A 1990s ZX Spectrum Scene Letter from Pskov
Serega (alias Sir Tormashnik of Maniacs Co.), a 19-year-old conscript and programmer-artist from Pskov, replies to a ZX Spectrum-scene correspondent named Max. He asks for contacts of other programmers, artists and musicians, describes his faulty Scorpion Turbo setup (no #1FFD switch-off, digital music doesn't play) and asks that this be considered in any software swaps. He lists his projects: Dizzy-Editor, Mega-Base, Cherepanovo-1, Pro-Windows, Pro-Icons (87% done, abandoned when he was drafted) and Gen's (an AY sound generator written in 4.5 hours), plus boot loaders and viruses he won't share. He notes the Spectrum scene in Pskov is dead, asks for new Scorpion-compatible software on disks by cash-on-delivery, and gives a phone number (hard to reach him), since he has no network access.
HELLO MAX!!!!
Well then, M.M.A OF SPEED CO. is writing to you: SIR TORMASHNIK OF MANIACS CO., or just Serega!
I got your letter a couple of days ago and decided to write you a reply. Let's go in order:
If you don't include in your next letter the addresses of people worth corresponding with, then... I'll come and get them myself. Just kidding, but I'm eagerly waiting for the contacts of new programmers, artists and musicians. About me:
19 years old / currently serving in the military / programmer-artist / at home I work on a SCORPION TURBO + IBM keyboard + mouse + 2 × 5.25" floppy drives {no #1FFD port disabling, digital music doesn't play}. So when we swap programs, I kindly ask you to keep this in mind (nerves don't grow back, repairing the computer takes ages, and the wounds on my hands from jagged metal don't heal instantly either...)
Now about my creations:
(in chronological order)
DIZZY-EDITOR (not finished 100%, because of the switch from GENS to TASM 4.0).
MEGA-BASE (a database for a whole disk, a decent program for that level of programming skill, convenient for everyday use).
CHEREPANOVO-1 (a Dizzy-like game that vanished without a trace in floppy drive glitches).
PRO-WINDOWS (a powerful Windows-style shell that makes 100% use of the SCORPION ZS's capabilities and therefore runs only on it. If you want, I'll send a demo version for the DEMO magazine.)
PRO-ICONS (a further development of my genius. This shell would surprise even hardened Amiga and IBM users. Works on ALL machines. My last unfinished program. Readiness: 87% of the plan. Left unfinished because I was drafted into the army).
*6. GEN'S (a sound generator for the AY chip. Windows-style interface, lots of options that greatly simplify creating sounds. The program was written during a single leave in 4.5 hours.)
Besides that: about 10 boot sectors/loaders, no fewer viruses (out of respect, I won't send those), and I won't even mention Russian localizations, disk-magazine ("diskofications") releases and all sorts of small stuff like sprite generators.
About swapping. I don't get much new stuff, because in Pskov the SPECTRUM scene is dead and I can't get programs quickly.
If you send me a few disks cash-on-delivery, that's fine. But "...of course it must be really new!" And of course it must work on the SCORP with no ifs or buts.
I'll gladly read OBERON.
Next. There are programmers in Pskov, but work... study... service... well, you get the idea.
You already have my address, so I'll offer my phone number too. I'll call you myself when I can, but catching me by phone is very hard.
(Pskov area code) 1-55-66-1
I have no network access, but I'll get in touch at the first opportunity.
That's about it.
Serega.