M.M.A / SPEED CO.'97
Although three months have passed since the release of the second issue of our magazine, we still haven't received a single letter. I mean letters from outside Samara. Well, our Samara SPECTRUM users write to us with enviable regularity and activity!
This time I'm commenting on the letters - M.M.A, and for this, I will use the strict style of ZX-FORMAT, meaning I can interrupt the author of the letter at any moment and write a response, separating myself with color and the M.M.A> symbol.
So, the floor is yours, letter authors:
Greetings to you, esteemed editorial team of "OBERON". Here comes the time to write my second (!) letter to your wonderful magazine (just don't understand how I determined that it has come?), I apologize to Clive Sinclair for such malicious insistence.
So, what was I saying? Ah, yes. I really want to ask: are you all in the editorial office extra... what is it... psychics or something? I'm talking about the fact that, before you can even hint at some wishes (they had to be invented after all!), in the very next issue, you get shoved in the face with what you wanted to see (I'm talking about some programs and games). It's a bit annoying.
M.M.A> Of course, we have extraordinary people in our editorial office. But here’s the problem: we are not gamers, and we can only intuitively understand the problems of a playing person. Therefore, if you've completed any QUEST or got stuck in the center of a global adventure - describe all your adventures, attach the version of the game (cassette or disk) and send it to us. The material will go into the nearest issue!
In fact, it’s very nice that the authors are trying to make their creation not just a professionally protected package with "helps" for all software products (which is especially relevant for beginner users -- what about "all rights reserved"), but a very readable collection of interesting (whoever doesn’t find this interesting is probably producing something similar themselves) and useful materials for many.
M.M.A> As you might have already noticed, we gave up protection a long time ago and thus gained many new readers throughout the entire EX-USSR! ...And critics too!:-)
Thanks, for example, to "the one who shows the way" (I apologize for stealing this phrase from you) for the article in the "LITERACY" section, presented briefly and clearly. Such comprehensive information in such a small volume is hard to find, although... maybe you can find it somewhere -- I haven't tried yet. I hope, with your help, I will someday manage to grasp at least some subtleties of ASSEMBLER (I hope that the USER who has already grasped these subtleties and calmed down (or hasn't calmed down) won’t be angry at this babble, but will understand (I was probably the same way)).
M.M.A> In my opinion, the article in the "LITERACY" section of the second OBERON was the most useless and stupid article in the entire issue. But you are already the fourth person who tells me that the article is very necessary and interesting. If that's the case, we'll keep trying!
I was specifically surprised to discover something so mysterious called "POPURMIM". Sometimes it’s nice to take a break, "without leaving the cash register" (the monitor, that is).
Besides everything else, it's hard not to notice that the music in the magazine is great, no, the graphics are impressive too, but I especially want to praise the music, since I don’t have a co-processor -- I'm too lazy to search, I have to listen at a friend's place, and even then, in bits and pieces, from time to time. So, sometimes you sit and wonder what is currently playing there?
M.M.A> Well, the music is fixable! At least reach out to the same POLTERGEIST from the ADVERTISING section. He will hook you up in no time. Just don’t talk to his parents -- it's deadly dangerous!
In short, it's getting late... or something. In general, I thought that no special wishes for the editorial team are particularly needed, you understand the problems of the user brotherhood and seem to be trying very hard to help us solve these problems. Thank you very much for that.
Yes, I am now a grateful user, and thank you for the advice -- it really is more useful...
In general, I ask you not to criticize this nonsense, called a letter, too harshly -- you can write anything in a drunken stupor, especially if somewhere near your ear MANOWAR is roaring or KREATOR.
Friday, 13th, 12.96,
23:59:58
M.M.A> So it's even good that something like that is roaring near your ear! Read the "CONTEST" section quickly, listen to the excerpts and ... Ah, damn, you don’t have an AY-CHIP. But that’s not important, besides the music fragments, there’s also a Russian version of the texts! So a little ingenuity and the fresh issue of OBERON will be with you faster than in the nearest store!
And here’s the second letter from another of our regular correspondents, signing as Peace User.
Hello, editorial team of "OBERON"! I am writing you another (hopefully not the last) letter. Yes, the masters of code, music, and graphics have not disappeared yet. You have clearly improved compared to the last time, although there are some shortcomings. Firstly, I would like the texts to be not so long; you get tired, you know, reading, be more concise, gentlemen, more concise, I ask you (I wish the same for myself).
M.M.A> Brevity, of course, is the sister of talent, but a combat leaflet must be a combat leaflet, it’s a combat leaflet! And seriously, especially for all those who are tired of reading lengthy articles, we have introduced the ZX-FORMAT principle of article selection.
The appearance of sprites undoubtedly beautified your creation. Also, I want to advise, if you allow, of course, to use windows. In my opinion, this innovation would enhance the readability of the magazine. Well, if there are any jokes, that would be just great.
M.M.A> If you mean the windows that already exist starting from this issue, then fine, but if others, we have no idea where else to put WINDOWS for coolness. And as for jokes, if they appear, there will be very, very many of them! We hope to manage to release OBERON# 4 by April 1st (2349 years after landing on Mars).
Thank you very much for ELITE 3, I have been looking for it for a long time. I played it with pleasure, but I couldn’t figure out EMPIRE.
M.M.A> EMPIRE is very simple! The author of the description forgot to mention the most important key - the "1" key. By pressing the one, you switch the compass to one of two modes: either it points to the station or to the place where your cursor is on the star map.
As I already noted regarding the 1st issue, you have greatly improved. This is probably due to the expansion of your editorial team. By the way, who is M.M.A., and why does he call himself the leader of Samara hackers? In my opinion, no one elected him to this "position", or did I miss something? No, I’m not against it, let him at least be the spiritual mentor of Samara hackers, but let him say over whom exactly. Although I sign as peace USER, deep down (emphasis on the second syllable) I am a hacker, and it’s annoying when some M.M.A. calls himself your leader.
M.M.A> That’s me, but especially for you Dear Peace User, at the end of this section, my full autobiography is placed!
By the way, speaking of birds, regarding MULTICOLOR STUDIO (see "OVERVIEW"), I don’t know on which SCORP’ you, Mr. M.M.A., checked the functionality of this program, but on mine, it works practically without adjustments.
M.M.A> Mistakes happen to everyone, but not to the Leader! On those SCORPYs, where the "road" for a greater number of cycles is cut, the screen line is built somewhat differently than on the originals. Therefore, MULTICOLOR STUDIO may not work on them (or conversely, only work on them). Read more about this in "HARDWARE". In general, the author of MULT.STUDIO wrote to us about the same thing. Our comment on this matter can be found below - it contains the whole truth about this program!
If we talk about "OVERVIEW", I didn't learn anything special from it, except for some news about ENLIGHTe. In my opinion, you changed the topics that were in the "OVERVIEW" of issue 1 for no reason.
M.M.A> I hope from today’s OVERVIEW you will learn a lot of new things. And I do not intend to describe all the glitches of programs that are already 2-3 years old, as the first Oberon members did in the very first issue of the magazine. New stuff, new stuff, and once again new stuff! (at least while I’m writing OVERVIEW, these programs are new stuff, but while the magazine manages to be published ...)
Well, never mind, I would like to know what other electronic magazines exist besides "OBERON", "SPECTROFON", "ZX-FORMAT". I am also curious if the full version of the game "DUNE II" has been released, and in general, what’s new in games.
M.M.A> There are just a sea of electronic magazines! Go to the "DO IT YOURSELF" store and choose from 20 titles to your taste! And regarding DUNE II, there is no certainty. There were two demo versions of that DUNE II from TVER. But according to rumors from unofficial sources, we will see EX-UFOЗ: BLACK CROW from daddy Mednonogov earlier than this game. As for DUNE, the demo version of which was in the 21st SPECTROFON, in my opinion, it is doomed, as the orientation on 48KB ONLY is, in current conditions, lame.
I wish everyone good luck and hope to see the next issue of your magazine soon.
PEACE USER
19.12.96
M.M.A> "Hope dies last!", as we used to say during our studies at the glorious school number 35. Only we added Hope Andreyevna (the class teacher!)
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I didn’t have time to complain about the lack of letters from abroad, that is, from the Samara beyond, when a small envelope with a letter from the city of Vladimir appeared on the "Pathfinder's" table!
I pass the word to him.........................
CУБАКХ УЛ НАР, dear reader. Recently we received a letter from Yaroslavl. Here it is:
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Hello!
First of all, I want to thank you for creating such an electronic magazine as Oberob. I really like your magazine. I recently acquired the second issue of Oberob, and in the appendix, I saw the game "Elite 3", the Novosibirsk version by B. Kladov. The thing is, the initial versions of this game refused to work on my computer (Magistr-128K) due to incomplete compatibility with Pebtagob. When I learned that this game would work on my computer, I decided to play it. At the moment, I have completed the first two missions: rescuing refugees and destroying the invisible ship. But since you published the description of the other missions quite vaguely, I have three questions:
1. Is it mandatory to complete missions in a strictly defined order?
2. How to buy the "Cobra MKЧ"? (Please explain how to find experimental stations, if possible with drawings. In which galaxy can it be purchased? Which diagonal is the main one?)
3. What does the message "Right ob commander" mean?
I really hope to receive answers to my questions from you and would like you not to leave my letter without attention. I also want to wish the creative team "Stars of Keladab" great creative success and for you to continue publishing such a necessary magazine as "Oberob".
Sincerely, Ilymov Vladimir.
01.02.97
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As you can see, Vladimir, we did not leave your letter without attention. And here is our response. Regarding the "vague publication of the description of the other missions". Unfortunately, this description is not ours, but rather Kladov's. In the preface, we wrote that this text was taken from ZX-Review from 1993, which in turn came from the Novosibirsk electronic magazine TELESHOW that existed at that time. And honestly, we didn't experience everything that was written in the text "on ourselves".
But let's try to answer, although more complete information is contained in the first issues of SPECTROFON.
1. Missions 1 to 4 can be completed in any order and multiple times, even while completing others. That is, these are more like game situations, such as refueling/equipping the ship. The fifth (alien computer) and sixth (Cobra MKЧ) can probably only be completed once - why would you need several alien computers and Cobras? The seventh (space war) should also be "one-time" - if there are no targons, who will you fight?
2. The smooth diagonal is the diagonal that goes from the upper left corner to the lower right. In general, the description of how to find the "Cobra MKЧ" takes up quite a lot of space and was provided in the first issues of SPECTROFON.
3. The inscription "Right ob commander", to put it a bit poetically, means that you have taken another step closer to the next rank (rating).
When the third issue of the magazine was almost ready, a small letter arrived at the editorial office from PHANTOM LORD from ACCEPT CORP. (the author of MultiColor Studio) from the city of Armavir, in which he asks us the same question as one of the readers of Oberon: why couldn’t M.M.A tune MS either on Scorpyon or on Pentagon.
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║ The editorial team of the computer magazine OBERON ║
║ apologizes to the author of the program║
║ MULTICOLOR STUDIO PHANTOM LORD and all║
║ readers for publishing unverified║
║ information. ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════╝
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.
