Adventurer #06: Experience Exchange: A Comparative Look at PC and Amiga

After the gathering in August in St. Petersburg with the mysterious name Enlight, the debates between the supporters of the PC and Amiga platforms sharply intensified regarding the advantages of their favorites. These debates are all the more pointless because the overwhelming majority have never seen Amiga computers and cannot judge such things objectively. I have worked on both PC and Amiga and have drawn some conclusions. I offer them to you, claiming no final truth.

Advantages of PC:

1.Availability of powerful software support;  
2.A large number of peripherals;  
3.High processor performance;  
4.A wide selection of various PC models for different fields of application;  

Disadvantages of PC:

1.Too large size (literally) of programs due to the use of high-level languages and OS features;  
2.Relatively low quality of software;  
3.Poor hardware compatibility;  
4."Clunky" operating system MSDOS, not far removed from its predecessor CP/M;  
5.Even more "clunky" system WINDOWS'95;  
6.Very high resource demands of software, i.e. it requires a lot of MB, a lot of MHz;  
7.Running multiple programs simultaneously (multitasking) is problematic due to constant system crashes and conflicts between programs, as a consequence of the system's lack of thought;  
8.Complexity and confusion of the system for the user, distancing the user from concepts such as: memory (not memory capacity), driver, data, and ultimately from a basic understanding of how PCs work (i.e. turning the user into a fool, hence the term "teapot").  

Explanation: the term "system" here refers to the set of low-level system programs (DOS, BIOS..) and the WINDOWS shell.

Advantages of Amiga:

1.Availability of a small, but exceptionally effective and convenient software (in this regard, Amiga probably has no competitors at all);  
2.Almost 100% compatibility of all models in terms of hardware;  
3.Availability of all necessary components and devices for normal operation even in minimal configurations;  
4.Very high performance in working with graphics and sound without any problems, as all actions are performed by coprocessors in DMA modes;  
5.Completely unique multitasking system in all characteristics.  

(Comment: I launched dozens of programs simultaneously and worked without any discomfort even on Amiga 500.)

6.Excellent operating system, unmatched in efficiency and flexibility. Any drivers for external devices or for communication between programs can be easily connected. All programs use standard libraries stored on disk and accessible through the OS, hence the simplicity of programming, "bug-free" operation, and small size of the resulting software code. Libraries are constantly improved without compromising compatibility.

Comment: You won't have to think about data transfer issues between different PCs; you can simply insert a disk from a PC or ZX Spectrum into the drive and work directly with it without copying to another device. You can even come up with your own disk or hard drive format.

You have to see it!!!

Disadvantages of Amiga:

1.No powerful accounting software;  
2.Limited prevalence in Russia and the CIS (?).

Epilogue

After two years of using Amiga, my understanding of such things as the convenience of work and the capabilities of modern PCs has completely changed. If you want to understand the charm of Amiga, try working with the Directory Opus program (an excellent example of modern Amiga software) and you will realize that there is something to it.

P.S. I ask that my name not be mentioned, as I do not wish to become an object of ridicule from PC users, which does not mean my disrespect for them. But I simply feel sorry for them, as they live in their mundane and limited world called PC, and for the most part, they do not even know, nor do they want to know about anything beyond the average closed circle.

Request - do not start discussions in electronic journals mentioning this article.

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Contents of the publication: Adventurer #06

• Presentation
  This is an introduction novel for the game Return to Home 4, featuring space battles and a narrative about pilot Raifus navigating challenges in a military context.
• Presentation
  The article presents K.KAV software's new game 'DEATH WORLDS: TORISTAG INVADERS RETURN TO HOME 5', a real-time strategy continuation of 'RTHЧ'. Players will battle against competitors on resource-rich planets while managing technology and military forces. The game's projected release is between late spring and summer of 1997.
• System Software Updates for ZX Spectrum - Котов А.В.
  The article reviews various software updates and utilities for ZX Spectrum, highlighting their features, usability, and performance. It provides insight into programming tools, disk management, and database applications. The tone blends critique and personal experience to inform readers about the latest developments in Spectrum software.
• Overview of ZX Spectrum Software
  The article provides a comprehensive overview of new software for ZX Spectrum, highlighting various games, their features, and recommendations for players.
• Interface
  Discussion of the ZX Spectrum's interface issues and user frustrations with compatibility and modern enhancements. The author critiques the push for users to modify their machines for non-standard features and expresses dissatisfaction with current trends. Reflection on the future of the ZX Spectrum and the need for a more vibrant community involvement.
• Interface
  The article discusses feedback from readers regarding games and programming tools for ZX Spectrum. It includes cheat codes for a game, opinions on assemblers, and insights into user preferences for computing. Various reader inquiries about games and software are also addressed.
• Interface
  The article discusses issues surrounding the OVER FILE GROUP, a game developer known for mail-order sales, and the impact on user trust in software distribution. It also raises the question of whether to transition the magazine to 128K ONLY, seeking reader feedback. The piece reflects on the importance of user support for maintaining a trusted gaming community.
• Interface
  The article discusses recent news in the ZX Spectrum community, including game development updates, personal news about developers, and local happenings in the Rybinsk and Yaroslavl areas.
• Presentation
  The article presents new software releases by SURDAKAR GROUP, including a demo of ROAD FIGHTER and updates on FONT EDITOR and RAY DISK MONITOR.
• Promotion of Adventure Games
  The article provides a detailed analysis of the adventure games 'APOLLO' and 'ЧУЖОЙ', evaluating their gameplay, challenges, and shortcomings in design.
• Ottyag
  Discussion of computer slang and its impact on modern language, highlighting humorous interactions among users.
• Оттяг
  The article presents a humorous collection of absurd lists, including reasons for dinosaur extinction, alternative names for Robinson Crusoe's Friday, and more.
• Ottyag
  The article presents a test for aspiring demo makers, assessing their skills and commitment to demo creation on the ZX Spectrum. It evaluates their approaches to music, graphics, effects, and their overall engagement with the demo scene. Results determine their standing from novice to expert in the demoscene community.
• What Not to Say or Do When Drunk
  The article provides humorous advice on what to avoid saying or doing when drunk, based on personal anecdotes. It emphasizes the consequences of poor decisions and offers cautionary tips. The content is lighthearted and reflects on typical drunken behaviors and their repercussions.
• Friendship Quiz
  The article presents a humorous quiz about friendship, evaluating how friends would react in various social scenarios, culminating in a scoring system to assess the depth of one’s friendships.
• Ottag
  Статья представляет собой сборник китайских пословиц с юмористическим подтекстом, отражающих различные аспекты жизни и отношений. Она сочетает в себе элементы сатиры и легкого фольклора, используя ироничные наблюдения о человеческом поведении. Текст включает в себя аллюзии на сексуальность, настольные игры и религиозные вопросы.
• Оттяг
  Статья представляет собой пародийное евангелие, где события жизни Иисуса Христа изображаются в неформальном и юмористическом ключе.
• Experience Sharing
  The article provides a detailed guide on creating a complete disk version of a program for ZX Spectrum, including code examples and practical advice.
• Experience Exchange
  The article provides a comparative analysis of the PC and Amiga platforms, highlighting their respective advantages and disadvantages based on personal experience.
• Experience Exchange
  The article discusses the existence and behavior of computer viruses on the ZX Spectrum, particularly the BASIC file infecting virus known as 'Drunken Djinn', first seen in the game Last Battle.
• Code Protection Methods
  The article discusses various methods of software code protection, detailing techniques like inversion masking, obfuscation, P-code, cryptographic algorithms, and the use of ISR. Each method is evaluated for effectiveness and application, particularly within the ZX Spectrum environment. The author invites further information and collaboration on information security methods.
• Anniversary
  The article celebrates the sixth issue of 'ADVENTURER,' marking one year since the founding of the AURYN group. It reflects on the past year for the Speccy community, including the emergence of new programs and the first demomakers' gathering in the CIS. The author expresses hope for the future of Speccy and encourages readers to support and promote the platform.
• Anniversary
  Article celebrates the 15th anniversary of the Spectrum, reflecting on its enduring legacy and recent developments in hardware and software.
• Novella
  The article narrates a novella centered on a covert mission involving a programmer named Gerald O'Brien, who is hired by a drug lord called Swede to infiltrate a rival's computer network, leading to a thrilling sequence of espionage and violence.
• Contest
  The article discusses a contest related to ZX Spectrum, showcasing submissions and participants' creativity.
• Advertisement
  The article is an advertisement section in Adventurer #06, inviting hackers, programmers, artists, and musicians to contribute to the ZX Spectrum community. It outlines collaboration opportunities, offers specific requirements for software submissions, and includes contact information for advertising and game distribution. Additionally, it promotes a range of ZX Spectrum software and services available across various cities.