of the project... This    
and the entire subsequent text is devoted to it.Whether you are a stage person or a pro-    
progressive user, I recommend     
You should read everything carefully and thoughtfully, 
after all, everything that is written here applies to  
personally to you. Perhaps these ideas are very     
will have a beneficial effect on the entire computer 
stage and on you personally...                   
     And so... Good luck!             
                                          
 2. CURRENT POSITION ON STAGE       
                                         
     There are constantly many new   
output and strong teams that are ready to write  
put excellent soft in unlimited quantities   
personalities. Or is it not so? :-)               
     The overall level of programs is steadily     
growing. This applies not only to demo   
stage, but also to everything that appears soft-    
ware. Or is everything different? :-)                 
     The main incentive is still   
art for art's sake and the excitement of competition   
rents. Or am I wrong again? :-)         
     A very favorable merger is taking place   
tion and cooperation between different     
platforms. In place of the former confrontation 
niyu, comes the merging of various platforms. 
Groups do not switch to more powerful ma-   
tires, and work together on them.        
Just look at what is now    
sceneSPECCY and AMMY consists practically   
from the same groups! I absolutely agree  
kind with the opinions expressed on the pages  
magazine "DEJA VU#2" by A. Strelnikov:     
"...we don't have AMIGA, PC or SPECTRUM -     
a COMPUTERS" .  After all, the "residents" all    
these platforms are almost identical and    
tasks and problems. Therefore the association     
and a similar project is relevant for everyone      
right away. In this regard, it would be logical      
change the project name to Save Our     
Scene.                                    
     And again, do you disagree with me? :-)  
     And now about some negative scenes 
new features:                       
    The fragmentation of all manufacturers and  
users. Lack of regular information  
formations about the current state of affairs on the stage.
Even not everyone with access to se-   
tyam (and the vast majority of it is not     
has in general) are not provided in a timely manner   
data about existing groups and     
their activities. Having dozens and even      
hundreds of electronic magazines and newspapers, stage  
cannot give the user a total card  
a tad of work. Most demos, novels  
to new games, etc. never comes across  
for the eyes of all users. No one is able to 
to find and re-read this mountain of information   
mation. It would be much more convenient, except for everyone
other publications, to have one, entirely dedicated
createdprojects publication.      
 Well, you will definitely agree with this! :-)  
                                          
 3. WHAT DO THEY Suggest DOING YOURSELF     
 "RESIDENTS" OF THE SCENE               
                                         
     General, in received letters and calls
(huge thanks to everyone!), there was a desire 
support the idea. Everyone was wondering what
they can do to implement the project. 
Everyone considers it extremely necessary to create   
distribution network and community as a pro-
software producers and users.
Everyone wants to write new programs and semi-  
give them a well-deserved reward.   
And everyone is interested in the questions “HOW TO JOIN   
TO THE ASSOCIATION? and "WHAT SPECIFICALLY FROM YOURSELF  
WILL SHE REPRESENT?                
 Here is an excerpt from ALOS junior's letter
from the group SPARK (I think many people know them 
demo version of the game "TOWNS"):             
"We need to create such an organization! The point is  
that we are in the same hole as many others  
people doing something for SPECTRUM!    
Now, for example, we are working on "TOWNS"  
stands still because there is no incentive.   
It’s just that no one wants to do that, not BRA- 
INMAN, not FOX, not A-GraPh, and neither am I.   
But if they knew thatearn something   
melt, then the game would have been made for you long ago 
juice level..." There are many similar reviews   
gesture. Almost every group is active 
organizes its activities thanks to payment 
of your labor.                             
     Unfortunately, I don't have the opportunity   
participate in the discussion of the project on se-   
ty, but thanks to the help of friends from the stage,  
in particular SQUIZER from X-PROJECT, I 
gained a fairly complete picture of   
discussions going on there.                    
 With some opinions expressed   
You may not agree 100%, but   
I understand that everyone who takes part 
in the discussion - they only try to help    
SPECCY, during the discussion it will be possible 
choose the most ideal option.          
     So, the most specific proposals  
tion was nominated by Andrey Savchenko and Sergey    
Novikov.                                  
     In general, they offer distribution   
obtain soft via computer systems    
when each user sends   
a fixed amount to the company account and re-   
regularly receives new arrivals.   
All programs are sent to him via      
network. The money received is divided between     
all authors whose works are dis- 
tributed by the association. Piracy and    
non-participation in the association (indifference to the 
for the sake of the scene) it is proposed to eradicate under   
the threat that everythingsimilar "products-   
cabbage soup" will be deprived of the rights to publish in   
electronic publications, participate in competitions and    
ignored by the scene.                    
     It is impossible not to mention the activities 
ASM, which can be aimed at     
benefit of the whole project:                      
     Amazing Software Making Association   
(ASM), one of the organizers of which     
I am also, has a similar project orientation 
tation. But for now, it lacks global
ity and activity. Except      
Moreover, she is more oriented towards help  
in creating programs than in their distribution  
tion. (Help consists of coordinating co-   
local projects of many groups and participants    
workers and in supplying missing materials    
rials for programs). I believe that she  
may be included in the overall project for the development of the scene  
us as one of the coordinating activities  
there are groups of centers helping to produce      
new programs that will be distributed 
be identified by a scene-wide association.      
                                          
 4. MY COMMENTS ON THIS PROJECT     
                                         
     I agree with most of the statements 
words addressed to the project. And I'm very bla- 
is grateful to everyone who deals with it. And so no-
which things I would likeclarify 
and discuss with you...                      
     Distribution of soft over the network is very
convenient, economical and fast, but you need to  
take into account the factor that    
many users do not have access to  
networks. This is especially true for the spectrumator- 
ov. Therefore, I think it is appropriate  
there will be parallel distribution of programs 
both through electronic networks and      
by mail, in the latter case the amount of the contribution    
will be slightly higher due to costs   
shipping and floppy disks.                      
     The attempt, as a punishment, is 
global distribution of programs, restriction   
to diminish the rights of the violator on stage - by  
useful, but I have to admit that usually 
violators and do not seek to participate   
in competitions and publish your thoughts in    
electronic publications. The overwhelming majority
illegal users, never
took part in the active life of the scene. 
Therefore, the main incentive to participate in     
project, to purchase programs from it, must
be obvious benefits provided by the project. 
Thus, all groups should be involved naturally
exciting opportunity to collaborate and contagious 
earn a decent wage with your labor, and    
Dear users, the ability to quickly
horny and regularly receiving all the best  
programs "first hand" and the feeling that  
their money goes directly to the authors.            
     I really likedproposals    
the aforementioned Sergei Novikov and Andrey   
Savichev about not distributing   
create programs separately, and distribute   
pay monthly collections for a fixed  
ny contributions. Indeed, it is easier and faster   
send standard collections to everyone  
programs, than to create confusion with the order  
zami, different costs and other     
nonsense. So, any person can simultaneously 
instantly get all the scene "new" for  
month. The only division that   
I recommend entering - this is a division of everything   
soft into three categories: games, systems,  
demos. Naturally, each in its own way  
national price. This way you can avoid under-   
the freedom of users regarding   
that they are being given completely unnecessary    
things. Whoever wants to will subscribe     
for all three sections at once, someone chose    
he only talks about what interests him.        
I think that even in the “demos” rubric we find  
there are a lot of fans. :-)             
     The author will receive remuneration   
tion from the general fund. At the same time, the amount you  
board directly depends on the scale and  
product quality. And, of course, from that...  
Go, how many participants will the project have?    
    About what you will receive
collections, even without knowing exactly their contents    
zhaniya, to some extent buy a "cat in   
bag", we can say the following - in loveIn any case, it will be exactly the best thing 
comes on stage. Also, you will always be  
those have an idea of the content of the pro-  
gram from the project’s advertising publications. Yes    
and in general - the creators of soft are not masochists -   
stists and are not going to cut the branches on which  
rum are sitting - they are primarily interested in  
committed to creating only high-quality   
work and in the shortest possible time. :-)      
     Nobody wants to write endlessly   
data bases and spreadsheets,    
it’s much more interesting to write toys, videos  
faces, demo!  :-) :-) :-)               
     So far no specific statements have been made     
proposals about who exactly will take  
assume the organization and coordination of activities    
of the project. Of course, one person  
a trapper cannot cope with this. And in general, 
everything is in your own hands! From the fact  
whether you support this idea determines success 
ideas and, in many ways, even the fate of the stage    
to the CIS!                                   
     So... The first concrete proposals   
provisions:                                  
                                          
 5. SPECIFIC PROPOSALS         
                                         
       One way or another, someone needs it    
take everything into your own hands. To be honest, I don't  
I'm burning specialdesire to do this,     
but, fearing that no one will decide  
to take on such responsibilities, I agreed   
is able to coordinate, at this stage, especially
founding an association to support the scene.     
     Don't you agree?  You want and you can 
make everything better?  - In that case, I   
I will gladly agree to coordinate  
You were the leader of SOS! After all, I    
artist, coder and a little bit of a publicist :-),
not a producer or manager. But someone      
must take the first step and not trample 
on the spot, expressing contradictions to me -  
tion, but without doing anything.           
     So. I propose to participate in  
writing the charter and discussing all the nuances  
owls First of all, I ask you, yes, yes,
exactly YOU! send me (if you think  
Mali, that's $10, then you've confused me with someone- 
whether :-) a simple statement about what you or   
Your group is ready to participate in SOS. Mo- 
You can send it in free form, or you can 
in the form of a questionnaire:                            
                                          
1. FIRST NAME/SURNAME/ANISM/GROUP:         
2. EXACT AND DETAILED ADDRESS+TELEPHONE:     
3. ACTIVITIES ON STAGE:                 
4. IS A PROJECT LIKE SOS NEEDED?       
5. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO GET BY PARTICIPATING IN THE PRO? 
   EKTE (NEW PROGRAMS OR/AND DISTRIBUTION  
   CTION OF OWN PROJECTS):             
6. YOUR OBJECTIVE OPINION ABOUT ACCEPTABLE   
 PRICE FOR MONTHLY COLLECTION OF PROGRAMS   
 FOR EACH OF THE NOMINATIONS (GAMES, SYSTEMS,
 DEMOS). PLEASE INDICATE THE AMOUNT    
 WHICH YOU ARE READY TO PAY
   AT THE same time REASONABLE. AMOUNT DECREES- 
   WHITE IN US DOLLARS:                 
7. PROGRAMS OF WHAT PLATFORMS DO YOU WANT TO APPLY?
   ACQUIRE/CREATE:                    
8. IF YOU INTEND TO DISTRIBUTE     
 YOUR WORKS THROUGH THE ASSOCIATION,    
 DO YOU GUARANTEE THEIR HIGH QUALITY   
 HONOR AND WHAT ARE THE APPROXIMATE AMOUNTS FOR     
 YOUR WORKS (LIST), YOU WANT   
 GET:         
9. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO WISH AND OFFER? 
   TO THE Save Our Scene PROJECT:                
10. DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE REALITY OF THE PROJECT     
 (YES/NO): :-) I AM YES! :-)           
                                          
 This will be the best way to determine 
pour all aspects of the project development. And, sa- 
my main thing is that it will give an accurate representation    
about the current state of affairs. It's not official yet  
cial registration. It will be possible to pro- 
drive only when ready     
charter and all the nuances were discussed. This is only    
the first step towards the goal!                  
     Of course, I cannot guarantee that
requests of all who write will be satisfied 
shih, but your opinion will definitely be taken into account and  
will affect the final results.      
     Also, I cannot promise that I will answer  
I think about all the letters - it’s physically impossible   
possible. Therefore, if you send a responseon discs, I can't guarantee I'll get them back  
Back to you! I apologize in advance!           
 Send your answers at any convenient time 
new form for you, you can answer an- 
ketu is not short, but, on the contrary, the most   
detailed and comprehensive (on both sides 
sheet or on double-sided discs :-).    
     Now some more nuances:          
I think it would be advisable to add  
to the project and ASM, as I already suggested.     
In addition to distribution, it is necessary to help and  
authors themselves to create their projects.       
Preliminary Charter of the ASM Association    
I attach to this text. Interesting    
What is your opinion on this matter? By the way,    
some of the beta clauses of the ASM charter,     
can also be used as      
basic for SOS.                      
Important and controversial aspects that     
need to discuss are: coordination     
activities of association with the laws of action   
existing in the CIS, a method of trans- 
transfers of money from users to pro-    
to producers and from producers to authors,      
best ways to transfer programs      
both by mail andvia electronic 
networks, soft selection criteria and evaluation 
What is the amount paid to authors?   
producers will receive their labor  
associations and much more...               
     One way or another, the project needs to be rec-  
laminate and familiarize users with it  
lei. Even our demo "HALLUCINATIONS IN    
OPERA" can be considered an advertising product   
vol. After all, thanks to her, many became interested
were involved in the project and inspired me to      
continuation of this idea instilled in me     
optimism!  THANKS!  Therefore, it is extremely 
All your actions will be valid according to  
development of the project - from writing advertising    
dem, before a simple conversation on this topic with  
friends. Take action now!       
The fact that we live in countries with thick-headed   
government and gloomy economic    
situation does not mean that we cannot    
do everything to do our favorite thing      
flourished! :-)                          
     And one more thing... If you are ready to study   
directly by the activities of the association, 
if you value the stage and want action    
to benefit her and myself by becoming a producer   
rom of the project - contact me.       
I will give you the results of the survey,   
draft charters and other material!        
After all, I am only ready to collect material for  
the initial stage. They should still know...barking what exactly they can do      
already now.                               
Please, if discussions are held  
project on the web and electronic publications    
niyah - if possible, inform me  
about them. Please!                           
 how to contact me:                
                                         
 250005 Ukraine,     
 Chernigov,                             
 Kievskaya st.,                            
 house.6, apt.34                            
 Onishchenko Viktor / VIATOR               
 tel. (04622) 5-36-08                    
 (Please call on holidays or    
 on weekends :-) .                       
                                         
 how to contact the ASM producer:     
                                         
 335040 Ukraine, Crimea,                 
 Sevastopol,                         
 Khryukin St.,                         
 house 3, apt. 44                             
 Kosychenko Anatoly / MIGHTY            
 tel. (0692) 57-57-80                   
                                         
This text is intended for mass audience   
distribution and use. Hi-   
its publication in e-mail. publications!  
       
 Act now!!!        
 GOOD LUCK !                
  25 февраля, 1998 г.