Adventurer #08: Интерфейс: Опыт использования Amiga и ее сравнение с PC

(C) Ray/AURYN/CPU

          DOES AMIGA RULEZ?

     The writing of this article was prompted by various thoughts and feelings that have overwhelmed me during the last three months leading up to the purchase of AMMY. It should be taken into account that I have been working not only on SPECCY (4 years) but also have some experience (7 years) on PC. So the question of what to buy for home - PC or AMIGA was very acute and painful for me. After all, for the same money ($650) you could get a P166/32/2/2/SB16/12sp with a monitor or A1200/Blizzard1230/50/32 Fast/HDD 1.6Gb without one and a CD drive. Moreover, it should be noted that I know PC quite well, while I mostly heard about AMIGA only that it rules, and I saw a few demos and games on A600. Besides, I could assemble a PC part by part during all this time, while I had to buy the Amiga as a complete package. And they sell PC software almost everywhere, while for AMMY you have to go to the capital for software. But anyway, I endured those three months and courageously saved the required amount, repeatedly driving away heretical thoughts about buying a PC. And now, I have AMIGA on my desk, playing Hippo Player, and the story begins about the adventures of an Amiga newbie (FOR NOW a newbie)... This article will be written over a long period of time, and as my experience as an Amiga user accumulates, it is very likely that there will be contradictory moments in it.

     A week has passed since the purchase...

     To be honest, I bought the Amiga 80% under the influence of the well-known slogan "Amiga - rulez!" that every Spectrumist knows all too well. And what Sinclairist doesn't dream of an Amiga? Practically anyone (or so it seems to me). But few can imagine why they need it. The fragmented information from AMMY experts helps little (I was browsing the INTERNET, reading FAQs about Amiga. They ask such things there (like "what is a copper?") that I, as a user, don't need at all. And where can I find answers to simple (?!) questions of a beginner Amiga user? I might be told: "Well, in the Internet on IRC." But I don't have unlimited access to the Internet to sit on IRC. And many people don't have access to the Internet at all... Of course, one can find an Amiga specialist in our region. But he is either busy, or has a headache, or something else. So I have to search for answers to questions on my own. Here are some findings I want to share with you. I immediately warn that I will compare Amiga with PC (as objectively as possible) based on my needs. Above, I provided specific configurations of PC and AMIGA. Why exactly these? It's very simple: I have such a PC at work, and such an Amiga at home. I have a SONY SFT100 monitor connected to the PC, and a color TV connected to the Amiga. I work on both machines almost daily. First, general impressions. At first, I was slightly disappointed... Performance - compared to PC, it lags a bit when working with disks, when working with windows in Workbench at 16 colors - it's about the same as in Win'95, but if you set 256 colors, it slows down quite a bit. (Although why 256 colors in Workbench? Here, it seems to me, even 16 is too much...) Operations with the hard drive are much slower than on PC (for example, copying large files), although maybe I just have such a slow hard drive (2" Seagate 1.6 Gb). However, the slowdown is noticeable only in this case, since AMIGA does not constantly access the hard drive, and the size of programs is small. As for graphics, I can't say anything yet, as comparing the capabilities of an SVGA monitor and a TV is nonsense. I can only say that the resolution is 260X200 max 256 colors, NTSC mode. By the way, in this mode, the image is clearer than in PAL, although slightly squished vertically. I had no problems connecting an ACER view SVGA monitor to AMMY - the impression was good. As for programs, graphic editors are not as sophisticated as on PC and are not that difficult to figure out. And finally about music... What can I say... you just have to hear it! And if we step away from emotions, then I have only heard similar sound on PC with Sound Blaster AWE 64, but, in my (and not only) subjective opinion, AMMY reproduces music better (we tested it on the same MOD file).

     Three weeks have passed since the purchase...

     Everything said above was caused by the impression of working on a practically "bare of software" machine. After some time, I equipped AMMY with the necessary software and can definitely say - PC "rests" compared to it. And there’s really nothing to say about the possibilities of customizing the menu - you have to see it... However, there is a slight lag when working, but it doesn't compare to the sluggishness of PC when WIN'95 swaps for half an hour. And if you need an example, the Amiga emulates PC in the program PCx (without FPU) about as well as an XT. In any case, you can work in LEXICON without problems! But what brings special pleasure is the realization that with Amiga I also acquired a PC, a Mac, and of course, SPECTRUM! This is just RULEZZZ!!! By the way, this text was typed in LEXICON on Amiga under an emulator. When my PC friends saw this, they quietly "faded away"... And now I can also say about graphics: on my old color TV ("Sadko") 24-bit graphics look NOT A BIT WORSE than on an SVGA monitor. Many are interested in "Is there DOOM on Amiga?" Yes! Exactly the same. Moreover, it accepts WAD files from PC. Besides DOOM, there are also other decent 3D games with graphics better than not only DOOM, but also, say, DUKE NUKEM. For example, GENETIC SPICES. And I can't say anything about Amiga demos because words can't describe them!!! With a size of 3 megabytes, the demo Pulse lasts 10 minutes, and it has so much packed into it that you just marvel. I have only seen something like this on PC when it was continuously reading from a CD. And that took about 30 MB!!! Thus, using Amiga as a home computer is beyond doubt, and, in my opinion, it is much more preferable than PC. And now about what I DIDN'T LIKE about Amiga. Unfortunately, it's the use of it in professional work. Working in the publishing and printing business, I need programs for layout and image processing (multi-layered), which I haven't encountered on Amiga yet, except for PageStream, but for two reasons: 1. Lack of sufficient assortment of Russian fonts. 2. Lack of an SVGA monitor (doing layout on a TV screen is masochism) makes working with this program impossible.

Not long ago, with the assistance of Condor Soft, I was able to get on Amiga IRC and chat with people there. What did I manage to find out? Everything that is more or less suitable for professional use on Amiga is only... for Macintosh. That is: load the emulator - and go for it! (For now, there's no answer to that - the emulator also "wants" an SVGA monitor...) That's all about impressions. Now, I will give some advice regarding the purchase of Amiga. In the price lists from PKC "Computers for the Population," there are descriptions of some Amiga configurations. The information there is generally reliable, but there is a small "BUT..." In many Spectrum magazines, I encountered such enthusiastic statements: "Amiga - only for $300!" Not quite! For that money, you can only get a bare machine: 2 MB of memory and a floppy drive. And to work fully, you need an accelerator + Fast RAM + HDD - that is, another $300. In total, at least $600! And that's still without a monitor and CD-ROM. With them, the whole thing will cost a lot more. And nowadays, for that amount, you can get a VERY GOOD PENTIUM (P200MMX/32/2/2/24sp/SB/14" SVGA monitor)... So decide for yourself. However, there is another option, if your hands are attached to the right place - you can buy an A1200 board and put it in a PC case. This way you save $200 and get an A1200T. Moreover, by investing money in Amiga, you won't end up like a PC owner who, after buying a fancy computer, say for $1500, can't sell it for $900 after SIX MONTHS (this is a real example from life)!!! Then again, why do you need a computer? If you plan to write music on it - an A600HD is more than enough (Octamed works perfectly on it), for many /old/ games, a bare Amiga is sufficient, but to feel the full beauty of this machine, the joy of working with it, you will need the above-mentioned configuration, and that costs money... And one more piece of advice - immediately after buying the Amiga, take it to a friend who is an Amiga user and record all the software goodies on it - players, viewers, etc. Only then will you not be disappointed, as I was at first (see above).

     To be continued...

Contents of the publication: Adventurer #08

• От автора - Shaitan
  Technical details of a new program interface for ZX Spectrum. Discusses improvements and features like scrolling and color change. Provides keyboard and button navigation instructions.
• От автора
  Introduction by the author and editorial team details.
• Presentation
  The article presents a software installer for creating autorun disks and introduces a new adventure game created with QUILL by Dr. Laser.
• Presentation of TRICK Software
  The article presents TRICK, a new software for program protection developed by Eternity Industry, and discusses its beta and commercial versions. The author, Alexander Kalinin (aka Paracels/EI), addresses previous shortcomings in the software and emphasizes its improved interface. It includes purchase details for the software and invites readers to request it.
• Presentation
  The article provides a detailed user manual for HELP_Z80, a free utility for ZX Spectrum that serves as an electronic guide for Z80 microprocessor commands. It outlines how to load and use the software, including command explanations, search functions, and integration with assemblers. Additionally, it includes memory distribution, operational features, and references for further reading.
• Interface
  The article discusses reader feedback on the magazine's interface, addressing concerns about pricing and software trends in the ZX Spectrum community. It features a letter from a reader expressing thoughts on game pricing and the declining number of users on the platform. Additionally, there are discussions on software developments and user engagement.
• Interface
  The article shares the author's experiences after purchasing an Amiga, comparing it with a PC, and discussing its usability for games, graphics, and music, while noting some software limitations.
• Interface
  The article discusses user support issues faced by hardware manufacturers SCORPION and NEMO for ZX Spectrum devices. It critiques SCORPION for poor customer service despite being a market leader, while praising NEMO for responsive support. The author expresses concerns about the overall market direction for ZX Spectrum hardware.
• Interface
  Article discusses the future of the Spectrum platform, addressing user demographics, software production challenges, and hardware evolution possibilities.
• Interface
  Article discusses the frustrations of a Speccy user regarding hardware issues, the challenges of modern computing, and the dedication to maintaining the Speccy platform.
• Interface
  Статья рассматривает жизнь и судьбы пользователей ZX Spectrum, включая личные воспоминания автора о друзьях и их взаимодействии с компьютерами.
• System
  The article reviews various software for ZX Spectrum, including text editors, audio players, and graphic utilities. It provides independent opinions on their features and usability, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses. The piece emphasizes the evolution and improvement of software tools available for this classic platform.
• Overview of Games
  Overview of notable games for ZX Spectrum, highlighting their graphics, sound, and gameplay mechanics. Each entry includes a brief summary and rating. Recommended for fans of retro gaming.
• Review of Demos
  The article reviews demo versions of various games, highlighting their potential and unique features. It emphasizes the scarcity of such releases in the market and evaluates the quality and gameplay mechanics of selected titles. The author shares insights into the progress and expectations for future full versions of these games.
• Guests
  The article discusses the formation and activities of the Eternity Industry group, its members, projects, and future plans for releases and competitions.
• Гости - Dr. John
  An interview with Felix from Virtual Brothers discusses his transition from ZX Spectrum to PC, development of the game 'Winnie the Pooh', and future plans.
• Guests
  Interview with the musicians Mарат and Демон from the band 'Disgust', discussing their musical evolution, influences, and perspectives on life and creativity.
• Promotion
  The article provides a detailed manual for the game 'ENCYCLOPEDIA of WAR', explaining army selection, unit types, and battle mechanics.
• Promotion
  The article provides a walkthrough for the game, detailing necessary items and strategies for progressing through various challenges, including dealing with dinosaurs and navigating villages.
• Promotion
  Статья представляет собой обзор arcade adventure игры 'ELOPEMENT' от Omega HG, выделяя ее особенности и советы по прохождению.
• Promotion
  Статья описывает текстовую адвентюру 'Остров тьмы' на QUILL, предлагая советы для игроков. Упоминаются механики и персонажи, включая загадки и взаимодействия. В конце представлена карта острова.
• Promotion of 'Knightmare'
  The article describes the game 'Knightmare', detailing its commands, gameplay mechanics, and initial quests. Players control a knight who must interact with characters and solve puzzles to progress. It serves as a manual for navigating the game's environment and objectives.
• Experience Exchange
  The article critiques the adventure game 'Island of Darkness' by Paul Moskow, highlighting its illogical design, lack of detailed item descriptions, and absence of helpful hints for players.
• Experience Exchange
  The article provides a detailed manual for enhancing the ZX ASM 3.0 assembler, introducing debugging features and functionalities for better program execution control on ZX Spectrum.
• Experience Exchange
  The article describes a phenomenon observed with the ZX Spectrum video controller, where switching between two screens can create unexpected visual artifacts. It outlines a specific program that demonstrates this effect through rapid screen toggling. The author discusses the implications and potential applications of this behavior.
• Обмен опытом - Иван Рощин
  The article is a programming guide on porting the 'iris.ss' screen saver effect from Dos Navigator to ZX Spectrum, including source code and modification tips.
• Обмен опытом - Иван Рощин
  Description of the OPEN_W procedure to create window borders. Includes details on customization of symbols and dimensions. Utilizes PRSYM for symbol printing.
• Обмен опытом - Maximum
  Introduction to long integer operations for game development on ZX Spectrum, including addition, subtraction, and conversion to ASCII.
• Experience Exchange
  The article discusses the customization of the ART STUDIO graphic editor by creating additional modules that enhance its functionality, including features like music playback and cursor coordinates display.
• Experience Exchange
  The article describes a program developed to improve the visual quality of a pixel-by-pixel moving attribute message on ZX Spectrum. It provides details on the implementation, including the use of data arrays for motion trajectory and image rendering. The program includes comments for easier understanding and can be modified for different effects.
• Оттяг
  The article features humorous sketches and commentary on various aspects of life and technology, including anecdotes about a fictional character's experience with a Pentium processor.
• Pharmacist Test
  The article presents humorous tests designed to identify whether someone is a real pharmacist or a fraud, featuring situational questions and scoring to gauge knowledge of pharmacy.
• Oddities and Self-Reflection in 'Оттяг'
  The article 'Оттяг' presents a humorous and critical self-reflection of the author, exploring various life experiences and quirks that highlight his unusual personality traits.
• Humorous Quiz: Assess Your Sense of Humor
  The article presents a humorous quiz to assess one's sense of humor and sexual attitudes through various situational questions, revealing absurd and comedic perspectives.
• Student Types Quiz
  The article presents a humorous quiz to determine what kind of student you are, ranging from a party animal to a diligent scholar. It features a series of questions regarding typical student activities and responses. The results categorize students based on their score, from carefree to nerdy.
• How to Properly Torture Windows 95 - Maximum
  Статья описывает иронический подход к установке и эксплуатации операционной системы Windows 95, включая способы ее 'мучения' и троллинга. В тексте используются гиперболизированные примеры взаимодействия с ОС для создания комичного эффекта. Это развлекательный материал с элементами юмора.
• Ottyag
  The article is a humorous narrative featuring Winnie the Pooh and his friends returning to the Hundred Acre Wood, where their carefree life turns chaotic. It describes their antics, including drinking and misadventures, as they reunite and encounter various challenges. The story showcases the characters' personalities and interactions in a comedic light.
• Novella
  The article describes a humorous novella featuring Corporal Johnlan recounting his first military mission and his interactions with a young grandchild over beers.
• Novella
  Novella recounts an adventurous escape from a Glot base using a vintage spacecraft, highlighting the protagonist's encounters and clever maneuvers.
• Novella
  The article describes a whimsical story about two hedgehogs, Pukhly and Zaraza, who, after a strange event, develop wings and must navigate their new reality. The story blends fantasy and humor as the characters face unexpected changes and challenges. This is a novella showcasing imaginative storytelling.
• News
  The article discusses recent updates from Rybninsk related to the FunTop party, detailing contributions from various individuals and teams for the 'Adventurer' magazine and demo competitions.
• News
  Статья сообщает о событиях в сообществе Спектрумистов Ярославля, включая информацию о разработчиках программного обеспечения и их текущих проектах.
• Advertisement
  The article is a collection of advertisements and announcements related to ZX Spectrum, inviting collaboration from programmers, artists, and musicians, and detailing how to acquire the journal and software.