Sprinter, answers.

Hello dear All and everyone else!

Rumors began to appear that it is impossible to poll the keyboard in the Sprinter computer and that
that programmers must buy computers themselves
to write programs.
I hasten to dispel such negative rumors:
Firstly, about the keyboard, The development of a controller for emulating the ZX keyboard is being completed, and the program will not be able to distinguish a PC keyboard from a Spectrum keyboard!
Then the impossibility of polling the ZX keyboard with prohibited
interrupts occurs _only_ _in_ the _experimental_
_model_ _of the _computer_. By the way, you can poll the keyboard at any time yourself, but not through IN A, (#FE), but through the AT ports of the keyboard! (I understand that after a large
abundance of mistakes in ZX-class computers, many people have shifted their minds that everything should be done in one place)
But, I would like to remind you that the demonstrated model
is not finished and is being put in order.
Now about writing programs: naturally, if you come
to the Peters company and say that you are a cool programmer and
ready to write a super cool program for Sprintera
without proving itself in any way on the ZX Softa market, then you will most likely
be refused, but if you have worked out a project
of any program, then f. Peters will definitely consider
yourproposal and if all issues are agreed upon, then go ahead! If you have already developed some programs
for the ZX Spectrum computer and want to make versions for
Sprintera, then you also need to coordinate all the details
with Peters' management and take into account possible wishes.
The most optimal thing is for you to write programs directly in the form. Peters, first of all, always has specialists at hand and there is no need to bother the phone. calls, you will be immediately provided with advice, although this method is not always
suitable, for example, for people like me, because... I usually
write at night, and all normal people are asleep at this time, but
if your program is so necessary, I am sure that
f. Peters will always find a compromise.
So if you want to program _normally_ under Sprinter
you won't have any problems doing so. Regarding
payment for programs, as the director said. f. Peters - Nikolai
Noskov some part of the software will
be paid for; priorities have not yet been determined, but the payment
will certainly not be thousands of dollars so don't run away too much ;-).
A few words for people not from St. Petersburg, but who are going
to Enlight'97 there will be a presentation of a new computer and
there will also be contracts to create programs
for Sprintera so get together with prepare
projects with your thoughts. Unfortunately f. Peters will not be able to highlighton
Enlighte computers are available to everyone, so priority
will be given to the most interesting projects.

Ask all questions here or send them to SpbZxNet or
call Peters t. 132-05-86, t. 327-35-31

Sincerely, Denis.

P.S. Dear coders and others, stop yelling in the echo that Sprinter can’t do this, other things are poorly implemented,
better write to: me and when what I answer doesn’t
satisfy you, then we’ll start a discussion about how to do it.
Otherwise I’m tired of giving answers to thoughtless statements, and
made on the basis of rumors. Please don't be offended by anyone
saying that :-) your criticism is useful!

P.S. Nothing personal!

-+- TextWriter 0.01
+ Origin: SpbZxNet.org (812/08.16)

DP8> the development of
DP8> controller for emulating the ZX keyboard is being completed, and the program
DP8> will not be able to distinguish a PC keyboard from a Spectrum one!
DP8> Then the impossibility of polling the ZX keyboard with disabled
DP8> interrupts occurs _only_ _in_ _experimental_ _model_
DP8> _computer_. By the way, you can poll the keyboard at any time
DP8> yourself, but not through IN A, (#FE), but through the AT ports of the keyboard!

Why introduce another port? IMHO, you can borrow a solution from ATM-Turbo.
The keyboard controller there has a fairly good command system, and
is controlled through the same #FE port.

bye, with all sorts of Wishes, Fedin Pavel!

12 Jun 97 00:59, Denis Parinov (812/08.16) informed All about {Sprinter, answers.}:

DP> Rumors began to appear that in the computer
DP> Sprinter

Denis, take it easy :))

These were not rumors, but the state of affairs today. Nobody doubts that the Peters will fix this (if you tell them about it in time)

DP> P.S. Dear coders and others, stop yelling in the echo,
DP> that Sprinter can’t do this, other things are poorly implemented,
DP> it’s better to write to: me and here’s what I’ll answer

Are you suggesting a secret soapbox discussion? Not the same effect :))

Warm greetings, Slava!

The other day on June 15, 97, at 00:56, Fedin Pavel wrote to Denis Parinov:

Hi, Fedin.

[skip here it was like in Sprintere cool with the keyboard]

FP> Why introduce another port? IMHO, you can borrow a solution from
ATM-Turbo.
FP> There, the keyboard controller has a fairly good command system, and
FP> is controlled through the same port #FE.

1. How compatible is ATM with Spec? In Sprintere, ZX
keys are emulated via #FE.
2. To poll AT keyboard you need two ports like this. I don’t
know how ATM does this, can you give more details, maybe the Peters will also make a virtual ATM :).
3. Why is this necessary, how much software will people lose if this is not done?

FP> bye, with all sorts of Wishes, Fedin Pavel!

Sincerely, Denis.