Oberon #03: How to Write in Oberon: A Comprehensive Guide

M.M.A / SPEED CO.                         
".... I drink morning juice and again write to OBERON..."                                          
(from the advertisement)       

Surely, many of you, dear readers, have experienced at least once in your life the desire to write for some electronic (or not electronic at all) magazine. Honestly, what stopped you?           
Well, first you need to find paper, then a pen, make sure that the second leaves marks on the first, and write, write, write. Make mistakes, cross out, crumple and ball up the paper, throwing it into the nearest trash can. And if, after all, a written masterpiece has come from your pen, then you need to go to the post office, buy an envelope, and search long and hard for the address of the editorial office.....                       

Then comes a long and persistent wait, and finally, after 6-9 months, you receive the next issue of the magazine and see your opus there. And it's good if it is signed with your name and surname, otherwise it happens....   
I know all this from my experience communicating with the editorial offices of "ZX-REVUE" and "SPECTROFON". And if the first one treats its readers more or less normally, then the second, at least during the STEP era (there are rumors that STEP has disbanded and OLDMAN is in charge of SPECTROFON), often used the submitted materials but mentioned their authors not a word.         

If you, dear readers, have even the slightest desire to write an article for "OBERON," then you have an amazing opportunity. You have never seen anything like it! The only magazine that allowed its readers to write an article from start to finish with their own hands was ADVENTURER. But there, readers had to write articles in the form of a ready-made block of codes, where the text, "reader," and music were located. It is obvious that with such an approach, each author must be partly (and even more than that) a programmer. Well, since everyone wants to write: gamers, hackers, coders, and lamers, then.....              

Writing an article for "OBERON" is much easier! First, try to find any version of our editor ZX-WINWORD at the nearest flea market. (At the time of writing this article, version 1.3 is being prepared for sale, as well as a completely rewritten sprite cutter.)                                          

Having this editor in your hands will allow you to produce a complete article that will be ready for printing by more than 90 percent. If you couldn't find this editor, then type your text in any other. Personally, I recommend IS-EDITOR (in the IS-DOS environment), but if you are simply disgusted by IS-DOS, you can use the old ZX-WORD.         

Currently, the magazine supports only one text format - 42 characters per line. Perhaps we will soon switch to multi-formatting, but for now, I recommend typing your texts with exactly this (42) number of characters per line.                        
If you want to insert any illustrations into the text, there are two possibilities:   
1) If your illustrations are whole screen files, just write a small message in the text like: "Screen file - obz1.asc". (where obz.asc is the name of your picture). Save the screens to the same disk where the article itself will be located.   

2) If you want to include not only whole pictures but also individual sprites directly in the text, then I again advise you to acquire ZX-WINWORD and format the text in it. First, read the help that loads with the command LOAD DOC. The file name containing the description is "winw.doc". Next, you will need to cut the sprites using the CUT SPRITE program and then insert them into the text, following the instructions exactly. The maximum size of your article should not exceed 23-24 kilobytes (taking into account compressed pictures and sprites). If you exceed this mark, you need to organize a second DOC file. This, as you might have guessed, will be a load in the magazine.                         

The advantage of ZX-WINWORD over other editors (in terms of writing articles for "OBERON") is that you can color the text yourself. Coloring is done in TXT mode. By pressing the EXT.MODE key (CAPS SHIFT + SYMB.SHIFT), you enter the number 16, and a controlled character is printed on the screen. Then you press EXT.MODE again and enter a number from 1 to 7, which is the color you want to set for the text. [Note: this number is nothing more than the code for the color attribute]       

When preparing an article in ZX-WINWORD, it is essential to keep in mind an important fact: on each new page, the very first character must be code 16 and the INK color. By following this rule, you make our lives easier and speed up the release of the next issue of the magazine.  

If you or your friends suddenly awaken a musical talent, we will be happy to accept your music along with the article itself. Naturally, the music must be original, not stolen (don't try to deceive us!). It is preferable to write melodies in SOUND TRACKER PRO (BY KSA), but you can also use any other music editor.                                     

Now let's agree on standard extensions for text, graphics, music, and sprites. The file name should consist of two parts: "myth.txt."              
                |    |                    
    actual name and extension           
    (4 characters)     (3 characters)           

You come up with the file name yourself, but the extension must be standard. In principle, we are not fools and can distinguish text from music, but the whole point of this article is to explain to you how to help us. 

The list of standard extensions used in OBERON construction:                        

Graphics:                                 

.scr  - standard graphic file of size 6912 or 6144 (without attributes).                            

.asc  - standard graphic file packed with the SCREEN CRASHER compressor.                         

.msp  - standard graphic file packed with the MAXSOFT SCREEN PACKER compressor in DECOMPRESS: SLOW mode                 

.spr  - file created by the CUT program, containing sprites used in your article.               

By sending us already compressed graphics, you again save our time and further participate in the creation of "OBERON." Just keep in mind that before compression, screens can be optimized using the SCREEN OPTIMIZER v4.2 (SO v4.2) program; the quality of compression can be improved because of this.                               

After creating an article using sprites in ZX-WINWORD, do not forget to save the sprite file to disk. Of course, these sprites are already in the text, but who knows what might happen!                                

Texts:                                  
.txt  - text typed in IS-DOS EDITOR (or ZX/IBM-EDITOR).             
.zxw  - text typed in ZX-WORD or another editor using two line break codes #0A and #0D. Texts from ZX-WORD do not need this extension since they have their own extension "" instead of the standard "".      

.doc  - texts (or rather documents) prepared in the ZXWINWORD editor                                          

.tlw  - texts typed in THE LAST WORD 2 editor                      

.tsw  - texts typed in TASWORD editor                          

Naturally, the most acceptable format for us is .doc, and the least acceptable are the last two. But better TLW text than illegible scrawls on paper that are completely unscannable and unrecognizable.                                          

Music:                                  

.dtm  - compiled sobg made in PRO TRACKER editor                 
.stm  - compiled sobg made in SOUND TRACKER PRO editor           
.st3  - compiled sobg made in SOUND TRACKER 3.0 (BY KSA)  
.st!  - compiled sobg made in the regular SOUND TRACKER.             

Please send music in the form of the source text that can be loaded into the editor. Also, attach the same melody in compiled form with one of the above extensions. We kindly ask you to use only standard compilers.      

So, you have written an article, saved it to disk along with music (possibly) and graphics (preferably). Now take any modern commander that doesn't care whether there are files with the same names on the disk or not (MONSTER COMMANDER). Copy all files to the same disk. Thus, the same files are duplicated on one disk. This will help us if there are disk glitches. Now perform the last operation: save the zero track using the same modern disk shell to the 159th.                   

Now you can confidently run to the post office and send a letter (in a large envelope with cardboard inserts) or a parcel to the editorial office. In the next issue, rest assured, your article will be published!                                     
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓

Contents of the publication: Oberon #03

• From the Authors
  The editorial of the third issue of Oberon reflects on its wide distribution across Russia and nearby countries, overcoming production challenges, and its aim to cater to various readers, including gamers, programmers, and hackers.
• How to Write in Oberon - M.M.A
  Guide on submitting articles to Oberon using ZX-WINWORD. Detailed format and process explanations for text, graphics, and music. Insight into editorial practices and preferences.
• Scroll - M.M.A
  A historical overview of the game THE EIDOLON on ZX Spectrum, covering its restoration process and gameplay mechanics, including level challenges and story background.
• Scroll
  Dark Star is a space shooter game where players pilot a ship against a tyrannical alien race. Players customize settings, navigate space, and combat enemy forces on various difficulty levels. Strategic planning and skill are vital for successful gameplay.
• Scroll - M.M.A
  Detailed gameplay mechanics for the game with Mechnotech klp2. Strategy involves disarming reactors and managing droid transformations. Insight into different droid types and weapons available.
• About Everything - M.M.A
  Discussion of reader interactions with the 'Oberon' editorial team, including feedback on previous issues and commentary on game compatibility and magazine content improvements.
• About Everything - M.M.A
  The autobiographical article explores the author's role in Samara's ZX Spectrum scene, detailing his contributions and aspirations. M.M.A positions himself as a leader and innovator in the community. It highlights the importance of local distribution and cultural impact.
• Amiga rulez? - M.M.A
  Critical essay on contemporary computer culture, contrasting IBM and Amiga platforms. Discusses societal impact of IBM standardization and advocates Amiga as a symbol of creativity and individuality. Reflects on the evolution of computer usage and preferences since the ZX Spectrum era.
• What Should 'Boot' Be - Unbeliever
  The article explores the evolution of boot programs for ZX Spectrum, discussing early developments and key innovations over time. It highlights significant breakthroughs in automation and design, including fully assembler-written boots and the introduction of modern features. The text concludes with reflections on ideal boot characteristics from a contemporary user's perspective.
• Letter from Queen Software
  An open letter from Queen Software criticizes ZX-WINWORD's design and Russian keyboard layout, denounces 'Mortal Compot' and the degradation of games, and shares views on demoscene events and computer emulation.
• Review - Unbeliever
  The review provides insights into various 128K exclusive games for the ZX Spectrum, highlighting titles like 'Space Gun', 'World Championship Soccer', and 'Night Breed'. Special attention is given to their graphical prowess and gameplay mechanics. Furthermore, the article addresses the acquisition of Spectrum software via the Internet.
• Review of Assemblers - Maxsoft
  Review of various assemblers for ZX Spectrum, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. Focus on EDAS 3.3, AFS, XAS, ZX-ASM, ALASM, MASM, and TASM 4.1. Each assembler is evaluated on performance, features, and usability.
• Our Answer - M.M.A
  Critical analysis of the electronic journal FAULTLESS, highlighting plagiarism issues and content quality. Discussion on the comparison with OBERON and other journals. Suggestions for improving FAULTLESS are provided.
• Our Response - Alex Noman
  Debate over the compatibility and capabilities of Scorpion and Profi computers with the ZX Spectrum. Critique of programming claims by Chung Software regarding outdated languages and methods. Discussion on operating systems like CP/M and iS-DOS in the context of their utility in modern computing.
• Our Response
  Exploring the varied interpretations of the term 'hacker' in Russian, highlighting distinctions and misconceptions.
• Hardware - Dr.Death
  Connection instructions for AY-3-8910 on Spectrum-compatible machines. Solutions for common audio issues in Russian computers. Advice for improving digital sound compatibility.
• Hardware - Dr.Death
  Discussion on modifying SCORPION ZS 256 for better performance, focusing on timing issues and TURBO mode. Explanation of improvements and potential problems with multicolors. Suggestions for further upgrades.
• Hardware - Poltergeist Corp.
  Analysis of hardware issues with Profi, a ZX Spectrum clone, focusing on INT signal problems causing graphic flickering. A solution is proposed involving a simple hardware modification. The author shares their success and the widespread adoption in Samara.
• Let's Gurm
  A microdrama illustrating the chaotic interaction between computer components during a printing task.
• Let's Feast
  Satirical story depicting an alternate reality where American culture and symbols are humorously twisted by Soviet influences.
• Let's Feast
  The story humorously describes Popov's efforts to help Papuans progress, amid desert struggles, political intrigue, and personal challenges.
• Let's Discuss
  Overview of military jargon known as 'Army Absurdities' collected by students, highlighting unique language and instructions used in military training and communications.
• Let's Feast
  Satirical article describing military humor and fictional military equipment.
• Literacy Campaign - Paul Atrides
  Analysis of hacker misconceptions and societal attitudes, exploring hacker culture's roots and ethical dilemmas.
• Primer - Paul Atrides
  Article discusses the role and activities of Russian hackers in the late 1990s, highlighting notable cases and categorizing different types of hackers. It covers the operations, risks, and impacts of hacking on international and local levels. The text also examines the societal perception of hackers and their portrayal in media.
• Contest - M.M.A
  A contest involving identifying songs from poorly translated lyrics, inspired by a radio segment. Participants guess the song and artist. No specific prize yet, but a free journal issue is promised.
• Contest
  A poetic reflection on personal struggle, misunderstood communication, and the burden of saving the world.
• Contest
  A poetic reflection on isolation and inner dreams, contrasting with harsh reality.
• Contest
  The article presents a poetic tribute to the community, emphasizing themes of unity, immortality, and strength through metal music.
• Advertisement
  Advertisement in Oberon magazine offers free publication and discusses available software, hardware, and stores related to ZX Spectrum.
• Advertisement
  Advertisement of computer repair and upgrades with pricing for various services. Options include drive connection, signal normalization, and memory upgrades. Specific services for different computer models like Pentagon and ATM.